Entry #644022, added on 04-06-09 @ 7:59 am EDT
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| Good News in a Bad Economy | Entry #644022 |
With factory closings, lay-offs, government-provided service cut-backs, and all of the other bad news that is being reported concerning the economy, one local channel here in St. Louis decided to feature good news. Here are a few inspiring stories I've heard recently that show how much of a difference a little fellow-feeling can have.
An elderly gentleman was interviewed. He was a doctor and had been cutting back the hours of his practice; he was well past the age of retirement but continued practicing because so many of his patients had come to him all or most of their lives. He decided, however, that no one in his town should suffer physical harm because they cannot afford medical treatment or have no insurance. He has reopened his doors and, for free, treats all those who come to him, insurance or not. When medication is needed, he helps out however he can, using his own money and donations made by patients who are able to give even a small amount.
A hospital in the area needed to cut millions of dollars from their operating budget. The first employees that would be layed off included housekeeping, food service, patient transport, and technicians whose job it was to keep items stocked on every floor. Not wanting to see any of their colleagues, even in these non-medical positions lose their jobs, all of the employees banded together and offered to give up paid vacation time, overtime pay, and fully-paid benefits so the money saved could be put back into the budget and used to keep these others working. The hospital was able to keep every one of these staff members working and cut more from their budget than they had needed to at the beginning. As the economy improves, those who gave up benefits, etc. will regain them, of course, but their generousity kept hundreds of their fellow-employees from being sent to the unemployment office.
A local veterinary clinic provides free and low-cost treatments and shots for residents of their town so families do not have to give up their pets because of being unable to afford their care. This has saved hundreds of families the heartache of losing a beloved animal friend, and it has kept all of those animals from being sent to the shelter where they would likely be put to sleep if not adopted soon after their arrival.
My husband and his colleagues, not wanting to see any of their fellow-workers layed off due to budget cuts offered to take on a four-day work week at 80% of their pay so all of them could continue working.
Many local restaurants donate leftover food to local food pantries and shelters. My daughter works at St. Louis Bread Company (Panera Bread Company elsewhere in the nation) and they donate large amounts of bread each week so it doesn't go to waste. It is amazing, though, that they are not allowed to donate bread items that are already sliced. These items are offered to the employees but many of them refuse. My daughter, hating to see food go to waste, brings home whatever is left and distributes it to family, friends, and neighbors. It may not be much, but every little bit helps these days.
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