WORTHINGTON — A current educator and former Marine Corps veteran, Dan Harrington took a stroll down memory lane as the featured speaker of King Turkey Day Saturday to detail his commitment to volunteerism.
Harrington, of Adrian, spoke to the crowd about his years of service and how opportunities arose throughout his life to serve others
Volunteering begins the moment you decide ‘I’m here and I’m ready to help.’
Dan Harrington
“There’s a quote by (former British Prime Minister) Winston Churchill I feel captures the heart of service: ‘We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give,’” Harrington shared. “Those words remind me that service is not measured by what we accumulate, but by what we share. True fulfillment comes not from wealth or possessions, but from the impact we have on others.”
A computer and technology teacher in Worthington Middle School, Harrington shared how volunteerism has impacted his life and those around him. One of those earlier moments he recalled was enlisting to serve his country, which was heavily encouraged by his father growing up.
Julie Buntjer / The Globe
“In 1985, I joined the Army Reserves and three years later, I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Wearing the uniform taught me sacrifice, discipline and about being something bigger than myself. Service just wasn’t about the uniform. It was about showing up fully for my brothers and sisters in arms, for our mission and for my country,” Harrington said.
During his time of service, Harrington shared that when he was stationed in Japan, his company commander would ask for volunteers to help clean and perform repairs on a local orphanage, and he would often be one of those to help.
After coming home and raising five children with his wife, Caryn, Harrington said he volunteered after the kids were out of the house and on their own.
“I joined the Adrian American Legion, then the Marine Corps League … and it was through the Marine Corps League that I discovered the Young Marines Youth Program. The Buffalo Ridge Young Marines unit was established in January 2020. Since then, I have served in a variety of leadership roles. I currently serve as unit commander for our unit,” Harrington shared. “At its core, the young Marines program is the value of volunteerism, showing our youth that service is not an expectation, but a way of life that strengthens both character and community.”
He shared that since the Buffalo Ridge Young Marines Unit was formed in 2020, just under 10,000 hours of community service — Harrington estimated 9, 920 hours — have been given through a variety of activities, including cleaning up veteran memorials and city parks, and doing color guards at local veteran funerals, among other activities.
In 2019, the Harringtons started the Nobles County Toys for Tots program. During the holiday season, the organization collects toys to give to local children whose families are in need or struggling financially. According to Harrington, around 20,000 toys have been dispersed to approximately 5,000 children in Nobles County thus far.
“A toy may seem small, but its message is powerful. It tells the child you are seen, you are valued, and you are not forgotten,” Harrington said.
Harrington concluded his speech by giving a few final thoughts on volunteerism and what it means to serve others. He also encouraged anyone who may be thinking of getting involved with a local program, organization or opportunity to not hesitate, and instead, go all in.
“Just be willing. Volunteering begins the moment you decide ‘I’m here and I’m ready to help.’ You will know (you’re) ready when you see that the community’s need outweighs your hesitation, and when you realize your small step forward can make a big difference,” he said.
Hope Moural is the community editor for the Globe as of May 2024. A born and raised Nebraskan, Hope has a dual bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Communications from Concordia University, Nebraska, and has previously worked as a general assignment reporter.