With a new year upon us, people are most likely formulating New Year’s resolutions for 2012.
Each year, many of us vow to lose weight, quit smoking or make the pledge just to live a healthier life.
While these are honorable goals, and we do encourage our readers ”“ and everyone for that matter ”“ to make healthier choices, we are asking Mainers to make a second resolution to this year: To find a way to give back to one’s community.
Whether it’s serving on a committee or volunteering at a local food pantry, organizing a blood drive or setting aside money for local nonprofits, giving back means more now than ever.
The generosity of York County residents is apparent each and every day in the pages of this newspaper. From holiday food drives to local residents being honored for their good work, the people in Maine step up to help their neighbors.
Many town have set up funds to help people in need buy heating fuel. In Alfred, Fueling February has raised thousands of dollars through donations of returnable cans at the transfer station, and in Wells, town employees have hosted soup nights and a large yard sale for the emergency fund in town.
School children have shown us countywide that age doesn’t make a difference when it comes to being charitable. Students at Loranger Middle School raised funds for victims of Japan’s earthquake earlier this year through the “Jump for Japan” event. Over the holiday season, students around York county collected toys and canned goods for families in need.
These acts should serve to inspire each and every one of us to do more. For those who have said they will get around to volunteering, or to serving on a town board or committee, or donating to a charity, we hope they will make the time this year and do what they can to help their neighbors and make Maine an even better place to live.
With unemployment still high and funding for programs like LIHEAP and Medicare on the chopping block, people near and far are feeling the pain of these cuts and low, or no, wages.
We hope York County residents will continue the momentum of holiday giving and find new ways to help their neighbors in the new year.
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Today’s editorial was written by City Editor Robyn Burnham on behalf of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. Questions? Comments? Contact Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski by calling 282-1535, Ext. 322, or via e-mail at kristenm@journaltribune.com.
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