GOOD NEIGHBOR: 'THAT'S WHAT WE'RE HERE FOR -- TO HELP OTHERS.'

Every Thursday morning, 80-year-old Jerlene Mills called a cab for a trip to the beauty shop.

Neighbor Marilyn Hutteger noticed, and offered to give her a ride each week.

It's just one of the kindnesses that Hutteger affords her neighbors and friends.

Mills said of Hutteger: "She's always been a very good person. I'm sure she does so many things for others that I'm not even aware of." Mills said Hutteger takes time to be kind even though she keeps a very busy schedule.

Neighbors for 37 years, there have been many opportunities for kindnesses.

Mills considered the beauty shop trip a real kindness, since the shop is across town from Hutteger's job.

"But that didn't matter," Mills said. "It just made me feel good."

Hutteger also invites Mills and other widows in the neighborhood over during the holidays.

"Sometimes, she brings us little treats," she said. "She's a great cook."

One day when Mills was trying to wash her car, Hutteger came over to lend a hand.

Neighbor Corona Kelpe said Hutteger's kindness comes unexpectedly, which makes it more special.

"Not long ago she invited us over for spaghetti," she said. "She's a wonderful cook."

Dorothy Davis, another neighbor, described her as a wonderful person.

"I know she'd be here in minutes if I needed her," said Kelpe. "She's a very pleasant person."

Five years ago, Hutteger and her daughter, Pam and son-in-law, Woody Woodruff, adopted a family of eight in Tchula, Miss. It's part of The Box project, started by Jimmy Carter when he was president. Children in the family range in age from 14 to 8.

Each month for the last five years, Hutteger and her family send a box of staples and other supplies to Mississippi.

Four years ago, the three traveled to Mississippi with some supplies when the family's trailer burned down.

For the past two years, the Mississippi family has traveled to Cape Girardeau over the Fourth of July holiday to extend their personal thank-yous to their Missouri angels.

The families had lots of fun, going skating, swimming, bowling, a trip to Trail of Tears and many other activities

Hutteger also enjoys spending time with daughter Tammy and Bill Sellers and her two grandchildren.

She works as a medical secretary for Orthopaedic Associates in Doctor's Park. She also does some catering work in her spare time.

She loves angels, and has a growing collection in her neat Cape Girardeau home. Each Christmas, her tree is decorated in all-white angels.

They are, perhaps, a reminder of her angel, Julie, who died in a helicopter crash 10 years ago. Her daughter, then 22, was on board as a respiratory therapist.

Still, Hutteger looks at the bright side. "A lot of good came from it," she said. "Prayer has become a major part of my life, and I feel she's in a much better place."

The tragedy has also helped encouraged her to make the most of each and every day.

"That's what we're here for -- to help others," she said. "We all should do our share."

RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS

Hundreds of businesses, organizations and indivduals have signed up to participate in Random Acts of Kindness week. The communities they represent:

Altenburg

Bell City

Benton

Cairo, Ill.

Cape Girardeau

Caruthersville

Chaffee

Charleston

Dexter

Gordonville

Jackson

Lilbourn

New Madrid

McClure, Ill.

Perryville

Scott City

Sikeston

Ste. Genevieve

Tamms, Ill.

and more.