GOING GREEN... HAS GOT ME SEEING RED!

Now I know it's the right thing to do to try to go green and save our planet’s resources for the next generations, but has anybody told that to the giants of retail industry or the fast food giants? I advocate placing restrictions on their manufacturing, merchandising, and distribution of commodities that would force them to go green too!


I try very hard to conserve water. I separate paper from plastic. I recycle and re-use whenever I’m able. I even bought re-usable grocery bags for shopping. I keep my car tuned up so as not to help pollute the atmosphere….so you can imagine how I feel when I see fillet of fish plastic McDonald’s boxes blowing across the road! It’s not just McDonalds…I just used them as an example….There are millions of fast food chains who are guilty of the same practices. Blatant disregard for the concept of “going green”!


Why doesn’t the government go after them to create a more planet friendly method for wrapping their food? What’s wrong with just wrapping it in plain paper? It really wouldn’t matter much to the consumer…cuz we’re gonna eat it just as fast as possible anyway!


Another thing that fries my bacon is those flimsy, little cheap bags that you get when you buy something. Why are those necessary? You see them littering the streets everyday...flying across the road...stuck on trees! Those bags are not biodegradable…they’ll be here for years….and years…and years….and years! What’s wrong with a good ol’ paper sack? It will break down in a matter of months and replenish the earth….soooooo!

The government has spent billions of dollars in an effort to educate the public about the need for “going green” I got the message…..but big business and industry must have been absent from class that day…or they just CUT CLASS altogether!

I'm sick of big brother telling me to go green...when the giants of commerce and industry could care less.

So yeah….The concept of going green has got me seeing red!

HELPING HANDS OF EAST CLEVELAND

OUR MISSION STATEMENT

We are an open community of concerned, compassionate citizens inspiring change through advocacy, support, growth and success of all residents of East Cleveland, OH. We engage the community and support our families by providing free donated clothing/furniture to low-income families, or anyone in need, in a convenient and dignified manner. Helping Hands Store is a non-profit organization. We rely on volunteers to help with all aspects of running the store. We solicit donations from concerned citizens to be distributed to residents of East Cleveland, OH, who need a helping hand, regardless of race, creed, color or national origin.

 

 

 

WHAT WE DO

OUR FOCUS IS TO  COLLECT GENTLY USED CLOTHING, SHOES, HOUSEHOLD ITEMS, FURNITURE AND APPLIANCES.  WE DISTRIBUTE EVERYTHING WE COLLECT TO THE RESIDENTS OF EAST CLEVELAND, OH, AT NO CHARGE.  WE PROVIDE ITEMS THAT ENRICH THE LIVES OF OUR RESIDENTS BY PROVIDING THE NECESSITIES OF LIVING IN A DIGNIFIED AND CONVENIENT SETTING.  WE ACCEPT ANY NEIGHBOR WHO HAS A NEED.  ALL STAFF IN OUR ORGANIZATION PARTICIPATE ON A VOLUNTEER BASIS...BECAUSE WE CARE

 

 

 

HOW CAN YOU TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR SERVICES?

SEEK AND YE SHALL FIND....IF YOU NEED CLOTHING FOR YOUR CHILDREN OR YOURSELF...CALL US.  IF YOU NEED FURNITURE OR APPLIANCES CALL US.  IF YOU NEED CURTAINS OR LINENS...GIVE US A TRY.  WE MAY NOT HAVE EXACTLY WHAT YOU NEED....BUT PERHAPS WE CAN FIND IT.  LET US KNOW.  OUR SERVICES ARE DEPENDENT ON THE KINDNESS AND GENEROSITY OF OUR NEIGHBORS.  THE MORE ITEMS THAT ARE DONATED...THE MORE WE CAN DISTRIBUTE TO THE COMMUNITY.

 

 

 

WANT TO HELP?

FEELING THE NEED TO HELP?  WHEN YOU CLEAN OUT YOUR CLOSET OR GARAGE, THINK ABOUT US!  WE WILL PICK UP YOUR ITEMS.  WE WILL CLEAN OR REPAIR YOUR DONATIONS.  WHEN YOU NO LONGER NEED OR WANT SOMETHING...JUST ASK YOURSELF..."CAN SOMEBODY ELSE USE THIS?".  THE ANSWER IS PROBABLY "YES!".  CALL US AT 216-404-5342, OR EMAIL US AT helpinghands.44112@gmail.com.  WE WILL ARRANGE FOR A PICKUP.

ONE MAN'S TRASH...IS ANOTHER MAN'S TREASURE!

VOLUNTEERS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME!  THE TIME YOU WORK TO HELP YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS IS INVALUABLE.  WHEN YOU GIVE OF YOUR TIME...YOUR SPIRIT IS UPLIFTED.  WE WELCOME YOUR HELP.  IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO VOLUNTEER....GIVE US A CALL!

LOVIN' YOUR NEIGHBOR AIN'T ALWAYS EASY...

I've always considered myself to be a good neighbor. I keep my yard well maintained. I keep any noise down. I don't throw wild parties. I'm not a nosey busybody all up in my neighbor's business. I try to truly follow the scripture and love my neighbors...but

There is one neighbor of mine who has a dog that barks non-stop! I mean from sun up til sundown this animal does not give it a rest. He must need some attention. He's gotta be pretty stupid too..he shoulda figured out a long time time ago that his barking ain't getting him nowhere. Does my neighbor love me?

Then there's the lady who tells me..."I wish you would quit putting trash in my yard!" Point is...I don't even put any trash outside because we live in a heavily wooded area and the creatures around here can tear up the strongest cans and trash bags. I told this neighbor that the trash she's finding might have come from the wind...but she don't want to hear that. She's convinced that me and my family sneak over there in the middle of the night and deposit potato chip bags in her yard!

Does this neighbor love me?

Lord...give me strength!

Oh yeah...and then there's the neighborhood perverts who stare at my adolescent grand-daughters, with their mouths hanging open, when they're in my backyard in the pool. I really have to stretch to love them, cuz they sure ain't showin no love or respect!

Like I said...I try to love my neighbors...but sometimes the neighbors just ain't so lovable!

FOREVER 21 CONDONES PREGNANT TEENS!

I thought I had seen it all until last night when I happened to catch a local news broadcast. One of the features caught my attention. The reporter says that there is a certain boutique..which will remain nameless..uh humm..(FOREVER 21), that has introduced a clothing line that is specifically marketed to pregnant girls! Call me crazy, but I think this is ridiculous.



Sure pregnant teens want to dress stylishly. I know that...but what kind of a message are we sending? Is it ok to be 13, 15, 17 and pregnant? No, it is not. I can't believe that the American public will stand still and allow a major retail chain to exploit and condone the tradgedy of teenaged pregnancy.

I say bring back the old days when being teenaged and pregnant was not so cool! If a girl got "caught" she sometimes disappeared for 6 or 7 months.."down South" She would come back a little plumper, and most often..a lot wiser. Girls did not have the option of being able to go to a fancy, smantzy boutique and purchase clothing that glorified their teenaged belly.

When Forever 21 responded to allegations of targeting teenaged pregnant girls...they said "absolutely not...we market to a wide segment of the population". BALONEY!!! TELL ME THEN WHY THIS PARTICULAR LINE OF CLOTHING WAS ONLY INTRODUCED AT STORES LOCATED IN AREAS WITH THE HIGHEST TEENAGED PREGNANCY STATISTICS??? I think Forever 21 should be ashamed of trying to take advantage of an American tradgedy.

Teenaged pregnancy should not be glorified and exploited.

YARDWORK AND ME....

OH SPRING! I JUST COULD NOT WAIT FOR THE FIRST SIGN OF THE GROWING SEASON. I FAITHFULLY CONDITIONED MY SOIL. I FERTILIZED LIKE A PRO. I WEEDED, SHEARED, MOWED, PRUNED, DUG, MULCHED AND TRULY ENJOYED THE TASKS. HOME DEPOT WAS THE PLACE TO BE FOR ME. SHOULD I BUY GAS OR ELECTRIC YARD TOOLS? WHAT KIND OF PLANTS WOULD DO WELL IN MY YARD? I WAS SO INTO IT. I COULD SPEND ALL DAY IN MY YARD...AND THE BENEFIT IS THAT IT IS TRULY BEAUTIFUL. THAT WAS THEN...THIS IS NOW...

THE TEMPERATURES IN CLEVELAND HAVE BEEN IN THE UPPER 90'S FOR THE MAJORITY OF THIS SUMMER. THE HEAT IS INTOLERABLE. I ABSOLUTELY HATE GOING OUTSIDE! I CAN'T WAIT FOR ALL THIS CRAP I PLANTED TO DIE SO THAT I DON'T HAVE TO TEND TO IT ANYMORE. THE GROWING SEASON HAS BEEN PHENOMENAL THIS YEAR. GRASS GROWS SO FAST THAT I SHOULD INVEST IN A GAS CARD JUST FOR MY LAWN MOWER!


AND LET'S NOT TALK ABOUT THE INSECTS. I HAVE SO MANY BITES AND STINGS THAT I SHOULD HAVE INVESTED IN THE COMPANY THAT PRODUCES OFF, WHICH BTW...I THINK ATTRACTS BUGS. AT ANY RATE...THE YARD AND THE GARDENING TASKS THAT ONCE PRODUCED SUCH EXCITEMENT FOR ME...NOW FEEL ME WITH DREAD. EVERYTHING GROWS SO FAST, AND I AM THE ONE MEMBER OF THE FAMILY WHO HAS TO TEND TO THEM. HEAT STROKE...DEHYDATION...SUNBURN...OH YES...SUMMER, SUMMER WONDERFUL SUMMER.

I HATE MY YARD AND I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE SEASON TO CHANGE!

LeBron...How Can You Leave Me Like This!?!? OR How LeBron James Leaving Cleveland Feels Like The End Of a Love Affair...

Ok...I'm finally coming to grips with the fact that LeBron James left Cleveland for greener pastures. I've accepted the fact that he's gone...and he ain't coming back. I can even deal with the grandiose exit he made on national tv. He's gone...and I say "Good Riddance"! The only thing I can't deal with is the emotional devastation his leaving has had on thousands of fans who supported him at every turn.....and that makes me think of the end of a love affair.

When we first met..we were so very much in love. We delighted in every little thing that the other did. We supported one another through the good and bad times. It was you and me against the world. No one could come between us. We grew together....and as one of us gained prestige and power...I said "wonderful"....that was a boost to our relationship. I was satisfied to stay in the background and let you shine...always supportive...always loyal. Then the day came when you were no longer happy or content. Was it something I did...said...or missed?? How could you leave me like this? I loved you. I was loyal to you. I never cheated on you. I was your staunchest supporter....and in the end you kicked me right in the behind in front of the whole world. I am humiliated and ashamed. Ashamed that I thought that you would always be there for me. Now I look back and think that I was such fool. Was the smile I used to love so much actually a smirk....while you bided your time until your cowardly, self-serving exit? I think it was. I thought you were a king when we were together....and you were..."THE KING OF SELL OUTS"!

So yeah...LeBron leaving C-town is like a stab in the heart....but you know what? We'll survive..maybe it is good his true nature was revealed.

So now the love affair with LeBron James is over....Time to move on....