Homeless Voice; No Room at the Inn by Homeless Voice

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Getting ready for Christmas? 10

ately here at the Homeless Voice we have been giving you extra stories rather than our older traditional homeless stories. Most of these stories are based on prevention. Ways not to become homeless. Ways to prevent your hard earned funds from disappearing. Over the last four months we have seen a good amount of cases come to us from the streets because people have been getting hit at the ATM’s. They go to withdraw their social security money and before they know it they are in the hospital with a lump on their head. The suspects of these crimes know the dates of when Social Security Funds are deposited into their accounts. They watch the person at the ATM and look at their age and they make a determination that the person is most likely withdrawing their social security funds. At that time as the victim withdraws their money the bad guy either hurts them and steals their money or they man handle them in a way that intimidates the victim to just hand (Continued on page 13)

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THE THOMPSON FAMILY THE SANCHEZ FAMILY ere they came in via our front doors and once t was a night that two people were homeless, again we said “God Bless this place”. To living place to place… trying to find a place to think they would be out there all alone was too live. It was not a normal night because they needed hard to think about. How and shelter but to be only told why is this happening day after these famous words “There is day? According to the National no room at the Inn”. So Coalition for the Homeless, kids these two parents had their make up a very large percentage struggles. Not too bad for of new homeless cases. In fact, two adults to be Homeis it the largest growing segment less…but what happens if of the entire Homeless populaone of those adults was about tion. From kids running away to to bring a Gift into the find themselves fending off viworld? What happens if cious adults who prey on them to these two people were bringmostly Moms living out of their ing us the Man who died on cars or in the bushes behind a the cross for our sins? What Burger King so they can have happens if this Man, who their next meal, the problem exist saved the world, was about to and it is not going away. Yes be born as a little one and there are arguments as to who still the parents had no place should be the responsible party for the birth of this little one? the family or the government. Now that you know I am Yes, the family is to put their talking about Jesus and this own roof over their own head. Holiday season we Christians But that is perfection and there call Christmas , how scared will never be perfection in the would you have been if you world and the world has to be Both the Thompson and Sanchez Family will and your spouse were about ready, able and willing to re- have a place at the Homeless Voice “Inn” for to have a baby and you, too, spond to a family becoming had no place to go. The the Holidays. Thank You Voice Supporters. homeless, just like in disasters story I am about to tell you is when families become homeless sort of the same, except this they get all the services they need. Mom had to do it all herself.

(Continued on page 8)

Homeless Man Finds More Than $1,500, Turns It In

(Continued on page 9)

she's probably looking for it." Workers at the Love Chapel, a place that helps homeless people in Columbus, said they didn't know Hughes, but they said they were touched by what he did. "He said whoever's money that was, they might need Man Says Discovery When asked why he it more than he did. And that Was Test From God ughes, identified as a homeless man, didn't keep the money, touched me because we think who are homeless are in told Bartholomew County workers he Hughes said, "Some people desperate need," Love Chapel's found an envelope containing more than $1,500 in cash on a Columbus sidewalk little old lady probably Lisa Teague said. Elizabeth Kestler, who Thursday. He turned the money in at the county government office building across the lost this ... she's probably also works at the Love Chapel, said she believed God tests peostreet. looking for it." ple in the way Hughes described. Hughes said he believed the discov"He definitely made the test, ery was a type of divine examination, accorddidn't he?" Kestler said. "If (only) we could all do the ing to Rose Johnson (pictured, left), an employee of the same." county treasurer's office. He said God was testing him. The person to whom the money belongs can Officials said Hughes later boarded a bus and claim it if he or she can correctly identify the envelope headed to Oklahoma to see his sister. The county will and tell him the exact amount of cash it contained. give the money to Hughes if it isn't claimed within a couple of weeks, county Treasurer Vernon Jewell said. COLUMBUS, Ind. The Lord giveth, When asked why he didn't keep the money, and Dana Clark Hughes giveth right back. Hughes said, "Some little old lady probably lost this ...

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The Homeless Voice has been around for seven years. And most people do not know that we run a shelter from the sale of The Homeless Voice. This is only possible because people like Lois Cross and Sean Cononie dedicate their lives to this cause. They live at the homeless shelter, and yes they have homes (in Hollywood) and no they do not get paid to run the shelter 24hours a day 7 days a week. I want to LETTERS TO THE EDITOR thank these two volunteers for dedicating their lives so other people can have SEND TO: a roof over their head and food to eat. P.O. BOX 292-577 -Mark Targett

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Page 4

MEDICAL

The flu this year is going to be deadly!

ormally you have the chance to get your flu shot which will either keep you from getting the flu or at least a milder case, but this year most people cannot. There isn’t any available. This is going to lead to probably an epidemic and many deaths. The more people who do get sick, the more people will be contaminated. Those who are “at risk” need to be particularly careful, but none of us should ignore the fact that we all are at risk this year. We may need to put ourselves in a position of being a little “antisocial” for a while until our friends get over their sickness. And we need to be a little “obsessive’ about hand washing, not drinking or eating after someone that we normally would not give a second thought to. Since the symptoms usually show up 1 to 4 days after you are infected, it is all the more reason to practice safety precautions around “healthy” people also. Just consider that every person you come in contact with has the flu and protect yourself. In your home, door knobs, telephones, faucet handles are a great place to spread germs by and should be sanitized often. In the workplace, every surface should be considered fearful. Some of the information that follows may seem like “overkill” but this year’s flu season is going to be like no other. If anything you learn can help you...that is our purpose. WHAT IS THE FLU? The flu is a viral illness that comes on suddenly, causing fever, shaking chills, body aches, and other symptoms. The flu is not the same as the common cold. You may remember the flu as one of the worst illnesses you have had. Most people recover without problems, but sometimes the illness leads to a bacterial infection, such as an ear infection, sinus infection, or bronchitis. Good home treatment may help prevent these infections. More serious complications, most commonly pneumonia, may develop in some people. (It seems almost callous that articles never mention MENINGITIS). Meningitis is not a disease in itself, it is the result of the bacterial infection, most particularly ear and sinus infections, finding their way into the Meninges which is the lining of the brain. Left untreated, it is most deadly. Regarding the flu, most deaths occur in those who are older or whose immune systems are not working properly. The influenza virus causes the classic flu. Doctors classify the virus as influenza type A and type B. It isn’t necessary to go into technical explanations, but be advised that just because you had one, you are immune to the other. You aren’t. Since so many more people are going to be affected this year, I think it is wise to give as much information of signs and symptoms as possible. Symptoms Flu symptoms appear suddenly and often include:

these during the first few days of the illness when other symptoms are more severe. As fever goes away, these symptoms usually become more evident. When fever is high, other symptoms usually are more severe. Other conditions with flu like symptoms include the common cold, bacterial infections, and infectious mononucleosis and meningitis. NOTE: last year our Sean was misdiagnosed and sent home with “the flu” only to end up in intensive care a day later and virtually 30 minutes away from death. What Happens The flu usually comes on suddenly. In many cases you can pinpoint the hour when symptoms started. Symptoms develop 1 to 4 days after you are infected.

•

Classic flu involves fever for 3 days, followed by a gradual decrease in other symptoms. Fever is usually slightly lower on the 2nd and 3rd days. It may last up to 8 days.

Since there are no known cures for colds and flu, prevention must be your goal.

•

Fever of 100 °F(37.8 °C) to 104 °F(40 °C), which can reach 106 °F(41.1 °C) when symptoms first develop. Fever is usually continuous, but it may come and go. Fever may be lower in older adults than in children and younger adults.

• •

Shaking chills.

• • • •

Headache.

Body aches and muscle pain (often severe), commonly in the back, arms, or legs. Pain when you move your eyes. Fatigue, a general feeling of sickness (malaise), and loss of appetite. A dry cough, runny nose, and dry or sore throat. You may not notice

•

Respiratory symptoms (cough, runny nose, sore throat) become more noticeable as fever and other symptoms decrease. They usually last 3 to 4 days after the fever goes down. A dry, hacking cough may linger for up to 10 days after other symptoms are gone.

• Complete recovery may take 1 to 2 weeks or longer. Fatigue and weakness can last for several weeks. Complications of influenza may develop in anyone, but they are much more likely in older adults and people who have other health problems, especially heart and lung diseases. What Increases Your Risk Anyone can get the flu. Exposure to the influenza virus is the major risk factor for getting the flu. The virus is contagious and spreads easily among people in groups, such as in nursing homes, hospitals, shelters, schools, and day care. Working, visiting, or living in any of these areas increases your risk of getting the flu. Factors that may increase the risk of a more serious illness and complications include: • •

• •

Being under age 4. Being over age 65. About 90% of the deaths caused by flu occur in this age group. Symptoms had improved but seem to be getting worse again.

Signs of Reye’s Syndrome, a serious illness in children and teens, develop 3 to 7 days after the start of symptoms of the flu or another viral respiratory illness.

• Signs of a bacterial infection develop, such as an ear infection, bronchitis, or pneumonia. •

Influenza develops in a person over age 65 who has other health problems (lung, heart, or kidney disease or diabetes) or in someone who is being treated with chemotherapy for cancer.

•

Influenza develops in a person of any age who has a long-term respiratory illness, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

•

Symptoms include fever over 101 °F(38.33 °C), shaking chills, and a cough that produces mucus from the lungs (productive cough).

•

Fever is high or prolonged. However, it is common for adults with the flu to have high fevers [up to 103 °F(39.4 °C)] for 3 to 4 days. If many people in your community have similar symptoms and it is flu season, it is likely you have the flu and don't need to see a doctor. If you have any concerns, contact your doctor. Since there are no known cures for colds and flu, prevention must be your goal. A proactive approach to warding off colds and flu is apt to make your whole life healthier. The most effective way to prevent flu is to get the flu shot, but since it isn’t available, we should do everything possible to help ourselves stay healthy. It just makes sense that the healthier you are, the more resistant you will be to the flu. Who knows, if you try this, it may become a good habit. #1 Wash Your Hands, Wash Your Hands, and Wash Your Hands Some More!! Most cold and flu viruses are spread by direct contact. Someone who has the flu sneezes onto their hand, and then touches the telephone, the keyboard, a kitchen glass. The germs can live for hours -- in some cases weeks -- only to be picked up by the next person who touches the same object. So wash your hands often. Carry hand sanitizer with you. I never heard of this one but rubbing your hands together very hard for a minute or so helps break up most of the cold germs. On the hand cleaners...be careful...some hand cleaners are flammable! If your hands are still damp with the cleaner and you go near a flame...you may ignite your hand. #2 Cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough. (Continued on page 5)

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Page 5

Volume 5, Issue 16

MEDICAL

The flu this year is going to be deadly! (Continued from page 4)

Because germs and viruses cling to your bare hands, muffling coughs and sneezes with your hands results in passing along your germs to others. So...when you feel a sneeze or cough coming, use a tissue, then throw it away immediately. If you don't have a tissue, turn your head away from people near you and cough into the air. Also, the back of your hand has less contact with surfaces than your palm, so that is another option. #3 Don't Touch Your Face Cold and flu viruses enter your body through the eyes, nose, or mouth. Touching their faces is the major way children catch colds, and a key way they pass colds on to their parents. Nail biters beware. #4 Drink Plenty of Fluids Water flushes your system, washing out the poisons as it rehydrates you. A typical, healthy adult needs eight 8-ounce glasses of fluids each day. How can you tell if you're getting enough liquid? If the color of your urine runs close to clear, you're getting enough. If it's deep yellow, you need more fluids. Warning: too much water can deplete your body of vitally important electrolytes. #5 Take a Sauna Researchers aren't clear about the exact role saunas play in prevention, but one 1989 German study found that people who steamed twice a week got half as many colds as those who didn't. One theory: When you take a sauna you inhale air hotter than 80 degrees, a temperature too hot for cold and flu viruses to survive. #6 Get Fresh Air A regular dose of fresh air is important, especially since many people go from air conditioned homes to air conditioned cars and to air conditioned work place. A/C dries you out and makes your body more vulnerable to cold and flu viruses, just as heat does up north. #7 Do Aerobic Exercise Regularly Aerobic exercise speeds up the heart to pump larger quantities of blood; makes you breathe faster to help transfer oxygen from your lungs to your blood; and makes you sweat once your body heats up. These exercises help increase the body's natural virus-killing cells. #8 Eat Foods Containing Phytochemicals "Phyto" means plants, and the natural chemicals in plants give the vitamins in food a supercharged boost. Take your vitamins, take Vitamin C and some people swear by Echinacea to ward off colds. Its your preference but work on those dark green, red, and yellow vegetables and fruits. Don’t forget the orange...it is full of Vitamin C. #9 Eat Yogurt Some studies have shown that eating a daily cup of low-fat yogurt can reduce your susceptibility to colds by 25 percent. Researchers think the beneficial bacteria in yogurt may stimulate production of immune system substances that fight disease. #10 Don't Smoke Statistics show that heavy smokers get more severe colds and more frequent ones. Even being around smoke profoundly zaps the immune system. Smoke dries out your nasal passages and paralyzes cilia. These are the delicate hairs that line the mucous membranes in your nose and lungs, and with their wavy movements, sweep cold and flu viruses out of the nasal passages. Experts contend that one cigarette can paralyze cilia for as long as 30 to 40 minutes. #11 Cut Alcohol Consumption Heavy alcohol use destroys the liver, the body's primary filtering system, which means that germs of all kinds won't leave your body as fast. The result is, heavier drinkers are more prone to initial infections as well as secondary complications. Alcohol also dehydrates the body -- it actually takes more fluids from your system than it puts in. #12 Relax If you can teach yourself to relax, you can activate your immune system on demand. There's evidence that when you put your relaxation skills into action, your interleukins -- leaders in the immune system response against cold and flu viruses -- increase in the bloodstream. Train yourself to picture an image you find pleasant or calming. Do this 30 minutes a day for several months. Keep in mind, relaxation is a learnable skill, but it is not doing nothing. People who try to relax, but are in fact bored, show no changes in blood chemicals. Things to consider: #1 Difficultly breathing or chest pain Aside from the stuffy nose and some general muscle aches, a cold or the flu should not make you short of breath or cause pain in your chest. These could be symptoms of a more serious problem such as heart disease, asthma, pneumonia, or others. Contact your doctor or go to the emergency room. #2 Persistent Fever This can be a sign of a secondary infection in your body that should be treated. #3 Vomiting or Inability to Keep Fluids Down Your body needs fluids to stay hydrated. If you can't keep down fluids, you should see your doctor. #4 Painful Swallowing This is not normal. Although minor discomfort when you swallow can come from a sore throat, severe pain can be a sign of an infection or injury that needs to be treated by a doctor. #5 Persistent Coughing A cough that won't go away is usually just postnasal drip that may be treated with antihistamines. However, it could also be related to asthma or GERD, both of which can be treated by your doctor. In recent years, doctors have found an increase in a former childhood infection called pertussis (whooping cough in children). So if you have an unexplained

Colds and allergies that cause congestion and blockage of the sinus passages can lead to a sinus infection. If you have symptoms don't go away with usual medication, you may need to be treated with antibiotics.

cough for more than 2 to 3 weeks, your doctor may want to try an antibiotic to treat this type of infection. #6 Persistent Congestion and Headaches Colds and allergies that cause congestion and blockage of the sinus passages can lead to a sinus infection. If you have symptoms don't go away with usual medication, you may need to be treated with antibiotics. See your doctor if these symptoms persist. DON’T FORGET THE MENINGITIS WARNING What Are the Symptoms of Meningitis? The illness begins with simple, flu-like symptoms - sore throat, runny nose, nasal congestion, fever, and sometimes muscle aches. Very young children often react to the pain by arching their backs uncontrollably. Some forms of meningitis produce a dark red or purplish rash anywhere on the body. In babies, the swelling of the lining of the brain - the meninges -- may also cause the soft spot on the top of the skull to bulge. Specific symptoms include:

• • • • •

Fever

• •

Inability to tolerate bright light

• • • • • •

Drowsiness and mental confusion

Severe headache Stiff neck, shoulders or back Pain with eye movement

Severe shooting pain down the back of the neck and sometimes along the spine, when bending the neck forward A bumpy and splotchy dark red or purplish rash anywhere on the body (in certain types of bacterial meningitis) Vomiting Seizures and coma Paralysis on one side of the body in severe cases In infants, a bulge of the soft spot on the skull

In infants, an eerie high-pitched cry Call Your Doctor If:

•

You develop the symptoms listed above -- particularly a combination of severe headache, stiff neck and painful aversion to light, seek emergency medical care immediately.

•

Your child develops the symptoms listed above, seek emergency medical care immediately. Research done VIA the Internet Lois Cross and Sean Cononie

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I cannot be felt, seen or touched; Yet I can be found in everybody; My existence is always in debate; Yet I have my own style of music. What Am I?

I'm a Soul. Style of music: soul music. There is a common English word that is nine letters long. Each time you remove a letter from it, it still remains an English word - from nine letters right down to a single letter. What is the original word, and what are the words that it becomes after removing one letter at a time?

The base word is Startling - starting - staring string - sting - sing - sin - in - I

Do you have a riddle? Email to: Voiceus@aol.com

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History of Thanksgiving

he story of Thanksgiving is basically the story of the Pilgrims and their thankful community feast at Plymouth, Massachusetts. The Pilgrims, who set sail from Plymouth, England on a ship called the Mayflower on September 6, 1620, were fortune hunters, bound for the resourceful “New World”. The Mayflower was a small ship crowded with men, women and children, besides the sailors on board. Aboard were passengers comprising the “separatists”, who called themselves the "Saints", and others, whom the separatists called the "Strangers". After land was sighted in November, following 66 days of a lethal voyage, a meeting was held and an agreement of truce was worked out. It was called the Mayflower Compact. The agreement guaranteed equality among the members of the two groups. They merged together to be recognized as the "Pilgrims." They elected John Carver as their first governor.

A l though Pilgrims had first sighted the land off Cape Cod, Massachusetts, they did not settle until they arrived at a place called Plymouth. It was Captain John Smith who named the place after the English port-city in 1614 and had already settled there for over five years. And it was there that the Pilgrims finally decided to settle. Plymouth offered bor and plenty local Indians

hostile. But their happiness was shortlived. Ill-equiped to face the winter on this estranged place, they were ravaged thoroughly.

an excellent harof resources. The were also non-

-Re-Printed by Volunteer Reporters Via the Internet Lily & Autumn

Hot Cinnamon Cider

Pumpkin Pie Ever since the first pumpkin pie was served at the second Thanksgiving in 1623, this spicy custard pie has been a traditional American holiday treat. Prep time: 45 minutes Cooking time: 40 minutes Cooling time: 1 hour 1 recipe single piecrust 1-1/2 cups cooked fresh or canned pumpkin purée 3/4 cup evaporated whole milk 2 large egg yolks 1/2 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar 1/4 cup maple syrup 2 tablespoons unsalted butter or margarine, at room temperature 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice 3 large egg whites 1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Make the piecrust fit into a 9-inch pie plate, and make a rope edge. TIP: For a rope edge, pinch the pastry edge between the thumb and knuckle of your index finger at a 45° angle. Repeat all the way around, placing your thumb each time in the indentation just left by your knuckle. 2. In a large bowl, with an electric mixer on medium, beat the pumpkin purée, milk, egg yolks, sugar, syrup, butter and pumpkin pie spice. In a clean medium-size bowl, with clean beaters and the mixer on high, beat the egg whites until stiff but not dry. Fold the egg

They celebrated it with a grand community feast wherein the friendly Native Americans were also invited. It was kind of like a harvest feast, the Pilgrims used to have in England. The recipes entail "corn" (wheat, by the Pilgrims usage of the word), Indian corn, barley, pumpkins and peas, "fowl" (specially "waterfowl"), deer, fish. And yes, of course the yummy wild turkey.

Somehow they were saved by a group of local Native Americans who befriended them and helped them with food. Soon the natives taught the settlers the technique to cultivate corns and grow native vegetables, and store them for hard days. By the next winter they had raised enough crops to keep them alive. The winter came and passed by without much harm. The settlers knew they had beaten the odds and it was time to celebrate.

However, the third year was real bad when the corns got damaged. Pilgrim Governor William Bradford ordered a day of fasting and prayer, and rain happened to follow soon. To celebrate - November 29th of that year was proclaimed a day of thanksgiving. This date is believed to be the real beginning of the present Thanksgiving Day. Though the Thanksgiving Day is presently celebrated on the fourth Thursday of every November. This date was set by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1939 (approved by Congress in 1941). Earlier it was the last Thursday in November as was designated by the former President Abraham Lincoln. But sometimes the last Thursday would turn out to be the fifth Thursday of the month. This falls too close to the Christmas, leaving the businesses even less than a month's time to cope with the two big festivals. Hence the change.

whites into the pumpkin mixture. Pour into the crust. TIP: For sweet potato pie, substitute 1 1/2 cups fresh, cooked, or canned sweet potato purée for the pumpkin. 3. Bake for 40 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a rack for 1 hour before serving. Makes 9 servings. Per serving: Calories 345, Saturated Fat 8 g, Total Fat 17 g, Protein 7 g, Carbohydrates 44 g, Fiber 1 g, Sodium 88 mg, Cholesterol 74 mg

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Every fall the Strait family of Minnesota made cider with apples picked from their own orchard. After the work was done, Granny Mary served big mugs full of her memorable hot cider. Her secret: simmer the cider, never boil it. Prep time: 5 minutes Cooking time: 18 minutes 4 cups (1 quart) apple cider 1 cup orange juice 2 tablespoons honey 12 whole allspice berries 4 cinnamon sticks, each 3 inches long 1 whole nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon grated orange rind 1 small red apple, cored and cut into wedges 1. In a medium-size saucepan, bring the cider, orange juice, honey, allspice berries, cinnamon sticks, whole nutmeg, and orange rind to a boil over high heat. Lower the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Add apple wedges and simmer for 3 minutes more. 2. Strain through a tea strainer or a sieve lined with 100% cotton cheesecloth into a large heat-proof pitcher. Carefully pour in cider. Stir gently.

HOT CINNAMON-CRANBERRY CIDER: Prepare as for Hot Cinnamon Cider, substituting 2 cups cranberry juice cocktail for 2 cups of the apple cider. Makes four 7-ounce servings. 1 Serving: Calories 208, Total Fat 1 g, Saturated Fat 0 g, Protein 1 g, Carbohydrate 52 g, Fiber 1 g, Sodium 7 mg, Cholesterol 0 mg

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The Voice of the Homeless

Page 8

NEW LIFESTYLES that there is a slight chance that we will have the privilege to watch the chil(Continued from page 1) dren grow up and finally seeing them off to With all that in mind, no matter college. Yes they need to move out but as how sad it is to see these families come our they leave we miss them. We love it when way, we are soon filled with joy knowing they come back and visit or when we get invited for a school play. This place kind of reminds me a big family. And as always when families go their separate ways it is hard for even us strong minded individuals. The newest family to come our way is Nancy and her two boys. This is how the story goes. From an early age Nancy Thomson was raised by her grandmother. Her mother turned over custody and her father was never really in the picture. She was always surrounded by family though. Her cousins all lived nearby and she spent most of her time with them, isolating herself from other people. After finishing high school, Nancy gave birth to her first son, James. She stayed at home raising him and four years later gave birth to her second son Jeremy. With two young children, Nancy couldn’t find the time to work. She volunteered at James’ school often and life seemed to be moving along until her grandmother died. They moved into her cousins’ house nearby, and couldn’t seem to get along. Nancy and her cousin fought until she was asked to leave. Connecticut had nothing more to offer Nancy so along with her two sons, (now seven and three,) they came to Florida to stay with her aunt. Nancy had not contacted her aunt first and when she arrived she was shocked to discover that the place had just burnt down. Her aunt relocated without her, leaving Nancy and the boys to fend for themselves. It’s been about a month since they’ve been at the shelter. With the aid of people there, she is working on getting help from the government. James is enrolled in the nearby school which he is doing great at. Nancy would eventually like to Little Jeremy playing in his new temporary Home start volunteering again. Once Jeremy is able to start daycare, Nancy hopes to go to school to become a hair dresser. Her sons take top priority though. She has met some nice people and is thankful for having shelter and that her sons are being taken care of. “Everyday things are getting better.” Written by Sean Cononie with the help of Sara and Lois while Sean is recovering from Post Bacterial Meningitis. Jeremy (L) with brother James (R). Caring brothers stick together thru the good and bad.

Jeremy stops his brother James’s car from winning the race.

Thank You Homeless Voice Supporters, once again for making this miracle happen. Without you, this would never be imaginable, not to mention possible

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Page 9

Volume 5, Issue 16

NEW LIFESTYLES

(Continued from page 1)

Dad died in car accident and left Mom and the little one, who was just six months old, all alone. But Mom kept the son safe for many years until just now. But let me throw another problem into the hat. Not only is Mom and the little one all by themselves and mom has to support the two of them, the story becomes much harder to deal with. The same car accident left the Mom disabled by only having one eye. This is how the story begins. Originally from Cuba, Marena Sanchez came to Florida alone when she was nineteen years old. Coming from a Communist family, she was disowned when she left and has had no contact with any of them since. She got a job in electronics and worked at the same place for fifteen years. During that time, Marena met a Cuban man and they had a son together, Ariel. When Ariel was just six months old, his parents were in a car accident which took his father’s life and left his mother with only one eye. Marena continued to work, though with her poor eyesight it had become a struggle. Now, eleven years later, she was laid off last year. She collected unemployment until it ran out. Due to her handicap, finding a job that could pay the bills was difficult. Marena cleaned houses and tried to make ends meet. She was finally evicted two months ago. She and her son spent two nights on the street and then went to the police who di-

rected them to this shelter. Ask yourself this question, how is it possible that this great country allows a child to sleep in the street with only its mother. Since their arrival, Ariel has transferred schools. He likes his new school and plans on trying out for the basketball team. Marena is currently waiting for her disability papers to go through. Until the benefits start, she and her well behaved son will stay with us here at the shelter. Mom should be very proud she raised her child so well. He is very humble, as is Mom. His eyes always have a happy childhood smile that lights up his entire face. Mom looks tired, as well she would, with all she has suffered in her life, but neither of them expect much more than safety and a few meals a day. As God took care of Mary and Joseph and found them a place to have the birth of Little Jesus, God took care of these two, Mom and son. You see, God does not just hand you something, instead He throws things your way. God threw these two people to us because he knew we would provide for them. How did God know we would provide for them? Because God provides for us. How does God provide for us? You see there is a large group of people out there who buy this paper titled, “The Homeless Voice”. We are not so smart that we came up with all these plans to make this work. God threw us some ideas and we put two and two together to open this place

Entertaining themselves, Kids use donated computers to learn or play games

Both Moms with smiles on their faces facing this awkward situation. Ask yourself how you would act?. up. I have said it before and I will say it until the day my life ends, God runs this place. He runs it daily, nightly, in the past, the present and the future. Even when the city wanted us to close down, I believe that God placed his hands on the people who wanted us gone and changed their hearts.

(Continued on page 15)

Ariel holding his head high because he knows that tomorrow will be OK

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Mom and Dad, I want you to look your child in the face right now, and remember the first time you saw what he or she looked like. Picture the day of the birth of your child in the hospital room. I say the word room. A room has a wall and a roof as well as a floor. You were

The Voice of the Homeless

Page 10

DISASTER UPDATE

Doctors for Disaster Preparedness

he following article appeared in the February 19, 2003, issue of "The Liberty," a military newspaper in eastern North Carolina. It is an interview with health physicist Larry Grim regarding the facts about "dirty bombs" and how to protect yourself. This is an excellent summary, and touches on other common-sense means of protection in the case of a chemical release. Please feel free to share this information with your friends and colleagues. FORMER SAILOR SHARES INSIGHT ON PROTECTION AGAINST DIRTY BOMBS Timmi Toler Community Editor Before we get started on this article I wanted to share some information with you as a little holiday present. In times like today families get so scared of the word Terrorism. Let me first give you my definition of the word terrorism. Terrorism is designed to put Terror in your heart, in your life, disrupt you, and cause large amounts of money to be spent on the actual event. Chances are a terrorist would have better luck hurting us if they simply filled their car up with explosives and parked it next to a hospital or a busy movie theater than using a dirty bomb. Yes Biological is a serious event but the word dirty bomb seems to be just as bad when the press talks about it. Not only the actual event of a dirty bomb but what happens to our personal budget when we try to prepare ourselves for such an attack. First of all, I wanted to share a short story with you. A family came to us a few months ago; the family was missing a dad. It was a mom and three children who actually lived in New York when the World Trade Center was blown up. The dad spent so much money on getting his family ready for dirty bombs and biological attacks that the family went into debt. He took an extra mortgage out on the house they were living in, in the amount of $70,000 and made his We NEED: Garbage Bags Men’s Clothing • Gauze Pads • Johnson & Johnson Supplies • Work Boots • Computers • Music Instruments • Help Tapes or Movies 954-925-6466 • •

house secured for a possible dirty bomb. He became so obsessed he would’ve rather put chemical suits and radio active meters on the table instead of a dinner. Well the family became homeless because he spent everything he made on protecting his family from a dirty bomb. We have all heard that dirty bombs are the easiest way to kill thousands of people. Even I went through the panic of making sure the shelter had enough supplies to withstand a dirty bomb. However I did some research before I purchased some items that can be used, and only spent a little bit of money to protect our people. Even though he never got hit with a dirty bomb he was definitely hit with real life terrorism, and that was the terror placed in his heart and soul. The terrorist won with the help of the press. Every day, for days, the word dirty bomb came to play in our lives. For Christmas I wanted you all to have some general information on the words dirty bomb so they would not instill terror in your hearts. Some people give gifts, some people give money, today I wanted to give you some knowledge so in case you had terrors in your life from the words dirty bomb. I am not saying that these bombs are not dangerous because they can be, and other forms of terrorism can be very dangerous but let’s put your heart at ease and turn these little dirty bombs into nothing more than a dirty word. I hope after reading this article you will find your heart at ease and if one little dirty word came your way you would know how to protect your family Before you read into this article I want you to think of the words sun block and X-ray technician. Have you ever been in the hostile emergency room and they take an x-ray of a patient who can’t move. The tech brings the x-ray machine right to the ward in the emergency room and stands about seven feet away from the unit and takes a picture of the patient. Did you notice that they most likely told you the patient a few beds away to move? Now picture yourself at the beach, and you notice you forgot your sun screen, would you go all the way home to get it? Maybe you will decide to stop at the local store on the way to the beach. These are the things I want you to think about if there should be a dirty bomb in our community. The first rule of thumb is not to panic and do not let terror into your heart because the terrorist then won his or her game. Pay attention to the article below

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Q: If you suspect the chemical is on your clothes or body, what should you do?

and remember these words as well, distance Q: What steps should I take and time. The less time if a radiological dirty you are exposed the better bomb goes off in the area? you are off. The more distance you have between you and the area affected is diological dirty bomb goes off in the area? very good in making sure you are A: There are four simple protection not harmed by this little dirty word. techniques: Contamination control, Remember this is my way of relievdistance, shielding and time. Coning your terror from losing someone tamination control and distance are you love such as your family. I the most useful techniques in a wanted to make sure you were prebomb situation. pared to fight the terrorist on your Also, remember to help others first. own strength and at the same time Radioactive materials are rarely improtect your family. Since I do a mediately life threatening. The medical column and I, in most cases, worst-case terrorism scenarios inditell you to follow your doctors adcate that there would not be enough vice I want you to think that the disradioactive material to cause immeaster agency in you r area, the podiate harm. Did you ever feel anylice, and the fire department will thing or see an effect from getting an give you instructions on when is it X-ray? In 99.999% of radiation exsafe, what areas are affected and posures, no effect is felt or seen. If I what to do next. went towards the blast area to help Q: What is a radiological dispersion someone, I would not fear the radiadevice? tion. However, I would be cautious A: It is a weapon designed to spread and respectful of the radiation. radioactive material over an area. Therefore, I would use the following Radioactive materials can be spread techniques - no matter if I was esvia a conventional ("dirty") bomb, caping the area, trapped in the area, an aerosol device or through wateror going in to help. ways. Contamination control: Keep the Q: What is the biggest concern from radioactive chemical off and out of a radiological dispersion device? your body. Button up clothing and A: Two things: the irrational fear it wear a mask (or anything to cover can induce and the expense of nose and mouth.) A radioactive macleanup. The possibility of the radiaterial is always a chemical, which tion actually hurting anyone is quite behaves like the chemical wants to small. We fear what we do not unbehave. The distance technique is derstand, sometimes irrationally. the best protector in a dirty bomb The concepts of radiation are poorly scenario. If I need to be near the taught in high school, and the only source, or if I am downwind of the other radiation information we get blast, I will first practice contaminahas been sensationalized by Hollytion control. If I suspect that I swalwood, politicians, and those looking lowed or inhaled the chemical, but to make a buck off of our lack of do not feel ill, I would later seek education. You can beat the fear by professional help. Radiation effects learning how radiation works and take a long time to show up, and I how to manage it safely (protection wouldn't want to add to the congestechniques). Fear and panic kill peotion at the hospital. However, there ple, as any good Marine knows. Racould be a nasty chemical associated dioactive materials are chemicals. with a radioactive bomb, so if I felt Sometimes it is easy to clean them even slightly ill, I would seek mediup, sometimes hard. For example, cal help in a hurry. cleaning oil off concrete is hard, but Distance: In even the worst bomb picking up chunks of metal is easy. scenario, you would be safe from the Fortunately, it only takes a radiation radiation if you get just a couple detector to find the radioactive material, so it is easier to find and clean blocks away and get upwind of potential airborne material. Think of it up than a non-radioactive chemical. as standing next to a campfire - get Likely, the biggest problem will be too close and it could burn you, but economic disruption while cleanup if far enough away, you do not get takes place. Radiation dispersion any heat. Exactly like a campfire, devices are really disruption, not destruction, weapons. you do not want to be in the smoke Q: How will I know if something is so get upwind. The most likely raa radioactive device/bomb? dioactive material in a dirty bomb A: You won't know until someone would be cobalt or Cesium. If the checks and announces it. Most poterrorist could somehow manage to lice and fire vehicles carry radiation get 10,000 Curies in the bomb, you detectors these days and the anonly need to be about 300 yards nouncement is likely to be made (three football fields) away to be quickly. If a bomb went off, I would safe from the radiation. If you are presume the worst and start practicnot down-wind or near the dispering the protection techniques listed sion area, you are safe. Do not "head below. The techniques are also apfor the hills". Leave the roadways plicable, to a certain extent, if there open so emergency responders can is a chemical or biological agent; get through. however, there are a few important Shielding: Anything acts as a shield differences. For example: if you - a building, a car, a hill, et cetera. suspect a chemical agent, do not Your major concern is gamma radiaseek shelter in a low space (like a tion. Imagine the gamma as a radio basement). Most chemicals are heavwave. When don't you get a radio ier than air and will settle in low signal? When you are in the middle spaces. of a building, in a basement, behind (Continued on page 11) Q: What steps should I take if a ra-

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Page 11

Volume 5, Issue 16

DISASTER UPDATE

Doctors for Disaster Preparedness (Continued from page 10)

a hill, et cetera. Whatever shielding decreases a radio signal will decrease gamma rays. I handled 12 million curies of Cesium (a 1000 times more than a possible bomb) with a mere 20 feet of water for shielding, and I got no dose! Time: The less you are around the radiation, the less dose you will get. As most people would use distance, and get away in a hurry, they already used the time technique by not hanging around the radiation. Emergency responders may need to use this technique, and all across the US, they are receiving training on how to use it. Q: If you suspect the chemical is on your clothes or body, what should you do? A: First, simply remove the clothing. Take off the clothing, put it somewhere distant, and you will get no exposure from what is on the clothes. A common myth is that if radiation hits someone, they become radioactive. The reality is the radioactive chemical that makes you radioactive, not the radiation, so you want to keep the chemical off yourself. Second, wash or shower. Most radioactive materials are easily washed off. Another common myth is that you need to scrub hard to get radioactive material off you. In actuality, you should wash lightly and frequently. Scrubbing hard can abrade the skin and push the chemical into the body. When I practiced Nuclear Medicine, almost every day I got radioactive material on my index finger. With a light washing, it went away every time. Twenty-five years later, my finger is just fine, and still willing to point a Marine towards the vaccination line (a corpsman's pay back for being called "squidly")! Q: If I am trapped in my house with my children and downwind of the dispersion device, what do I do? A: How do you keep dust and cold air out of your house? Simple - make sure things are shut tight. It's the same with radioactive materials. Stay put and hunker down. The downwind concern is that the radioactive chemical is airborne. Keep the chemical out of your

house and you will be quite safe. Keep doors and windows closed. You might move to the middle of the house or basement, which uses the distance and shielding protection techniques, in case there are levels of radiation nearby. If you must go out, use the time technique and do your task quickly. If the radioactive chemical is heavy, or it is raining, the chemical will not travel far by air, so if you are more than a mile away, there would likely be no problem. In the likely scenarios which use Cobalt or Cesium, they are heavy and do not travel too far in the air. Listen to your radio, as emergency information services should soon tell you if it is safe to go out. Boredom will be your biggest problem. Q: If I am outside and downwind of the blast and cannot move quickly, what do I do? A: Get into the nearest building and do what you would do in your house - keep things shut and move to middle room or basement areas. Get in or stay in your car with windows up and fresh air vents closed. You will keep the chemical out, and the car provides some shielding. If it is hot in the car, reticulating air conditioning is okay to use. If you can move the car, drive a few blocks away. Q: Will my food become radioactive? A: Not if it is sealed or covered. Again, another myth about radiation is that it causes other things to become radioactive. The truth is this only happens if the chemical gets on it. I would keep bottled water and a few canned goods for emergencies, but the way food is packaged these days, the foods in your cupboards/refrigerator will be just fine. For extra measure, you can rinse things off before you open/use them, but most likely this is not necessary if you have kept the house closed up. Q: What should I get to prepare for a dirty bomb? A: Not much. Keep some bottled water on hand and a portable radio. Do not buy a radiation meter. Do not buy special contamination suits. Do not buy gas masks. Only trained professionals should have these things. Untrained

Q: If I am trapped in my house with my children and downwind of the dispersion device, what do I do?

people have been hurt by these things. Can you Q: Will my food imagine the horror and become radioactive? grief of a child suffocating in a gas mask, especially if the radiation was three miles A: Please teach these simple things to away? The simple protection techniques others. As more people learn how easy are all you need. They work. I know. I it is to protect themselves from a radiouse them every day in my work. Use logical dispersion device, our collective your common sense when applying the fear levels decrease. techniques and you, and your children, Learn about radiation, and the fear of it will be very safe. will melt away. As a youngster, I feared Q: What are the odds of a radiological electricity, but I learned it can be handispersion device going off in my area? dled safely. I now respect it, but do not A: Pretty slim. A radiological disperfear it. The same is true of radiation: sion device is unlikely to kill anyone, respect it, but do not fear it. Terrorists unless it is a bomb and the person is in feed on fear. Fear is bondage, knowledge the blast area. Therefore, it is a poor is freedom. "mass destruction" weapon. On the Written by Sean Cononie with other hand, it can disrupt things badly, the help of Sara and Lois particularly if we respond with fear and panic. Although not hard to build a while Sean is recovering from radiological dispersion device, it is difPost Bacterial Meningitis. ficult to carry around the large quantity of radioactive material necessary. Q: What if the radioactive material is put in our water supply? A: Being a The Most important part of any chemical, the radioactive material will disaster is a disaster plan. Make dilute in the water. Without going into sure your complete family knows technical reasons, suffice it to say that that it may be important for them by the time it got to your house, there to stay where they are. If a dirty wouldn't be enough to pose a real risk. Smoking one cigarette probably poses bomb would go off in your commore risk than the amount of radioacmunity it is important to listen to tive material that you could ingest in authorities. It may be safer for this scenario. We ingest naturally occuryou to stay inside and leave your ring radioactive materials every day of children where they are. If they our lives. Likely by the time it got to you, the terrorists' material would be a are at school it may be better for pittance of what you normally, naturally them to stay in doors instead of take in. Another common misconcepyou leaving your house or job tion is that man-made radioactive mateand picking them up exposing rials are different and more dangerous everyone in the family to possithan natural materials. However, there really is no difference. Man-made and ble effects. Schools have safety natural radioactive material effects are plans. It is the most natural thing the same. Our bodies are adapted to in the world for a parent to want handling the effects of low levels of their children with them, but radiation, which we receive every modon't risk your life or their life by ment of our lives. If it is suspected to be in the water supply, and you are conthinking they have to be with you. cerned, use bottled water. I would likely have no fear of showering with the tap water. Q: Any final thoughts?

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The Voice of the Homeless

Page 12

LOCAL NEWS

e want to thank you so much for your prayers and support. God was certainly with us on our trip September 16, 2004. We had several delays because of the hurricanes in the Atlantic our cargo ship did not leave the Miami dock. When the shipment was on the way we followed. We were able to pick up part of the shipment Thursday but the rest would not be unloaded until the next day. We left our capable Haitian helper, Titi, to get the rest of the shipment and we went ahead to prepare the way. We signed a lease for the building. Interviewed and signed contracts with our Professors and met with our 5 member “Local Administration Committee”. Everything went very well. But the rest of the shipment didn’t show up when expected. Titi was having trouble because our boxes were so large and needed to go so far, they wanted a high price, which we didn’t have. Finally at the end of the day, God provided a truck to bring our shipment to the school. (It’s a 2-¼ hour trip on very rough roads difficult in the daytime, worse at night.) God touched that man. They arrived at 8:30pm and we went the final 4 miles to the school building. The next day we began sorting the shipment. Dividing food and clothing among 3 local churches for them to distribute as needed. Set up the sewing machines. Finished up teacher interviews, and had a final meeting with the teachers and the committee. Everyone had a clear understanding of his or her responsibility. We are very confidant we have left the “Adult Education Center” of Gwo Sab in good hands and especially in God’s hands. One of the pastors’s had a prayer of blessing for the school, teachers, community and Hand and Hand. With our work finished we headed back Sunday morning. The pictures below show the devastation we came upon as we approached the river we have to cross to get the plane back to Port au Prince. Rain from TS Jeanne had caused flooding. We didn’t think it was safe to cross and since the planes couldn’t land anyway we looked for a place to stay the night. God provided again at a nearby mission compound where Maricille knew the Pastor. The next day we were able to safely cross the river by boat. Be aware that had our shipment not come late Friday night, it may not have been able to cross the river Saturday. We praise the Lord for preparing every heart involved in this project and for keeping us safe along the way. GOD IS DOING IT! We plan to have a small group visit the center in April

(before hurricane season) God willing, to make sure everything is functioning as planned and find out if anything is needed. If you are interested in being part of seeing with your own eyes the needs of N.W. Haiti, please prayerfully consider being part of one of these visits. We will also begin to investigate other possible projects. We believe a coastal community such as Gwo Sab and Boud Mar should have a thriving fishing industry not the case here. We would like to do some research in this area to see what could be done to improve and expand the resources from the sea. Of course this pursuit would require time and money. At this point in the ministry of Hand and Hand the Bread of Life, Inc. IT IS CRITICAL to bring some new “hands” to the table with a physical presence in the work. Committee’s are needed. Fund Raising. Volunteers to plan and carry out some fund raising activities, and to build awareness and support for our mission and projects. This can be done through a dinner/presentation, private soliciting and grants. Research. Volunteers are needed to research and gather information necessary to carry out future projects. So we can continue to pursue how to best empower the people of N.W. Coastal Haiti. Obtaining data information through Internet and making contacts with other non-profits. Work Teams. Research and development is needed to determine how to best utilize volunteer work teams and how to comfortably accommodate them. A youth outreach rally that would teach and convict the youth of the behavior and morals God expects from young (and old) believers would be a very exciting project. The motto of Hand and Hand is “God is doing it”. Even though this is more of a humanitarian ministry than it is evangelical, it never would have been born had there not been a desire and a calling to serve the Lord by the founders. We truly believe this is God inspired work. If God was not involved, you wouldn’t have been involved and the “Adult Education Center” of Gwo Sab would not have come to a reality. I’m sure of it. Again, I say critical. If you are not lead to volunteer, can you help recruit? Tell everyone you know about us and pray. God will do it. Your financial support is a tremendous big help and we hope you will continue in that way also. We are recognized as a 501c3 organization by the U.S. IRS. We are in the process of developing a brochure to use in

Packages make it to the school and sewing learning center.

With a little time, patience, and supplies. We can change lives.

This same river is used for bathing, playing, and human waste.

spreading awareness and interest in our projects. As soon as that is complete we will send them out to you to distribute. Thanks again for your support and belief in the mission statement of Hand and Hand the Bread of Life. Please continue your prayers and support. GOD IS DOING IT! Amen.

Maricille Phanord, President Charlotte Graf, Director OCTOBER 2004 MEMBERSHIP NEWS LETTER Hand and Hand the Bread of Life, Inc. 1601 W. Mcnab Rd., Pompano Beach, Fl 33069

NEEDED FOR OUR NEXT TRIP TO HAITI, APRIL 2005 • "manual" (not electric) typewriters • computer keyboards • antique treadle sewing machines (not electric) • Outboard boat motors in working condition Contact: Charlotte Graf at 954-942-5013 SHOP ONLINE AT THE HOMELESS VOICE INTERNET MALL go to www.homelessvoicemall.com

Page 13

Volume 5, Issue 16

HOBO JUNGLE ATM Safety (Continued from page 1)

over their money. As most of you know, most Americans are just two paychecks away from homelessness. If you are living on a fixed income, it is very easy to become homeless if robbed at the ATM. So here are some tips that can help prevent you from being robbed and ending up homeless. If you do rent from a nice landlord ask your landlord to take you to the ATM. If you don’t have the opportunity to have someone take you to withdraw your funds, go inside the bank and use the ATM there. Another prevention tip is to make sure that you have two sets of money. For instance if you take a withdraw from a bank and the teller gives you 500.00 in cash you can have what they call “Hold Up Money” to prevent all your money from going to the bad guys. Hide the majority of the money on you personally and place about 40.00 in your purse or wallet. If you get robbed give them the money in your purse or wallet. They will be in a hurry and will not search you for other money. These are some tips but be careful that the bad guy did not see you hide the money. If they insist that you have more money, give it all to them. Do not try to fight. These are only tips and are no way a for sure deal. Here are some tips • Use an ATM that is not on the side of the street in a dark area • Use an ATM that is well lit in a busy area • Do not go to an ATM that does not have a lot of customers • Consider direct deposit and have your landlord paid electronically • Use an ATM that has a visible camera filming all transactions • Consider not going by yourself • Don’t go to the same ATM at the same time • When going to the ATM make sure that someone is not following you from home • Be careful about what you say and whom you say it to or who can hear your conversation in public. For instance don’t tell your friend who may be traveling with you on a bus that you have to cash your social security check. Even a desperate bystander who

AT NO COST TO YOU!!!!!!!! If eligible, We come to you! Motorized/Power Wheelchairs/Scooters/Manual Wheelchairs/Walkers/Electric Beds. We accept: Medicare Primary (No HMO’S) and Primary Private Insurance

may be sitting across the bus who may not have it on his mind to rob you may get a brainstorm to rob you because you may be an easy target. • If you do become a victim of a robbery, the state of Florida has a victims’ compensation law that will allow you to recover some of your funds if you are a victim to a crime. Remember prevention is the key to stay out of our shelter system. So be careful what you do, or if not you may become a member of the homeless population. Written by Sean Cononie with the help of Sara and Lois while Sean is recovering from Post Bacterial Meningitis.

What did the turkey say before it was roasted?

Boy! I'm stuffed!

Shelter Christmas List Dear Santa, We had a lot of hurricanes this year here in Florida, Please send the following: • Batteries all sizes • Solar panel for our solar system • Copy paper • Envelopes big yellow ones and regular white ones for mail; all sizes • Coffee • Garbage bags • Medical bandages • Medical tape • Band aids regular types • Tampons • Bottles of alcohol and peroxide • Paper towels • Toilet paper • Lunch bags • Silverware • Plastic drinking cups • Dinner plates • Pens • Ketchup and mustard • TV’s • Bug bombs and roach motels • BLEACH • Flashlights

•

Generator • Extension cords • Emergency exit light • 200 gallons of white or yellow outdoor paint • Paint sealer • Tylenol • Aspirin • Cough syrup • Throat and flu medicine • Zantacs or Tums • Candy by the box • Lays potato chips in individual bags • Soda • Folding chairs; metal • Light bulbs • Plungers for toilets • Lysol • Combat/Raid bombs • Bug Spray • Roach Hotels • Old computers

To help Santa with our Wish List, please call 954-925-6466 or drop off items at our shelter at 1203 N. Federal Highway

“We Care” Helping Hands Medical Equipment, LLC

Mission Statement:

It is the objective of Helping Hands Medical Equipment, LLC to provide our consumer with quality equipment designed to enhance the quality of life of our customers. Helping Hands Medical Equipment, LLC will comply with all state and federal laws and regulations while providing this service. The needs of our consumer come first. Helping Hands will do everything possible to ensure the needs of the patient are accommodated.

Call Now!!!

We are sure that you will enjoy working with our professional staff.

From Helping Hands Medical Equipment, LLC 4479 North State Rd 7 Lauderdale Lakes, Florida 33319 954-335-1564 (Local) 1-877-667-7088 (Toll Free) 954-335-1569 (Fax#)