Port Angeles, WA
Honoring Our Elders Work Day
by Tom Benzler
Often our elders are the forgotten people left alone while everyone goes on with their own busy lives. Even our native people, who are always talking about respect and honoring their elders are just as guilty as everyone else. Often they just visit their elders when it is beneficial to them or they need something.
The elders in our community, the Lower Elwha are always 
happy when someone just stops by to say hello. So, what a surprise it was for the elders on May 30, when all these people from within and outside the community showed up at their homes for our “Join Hands Day.”
It was a great opportunity for our District’s Thrivent for Lutherans Chapter to extend a helping hand to people with needs in the Lower Elwha.
For Cathy and I it was a total answer to our prayers to help these elders with physical comfort needs for some time now. They have had a problem with large potholes in their walkways and driveways for years and every winter they get larger and in worse condition.
Occasionally,people would fill in the holes with rocks and such, but the flooding of rain each year would wash them away. Thanks to a local contractor who used his trucks at no cost to us, we were able to get the gravel we needed for the repairs. He also got us a great discount on the road materials.
I was also surprised by the large turnout of people that showed up to help. People from Port Angeles, Sequim, the Makah people from Neah Bay, the Klallam people from Lower Elwha and a family from Tacoma came with their truck and trailer with a gravel spreader to make it easier to accomplish the job. Everyone worked hard that day. If it wasn’t on the roads, they picked up trash, planted vegetable gardens and stacked wood. During lunch time the Makah and Klallam people shared songs and prayers. It was a great time for everyone to share stories and build relationships. The elders of Elwha were very grateful and happy to know they are not forgotten and that people in the community care about them. We thank the Lord for answering our prayers for the Elwha Elders.