The Red Phone spends most of its days handling local complaints
from callers, and while we confess to enjoying our bi-weekly
pursuit of road repairs and rude neighbors, we may have become a
bit cynical as a result.
Here’s to those that help
The Red Phone spends most of its days handling local complaints from callers, and while we confess to enjoying our bi-weekly pursuit of road repairs and rude neighbors, we may have become a bit cynical as a result.
To combat our usual smarminess, we’ve decided to devote this column to some locals who are taking the time and energy to help those who need it in a big way – the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Not only do these guys deserve a round of applause, but they need your help, too.
More than Money
The Western Farm Service is collecting donations of clothing, blankets and dry goods to be sent to hurricane refugees. This is a great option for those of you who are strapped for cash (and who isn’t?) but have a lot of stuff on hand and want to help. Most charities aren’t accepting in-kind donations at this time, so if you happened to inherit your grandmother’s afghan collection and don’t have room for it, here’s your big chance to reclaim your closet space and do a good deed.
Donations will be accepted at 1901 Shelton Drive, just off Fallon Road, here in Hollister.
For those who are more comfortable making a monetary donation, the Western Farm Service is encouraging that they be sent to the Red Cross chapter at 942 Lupin Drive, Salinas CA, 93906. You can give them a ring at (831) 424-4824, and they’ll also have wonderful ideas about how you can help.
Heaven Cent
Proof of the power of the press, we received a call from a local woman in regards to our request for local responses to the hurricane. The Young Ladies Institute of Saint Benedict’s Church, a group that exists for the sole purpose of giving to charities, found themselves with a surplus of $500 in their treasury after a few months of particularly successful fundraising. Whatever they had planned for that money, when they heard about Hurricane Katrina, they voted to send the funds along to the victims, via Catholic Charities, one of the larger and more respected charitable organizations in the world.
Your Turn
Don’t think, however, that just because you’re not a farmer or young Catholic lady that you’re exempt from helping out. Honestly, we can’t stress enough how important it is that we all lend a hand. If you can’t give money, give stuff, if you can’t give stuff, give blood, if you can’t give blood, stop getting so many tattoos.
We’ve printed stories in our paper about local families who have been affected by Katrina. If you saw them in trouble, you’d help. A comparatively little sacrifice of your time or resources can make all the difference for a family who’s suffering, a family who would be called on to help if your community ever suffers such a disaster.
If you’ve got a squeak in your wheel or an itch you’ve just got to scratch, give the Red Phone a call and we’ll do what we can to help out. 635-9219.
