tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8489210412257406098.post4072386494850400463..comments2024-03-07T22:17:08.572+10:00Comments on 70 Plus and Still Kicking: Homeless at Christmas?June Savillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00194576632686640776noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8489210412257406098.post-52692256814283848902008-12-21T15:30:00.000+10:002008-12-21T15:30:00.000+10:00Thank you BAI for the kind words. And thank you f...Thank you BAI for the kind words. And thank you for being a caring person yourself. <BR/>JuneJune Savillehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00194576632686640776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8489210412257406098.post-49814926449996557212008-12-21T11:15:00.000+10:002008-12-21T11:15:00.000+10:00June dear,This is one admirable post showing the g...June dear,<BR/>This is one admirable post showing the golden soul in you for caring to write about the homeless and provoking thoughts from your readers to look deeply into the plight of the poor people. Keep writing. God bless.princess maleiha bajunaid candaohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01185536615466651009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8489210412257406098.post-55337903298010364522008-12-17T21:16:00.000+10:002008-12-17T21:16:00.000+10:00Thanks for your thoughtful post HIPPOMANIC JEN. To...Thanks for your thoughtful post HIPPOMANIC JEN. Today I was ringing the groups who help us distribute the Christmas cakes each year, and there seemed to be more need than ever this time. What the Lions Club and our group do is a drop in the bucket but it's something. One organisation in a medium size town not far from my home welcomes homeless people (all the year around) who know they they can June Savillehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00194576632686640776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8489210412257406098.post-87475693039851359032008-12-17T17:11:00.000+10:002008-12-17T17:11:00.000+10:00Mmm, Hard to realise that this goes on everywhere....Mmm, Hard to realise that this goes on everywhere. Even in rural centres like mine we have some people living rough.<BR/><BR/>It's terrible that as children we were so brain-washed with 'stranger danger' that we don't try to make connections with people living a different lifestyle to us - even to smile and say g'day. - and then most of the truly horrifying things that happen to children are Hippomanic Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12285378246081322317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8489210412257406098.post-21817701249892980702008-12-16T09:50:00.000+10:002008-12-16T09:50:00.000+10:00TROPIGAL Yes, Dickens was so important in raising ...TROPIGAL Yes, Dickens was so important in raising consciousness towards the hard up. His poor characters were real and had legitimate needs and loves. His serialised newspaper stories must gave been a revelation to the upper classes ...June Savillehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00194576632686640776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8489210412257406098.post-64889391800421462262008-12-16T07:20:00.000+10:002008-12-16T07:20:00.000+10:00This is an important issue, June, and it really ge...This is an important issue, June, and it really gets at the whole meaning of Christmas (for those of us who are Christians). I heard an interesting discussion about Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol," today. It was interesting to learn that there was not a single Christmas tree nor single gaily wrapped gift in the whole book. Aside from the fact that these were not yet part of the holiday TropiGalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11446899192152298083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8489210412257406098.post-71284900736266928982008-12-15T22:18:00.000+10:002008-12-15T22:18:00.000+10:00PINKU - that's a nice idea, but it would be better...PINKU - that's a nice idea, but it would be better if they had homes. Our societies should be more willing to truly share things around equally.June Savillehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00194576632686640776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8489210412257406098.post-52609607960326645902008-12-15T19:40:00.000+10:002008-12-15T19:40:00.000+10:00June,thats a very thoughtful post and a thought pr...June,<BR/><BR/>thats a very thoughtful post and a thought provoking one too.<BR/><BR/>I wish it would become a tradition to buy atleast one gift for a homeless person for every family while they do their christmas shopping. <BR/><BR/>It would make such a world of difference.Pinkuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06714914168230658950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8489210412257406098.post-58047871886423961692008-12-15T11:26:00.000+10:002008-12-15T11:26:00.000+10:00A very thoughtful post June. The greatest gift on...A very thoughtful post June. The greatest gift one can give is of ourselves to bring a glimmer of hope to the less fortunate. Cherylcherylhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04907967489094621351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8489210412257406098.post-64514122325612108752008-12-15T10:50:00.000+10:002008-12-15T10:50:00.000+10:00DOGWALK:I agree wholeheartedly that shelter for co...DOGWALK:<BR/>I agree wholeheartedly that shelter for cold human beings is preferable to excess Christmas decorations. Where ARE our priorities?June Savillehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00194576632686640776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8489210412257406098.post-29897771666779650092008-12-15T06:40:00.000+10:002008-12-15T06:40:00.000+10:00Even in our small town we have scores of homeless....Even in our small town we have scores of homeless. They open what few shelters they have when the temperatures dip to 15 degrees. They open at nine and close at six. I guess one doesn't get cold at 16 degrees. I know it has to do with funding but maybe fewer Christmas decorations around town could provide some real warmth!Mari Meehanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09322012728807169863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8489210412257406098.post-60179147092439432262008-12-14T07:20:00.000+10:002008-12-14T07:20:00.000+10:00JUDY You are still helping people in need - kind l...JUDY You are still helping people in need - kind lady!<BR/>Self esteem is central to a person's efforts in life. If you think you're worthless, what's the use of bothering?June Savillehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00194576632686640776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8489210412257406098.post-57389639968417242922008-12-14T07:15:00.000+10:002008-12-14T07:15:00.000+10:00Yes most shelters turf out their clients to the st...Yes most shelters turf out their clients to the streets during the day.They couldn't cope otherwise. <BR/>Here even the community mental health service closes down over the Christmas holidays when it's needed most, leaving a skeleton staff on deck. As you know Clair people with mental health problems often feel great stress at Christmas (and after office hours year around). That's when they June Savillehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00194576632686640776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8489210412257406098.post-15287912138151410592008-12-14T06:12:00.000+10:002008-12-14T06:12:00.000+10:00June, As you know I worked with these people for y...June, As you know I worked with these people for years in my career. So many times all they need is just someone to care and offer a helping hand just for a little while until they can get on their feet. I have truly seen people with nothing get their pride back and begin new lives and be successful. I have seen young mothers on welfare with no hope, get their GED's, go to work and make a home Judyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12078537002880283509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8489210412257406098.post-85428769756608230722008-12-13T23:58:00.000+10:002008-12-13T23:58:00.000+10:00Thank you for this post, June, and for the volunte...Thank you for this post, June, and for the volunteer work that you do. Here is something I didn't realize, but found out when a family member became homeless a couple of winters ago. Shelters are open for the night, but have to close their doors (funding? staffing?) during the day, even during winter. So my family member had to stay in her car during the day until one day the car was towed away. clairzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12076402619649343527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8489210412257406098.post-1922166971877260502008-12-13T22:32:00.000+10:002008-12-13T22:32:00.000+10:00SURANGA - you are so very right about thinking of ...SURANGA - you are so very right about thinking of others throughout the year, not just at festival times. <BR/>I truly believe that empathy is one of the most important of gifts. If empathy is matched with action and practical generosity, so much the better!June Savillehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00194576632686640776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8489210412257406098.post-853217924450578322008-12-13T21:58:00.000+10:002008-12-13T21:58:00.000+10:00June,Given how commercialized most festivals have ...June,<BR/><BR/>Given how commercialized most festivals have become, this post was really required, for all of us to realize that there is more to giving than to acquiring. The best gift one can give a child, any Christmas, is a value system, that says, everytime you feel grateful to God that you have so much., think and help those who do not. <BR/><BR/>I salute you for your volunteer work. And Ugich Konitarihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15901335427613806798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8489210412257406098.post-79176132193294392052008-12-13T19:17:00.000+10:002008-12-13T19:17:00.000+10:00Braja You have a point my girl! And you saw the re...Braja <BR/>You have a point my girl! And you saw the results first hand this past week during a visit to Calcutta. It was a great post with wonderful descriptions - presented with a touch of light heartedness.June Savillehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00194576632686640776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8489210412257406098.post-60428994509193992072008-12-13T19:12:00.000+10:002008-12-13T19:12:00.000+10:00You're right, June...and if they don't listen, the...You're right, June...and if they don't listen, they'll end up like India.♥ Brajahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07693196044262677095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8489210412257406098.post-61701442533460787812008-12-13T17:36:00.000+10:002008-12-13T17:36:00.000+10:00I agree Lilly. I think homelessness will grow for...I agree Lilly. I think homelessness will grow for many reasons - unless society puts its shoulders to the wheel for a concerted effort, re-arranging priorities.<BR/>Leave even the economy aside, there is still so much stress these days and people find relief (sadly) via alcohol and drugs.June Savillehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00194576632686640776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8489210412257406098.post-66098156317965709962008-12-13T17:24:00.000+10:002008-12-13T17:24:00.000+10:00Hi June, I think this is an issue that is going to...Hi June, I think this is an issue that is going to grow. Once upon a time I worked at Social Security (now Centrelink) in Canberra. People assumed that Canberra was affluent without homeless people. How wrong they were. There was a man living out the front of the office in a cardboard box. So many stories I have and I recall them vividly to this day. <BR/><BR/>I have also someone close to me who Lillyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14597193176450931002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8489210412257406098.post-6662671945826192652008-12-13T17:22:00.000+10:002008-12-13T17:22:00.000+10:00Thanks for the heartfelt post Sylvia. Your novel ...Thanks for the heartfelt post Sylvia. Your novel (running now folks) is an illustration of what can happen in the lives of families of former soldiers. A good read.June Savillehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00194576632686640776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8489210412257406098.post-6848847436269079662008-12-13T17:11:00.000+10:002008-12-13T17:11:00.000+10:00I have volunteered with groups that have worked wi...I have volunteered with groups that have worked with these people. You really have to see it up close with your own eyes to realized the horror of their lives. People here and in Portland, Oregon where I lived before, lived under bridges, in the most awful places. Many of these were men with post traumatic stress disorder that so many of our soldiers end up living with after tours in Iraq, just Sylvia Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05484577678585907669noreply@blogger.com