I've been around the blog a time or two, and everyone is talking about the weather. How cold it is. How much snow. Boy, that was some rain. I'm guilty of it, too. But how many of us, when we're complaining about the chill, think of those people who don't have a warm place to sleep? How many of us even see those that have no home?
Well, you can do something about it, and I'll tell you what:
1. You can donate blankets, pillows, and warm weather gear to a local shelter. I mean, how many of us have clothes we no longer wear? Or a closet stuffed with blankets we may never use....and old pair of gloves or a knit cap. Give 'em up to people who don't have those things. Give 'em up!
2. Howasabout being a little friendlier; that's a different kind of warmth that might save a life. See, if you pass someone on the street, don't look away. Ask a question.....say Hello. See if that man or woman is alert and lucid. Be friendly. You might just save a life.
3. Ever heard of cabin fever? That feeling you get when you're stuck inside for days on end because the weather is bad? Well, now think about cabin fever in a crowded shelter. Perhaps you can volunteer to help cook a meal, play a game, teach someone a skill, like knitting or sewing. You might even offer up tickets to a movies to help out. Think of how you'd feel stuck at home all day, and now think of being stuck in a room full of strangers.
4. Find out if your community is meeting the needs for emergency shelter. Is everyone who needs a place to stay being served? Or are people being turned away? If you don't know the answer to this question, that's a problem. Call your local news outlet. Call your local representatives. Your curiosity and diligence could save a life.
And you'll actually feel warm....on the inside where it counts.
You carried out what I mentioned on my blog to the practical, necessary step of action. Those are helpful suggestions. The shelters always need volunteers, clothes, and money. Food banks need donations, too.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post! We did in fact just recently go through our winter clothing and gave a bunch of things to our local City Rescue Mission...much of it children's clothes. That is the saddest of all to me, displaced children.
ReplyDeleteBob, excellent ideas, at just the right time. We are just about to go through our closets to ferret out things which are under used. We also have to get our stuff together for the local food bank. They are really hurting this year.
ReplyDeleteWell said. At my work, we always have winter clothing drives and such, and give some back.
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