United Way summary

          United Way of the River Cities is a non-profit organization that seeks to help the people of the tri-state area with education, health, and other needs.  Any local donations go to the local people.  United Way works with local charities such as The Salvation Army, Girl Scouts Black Diamond Council, and the American Red Cross.

            There have been several events that the United Way has been a part of this year including Super Kids Super Families Super Saturday and the Winter Series race. These two events allow anyone to be involved with no cost and promote family time.

            They have three initiatives/collaborations one helps families with financial problems called “Financial Stability Partnership,” another makes sure that children are ready to enter kindergarten called “Success by six,” and the last is the “Cabell County Substance Abuse Prevention Partnership,” which reduces local substance abuse.

            Laura Gilliam is United Way of the River Cities’ executive director. In an article I read on marshallparthenon.com, Gilliam seems very passionate about serving her community. She said in 2009 that United Way’s goal was to raise 1.4 million dollars and if it isn’t met the people of United Way will find out why and how they can improve for future performance.

Cassey Bowden is the director of research development and marketing for United Way. In a Herald Dispatch article, I found out that Cassey Bowden was chosen for Leadership West Virginia in 2010. She showed exceptional involvement in civic activities, public affairs, and in her professional career.

Bowden teaches at Marshall University and has on child. She and Gilliam are both listed under parents and business community on Cabell County’s 2010 Strategic Planning Committee.

The Salvation Army is a non-profit, Christian organization. They help families who are homeless or who are suffering financially. The home page for The Salvation Army has a short section written by Captain Bob Mullins that I found inspiring. He and his family had faced homeless when he was a child which seems to now be a motivator for his activities with the organization. They not only give food and money to help the poor, but also supply counseling and self-sufficiency programs to get people on their feet. 

The AP Style Guide strikes again

Writing according to the AP Style Guide can be difficult for me, especially when I already think I'm right about something. On Sept. 2, I completed an interview assignment for my news writing class and made a couple common mistakes. Instead of using the word "said" or "says" for a quotation, I used "explains" and "contends." I also used the word "alludes" (for example: A alludes to B) in the wrong context. Hopefully next time around I won't make the same mistakes.

Just something that is bothering me

In the news this past week I've noticed the controversy that the new (under construction) mosque in New York City is stirring up. People have been speaking out against it, probably because it's only a few blocks from ground zero. There have been protests at the construction site and I find it almost completely insane; they aren't replacing the World Trade Center with a mosque. There are Islamic Centers/mosques all over our country and people want to attack this one, now? It's a religion in our country that allows freedom of religion. Not all Islamic people are terrorists! The majority of Islamic people aren't terrorists! Ergo the term "terrorist groups," a way to label the terrorists within a society. New York City is a diverse place- our country is a diverse place, I think it's time everyone at least tries to accept that.

Editorial on nytimes.com that better proves my point.