No games, but polls go on
Even though colleges have had to put spring football practice on hold, that hasn’t stopped the preseason prognosticators from ranking the teams for the fall. The preseason pick for No. 1 is Clemson.
Two weeks ago Dave Pasch opened his direct messaging function on Twitter to everyone, and, oh boy, did people slide into his DMs.
And thank goodness they did, because if you’re like me, you needed your faith in people restored after witnessing the hoarding, gouging and posturing that’s taken place during the coronavirus pandemic. But let’s start at the beginning.
Pasch is the play-by-play voice of the Cardinals and calls NBA and college football and basketball games for ESPN. From September to May, no one working in sports is busier.
What you might not know about Pasch is that he is both a good guy and devoutly Christian.
Like most of us, he’s home these days, a little worried and a little fearful. But he decided to get out of his own head and do something for others.
This is what Pasch did. Via Twitter, he invited those who were struggling financially because of coronavirus to direct message him, and he and his family would try to help.
Uh, Pasch, a follower responded, you need to open your DMs for someone to DM you.
Nearly as soon as Pasch did that, requests flooded in. Two days later, Pasch invited others interested in helping to message him. And they did.
“The biggest reason was using this as an opportunity to be a good witness as a Christian, trying to put your faith and love in action,” he said. “I thought this would be a great way to serve people and love people, and be an example by using the platform I’ve been given to do something good at a time when a lot of people are hurting and suffering and questioning.”
Two weeks later, Pasch said at least 200 have been helped. Contributions have ranged in size. $10 here to help someone with a water bill. $100 to Salt River Project to keep the electricity on. $900 to pay rent due on April 1.
Donations have totaled in the thousands of dollars. Pasch isn’t sure of the total amount, because he doesn’t track every outcome. On many occasions he’s connected someone in need to someone offering help. He hasn’t asked either to report back.
Sesai Cabanas was humbled by the help Pasch of
fered. Raised in Phoenix, Cabanas lives in Las Vegas and works at a bakery. It’s shut down for at least 30 days, and with no money coming in, Cabanas had no way to pay his share of the rent, $430, for a house he shares with two friends.
Pasch connected Cabanas with a donor, and the long-time Cardinals fan had one less immediate worry.
“I was this close to asking my friends for money, knowing that my friends don’t make too much,” Cabanas said. “I suddenly came across some tweets from Dave. I said, ‘Wow, God bless this man. He’s going out of his way to help complete strangers!”
That comment likely would embarrass Pasch a bit. He didn’t do this for attention. After he got the idea, Pasch prayed a little about it and discussed it with his wife, Hallie. Then he pushed Twitter’s version of the “send” button with no idea what might happen after.
Now he needs a spread sheet to keep everything straight.
The experiences of the last two weeks have emphasized at least two truths to Pasch.
One, people aren’t as different as we often think.
“It’s kind of bridged the gap between different people, different cultures, different backgrounds,” Pasch said. “It’s pretty cool to see how a lot of different people who maybe on a Saturday night wouldn’t be hanging out together are helping each other. Hopefully, there will be some friendships that come out of this.”
And two, giving is good for the soul. There’s the scripture at the end of his first tweet, Acts 20:35 -- “It’s a verse ends with a reminder that Jesus said “it is more blessed to give than to receive.”
What this experience has reinforced, Pasch said, “is that contentment and happiness don’t come from gathering possessions.
“All the games in the world, and all the broadcasts in the world, while enjoyable and fun, nothing can come close to really serving another person. When you humble yourself and you serve other people, that’s when you really experience joy and satisfaction.”