Spreading Christmas cheer
Thumbs up to the members of Girl Scout Troop 1239, who recently donated the extra nut and candy tins and boxes they received to the Boys and Girls Club of Seymour, Girls Inc. of Jackson County and Seymour Department of Public Works. They also deserve a thumbs up for donating more than 200 toothbrushes to Mental Health America of Jackson County to give to clients as part of the Christmas Gift Lift project; supporting The Sunflower Studio’s Mammy and Pappy program that provided Christmas gift bags to nursing home residents and staff members; and singing Christmas carols virtually for residents of Lutheran Community Home in Seymour.
Thumbs to everyone involved with Brownstown Christmas Cheer. The effort involved students at the elementary, middle and high schools who helped by providing 6,000 cans of food and other food items and more than 400 toys and by helping put more than 200 cheer baskets together. Fruit baskets for those who have lost a loved one in the past year or were confined to their homes due to the threat of COVID-19 or for other reasons also were prepared and delivered.
Stronger Together
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Thumbs up to the 25 members of Girl Scout Troop 135 in Seymour, who came up with a visual way to thank the doctors, nurses and other staff at Schneck Medical Center in Seymour for spending time away from their families and helping those who care for patients with COVID-19. On the grassy lot across the street from the hospital, they placed 100 luminary bags that spelled out “Thank You.” The O was in the shape of a heart and consisted of 42 bags, which represents every life lost to COVID-19 in Jackson County. They also used chalk to draw images and write positive messages on the sidewalks.
Generous givers
Thumbs up to everyone who contributed to the 75th annual Christmas Basket Fund. The generosity of local residents resulted in $16,599 in donations, the third highest amount on record. The 2011 fund raised a record $20,130, and the 2010 fund raised $17,210.
Recognized for service
Thumbs up to Heather VonDielingen, the 4-H youth development educator in Jackson County, who was awarded the Achievement in Service Award at the virtual 4-H Educator Conference on Oct. 21. A related thumbs up to Iveth Vasquez of Seymour, who has been named the recipient of the 2020 Friend of Extension Award for Indiana. Vasquez started the Working for Our Dreams 4-H Club and also serves on the 4-H expansion and review committee and Purdue Extension board and is employed by Purdue Extension Jackson County as a site coordinator for the Juntos 4-H program.