All to often, they use values as a bludgeon to criticize others, rather than as a positive call to action.
So I think this move by Tom Perriello's campaign is both smart and, well, decent:
Perriello Campaign Launches Unprecedented Initiative to Tithe 10% of Volunteer Hours to CommunityMay 12, 2008-Danville, Charlottesville, and Collinsville, VA-With events in Danville, Collinsville, and Charlottesville, the Perriello for Congress campaign launched its volunteer tithing initiative, unprecedented for a political campaign. The campaign will tithe 10% of all its volunteer hours to community service projects around the district. The campaign has logged more than 1,700 volunteer hours in total; over the weekend, volunteers kicked off the initiative by tithing 42 volunteer hours and moving forward, will tithe 10% of its hours.
"I was raised to believe that a strong faith is a lived faith that must be made clear by our deeds. I want my campaign for Congress to reflect those same values," said Tom Perriello. "That is why we are asking our campaign team to commit 10% of their volunteer hours to local charities to reflect the value of service to community and to country."
(Remainder of release is after the flip)
Perriello campaign volunteers launched the volunteer tithing initiative in three locations around the district. In Charlottesville, volunteers worked on constructing a house for Habitat for Humanity. In Collinsville, they brought groceries to the local post office for the "Stamp Out Hunger" food drive. In Danville, they served food to the hungry at a local church.Tom Perriello is the Democratic candidate for Virginia's fifth congressional district. Born and raised in the district, he is a national security analyst and has founded faith-based organizations.
Video and photos are available at
http://www.perrielloforcongres...
For high-res photography, contact Jessica Barba at 434-882-4163.
An amazing man, and an amazing candidate, I am really glad that Tom is also operating outside the box with this initiative and his "Common Good Summer," modeled after the old freedom summer - to get new voters involved. He is also organizing in the southern part of the district, has set up 3 field offices there, and is raising great cash.