Clinton County Neighbors Helping Neighbors was conceived out of crisis and nurtured out of altruism. It has grown into one of the region's most worthwhile charities.
A few years ago, Rod Giltz of Northern Insuring heard a friend say he'd read about a family displaced and distraught by a house fire. The friend had sent an unsolicited $100 to the family, recognizing that in crisis there's always a need for cash.
Giltz had that in mind when he met with a few community members on the occasion of Northern Insuring's 75th anniversary in business. After brainstorming about worthy ways to honor the anniversary and help the community, the group decided that making small amounts of money available to people handling unanticipated expenses during a crisis felt like the right thing to do. They started the Clinton County Neighbors Helping Neighbors Fund at Adirondack Community Trust.
Among the early supporters of the plan was the Press-Republican, through promotional advertising. Publisher Bob Parks saw it as not only a way to provide needed help but to fuse community solidarity.
Another was Jeannie Roberts, executive director of the Plattsburgh Chapter of the American Red Cross. After years of mobilizing food, blankets, diapers, medicine and other of life's necessities she knows where a few dollars can make a difference and how to get money where it's needed with as little red tape as possible.
The trust now disburses income from the Neighbors Helping Neighbors Fund to the Red Cross once each year. The money is used at the discretion of the director to meet needs of individuals or families for whom a quick infusion of cash can solve a problem that would otherwise lead to more serious complications.
The circumstances vary, but the criterion of urgent need is met whenever the money is used. Money has been awarded to help a child who was diagnosed with a serious problem but whose insurance would not cover medication until a waiting period had passed. Another disbursement went to a young soldier who came home for a funeral but did not have the funds to return to her base by the time she was scheduled to report for duty. Another went to an elderly person who had medical conditions exacerbated by high summer temperatures and who could not afford an air conditioner.
The value of the fund is that the recipients don't benefit from dollars alone. They benefit from the community's network. The Red Cross contacts other agencies to see if they can contribute and contacts merchants who can supply needed products. Together a solution is forged. Disbursements are made directly to vendors, providing a strong measure of assurance to donors that the money is used for the intended purpose.
During this holiday season, we're all more mindful of the needs and comforts of others. Neighbors Helping Neighbors is the perfect link.
If you'd like to help someone in need, consider a donation to the Clinton County Neighbors Helping Neighbors Fund. Mail to Adirondack Community Trust, Heaven Hill Farm, P.O. Box 288, Lake Placid, NY 12946.
