Sen. Bill Purcell, Rep. Garland Pierce and Rep. Doug Yongue are all scheduled to speak at a workshop Sunday on assisting the community in difficult times.

The meeting is sponsored by the Know Your Neighbor committee, which was formed after founder Ray Fidler of Laurinburg heard a speech last March by then-Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.

"I realized after hearing Obama's speech about racial unity and understanding that I didn't have any African-American friends," Fidler said. "I didn't know their hopes and dreams, and none of them knew mine."

Fidler decided to do something to address what he perceived as a lack of communication between black and white in Scotland County, and with Jan Schmidt of Laurinburg founded the Know Your Neighbor committee in August, 2008.

The group's initial meetings explored the sometimes uncomfortable subject of racial relations, with members sharing their first encounters with prejudice.

"Overall, the committee members have had a good time with each other," Fidler said. "It has been a very positive and helpful experience."

The group's focus has moved beyond just race, Fidler said, to encompass many of the common problems that effect us all such as job loss, credit problems, and other issues caused by the economic crisis.

"Scotland County's unemployment rate is the highest in the state," Fidler said. "The committee believes that together we can help each other in ways that do not lend themselves to government action. We are confident that there are good ideas waiting to be identified and put into play."

With that intention in mind, the committee will sponsor a community-wide meeting titled "Helping Each Other in Hard Times", to be held March 1 from 2:30 to 4 p.m. at the Laurinburg Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall. Fidler credits Schmidt with initiating the idea for the workshop.

"We plan this to be a brainstorming session in which we discuss how people can help each other," Schmidt said. "For example, perhaps someone who is presently unemployed, but has vegetable gardening skills, could assist someone with a family garden who is elderly and is unable to do it for themselves. Then both could enjoy fresh vegetables."

Fidler agreed.

"There are many good ideas waiting to be acted upon," he said.

Those in attendance at Sunday's meeting will vote on the four or five best ideas the group comes up with, according to Fidler. Following the public meeting the committee will decide how to best put those ideas into effect.

"The question we are asking is what can we do to assist each other during this difficult economic period and to get to know each other in the process," Schmidt said. "We want to combine people's time and talents in a positive way."

Fidler stressed the tangible benefits that will result from the workshop.

"We are determined that this will not be simply a 'talk' meeting," Fidler said, "but will be one of action."

Everyone is invited to attend the workshop. For further information, contact Ray Fidler at 276-8571.