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Flooding gives chance to help others

Editorial

    With the local flooding and road closures that occurred last week after the onslaught of rain, courtesy of Hurricane Ike's tropical depression, it seems there was a lot to complain about: being late to class, being late to work, being stuck in bumper to bumper traffic on I-39, and experiencing flooded yards, damaged basements, damaged homes, etc.
    And, yes, some of us who did not have the brain power to invest in a good umbrella or rain boots had to tromp around in soggy socks and flat, drenched hair for days, which is enough to put anyone in a bad mood.
    But in the greater scheme of things, being a little late and having some water damage is not that bad compared to what others had to endure who got slammed by the actual hurricane in Texas and other Gulf of Mexico coastal states.
    We should put our complaining in perspective and realize that things could always be much worse than what they are. We did not have to uproot our lives, evacuating miles and miles away; Whole houses were not swept away leaving entire cities completely devastated and there was no loss of life at the hands of the storm.
    Now that the local flood waters have, and continue, to recede, it's important to remember that thousands of others far away from the Illinois Valley are still trying to pick up the pieces of their lives. But, there is a chance to help while never leaving the area.
    The American Red Cross states on its Web site that the storms have caused need for monetary donations, which can be given by going to www.redcross.org.
    Also in high demand by the Red Cross is donated blood because of their declining, and still diminishing, supply. Luckily, one doesn't even have to leave the IVCC campus to donate blood as the college is hosting a Blood and Bone Marrow drive on Thursday, Oct. 2 from 8:30 am. - 2:30 p.m. in the IVCC Gym.
    To donate blood, contact the Nursing Office inA-214a or by phone at 815-224-0485 to set up an appointment and remember that every bit helps.
    Let's think outside of ourselves and our own community to help others who need it!