Kindness briefs

Couple adopts elderly neighbor

Jim and Marsha McGowen of Cape Girardeau "adopted" an elderly neighbor.

For some time, they've looked out for her, said friend Ruth Smith of Cape Girardeau. They've brought her food, special holiday and birthday baskets. They've even made repairs in her home and planted flowers in her yard, Smith said.

"Their kindness has made a difference in their neighbor's life," she said.

Children sing to veterans

Lyncare children sang an Americana program at the Cape Girardeau Veterans Home on Friday as an act of kindness. "They have worked really hard on the program," said Linda Caldwell, director of Lyncare, an after-school ministry of Lynwood Baptist Church.

Minister volunteers as coach

The Rev. Matthew Marks of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Perryville, Mo., volunteers his time to help coach the Perryville High School girls soccer team, while continuing to serve as youth leader at his church.

"He supports the youth and their extra curricular activities, visits the hospitals, nursing home, likes kids and loves to go fishing," Gail Crader said. "We thank him for his random acts of kindness."

Neighbor brings paper to front door

Jane Stephens knows exactly where to find her newspaper every morning.

A neighbor, Jack McDonald, picks up her newspaper during his early morning walk and places it by her front door. He's been doing this for two years, she said.

"That is so nice of him," she said. "He sure starts my day out right."

Residents help clear downed trees

Two Cape Girardeau residents were singled out for cutting up neighbors' trees that were downed by recent storms.

One was Frank McGarr. The other was retired police officer Dale Ratliff.

Ladies donate quilts and caps to Red Cross

The Bethany Baptist Church Sewing Ladies recently delivered 10 baby quilts to Birthright and 15 large quilts and eight knitted caps to the Red Cross.

Youth clean church member's home

Youth from the Abundant Life Church in Gordonville, Mo., cleaned out the basement of the home of church member Earlene Thompson of Jackson, Mo., last week.

"I'm very proud of them. They did a good job," said Thompson whose husband died in March.

Women serve meal to Veterans Home staff

Agnes Bendel of Cape Girardeau is among about 10 women who cook an annual meal for Veterans Home staff. This year's meal will be served on Tuesday. Bendel said most of the women have husbands living at the Veterans Home.

"My husband passed away, but I still do it," she said.

"It is a thank you for all of the workers, the good workers that they have out there," she said.

The women have been serving the meal for about six years.

Neighbors are appreciated

Betty Butler of Jackson, Mo., said she has some "good neighbors."

They include Al and Loretta Atkins who bring her homemade treats. Marvin and Sally Adams gave her grass seed for a bare spot in her yard where a tree had been chopped down. David Reiminger used his pickup truck to help pull out a bush in Butler's yard.

Kind acts don't go unnoticed

Cheryl Klueppel of the Alzheimer's Association said she's seen several random acts of kindness.

The Cape Girardeau woman singled out her father, Charles Klueppel of Benton, Mo., for helping her "clean up messes and damage caused by the weather."

"His only question was do I need to bring an ax or a saw," she said.

A friend, David Bisher, changed the light bulb in her carport one day while she was at work.

Martha O'Kelly of the Millersville, Mo., area showed "great kindness" to a friend, Klueppel said.

"Working for the Alzheimer's Association, I often work with families who have no one to visit or stay awhile so the caregiver can go to the store for groceries or church on Sunday or just to take a break from care giving which is so needed," she said.

"Martha has been helping out a friend, has made phone calls to access information and resources, clarified information sent to the family and has been a great source of comfort and support to this family, especially the caregiver," Klueppel said.

Ruth Dockins came to Klueppel's aid after Klueppel thought she heard a prowler outside her home one night. "She drove across town to pick me up and let me stay at her home. I found out later that someone had come to my house that night, but not a prowler," she said.

She also singled out Mel Dockins Jr. for bringing chat over for her driveway. "It really made a difference," she said.

Flowers cheer up Cape Girardeau couple

Wayne and Joan McPherson of Cape Girardeau recently were cheered up by friends who planted flowers at the end of their sidewalk.

The couple said they hadn't been feeling well. "Sunday, when we were finally up and around, we went to the end of our sidewalk and found these beautiful flowers. They really brightened our day," Joan McPherson said.

The McPhersons said they later learned that friends Debbie, Lilli, Bennett and Derby Robinson had planted the flowers.

-- From staff reports