Call for volunteers
On Oct. 26, USA Weekend Magazine and the Points of Light Foundation sponsored “Make a Difference Day” to recognize the spirit of volunteerism. It was estimated that across the country nearly 3 million volunteers spent the day building playgrounds, promoting literacy, raising money for domestic abuse shelters, and so on. Celebrity participation raised the event’s profile and added to the celebration. This was a great opportunity for drawing communities together to help those in need.
While this one-day event is valuable in raising awareness of the impact of volunteerism, it is important to remember that neighbors have unmet needs every day of the year.
I want to thank a group of volunteers here in Fayette County that is making a difference everyday in the lives of the elderly. Since 1993 Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers of Fayette, through a network of trained volunteers from more than 100 congregations has been providing supportive services and outreach to help elderly neighbors live with independence and dignity in their own homes.
As our county’s population continues to age, the need for these services is increasingly significant. Each year our organization’s volunteers donate nearly 15,000 hours to tasks such as grocery shopping, helping with home repairs, providing transportation to medical appointments, or making friendly visits or reassuring telephone calls.
On behalf of the care-receivers I extend my heartfelt gratitude to these dedicated volunteers who are putting their faith in action and bringing hope to the lives of the elderly.
I encourage and challenge residents throughout the county to seek out opportunities to volunteer.
Whether you choose the neighborhood school, Habitat for Humanity, the Red Cross, or Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers of Fayette, you will be helping to make a difference in the quality of life in Fayette County.
Carol J. Ashton
executive director
Interfaith Volunteer
Caregivers of Fayette Inc.
No substitute for hard labor
I’ve complimented your paper before because of the quality of health articles you publish. Perhaps only health nuts like myself or a person directly involved with particular information read and digest the wealth of value they contain.
That’s everyone’s prerogative, but unwise lifestyles lead to a loss of independence and perhaps rebellion; then what? All too consistently these same don’t-give-a-care’s become dependent upon society’s caregivers to rescue them – real intelligent.
By now most Americans are aware of our nation’s obesity problems and this spills across all of us to some degree. In other words, it seems fashionable, at least for males, to brag about being 6 feet plus and 200 pounds plus. Really? Not many 6-footers have heavy enough bone and natural muscularity to weigh 200 pounds and be in the physical condition required for the long haul.
Granted today’s generations are of bigger stature but they lack the hardness of previous generations because of lifestyles that do not condition them for really tough physical endurance including a long healthful medication free life.
The deaths and injuries from contact sports could be greatly reduced if all athletes were really in hard physical condition.
They should look for, not shun, hard work and exercise.
Ed Rinkhoff