we can help each other

I have to share this event: for any in the area who might like to offer their support. And then to send the wonderful idea further out into the world. To infect others, maybe, with a little hope and competence, rather than the fear and inevitability that seems to have poisoned so much of the collective air lately. This is what my community is doing, to counter its own economic hardship. Literacy Volunteers of Santa Fe, the department at SF Community College that oversees the ESL program with which I work, recently felt the blow as more than half its staff was laid off or had their hours reduced. As they send out regular email posts announcing workshops and new students seeking tutors, there's a fluent communication process going on among the 50 or so people involved in the effort. Many, apparently, heard the sad news and asked, immediately, "What can we do to help you?" And this event is what grew out of that intention, only weeks later. I'm proud to be connected with such a fine, immediate, human response to a need. I plan to donate books and maybe cookies too. Who knows how much financial relief this effort will give the staff of the program - but it's obvious from the emails that it's sustaining their spirits, even now. We can do this, yes we can, wherever we are. It's just this simple.

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Clear Light Book Gallery will be sponsoring a fund-raising event for LVSF on March 21 from 10:00 – 4:00 at their site at 851 San Mateo (the old Open Hands site). Joe Hayes and Steve McFadden will be doing story telling, Peter Aragon will provide microphones, we will sell cookies and brownies (if you make good ones and would like to donate them, please let me know), there will be posters, notecards and used books will be for sale and lots more.

How can you help?

* A few tutors will speak. If you would like to tell about your experience with tutoring, please let me know
* If you make good cookies or brownies and want to donate them for us to sell, please let me know
* If you have books to donate, please take them the Clear Light Tuesday – Friday 12:00 – 4:00 or Saturday 10:00 – 4:00and mark the box “LVSF”
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