Sharing in the success

Sharing in the success
EDITOR:
We are fortunate to live in a caring and generous community. Goodwill Industries is very much aware of this fact.
Last year, Goodwill served nearly 6,000 people in our vocational programs, vision screening, Radio Reading and other social services. We employed 325 people and paid wages of over $3.3 million. Goodwill and our employees paid taxes of over $800,000.
We were able to provide these services because of the generosity of our donors, shoppers in our stores and local business and organizations that provided employment opportunities.
November is the month for giving thanks. Our employees, clients served in our programs and our board join me in thanking you for your support. We urge you to continue that support, because our success is dependent on you.
MICHAEL W. MCBRIDE
Executive director
Youngstown Area Goodwill Industries
Youngstown
On Thanksgiving Day,think of the United Way
EDITOR:
Thanksgiving Day is the traditional time in America for giving thanks for what we have. We as a community have been struck to the core by recent events. Perhaps this is most evident this year when news of possible layoffs at General Motors Corp. and Delphi sends shivers down our backs. There is already a 7 percent unemployment rate in Warren and 8.2 percent in Youngstown -- in a nation of only 4.9 percent unemployment.
But maybe this year, in light of the previous unimaginable events we have experienced beginning with Sept. 11, 2001, through New Orleans this year, there is at least a glimmer of hope that things will be different; that we will recognize and give thanks for all the blessings of our lives on a more constant basis. There exists in this Valley a spirit of the people that makes this area so remarkable. One of the clearest examples of that spirit is the annual United Way fund drive. After a devastating hurricane season that has strained nonprofits nationwide and sparked widespread concern about charity fatigue, many in our midst would have predicted and planned for less this year. They would have said raising $3 million in such circumstances in so short a time was nearly impossible. Of course, that is what pessimists think, but not in the Warren-Youngstown area. For members of the United Way/ Mahoning Valley campaign, failure is not an option. Succeeding has become a habit.
Indeed if anything, the perceived difficulties of this year's campaign only seem to make everyone more determined than ever. So far, that determination has paid off. As of Monday, the campaign was at 47 percent of its goal, having raised $1,420,000. Last year over 80,000 individuals benefited from United Way agencies that fed the hungry, sheltered the homeless, helped the abused and neglected, nurtured children with care and comfort, helped seniors maintain dignity, embraced and sustained troubled families and ensured emergency services during disasters.
As a nonprofit executive director and local elected official, I see the tears and look into the eyes of the scared and troubled. Few people understand the acute pain and trauma one endures when a homeless person asks you for another slice of bread in a soup kitchen line or the time you spend with a 10-year-old who shares that mom was hit by her boyfriend after an argument and it troubled him throughout the school day and beyond. Seniors who need help with meals and transportation are sometimes the most vulnerable, yet the compassion of our Valley comes through as United Way dollars are raised to help those in need.
Giving is important, not because of the dollar amount, which is undoubtedly impressive, but for what it does. If everyone gives some amount, then we can continue to build on the culture of philantrophy that is a hallmark of the Valley.
This Thanksgiving consider a pledge of financial support to the United Way in your community. It is an effort that represents the depth of a genuinely compassionate community and that special spirit of this Valley.
ROBERT A. MARCHESE
Warren
X The writer is executive director of Boys and Girls Club of Youngstown and president of Warren City Council
Tribute to a nutritionist
EDITOR:
A letter to the editor could not ever begin to bestow the honor and praise that Marge Chizmar deserved. For those of you who do not know who Marge Chizmar was, she was the founder of the Mahoning County Council for Better Nutrition 29 years ago. Marge along with her husband Bob ran the nonprofit council for three decades for no monetary gain.
Countless numbers of people over the years would call Marge for solutions to various health problems. At one time Marge was on WBBW Radio AM 1240 preaching the gospel of good health and nutrition.
When you stopped at Marge's house, she would always give you something healthy to eat or drink and share the latest good health solutions she had learned.
Many Valley residents were stunned not only at Marge's passing on Nov. 10, but the fact that she was 80 years young. She looked as if she were in her early 60s and worked like a 30 year old.
Her life was all giving. If you made any reasonable request of Marge, she bent over backwards to honor your request.
In this selfish and dishonorable world, we thank almighty God for people like Marge who gave of herself to everyone and asked nothing in return except for you to help others as she helped them.
JIM BUNOSKY
Austintown
Voters supported children
EDITOR:
On Nov. 8, Mahoning County voters showed that they support child safety and stability, and trust Mahoning County Children Services to wisely use local funds for this purpose.
The agency is fiscally accountable, and contributed to Ohio's stellar performance on a recent federal fiscal review. The agency regularly reviews performance indicators and has an aggressive Quality Improvement Plan to further their efforts to protect children and allow them to grow up in safe, permanent homes.
Finally, we could not well serve children and families without the dedication and commitment of foster, kinship and adoptive families. Strong election results endorse the commitment and leadership of all. Thank you, Mahoning County!
CRYSTAL WARD ALLENExecutive director
Public Children Services Association of Ohio
Columbus
Acts of kindness and prayers
EDITOR:
We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for the acts of kindness we have been shown in the midst of our terrible grief in having lost Lena Cross and her sons, Mason and Baby Christian, in the fatal house fire on Sept. 13 in Girard.
When our moments are dark and our souls are cold, we pull on your kindness and caring to warm us.
Many questions surrounding their senseless deaths are to date unanswered, in addition, our frustration and grief runs deep. All the while, it is your thoughts, prayers and deeds that help to comfort us. Please continue to pray that we are provided proper closure in regard to the circumstances surrounding our loved ones' deaths, so that we may begin our healing process.
CINDY MICHAEL
Warren
X Co-signers of the letter were Ken MacPherson, Joe Pizzulo, Karen Booth, Douglas Cross and Family. It was submitted before recent news developments in the case.
An essential vote
EDITOR:
On behalf of the Mahoning County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, I would like to thank the voters of Mahoning County for the passage of Issue 8.
You have voted to maintain essential services for vulnerable individuals and have helped to ensure opportunities for the many generations we serve.
As a parent and president of the MCBMRDD, I am overwhelmed with your compassion and your consistency in meeting the needs of persons with disabilities in Mahoning County.
I wish I could share with you here the many success stories you have made possible. But for now, "thank you" will have to do.
SANDEE TIMMERMAN, president
Mahoning County Board of MentalRetardation & amp; Developmental Disabilities
Youngstown
Reaching for their potential
EDITOR:
The Marcus Garvey Empowerment and Enrichment Association (Center) would like to thank the community for the support that each one of you has given to our association. Our mission is to reach children at risk of failing in society by exposing them to African culture, language, music and spirituality. We believe that by teaching our youth and the community as a whole the virtues of embracing themselves, we all will realize the potential that God has given each of us.
As we reach out to our community with projects and programs to accomplish this mission, we are pleased to announce that we are now an accredited nonprofit association and gifts are tax deductible.
Again, we thank you for your support and look forward to your continued support the of Marcus Garvey Empowerment and Enrichment Association as we strive to make a difference in our community. May God bless you.
The Rev. SYLVIA L. JENNINGS, president
Youngstown
X The Marcus Garvey Empowerment and Enrichment Association operates in conjunction with the YSU Africana Studies Program.
A great way to start the day
EDITOR:
I opened your Nov. 21 edition to see a most beautiful and impressive photo of our Youngstown skyline.
It was a happy way to start the day.
ANNE PACHOS
Cortland