To order "How to Write Letters for All Occasions," send a business-sized, self-addressed envelope, plus check or money order for $3.95 ($4.50 in Canada) to: Dear Abby, Letter Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, Ill. 61054-0447. (Postage is included.)
Reading Enriches Needy Kids in Ways That Money Cannot
DEAR ABBY: The letter from "D.W. in Reno, Nev." about giving needy children books for the holidays caught my attention. I would like to tell D.W. about Rolling Readers, California's largest nonprofit children's literacy organization. It was started in 1961 by a father, who -- after noticing the profound effects of reading aloud to his sons -- volunteered to read to kids at a homeless shelter. The experience was very rewarding (as I can attest, because I am a Rolling Reader volunteer), and it took only an hour per week. And after that, he began recruiting others with a love of books, reading and children.
We volunteers go to our assigned schools (or other locations, such as homeless shelters) once a week and read aloud to one or more classes. Three times a year we have a Book Give-Away when each child gets his or her own new book.
We hope that by reading aloud to children, we will help them to learn to read; and that, by giving them books of their own, they will learn to love reading. I always tell my "story children" that education is one of the most important gifts of life, and the key to a good education is reading. Besides, it's fun!
Children love to hear stories, but they are thrilled to have their own books. "I don't have to bring it back, Miss Mary Ann? You mean I can keep it?" I am often asked by children who never before owned a book. It's been four years since my first Book Give-Away, and kids stop me on the playground and tell me they still have the first book I gave them.
Abby, I hope you will let your readers know about Rolling Readers. -- MISS MARY ANN, VOLUNTEER, BRADDOCK DRIVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, SANTA MONICA, CALIF.
DEAR MISS MARY ANN: I'm pleased to inform my readers about this worthwhile project. Your letter reminds me of the poem:
"Richer than I you will never be,
"For I had a mother who read to me."
Although Rolling Readers is a California project -- it's the largest nonprofit children's literacy organization in the state -- there is no reason why it can't be replicated in every community where there are concerned adults willing to give their time. Rolling Readers represents a most noble form of diversity: They are black, white, yellow and brown; college students and retirees; executives and actors; homemakers and cab drivers; Republicans and Democrats.
For more information about this worthwhile effort, contact: Rolling Readers, P.O. Box 927315, San Diego, Calif. 92192-7315, or call 1-800-390-READ or 619-738-7243. They will help you volunteer, start a volunteer team or start a local chapter.
DEAR ABBY: Recently you printed a letter from a hospital volunteer who asked that mail for patients be addressed with their legal (first, middle and last) names, not nicknames.
Perhaps this hint will also help your readers when they address cards to people who are hospitalized: Instead of your own return address, use the patient's home address.
If the person is discharged before the mail arrives at the hospital (which is often the case), the card will be delivered to his/her home, rather than coming back to you. -- ELSIE PRIBULA, BETHLEHEM, PA.
DEAR ELSIE: Several readers offered this tip, which I think is excellent. I'm pleased to share it.
Dr. King's Words of Wisdom Still Ring With Truth Today
DEAR READERS: Today we celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a martyr of the civil rights movement and a great American who was shot to death in 1968 at age 39.
His persistence in the face of violent opposition and his eloquent pleas for social justice propelled him to international prominence. In 1964, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Dr. King's principles of nonviolence were based on the teachings of Christianity.
His words of wisdom are even more meaningful today than they were in 1963, when he spoke from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and said (in part):
"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are created equal.' ... And this will be the day ... when all of God's children will be able to sing with new meaning, 'My country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where our fathers died, land of the Pilgrims' pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring.'
"When we let freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, 'Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last.'"
God bless our great country, the United States of America. And may we Americans, by our conduct, be worthy of God's blessings.
DEAR ABBY: I am an elementary school teacher in a suburban area of a large metropolitan city. I have a good student I'll call Judy who is in training to become a hypochondriac. This little girl misses approximately 25 percent of school days in any given month. She complains of migraines, stomach flu and colds, and has been plagued by numerous injuries. She stays home for minor ailments that I would send my own kids to school with.
Judy has learned to enjoy the attention she receives from her "illnesses" and "injuries" and plays them like an accomplished actress. Her parents seem to be conscientious about her schooling, and her assignments are always completed at home. Her stay-at-home mother dotes excessively on her daughter's complaints and encourages this negative behavior. This could well become a lifelong behavior trait for Judy. Should I continue to overlook the obvious as long as the child's assignments are completed, or should I bring up this subject with Judy's mother? -- TEACHER IN TEXAS
DEAR TEACHER: Is it possible that something is going on at school that is causing Judy's excessive absenteeism -- like teasing, bullying or some other social problem?
The mother should be made aware that her daughter's absences are excessive, if she doesn't already know it. You would be doing Judy and her mother a favor by bringing your concerns forward in a parent-teacher meeting.
Everybody has a problem. What's yours? Get it off your chest by writing to Dear Abby, P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, Calif. 90069. For a personal reply, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope.
'Just Say No' Crumbles Before Lethal Street Drugs
DEAR ABBY: My heart aches for "Someone in Georgia," who buried her firstborn child who died from a drug overdose. I too lost my beloved son from an accidental overdose of "recreational" drugs.
My son was well-educated, talented and handsome. He was not a master of deceit, but he was a substance abuser who eventually became addicted. I was aware my son had a problem and would have done anything to help him. The realization that I had no control over the situation or my son, that he had to want to help himself, was devastating. The powerful grip these drugs have over mind and soul is incomprehensible. These young people do not want to die.
The "Just Say No" campaign was well-meant, but the truth is "It Takes a Village." Our families, friends, neighbors, police, teachers and clergy need to be aware and get involved. The drugs on the street today are stronger and more lethal than ever before. Our kids are addicted before they know what hit them.
As a mother who bonded with, nurtured and loved her firstborn son, I empathize with anyone who has lost a child. The void is painful and everlasting. -- A SADDENED MOM WHO'S GOING TO STAY INVOLVED
DEAR SADDENED MOM: Please accept my sympathy on the loss of your beloved son. My heart goes out to you. Kids who are in trouble with drugs are in over their heads. Anyone who can offer help should not hesitate to do so.
Many years ago, I printed the following, which had been published in the Congressional Record. I wish it were not as timely today, but sadly, it may be even more so:
"'King Heroin is my shepherd; I shall always want ...'
"These tragic words, part of a twisted rewording of the beloved 23rd Psalm, were discovered recently in Reidsville, N.C., in a closed car alongside a dead heroin addict. She was 23 years old.
"Her death was ruled a suicide. A hookup with the car's exhaust had sent carbon monoxide fumes from a running motor into the vehicle. Here's the complete 'Psalm.'
"'King Heroin is my shepherd; I shall always want. He maketh me to lie down in the gutter.
"'He leadeth me beside the troubled waters.
"'He destroyeth my soul.
"'He leadeth me in the paths of wickedness.
"'Yea, I shall walk through the valley of poverty and will fear no evil, for thou, Heroin, are with me.
"'Thy needle and capsule comfort me. Thou strippest the table of groceries in the presence of my family. Thou robbest my head of reason.
"'My cup of sorrow runneth over. Surely heroin addiction shall stalk me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the House of the Damned forever.'
"Also found in the car with the dead woman was this written message:
"'Jail didn't cure me. Nor did hospitalization help me for long. The doctor told my family it would have been better, and indeed kinder, if the person who got me hooked on dope had taken a gun and blown my brains out. And I wish to God he had. My God, how I wish it!'"
Abby shares more of her favorite, easy-to-prepare recipes. To order, send a business-size, self-addressed envelope, plus check or money order for $3.95 ($4.50 in Canada) to: Dear Abby, More Favorite Recipes, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, Ill. 61054-0447. (Postage is included.)