Local effort responds to polarized world

Compassionate Fernandina
Press Release
Submitted by Donna Paz-Kaufman
Contact: Peggie Weeks
904.310.6286

June 22, 2017 11:30 a.m.

Mayor Robin Letnz presents proclamation to Compassionate Fernandina “one of more than 340 cities around the world with initiatives to promote civility and respect.”

On Tuesday, June 20th, the Fernandina Beach City Commissioners endorsed the Charter for Compassion, becoming one of more than 340 cities around the world with initiatives to promote civility and respect. The Charter for Compassion was launched in 2008 to encourage and inspire communities to respond in positive ways to a deeply troubled and polarized world. The Proclamation was presented on behalf of the Fernandina Beach City Commission by Mayor Robin Lentz.

Compassionate Fernandina was launched in 2015 by Dr. Tom Washburn and Jane Holzcamp to acknowledge Fernandina’s already strong network of non-profit organizations and community volunteers and to officially designate Fernandina as a “Compassionate City” with the goal of engaging each member of the community in making the place we live and the world in general a better place.

The international Charter for Compassion states, “Rooted in a principled determination to transcend selfishness, compassion can break down political, dogmatic, ideological and religious boundaries. Born of our deep interdependence, compassion is essential to human relationships and to a fulfilled humanity. It is the path to enlightenment, and indispensable to the creation of a just economy and a peaceful global community.”

Individuals may read the Charter for Compassion and affirm its principles online at CharterForCompassion.org. The site also features the 2008 TED Prize presentation by renowned scholar Karen Armstrong, founder of the Charter for Compassion.
(please use link: https://www.charterforcompassion.org/charter/charter-overvew )

Peggie Weeks, president of Compassionate Fernandina, stated, “We are so pleased that the City of Fernandina Beach has endorsed the international Charter for Compassion, committed to making it a standard practice to treat all others as each of us wishes to be treated: with kindness and dignity.” She added, “Simple acts of kindness and civility can transform our world when we each make a commitment to living with compassion when we’re person-to-person, online, or in public forums.”

Compassionate Fernandina is a 501(c) 3 organization. For more information, visit Com-passionateFernandina.org or write [email protected].

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Nancy Dickson
Nancy Dickson(@nancyjackathenshotmail-com)
6 years ago

Congratulations to Peggy and the organizers of Compassionate Fernandina for organizing this group here and to the city for recognizing the need for such an organization. May this mark the beginning of a move to make our world a better place through compassion and caring for one another.

Donna Paz Kaufman
Donna Paz Kaufman(@dpazpazbookbiz-com)
6 years ago

It’s also good to know that Fernandina Beach is the third city in Florida to become a “Compassionate City”, just behind St. Augustine and Orlando.

Thomas C. Washburn
Thomas C. Washburn (@guest_49102)
6 years ago

Compassion and civility and kindness. All are words that speak about how we may address what many of us experience as discomforts in our world, in our community. The stated Mission of Compassionate Fernandina is “to widen the circle of compassion through practical, intentional actions.” We have already started to do so, exemplified by collaborating with the NE Florida Community Action Agency and the City on a Beautification project of landscaping grounds in front of a number of homes on S. 11th Street, south of Jasmine Street. We intend to continue this kind of collaborative work with agencies and businesses as we develop as an agency.

Barb gingher
Barb gingher(@angeldoccie2003yahoo-com)
6 years ago

Many thanks to all who support this effort of love and to the compassionate team who made our dream a reality. This is just the beginning.

Medardo Monzon
Medardo Monzon(@mmonzon)
6 years ago

With deep gratitude I wish to congratulate the small group of people who planted this beautiful seed in our community, a seed that undoubtedly will germinate for the benefit of all. My wish is that kindness, respect and compassion permeate inside City Hall chambers so that we can share our opinions and grievances to City Commissioners and staff in such an exemplary manner. All of us can learn from the example set forth by the founders of Compassionate Fernandina.

Jane Holzkamp
Jane Holzkamp(@sstegercomcast-net)
6 years ago

Thank you for the wonderful press for Compassionate Fernandina something of which we all are compassionate.