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I was watching the news the other morning, when they started to talk about Haiti, terrible what has happened. I want you to know that I would hate for that to happen to anyone. Having to deal with the total devastation of a family, a home, a community, a church, a country. I would not know where to start.

Most of the time this column is about my own life and my own kids, but not this one. If I ever hit a nerve with anyone, maybe we should take a step back and evaluate. If ever someone gets upset, then I definitely hit home. If your conscience goes to work, then my job here is done.

My family is one of diversity. (Black, White, Hispanic and red all over) Prejudice is not a word in our vocabulary. Everyone should be treated equally. My husband’s parents adopted 3 African children when they were in the Peace Corps. Two of them went to high school in Johnson City. I am a believer of the process. I have nothing wrong with anyone giving another person a better opportunity.

With that said, I want everyone in Johnson City to concentrate on Johnson City. Do you know how many are homeless (or about to be)? Do you know how many children are on the free or reduced lunches at school? Do you know how many families and children Christmas J.O.Y. helps out each year? Do you know how many people use the food bank? Did you know that Johnson City had a food bank?

Where is the help that we provide our neighbors? It’s not on the front page of the newspaper. Find out who is helping in our community and lend a hand. You do not have to cross borders, be it county, state or country, to help those in need. They are right here in our community, seek them out and give freely of your time and energy.

There are collection baskets for the food bank in every church in town, as well as the school campuses. Take a can good or non-perishable item to church or school and they will see to it that it gets to the people who need it. It is not that hard to buy and extra can of green beans or corn. Fifty cents and you are helping to provide a meal for a family in need.

You know which of your neighbors are having a hard time. Take them a casserole or a PEC gift card. Every little bit helps. Ten dollars or so toward their electric bill may keep them from losing their electricity that month. And don’t be judgmental, when that same neighbor is at every sporting event in town or their kid shows up with a new bike. Maybe, just maybe someone else is being generous too.