KHS blood drive wins challenge

Suzy Wells of Kokomo-Center Schools sends this Cheer:

“I am so proud of the overwhelming support we received for Kokomo High School’s Indianapolis Colts Invitational Blood Drive Challenge. When we began organizing the event, we never imagined we would gain so much support.

“I want to extend a huge thank-you to each of you who participated. More than 200 students, nearly 50 Kokomo-Center employees and 30 individuals from the community supported our efforts to donate blood. The blood drive was a beautiful way to bring our community together and prove how much we all care. We managed to make a huge difference with our generosity. We are now a part of a unique, life-saving network of individuals.

“Many of the Indiana Blood Center employees commented that we hosted the busiest blood drive they had ever seen. They were truly impressed by the giving nature of our school and community. We had people who waited up to two hours to donate. Some even waited in the rain. Wow!

“Everyone’s hard work and dedication really paid off. Not only did we make a great impact in our community, we won the challenge! The Indianapolis Colts cheerleaders will attend a KHS basketball game!

“Again, I extend a huge thank-you to each of you who contributed to and showed support for our blood drive. I appreciate each of your contributions. Our Oct. 1 event made me realize how truly wonderful our community is. I am so proud to be a Wildkat!

“Thank you and best wishes.”

Volunteers were the best

John Wiles, director of the Kokomo Downtown Association, sends this Cheer:

“We did not have perfect weather for this year’s Kokomo Downtown Association and Center Township Trustee office’s Oktoberfest on the Courthouse Square Sept. 25, but we were again blessed with a cadre of wonderful volunteers.

“As in past years, a stirring moment at this year’s Oktoberfest was when the Marine Corps League Color Guard presented the Stars and Stripes. New this year was Paige Brandt, Miss Hoosier Valley 2009 from West Lafayette and a senior at Purdue University, leading the audience in singing the National Anthem. Also new were Miss Hoosier Valley 2010 Katie Rayl of Kokomo, a sophomore at Indiana University, and Miss Hoosier Heartland’s Outstanding Teen Madison Seifert, a sophomore at DeKalb High School, assisting in the children’s dances.

“Leading the many volunteers who made Oktoberfest possible were Oktoberfest Chair Kim LaFollette of Community First Bank; Sherry Matlock of the Kokomo/Howard County Visitors Bureau; Center Township Trustee Jean Lushin, members of his staff and volunteers in the cooking tent; volunteers representing the Small Business Development Center, Boruff Auto Sales, IU Kokomo, Wyman Group, City of Kokomo, Community Foundation of Howard County, Z92Five/WIOU, National City/PNC, Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance, KeyBank, Ameriprise Financial and Security Federal Savings Bank; and Garry McNew, who organized the highly successful Volkswagen Cruise-In. The cruise-in brought visitors as far away as Canada to our fair city.

“A special thanks goes to the Sheriff’s Inmate Crew, who helped set up and tear down the tents, tables and chairs; and to Gary Rhum of the Rhum Academy of Music in downtown Kokomo for providing music during lunch.

“Jay Fox and The Bavarian Showtime Band from Fort Wayne provided German music at night, and students from six Kokomo schools participated in the City of Kokomo snowplow painting contest. Mayor Greg Goodnight presented the first-place award to Sycamore School during the festival.

“Oktoberfest contributing sponsors included Kokomo Arts Commission, Rhum Academy of Music, Signs Express, Huston Electric, Waste Management, Z92Five and WIOU, and Wel-Don Pots.

“Planning already has started for next year’s Oktoberfest, so mark your calendars for Sept. 24, 2010. Oktoberfest is a fun-filled family event that you will not want to miss.

“The KDA is a division of the Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance.”

Mission Auction draws hundreds

Don Winger sends this Cheer on behalf of Kokomo Zion United Methodist Church:

“We thank everyone who supported our Mission Auction on Sept. 12. There were 171 consignors, 845 registered buyers and an known number of people who donated items to sell.

“A special thank-you to the nine auctioneers who contributed their time, Wel-Don Pots for donating the Port-A-Pots and Wabash Valley Refuse for contributing a roll-off Dumpster.

“The church pays all advertising and miscellaneous expenses. All proceeds earned are donated to mission ministries. Forty percent of the proceeds goes to the Kokomo Rescue Mission and $2,000 to Howard Regional Health System’s CPE program.”

Eatery offers ‘hometown hospitality’

Karon Lancaster sends this Cheer:

“I would like to send this Cheer to our own local Waffle House restaurant.

“I locked my keys in the car and was not able to find anyone to take me to get my other set of keys. My mother was with me, and we needed to depart company. So as we sought to find a way to get either her car or a ride for me, one of the staff members, Mary, offered to take my mother to her car and bring her back to the restaurant. She took time off the clock from her job to do this, and they were back by the time our dinners were served!

“Thank you, Mary and the Waffle House crew, for your hometown hospitality!”