Valentine’s Day is approaching. For me that means it is time to make paper valentines for family members as well as giant valentine cookie pops for my children.
I’ve considered not making the cookies anymore since my children no longer live at home, but continuing the tradition is one way I show my children I care about them. I also enjoy a fun local valentine tradition that is returning this year: love songs for Love Chapel.
On Valentine’s Day, the QMIX radio station will play a song and a dedication for someone you care about for a minimum $10 donation to Love Chapel. I enjoy listening to the dedications and the wide variety of music. What a great way to show caring for close friends or family as well as those who struggle in the community!
Last fall I got a peek into the lives of those who struggle when I participated in a poverty simulation sponsored by United Way of Bartholomew County and Madison Consolidated Schools. I played the part of a 25-year-old man living with his girlfriend and her son. I did have a job, but my salary wasn’t large and there wasn’t much left after paying child support for my son from a previous relationship. Trying to cover all our expenses and get to where we needed to go with limited time and limited transportation was a challenge.
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My simulated family mostly managed to take care of all our responsibilities especially when we discovered that community groups and agencies could help us with food and other necessities freeing up our money to cover other expenses. Unexpected expenses could not be covered though. Other simulated families didn’t fare as well, leading them to pawn possessions and even resort to stealing.
I came away from this experience feeling very blessed. When I was a single parent, money was tight sometimes but I always had enough. Additionally, my extended family provided me with a financial safety net for unexpected expenses.
Many in our community have no financial safety net, which is where organizations such as Love Chapel come into the picture. Love Chapel, the Ecumenical Assembly of Bartholomew County Churches, runs a food pantry and, in partnership with Columbus Township, operates the Brighter Days Housing facility for the homeless. Emergency financial assistance for expenses such as rent and utilities is also available through Love Chapel.
Additionally, Love Chapel is one of the sites for hot meals in Bartholomew County. Different churches host a hot meal each day of the week throughout the county. You can find the schedule on Love Chapel’s website.
Sans Souci is another local organization that helps those in need. Sans Souci runs a thrift store and an employee development program to help those struggling to find employment because of various barriers. Additionally, Sans Souci provides free clothing for those below the poverty level.
Both Love Chapel and Sans Souci depend on volunteers and donations, both physical goods and monetary amounts. Consider adding a new love-filled tradition this Valentine’s Day and give some of your time, money, or goods to one of these organizations in our community that serve those in need.
Susan Cox is one of The Republic’s community columnists, and all opinions expressed are those of the writer. She is a mother, an adjunct instructor of English at Ivy Tech Community College-Columbus and a substitute teacher for Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. She can be reached at editorial@therepublic.com.
