Winter is here. Many of us checked our furnaces and are now running them full time. Ordinary utility bills as well as heat will be a struggle for many this year. Prior to the "recession," heat bills were an issue for many of our community members.
The elderly will have to choose between their heat bill or medication and families that have lost a once steady or dependable income will have to choose between food or insurance and /or the heat bill.
It is just the way it is in our post recession economy. While many community members as well as myself understand "hard times" and struggle, there are still some families that are in shock and working through the new lifestyle and limited choices that they have now. This year however, there will be new families that need help, families that we wouldn't ordinarily expect.
Families who's once nice income has changed will need help like never before. Those same families are probably the ones who were able to donate prior to trouble and never gave it a second thought. Those same families are why Utah is considered one of the most giving and charitable states.
Those who were in need during any given winter may be in a position to give now and they will because they remember what a relief it was to have help at the time.While we prepare for winter, we are reminded of the holidays that are on the way as well.
There is never a year in any state that holiday support is not needed. Between our many churches and organizations we are able to give to almost every child who is in need.
This year though I would like to bring attention to other ideas. The first I mentioned was the 'heat program' of Ogden.
The next would be a not-so-traditional and much less "fun" idea, but a dire necessity none the less.
Consider giving to your local clinic this year. You can find a need almost any place you look and if it isn't advertised, ask. Whether it be the domestic violence shelter, the Red cross or the Salvation Army. With the rise in depression and emotional issues caused by many things and brought to light by the recession, the need for medication is greater.
A less known place that needs donations for medications is the Midtown Community Health Center that serves many of our families and community members. You might be surprised by the most recent patients that have need of such a clinic that serves the "low-income" members of our community. With the loss of jobs comes the loss of insurance and so, the much-needed medication needs to be covered.
A simple $9 medication can save a person or family a month of trouble and difficulty. Just a one month supply can stave off a negative and lasting domino effect of trouble.
This year consider giving "outside" the box by living and buying less for yourself and others. Traditional 'sub for Santa' will still be needed, but if we can help pay medical expenses, heat bills and other necessities like a simple $25 flu shot, we can almost give twice as much, leaving the joy of shopping and sharing experiences to the actual families in need.
There are thousands of homeless families today and even more families are trying to keep their homes. Families and other community members need help, not because they are lazy but because they are indeed paying all of the necessary bills and debt, because they are taking care of business which leaves nothing extra for gifts or holidays.
Please contact your local clinic (Midtown Community Health Center) to see if you can donate toward prescription costs, give your best, (dented, damaged and expired food is dangerous to say the least and a slap in the face to a desperate parents trying to feed her children).
Donate your time to a local homeless shelter and/or give where you can. It is not as exciting but buying a flu shot for someone you know could save them countless time at work, school and additional expense. Contact the "HEAT" program to see how you can help the elderly pay their heat bills this year.
We are a giving and compassionate state; we are resourceful as well. This year, think outside of the norms and traditional ways of giving.
Still "spend" for the good of our economy, but thoughtfully, so that it is indeed our local community that benefits and survives.
Musgrove lives in Ogden.
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