County generous toward Relay For Life
As chair of this year?s American Cancer Society Relay For Life committee, I would like to thank residents of Marion County for their generosity and support.
Twenty-two teams participated in this year?s event, raising more than $49,500 for the American Cancer Society?s research, education, advocacy and service programs.
The outstanding support received proves the people of Marion County are truly committed to the fight against cancer.
I want to applaud the survivors and caregivers who participated in the opening lap and the survivor recognition. They are the reason we continue the fight because each year there can be more and more people living wonderful lives following a diagnosis of cancer.
A special thanks goes to the many Relay For Life volunteers who worked to make this event a success. The Relay For Life committee did an outstanding job of putting the event together. We also appreciate the generosity of this year?s corporate sponsors. Relay For Life would not be possible without them.
Thank you to the 4-H Clubs, Girl Scouts, and other volunteers who set up the track in the morning.
By the end of the morning the weather appeared to be turning on us, and the forecast for the rest of the day and evening was not promising. The decision was made to move inside. Thank you to the (USD 408) school district for allowing us to use their walking track.
Finally, thanks to everyone who adapted their campsites to set-up in the Marion Athletic Complex.
Again, thank-you for supporting the American Cancer Society, and remember it?s not too early to become involved in Relay For Life for next year. Together we will celebrate the lives of those who?ve battled and won, remember those we?ve lost, and fight back against a disease that takes too much.
Marsha Setzkorn-Mayer
Marion
Grateful for city?s compassionate help
We recently experienced one of the benefits of living in Hills?boro. A week ago, we had a wedding in our family. One of our daughters experiences strong reactions to chemicals in the environment, and recently moved from Houston to Colorado Springs to avoid, for one thing, spraying for mosquitos. She wanted to come to the wedding, but felt she couldn?t if the city had sprayed for mosquitoes recently.
When we discussed this with our city administrator, Larry Paine, he was very sympathetic and said he would look into it. The end result was that the city could delay the spraying for mosquitoes until after the wedding.
Thank you, Larry, for your compassionate and caring attitude.
Don and Marilyn Ratzlaff
Hillsboro
Thanks for support for the troops
A few months ago the Free Press published a story about the care-package program that American Legion Riders of Marion Post 22 has established to support our troops. We want to thank those who contributed to the cause as a result of that article. It included donations of $600 and a variety of supplies and encouragements.
Several people made individual contributions, but a variety of groups pitched in, too. The group efforts included cards and letters from Marion Middle School students and a donation of money by the Girl Scouts of America in Marion and by Legion Post 22.
Also, the National Honor Society from Marion High School donated three large boxes of toiletry items, spiritual books, VHS movies, games, snacks and more. The VFW women from Marion Post 6958 donated money, crackers, cookies, beef sticks and taffy. Carlson?s Grocery contacted Proctor & Gamble, which resulted in a donation of 72 tubes of toothpaste.
Legion Post 22 in Marion, Legion Post 366 in Hillsboro and the VFW women of Post 6958 in Marion provide the postage to send these care packages each month.
To all the individuals and groups who have responded, we say ?thank you.? Ongoing public support of this program is welcomed. You can contact us at 620-382-2754 if you would like to donate.
If you know of any troops going overseas to Iraq or Afghanistan, please let us know their address. We also will need to know the send-off date and the return-home date.
Gary and Karen Chaput
Marion
