Community Care Day is step in right direction
Bee Editorial
The Educators Totally Committed group organized the 21st annual Sleepout for the Needy event, raising awareness that area homelessness does exist.

The group slept outside in boxes in freezing temperatures to experience the elements that some Buffalo and Western New York natives must bear nightly. They also raised funds for area shelters, food pantries and soup kitchens.

ETC has petitioned the United Nations to dedicate Feb. 1 every year as the Worldwide School Day to Help People in Need. The idea is to help people in the same area who struggle to pay the bills, buy food and clothing and sustain a job, to get back on their feet. By simply raising awareness, the problem can be relieved little by little.

ETC, which is a group of teachers and support staff from the Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda and Clarence school districts, works toward generating aid at the community level for people in need, known as Universal Neighborhood Student Action. ETC aspires to make the movement international. The UNSA movement has been active in Western New York for the past 19 years, and ETC has collected and distributed approximately $600,000 worth of tangible items such as food, clothing, personal care items, small furniture pieces and money. Each year, the gifts are then turned over to local groups that are familiar with the immediate needs of community residents.

In order for the movement to really take flight, other areas should participate in community sleepouts. It's great that it started with us; now let's get others involved.

ETC member Stephen Ash is right: by simply placing a paper bag at the front of a room to collect items or pennies could mean the world of difference for a neighbor or a stranger in need. It's a simple program to start and there's "no fees, no forms and no fuss." Simply place a paper bag in a designated spot, and let the donations pour in.

People often take their fortunes for granted. But by raising awareness that homelessness is a real problem maybe a person would think twice about spending money on a pair of jeans, and instead donate it to a local shelter. It doesn't have to be on Feb. 1, but it could start there.

The United Nations should hop on board, but until that happens, let's petition local school districts.

Congratulations ETC for the success of this year's sleepout. Keep up the great work.