Friday, March 29, 2024

Editorial: The benefits of our community insurance system

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Editorial-ImageWe have a very interesting health and crisis insurance system here in San Pedro, which comes in the form of ‘the fund raiser’. Every week the community learns that one of its members is suffering from a debilitating illness or family crisis where they are in desperate need of financial assistance. Friends and family rally the community for help, often holding barbeques, rice and bean dinners, dollar drives, social functions and even raffles and radio-thons to raise the much needed funds. Everyone seems to have a little extra change in their pockets each week to help out, and there’s usually a significant amount of cash raised. Rarely is it enough…but always it’s a huge help nonetheless.
Although this approach to raising money in a time of need works to some extent, it is somewhat depended on who you are. Families who are popular certainly raise more attention, thus more money, while the less known individuals garner less. Regardless of social status the need is the same, and here is where our community ‘insurance’ system lacks effectiveness.
How about we think about it this way? Let’s flip the approach. Chances are the popular families in need are far better off financially than the ones who are little known. The popular families most likely are homeowners, vehicle owners, even property owners. We all have to make sacrifices when faced with a financial dilemma during a desperate time, and better-off families have far more options to use their assets to raise money, rather than the ones who literally live hand-to-mouth. Even though we want to help everyone when needed, why not consider a little extra donation for the one who really has nothing? And sadly, there are many who are truly destitute.
Regardless of how much money is raised when our community rallies to help one of our own, there is one benefit that no insurance policy can offer, and that is knowing that your community DOES CARE and wants to help. This kind of moral support can be the best medicine for an ailing heart, and it’s not always money that mends an ailment. Here is where being a part of the San Pedro community is priceless. When you give that little cash, or a chicken or bake some cupcakes for a sale know that you are a part of a community that cares, and you are giving not only financial but morally, and that can go a long way to someone you is suffering at the time.

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