“ The Compassionate Cities movement is highly necessary , very important in today ’ s world . I think , globally , we really need a more compassionate attitude .”
“ The Compassionate Cities movement is highly necessary , very important in today ’ s world . I think , globally , we really need a more compassionate attitude .”
– Dalai Lama , Louisville , KY 2013
Calling others to act compassionately in Westland is the mantra of Mayor Wild ’ s Compassionate City Program and was best demonstrated by an event involving a Westland police officer that caught the attention of the national media for his act of kindness during a routine traffic stop . At the time , driver Lavante Dell thought he was being pulled over for his tinted windows .
Westland Police Officer Joshua Scaglione walked up to the car and noticed Dell ’ s 3-year-old daughter wasn ’ t in a car seat . When Dell told the officer he couldn ’ t afford a car seat , the officer asked Dell to follow him to a local WalMart .
Dell explained to media that in his wildest dreams he never imagined what would happen next . Both the man and the officer walked into WalMart like they were old friends and then Scaglione used his own money to buy this struggling father a car seat for his daughter .
But before Dell had a chance to thank him , he said , the officer drove off .
“ He was really shocked ; he was taken back and you know it ’ s not generally what I was looking for ,” said Scaglione . “ I was just looking to help somebody out and pay it forward .”
Wanting to show his extreme gratitude , Dell wrote a heartfelt Facebook post telling people never to judge a book by its cover . The post went viral and ultimately attained national media coverage .
Officer Scaglione demonstrated what being a Compassionate City is all about . “ It is the best example we have had thus far ,” said Mayor Wild . “ In Westland , neighbors know their neighbors . We bump into acquaintances in the grocery store , at the Westland Mall , and at the gas station . Westland exudes Midwestern hospitality and a warm welcome to anyone who passes by .“
These attributes are but one reason why Westland has embraced the Compassionate Cities movement . When Mayor Wild met with the Dalai Lama , he noted that his passion and compassion for humanity was evident and he believes that Westland is a city that demonstrates that compassion every day .
Throughout the year , Westland is living out the mission of being a compassionate city . As Mayor Wild has noted , “ Westland residents annually support Relay for Life to fight cancer . We support Westland : Mission Green and recycle to be good stewards of Mother Earth . We volunteer our time planting and maintaining the city ’ s community gardens so the less
fortunate can have access to fresh fruits and vegetables . “ More than 300 of us came together to join Buddy Shuh ’ s Biggest Loser weight loss regimen because we realized that together we could achieve success better than we could alone ,” he said . “ We share a desire to be part of something larger than us and to do it together .»
So what is the Compassionate Cities movement ? It is connecting with others , joining together to lend a helping hand , to create a kinder , better place to live . It is volunteering your talents and skills to preempt problems , to reduce crime , to protect the environment , and to help those who cannot help themselves whether due to age or physical ability . It is taking positive action to help people and those people are members of our family , our friends and our neighbors .
“ I encourage you to join the Compassionate Cities movement and get involved ,” said Wild . “ Whether through a group to which you already belong such as the VFW , PTO or Goodfellows , or as an individual , please join us as we work with a shared purpose — to make Westland an even more Compassionate City .”
ABOVE : Mayor Wild at the Universal Learning Academy on Joy Road where he read to the students as part of National Reading Month in March . RIGHT : Mayor Wild with a young aspiring “ Fire fighter ” at a free city wide Community Gathering at Corrado Park .
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