Spreading kindness

Thumbs up to the 18 students in Kimberly Sullivan’s seventh and eighth grade classes at St. John Lutheran School Sauers. Those students have been learning about the negative effects of bullying and recently decided to spread some kindness by sharing what they had learned — with the help of the Grinch — at Seymour-Jackson Elementary School.

Caring communities

Thumbs up to the current, former and future Crothersville FFA chapter and the Crothersville-Vernon Volunteer Fire Department for collecting and distributing nearly 20 tons of food, toiletries and other personal care items along with toys to 101 families during the 31st annual Toy and Food Drive on Saturday.

Thumbs up to everyone who participated in the Jackson County Sertoma Club Christmas Miracle this year. The project uses hundreds of volunteers to wrap presents and helped put together gift boxes kids and families in need. This year, 332 families with a total of 873 kids were signed up to receive gifts. Last year, 298 families with 784 children were helped.

Thumbs up to Brownstown Central Middle School students who spent almost $4,500 to purchase toys to help nearly 90 kids from 27 families have a better Christmas, and another thumbs up to the Brownstown Elementary School students who collected food to distribute to families in need. A related Thumbs up to the Brownstown Christmas Cheer committee who distributes the toys and food each year.

Filling the basket

Thumbs up to the individuals, families, friends, organizations and clubs who gave to the 74th annual Christmas Basket Fund. The fund provides a $50 Jay C Food Stores gift card to those in need in the community each year. This year’s fund had raised more than $11,300 through Christmas Eve. The project is sponsored by American Legion Post 89 in Seymour, The Tribune and JCB.

Longest serving

Thumbs up to John McCoy for the nearly 40 years he spent helping make decisions involving the hospital and shaping the direction of health care in Jackson County and surrounding communities. The Brownstown area resident, who is the longest serving trustee in the 108-year history of Schneck Medical Center, recently retired from the board.