Thanks for food drive help (11/23/07)

To the editor:

We are pleased to report that the kindness and generosity of the Jay County community was impressive during our recent drive to "Reach Out to Others." With the assistance of residents from throughout the county, JRDS staff and clients collected more than 600 food items and household goods to support the local Helping Hands Food Pantry.

These items will immediately be made available to those in need. According to Don Cole, Community and Family Services specialist, the food pantry currently serves over 300 households per month from all areas of Jay County.

We especially want to thank Jack Ronald and The Commercial Review staff for co-sponsoring this endeavor and their assistance in advertising the event. They truly recognize that persons with special needs are valuable members of the community and can help build brighter futures for others.

Thanks also to WPGW and Tyson Mexican Originals for helping JRDS clients and staff reach out to others in this manner. We applaud these partners and the many residents of Jay County who stepped forward to help others in need.

Sincerely,

Ruth Ann Widman,

Executive director,

And Teresa Bowen,

Director of development,

Jay-Randolph

Developmental Services Inc.

Craft show thanks

To The Editor:

Xi Chapter, Delta Theta Tau, Portland, would like to take this opportunity to thank the many individuals that enabled the tremendous success of our 23rd annual Delts' Holiday Arts and Crafts Show.

Without the patience, cooperation, tolerance and support of the faculty and staff at Jay County High School our show would not be possible. Thank you to each of you.

Very special thanks to: Vickie Reitz, Tom Ferguson, the students that helped mark booths, move tables and chairs, and put up the stakes; Karmella VanSkyock, Shannon Kaufman, Rodney Bye, Debbie Brinkerhoff, Julie Morgan, Rotch Shope, Allen French, Steve Shawver, Russell Sloan, Teffeny Lowe, and Russell Hartman; the Swim Team and coach Barry Weaver; the wresting team and Coach James Myers and all other coaches, the Foods Classes and Kay LeMaster; students from the Swing Choir and band that helped on Saturday; the Key Club and Sponsor Dwain Michael; the students from Jay County High School that worked beyond their obligations to fulfill their Government requirements or the Work Ethic Program.

The hard work of all these individuals and groups is greatly appreciated and enables the success of the Craft Show.

We extend a sincere thank you to the Jay County Sheriff's Department and the Jay County Sheriff's Reserve for their help Friday evening and all day Saturday.

Thank you to Santa for taking time out of his busy schedule to visit. Santa's presence puts smiles on our faces and the warmth of the holidays in our hearts.

We sincerely value all our participating dealers. The expertise of their chosen arts or crafts undoubtedly determines the elegance of our show. We also thank them for their generosity by donating items for our hourly drawings.

Our show would not be the success that it is without the patronage of our community and surrounding communities. We thank each of you, our enthusiastic customers, for your continued support. You not only support our craft show, you visit many businesses in the Jay County Area. Thank you.

We would like to take this time to acknowledge and praise each of our Delta Sisters. Without each of you and your commitment to Delta Theta Tau, the Holiday Arts and Crafts Show would not exist. The rewards that we receive are many. Each time we are able to extend a helping hand to someone by using the earnings that we acquire from our show we realize how significant and satisfying all the hard work, tired muscles, and hours of planning are to our community. It is our time "to give back" and this event helps make that possible.

We extend a very sincere thank you to each of our sisters that are Associate members or Members-at-large that are always willing to help in many ways....volunteering their time working at the craft show, providing baked goods, or a donation.

Thank you to our dear friends at the Youth Service Bureau Staff and the residents for generously donating their valuable time helping us at the craft show. Thank you to each of you.

And to our families: We could not survive without your understanding, encouragement and assistance. You are always there to do anything that we ask of you. And we do ask so much of you, over and over again. The show would not be possible or be as successful without you.

If you helped in anyway and we forgot to mention you, we sincerely apologize. But, please know that it takes every helping hand that touches this project in any way to help achieve the success and, in turn, enables Xi Chapter, Delta Theta Tau, to give back so much to our community.

Sincerely,

Linda Ashman, for the

Members of Xi Chapter,

Delta Theta Tau

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