by Ivan Foley
Landmark editor
As the holiday season kicks into gear, so does a charitable drive in Platte County, spearheaded by leaders of both political parties.
Platte County Democratic Central Committee chairman Russ Purvis and Sixth District Republican chairman James Thomas have announced through The Landmark a joint charitable effort to assist Hillcrest Transitional Housing. Donations of non-perishable items--and money--are being sought.
The organization provides temporary housing and food to the homeless in a “tough love” program. Participants in Hillcrest Transitional Housing must be working or actively looking for work, and must go through financial management and budget counseling that will give them the skills to help them avoid financial difficulties in the future.
Purvis and Thomas both write weekly columns on page A-3 in The Landmark.
Donations in the charitable effort can be dropped at The Landmark Newspaper office, 252 Main Street in downtown Platte City. Or donated items can be brought to The Landmark’s annual open-to-the-public Christmas party, which will be held Friday, Dec. 12 from 4-8 p.m. at the Comfort Inn in Platte City.
Making the donation process a little more fun is a friendly competition between the local Democrats and Republicans. If you’d like your donation to be “scored” in the competition, mark your donations with a “D” for Democrat or “R” for Republican. At the conclusion of the effort, a count will be performed to see which party was more giving.
“It’s a bipartisan effort/competition, all in the spirit of helping the less fortunate in our area,” Purvis said. “James Thomas and I encourage all of our readers, as well as friends and neighbors, to make a donation of non-perishable food or clothing,” Purvis said.
In addition to The Landmark office, other sites where donated items can be dropped include Purvis’ law office at 6114 N. Hwy 9 in Parkville, or at the Hillcrest Thrift Store, 6520 NW Prairie View Road, Kansas City in Platte County.
Thomas is equally enthusiastic about the charity effort.
“I am a huge fan of the mission of Hillcrest. No one should be homeless or go without food. However just giving a man a fish only feeds him for today. Instead, Hillcrest gives a man a fish today and teaches him to fish for himself tomorrow. By giving people a hand up and not just a hand out, Hillcrest helps people help themselves,” Thomas said.
Just over a year ago, The Landmark approached both Purvis and Thomas about writing columns, and since that time their weekly thoughts have sparked comments and debate on issues of note in the state and local political scene.
Anyone with questions about this effort to assist Hillcrest Transitional Housing can email Purvis at russp842@yahoo.com or Thomas at jamesiiiandsandra@kc.rrcom, or call The Landmark Newspaper at 816-858-2313.
