There’s still time to help recognize youth service

It is not too late — you still have time — time to nominate a student or group of students for their volunteer service through Service Above Self.

Last year, the Rowan County United Way and Rowan Rotary Club recognized over 265 individuals and groups representing over 48,000 hours of volunteer service by over 1,800 students. We need your nominations this year before November 14 so we can highlight their service at Keppel Auditorium on December 11. Nomination is quick and easy. Just go to our web page at www.rowanserviceaboveself.com and you can complete your nomination(s) and submit them online. Or you can get a paper and pencil nomination form at the Rowan United Way Office to complete. Either way, your help is needed so we don’t miss a single student or group of students who have given of themselves to help others.

Young people ranging in age from 5 to 15 years old are eligible for nomination and in addition to being recognized in an awards ceremony at Keppel Auditorium, they might even win a prize for themselves and their school to help support additional volunteer service.

So grab a nomination form while you still have time and “Give me Ten” — 10 minutes of your time to help us recognize a young person or group! Beat the deadline of Nov. 14! Thanks!

— Dr. Jerry Chandler

Salisbury

Chandler is chairman of Rowan Service Above Self, a partnership between Rowan County United Way and Rowan Rotary Club.

Toeing the line on socks

“Who so would be a man, must be a nonconformist. He who would gather immortal palms must not be hindered by the name of goodness, but must explore it if it be goodness. Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind. Absolve you to yourself, and you shall have the suffrage of the world.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

I would like to add that it saddens me that children can’t slightly express themselves, what they like or who they are. Elite socks that cost $10 a pair should not be any different than a pair of $100 tennis shoes that some children wear. I’m a tax payer that helps pay for our public education. The last four years there has never been an issue with boys’ socks, why now?

— Jennifer Gullett

Granite Quarry

Spreading truth online

This letter to the editor is in praise of one of the Salisbury City council members. When the issue of Jack the K-9 police officer arose because of a fictitious online story, Councilwoman Karen Alexander rose up to help spread the truth.

I came across a Facebook page titled “Karen Alexander at the Dais” where she is constantly updating people of the happenings in the city. Her most recent post (at the time of this writing) was the truth about Jack. I appreciate that she has taken the time to help spread the truth.

Councilwoman Alexander does not need to do this, but by using social media, she is reaching out to a whole new aspect of the citizens of Salisbury. I am glad she took the time to help spread the truth about the canine.

Thank you, Mrs. Alexander!

— Jackson Clarke

Salisbury

What the Bible teaches

In response to the Oct. 30 letter by R. Howard Andrews, “How far in teaching”:

If Mr. Andrews would read the King James Bible and delve into the true meaning of the verses that he found he would find the true answers that he is looking for. Let me leave this parting shot by Thomas Paine: To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead.

— Jimmie Porter

China Grove