Letters, letters, letters

To the Editor:

I attended a Y2K Forum, hosted by the concerned citizens of Camp Sherman (see story, p. 3).

It was encouraging to be a part of approximately 150 people from our community, coming together to seek answers and to share and receive information. Our county sheriff's departments, both Deschutes and Jefferson counties, the Tri-County Emergency Services, and The American Red Cross spoke about their ability to respond to our community's needs should the effects of the Year 2000 computer problem be significant. We also heard from CEC.

The resounding message from our community leaders attending this forum was clear: No one knows to what degree we will be affected by Y2K. Because of the scope of the potential problem, we must come together as a community. Our governmental and emergency management agencies do not have the resources to meet our needs should the effects be state- or nationwide. Our responsibility is to resource within our neighborhoods, and increase our awareness about what we can and should be doing to prepare our families and our community.

Let's take the spirit of "Community Effort" a step further. Together we built new classrooms for our elementary school without any outside assistance. We know how to work together for the benefit of many.

I would challenge the citizens of Sisters to engage in a community plan for preparedness with that same spirit.

Over the past year I have prayerfully considered the Y2K potential crisis. I have sought out credible information sources from governmental agencies, FEMA, The American Red Cross, computer experts, and many others. I have watched as the national news deals with this issue more and more. Based on what the experts are saying the potential for a significant disruption is a viable possibility.

I do appreciate that there are many opinions with respect to Y2K. But, should this or any other disaster strike, we will either be a community in need or a community of provision. Which will we choose to be?

Respectfully,

Katie Boyce

To the Editor:

The Kiwanis Club of Sisters wishes to thank the many members of the Sisters community who helped support the Christmas Share program in December.

Those deserving special mention include the students as Sisters High School and the Scouts who collected hundreds of items for food baskets with their respective food drives, as did postal workers who picked up food while making their rounds.

St. Edward's Catholic Church contributed even more canned and packaged food. The Sisters/Camp Sherman Fire Department provided the Sharing Tree and collected gifts for children in the 86 families who were served through the program.

Many generous individuals donated cash and canned food to help make the program successful, and others volunteered hours to put the baskets together. And Sisters merchants allowed collection containers to take up valuable space in their places of business during the busy Christmas season.

The money received in those containers, plus other cash donations, was a remarkable sum of $3,963, plus $700 from a donor whose gift was designated for bicycles. The cash donations helped Kiwanis purchase many food items needed for the baskets.

Without all this help, energy, generosity and heart, the Christmas Share Project would not be possible. Sisters once again has demonstrated that we live in a wonderful community.

Sisters Kiwanis