To the editor:

After reading the article “A selfless act of compassion” (Oct. 14), my reaction is one of great pride. I am writing to you today to echo the sentiments of Deanie Robertson.

In today’s society, Virginians simply do not have the time to slow down and notice people around them. Whether because of work, school or personal issues, people are always busy and absorbed in their own lives. Due to this, community building is often put on the back burner or not even discussed at all.

This is a travesty.

Having strong social capital in a community can drastically change the social dynamic. Knowing your neighbors and friends have your back, and knowing help is only a phone call away, provides a safe environment that just might lead to a change in perspective from a “me” mentality to an “us” mentality.

This perspective change leads to a stronger, more closely knit community.

I believe the first step to achieving this goal is summed up by Ms. Robertson: “Slow down and notice people around you.”

Only by interacting with those around us can we hope to seek to grow our community’s social capital, which will lead to more acts of kindness and compassion.

Cole Jackson

Suffolk