Organizing for Action volunteers speak on behalf of unemployed

Submitted by Karen Thompson

Features Reporter

Janie Wilkins and Scott Snurpus rally support to extend benefits for unemployed.

A small but hearty group of Organizing for Action volunteers braved the cold yesterday at the WorkSource Career Center in Yulee to speak on behalf of the 1.3 million Americans that have lost unemployment benefits . Events were held in more than 30 cities across the nation to draw attention to the need for Congress to act quickly to provide vital support to those who lost their benefits on December 28.

Alina Wolf (far right) joins Scott Snurpus and Janie Wilkes as they support extending benefits for unemployed.

"73,000 Floridians lost their unemployment benefits in December and an additional 3,665 unemployed Floridians will lose benefits each week until Congress acts" according to Scott Snurpus.  Alina Wolff sympathized with the unemployed and said "I put myself in their place." She carried a sign appropriate for the cold day that said "Don't leave Floridians out in the cold.  Extend unemployment."

Janie Wilkins, dressed head-to-toe in red, white and blue said it was an economic and moral issue "This is America.  We are better than this."   While thousands of concerned citizens were out expressing their opinions yesterday, the Senate took a positive first step in advancing the legislation.

Editor's Note: Karen moved to Fernandina Beach two years ago after working in Chicago as a senior public relations specialist for the Midwestern regional office of the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. Prior to that, she was an editor, columnist and writer for a chain of Chicago newspapers , an account executive for several Chicago public relations agencies and proprietor of her own pr/marketing business. She grew up and earned her journalism degree in Wisconsin.

January 8, 2014 11:23 a.m.