If you see a cause that needs a champion, go do something. No one will stop you. (Some might try, many from good but misguided intentions.) If someone says, "What you're doing is too small to matter," tell them the starfish story.
***
A man was walking along the beach where thousands of starfish were stranded overnight. He'd walk a few steps, pick one up, toss it in the ocean, walk a few more steps, pick up another one, and so on. Along came another man, who watched this for a while. He said, "You must be crazy; there are a million starfish on this beach, and you can't make a difference here."
The first man stooped over, picked up another, tossed it into the surf, and replied, "Made a difference to that one."
***
Kristof followed it up with some practical details about setting up your own NGO, 501(c)(3), or whatever, on his blog, here.
Thank God for a NYT columnist with a heart! And for those people who just can't walk past one more starfish without acting.
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