Your community needs you during tough times
November 14, 2008 – 3:28 pmI have a confession: I'm can be terrible about returning messages.
Yes, I know. That's not a cool thing for a newspaper editor to admit because staying in touch with the community is our lifeline.
Each week, I vow to do better, and each week, I am overwhelmed when I hear, "You have 20 unheard messages."
Wading through messages and e-mails is tedious, but important. It's a joy when someone sends us a good story idea or thoughtful feedback.
It's not so much fun when people curse at me or tell me I'm stupid, even though they've never met me.
But this week, I missed several important messages from a lady who in particular encouraged me to vow again to improve upon monitoring my messages.
I called Annie Johnson back today, and I sensed a growing panic in her voice. Johnson, who heads the Project Annie outreach that provides meals for needy residents, originally called me to make an impassioned plea for donations, which are down this year. In fact, they're virtually nonexistent, Johnson said.
Other organizations that serve the needy expressed the same worries in an article today written by TaMaryn Waters.
Johnson says her organization is in desperate need of food and money to prepare for this year’s Thanksgiving Day dinner, which will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 625 W. Fourth Ave.
She is also looking for volunteers to work that day. Anyone interested in helping can contact Johnson at 222-6133.
With today’s faltering economy, more people will need help during the holidays and continuing into 2009. All indications are that the current economic slump isn’t going to turnaround quickly.
I know there are people who are not in a position to help others because of their own financial struggles. Those of us who are still relatively comfortable, however, need to step up now more than ever.
The Tallahassee Democrat has already laid off employees this year, and more are coming. I am more thankful now for my job than at any other time in my life. If I were to lose it, I’d have family and friends to fall back on until I gained my footing, but no one wants to be in that position, and some people don't have a support network to help them.
I’ve felt the tightening economy like everyone else, but I’m still making it. I have money for the necessities, plus some dollars remaining for a few frills. If you’re in that position, too, let’s accept a challenge together to do more this year for those in our community who are struggling.
You can start by calling Annie Johnson.
*Note: If your organization is seeking donations for holiday dinners or other programs, please let me know so I can put that information in the Tallahassee Democrat and online at Tallahassee.com. Send the information to rcantley@tallahassee.com or call 599-2391. – I promise I’ll check my messages.
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