Modesto’s sister city, Khmelnytskyi, Ukraine, needs help. Here’s how you can assist | Opinion

Modesto’s sister city needs help

“Ukrainian ex-soldiers, defense officials visit Modesto. Here’s why,” (modbee.com, Feb. 3)

In February of 2022, Modesto Sister Cities International held a borscht dinner fundraiser to provide financial support to our sister city, Khmelnytskyi, Ukraine. Generous donors raised over $75,000, funds sent to Khmelnytskyi to purchase electrical generators for a hospital and school, as well as medical equipment.

The mayor of Khmelnytskyi has reached out to Modesto Sister Cities International for further financial assistance to purchase additional generators for schools. The Russians have targeted the Ukrainian power grid to disrupt the lives of Ukrainian citizens, especially families and children.

Now, we are asking for your generous support to help address the pressing need of children in Modesto’s Sister City. Ukrainians have courageously battled to preserve their country and democracy. Your contribution will support their efforts and make a significant impact on the lives of our sisters and brothers in Khmelnytskyi.

Contributions may be made by visiting our webpage or mailing a check to Modesto Sister Cities International, 1509 K Street, Box #155, Modesto, CA 95354.

Mary Barberis

President, Modesto Sister Cities International

Shameful

“How will Gavin Newsom’s order to sweep homeless encampments change Stanislaus County?” (modbee.com, July 24)

I would like to know exactly what Gov. Gavin Newsom has in mind after his order to rid the state of homeless encampments. Where does he plan to shelter those individuals whose only place to sleep has been taken from them? It is entirely useless to propose an idea that will only inevitably cause bigger problems.

Unless Newsom or anyone in support of his cold and thoughtless executive mistake has created an emergency plan to re-home or shelter these people, leave them alone! It sickens me to be part of a country that would rather bully its own most vulnerable residents when we should instead be offering them a solution.

We should all be ashamed.

Eucelia D Fritch

Modesto

Our votes belong to us, not the church

“Trump Claims Catholics Are ‘Persecuted’ Under Biden, Who Is Catholic,” (modbee.com, July 30)

As a practicing Catholic, I was happy to attend a recent Sunday Mass. All was well, until the latter part of the homily, when the speaker excoriated “woke ideology.” Back home, I explored definitions and explanations of modern “wokeness” (originally a reminder to “be aware” and be safe), yet each definition differed radically. Which one inspires hatred, and why?

The homilist melded politics with religion, which never ends well. The subject was the difficult and multi-faceted issue of abortion. While President Joe Biden and I are generally opposed, most of us understand that heavy-handed state laws are scaring doctors away from providing needed care for any affliction or difficulty of the pregnant person.

The homilist stated that abortion is always murder and Catholics can never agree (or vote for it) in any form. However, Catholics are not and should not be, single-issue voters. If anything is a sin, it would be supporting the candidate who threatens to worsen climate change and terminate the Constitution — among other evil actions.

Catholics deeply appreciate the priests and deacons who give their lives in service to the Lord. But here in the U.S., our votes belong to us.

Diana Doll

Modesto

What does Alvarado-Gil stand for?

“Stanislaus Democrats and Republicans react to Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil’s party switch,” (modbee.com, Aug. 13)

Will the real Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil please stand up?

Now that State Senator Alvarado-Gil of Stanislaus County has abandoned the Democratic Party, the one of competence and human dignity, for the party of conspiracy theories, it begs the question: What does she really stand for?

Alvarado-Gil should refund every donation she has received for the last two years to the people who made them under false pretenses. She should also resign and allow the voters to choose a candidate with sincere beliefs and convictions.

Larry Bolton

Modesto

Proud of my vote

“Voter Guide: Modesto, CA 2024 Elections,” (modbee.com)

I left the Republican Party years ago, troubled by their choice of Sarah Palin as a vice presidential candidate, and have voted third party ever since. I chose a party that reflects my values as an American Catholic who believes it is possible to combine fiscal responsibility with strong social justice.

Every election I am told it is “my faul”’ that (fill in candidate’s name here) was elected. One time, a very progressive person told me I would be responsible for Hillary Clinton being elected, and then later blamed when she lost.

My vote for the American Solidarity Party is my right as a citizen. If I did not have that party to support, I would not vote at all.

I am not taking a vote away from your particular candidate; rather, I am supporting mine. If more Americans refused to “hold their nose” and vote, maybe we could get those in power to actually listen to us.

Leslie Shaw Klinger

Modesto