Blood Drive
Dear Editor: Thank you again, Sitkans, for a second very successful blood drive Oct. 25-27. Donors who scheduled appointments and those who came as walk-ins kept the activity at near capacity each day. More than 30 units (pints) of blood were harvested each of the three days of the drive. Blood Bank of Alaska’s team of five phlebotomists was pleased with the donor turnout. Apologies to those who scheduled appointments, then had them canceled due to lack of time the last afternoon, and to those who experienced long wait times. Hopefully, future Sitka drives can be scheduled for more days, and perhaps a drive could be scheduled in the spring as well as in the fall.
Thanks also goes to those who donated snacks, beverages, and supplies for the canteen serving folks following their blood donations:
Baranof Island Brewing Co. donated a keg of root beer. Sitka Community Hospital Bistro, Sitka Emblem Club and Margaret Carlson donated cookies. AC Lakeside donated cups. American Legion and Moose Club donated bottled water. Sitka Northern Sales donated assorted chips. All were greatly appreciated by the blood donors.
Volunteers who served/observed the donors in the canteen included Jim Bruce, Josephine Johnson, Robert Hattle, Jean Arnold, Debbie Mendoza and Leah and Krystal.
Many thanks to Sitka Sentinel, KIFW, Raven Radio, Erin Matthes, schools, churches, employers and businesses who publicized and promoted participation in the Blood Drive.
And, thanks to SEARHC facilities department for transporting the equipment for the drive between the airport and Centennial Hall.
The Centennial Hall staff, Don, Tony, Kent and Dendrick, again provided great accommodating service.
You are all heroes in the effort to save lives.
Check out the bloodbankofalaska.org for more information about their services and operations.
With much appreciation,
Jean Frank,
Sitka Blood Drive Coordinator
Budget Resolution Bill
Dear Editor: The Right Reverend Mark Lattime, presiding bishop of the Alaska Diocese of the Episcopal Church, wrote the following in response to the vote on the 2018 budget resolution bill that passed in the Senate several weeks ago. This bill included language that allows moving forward on seismic testing in ANWR. I have his permission to share his reflection with the Daily Sentinel readership.
I will continue to stand with the Gwich’in in their struggle to preserve ANWR, their culture, and the integrity of their way of life. Those who live closest to the land and depend on the health of this ecosystem are too often marginalized by the forces of market valuation. The financial benefits of extracting oil from ANWR are readily estimated, and certainly attractive to consumers interested in benefiting from the value of those resources—low cost fuel, jobs, tax revenues, etc. And, yes, I am one of those consumers and a recipient of those financial benefits. I recognize the hypocrisy I bear in my position. The true cost of these economic benefits, however, is never accurately measured and too often born by those who have the least agency in policy decisions. Without an honest and informed method for measuring the value of an ecosystem, in this case the “non-use” value of ANWR; or a culture, in this case the Gwich’in people and their traditional way of life, the market forces of the majority will dictate policy decisions.
This is not justice.
Those of us who claim the faith of Jesus are called by our Baptism to strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human being. What is the value of human dignity? What is the price of a way of life? What is the cost of sacred space (ANWR is revered by the Gwich’in as “the sacred place where life begins” because it is the calving ground for the Porcupine Caribou)? The value of the ANWR ecosystem and the Gwich’in people is beyond measure, and we have a moral stewardship obligation to recognize this value and to preserve it: yes, even if that means sharing the cost of doing so.
I am proud of the Episcopal Church for its abiding stance in support of the Gwich’in people, the preservation of ANWR for future generations, and for the health of the planet. I recognize that Episcopalians are not of a common opinion on this issue and people of faith, who I respect, disagree with me; nevertheless, I ask that in good faith we listen to each other, listen to the earth, and work together to protect the dignity and integrity of our brothers and sisters who live closest to the land; and that we act for the protection of the sacred place where life begins.
I was appalled by our congressional delegation’s willingness to put this sacred space at risk and the livelihood of the Guich’in people. I stand with Bishop Lattime and am grateful to belong to a Christian denomination that values indigenous people and all Creation. Consider reaching out to the Alaska congressional delegation and letting them know that you do not support the desecration of this sacred landscape for short-term gain. It’s truly time to wean ourselves off of fossil fuels, seriously pursue renewable energy and steward God’s good green earth.
Lisa Sadleir-Hart, Sitka
Fair Trade Fair
Dear Editor: St. Peter’s Episcopal Church recently held their annual Fair Trade Fair. St. Peter’s sells items from SERRV in their gift counter in the See House and has held the annual fair for the past 13 years. This year’s was another success. The purchases helped people in numerous countries who struggle to make a living. With the assistance of the SERRV organization, they are given a fair market price for their products. The outreach fund at St. Peter’s receives a portion of the sales which is then shared with local charities and the prison ministries in Alaska. The local recipients have included, most recently, the Brave Heart Volunteers, Blessings in a Backpack and the Salvation Army utilities, vision and dental assistance funds.
Thank you to all who came and shopped, Your purchases make a difference locally and worldwide.
The Rev. Deacon Kathryn Snelling,
The Rev. Julie Platson, and
parishioners of St. Peter’s
