Herrman & Herrman - August 2020
august 2020
www.herrmanandherrman.com • 844.567.6399 1201 3rd St., Corpus Christi, TX 78404 • 4121 N. 23rd St., McAllen, TX 78504 855 E. Harrison st., brownsville, tx 78520 • 8122 Datapoint Dr., Suite 816, San antonio, TX 78229
Be Kind to Humankind
A We e k A l l Abo u t P o s i t i v i t y
When you watch the news or get on social media, it can feel like there is something very important missing. You might ask, where is all the good news, positivity, or kindness? Those stories are there. People do good deeds every single day, but they often get buried under the sensationalized stories. Everything has become about ratings and clicks. In 1988, a group of people got together to break through the bad news of the day. Back then, the news was different — and there was no social media as we know it — but negativity was still what made headlines. In response to this, Be Kind to Humankind Week was established as a way to bring attention to the good in the world. Be Kind to Humankind Week takes place during the last seven days of August. This year, it begins on Tuesday, Aug. 25 and ends the following Monday, the 31st. Each day of the week focuses on something different, like Touch a Heart Tuesday, which is a day to express your love for others. It could be friends, family, or even complete strangers. On Willing to Lend a Hand Wednesday, people are encouraged to do just that — lend a hand. This can take the form of volunteering your time or simply helping a neighbor with a project. On Thoughtful Thursday, why not take some time to see how the people around you are doing? Write a letter or cook a meal for someone. Be there for someone who might need a shoulder to lean on. Forgive Your Foe Friday is a day of forgiveness. You might not necessarily have a “foe,” but you may be angry with someone or feel someone has wronged you in some way. This is a day to practice forgiving and letting go of that anger. This can often be hard to do, but it’s a remarkable feeling when you let go of anger or hurt that you’re holding on to.
Saturday is Speak Kind Words Saturday, so it is a good day to compliment others. Or, even better, tell people how much they mean to you. Keep your words positive and be a positive influence! Sunday’s Sacrifice Our Wants For Others’ Needs is a day to practice putting the needs of others ahead of your own. This can look many different ways, such as
donating money to your favorite cause or offering to do yardwork for an elderly neighbor. Really, it’s just about doing good things for others.
The last day, Motorist Consideration Monday, is an interesting one and actually relates to topics you’ve read about in this newsletter. This falls on Aug. 31, and it’s a day about putting your feelings on the road aside. We all know how frustrating commuting to or from work, running errands, or anything else that puts us in traffic can feel. This day is about saying, “You know what, none of these negative things on the road matter!” You’ll get there when you get there. There’s no point in fighting aggressive drivers or trying to get to the next stoplight as fast as possible. This day is about driving safely and peacefully. While we should always practice all of these things in our daily lives, Be Kind to Humankind Week serves as a reminder that there is good in the world and we can be a part of it. At Herrman & Herrman, we are big believers in that. In fact, right now, we’re giving out face masks to anyone who wants them. It’s a small way to give back, but it’s something that can have a big impact. To learn more about our face mask initiative, visit our Facebook page at Facebook.com/herrmanandherrmanpllc for updates. And remember, stay safe — and be kind!
-Greg Herrman
1
www.herrmanandherrman.com
Are Your Thrift Store Donations Being Thrown Away?
Are you thinking about donating your kids’ old clothes or that slow cooker you haven’t used in months? Though donating your unwanted items is a great thing to do, amid the pandemic, many people have not considered the future of secondhand shopping and charity- based thrift stores like Goodwill. In 2018, Goodwill funded nearly $5.3 billion in charitable services, like educational assistance, job training, and work placements. But now, Goodwill and similar organizations are facing a unique problem: They’re receiving too many donations. To prevent your items from ending up in a landfill, consider the following before you donate.
sold in their stores. Instead, it’s sent to discount outlets and then into global markets. However, Mexican traders,
who account for 30% of business at thrift stores close to the U.S. southern border, and Kenya, the world’s largest buyer of unsold
secondhand clothes, have stopped buying during the economic shutdown.
Meanwhile, some good- intentioned Americans are leaving their goods outside thrift stores’ front doors, not realizing that without enough space to house the excess donations, many of these thrift stores will have to pay disposal fees, costing the business potential
Under the circumstances, this situation is understandable. Thanks to nationwide stay-at-home orders, many took advantage of their newfound spare time to spring-clean and subsequently donate unwanted items to charity. However, with the confusion about how long the COVID-19 virus can live on clothing, secondhand shoppers have been staying home, worried about the health risks of buying used goods.
revenue and sending your items into local landfills.
However, Goodwill still wants your donations! You just might have to hold on to your items for a little bit. Check to see if your local thrift stores are open for donations. Many recommend waiting until the influx slows down, but others have expanded their inventory storage and are ready to keep up. Just make sure to follow their guidelines on acceptable items because any broken or worn items only add to their costs. Happy donating!
Famously, thrift stores still keep unsold goods out of landfills. Up to 75% of Goodwill’s merchandise, for example, isn’t
“Thank you for your great service! APPRECIATE all you did for me. Eddie Mejia was great, always very helpful. Alyssa also was awesome. And attorney Christian was very knowledgeable and helpful. Would recommend and use you all any time. Thank you all very much.” –Naomi T. “Herrman & Herrman is such a great law firm! Thanks to Kathleen! She made everything easy and answered all questions I had! Will definitely recommend their law firm!” –Rochelle Elizondo
Testimonials
Don’t just take our word for it
2
844.567.6399
What Are Your Legal Options if You Get COVID-19?
With COVID-19 rates increasing, the nation seems to be struggling with how to address the disease. While there are deep concerns regarding the spread of COVID-19, individuals also need to be aware of the legal options available to them. Right to Quality Health Care Access to quality health care is a right that cannot be taken away from you either by a person or poor health care infrastructure. Being denied access to quality health care when infected with COVID-19 is a violation of this right. If this happens, you have the option to sue to gain access to health care or the option to seek damages if your right to health care is breached and you suffer damages.
you amounts to a breach of duty of care on their part. You can institute a legal action claiming damages for any outcome that may result from such breach, provided you reported the symptoms to the appropriate authority. Professional Negligence Doctors and other health professionals should exhibit the highest standard of professionalism when treating a person diagnosed with COVID-19. If a doctor or health official’s negligence results in complications for a patient, that person becomes liable for the tort of negligence and damages can be claimed. Surgical Consent If you become infected with COVID-19, your consent is necessary when it comes to any surgery. Should a person, such as an infant, be incapable of giving consent, their parents’ or guardian’s consent is needed. If you are infected with COVID-19 and a health care professional conducts an operation on you without your consent that results in further complications, the health officials are liable and you can sue to claim damages. Even during a pandemic, there are still several legal options available to you should you get COVID-19. Do what you can to stay safe, but know that having COVID-19 doesn’t strip you of your legal rights as a person.
Breach of Duty of Care
Everyone who exhibits symptoms of COVID-19 is entitled to be tested and, if confirmed to have the disease, well treated. Reporting symptoms (such as high fever, coughing, and trouble breathing) to health officials who subsequently do not test
Sudoku
Peach and Arugula Pasta Salad
Nothing says summer like a pasta salad filled with your favorite fresh fruits and vegetables, and this combination is the perfect way to cap off a warm summer day!
INGREDIENTS
* * * * * *
8 oz penne or fusilli pasta
* * * *
3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
2 tbsp olive oil
2 large fresh peaches, diced or sliced 1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced 1 pint heirloom cherry tomatoes, halved
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp sea salt Pepper, to taste 2 tbsp lemon juice
* *
1 cup corn
6 cups arugula, packed
DIRECTIONS
1. In a large pot of boiling water, cook pasta for approximately 9 minutes or until al dente. Drain pasta and place in a separate bowl. 2. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Drizzle the
dressing over the pasta and toss with the feta cheese. 3. Add peaches, red onions, tomatoes, corn, and arugula to the pasta mixture. Lightly toss to mix well. Add more olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to taste.
3
www.herrmanandherrman.com
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
connect with us!
1201 3rd St. Corpus Christi, TX 78404
What Is Be Kind to Humankind Week? Page 1 Are Your Thrift Store Donations Being Thrown Away? Hear What People Are Saying About Us Page 2 What Legal Options Are Available if You Get COVID-19? Peach and Arugula Pasta Salad page 3 Private Wojtek, Heroic Brown Bear of WWII Page 4 Inside This ISSUE
Private Wojtek, Heroic Brown Bear of WWII
Many brave soldiers answered the call to bear arms during WWII, but one Polish artillery supply company took things a step further and armed a bear. That’s right — among the countless animal heroes of WWII was a full-grown brown bear from the mountains of Northern Iran named Wojtek. Wojtek first joined the Polish soldiers as a cub. A young Iranian boy found him after a hunter most likely shot his mother. Then, when a group of Polish prisoners of war, recently released from Soviet gulags to join the Allied forces, passed through the town where the boy and the bear cub lived, they traded some of their rations for the cub and took him with them.
When the soldiers reached the coast of Egypt, where they were to embark by boat to Italy, British soldiers wouldn’t let Wojtek on board because he wasn’t a soldier. So naturally, the Polish soldiers gave Wojtek a service number, and he officially became a private in their company, complete with a rank and a paybook.
Private Wojtek’s moment of fame came when his company fought in the Battle of Monte Cassino. The bear saw his human counterparts carrying crates of artillery shells, and he began
mirroring their actions. Throughout the entire battle, he calmly carried crates of ammo, which
would have required four men to lift, to his comrades. In honor of Wojtek’s service during the battle, the company changed its emblem to an image of a bear carrying an artillery
The soldiers loved the cub and named him Wojtek, which means “happy warrior” in Polish. They nursed him with condensed milk from a vodka bottle and fed him some of their limited rations. Over time, the bear grew to be 6 feet tall and over 400 pounds, but because he had grown up around humans, he was a gentle giant. He learned several mannerisms from his human friends and even took a liking to beer and cigarettes. For the many soldiers who had lost or were separated from their families, Wojtek was a welcome boost to morale.
shell, and Wojtek was promoted to the rank of corporal.
After the war, Wojtek was moved to a zoo in Edinburgh, Scotland, where he lived until he was 21 years old. There is now a bronze statue of Wojtek in Edinburgh’s West Princes Street Gardens, ensuring that this brave bear will not be forgotten.
4
844.567.6399
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs