Our View: It's not all doom and gloom

Sometimes, it’s easy to get caught up in the negative aspects of the world.

Wars, disease, famine and corruption run rampant across the globe and while we here in Green River are spared from those social ills, it isn’t hard to open up a web browser or turn on the T.V. and witness them. However, amongst the sad and tragic events occurring seemingly everywhere, there are pieces of news showing us that everything isn’t doom and gloom.

Even in the relatively unmoderated cesspool that is the internet, the occasional speck of light shines.

For example, many internet users rallied around a medical funding request featuring one of the internet’s most visible memes. A meme is often a joke, utilizing an image and a line of text describing a situation and is passed along on the internet, often being altered in ways that maintain the theme of the joke.

The so-called “Success Kid” is one of the internet’s older memes and features a toddler on a beach, clenching sand in his hand while making a smug expression.

The child’s family recently launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds towards a kidney transplant for his father, who was diagnosed with kidney disease in 2006. While the toddler used in the “Success Kid” meme is now eight years old, the internet hasn’t forgotten about him and thousands donated to the cause, ultimately raising more than $100,000 for a total request of $75,000 during the course of 12 days.

Locally, Green River’s residents are spreading that same hopeful light as well. Last week, two Green River residents were honored for their continued service to the community.

Randy Walker, who has worked as a longtime educator and coach in Green River, and longtime scout leader Dennis Freeman were honored as Green River’s outstanding citizens.

The two have dedicated decades of service the Green River’s youth and through that work, have inspired countless others to give of themselves as well.

Of course there are many who help others and freely give their time and money -- most of whom do not seek or receive recognition for their acts. While its easy to see the bad and uncomfortable side of the world, those events aren’t the only things driving the world.

There’s another side filled with people working toward worthy causes and dedicating their lives to better the community. For those reasons, it isn’t all doom and gloom.