Spud1 and bubbanomics have both authored pieces on this. Each got 20ish comments. So now, it's my turn to take a crack at it, and hope to get a better response from the community.
They're seeking donations to the Washington Hancock Community Agency (WHCA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting the residents of Washington County, Maine. They are our poorest county by far, and they are struggling. I know everyone here loves to throw money at candidates. Our candidates, however, are rich enough. Whereas $10k to WHCA would make a real difference.
How much are they struggling? Flip, and find out. It isn't pretty.
For starters? 19% of their residents are below the poverty line. For those under 18, that rate is 22%. They are one of the poorest counties in the nation.
They were one of the, if not the first place to begin using OxyContin as a recreational drug. The reason was simple- there is no escape for many people there, no other choices. There was once a story in the Portland Press Herald that spoke of the fact that the manager's position at the Calais Rite Aid was... coveted. Coveted! It paid $9/hour! (And if you subscribe to Highbeam, the article is here. Post the couple relevant paragraphs under "fair use", won't you?)
Or try the statistics in this news article... 40% of children under 5 in the county are in homes being investigated by the Department of Health and Human Services.
Some estimates put the amount of county residents using opiates at 10%. Others predict roughly 40% of babies born in Washington County have drugs in their systems.
Does this upset you? It should. And it upsets us, too. But all our Governor does is appoint a blue ribbon task force, and then does nothing with the information. The citizens are so desperate, a casino plan that went down in flames in the state passed in their county with some crazy vote of 90%-10%. I've heard from one Calais resident that there wasn't a single "vote no" sign to be found.
Something has to be done. So give what you can. And know it's going into the hands of people where, just by the sheer volume of problems, there is a way to make a difference.
You can donate here, using Network for Good.
Or, mail a check to:
Washington Hancock Community Agency
P. O. Box 280
Milbridge, Maine 04658
As Spud and bubbanomics both said- let's show the WHCA the power of "compassionate liberalism".