It is a joy to edit CommonGood Enews. An honor to see the passion in the hearts and minds of my neighbors. For what ever needs exist in our community, there is a group of people, large or small, who strive with all their hearts and soul, to put it right. Some do it by listening, by packing meals for hungry children, by reminding us of the beautiful blue and green, by connecting us to the sea, by teaching our children, and  by guiding us to help our brothers and sisters who are less fortunate.  To these good people who do these good works, you rekindle a spark within me and many others. As Albert Schweitzer said, Each of us has cause to thank with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us. 


I am grateful for all the wonderful people in Dare County who help others in this county in so many ways, be it with donations, time, food, clothes, money, or just old fashioned neighborly love
Brandi H Rheubottom
Dare County Older Adult Services

I am grateful for living on an island where people are resourceful and resilient, where the culture is still indelibly shaped by the island's unique natural ecosystem, and where people are quick to share fish pulled in from the sea.
Susan West, Hatteras Connection coordinator

I am grateful for the amazing imaginations that the children in the Outer Banks have!
 Alyssa Hannon, Children at Play

I am most grateful for living in such a caring and giving community. Whenever there is a crisis, a family in need, or someone needing a helping hand to get through, Outer Bankers always pull together to put others first.
Willo Kelly, BlueGreen

I'm thankful that I have job and that it allows me to serve people that need help.  It's a double blessing! I'm thankful to live in an area that still cares about their neighbors. I'm thankful to live in an area where there is so much beauty to see every morning I wake up. The list could go on forever. May god bless you  and yours with a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Audrey Holland

I am grateful for '...good health, a loving family, and a job that allows me the privilege of helping others in need.
Jim Stiles, North Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation

I am grateful to have been born in a country of privileged, understanding that all my gifts in life have been freely given to me by a loving, caring God.  I am grateful for the faith that tells me to share those gifts with others and grateful for the joy that action brings.  I am truly grateful for my family and friends and the love that we share.  I am grateful for this beautiful community where I am blessed to live, the awesomeness of the ocean and surrounding waters; a place where neighbors are incredibly generous and reach out to help those in need - I am grateful to be me. 
Ginger Candelora, Interfaith Community Outreach

I am thankful for another mild hurricane season this year on the Outer Banks. Although sometimes I might think I am in control of everything in my life, the weather outside shakes me up and fills me with both humility and gratitude.
Patty McKenna,Outer Banks Community Services Collaborative

I am thankful for continued support and help with the outreach of the Becoming Your Best project.  Happy Thanksgiving,
George Graham, Dare Schools Director of Exceptional Children

I am thankful for living in a community in which there are so many individuals who are willing to give of their time and resources to provide a "hand up" to those who are experiencing difficulties in everyday living. 
Bob Palombo, Volunteer Extraorinaire

I am thankful for living in such generous and  giving community as the Outer Banks.
Mary Reisert, Generosity Personified

We are deeply grateful for the generosity and caring of individuals, churches, civic organizations, and businesses in Dare County who continually provide their time, talents and dollars to help feed hungry children in the community.  We are also very thankful for the cooperation and support of Dare County Schools and the county government.
Food for Thought

I am thankful for the Living God and Giving Community on the Outer Banks.
Lola Hilton, First Flight

Family Support Network 

Family Support Network program is a wonderful resource to families whose children have been recently diagnosed. Children & Youth Partnership for Dare County/Family Support Network of Northeastern NC
offers support for families with children who have special needs by providing a one-on-one parent match with a trained support parent for emotional support, assistance in finding community resources, and sharing parenting experiences. Parents who have experienced the joys and challenges of raising a child with special needs are a rich resource for parents faced with a similar situation.

The Parent to Parent program, offered through Children & Youth Partnership for Dare County/Family Support Network of Northeastern N.C, is available at no cost to parents raising a child with special needs. Through the Parent to Parent program, parents are matched with a parent experienced in raising a child with similar special needs. Parent to Parent connects parents with someone who can understand the achievements, rewards and challenges of raising a special needs child.

Parent to Parent matches provide:
� support
� active listening
� an awareness of common needs and strengths
� a chance to relieve loneliness and form new friendships
� an opportunity to share ideas and resources
� help dealing with community attitudes
� reinforcement of positive coping behaviors

Dare Contact:

Children & Youth Partnership, Kill Devil Hills
Program Coordinator (Dare County): Sara Sampson
(252) 441-0614

For information in Currituck:

FSN of Northeastern NC, Elizabeth City, (252) 333-1233, Brenda Dunford

This Thursday families and friends will gather for what is perhaps the country's most universal holiday. The centerpiece of the day will be a shared meal in which those in attendance will give thanks for the blessings of life in this country and the remarkable bounty of which so many here are able to partake. Take five minutes to consider the people who harvested and processed the food they're about to consume.

Farm work remains terribly hard and dangerous work.  In North Carolina, seven farmworkers died of heat stroke over a recent five year stretch. Pesticide exposure is a huge problem. A recent study in California found that among Latinos, farmworkers were more likely to develop certain types of leukemia by 59%, stomach cancer by 70%, cervical cancer by 63%, and uterine cancer by 68%. Other studies of farm workers and farm families show decreased levels of fertility and higher levels of problems like birth defects and miscarriages in these families.

Agriculture is North Carolina's leading industry, including food, fiber, and forestry, bringing in $59 billion and constituting 22% of the state's income. Eighty-five percent of fruits and vegetables produced in the United States, including those in North Carolina, are harvested by hand. Yet, farmworkers' average annual income is $11,000 making them the second lowest paid workforce in the nation. Farmworkers living in east coast states such as North Carolina earn about 35% less than this national average. Though farmworker wages have increased slightly over the last decade, after adjustment for inflation they have actually decreased by 5%. According to a recent study, nearly five out of ten farmworker households in North Carolina cannot afford enough food for their families.

Labor laws allow children as young as twelve years old to work in agriculture in North Carolina with their parent's consent. In North Carolina, most agribusinesses are exempt from laws requiring Workers' Compensation for farmworkers who are injured on the job. Fifty-three percent of children in migrant farmworker families in Eastern North Carolina have an unmet medical need, and the need is proportionally higher for preschool aged children.

The Farmworker Advocacy Network is a statewide network of organizations that work to improve living and working conditions of farmworkers and poultry workers in North Carolina.  Since 2003, they have been collaborating to bring workers' voices to the legislative process.