Looking forward to more pain

Brianne Boruff sends this Cheer on behalf of herself and husband, Rich:

“My husband and I would like to thank Club Fitness 24 by Powerhouse Gym for the opportunity to regain a healthy lifestyle. We truly enjoy and are appreciative of being a part of the Community Fitness Challenge.

“Everyone – other participants, our team members, Chad, Kim, Carlos and Erin – has been amazing!

“We remember what it feels like to be sore after getting our butts kicked by the trainers at the gym. We love it! 5:30 a.m. doesn’t come easy, but it is worth getting up and feeling great the rest of the day!

“Kudos to the gym staff, and we look forward to another six weeks of pain!”

Celebration serves a lot of chocolate

Jamey Henderson of Samaritan Caregivers and Sherry Otto, Chocolate Celebration chairman, send this Cheer:

“According to current statistics, Americans consume 3 billion pounds of chocolate annually. Thanks to everyone who got started on their share of the national average – 3,400 servings of chocolate – at the recent Chocolate Celebration to benefit Samaritan Caregivers.

“Special thanks to J. Edwards Fine Chocolates, Gourmet Cakes & Unique Gifts, our corporate sponsors who made the event possible. Thanks also to the Kokomo Mall for hosting the event, as well as Haynes International and Duke Energy.

“Congratulations to the winning vendors: People’s Choice – the Windmill Grill with 490 servings of chocolate dipped strawberries, chocolate lined puff pastries with peanut butter or raspberry mousse, berry filled chocolate cups and hand dipped chocolate covered fresh fruit. Critic’s Choice – Indulgence Bakery for baked goods, Boyd’s Fudge for candy and GFS Marketplace for other, and, Best Table Display – Whiskey Creek Woodfire Grill. For a complete list of all the winners, check out our Web site, www.samaritancaregivers.org.

“We are most grateful to all our chocolate vendors: Banner Flower House Cardova Chocolates, Big Ben Coffee, Book Nook Bistro, Coffee Junkiez, Cracker Barrel, Create-A-Cake, Daisy’s Sip N Dip, Glass Canopy Cafe, Golden Living/Sycamore Village, Half Moon Restaurant & Brewery, Howard Regional Health System, Jefferson Manor, Marsh Supermarkets, North Woods Commons and North Woods Village, Olde Oak Door/Meal Thyme Solutions, Pastariffic Italian Restaurant, Primrose Retirement Community, Rainbow Christian Camp, Rozzi’s Catering, St. Joseph Hospital, Sheila’s Custom Catering, The Sunspot Natural Market, Sweet Poppin’s, Waterford Place Health Campus, Windsor Estates and Xocai.

“Our sincere appreciation to the following businesses: Coca-Cola Bottling Co., North Woods Commons and North Woods Village, The Belfry Bed and Breakfast/Book Nook Bistro, Sam’s Club, Red Lobster, Grace United Methodist Church – United Methodist Women, Joy Christian Bookstore, Horoho Printing, Howard Regional Health System and St. Joseph Hospital.

“This event was a great success thanks to the enthusiasm and work of our dedicated volunteers. We appreciate your hard work and effort.”

Kindness sparks workout

Ronald L. Schafer of Kokomo sends this Cheer for the YMCA:

“As a longtime YMCA member, I would like to thank the Y board and staff for their continual improvement in work ethic and pleasant social demeanor. A smile and kind remark help my workout to be even more successful.

“I always look forward to my return visit!”

Walk raises $74,921 for shelter

Van C. Taylor of the Kokomo Rescue Mission sends this Cheer:

“On Saturday morning, Feb. 13, as we counted the money raised by Walk a Mile in My Shoes, the picture emerged bit by bit. We saw the clear evidence that people were extremely generous this year. By noon we knew for sure. $74,921 had been raised to benefit Open Arms, Kokomo Rescue Mission’s shelter for homeless women and children.

“Let me attempt to thank those who worked so hard to make the event successful. Thank you to our corporate sponsors. Thank you to every individual who supported a walker. Thank you to the 800 walkers, young and old ... from a baby zipped into a protected stroller and elementary school students to the senior adults who may have walked a bit slower than others. Thank you to the team captains who took the initiative and formed a team of family or friends. Thank you to the volunteers who cooked and served breakfast, handed out programs and T-shirts, checked the teams in and counted the money, stood on street corners to make sure everyone walked safely, cleared sidewalks and spread salt, took team photos, served coffee and hot chocolate in the tent at Open Arms, and those who did a hundred other jobs behind the scenes that made the walk a fun and exciting event!

“On behalf of all the women and children who find themselves living at Open Arms, thank you to the entire community for your support. You are the fuel to the engine that helps ignite hope in women and children who feel that no one cares. Homelessness knows no season. The statistics are staggering in this economy where numerous families are finding it difficult to pay the bills and many are only one paycheck away from being homeless. At Open Arms, we served 62 percent more single women and 25 percent more families in 2009 than in 2008. That gives you some idea of the need that exists.

“Thank you so much once again to everyone who helped raise money and walked a mile to help the most vulnerable people in our community, homeless women and children.”



Thanks for contributing

Howard County Commissioners David Trine, Bill Thompson and Tyler Moore send this Cheer to the Kokomo Tribune:

“Thank you for your donation and service to the first Howard County ‘Can-missioners’ Food Bank Drive, titled ‘Clash of the Cans.’ May your business continue to prosper, and thanks again for the generosity you have given to others!”



Volunteers log 3,911 hours

Kelly Karickhoff of the Howard County Historical Society sends this Cheer:

“On behalf of the Howard County Historical Society, I would like to thank all of our volunteers who shared their time and talent in 2009. It is with their continued support that the historical society is able to fulfill its mission and serve our community through a variety of programs and services.

“This year our volunteers contributed 3,911 volunteer hours, a minimum value of $28,355. The following volunteers contributed more than 100 hours each in 2009: Cindy Morr (459 hours), Jane Kincaid (216), Kellye Longgood (151), Britta Rees (150), Wayne Kincaid (140), John Wilkinson (138.5), Sandy Grant (137.5), Art Ward (116) and Gary Akers (113.5).

“Thanks to everyone who supports the Howard County Historical Society and the preservation of local history. To learn more about volunteer opportunities visit www.howardcountymuseum.org.”