Make a difference in your hometown

I am concerned.

Hurricane Katrina was, without a doubt a booty whoopin' from mother nature that we won't soon forget. The people effected by this hurricane have moved us all to make somekind of donation, be it time or money. It was a storm none of us will ever forget as long as we live. The generous outpourings of cash, food, clothes and volunteer time donated by the American people shows once again how wonderful a people we are. Here in San Diego, between the Chargers and the fans, they raised over $350,000 at the last home game alone. AWESOME!

But............

Let us please not forget our own backyards.

I can see it now: Santa and his bell standing beside a shiney red kettle, people walking by saying, "I already gave to the Katrina fund", Santa, looking dejected and sad. I saw that after 9/11. People gave so generously to one cause that they felt they had done enough.

In San Diego, we have people that are homeless 365 days of the year. Some by choice, those you cannot help. But many are there not by choice, we've all probably been at that point, one paycheck away from the streets, at one time in our lives. These people here, in my hometown need money, food, safety, education, a place to stay. If you don't have money, donate items, time. Time is free.

Then there are the most innocent of all victims, the animals in your local shelters. Does your shelter have a wish list. Items they need all the time? Mine does, I try to get 5 things on their list a month. I also work to find homes for the senior dogs, so they can spend their last days in a home filled with love. (People who discount senior dogs as pets need to think about the joys of a dog already trained and mellow, they make great pets, adopt one today!) But what about your shelter? It doesn't take much time to check their website, or call find out what they need. It's highly likely that you have old blankets and towels hanging around the linen closet that they could use. Have a fall clean-up and bring them on down.

Check your local city or county website for volunteer opportunities. There are lonely seniors, local children that need big brothers or sisters. Here in San Diego we have an outfit called Mommas Kitchen that brings meals to those effected by Aids, who can no longer get out themselves. Libraries need people to donate as little as an hour a week to read books to school children, or do as I do, and buy the books they have for sale, and then return them to be resold when you are done. Does your area do "clean-ups"? Like here in San Diego we have, "I Love A Clean Beach", program, where you get to spend a few hours making new friends and cleaning up YOUR beaches and waterways. This year we removed several tons of trash. Have a garage sale, and donate the money to your local school for new basketball nets or flowers and seeds for a school garden.

Thank you America for your generous donations to hurricane victims, but please, please don't forget those charitable and environmental groups in your area that need help too!