MAIL BAG â??LETTERS FROM READERS

I appreciate that many people are working against bullying, but I ask this: Is totally ignoring someone another form of bullying?

Notice the one person who is always alone in church, the restaurant, school or other social place. Shouldn't churches and other social/health groups teach how to include strangers in our conversations, etc.? Shouldn't shy people be taught how to reach out and start talking, sitting down with another person who is alone?

How do we show friendship? Do we care enough to step away from our usual friends? If you smile and include a new face, you might save a life or keep that person from giving up.

Please think about it. Be courageous!

Catherine K. Bowers

Nanticoke

The members of the Swoyersville Police Community Ambulance Association express sincere thanks to those who contributed to our annual bucket drive campaign held Oct. 21 Through their generosity, we raised a record amount that will be used to help defer costs of our recently purchased new ambulance.

We give special recognition to borough Councilman Christopher Concert for standing with us to collect contributions for the duration of the drive. Also, a special thank-you to Pizza Bella in Forty Fort for its kind donation of pizza and 7 Up for all the volunteers.

This is a shining example of how our community values the service we provide every day of the year.

Edward Connor

Treasurer

Swoyersville Police Community Ambulance Association

Thank you from the bottom of my heart is not enough to say to the two women who came to my aid when I fell after exiting the bus at Coal and Custer streets.

They comforted me, contacted my family and called the ambulance.

I don't know your names, but I will never forget you. I'm back home after receiving stitches to the wound.

The world will be good to you because you were so kind to me.

To the paramedics who treated me with tender care, what great gentlemen you are.

Marie Pickett

Wilkes-Barre

We are at a tremendous loss because our dear friend in Washington is gone. Former U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter was a voice in the desert when autism advocacy was neither popular nor glamorous.

We approached Arlen in 2001 after my wife Claire's death. Unknown to us, he was following our plight and needs through Andy Wallace, who headed Arlen's Northeastern Pennsylvania office. He was a most powerful and great champion at a time when few politicians were listening or doing anything other than offering lip service. Arlen praised Claire's vision and passion for our organization in the Congressional Record and sent his condolences in a video when he could not attend her funeral.

Arlen invited us to Washington, D.C., and took us to lunch in the Senate Dining Room as his special guests. I'll never forget that memorable day because we met Mister Rogers as he was being honored in the Senate. How appropriate to be given that opportunity to lay out our wish list originally designed by Claire. It was a beautiful day in the neighborhood as Arlen went to work to fund our needs and our dreams. We were so fortunate to have him as our champion, because he was heroic about securing funds, knowing the right time and place to ask.

On Valentine's Day 2002, five months after Claire's death, Arlen called to let us know he had secured a $125,000 grant from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for us for advocacy and education. This money allowed us to host two world-class conferences in 2002 and 2003, with the capable help of Mary Vesloski. Our distinctive and reputable lineup of autism experts brought people from all over the United States, as well as England, Wales and Ireland. Further, we were able to raise $5,000 at our 2003 conference for two struggling private autism schools in Wexford and Dublin, Ireland.

Due to S.A.F.E.'s awareness programs, when Geisinger was considering dropping its fledgling autism program because of the exorbitant costs, the good senator came up with $1 million to save it. Thanks to Arlen, it was advanced and with the exponentially growing demand, they were able to bring on a second doctor for the instrumental program. (Doctors Myers and Challman were the 2011 recipients of the annual Angel of Autism awards.)

Sen. Arlen Specter had passion, vision, experience, knowledge and the respect of his peers in Congress. You always could count on him and bank on his word. Several times I visited him in D.C., and came away in awe of the respect he had from both sides of the aisle!

Goodbye, dear friend. You are in a better place. You've done God's work, so now you've earned God's reward. You will be missed.

George R. Shadie

President and co-founder

Supporting Autism and Families Everywhere

Wilkes-Barre

I try very hard to understand why anyone would be so distraught as to think there is no way out but to end his or her life.

I cannot help but think that we, as a society, have become selfish and insensitive to one another. When did that happen?

Perhaps it starts when we are toddlers. I noticed that very few families stress simple courtesies, such as saying please, thank you and exhibiting good behavior in public. When young people grow older they are not respectful to parents and grandparents. If they are not respectful at home, how and when should that be extended into school and the workplace?

God help the individual who is sensitive to others and somehow does not fit the norm – the norm being the assertive go-getter who can push people to get what he/she wants. Did you notice we promote that behavior these days?

It is no wonder the sensitive lamb sitting in class is the daily target. We need to teach our children to protect the sacrificial lamb who cannot stand up for himself.

When you see someone being abused (in any way), please extend a helping hand.

Please pray for our children.

Fran Spencer

Nanticoke