Chronicle Editorial

Published January 7, 2006

Siggio is one of the victims of Hurricane Katrina. On advice of her older son, who works at Progress Energy, she fled New Orleans where she had lived all her life, for Citrus County. She had nothing but her kids.

Citrus Countians responded. She now has a home in Beverly Hills thanks to the United Way of Citrus County and Technology Conservation Group, a Crystal River company that is paying a year’s rent for her.

Former Citrus County Sheriff’s deputy Doug Alexander, now pastor of the Church Without Walls, has been helping Katrina victims and recently gave her the keys to a 1992 Ford donated by Nick Nicholas Ford in Inverness. The kids are in school.

The 32-year-old mother of two teens says, “I tell people I’ve just walked out of hell and come to Eden.” That just about says it all.

We can make a difference, a difference that rescues lives from despair and suffering. Her specific case puts a face on it for us and there are many more who need help, and we can supply it.

Alexander and his church, the businesses, and the many churches, groups and volunteers that are helping the Katrina victims have been simply outstanding and are examples for all the rest of us.

We can’t forget the victims as the headlines fade. They still need help and they will for a long time to come. Get involved. Donate. We can all help in some way according to our various means, and that all adds up, person by person, family by family.

The idea that someone in need would consider a community “Eden” says what you need to know about the heart of that community.

It is a worthy reputation to earn, and it pays back dividends that no amount of money can buy.