Page 6 - Florida Sentinel 12-23-16 Online Edition

Editorials/Column
FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN
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Social Security
We Are Here To Help You Realize Your Dream
BY DARYL ROSENTHAL Social Security Public Affairs Specialist, Tampa
anuary 16 is Martin
Luther King, Jr. Day — a national holiday and a day of remembrance. Martin Luther King, Jr. dedicated his life to creating and foster- ing equal rights for African Americans, and he died dur- ing his efforts to make his dream a reality.
Many people commemo- rate this holiday by serving their community and giving to others who may be less fortunate. In many ways, this is what Social Security does every day, all year long.
A great way to be of serv- ice to others is to help some- one you know who may need assistance applying for Social Security, Medicare, or Extra Help with Medicare prescrip-
tion drug costs. This is easy to do at www.socialsecurity. gov.
Some people who need these benefits may not be comfortable with computers or may not even know apply- ing online is an option. But now, it’s easier than ever to apply for such benefits from the convenience of a home computer at www.socialsecu- rity.gov.
For example, it’s easy to apply for retirement benefits at www.socialsecurity.gov/ applyonline. It can take as lit- tle as 15 minutes from start to finish. Once the application is electronically submitted, in most cases, there is nothing more to do.
It’s even easier to apply for Medicare, for people who do not plan to begin their So- cial Security retirement pay- ments yet, but who do want Medicare coverage. The ap-
plication takes about 10 min- utes and you can find it at www.socialsecurity.gov/med icareonly.
People who already have Medicare coverage, but who need help meeting prescrip- tion drug costs, can apply for Extra Help online at www.socialsecurity.gov/ex- trahelp.
This holiday, you may want to make a trip to see the Martin Luther King, Jr. Me- morial in Washington D. C. or read or listen to a record- ing of his legendary I Have a Dream speech. You can also make your Martin Luther King Day a day of service to someone who can use your help. Lead them to www.so- cialsecurity. gov. It may be easy for you, but it may help someone you love realize their own dreams.
POSTMASTER: Send Address Change To: Florida Sentinel Bulletin,
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C. Blythe Andrews 1901-1977 (1945)
C. Blythe Andrews, Jr. 1930-2010 (1977)
A Tampa Christmas Story
n editorial staff member overheard this story
and passed it on to us. It had to do with an immi- grant family fresh from the Middle East who somehow found their way to the streets of Tampa. Though the husband and his pregnant young wife (barely having turned 18 years of age) breathed a sigh of relief to be away from war-torn Aleppo, their troubles were far from over.
First of all, neither of them spoke passable English beyond “hello,” “good-bye,” “please and thank you.” Secondly, even though they wore what seemed to be American clothes, it was obvious they were far from American. Social Service representatives helped the couple as much as they could, but the basics of coming to a new land were grueling and unrelenting.
To make matters worse, the young woman, though she had just begun her ninth month of pregnancy, could feel her baby was on its way.
And then the unimaginable happened. For what- ever reasons, the landlord where the couple had been living evicted them. They were homeless, and the Tampa nights were growing cold. After hours of searching, the husband spotted what appeared to be a shed with an open gate.
He peered inside to find discarded boxes, weath- ered tools and rags strewn over a concrete floor. But at least, the shed acted as a wind-break and its warmth was reassuring. So, the two moved in, just in time for the mother to have her baby, a quiet, brown-eyed boy.
Overhearing the commotion and discovering the couple and its newborn child, the owners of the shed fixed food and called EMT paramedics. The couple was grateful, and finally, one of the paramedics asked the immigrant couple what they intended to name the newborn child. With smiles as warm as the sun, the husband (Yusuf) and his wife (Maryam) gazed at each other, then at the infant and said in Arabic, “We shall call him Isa” (which means “Jesus”). So, the story never ends.
modestly priced gift certificates that families would really appreciate: gifts of need for grocery stores, book stores, oil changes, drug stores, gas cards, car washes, dry cleaners, bus passes, haircuts (underwear?) pampers and formula for families with babies, books for older children, or other needs you may identify on your own.
Many family members give homemade gift certificates for such things as 12 hours of free babysitting or respite care for caretakers of elderly parents; overnight “date night” childcare, free home-cooked meals, lawn care, hand car wash, or other gifts that only require time and energy. Those of you, who, of course, cook well can whip up a pie or cake, batch of cookies, breads or candy, fruit baskets, or a home-cooked meal.
Indeed, the best gifts are those that are free. So, consider a handwritten love letter or note to that special someone, a written note to a distant family member or friend, a sincere thank you or “thinking of you” note, listening actively without interrupting or planning your response, giving extra hugs and kisses, a day without complaining, and smiling more.
As the old saying goes, “The best things in life are free.” Besides, remember, “It’s not the price of the gift, but the thought that counts.”
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A NON-BANKRUPT NEW YEAR!
No More ‘Day After Christmas Blues!’
Like many Americans, we hope our readers will not rush out to spend money they don’t have for presents at the last minute. Indeed, there are many gifts we can give each other that will eliminate the “Day After Christmas Blues” you spend wishing you hadn’t spent so much money.
Yes, we know! You don’t want to wake up without beautifully wrapped presents under your Christmas tree (if you can afford a tree). Well, have no fear. Some of our readers shared some very unique gifts they have given over the years when finances were low. So, listen up.
First, if you do have limited funds, consider giving
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