Toy and food drive

Crothersville FFA for delivering food and toys to 96 families in need during the holidays.

A helping hand

Thumbs-up to everyone in the community who helped brighten Christmas for the less fortunate either by purchasing presents, donating money and food or just by volunteering their time. A little Christmas cheer can make the difference in a person’s life.

Food drive

Thumbs-up to students at Margaret Brown Elementary School for collecting 1,150 food items for Anchor House, a homeless shelter. The food drive shows it’s never too early to learn about giving back to the community.

Thanks to our veterans, their families

Thumbs-up to James Lasher of Brownstown, a full-time non-commissioned officer with the Indiana National Guard, and Spc. Darrell Fisher of Seymour for their recent service with the 1413th Engineer Company, 113th Engineer Battalion, 81st Troop Command, of the Indiana National Guard.

The unit of about 160 soldiers recently returned from Afghanistan after being away for nine months.

A similar thumbs-up goes to the families of Lasher and Fisher and the sacrifices they had to make while their loved ones were overseas.

Less pain at the pump

Thumbs-up to lower gas prices, which mean everyone has a little more money to spend on other things.

New YoJack leader

Thumbs-up to Kathy Nelson for taking on the role of director of YoJack, an organization designed for seventh- and eighth-graders who may become some of the community’s next leaders. The position had been held for more than 10 years by Nita Mousa, who died of cancer in June.

Limiting travel for support

Thumbs-up to Seymour native Jill Christopher, a psychologist who recently opened clinics for people struggling with dyslexia in Seymour, Columbus and Bloomington. In the past, people seeking help for the disorder had to travel to Indianapolis or Louisville for help.

Playing in the road

Thumbs-down to juveniles who find it fun to jump in front of traffic and hit a vehicle. Those people risk not only their own lives but the lives of the motorists as well.

Needle litter

Thumbs-down to those who leave syringes lying along streets and roads. Used needles can especially be a problem if found by a curious young child.