Letters to the editor

Bell ringers

Have you ever donated to UNICEF? Some of us remember collecting money for them as we went trick-or-treating on Halloween. UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund, CEO Caryl M. Stern receives a yearly salary of $1.2 million, plus expenses and a car. Less than 5 percent of donated money goes to the kids.

Marsha J. Evans, President and CEO of the American Red Cross, has a salary of $651,957 per year plus expenses. United Way President, Brian Gallagher lags behind at $375,000 per year, but he gets expenses, too.

Contrast those numbers with Todd Bassett, Commissioner of the Salvation Army. He gets $13,000 per year plus housing and 96 percent of donated dollars go to their causes. Thank you to all the bell ringers.

In Lake County, the team at Share the Spirit donates all of their time, no salaries and some money as well. Toni Young, with the help of Valerie Lindstrom, Cheryl Thomas and Nancy Hines, plus gifts, donations and work volunteers, make Christmas meaningful for more than 1,000 children this year.

Since Share the Spirit began in 1998, they have provided gifts for over 10,000 children in need. They partner with the wonderful Marines in our area that collect the Toys for Tots. Mauri Morin and all his helpers deserve our thanks as well.

All the volunteers at Share the Spirit wrap up their work on Thursday, Dec. 22. You can call them at 883-1046 to see if you can make a late donation.

By the way, the commanders of the VFW, American Legion and Disabled American Veterans organizations also do not take a salary.

This Christmas will be difficult for many of our friends and neighbors. We are blessed to live in such a caring and beautiful place. Merry Christmas.

Rep. Janna Taylor

Dayton

Pantry thanks

At the close of another year the volunteers of Mission Valley Food Pantry want to acknowledge the support given by individuals, businesses and organizations during the past year.

We have many repeat donors who continue to lend their support as well as newcomers to our area and young people in the schools who are learning to donate for the first time. It seems to be a Montana spirit that makes us aware of those in need and then translates that awareness into the spirit of giving.

This year has once again seen an increase in families using our pantry and while we have one of the smallest facilities in Western Montana, we have a larger volume of business than some larger towns. Our pantry serves over 100 families each month.

The local food stores, Rod’s IGA and Mission General Store have been helpful throughout the year. The Diocese of Helena and their Foundation, Lower Flathead Community Foundation, Thrivent, Mystic Chapter, CSKT and Blackfoot Telephone have all contributed money that was used to purchase food for our clients. The students from St. Ignatius schools have done some amazing food drives. KERR Radio also conducts a drive for us every year. Then there are churches and individuals that have contributed food and money throughout the year.

Thank you to all for your continuing support of your neighbors.

Because we are all volunteers, all donated food and money is spent on food for our clients.

A special thanks to Trail Bundy for setting in motion a search for a larger building, Stuart Morton for finding us a rent-free building, Scott Morton for doing the remodel, Ed Gottfried for doing the electrical and the people who painted, helped us move and helped get the building ready to open. Also special thanks to Ed and Leanne Gottfried and Pat Rarden for helping with those early morning deliveries. And finally thanks to all our volunteers without whom we wouldn’t be able to keep our doors open.

Heidi Riddle

Mission Valley Food Pantry

Turkey-type policies

Sitting here in Barcelona, Spain and reading, online, a letter of mine entitled “Thanksgiving Day” which appeared in the Leader/Advertiser, in advance of hearing from anyone and not being home to talk with anyone, I would like to apologize immediately to anyone I have offended by the last line of that letter which read:

“Ah, yes, and let it be known: Thanksgiving Day 2011 was a day the turkey’s [sic] have finally won.”

The reference to “turkey” was not meant to be pointing at anyone who has in the past or is presently serving in the military. We who served in the past or are serving in the present were and are doing our job. And in the military this job requires courage, great dedication and often great sacrifice. That is an irrefutable fact. Orders are given, orders are followed. Otherwise the military system does not work. We all understand this very well, or should.

I did not express this well nor explain it well, and I feel badly about this. The “turkey” reference was meant for our nation’s “turkey-type policies” regarding our military. It was meant to convey my feelings about how our governmental decisions and policies, over decades and decades, have caused our entire military complex to grow beyond anything hardly imaginable in terms of economics, what is needed for national security, for meeting our needs and for being a reasonable and helpful player on the world stage with other nations.

Why I did not complete that thought, I really don’t know. It was irresponsible and lazy thinking and sloppy writing. Again, I sincerely apologize and will be returning on or about Jan. 4 if anyone wishes to confront me on this. My true hope is to foster cooperation, peace and unity; not divisiveness. And I felt, upon seeing the letter in print, that it could cause divisiveness.

Bob McClellan

Polson

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