Combating cancer
Thumbs-up to Immanuel Lutheran School students for recently helping the Immanuel Cancer Fighters Relay for Life team meet its goal of $3,500 for this year’s Relay for Life of Jackson County to be held from 6 p.m. to midnight May 5 at Seymour Middle School. A related thumbs-up to Immanuel Lutheran School Principal Todd Behmlander for allowing his students to duct tape him to a wall in the school gymnasium for the fundraiser.
Healthy hearts
Thumbs-up to the students and teachers of Margaret R. Brown Elementary School who recently raised $5,200 for heart health through the second Walk for Heart at the east side school. For three hours, students walked, ran or jogged around the grassy field area to the south of the school, stopping at several different stations to perform a variety of exercises, from stretches to jumping jacks and even high-stepping it through a ladder obstacle and showing off their dance moves to raise funds. Each group of students then spent 45 minutes outside completing as many laps as they could.
A cross to bear
Thumbs-up to those who participated in the Brownstown Area Ministerial Association’s annual Cross Walk. The event involves volunteers carrying a 10-pound wooden cross between churches in Brownstown each day of Holy Week. It is designed to give people a chance to reflect on the reason of Easter, which is to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus.
Bowled over
Thumbs-up to those who helped Big Brother Big Sisters of Southeast Indiana raise $20,000 through its annual Bowl for Kids’ Sake fundraiser at Columbus Bowling Center. The event gives people an opportunity to raise funds for the organization while spending a few hours out of their day having some fun. The event, held since 1995, has raised more than $500,000 for the Jackson County United Way Agency.
Wasted time
Thumbs-down to those who call in false bombs threats. Such incidents lead to lost productivity when places have to be closed down for searches, and they also take police officers off the streets and away from other needed tasks.