‘Acts of kindness really do happen’

Joy Marsh of Greentown sends this Cheer for kind new acquaintances:

“On Dec. 27, at about 5 p.m., I grocery-shopped at Meijer and was half way through the checkout. I discovered I had brought no money – no charge cards, no checks, no cash and only my driver’s license.

“I said, ‘Stop! I can’t do this.’ I felt stupid, helpless and was a long way from home.

“The gentleman in line behind me stepped forward and said, ‘Just put it on mine.’

“I protested. He insisted!

“I handed him paper and pen and asked for his name and address. He said, ‘Just pass it on.’

“Yes, generous acts of kindness really do happen right here in Kokomo!

“My great appreciation to DeWayne, the affable and efficient checkout person for his patience while this transpired.

“To the Good Samaritan family: I will pass it on – with interest – and utilize opportunities to ‘Pay It Forward.’

“In the new year, I wish you good fortune, good friends and fellowship, and most of all, good health!”

A thank-you from the MHA

“The Mental Health Association staff and board of directors wish to acknowledge and thank all persons, organizations and volunteers for their assistance in our holiday season of events and programs:

“Center Road Church of Christ for the annual Thanksgiving dinner for our Social Club participants and providing the space, food and entertainment for all. Every year it gets better, and it is so much fun!

“Val Busta at Aunt Millie’s Bakery for her donation every year of rolls and other items. Thanks for remembering.

“Parkview Mennonite Church for sponsoring the yearly Logansport State Hospital Christmas party at their facility and making the consumers comfortable, well fed and gifts of needed items.

“Cub Scout Troop 3511 of Russiaville, Bon Air Nazarene Youth and the Youth Group at the Center Road Church of Christ for decorating our Christmas bags for the 62nd Christmas Gift Lift. Handmade drawings and colors make these bags extra special to the consumers who receive them. Thanks to our youth in the community.

“Ivy Tech Community College for buying and collecting used and new CDs and DVDs to be placed in the Christmas bags. Thanks to Sally Vyain and Laura Hapner for organizing this assistance and to all personnel, students and others for donating to brighten someone’s holiday, especially those who cannot get out.

IU Kokomo’s Carol Garber and her sociology class for raising money, collecting gifts and organizing a pizza party at the Indiana Mentors Walnut Group Home; a part of Mental Health Association Gift Lift Program. The clients were overwhelmed with some items they thought they could never have. A few tears were shed during the opening of these fantastic gifts. Thanks, Carol and the people of the IUK!

“Our Gift Lift wrappers were: MHA Widows Group, Tri Kappa, Wal-Mart employees along with their supervisors, Zeta Tau Alpha alumnae, Eastern Star of the Kokomo Masonic Temple, Joe Breedlove, Kent and Jeanette Land, Marilyn and Wayne Orem, Martha Pickett, Paulette Carson and MHA staff.

“The monetary and material donations were received from: Wal-Mart, Howard Haven, Judson Road Christian Church, Tri Kappa, Early Morning Risers Rotary Group, Chapter J Goldwingers, Kokomo Chapter American Sewing Guild, Dr. Dane Walsmith, Southside Christian Women’s Fellowship, Russiaville Friends Church, First Christian Church, Country Friends Extension Homemakers, Local 292 Hobby Club, Highland Park Church, Half Moon Restaurant, Project Hope from Glenda McManis and Northwestern Middle School with the help of Robyn Whaley.

“Special thanks go to Craig Severns and Coca-Cola for donating drinks to our Social Club Christmas program, with the help of Chapter J Goldwing Riders for providing the sit-down dinner and serving the clients every year with this event. Chapter J always starts the Christmas season with their special food and loving help.

“Sally Duke for singing in her beautiful voice and providing Christmas carols for the clients to sing along. Sally also, with the help of Community First Bank staff and patrons, collects gifts for us over several weeks in the lobby of the Dixon Road branch. Thanks, Sally and all.

“United Way volunteers and staff for addressing Christmas cards for the shut-ins and the donation of chocolate Santas to fill the bags.

“Lin and Janie Ortman for playing Mr. and Mrs. Claus every year for so many years, MHA maybe has lost track. Faithfully they do it well, and many consumers get so excited. Thanks to the Ortmans.

“Second Missionary Baptist Church Lydia Circle Group for ending the holiday in their 30th year by preparing and serving food for MHA’s last social event of 2012.

“Kroger’s (Westside) for donating every week to assist us in serving food at Social Club and feeding those who may not have enough to eat from our food pantry. The employees in the store and the warehouse go out of their way to accommodate our agency and we appreciate Krogers.

“Panera Bread and Dan’s Donuts, who generously give and everyone enjoys these donations.

“Taylor High School Key Club (Jessica Breedlove), Oakbrook Youth Group (Lynn Hale), FBLA Kokomo High School (Vicki Geheb), and Northwestern Student Rotary for volunteering through the school year at Social Club and other projects.

“Tom Barry Sr. and Tom Barry Jr. for coming every month and doing karaoke and making the clients sing and laugh.

“Ruth Naomi Circle of the First Baptist Church for making monthly birthday cakes for the Monday night events.

“Individual donors who bring in items (some homemade), money raised and good cheer to spread through all the programs as well as the Gift Lift.

“David and Sharon Trobaugh (Masonic Temple) who make sure we have the space we need to organize, bag and wrap the 575 full and large gift bags, and taking over the first floor and using all the rooms for mass assembly and all the volunteers that schedule as early as July to help.

“May the new year bring some peace for all in 2013.”