Like many expectant parents, Hannah Harrell’s mother and father likely prayed for their baby’s health. Yet the 9-year-old was born with a medical condition her mother, Elisa, says is too unpleasant to discuss.
Hannah’s situation has required many trips to the Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis for painful tests. The family refers to the girl’s physician as the “yucky doctor.”
Lead-ups to such visits understandably caused Hannah fear. But the girl’s mother discovered a purposeful distraction.
On trips to Riley, Hannah began bringing baggies of pop tabs to donate to the Ronald McDonald House of Indiana.
In 1995, the Ronald McDonald House began accepting pop tabs and recycling them for profit. Last year, it collected 108 million pop tabs and raised $78,000.
A while ago, on an errand for pop tabs at Mac’s Market on Webster Street, Elisa Harrell ran in to Jerry Paul, who was doing the same through Veterans for a Better Community. Hannah and the veterans group eventually teamed up.
Between them, they have collected 1.2 million pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald House.
Like many parents, Hannah’s mother and father likely pray their daughter will be compassionate, empathetic and generous of spirit – that she will help improve the lives of others.
Their prayers have been answered.
Opinion
The spirit of giving
- Opinion
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White shouldn’t return to office
The issue: The conviction of Indiana’s secretary of state.
Our view: Charlie White’s ouster from office should be permanent.
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Editorial - Feb. 8, 2012: Grand success for Indianapolis
The issue: The Super Bowl.
Our view: Indianapolis left a great impression on thousands of visitors.
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Letters to the Editor: Feb. 8, 2012
As Hoosiers celebrate the conclusion of a truly remarkable Super Bowl experience, there is even more good news that should fill us with pride. More Indiana students are graduating from high school than ever before.
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Which religions will we include?
The Indiana Senate last week approved a bill that would allow public schools to teach creationism, as long as they include theories from multiple religions.
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If you say so
In an opinion piece we published Thursday, state Rep. Mike Karickhoff announced why he voted against “right-to-work” legislation. His reason: The community told him to.
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Cheers and jeers - Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012
Karickhoff acted ‘cowardly’
The Rev. Robin Wentworth Mayer and Horst G. Mayer of Kokomo send the Jeer for state Rep. Mike Karickhoff’s silence during the “right-to-work” debate:
“Mr. Karickhoff, for someone who’s new to office, you’ve certainly learned the art of talking out of both sides of your mouth.
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Let’s drug test our lawmakers
Perhaps it’s appropriate that a measure passed by the Indiana House this week would ask not only welfare recipients but Indiana lawmakers to consent to a drug test.
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Editorial - Feb. 2, 2012: Peru delivers a message
The issue: Peru’s collection of $20,000 last year from property owners who failed to keep their yards mowed.
Our view: Aggressive enforcement can help a city’s finances, but the benefits go beyond dollars and cents.
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Karickhoff: Reason behind my ‘right-to-work’ vote
There is no doubt the “right-to-work” debate has brought mixed emotions, not only to our state but District 30 as well. There were only a handful of House Republicans who did not vote in support of this legislation. Let me explain why I felt it was necessary for me to vote in opposition to right to work.
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Heinig: ‘Right-to-work’ law to arouse continued resistance
I wouldn’t call Gov. Mitch Daniels a charismatic leader, but he does possess some leadership skills. If he didn’t, he couldn’t have brought us this far along the happy trail to his economic Valhalla.
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White shouldn’t return to office
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