Thanks to local volunteers
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Editor,
Have you ever donated to UNICEF? Some of us remember collecting money for them as we went trick-or-treating on Halloween. The United Nations Children’s Fund CEO Caryl M. Stern receives a yearly salary of $1.2 million, plus expenses and a car. Less than 5 percen of donated money goes to the kids. Marsha J. Evans, President and CEO of the American Red Cross, has a salary of $651,957 per year plus expenses. United Way President Brian Gallagher lags behind at $375,000 per year, but he gets expenses, too. Contrast those numbers with Todd Bassett, Commissioner of the Salvation Army. He gets $13,000 per year plus housing; 96 percen of donated dollars go to their causes. Thank you to all the bell ringers. In Lake County, the team at Share the Spirit donates all of their time (no salaries) and some money as well. Toni Young, with the help of Valerie Lindstrom, Cheryl Thomas and Nancy Hines, plus gifts, donations and work volunteers, make Christmas meaningful for more than 1,000 children this year. Since Share the Spirit began in 1998, they have provided gifts for over 10,000 children in need. They partner with the wonderful Marines in our area that collect the Toys for Tots. Mauri Morin and all his helpers deserve our thanks as well. All the volunteers at Share the Spirit wrap up their work on Thursday, Dec. 22. You can call them at 883-1046 to see if you can make a late donation. By the way, the commanders of the VFW, American Legion and Disabled American Veterans organizations also do not take a salary. This Christmas will be difficult for many of our friends and neighbors. We are blessed to live in such a caring and beautiful place. Merry Christmas.
Janna Taylor
Dayton
