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Dear Editor,

We all love a trip out of town. Whether alone or with friends or families we enjoy being able to break out of our ruts and experience a little variety. Some opportunities arise for entertainment that might not be found locally. Opportunities for a change in cuisine are made available when we visit other communities or cities. Certainly, there is the aspect of finding fashionable items of clothing or possibly things needed occupationally for some that might not be available otherwise.

One also realizes that there is a whole new world of opportunities made available on the Internet. Whether from individual retailers or from auction sites there are a world of things one may be able to acquire. Add to this catalog and advertisements by mail. The options seem limitless.

However, we feel the need to ask our community to make consideration of a very important aspect of what it means to buy locally. Foremost in this issue is the impact our buying locally has on the community as a whole. It certainly means jobs. It certainly involves the ethical considerations of supporting and helping our neighbor.

Yet, beyond this, one must look even deeper. I wonder how many of our kids will be soliciting the local businesses for support for everything from soccer and baseball to school needs? Maybe we could consider where the money comes from to make that possible. It is from our patronizing these businesses that they in turn are able to help out with things that for our kids and youth might be otherwise out of reach.

As members of the Red Willow Area Ministerial Association we sense the need to call attention to the fact that even our churches and civic organizations are funded by people who both work and own local businesses. It would be wise, if not extremely necessary, that we first make a priority of supporting those who support us. The issue is not taking away from our trips out of town for pleasure or business. However, it is certainly worth paying attention to what we do with our own means and how this impacts the very place where we live.

As we are working together through a difficult time economically in our area, it would seem even more important to give this consideration. We have everyone from contractors, to retailers, to various private owned businesses who are here to make a living and to be a part of a community. They offer our local community benefits that businesses and corporations outside our area do not return.

We ask that as you go about your lives, please give thought to those who work with us to make this the great community that it is.

Thoughtfully submitted: Red Willow Area Ministerial Association members,

Rev. Lance Clay

Rev. Mary D. Hendricks

Rev. Bruce Lester

Rev. Emmanuel

Reinbold

Rev. Jason Van Pelt

Rev. Clark Bates