Cheers For Our Caring Community
The following people, events and organizations deserve either a Thumbs Up or a Thumbs Down this week.
THUMBS UP: For the long-awaited opening of the county’s first and only homeless shelter. The grand opening was delayed about a week because sheetrock needed to finish the job was sent south to aid rebuilding efforts on the Gulf Coast region after Hurricane Katrina. But in December, the area’s homeless will finally have a haven during the cold winter months. Some county residents have spent years working toward this goal and it is wonderful to see their hard work about to come to fruition.
THUMBS UP: For an outpouring of community support for the family of three which was displaced from their mobile home when an electrical fire ripped through the structure last week. After the woman and her two daughters were left without a home or their belongings, volunteers with the local chapter of the Red Cross, firefighters and church parishioners all pitched in to help get the family back on its feet. It’s nice to see the community rally around those in need, especially with the holidays around the corner.
THUMBS DOWN: For the fourth gang-related assault in the last month. Last Friday, a 34-year-old Hollister man was stabbed twice in front of Albertsons Supermarket by three males who shouted gang-related terminology. The latest attack was preceded by three attempted murders in late October on Central Avenue. This is an unusual spike in gang violence in our small community, but we should take it as a warning sign and get involved with the city in combating the gang problem. Watch out for future gang task force meetings, and please attend when they come up. It’s going to take a community-wide effort to fend off this threat.
THUMBS UP: For the Community Pantry, working with local TV stations and the Second Harvest Food Bank, which is collecting food and cash donations to feed the hungry in San Benito County. The Holiday Harvest drive will be at Albertsons Supermarket at 291 McCray St. from 8am to 8pm to collect the donations to ensure that everyone has a good meal over the holidays. Please donate to this worthy cause, and make your charitable giving and volunteerism a year-round endeavor.
