Letters to the editor, October 29- November 4

The Editor:

I am writing a letter today to acknowledge my appreciation for an exceptional, thoughtful and caring member of the Blaine school district staff, Jessie Burton, with the family service center.

We have had contact with her for a few years now, as she is the go-to for the Thanksgiving basket program, back-to-school supply assistance, Operation School Bell (OSB) and numerous other programs. In my opinion, Jessie has gone above and beyond for the families of Blaine: Finding options for families with high school-aged children who do not qualify for OSB, putting together school supplies in backpacks for those who cannot attend the yearly get-together. She also makes it possible for Christmas to be joyful, when it may not have been without a little help.

I have a social anxiety problem, forcing me to avoid large groups of people. Jessie has helped our family the last two years with getting together backpacks and supplies so that I can just come to the office and pick them up instead of subjecting myself to the overwhelmingly large groups that gather for the school supply pickup night. When my vehicle was out of commission she dropped off items she had collected for our family.

This is why I feel she is amazing – a real angel to our family. I don’t know what we would do without her looking out for not only our family, but also those in our community. I highly doubt we are the only ones she goes out of her way to help.

I felt she needed to be recognized in the community for what a kindhearted and thoughtful person she is. I thank my lucky stars Blaine school district has this amazing woman on its staff. I encourage all the families out there she has helped to let her know how much she is appreciated. I’m certain most have thanked her, but wouldn’t it be nice to have her acknowledged in a bigger way? Thank you for listening.

Christy Sanders

Blaine

The Editor:

The Community Assistance Program will be providing Thanksgiving dinner baskets this year on Wednesday, November 25 from noon until 3 p.m. at Unit 280 near Cost Cutter in the Blaine International Shopping Center.

Those needy families residing in the Birch Bay, Blaine, Custer and Point Roberts areas who desire to be recipients must make a reservation through family services at the Blaine school by Wednesday, November 18. Call 332-0740 for a reservation. There are no baskets for walk-ins.

Thanksgiving baskets are prepared for the following:

• the needy
• families with children who are in need
• families referred by pastors of local
• churches
• the elderly on meager limited incomes
• the disabled
• the unemployed and under-employed
• the chronically poor
• The list of recipients will be vetted by and provided to us by the family services office of the Blaine school district.

We depend on the kindness of our donors to fund this program. We need your help. CAP is an all-volunteer operation. We receive no government funding and we pay no salaries. It is only through donations from people like you that this program can function.

If you have the means to help your neighbor in need, please mail a check to the CAP Thanksgiving Basket Fund, P.O. Box 1067, Blaine, WA 98231.

The Community Assistance Program (CAP) is an IRS approved 501 (c) 3 charitable program and registered with the Washington Secretary of State. All donations are fully tax deductible.

Jerry Williams, director

Thanksgiving basket program

Note: These letters were mistakenly left out when we uploaded the website for this issue. We apologize for the oversight.