We've gone through many trials and tribulations in our country's history. We've ALWAYS come out better in the end because "United we Stand, Divided we Fall". This is just another bump in the road. Don't ever forget that we're here #ForYourSafety
It's #TakeoutTuesday. Please consider supporting our local restaurants, especially the smaller, privately owned ones, by using their drive thru or a delivery service.They are depending on their customers through all of this.
A word from the director of our very own Lee's Summit Social Services, Matt Sanning. It's during the toughest times in our lives that we must find the resolve to fight through. Storms don't last forever. There is a beautiful sunrise/sunset found at the end of every single one and, so too, this storm shall pass. God bless, everyone.A Message from our own Matt Sanning:
I’d like to offer a small public service announcement from the human service organizations that are serving the community each and every day: We appreciate you! However, we have only just started to work through this thing and we need your continued focus and effort. I’d like to offer a quick assessment on the challenges that face the community from a standpoint of low-income, elderly, disabled, children, and unemployed families in our area…
First, the health concerns for our community are creating fear and some panic. People will get sick. We need to help where possible, but also do everything we can to protect ourselves and our families. We are a community of care and one that has always stood up for our neighbors and supported each other, regardless of how hard things get. We are Lee’s Summit. We are a great community and one that continues to rise and lift everyone who calls this place home.
Second, many of our family, friends, neighbors, and those businesses that we have continued to support, are out of work. Lee’s Summit thrives on local families and businesses creating a prosperous community that has exceeded many others over the years. We are very fortunate that so many have found their way here and called us home. However, things are getting tighter. Some business owners cannot sustain a month, and certainly not three, of being out of operation. The question is, what can YOU do? It doesn’t need to be life changing, but can you help? Whether it be a single order, a voice of support on social media, or maybe even a text message to an employee or staff, supporting their work? They’ve given so much of their blood, sweat and tears, and we certainly can spare something to show them that we will do the same when it’s needed.
Third, please, please, think about all those folks that are working while all this garbage is happening. Your grocery stores, retailers, fire department, police, car repair shops, nurses, doctors, delivery, postal service, human services agencies, and so many more. There are so many people that make sure that our community doesn’t shut down. Believe it or not, these folks probably aren’t doing it for the money. They do it because that is either what pays the bills, or that is what they were CALLED to do. Either way, they’re here to serve. It may not be pretty, but many depend on what they do. If you have the opportunity, please thank them if possible.
And lastly, this thing has most likely just started for us. There is a lot of speculation, but there are many things that we do know. People who depend on their income are being laid off, whether it be (hopefully) temporary, or in some cases, permanently. We are seeing a much different environment than we’ve ever seen. Families that have depended and lived well on two incomes may now be experiencing hardships. Parents that are considered “essential” may have no place for their children to stay during their shift. Households who live paycheck to paycheck may not have been able to stockpile groceries and now cannot find some staples they need. Let’s try to take a moment to imagine ourselves in the shoes of someone else and think about the conversation we would have. So, what can you do?
Please take the time to think about how you can help, regardless of whether you leave the house or not. Everything is uncertain, whether it be health-related or financial. We are in a scary time, but that doesn’t mean our resolve should change. We are strong and resilient community and we WILL come out stronger for this. It is up to us to make the decision that we continue to be positive and provide the help that we are capable of offering.
I ask that you be part of the solution and the community of care that I grew up in and the one that made this community the destination, not the fallback. Lee’s Summit Social Services loves our community and the staff never once balked at the idea of serving each and every person that has a need…it’s what they do. I would say that this is the exact same mindset that most of our community has. It’s simply who we are and what we do. I am grateful for this community and I surround myself with those that refuse to quit. We've got this.
If you have a chance, please check out the following folks that are working to keep things moving forward:
One Good Meal
Lee’s Summit Social Services
Meals on Wheels of Lee's Summit, MO
Coldwater of Lee's Summit
Lee's Summit Firefighters Association
LSPOA
Lee's Summit R-7 School District
Doctors and nurses
And anyone in the service industry
Your support and trust that we WILL work nonstop, is so very much appreciated. We won’t let you down.
We could all use a change of pace right now and it's a brand new week. Today is #nationalpuppyday. Show us your fur babies!!!
The IAFF Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Treatment and Recovery is a one-of-a-kind addiction treatment facility specializing in PTSD for IAFF members – and IAFF members only – who are struggling with addiction, PTSD other related behavioral health challenges to receive the help they need in taking the first steps toward recovery. It is a safe haven for members to talk with other members who have faced or overcome similar challenges.
