These times are overwhelming politically. I am writing to encourage any and all to not buy into the noise.

Do what you can, locally. Maybe it’s reaching out to a neighbor in some way to help build your community. Here on Peaks Island, we are baking cookies and selling homemade ice cream cookie sandwiches at concerts and other public events. So far we’ve raised over $3,000 to support the immigrant community.

While this may not seem like much, the $30 provided by Mainers for Humane Immigration going into an illegally detained person’s commissary account can mean the difference between not eating for two days — because the jail’s kitchen is for whatever reason not operational — and having a meal.

Help where you can. Margaret Mead tells us: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

Jody Halliday
Peaks Island