Letter to the Editor

Letters to the Editor

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

To the Editor:

National Volunteer Week -- April 18-24 -- presents an opportunity for all of us to celebrate the ordinary people who accomplish extraordinary things through service. With a theme of "Celebrating People in Action," this special week honors those who dedicate themselves to taking action and bettering their communities.

As coordinator of the Greene County AngelWorx program, I have the privilege of working with some of these individuals and seeing firsthand what a difference they can make in the lives of others. AngelWorx is sponsored by Vincennes University's Generations program and is designed to promote "ageless communities" where members, young and old, learn to protect and care for one another. The program allows volunteers of all ages and lifestyles the chance to give back to the community.

Volunteer "Angels" cultivate personal, one-on-one contact with isolated, homebound older adults or individuals with disabilities called VIPs ("Very Important Pals"). Volunteer angels are asked to contact their VIPs at least twice a month either by phone or letter. Random acts of kindness are also encouraged when possible. Just a simple phone call can make a world of difference in the life of someone confined to their home.

Thanks to my wonderful AngelWorx volunteers and others in our community who volunteer their services, there are angels everywhere. Their selfless efforts are helping us replace disconnection with understanding and compassion.

If you know of someone who would benefit from socialization or if you would like to volunteer as an Angel, contact Generations at 1-800-742-9002.

Sandy Carpenter

Greene County AngelWorx Coordinator

Linton

To the Editor:

This week is Earth Week in the USA. As stewards of our earth and Greene County, specifically, we have a responsibility to teach each other and our children about taking care of our world. This includes disposing of our trash properly, not throwing it out the car window or on the street.

One trash item that seems to get very little consideration is cigarette butts. As one of the smallest pieces of litter, cigarette butt litter represents a large percentage of the litter collected in community cleanups. Discarded cigarette butts introduce a product to our environment which breaks down very slowly.

Cigarette butts are not biodegradable. The filters contain cellulose acetate in the form of a fiber that looks like cotton thread. These fibers take years to degrade in the environment.

Similarly, cigarette butts take up a large volume of space. If one person smokes a pack and a half a day, he will consume more than 10,000 cigarettes in a year. This number of cigarette butts (filters only -- not including remnant tobacco) will fill a volume of five liters. Worldwide annual consumption of cigarettes creates enough cigarette butt waste to fill more than 2,800,000,000 liters.

One solution to the cigarette butt problem is for smokers to dispose properly of the butts. Another solution is to quit smoking! Indiana's toll free confidential Quitline offers an opportunity for tobacco users to receive up to six telephone sessions with a trained quit coach. Pregnant women can receive up to 10 free sessions.

It's very simple. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW. Make the commitment to a healthier, cleaner Greene County.

Nancy Cummings

Greene County Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Coordinator

Bloomfield