Help Katrina victims but don't forget neighbors

To the Editor: A couple of weeks ago, I read a letter to the editor about my neighbors in Sparta contributing to the Katrina relief effort. Having family in New Orleans, I assure you it is as bad as you have seen on the news. I am writing about a little known organization in Sussex County that works endless hours, helps hundreds of our neighbors and has no overhead of any kind, so that each dollar contributed is given to those in need. The organization is People Help of Sussex County. People Help was founded in 1976 at the request of the Division of Social Services. The plan provides aid on a one-time only basis to clients who are normally able to cover their expenses, but have found themselves in some sort of crisis and don’t qualify for assistance from any other agency. People Help has grown over the years to help with sneakers for school-age children, energy for those who are cold and food at Christmas, so a family can sit at their own table and enjoy the holiday. While it is always nice to help in a disaster, we should also look around our own community to help our own neighbors. For assistance, call 973-729-1745. Contributions can be sent to P.O. Box 202, Sparta, NJ 07871. Peggy O’Connell Sparta