Politics doesn't play in this room

Happy Monday, Citrus County!

Time to grab the parka from the closet, fire up the electric blanket, and line up hot soups for the week. Cuz it’s going to get cold.

Floridians have an arrogance about the winter cold. Sure, we say, it’ll be daytime 50s and a little chilly at night. But we’ll be at 70 again in no time while the rest of the nation freezes.

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Sometimes, though, the forecast is the one Floridians dread the most: Cold that lingers more than a few days.

When it gets cold like this, I can’t help but think of those who struggle in the weather. The homeless. Those in trailers with no or little heat. Folks who can’t afford to crank up the thermostat, so they bundle in layers instead.

For me, the cold is an annoying inconvenience. For many of our neighbors, it’s a cruel reminder of a life they cannot escape.

The BASICS United cold weather shelter (Nature Coast Church, 5113 S. Suncoast Blvd., Homosassa) opens whenever the nighttime temp drops below 40 degrees. Monday and Tuesday nights for sure this week. They are in serious need of volunteers and donations. Here’s how to help.

The cold weather shelter is not restricted to the homeless. Anyone without adequate heat is invited for a warm cot, hot shower, and something to eat.

I’ve often written how the Citrus County community rises up to care for its own. We’ll see it this week, and next, and whatever lurks beyond. That’s just who we are.

Statewide, First Lady Casey DeSantis leads a charity called Hope Florida. You’ve probably heard about it for all the wrong reasons.

Politics can ruin a good thing. Even charity work.

As the saying goes, I was born at night but not last night. I knew exactly what would happen when I posted a photo of the First Lady singing the praises of Hope Florida during Citrus County Legislative Days last week.

Hope Florida’s goal is to help people become self-sustainable, off government assistance, and as taxpaying members of society. It has a variety of ways to accomplish this. I couldn't tell you whether it meets its goals or not, but we heard of some success stories.

Hope Florida is also embroiled in a huge scandal that involves funneling millions of dollars meant to help the needy to clandestine attempts by Casey's husband to derail the marijuana constitutional amendment last year.

It’s an extraordinary unforced error. Here we have a charity led by the governor’s wife to pull people out of poverty — an absolute winner on all sides — and it’s tainted due to power and political arrogance.

Sure enough, read the comments from my Friday post, and it’s almost universal Casey DeSantis bashing. Folks step past the charity work and jump right into the political fray. I totally get it.

Except. You know who doesn’t care one whit about this stuff? The recipients of the help, that’s who. Political fights are useless noise when it’s 25 degrees and there’s no thermostat to crank.

I’ve learned over the years how easy it is to fall into a mode of indifference and convince myself I’m right because the other person/thing/situation is wrong. It’s the logic that says why help Hope Florida when it’s run by political wise guys. 

It really bugs me when politics and self-centeredness overshadow true need. There’s a special dark place for those who abuse the oversight of charities to pad their own coffers or political whims.

Fortunately, we have BASICS United. I was texting with Kristy Jocelyn, who runs the cold weather shelter, on Sunday to ask if there's anything the blog could do to help this week. I also told Kristy she's a community hero, that others follow her lead and folks are helped because of it.

I understand why a scandal would turn people off to a charity like Hope Florida. That's really a shame. For the sake of potential clients, they need to figure that out.

We can't allow any charity's foolish behavior to detract us from doing the right thing for our neighbors. I don’t care if it’s Hope Florida, Citrus Hope, Prosperity Hope, or Rope-a-Dope Hope. Citizens turn to their community for help during a crisis. 

As they should. Regardless of the label, hope always thrives here.

That's it for today. Enjoy the day, friends.

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