In the last week, I've hired two different, unemployed men to do odd jobs or repairs around my house. One is a friend from church. Another is an old acquaintance. Both have spent their lives in the construction trade -- and now are trying to make ends meet while the economy remains in the toilet. I know that they need money. And I'm glad to help out. Also, at my church, I'm aware of individuals who are barely getting by. It's nice to know that the church can help through direct benevolence giving and our food pantry. I consider myself fortunate, despite the pay freezes & cuts @ furloughs with which my colleagues and I have had to deal over the last decade or so at The Spokesman-Review. All this was brought to mind today when I saw the new unemployment figure for Kootenai County -- 10.8%. That means more than 1 in 10 of my neighbors are jobless. And I'd guess the real number + underemployed are twice that.

Question: Have you hired unemployed friends or acquaintances to do work around your house?