The day before Thanksgiving, there was a community breakfast close to where I live. It was organized by Angel of Edgewood, a non-profit that helps struggling people in Hartford after the office of Senator Chris Murphy contacted them with the idea. Many people in the community came out in support. We stood in line, got served food by lovely volunteers and members of the Connecticut National Guard, and enjoyed a delicious free breakfast.

The Mayor of Hartford, Luke Bronin and Senator Richard Blumenthal in addition to Murphy showed up in support. They walked around, talked to the organizers and sponsors of the event, and took pictures with attendees (including me).

Senator Murphy said he came up with the idea of the breakfast because people in Hartford are still struggling to make ends meet even as they work full time and unemployment is low. Senator Murphy conceiving of this event, and Blumenthal and Bronin showing up to support the Hartford community are things that elected officials do to connect with their constituents, but they are actions that are not always highlighted.

There is always the positive news story that gets featured at the end of nightly broadcasts to counteract the majority of news items about scandal, war, and bad weather events. From time to time on this blog, I will do something similar where I highlight a politician doing something that positively impacts a community. All we hear on the news about our elected officials are the scandals they are involved with, the big companies that they are beholden to, or the inflammatory statements made by the loudmouths. It is much less common to read about the bills authored and passed into laws by lawmakers, let alone the assistance they provide to individual constituents with problems.

Have any of you witnessed elected officials positively impacting your community? Comment below.