Surrounded as they are, by problems of every description, it’s not unusual for ordinary Jamaicans to get a sense of being overwhelmed and of being unable to make a difference.

In such circumstances, people will often look inwards, concentrating solely on dealing with the issues affecting ‘Number One’ — that is self and family — with little or no thought to neighbours and others who may be finding it impossible to cope.

But every so often, there is a report that’s published or aired which proves the lie to the stereotypical sense of futility.

We refer to the Sunday Observer story about a New York-based family, Mr Glenroy ‘Tony’ Williams, his wife and their 11-year-old daughter, who read the story of Mr Derrick Morgan, a jobless man in Kingston who had nowhere to live.

Touched by Mr Morgan’s plight, they decided to help. Mr Williams then traveled to Kingston, to personally deliver gifts of clothes and money from his family to the homeless man.

We are told that another New Yorker, a Mr Andy Francis, acted similarly and that there has been an “overwhelming” response from individuals and organisations in Jamaica.

In an act of powerful symbolism, Mr Williams has reportedly decided to accompany Mr Morgan on one of his job-seeking walks around Kingston. He also plans to liase with his organisation, the New York Chapter of the Ex-Soldiers Association, to provide help for Mr Morgan.

This newspaper is not suggesting that this story is unique. We are aware that there are many, many such acts of selfless generosity occurring all the time, most of which we will never hear about. That point was repeatedly made in relation to the unsung heroes as the nation celebrated National Heroes Day just over a week ago.

In truth, though, the reported actions of the Williams’et al, should be a reminder that it is always within the power of the individual, family or small group to make a difference, no matter how small.

Every time we help a neighbour’s child with bus fare to go to school, with lunch money or a gift of school books, we are making a difference.

Outside of assistance to known individuals, ordinary Jamaicans can make a difference in the lives of others by acting through the many reputable, charitable organisations which have committed themselves to helping the poorest and weakest among us.

In the Sunday Observer, appropriately, there was the enthralling story of the Salvation Army, which has been doing charitable work in Jamaica for the last 125 years. There are many others such as the Red Cross and the 30-year-old Food for the Poor which are making a huge difference.

Many Jamaicans live in towns, districts and villages where groups/clubs organised by community leaders, church, police and political parties among others, actively assist shut-ins, the homeless, the unemployed and others less fortunate. We can make a difference by joining such charitable work. And where such groups do not exist, we can make a huge difference by joining with others to initiate such activism.

There are numerous things going wrong in Jamaica. There are deep-seated economic and social problems which can’t be resolved overnight.

But as individuals let us never make the mistake of believing we can’t make a difference.