Guest View

My husband and I recently spent a month in Rwanda, visiting his parents who have been Baptist missionaries there for 35 years. For my husband it was a trip home, a chance to be in familiar places, to be known, and to exhale. For me it was a chance to know my husband better by experiencing where he grew up, to be on vacation for a month, to spend the holidays with my in-laws as our gracious hosts, and to explore a new country.

To get a warm and fuzzy feeling this holiday season, consider donating to a local animal care organization such as wildlife rehabilitation, pet shelter, and animal rescue group, who are always in need of that extra helping of generosity.Giving to a local organization enhances your community and produces immediate and visible results. Many of these organizations, including the Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center, are supported solely by donations from individuals and companies. A donation to your favorite animal charity can make a heart warming, deeply appreciated gift and gives the giver a feeling of goodwill (and a tax deduction, too).A word of warning:  Beware of fly-by-night “charities.”  Check out an organization before sending off a check. If you’re not familiar with the organization, ask for the phone number and address. Call to see if they’re reputable or have them send you more information. The organization should have a 501(c)(3) tax exemption number. It’s your hard earned money—don’t hesitate to ask questions regarding where that money goes.W.E.R.C. wishes to thank all in our community who have generously donated throughout the year to help us help the helpless, injured and orphaned native wildlife that would not have survived on their own.Sue Howell is the Executive Director of the Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center in Morgan Hill.

Young women around the world are beginning to find their voice, whether it be through the fight for gun regulation like Emma Gonzalez, environmental change like Greta Thunberg, more diversity in the media like Yara Shahidi or global education like Malala Yousafzai.

This guest view is part of a periodic series of opinion pieces on tips to prepare for wildfire season, which started May 1 in Santa Clara County.As our children enjoy the end of the school year and our open spaces transition into their seasonal amber waves, we encourage you to teach your children about fire safety. Curiosity is a vital part of a healthy childhood and children are naturally curious about fire. Last year, thousands of children “played” with matches. Only, they didn’t learn anything…Fire is the leading cause of death in the home for young children in the U.S. Tragically, one third of the children who died in home fires last year set the fires that killed them. Burns are also a major cause of accidental death for young children in our country, many of whom are burned when playing with matches or lighters.What’s most tragic about these deaths is that almost all of them could have been prevented. Teach your children about fire so that they, and you, don’t get burned.Teaching Your Child About Fire: ‘What is fire?’Fire is a strong natural force, like wind, water or electrical power, which produces heat. Like all energy sources, fire is a tool we use in our everyday lives: cooking food, heating homes, powering cars, and lighting candles are just a few examples of ways we use fire as a tool.Fire can be extremely dangerous, because the heat it produces can quickly get out of control if not handled properly. Because of this danger to people and property, only adults should use fire.Fire is useful, but it is not magic. It is powerful, but it is practical when used wisely. It is a fascinating process, but it’s also a part of everyday life. Fire is not a toy, and young children should never be allowed to use it like one.How do I know that my child is curious about fire?He may ask you questions, or he may stare at the fire, or point to or try to touch matches and lighters, or he may run to the window when fire trucks race by. But why wait for signs? Whenever you use fire, teach your child about it.What if my child has already begun experimenting with fire?Calmly, but firmly, explain that this is not an acceptable way to learn about fire. Explain—but do not overemphasize—the seriousness and danger of playing with fire and immediately begin teaching your child about the safe way to learn about fire. Someone said that if I burn his fingertips he’d learn the dangers…This is simply incorrect. It’s also child abuse. Burning your child will only injure him or her. It will not teach him or her anything positive about fire. It may even give him the dangerous idea to use fire in anger.Fire Marshal Dwight Good serves the Morgan Hill Fire Department and South Santa Clara County Fire Protection District and the CalFire Santa Clara Unit. He has 24 years of fire service experience. He can be contacted at [email protected].