The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

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Editorials

November 22, 2009

Let’s pass blessings on to others

United Way column

By Bill Baker

We are approaching a day that is unique to our country. Thursday we will be celebrating the holiday of Thanksgiving. We will most likely be sitting around a dining room table with our families. The table will be filled with food and drink and our hearts will give thanks to our Heavenly Father, for we have been blessed.

At the same time there will be families in our community that will be having Thanksgiving dinner only because it was provided by one of the food banks funded by contributions to the United Way of Southern West Virginia. Others will be having food provided by one of our local churches. These families will be thankful for having food on their table and for those who provided for them.

There also will be many with almost nothing to eat and some without a place to sleep. They will have little for which to be thankful. It is inconceivable that in our land of plenty there are children and adults who will go hungry and some homeless and hungry at a time set aside for thanksgiving.

During this season, we take stock of our many blessings and give thanks. But while we are feeling good about our lives, we should take time to observe what is happening to others in our communities. When we do, we see that there are families and individuals without food, shelter and some in need of health care. We should be aware and sensitive to these needs and accept that we have a responsibility to help solve these problems.

One way to live up to this responsibility is by giving to the United Way of Southern West Virginia. Gifts to the United Way help fund 29 agencies in Fayette, Nicholas, Raleigh, Summers and Wyoming counties. These agencies will assist over 90,000 individuals in receiving food, shelter, clothing, medical assistance and protection.

When we make our donations through the United Way, we are living UNITED in our efforts to alleviate pain and suffering.

Now is the time for us to do our part by making a financial contribution to the United Way campaign. You may send donations directly to: United Way of Southern WV; 129 Main St., Suite 409; P.O. Box 5456; Beckley, WV 25801, or you can sign up to contribute through payroll deductions at your place of work.

Make your Thanksgiving more meaningful by giving so that others may be thankful.

Many individuals in all five United Way counties are giving their time and money to make this a successful campaign. They all understand that we have a responsibility to help others in need. They count their blessings and know that the One who blesses us requires us to give in return.

Join me, Vice Chair Roy Shrewsbury and all the others involved in this campaign by giving to help others. We are blessed and we want to share those blessing with those less fortunate. Let’s join together and LIVE UNITED!

— Bill Baker is executive director of the Jobs Foundation and the chair of the 2009-2010 United Way of Southern West Virginia fundraising campaign.

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