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HeraMIt Lantern 16 December 81

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HELPING HANDm HOLIDAYS

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Between ^Thanksgiving and Christmas is the time when the spirit of the Heavenly Angels descend upon us J x most ndtlceably; when thoughts and deeds of goodwill and peace have their best chance to prevail. V/e should not, however, forget the Earth Angels — those among us whose regard for fellowman, the animals and the environment continually radiates a warm and loving concern even as the weather turns colder.

Between now and Christmas, we'll be telling you the story of some of these Earth Angels and letting you - fenow lots of ways you can participate in a meanffT|?/u/ yuletide spirit bjr Extending a ,Helping Hand of ' whatever (he r$ach. There are many ways of casting s bread upon the water of the Jersey Cape. Here are

some.

The Herald & The Lantern

She Helps to Make Us Aware of the Dangers

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A lot of people don't give environmentalists Ruth Fisher much credit, but without angels like her the world could become contaminated with chemicals’ while our consciences sleep. There are somd who spread rumors about this angel and many of these people would like others to believe she doesn't know wha* she’s talking about. But Ruth Fisher and her group of people from the Citizens Association for the Protection of the Envirbnment (C.A P.E.) deserve a pat on the back. ,. People like Fisher put their reputation on the line - when they battle chemical compinies and utilities. R is one person against the huge power interests - it’s one person without authority.S Recently CAPE sponsored a seminar on Agent Orange. Others have been held on .pesticides, land

use',* destruction of the barrier islands, nuclear waste, and. filling in of wetlands Subjects that Jaren’t always too popular because many of us would like tb forget about them, or don't understand their importance. But without people like Fisher our understanding of such issues would be lijnited. It would be nice if more government officials were on the same side as Fisher and dedicated their ^energies to preservation of our envirbnment instead of its destruction It would be nice if there were more Earth Angels like her. £ Awareness ofjAe's self and environment is the best Christmas present you could give anyone

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a Countywide .

UNITED WAY'S FIRST CALL FOR HELP •

729-2255

Food cupboards in the County are urgently in need of restocking, according to David Quinlan, coordinator of the First Call for Help referral service, funded by the United Way. “We receive 60 to 70 calls a month from people whose food supplies are just about gone,” he said. 1 Mr. Quinlan suggests that I hostesses request their ' guests bring gifts of canned goods in lieu of a small present when they go to Xmas parties which can be donated to First Call For Help. Mr. Quinlan said cans of meat and chunky soups will provide emergency food supplies for hungry people. First Call For Help will make sure the proper agency is given the food donations to help ward off hunger during the holidays & throughout the year. Emergency foods can be delivered to the First Call for Help office in the Social Services Building in Rio

Grande.

.JERSEY CAPE DIAGNOSTIC TRAINING & OPPORTUNITY CENTER Crest Haven Complex, Cape May Court House, N.J. 08210 465-4117 . The Center provides vocational testing, training and jobs for clients in a sheltered workshop. According to Christina Baker, v Director of Services, the center could use a igtmas tree for the lunchroom to cheer clients during the holiday season. The Center is seeking jobs for clients who are able to hire people for subcontract work, including simple, repetitive tasks. The employer receives a tax benefit and often the State pays half the salary as well. Financial donations would be gratefully appreciated to provide . vocational testing & training. “We are short on work projects for our clients and we’d like Cape May County employers to be aware of this need,” said Ms. Baker

CAPE MAY CO. ASSOC. FOR RETARDED CITIZENS 6th A Maryland Ave., Rio Grande. N.J. 08242

465-9349

What skills'do you posses that you could share with the retarded citizens of Cape May County this holiday season? The group home on Rt. 47 in Goshen would welcome volunteers who can give instruction in cooking,,games, sports. & arts & crafts. This Friday night a dance for retarded teenagefs & Odults will be held at the Millman Center and volunteers are needed to help during the monthly dances. Saturday, December 19, volunteers are needed during the Association’s Xmas party, and to provide holiday refreshments. “Year 'round the Assoc, for Retarded Citizens has need of people to help in the Rio Grande thrift shop. Donations of items for sale in the thrift shop are very much needed,'' according to Marge Murray, Director. The Association can use financial donations to fund trips and bowling, & other services it provi^fes. AMERICAN RED CROSS 10 Main Street. Cape May Court House, N.J. 08210 What could be a better gift to one’s fellowman than “the gift of life,” a donation of a pint of blood during the holiday season? The need for blood continues every year 'round as critically ill people fight for their lives. During the months of January & February, many people leave the county for warmer places, and blood donors become .

fewer, depleting Red Cross supplies. The American Red Cross will conduct a five hour Christmas blood drive, just 4 days before the holiday, Monday, December 21 at the National Guard Ar)nory, Cape May Court HoUSe, between 1 to 6 p.m. Reservations can be made by calling 465-7382, but you can just walk in too. The Cape May Co. chapter seeks 150 donors. "People are busy this time of year, but a blood donation takes only a few minutes & can mak'e such a difference in someone’s life," said a Red Cross spokesperson.

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES OF CAPE MAY COUNTY Crest Haven Rd., Cape May Court House 465-4100 This center gives counselling services to patients recently released from mental hospitals and to people undergoing crisis in their lives. The range of human emotions need special encouragement and guidance during the holiday season. According to Barry Keefe, director of the center, clients will be invited to a holiday dinner and party sometime during Christmas week and the center would be happy to receive donations of "grab bag" gifts that could be given out. Mr,' Keefe said gifts of cosmetics, wallets, Christmas nic nacs and costume, jewelry would be especiaiy appreciated. "Please ttfll people how grateful the center will be

-Roy Wright

to have these items by December 22," Mr Keefe said, “so that our clients’ will feel cheered during the holidays.” CARA FAMILY EXCHANGE 522-6489 or 368-2590 The CoMitiOn Against RapeA Abuse assists rape victims A victims of violence by providing Crisis intervention, clothing, food and furniture to needy families. CARA has requested names from the DIVISION OF YOUTH A FAMILY SERVICES. SOCIAL SERVICES BLDG., RIO GRANDE. 888-1 IDS, so that during the holiday season families can be matched with more fortunate families who have children who have outgrown similar sizes, or who mpy wish to donate Christmas meals, or fur-' niture for families undergoing stress who have been burned out of their homes or are experiencing other hardships. While this service is anonymous, if the families wish to be known to one another, this can be ar ranged, bur any anonymous gifts of money, clothing A other needed items will be gratefully appreciated. CAPE MAY POINT FIRE DEPARTMENT U^ing one of their fife trucks, pie fire dept, tours the Point delivering gifts to the homes of ’children under 12 years old with Santa doing the honors. Call Fire Chief Dick Layton at 884-8886 for more information. )

Brought to you ftt the spirit of the season by

irate ^ LANTERN;