We all have helping hands

Hi neighbors. Wednesday I was fortunate enough to join a group of civic-minded folks at a luncheon in the Elk's Bingo Hall.

The event was organized by the Vernon County Resource Share group and any organization or business that offers assistance, programs and services to help enhance the lives of residents of Vernon County could attend.

There were close to 150 people there representing dozens of local organizations and businesses.

A tasty box lunch was provided by the culinary arts students from the Service Edge Cafe in the Bowman Building.

Dr. Jeanne Loyd, assistant commissioner with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education was the speaker. She spoke about "partnering" and commended the attendees for their willingness to network and follow-through as advocates when finding ways to help those in need in Vernon County.

Each business or organization then had an opportunity to explain what they offered and who they helped. Tables were provided to share pamphlets and brochures detailing services each of them offered.

The fact is that people, ages birth through seniors, require services and advocates for basic human needs ranging from training for a job, getting medical assistance or finding affordable lodging to extreme needs like help escaping from an abusive situation.

The good news is that Vernon County has organized to respond to that broad spectrum of needs.

I attended to spread the word about the Alzheimer's Caregivers Support and Discussion group which meets at 4 p.m., the second Wednesday of each month at the Moore-Few Community Room. It is hosted by The Barone Alzheimer's Care Center/Nevada Regional Medical Center with myself as facilitator and is affiliated with the Southwest Missouri Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, a non-profit group.

The meetings are free and open to the public, but an RSVP is necessary by 4 p.m., Tuesday. Call (417) 448-3999 for more information.

It seems like a small thing for me to do, but I feel if we all do a few small things here and there, we can make big changes in people's lives.

If you want to help any of the local clubs, organizations, businesses and volunteers you should contact them directly or call Pat Chambers at (417) 667-7007 at the Vernon County Resource Share group.

Many of the organizations we are all familiar with; the Red Cross, United Way, Missouri University Extension Center and the Nevada/Vernon County Chamber of Commerce were there. We are all touched by these organizations in some way several times in our lives; and rely on them to help us during times of great need.

I can't begin to mention all of the businesses and organizations that were represented there, but here are a few whose brochures I picked up: USDA, Nevada Urgent Care and Adult and Pediatric Clinic, the Child Advocacy Council, Nevada Chiropractic Clinic, the Vernon County Senior Center, the Moss House, PAR (Provide-A-Ride), the Missouri Department of Corrections, the Vernon County Sheriff's Department, Heartland Behavioral Health Services, West Central Missouri Community Action Agency, Pathways Community Behavioral Healthcare, Inc., Missouri Career Center, Medicalodges, UMOS and the National Farmworker Job Program, Experience Works- Senior Workforce Solutions, the Nevada/Vernon County Chamber of Commerce, the Nevada Regional Medical Center, The Barone Alzheimer's Care Center, the Missouri Department of Social Services, the Red Cross, the Office of the Missouri Attorney General, On My Own, Inc., The Food Pantry, the Ministerial Alliance and the US Department of Labor.

Looks like a lot of people doesn't it? It is, but never enough people. We all need to donate a little of our time or assets to help those in our community in need.

It truly does take the commitment of everyone in a village to care for all of those people within it that need help.

You may think you have no skills, no training, no valuable talents that you can offer; but I'm sure you do. You might start by simply donating items to a family that has lost their home to fire, flood or tornado.

One of our biggest celebrations of the year, Bushwhacker Days, always need volunteers to thousands of jobs before, during and after the events. For more information on how you can help, call the Nevada/Vernon County Chamber of Commerce at (417) 667-5300.

I feel most people want to help others that are in need. Often we don't because we aren't certain how we can help, who needs our help, and how to get help to those that need it.

I hope you do some calling and find out who needs you and how you can offer assistance.