For love of country
There’s a lot that’s “wrong” with our country, but there is ever so much more that is “right” with our country.
AARP’s special summer issue featured four generations of musical storytellers talking about the things that unite us. It is an inspiring read.
Loretta Lynn said, “We can speak our truth. Freedom for me was what I learned comin’ up from the holler, though I might not have known it as a young girl. It was freedom to do as you wanted, love as you wanted and say what you wanted, even though some people might not like it.” Loretta Lynn is 90 now and was the first woman in country music to receive a certified gold album.
Willie Nelson, said, “We rise together…America. I was born during your Great Depression of the 1930s, so I had some early experience with hard times. My sister and I were raised by our grandparents. For Thanksgiving one year, we split a can of soup! Now hard times have come again once more. We are trying to hold on to each other and to your great American dream for every person. We’re trying to find what unites us – to remember our shared beliefs in family, in love and in your democratic ideals. So, we can come through as a stronger America. If we don’t find what unites us, we will again be a house divided. We tried that in the 1860s, and 600,000 Americans died fighting each other. That should be our reminder that we need to get our s— together and remember the ways we are alike rather than focusing on the ways we’re different.” This quote was excerpted from Willie Nelson’s “Letters to America,” copyright 2021, Harper Horizon.
Heroes
Warren traveled at his own expense to Ukraine and Russia several times to help build churches and homes for families adopting orphans. He could build anything from anything. He began supporting HopeHouse International and building homes for these families.
Warren’s heart was truly with children. He built a small train that children could ride and would take it to different camps, a remote Indian village up north, and more. He got a kick out of driving the train on the freeway, and the looks of the folks in cars passing by. He and his cousin built a model train that ran for years above the heads of diners at Jensen’s Truck Stop, much to the delight of children of all ages.
He was instrumental in encouraging many friends to support HopeHouse (see below). Even though Warren was overcome by brain cancer in his final resting days (he died at age 80 on April 17, 2021), he still had a sense of humor, kindness and an “I have a solution to fix it” attitude.
Warren was born in Willits and was the great-great-grandson of one of the original settlers of the Willits Valley. His parents were Harvey (a former Mendocino County supervisor) and Muriel Sawyers.
Deneen Turner, a nonprofit entrepreneur and resident of Franklin for over 30 years, has devoted her professional life to aiding the orphan crisis in Eastern Europe. A professional singer who toured with the late Billy Graham, Deneen learned of Human Rights Watch’s tragic statistics regarding orphans in Ukraine: Within three years upon their release from the orphanages, 70 percent are homeless and living on the street, 20 percent are in prison, and 10 percent have committed suicide. “There’s your 100 percent no hope future,” Deneen said.
HopeHouse International® serves orphans by assisting Christian families in Eastern Europe with the adequate housing required to adopt orphans and raise them. HopeHouse International®, is a faith-based, 501(3)c non-profit organization based in Franklin, TN. Its facilitating office headquarters are in the Chattanooga, TN area with international offices in Kiev, Ukraine and Heviz, Hungry. HopeHouse International® has remote support teams in North TX.
According to HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH, statistics show that before orphans in Ukraine reach the age of 21: 70 percent will be homeless and unemployed, 20 percent will be in prison, 10 percent will commit suicide = 100 percent NO HOPE
In addition, UNICEF reports that young children from institutions were most at risk for human trafficking.
Contact information: HopeHouse International®, P.O. Box 807, Ooltewah, TN 37363. Phone: (423) 541-3600. hope@hopehouseinternational.org
Note: HopeHouse International® is NOT the same organization nor affiliated in any way with “Hope” organizations that call to solicit donations, clothing, etc.
They’re still serving – VFW breakfast fundraisers
Ukiah area Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1900 (VFW) have been sponsoring a monthly breakfast fundraiser for decades.
They are opening up for the VFW Breakfasts starting Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. Breakfasts will be quarterly Aug., Nov., Feb. and May…always the second Saturday.
Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to noon. Veterans Memorial Hall is located at 293 Seminary Ave., Ukiah.
In the past, the VFW has sponsored a Flea Market in the main hall, but for now, breakfasts only, since the eating will be in the main hall so folks can spread out (giving everyone some space).
The price is still a bargain $7! The menu is: Eggs, Bacon and/or Sausage, Biscuits with gravy, Pancakes with syrup and or mixed fruit. (Bonus benefit: You can have both biscuits and pancakes if you wish.)
Funds raised go to the many worthwhile projects the VFW supports, flowing back into the community a variety of ways, including student scholarships.
Helping
Hospice of Ukiah has been around a long time. Eventually we all face a terminal or life-threatening illness.
The Mission of Hospice of Ukiah is to provide end of life and comfort care, free of charge, to everyone in our community who needs it. Hospice of Ukiah is based on the belief that people with terminal or long-time debilitating illness can live and die comfortably among family and friends in familiar surroundings. They provide support and professional care for the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of clients and their families.
So many wonderful people have been/are part of Ukiah’s Hospice: Thelma Boynton was a supervising nurse when I was a volunteer. Midge McMichael was their board president for what seemed like eons, navigating the ship through many financially challenging times. The intrepid and hard-working Robert Werra, M.D., has served as medical director for as long as most of us can remember.
There are, and have been, many faithful volunteers in various capacities with Hospice – board members who’ve served for decades, and many others.
All Hospice services are free and have been for their 42 years in existence.
Like so many organizations, volunteers are always needed. A respite volunteer can bring relief to the caregiver and a new lease on life to the patient. Just listening is the greatest gift; playing cards, watching TV together, a walk, or just being there can mean so much. There is a training DVD if you’re interested in joining their caring team. For more information, call Diane Hunt at (707) 489-0554 .
If respite volunteering isn’t for you, volunteers are needed to help the nurses move medical equipment, or if you like to tinker – some of the used equipment needs repair. If you’re good at organizing, you’d be a big help with fundraising and events, or organize a “Friends of Hospice” group and help raise funds to survive another 42 years.
Hospice of Ukiah serves: Ukiah, Calpella, Redwood Valley, Potter Valley, Hopland, Talmage, Anderson Valley, and Willits, Hospice of Ukiah is completely supported by the community in the form of donations, grants, bequests, and the earnings from their Thrift & Gift Store (401 S. State St., Ukiah, CA. 95482, phone: 707-462-3141).
Administrative Office, 620 S. Dora St., Suite 101, Ukiah, CA 95482. Phone: 707-462-4038. Website: https://hospiceofukiah.com/
Cheer-i-o!
