Letters

Churches collect for victims of hurricanes

The entire month of March has been designated as a food-gathering time for the people of Central America. It is difficult to overstate the seriousness of this problem or the needs of the people affected.

Even now, six months later, there are hundreds of thousands who are homeless and are going hungry. Tragically, many have attempted to flee north in search of food and jobs, but most of them are being turned back to their homelands.

Because we want to help, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) has put out a call for basic food to help the people who have experienced two of the worst hurricanes of the century. They cannot plant crops now and the food emergency is expected to worsen beginning in May or June.

We have assurances that donated food will reach the people who need it because it will be handled by UMCOR and distributed through non-governmental agencies which are already in place. The foods we need are dry red beans, rice, powdered milk, basic canned meat, corn, flour, and cooking oil in plastic containers. It isn't just the Methodists who are helping out.

Food items can be brought directly to any United Methodist church (just phone the church in question for their office hours). The churches will box items and deliver them to the designated warehouse.

Carol Orr
Volunteers in Mission

Public facilities would benefit rich and poor

As a merchant on Main Street for 30 years, I think I make a qualified observer of human behavior. Cleanliness and courtesy do not belong to a certain social or economic class.

I have been cursed at by the well-heeled, and offered help by some homeless. I have never seen homeless people litter our public trash can to the top with stinky baby diapers. I've not caught them doing major grooming in our window's reflection, but I've seen our respected public do these things and more.

On a recent trip to Humboldt County, fellow merchants and I used various public facilities. Those gorgeous roadside rests made me proud to be a Californian. The hamlet of Ferndale wins the prize for the cutest downtown facility.

While gratefully visiting one of these restrooms, I can honestly say I did not once ponder what other sort of patron had come before me. It doesn't matter. Hygiene is hygiene. For the town of Los Gatos not to offer this to everyone and anyone, is prehistoric and arrogant.

Denise M. Harr
Los Gatos

Help save the legacy of WWII

This message is for WWII veterans, defense workers and their families: Please help save the personal legacy of World War II. The experiences and memorabilia of those who served in the armed forces and defense industries--so often discarded--is a valuable part of this nation's history.

The Florida State University Department of History has set up The Institute on World War II and the Human Experience to collect and preserve this physical heritage for research, teaching and exhibition. If you or someone you know has letters, diaries, photographs or other mementos of the period, please contact the Institute at the Department of History, Florida State University; Tallahassee, Fla. 32306-2200 or call (850) 644-9033.

We will be delighted to send an information packet or answer any questions concerning donation of materials to the Institute and their future use.

William O. Oldson
Professor of History,
Florida State University

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