Help us help others

MAT-SU -- The holidays are a festive time for many, but for others, the season only amplifies their needs.

Food, shelter, heat -- things many people take for granted -- are a few of the many things people around the Valley need.

As winter progresses, those needs are brought to the forefront.

Many times, the people who need things are too proud to ask for help, and instead try to make their own ends meet.

To help people who need it most, the Frontiersman started the "Hope's Helping Hands" program last year.

It was tremendously successful, as people really chipped in to help others in the spirit of the holidays. People received heating oil to get through the winter, while others donated lumber to finish another person's home.

The program continued throughout the year, and now, we are asking for help again, as the holidays roll around.

The "Hope's Helping Hands" program is designed to give the community a way to help other people -- whether you know the person or not -- through an outreach program.

People can submit names of people they think could use an extra hand this holiday season. It can be something as small as a basket of food for Thanksgiving dinner, or something of a larger scope, such as a home elevator system for a wheelchair-bound person, something that was taken care of last year through the program.

If you know of someone who could use a hand, please write a brief description of the situation, including what the person specifically needs.

Include contact information for both yourself and the person you are nominating.

Mail them to: Hope's Helping Hands, c/o Frontiersman, 5751 E. Mayflower Ct., Wasilla, AK 99654.

A board will review all nominations.

For more information, interested people may contact the Fronteirsman at 352-2250.