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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 2014-02-05, Page 9Wednesday, February 5, 2014 • Lucknow Sentinel 9 Hoping for donations to charity, not to himself Scott Dunn QM! Agency John Mrkic's story about living in a trailer with virtually no heat this Christ- mas came about when the United Way was asked for someone to interview whom they'd helped. Mrkic agreed to do it to thank the United Way and others who are helping him and to encourage people to sup- port the United Way, food banks and the Salvation Army. With dozens of spontaneous offers of help for Mrkic after his story was writ- ten, he said Friday he hopes people will give instead to a charity of their choice to help others fighting to survive. His story and a subsequent story about a shortage of money in a United Way fund pay for propane, fuel oil and wood did prompt about a dozen dona- tions to the United Way's Utility Assist- ance Program, ranging from $10 to a single $2,000 donation, Francesca Dob- byn, the United Way of Bruce -Grey's executive director, said Friday. It's hard to say how many people in Grey -Bruce are struggling like Mrkic is, Dobbyn said. Some may be too proud or otherwise aren't coming forward for help. But this year 366 households have been received United Way Utility Assist- ance Program funding. In 45 instances they had no income at all. They may have exhausted Employ- ment Insurance and were waiting for Ontario Works, their assets may have been high enough that they had to spend their retirement savings first, or they had chosen to sell off everything they had to pay the mortgage before agreeing to go on welfare, Dobbyn said. But the people her agency helps gen- erally share Mrldc's hope and determi- nation, Dobbyn said. "He does have a fairly positive outlook on life," she said. "They're fighting to survive, they're John Mrkic, of Durham. fighting to mitigate their circumstances." People may think most people she helps could be addicted to drugs or alcohol, or mentally ill, making bad choices or just playing the system, but that's not who the United Way helps most of the time, she said. "I think that's what really strikes a chord for people, is when they meet people in the community and they don't fit the stereotypes." Asthma? We can help. Call THE t LUNGASSOCIATION you can't breathe, nothing else matters.T. iti5INTEE Paul Zinn, Broker Ph: 519-528-2411 • Cell 519-524-0264 • Fax 519-528-3523 wwvv.mcintee.ca • E-mail: lucknow@mcintee.ca 1 Great winter project. Legal duplex on 82.5x162 corner lot. Decorative steel roof/ thermal windows, everything else needs updating. $69,900 - 469 Havelock St. Lucknow. MLS# 251265 22.5 acres - 21 acres seeded in hay. Century 3 bedroom brickhome requires updating, good bank barn. $349,900 Located on east edge of Ripley. MLS# 664060 James Masters WI Agency Personalized, Comfortable Dental Care Two Convenient Locations in Hanover & Lucknow to Serve You Save Time With One -Location Dental Care • Convenient Payment Options * Evening 8z Early -Morning Appointments Available! • Caring & Courteous Staff • Comprehensive Dentistry * TVs in Treatment Rooms • Emergencies Welcome! We Bill Your Insurance Company Directly to Minimize Your Out -of -Pocket Costs! GRUNDY Family Denial Caro PEES:1:1:11711.0111 c.:441(11.CIThible Dr. Derek Grundy & Associates 39918th Avenue * Hanover 693 Havelock Street • Lucknow 1 -877 -9 -Grundy or 1-519-364-1970 GrundyFamilyDentalCare.com Convenient Appointments Before & After Work or School!