Letters to the Editor

To the Editor:

I am writing this message in hopes the information will spread as far as the Wrangell Sentinel goes. This is a very inexpensive and fairly easy way to help not only those in our country but to the farthest reaches of the world.

Knit for Kids is a nationwide program that unites thousands of volunteer knitters to fight poverty with their knitting needles. With every stitch, together we give hope and warmth to vulnerable children living in poverty or other difficult situations around the globe. The hub of Knit for Kids is the global distribution center in Sewickley, Penn., which delivers every donated hand-knitted item we collect. Once the center receives enough items to fill a pallet for shipping, they are packed and shipped wherever the need is the greatest. Sixty percent of the items World Vision receives are distributed as far away as Armenia, Nicaragua, Swaziland, and Tanzania, while forty percent go to destinations as close as Appalachia, New Orleans, and the Bronx. Sometimes these creations are even shipped to an area that experienced a recent natural disaster. Knit for Kids began in 1996 by Guideposts magazine as a way to send hand-knit or crocheted sweaters to children in need. Thanks to volunteer knitters, over half a million children have received something new for the first time in their lives. As children grow out of their sweaters, they often become cherished hand-me-downs to other children. In 2009, Guideposts magazine turned the Knit for Kids program over to long-time partner World Vision in order to help even more children in need.

The woman’s group of the First Presbyterian Church is challenging themselves and the community to make 200 of these sweaters. The pattern is very simple, crochet or knit, super beginners can make these for a first project. Size is not an issue, gauge is not important, colors have no limits. It is suggested that washable basic yarn is used as it is easier to clean and wears well. The website is http://www.knittheworld.org/. If you have any questions, call Nettie Covalt at 874-2779 or 470-0806. This activity will continue through to the end of the year. We accept donations of yarn, aka un-knit sweaters.

Nettie Covalt

Commissioned Lay Pastor

First Presbyterian Church

To the Editor:

In response to AP&T’s assessment of SEAPA published in the February 21, 2013 edition of the Wrangell Sentinel- the comparison should be that SEAPA has provided $0.068 per kilowatt for ten years and has also provided rebates based on prudent operations. AP&T’s Black Bear Project located at Prince of Wales generates power at approximately $0.075 per kilowatt, which is billed I believe at $0.22 per kilowatt in Thorne Bay, and as far as I know, regardless of profit, AP&T does not provide rebates to its customers.

The physical assets of SEAPA and their value appear more than a little understated, but if you are acting as a used car salesman you need to get the customer in the door somehow, I think we all need to read the fine print.

I truly believe that what is good for SEAPA is good for the three communities. SEAPA and its three member communities are an example throughout the State of success in the energy business. It seems that when a certain level of success is attained there are those that do not understand the dynamics of achieving that success; and/or those that are envious, or in competition, who will attempt to discredit them- just ask Bill Gates and Microsoft.

I am a board member of SEAPA but more importantly, I am a husband, father, and grandfather, and a life-long native of Ketchikan trying to secure the future of our communities. No special interest; no financial interest; just being involved. Any and all opinions expressed here are personal and do not reflect any official opinions of anyone but me.

Bob Siversten

Ketchikan