I receive The Campbell Reporter each week and enjoy it very much. Now I am writing because of the article in your newspaper about Home Depot (April 6 issue) and the hundreds of day workers begging for work of any kind.

I feel for them as I have experienced being out of work, reaching the point at times when I was willing to do any kind of labor to bring home enough income to feed my family. I am sure I am not alone.

At times, looking for work is a funny feeling. I will never forget not being able to support my family, and those times were many. I was ashamed to go home. These men and boys are good workers and willing to do any kind of work. Just because a few are drunk, don't blame all the others.

There should be a place in town where they can come and register and wait for work on a first-come first-served basis. There are lots of times I need help, and at 82 I can't do a lot of things. I would be willing to give handyman work to someone who appreciates it.

Some of the people that are doing the complaining have probably never been out of work before. So they don't understand why these men come running when a truck or car pulls up and the driver says he's looking for help. These men simply hope to be picked for a day's pay. A work center where they could wait would solve this problem.

Drive by and look at their faces. It is very sad. Put yourself in their place and see how you would feel. Please help them.

Ernie Reda

Latimer Avenue