United Way agencies serve many residents
The United Way’s annual fund drive is entering its last weeks of this year’s campaign, with approximately 65 percent of the goal obtained.
I want to thank all of those in the community who have supported this year’s effort by donating their time, dollars or making a pledge. But I also want to encourage all those who have not taken the opportunity to make a financial contribution. The agencies of the United Way work very hard to bring services to our community helping our neighbors with personal needs. The Red Cross, ARC/Rowan, Abundant Living Adult Day Care, Boy and Girl Scouts, Communities in Schools, Family Crisis Council, Meals on Wheels, Literacy Council. Rescue Squad, Youth Services Bureau, Rowan Vocational Opportunities, Rufty-Holmes Senior Center, The Salvation Army, YMCA and 211 all depend on funding from the United Way to continue their work. Reread that list and ask yourself what would our community be like or how would our neighbors, friends, relatives or you be served without the work of these agencies?
The financial resources of our county and city governments are already limited. Yes, these are bad economic times. Everyone feels it. That is why I am asking everyone to contribute whatever he or she can to this campaign. As an added bonus, there is still time to make a contribution so that you can be in the drawing for a car given by our generous local car dealerships. (Gerry Wood Automotive, Cloninger Ford, Team Chevrolet, Ben Mynatt Nissan and Salisbury Motors).
Let’s come together or “Unite” to show the concern and care for those in our community who need our help. Please call the United Way office at 704-633-1802 to make a gift.
ó Chuck Elliott
Chairman, 2008 United Way Campaign
Risking God’s wrath
I’m 73 years old. During these years, I have seen many things happen in my country, not all of them good. I’m still proud to be an American. When I look at the flag and think of all the sacrifices that have been made to keep it flying, a tremendous feeling of pride and thankfulness wells up inside me.
God gave us this land, and we have stood idly by and let greedy, power-hungry and evil people take control of things. The morals of this country are in the pits. Never in my life did I think I would see and hear the things that are accepted as normal and good.
People cannot seem to understand why so many disasters have happened and are happening in our country. We have had enemy attacks, hurricanes, fires, floods and earthquakes. Our infrastructure is crumbling, and now our entire financial system is in jeopardy.
This is just the beginning of God’s judgment.
The blood of millions of babies, aborted for no reason other than they were an inconvenience, cries out for justice. The fight is on to remove God’s name and the mention of Him from everywhere. What is seen as an abomination by God, we call an alternate “lifestyle.” Marriage and commitment are called old-fashioned and out of style. Have sex with whomever and wherever, with no regard to spreading disease and causing unwanted pregnancies.
The churches of America bear a tremendous burden of blame. They have failed to speak up and resist things they know are not right. Jesus said, “Who is not for me is against me.” There is no middle ground. You cannot compromise with evil.
The only thing that will save us is a great revival and turning back to God. If that doesn’t happen, we are doomed.
ó George M. Simmons
Salisbury
Parade deserved a story
As a subscriber, I was utterly flabbergasted that there was no coverage of the recent homecoming parade given by Livingstone College and various organizations that call Salisbury home. We are striving very hard to have a unified, diverse community, and when the prominent newspaper does not deem our efforts worthy, it is quite a slap in the face.
Yes, there has been some unrest or turmoil in the past, but if we keep living in the past, the future with its hopes and joys shall never come. It would have taken a good reporter an hour or less to capture the magnitude and spirit of the parade, as well as the individuals who come from across all 50 states and some foreign countries to renew friendships and be a part of the celebration. The businesses of Salisbury always benefit from these gatherings because people need places to stay and eat, even if some do stay with friend.
Since this event took place on the streets of Salisbury, there would be no need to get permission from the college to record the happenings on our streets.
ó Clara W. Corry
Salisbury