Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

My husband and I recently returned from a 15-day Hawaiian cruise on one of those gargantuan mega-ships. As some of you might know, traveling with so many folks from around the world, the first question to start a conversation is often, “Where are you from?”

When you answer this question by saying Martha’s Vineyard, a smile lights up their face and the usual response is, “Oh! Where all the rich people are in the summer!” or “Wow! do you know that famous [actor, author, president, vice-president, or attorney, just fill in the blank]?”

So imagine my surprise when I replied Martha’s Vineyard and was answered with: “Oh, your Island gave food and shelter to those Venezuelan folks back in the autumn, didn’t you ?” Or “That was some nasty political stunt the Florida governor played on those poor folks from Venezuela — good that your church and the other Island organizations stepped up to help them relocate.”

These folks I spoke with hailed from Calgary, Alberta in Canada, northern England, Ireland, middle America (Iowa, Arkansas, Idaho and Indiana), South Africa, Australia and Mexico. I’m sure that if I had spoken to more people there would be many more folks who would have applauded the Island’s efforts to make the lives of those Venezuelan folks a little easier.

Many kind and generous people want to help those who are in need of a better life. Sad to say, there are many folks taking great risks to find the life they hope to live both here in the U.S. and other countries around the world. Remember, the world is watching us. What we do and what we say has an impact. Our kindness matters.

Donna Blackburn

Edgartown