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Re: Toy donations overload hospitals at holidays, Dec. 21.
We at All Children's Hospital are extremely fortunate to have so many friends in the community who take the time to share their holiday gifts with our young patients. I wish everyone who stops by to drop off that special gift - no matter the size or monetary value - could see the delight in the eyes of a child who needs that small offering of the holiday spirit.
While we are very proud of All Children's Hospital, we are the first to point out that any hospital is not a place that a child should be during these holidays, or any day. Unfortunately, many need our services, no matter the time of year. Those who do, perhaps, need as much the care and support of our community. This annual outpouring of generosity allows us to bring holiday happiness to all who would very much rather be home with their families. And the immense response triggered by this holiday season of giving allows us to save some "treasures" for the times of year when the needs of hospitalized children are not so easily remembered by the public.
Is it hard work to handle this annual influx of gifts? It is a labor of love that is yearly looked forward to by our tireless Child Life staff and volunteers - Santa's helpers who have no peers. It is done with smiles, and the reward is even bigger smiles. We would not want it any other way.
Whether it be the thousand-plus motorcycles on Saturday or the 4-year-old girl named Amy I just met in our lobby, those who take the time to think of children they will never meet allow us to bring the normalcy of toys and play to children year-round. These are indeed gifts that keep on giving. So, to all of you, thank you, and the very happiest of holidays from All Children's.
Re: Toy donations overload hospitals at holidays.
I'm happy for the children, but it reminded me of the nursing home Christmas party I had attended the previous Thursday. Most patients were in wheelchairs and very excited - a great party, food, soda and gifts from Santa. I learned later that the nurses, CNAs and staff had drawn names, sometimes two, to buy personal gifts and to be sure each and everyone got a gift from Santa. For some, this would be the only Christmas gift they would receive. Some grasped the string on the bag and would not part with it.
These people could be remembered as well as the children. Listen up, groups and schools.
I'd like to commend you for a wonderful selection of opinion columns in the Wednesday paper. Our family of four (with one child in high school and the other in graduate school) has devoured and discussed the religious, political and, to some degree, whimsical perspective of these commentators.
One thing stands out in all of the Wednesday columns, and that is that we live in a nation where hope is alive. Whether it be Paul Park's son Lucius and his desire for Hot Wheels, Earl Hutchinson's 30-year fight for peace and civil rights or Virginia's need for assurance that there truly is a Santa Claus, we, as Americans, have faith that the future will bring an answer to our prayers. I'm not sure too many countries can offer its citizens that sense of optimism! We are a blessed people.
I was at the Super Wal-Mart store in Pinellas Park recently, and when I went to get my parked car to come pick up my wife and niece, a young man (possibly a teenager) approached me, shook my hand and thanked me for helping make America what it is today.
Due to the coolness of the weather, I was wearing a cap with the 101st Airborne insignia on it, and that is what alerted him. He asked me when I served in the Army, and I replied, "1942 to 1945." Again he shook my hand and thanked me.
If he should read this in your paper, I want him to know that he made this old veteran's holidays just a bit merrier. I'm so thankful that the younger generation still remembers.
Re: Oh what fun it is to write as gov'ment has its way! Dec. 24.
Howard Troxler's column was one of the most truthful, yet humorous pieces of writing I have seen in the Times in a very long time. Thank you for telling us in such a unique way what we living in Florida already know. Happy holidays, Howard. And keep on singing!
Re: Injection of teenagers refreshes college face, Dec. 22.
It's definite, the face of the University of South Florida St. Petersburg is evolving and changing every day. I started as a student at USF St. Petersburg in August 1979, when the campus resided in the old Coast Guard Station. That building held all classes, the library, everything. Since that time I have watched as new buildings were built, and even rebuilt (the old library is now the business office and computer center, and the parking lot at the library).
USF has evolved in good form, keeping the character and ecology of its neighborhood in mind. It was a pleasure for me (a recent USF graduate after 28 off and on years as a student) to see the bright, young faces that are keeping our campus alive and active. I will enjoy watching as it continues to grow as a integral part of the community. Go, USF Bulls.
Re: Keiko of "Free Willy" dies in Norway, Dec. 13.
The recent death of Keiko has brought great sadness to so many of us. He made us aware of the deprivation and suffering that captive killer whales and dolphins must endure.
In the wild, whales and dolphins are always swimming, even when they "sleep." They are "voluntary breathers," conscious of every breath they take. They are always aware and always moving. Confining them in tanks only allows them to take a few strokes in any direction before coming to a wall. Because tanks are shallow, the natural tendencies of whales and dolphins are reversed - they spend more than half their time at the tank's surface.
This unnatural situation caused Keiko's skin problems and was the probable cause of his dorsal fin collapse, as without the support of water, gravity pulls these tall appendages over as the whale matures. Collapsed fins are experienced by all captive male orcas.
The maximum estimated life span for male orcas in the wild is 50-60 years. Had Keiko not been freed, he would probably not have even lived for 26 years. The harm inflicted by 23 years of isolation and captivity could not be undone during the last few years of his freedom.
How can such barbarism continue to exist in the 21st century? Why do people continue to visit SeaWorld and other attractions where these animals are held captive?
In his life, Keiko showed us the suffering inherent in the lives of captive animals. Now his death coincides with a very spiritual time of the year. Perhaps he chose this time to bid us farewell with the hope that we will never forget that all whales and dolphins deserve to live their lives in freedom. As one of his rescuers said, "Keiko was a champion, the most incredible whale."
The year-end holidays are upon us: Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, winter solstice. They conjure visions of families gathered by a warm fireplace, opening presents, sharing their love, and . . . feasting on ham and turkey. It's the happiest time of the year - for some.
But for the millions of factory-farmed pigs and turkeys our holiday season portends only agony, despair and death after a lifetime of caging, crowding, deprivation, drugging and mutilation.
Each of us can refuse to subsidize such wanton violence and cruelty during this holiday season by choosing plant-based foods that abound in every supermarket. There are fresh fruits and greens and soy-based delicacies in the produce section, veggie burgers, soy nuggets, ready-to-eat dinners in the frozen food section, and a variety of soy-based milks, cheeses and ice creams.
This year, let's have a truly gentle holiday. Let's send the message of "peace on Earth" to all living beings.
The Dec. 20 letter writers responding to the story about the refused Thanksgiving meal (An act of charity sticks in craw, Dec. 17) must have missed the Friday article in which Steve Kersker apologized to Pastor Randy White and his congregation.
We could all learn a lesson in humility and compromise from Mr. Kersker. How many of us have the courage to acknowledge, even to ourselves, that we make mistakes and are wrong in some of our perceptions.
If more of us had Mr. Kersker's zeal in advocating for others, the ability to acknowledge that we all have different perceptions, and the willingness to compromise, there would be realistic hope for love and understanding within families, communities and nations.
Re: Tarpon Springs investigation is just routine, letter from the Tarpon Springs police chief, Dec. 18.
I would like to commend Chief Mark LeCouris for setting the record straight by defending his department and explaining the problems that confront the officers who are fighting the "war" on crime. I can relate to those problems after 36 years of fighting that "war" in a major city.
It is about time that some citizens and the press come to understand that we need tough law enforcement officers if we are to be safe in our homes and on the streets. We need law officers who are not afraid to take on these thugs and send the message to them that they will swiftly be taken off the streets and receive their just rewards.
Re: Tarpon Springs investigation is just routine.
The Pinellas County Police Benevolent Association stands by Chief Mark LeCouris and the Tarpon Springs Police Department. This department, under the leadership of Chief LeCouris, has lowered the crime rate in Tarpon Springs, has effectively diminished and in some cases eliminated drug traffic, has rebuilt neighborhoods formerly a haven for drug pushers.
In short, this department has improved the quality of life for all the law abiding citizens of Tarpon Springs. This is a first-class police department, with its vision clearly on the 21st century. We commend Chief LeCouris for the job he is doing.
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