In the Midst of Tragedy, Kindness Endures

September 9, 2025

While watching the thoughtful series Mr. Rogers with young, weary children, I was reminded of one of my favorite quotes of his:

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’”

To this day, especially in times of disaster, I remember those words. I find comfort in realizing that there are still so many helpers and caring people in this world.

In the aftermath of the recent heartbreaking shooting at Annunciation School in Minneapolis, Minnesota, I invite us all to look for the helpers. I’m grateful that both the local and global communities affected by this tragedy have responded with compassion. Many have donated to the Annunciation Hope and Healing Fund, and others have given blood through the Red Cross.

Others have united the community by organizing and attending vigils that offer emotional support to teachers, children, and their families. Many have hosted spiritual, educational, and therapeutic services to connect and uplift. I invite us not only to look for helpers but also to be helpers. Even the smallest acts of compassion during a crisis can make a meaningful impact.

Here are a few ways you might consider helping:

Ask directly how you can be most helpful to an individual, family, or organization.
Deliver a meal through a service, or bring groceries to someone who is struggling.
Offer childcare to give families a moment to center themselves.
Provide pet care to ease the burden of daily responsibilities.
Gift a healing service such as massage, acupuncture, or water therapy.
Run errands, help with housework, or use your mechanical, technical, or creative skills to support someone in need.

I encourage you to reflect and ask yourself: How can I be a helper?

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2 comments

Daniel September 9, 2025 2:09 pm

Seems like manic defense. Instead of meaningful conversation you offer a shiny object to distract. Im confused as to why living a lie is and looking away is your choice? The world is on fire? Just construct an alternate reality or look at some separate area of life to restore your faith. SMH. Maybe this is the reason that these problems are only getting worse. School shootings have not decreased, and we even made it worse for our kids. Despite the weird spin schools put on it, no one likes metal detectors and cops w guns. They don’t make us feel safe. They make us feel like something crazy is about to happen. Folks are so scared of these taboo subjects that they can’t even look at them squarely and take an honest account. It’s sad to say, but mass shootings are American as apple pie. When you consider the sick society we’ve built, they’re exactly what we deserve. No where else has this problem. Until we unpack the harsh truths of how these killers are shaped it will only get worse. Please keep your saccharine attempts at putting this phenomenon in a cute little box w a ribbon on it to yourself.

James Berreth September 11, 2025 5:42 am

Daniel,

I hear your frustration, and I agree that avoiding the root causes of mass shootings only ensures they continue. You’re right that we need an honest look at the culture and systems that shape this violence.

At the same time, I don’t think focusing on “helpers” is about distraction, it’s about survival. In the immediate aftermath, families and children need care just to get through the next day. Helpers don’t replace systemic change or justice, but they do keep communities from collapsing while we push for both, and we need both: the hard truth-telling you’re calling for, and the small acts of compassion that keep people standing long enough to fight for a different world.

In future, try not to attack or make assumptions about those who write a perfectly well-intentioned article such as this. It serves no one and no purpose.

James Berreth