Volunteer resolutions
Since I had never worked in retail or even done much thrift store shopping, I was surprised to find how much I enjoyed volunteering at one of the six Murphy thrift stores.
Having been a teacher most of my life, however, working with the public was not new, and suggesting ways to improve is surely in a former teacher’s DNA.
So I list a few New Year’s resolutions for those who volunteer, those who shop and those who donate.
Volunteers – resolved
- I will smile and greet those who come into the store, knowing that some may be lonely or even burdened and can use a kind word, a listening ear and perhaps even a prayer.
- My motivation to volunteer will be to bless the ministry the thrift store supports, instead of getting the first look at donated merchandise.
- I will recognize that menial tasks, such as cleaning and emptying the trash, are valuable and necessary, and cheerfully do them as needed.
Shoppers – resolved
- I will remember that most people who staff local thrift stores are volunteers, and I will appreciate what they do.
- I will keep in mind that since thrift stores support ministries, they need to make a profit and do not exist for me to get a deal.
- I will do my part as a good citizen to keep the stores neat and clean.
Donors – resolved
- I will only donate during store hours so what I give is neither stolen nor ruined by the weather.
- I will donate things that are in good condition and have the courage to discard things that are not.
- If I donate clothing that is stained, I will bag it separately, label it and take it to one of the stores that makes money by sending such items away for other purposes.
As we all work together, let’s make 2025 a great year for our local thrift stores, none of which could exist without donations and customers.
Lois Huff, Murphy
A ‘Festivus’ holiday spirit
Festivus is a secular holiday celebrated on Dec. 23 as an alternative to the pressures and commercialism of the Christmas season.
It’s a form of spirited consumer resistance. The holiday was made popular by the sitcom Seinfeld.
U.S. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), a champion for cutting wasteful government spending, publishes an annual Festivus Report detailing atrocious spending projects.
In the 2023 Festivus, he deplored the national debt nearing $34 trillion. In a year, Washington’s career politicians and bureaucrats have managed to push debt beyond $36 trillion – predictably, and without reappraising.
A summary of Festivus Report 2024 spending grievance winners:
- Ghost towns on the government’s dime: The federal government spent $10 billion on maintaining, leasing and furnishing essentially empty buildings.
- A pandemic plunder: A Florida man stole $8 million in COVID-19 relief funds to buy an island.
- Your tax dollars at play: The Department of the Interior spent $12 million on a Las Vegas pickleballcomplex.
- Snack attack: The Department of Health & Human Services awarded a $2 million grant to study kids looking at food Facebook ads.
- Oh rats! The Department of Health & Human Services spent $419,470 to determine if lonely rats seek cocaine more than happy rats.
- Hold on to your steering wheels: The Department of Energy spent $15.5 billion to subsidize EVs.
- Interest-ingly wasteful: Americans paid $892 billion in fiscal year 2024 on the interest on Uncle Sam’s credit card.
Who’s to blame for our crushing national debt? Everybody. This year, members of both political parties in congress voted for massive spending bills, filled with subsidies for underperforming industries, military aid to Ukraine and controversial climate initiatives. As Congress spends on favored pet projects, the American taxpayers are forced to pay through high prices and crippling interest rates.
Details: Visit infowars.com/posts/sen-rand-paul-releases-10th-annual-festivus-report-exposing-over-1-trillion-in-government-waste.
Terry Payne, Marble
Rowland clan thankful to all
The family of Anna L. Rowland would like to express our sincere thanks for all those that were a part of her celebration of life.
We appreciate the kind and compassionate health workers who attended to Anna’s needs for the last few months.
Thank you to John Ivie and his staff for guiding us in the planning of the celebration service.
Thank you to pastors Dean Bateman (grandson) and Sean Bateman (great-grandson) for leading the service.
We especially want to say thank you to friends and neighbors for the prayers, the expressions of love, and kind words of support and comfort. Thank you for the beautiful flowers and the stories of Anna that reminded us of her love of family and life.
Thank you to those who organized the fellowship meal after the service, the food, the servers and the ones who stayed after the meal to clean up.
Thank you all who participated in this final farewell and tribute to our mother.
“And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three: but the greatest of these is love.”
God bless you all.
Joe Rowland and the family of Anna Rowland, Topton