Seymour High School students watch as Indiana University Riley Dance Marathon representatives demonstrate the line dance during the Riley Dance Marathon on Nov. 20.

Zach Spicer | The Tribune

Feeding a need

Thumbs up to the congregations of New Life Missionary Baptist Church in Brownstown and Community Church of Brownstown and the volunteers who joined them as they delivered and served 726 meals to those in need throughout the county Nov. 24. A related thumbs up to members of The Alley for providing Thanksgiving meals on Thanksgiving Day to those in need. Both projects took plenty of people willing to give of their time and donations from individuals, churches, businesses and others.

Reaching a milestone

Thumbs up to everyone who recently participated in the Seymour High School Riley Dance Marathon. By raising $21,074.80 this year, the total raised by students at the school since the marathon was first held seven years ago now stands at $109,552.19. Known as one of the nation’s top-ranked children’s hospitals, Riley provides care across every pediatric specialty known to medicine, and physicians also deliver complex and acute care beyond its flagship location in downtown Indianapolis, according to rileychildrens.org.

Enduring

Thumbs up to Don Schleter of Seymour, who turned 90 on Monday. It’s a milestone many would like to reach.

Achiever

Thumbs up to 1986 Seymour High School graduate Erika McCoy Robinson, who was inducted into the Indiana High School Basketball Hall of Fame on Oct. 30. During her days at Seymour, Robinson helped the Owls win four sectionals and a regional. She also was a three-time all-South Central Conference, all-sectional and all-regional player and an Indiana All-Star her senior year before heading to Butler University for a four-year career with the Bulldogs.

Gifts of love

Thumbs up to everyone in Jackson County who recently filled shoeboxes for underprivileged children in the United States and around the world for the Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child program. The list of those lending a hand included students at St. John’s Sauers Lutheran School and 13 members of the congregation of Tampico Baptist Church. In 2020, 1,422 shoeboxes, filled with school supplies, hygiene items, toys and other items, were donated by Jackson County residents. For information about Operation Christmas Child, visit samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child.

Thumbs up to everyone who organized or attended the 14th annual Sertoma Benefit Concert at Pewter Hall as well as those who donated to the event that benefit’s Sertoma Christmas Miracle. Organized by the Jackson County Sertoma Club, Christmas Miracle provides gifts to Jackson County families in need at Christmastime. Over the years, the concert has raised more than $60,000 toward that effort.