Volunteer Week
Dear Editor: This week (April 21-27) is National Volunteer Week, a time to celebrate people doing unselfish acts through service in their community and for others. Brave Heart Volunteers would like to extend an indebted thank you to all those who volunteer in Sitka, especially those who volunteer for us and those we serve.
A volunteer is defined as a person who freely offers to take part in an enterprise or undertake a task. A BHV volunteer is someone who, at will, sits with a grandmother as her grandchild goes to a doctor’s appointment, makes soup for our annual bowls’ fundraiser, goes grocery shopping for an elder who can no longer drive, listens to another grieving, shows up at 2 a.m. for an elder needing round-the-clock care at end-of-life, and is someone who, at will, cares for their neighbors.
We are so grateful to have extraordinary individuals volunteer on our team and in our community. BHV volunteers help more-than 400 Sitkans and their families facing chronic illness, terminal illness, isolation and end of life every quarter. They provide an average of 13.5 hours of service per day, services that are free of charge because they selflessly give their time. As you will see in the quote below, volunteers are a powerful solution to a healthier, happier and hopeful community.
“I am a mother of two children under 8 and the full-time caregiver of my husband’s mother. Shortly after she came to live with us, I had to give up my job. As her condition worsened over the years, I felt like I had to give up my life. Friends helped as much as they could, but they had busy lives too. Then we called Brave Heart Volunteers. Now I have two volunteers each week that come to my home and let me go and exercise or play with the kids. My husband’s mother looks forward to her visits every week. I love her, but I don’t know what we would do without this break, it is the only time we feel normal again.”
We see the value of volunteering every day. It is our hope that everyone in Sitka, young and old, will consider lending their time or skill to the many dynamic organizations in our community through volunteering. Together we can continue to make Sitka an exceptional community, where we take care of our neighbors.
Thank you, volunteers, for all your service.
The Staff at Brave Heart Volunteers
Willow Moore, Amanda Taylor,
Jessica Gibson and Pamela Bopp
STA Supports Sealaska
Dear Editor: I am writing on behalf of the Sitka Tribe of Alaska to express my support for S. 340, the Southeast Alaska Native Land Entitlement Finalization and Jobs Protection Act, because of the benefits it would provide to the people of Southeast Alaska, the Tongass and the economy.
The Sitka Tribe has adopted a resolution in support of the land entitlement legislation, and the Tribe and Sealaska have entered into a Memorandum of Agreement for tribal management of cultural properties owned by Sealaska in and around Sitka.
The Sitka Tribe believes that S. 340 addresses all public input on the legislation from the previous Congress and is a fair compromise to all parties involved. The new bill sets aside 150,000 acres of newly designated conservation lands and would allow for public access to Sealaska’s land for recreational and subsistence purposes. It reflects a shared vision of the strength of our culture, the vitality of our region, and the future of our communities.
Most importantly, S.340 fulfills a promise that Congress made to Southeast Native people over 40 years ago. We appreciate the significant changes from prior versions that reflect the hard work and collaboration of Sealaska with our Alaskan delegation and other Tongass stakeholders. We encourage you to join us in support of this important legislation.
Michael A. Baines, Chairman
Sitka Tribe of Alaska
