10-03-2023 4:31am

Before I Die Wall Requests Community Responses & a Bit of Caregiving

Lesley Misko Editor

Photo from the "Before I Die...Boyertown" Facebook page

by Jane Stahl

"Before I Die" walls of all kinds have been installed in over 70 countries in over 30 languages. The project is designed to to benefit communities through a sharing of ideas and learning more about each another. At its core, it's about unifying the community.

In moving the "Before I Die--Boyertown" wall to Donnie Ellixson's "Gardens of Boyertown," the wall has attracted new participants. And sometimes those participants miss the point of the international project. That is, sometimes the responses are not in the best taste or the most civic-minded.

While the project's benefactors believe Boyertown has a desire and commitment toward unity, they also understand that Boyertown has folks of all ages who defy civil behavior!

Donnie knew there would be challenges. In a Facebook post, he wrote, "I'm the person who welcomed this project on my property. I've been supporting and cheering on this Boyertown Community for 30 years. I love championing projects that inspire or make a difference....Yes we've had some obscenities written on the wall. Yes, we took them down and yes, we will inspect daily.

"In my circle, we look out for each other. I would appreciate if this great community of Boyertown could 'look out for' this project. "

As the popular saying goes, "If you see something," (in this case), "[do] something." Simply take a moment and erase offensive postings. It's a community project that invites your response and sometimes needs a bit of your caregiving! "Be the change you wish to see in this world." ~Maya Angelou