Don't anything for granted. Not for one second.

I just heard of a horrible car accident that happened in my town recently that killed a father and criticially injured his daughters and two of their friends while they were en route to McDonald's. It's horrible that gruesome, incredibly sad things can happen to good people for no apparent reason. It makes me want to hold my kids close to me and never let them out of the house. But this is not logical or really healthy for them, or me.

But the community, my community, is encircling these families. Giving them the emotional and financial support that they need in this troubling, sad time.

Tomorrow, Monday there is a car wash and bake sale at Kings Park High School from 11:00 to 5:00. All proceeds from that will go to help pay for one of the girl's hospital bills.

On Tuesday Patty Joe's Restaurant on Main Street in Kings Park will be hosting a fund raiser for them. Please try to go and support the restaurant and this fund raiser.At Patty Joe's we will be selling Hearts for $2.00 each. We are asking people to purchase a paper heart and write a get well message to the young girl on the heart. We will deliver the hearts to her at a later date when she is able to read them.

Upcoming fund raisers:

The Knights of Columbus is going to host a spaghetti dinner. The proceeds from that fund raiser will be donated to both families. At the dinner we will be having a Chinese Auction. We are in need of donations to put in the baskets. More information on the date of the dinner/auction will follow. Thank you for any support you can give. Anne Carlin is point of contact for these fund raisers. If you believe you can help please contact her at 265-6766.

The original email I received was from Kings Park Youth which is a community organization that reaches many different age groups. It is the intention of the Kings Park Youth Board to support our community in any way possible.

What can we teach our children through this?
To treasure each moment?
To not take things for granted?
To drive defensively?
Not eat McDonald's? (LOL. I don't think they knew it was this bad for our health?!)
To provide emotional support and financial, if you can, to your friends and family?
That friendship and comapnionship are vital to our survival as a species?
What else?