If you can’t say something nice about Trump, then …

When many of us were growing up as children, some of our parents and teachers told us, “If you can’t say anything nice about someone, just don’t say anything at all.”

Maybe this is the advice some of the media should take today when they unfairly criticize our new president of create some of the “fake news.”

Like the majority of American voters, many of us feel we would be remiss if we did not add our 2 cents worth to the prevailing political sentiment that our president is being treated very unfairly by the media and press. From what we are reading and seeing on TV, it appears more than obvious that the president is being blatantly attacked at almost every opportunity by certain networks and newspapers. This is so sad in a country where we cherish and guarantee the freedom of speech and of the press.

All Americans should realize that President Trump ran a very honest and fair campaign, he made certain promises to the American voter, he was elected by the majority of the Electoral College based largely on those promises, and many of us feel strongly he is doing his absolute best to carry out those promises.

So, please, let’s give our elected president the chance to prove himself to the American voter. He deserves every opportunity to make good on his promises to make America safe, strong and great again.

— Ronnie Smith

Salisbury

Food drives fill pantry

When Rowan Helping Ministries has a need, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, church youth groups and generous citizens of this community are always ready to assist.

Two weeks ago, the Scouting for Food project brought in nearly 13,000 pounds of food to be distributed to our neighbors in need through our Food Pantry. Scouts and their leaders devoted two weekends to making this food drive a huge success.

Canvassing neighborhoods to distribute food bags and returning a week later to collect heavy bags is hard work.  Each year the young Scouts approach this project with lots of energy for helping others.  Thank you to the members of the local troops involved in this important project.

We also want to acknowledge the leader who organized the event, Anne Barber, and her support team –  John Barber, Jeff Bays, District Executive, Joe Gettys, Sapona Chairman, and Maria Lowder, North Hills Christian School.   These adults and the boys they mentor are a joy to work with.

While Scouts were doing their food drive, church youth groups were conducting Souper Bowl of Caring on Super Bowl Sunday.  Youth from 14 churches collected 2,213 pounds of food and $597 in donations for our Food Pantry.  This was the 26th year of this nationwide project; we are thankful for the youth and churches who support it.  Our pantry shelves are always low in late January and we depend on Souper Bowl donations to help us restock.

We also want to express gratitude to the hundreds of people who supported these food drives.  Because of your donations, the clients we serve don’t have to go hungry. Knowing that others care gives them encouragement to continue working toward a better life.

Thank you to everyone who put God’s love into action through support of these important events.

— Kyna Grubb

Salisbury

The writer is executive director of Rowan Helping Ministries.

Articles share school news

Thank you for allowing Rebecca Raider to write the articles on the activities of the school children in Rowan County.  I have really enjoyed the articles.  Otherwise we would not know what they do, particularly when they do for others.  Great stories.

— Pat Beck

Salisbury