To the Editor:

Kudos to Smoky Mountain News Staff Writer Cory Vaillancourt on his story, “Homeless in Haywood for the Holidays.” Cory came out of his comfort zone to see what it was like to live on the “fringe.”

As the wife of a pastor and member of one of Haywood’s many churches, it warms my heart to hear that Cory had meals to eat and a bed to sleep in. I especially appreciated Cory’s observation, “Aside from some very small grants given to some of these organizations by some municipalities, the entire time I was out there the vast majority of the assistance that kept me alive came directly from the hearts and homes of Haywood County churchgoers.”

I have lived in Haywood County for the past 10 years, having lived in many other places prior to that. I became involved in and volunteered for several projects for the needy and homeless, mainly through churches I have been a member of. I honestly don’t know how our community organizations would survive if not for the generous donations of time, food and money from so many of our local churches. Haywood County residents and church members are a special kind of people — warm, caring, generous. I wouldn’t live anywhere else.

It is very hard to put yourself in the shoes of a person who has no permanent home, or is living on public assistance and just can’t seem to break the cycle. The majority of people in these situations have the biggest hearts and would give you the shirt off their back. If we — just for a day or two, as Cory experienced — would walk in their shoes, we would learn a whole lot and maybe change our attitude and way of thinking when it comes to those who find themselves in a tough situation. I hope Mr. Vaillancourt’s story has opened the eyes of those who look through the homeless and disadvantaged as if they didn’t exist.

Rose Rich

Waynesville