No Yellow Ribbons For You

Regarding the unfortunate loss of the Lewis family in Rutland, we would like
to direct everybody's attention to 2003 when fires ravaged many families'
lives.

The outpouring of support was so overwhelming Kelowna Capital News, September 12, 2003, printed the following:

Generosity has grown beyond need "Already, there is a massive surplus of goods and materials unclaimed or unwanted by the 234 Kelowna families displaced by fire." "The vast majority will go unclaimed, she says. The rest will be given away through a thrift store or shipped overseas.

Meanwhile, the remaining dollars donated continue to be largely unchecked
and unknown." Our need to place judgment on the Lewis family seems to have outweighed the immense "community spirit" we so blatantly patted ourselves on the back for such a short time ago.
Are the Lewises truly undeserving or are they just not a valuable marketing
tool for our "community?" Is this about personal responsibility or
demographics?

We're sorry, Ms. Lewis, that donations won't be given, yellow ribbons won't
be sold, books won't be written, but your story isn't big enough for Kelowna's stage.

J.J.