Thanks for your support

Army Pfc. Christopher J. Wright sends this Cheer from Iraq:

“I want to try and get thanks out to all those who support me and the rest of the soldiers fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. They all have helped me get through some tough things already since being here.

“I have a wife and three beautiful kids back at Fort Riley, Kan., who have also been there for me, no matter what the situation.

“I give thanks to all of you that pray for the safe return of friends and loved ones serving in the armed forces. We all appreciate everything you do. I know. I got a card when I first got here from my grandmother’s neighbor, whom I have never met. It was a great feeling knowing that someone whom I had never met was praying for me and my family.

“Thank you to all of my former teachers, coaches and friends who pushed me to be something greater. I thank you for everything – past, present and future.

“I get on the Kokomo Tribune Web site daily to see what’s new going on back home. I just felt that I needed to try and let everyone know and, really, there are a lot of people that have helped me through this. The main person being my brother, Thomas Wright, who is currently in the Indiana National Guard. He’s been here already and has been able to give me advice that no one else in may family could give.”

Residents will enjoy landscaping

Taffy Cooke, operations director at Western School Corp., sends this Cheer:

“The Western School Corp.’s central office staff, along with Miller’s Landscaping, would like to send out a big Cheer to the sponsors who donated money to help them complete a landscaping project at Howard Haven.

“Thanks to the generosity of Davidson Excavating, Martin’s Hardware of Russiaville, Larry Duncan and Associates, Brian Lundin and Associates, Hayes Brothers Inc., and B&B; Engineering, we were able to update and enhance the front entry area of Howard Haven.

“Also, a special thanks to Dave Flynn and Justin McKay for their time and efforts in helping us complete the project.

“We know that next spring the residents of Howard Haven will enjoy their new surroundings!”

Cancer walk raises $12,000

Jim Leslie, director of the American Cancer Society-Mid-Indiana Area Service Center, sends this Cheer:

“On behalf of the American Cancer Society, I would like to thank Kokomo and the surrounding communities for their generosity and support of the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk. Nearly 260 walkers and volunteers participated, and we raised nearly $12,000 to fight breast cancer and provide hope for all people facing this disease.

“Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is a chance to celebrate survivorship. I want to applaud the many survivors who led the way. These women and men are heroes. They are the reason we continue the fight, and they remind us all of a very important message – early detection of breast cancer saves lives.

“A special thanks to all the volunteers who worked to make this event a success. We could not have done it without you. We also appreciate the generosity of this year’s sponsor – St. Joseph Hospital – for its contributions and participation in this year’s walk.”

Businesses are partners

Kathy Esslinger of Coordinated Assistance Ministries sends this Cheer:

“We at CAM serve so many people. It would not be possible to serve them without your help. You give so much and we get to see the gratitude of the people when we help them because of your gifts. This thank you letter is a small way that we can show you how much we appreciate your concern for those in need. The need is growing. There are more and more people who have crossed over into homelessness. Many more who are in need of even small things like hygiene kits. There are more families in need of utility assistance, in need of clothing and household items, cleaning supplies, paper goods and diapers. Not to mention many food items are distributed through CAM, even though we are not a food pantry.

“In this thank you letter, I would like to let you know of a couple of businesses here in town that help CAM and its clients in such an unselfish way. Kroger is a big contributor to CAM. Without their gifts of bread, fresh vegetables and sweet snacks, many who walk through our doors would go without a sweet snack with the coffee that is donated to us to serve every day. They would go without bread in their homes between the times that they can visit food pantries.

“Also, Olive Garden has donated thousands of pounds of prepared, quick frozen food items left over from their sales of wonderful food. Many families who may not have food stamps yet or who have run through their food stamp allotment have benefited by these generous donations worth thousands of dollars.

“We, in our daily lives, take these things for granted. I have a great feeling when I shop at Kroger, knowing that when I shop with them, I am also helping those whom I serve. It is a comfort to me when I eat at Olive Garden that I am contributing to a business that cares about those whom I serve.

“When we all work together, it doesn’t take much to bring a smile to an underprivileged child’s face. When we all work together, it doesn’t take much to bring warmth to someone on a chilly morning. Thank you for working together with CAM to help those in need in our community. Your gifts, no matter how big or small, make it all happen.”