Hi, my name is Ryan Deems and I’m a music teacher in Harrison County. I also volunteer as the Fundraising Captain for WV Can’t Wait’s spring fundraising drive, which ends today.
My favorite TV show Ted Lasso introduced me to a saying I didn’t know: “It’s the hope that kills you."
I think West Virginians know this best. We hope our legislature will pass laws to ensure clean water, equality for all West Virginians, strong public schools--the list goes on. Year after year, we’re disappointed because they just do what the wealthy Good Ol’ Boys tell them to do, not what we need them to do.
It’s easy to lose hope in West Virginia. I ran for my local House of Delegates seat twice. And lost. I saw all of the typical negative political stuff you would expect: rude comments, smear campaigns, corporate candidates. From this standpoint, running for office was miserable.
I saw more positives, though.
I met people who care about their neighborhood and their neighbors, stepping to help where the government has failed it. This gave me hope and renewed my desire to fight for a better West Virginia. WV Can't Wait was with me all the way.
That’s why I’m proud to volunteer and financially support WV Can’t Wait. They’re supporting existing programs and organizations who are working for a better state. On this West Virginia Day, I have hope for my home because of WV Can’t Wait and I hope you pitch in to support them!
Happy West Virginia Day!
Ryan
