Clarification on Lunch Ticket Prices

Let me clarify a few things on this matter.

First of all, I NEVER attempted to put anyone down for these reduced or free tickets. No one would receive these benefits if it were not for written proof that that particular family were living at what is considered to be at poverty levels. My family and I are very fortunate that our jobs allow us to make enough money to put us above those monetary levels. We definitely would never consider outselves to be "rich" but we are happy that we make as much as we do.

Unfortunately, you and T.G. missed another critical point here. If a man and/or woman are out there working to make their bucks, GREAT! Leoti is not known for jobs that offer outstanding salaries for most of us. What aggravates me is the fact that so many able-bodied and able-minded adults choose to live on welfare, food stamps (VISION Cards), etc. Take a good look in every American state and county. You don't have to look far to find those people who prefer to receive their monthly government checks at the post office and take the rest of the month to sit in front of the TV set. Surely, even you know better than that!!!

As long as you are working and doing your best to make ends meet, I have absolutely NO problem with you and yours taking advantage of various government programs! That is what they are there for!!! I HATE it whenever I hear of people having to go to bed hungry, etc.

I don't know where in the world you got the idea that our kids go anywhere in dirty or smelly clothes!!! Perhaps if you'll send me your name, I assume that it really is not Anonymous... We can have a one-on-one talk. Maybe you'd like to come over and visit about it.

I NEVER maintained that we live in the wealthiest corner of Leoti. Guess what! I'm proud of where we live. We have a house that we receive a great deals of compliments on frequently. Since you appear to know soooo very much about my family and I, I assume that I do not need to go into any more detail with you on this. I'll just mention it for the people who do not know us as well. This piece of land that we live on has been in the Elder family since 1973 or 1974 when my father purchased it from a mutual friend through construction work that he did for her. We bought our house in 1998. We've lived here ever since then. Our neighbors are good people. Most of them work for everything they have ever had. That is all that matters to us!!!

Our children are well-thought of in the community. They make excellent grades and are good to everyone.

As far as the Christmas Children are concerned, this is something that we offer to kids of parents who are struggling financially. People from Wichita County and in other parts of the world band together to help them out. I don't owe you ANY explantation for that!!! I am happy with the help that we have given and will continue to give in the future. I take GREAT dismay at the fact that you accuse me of not using the funds for the Christmas kids!!! I guess that you are not following me when I spend HOURS walking around Wal-Mart selecting gifts for all of the kids! I get sizes of the kids who we will be helping beforehand. My daughters always go with his so that they can help me choose what kids who fit clothes that size will enjoy. (I have always told you that when it comes to personal fashion, I have NO sense in that!) My expertise involves fashion trends, etc for homes.

The majority of the Christmas Children supporters purchase the gifts for each child they are going to help, wrap them and either bring them to my house or request that we pick them up at their house. After that, the gifts are taken directly to the recipients' homes.

Another thing. My parents raised us wonderfully. We were never wealthy in monetary circumstances. We were extremely wealthy in the love and support that they surrounded us with!!! That is what truly mattered! In return, that is what we strive to give to our own children. My parents always helped the underdogs. I am extrmely proud of them for all they have done for us as well as other people who were down-on-their-luck.

Sincerely,

Lynn Elder-Blau