Letters to the Editor

The Editor:
The Blaine Community Giving Tree Project is looking for additional individuals, businesses, or churches to sponsor children in need. Sponsors purchase three gifts per child – two clothing items and one toy. We’re also accepting monetary donations and new toys or clothing to help fill unsponsored applications. Please direct questions to Kari, Laurie, or Debbie at Stafholt Good Samaritan Center at 332-8733.
Kari Johnson-Dick, Giving Tree
Coordinator, Stafholt Good Samaritan
Center
Blaine

The Editor:
Again this year, the CAP Thanksgiving Basket Project was a tremendous success. There were 185 families fed. Families in Blaine, Birch Bay, Custer and Point Roberts received the dinners on Wednesday afternoon in time to prepare complete turkey dinners for Thursday.
It all wouldn’t have happened without the tremendous support of this wonderful community. Hundreds of people gave donations. Too many to mention, but a few should be listed. Brad and Diane O’Neill paid for 175 turkeys, Edaleen’s Dairy gave 175 gallons of milk, Bedington Potato Warehouse gave the potatoes. The list should go on and on for many gave very generously to help our community.
And then there were the home baked pies. We needed 175; we got 250 – many of the larger families got two! Thanks to the individuals and to the awesome churches who produced so many. Some were still warm when we handed them out.
Next, there were the volunteers from our community who put it all together Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday. What a wonderful group of people! So many dropped by and worked for an hour or two. It was light work with so many helping hands.
Finally, there was some special thanks. First to Greg Avery, manager of Cost Cutter, who was most supportive. Next to Annie Magner, who started the whole program and has moved back to Blaine. Her knowledge and enthusiasm helped tremendously. Lauri Waslohn again was a key figure and worked long hours to make it happen. Without them, it would have been chaos. And last, but not least, my thanks to Kristen Engerman who set up and tended the displays at the collection sites all over town. Thanks so much to all of you and to those many, too numerous to list, who helped.
Because of your giving hearts and helping hands, more than 400 children and 260 adults had a reason to be thankful last Thursday. Bless you all.
Brent Brentnall
Director, Community Assistance
Program
Blaine

The Editor:
What in the world is going on? I just found out that Target will not allow the Salvation Army to put their kettle by the store. I’m sure people don’t realize what happened. I found out quite by accident. I phoned and found out it was a decision made by headquarters in Minneapolis.
I don’t think they realize what good comes out of the money collected. I think that anyone who is concerned about this should get the headquarters address from our local Target store and write them telling them what they think about this.
I also feel that since they don’t want to help support the needy at this time of year by having the Salvation Army kettle out, maybe we should not support them by boycotting their store. I think if enough people voice their opinion maybe they will get a change of heart. After all, we’ve probably all watched Scrooge at Christmas.
Cheryl Fischer
Blaine

The Editor:
North Whatcom Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 3867 are collecting non perishable food items for the Blaine Food Bank.
The Blaine Food Bank is experiencing critical shortages and is in need of food and other items during this holiday season. Baby items are also needed such as baby food, infant cereal, formula and diapers.
Donations can be dropped off anytime (seven days a week) at fire station #7 at 4581 Birch Bay-Lynden Road between the hours of 8 a.m – 4 p.m., Monday to Friday at fire station #10 at 9408 Odell Road. For questions or to check if staff are at the station please call 371-2533.
Donations will be accepted until Thursday, December 23. Thank you for helping our community!
Leslee Smith
North Whatcom Professional
Firefighters IAFF Local 3867
Blaine

Letters Policy
The Northern Light welcomes letters to the editor; however, the opinions expressed are not those of the editor. Letters must include name, address and daytime telephone number for verification. Letters must not exceed 350 words and may be edited or rejected for reasons of legality, length and good taste. Thank-you letters should be limited to 10 names. A fresh viewpoint on matters of general interest to local readers will increase the likelihood of publication. Writers should avoid personal invective. Unsigned letters will not be accepted for publication. Requests for withholding names will be considered on an individual basis. Only one letter per month from an individual correspondent will be published.

Please send your letter to:
225 Marine Drive, Blaine, WA 98230 or fax 360/332-2777.
E-mail:editor@thenorthernlight.com

Letters Policy
The Northern Light welcomes letters to the editor; however, the opinions expressed are not those of the editor. Letters must include name, address and daytime telephone number for verification. Letters must not exceed 350 words and may be edited or rejected for reasons of legality, length and good taste. Thank you letters are limited to five individuals or groups. A fresh viewpoint on matters of general interest to local readers will increase the likelihood of publication. Writers should avoid personal invective. Unsigned letters will not be accepted for publication. Requests for withholding names will be considered on an individual basis. Only one letter per month from an individual correspondent will be published.

Please send your letter to: 225 Marine Drive, Blaine, WA 98230, fax 360/332-2777 or E-mail:editor@thenorthernlight.com