KINDNESS HOTLINE CALLS

Perryville students are kind

Kathy Billahay from Perryville Elementary School called in with the kindness the school participated in all week. On Monday, the staff greeted parents with coffee and mints as they dropped their children off. On Tuesday, students brought in new socks for the needy and the staff presented soda and aspirin to the bus drivers in the afternoon. On Wednesday, each child made a cheer card for local nursing home residents. On Thursday, the staff collected the trash for the custodians. All week, students have been making donations to buy teddy bears for the crisis center and the local ambulance service.

Thanks for helping mother

Juanita McNeely called to say thanks to Mary and Burl Statler and John and Linda Price for her helping her 89-year-old mother so much.

Treats for college students

The College of Education at Southeast Missouri State University put out cookie trays for all its students on Thursday for Random Acts of Kindness Week.

Praise for Pastor Truncone and Kelley

Randy Morse, pastor of Scott City Assembly of God Church, wants to commend Pastor Dave Truncone, youth pastor of the church, for working with the youth group of about 50-60 kids. He and his wife, Heidi, do all sorts of things for the kids, providing things for kids to do in community. "Like a community pastor, not a church pastor," said Morse. Also he wants to thank Fred Kelley and the Craftsman Union. The union has helped out with Christmas baskets and toys for families and uniforms for the church basketball team for all kids in the city. "They have been very generous."

Treats for veterans

Agnes Bendel called to say that the A-Wing Ladies of the Missouri Veteran's Home took treats to the employees of the A-Wing of the veterans home every day this week and that she provided workers with doughnuts one day. Bendel and Virginia Nance also extended a hand of kindness to the firefighters of the station on Kurre Lane, briging them pizza.

A good neighbor

Donna of Cape Girardeau wants to let Lou Skaggs know that she is appreciated by her neighbors and friends for endless amount of good deeds she does for them.

A message of kindness

Brownie Troop #34, 1st graders at St. Mary School made a message of goodwill with the Random Acts of Kindness stickers and sealed them in plastic bottles. The bottles were tossed in the river to see if they will be returned. The students also made trail mix for parents and teachers at school.

A gift of hearing

Kathy Rhodes of Jackson wants to thank Sophie Zimmerman of Vienna, Ill., for a kind deed. Zimmerman had hearing aid worth several thousand dollars that was not adaptable for her. She gave it to Rhodes and it is greatly appreciated.

Salute to a kind dentist

Karla Dolan of the Lutheran Home says Dr. Danna Cotner, a Cape Girardeau dentist, comes out to the home to provide dental care for residents when they are unable to come to her office. The caller said Dr. Cotner is a kind person to make house calls.

Kind neighbors in Jackson

Elnora Heise of Jackson has a broken ankle and wants to thank Gifford and Ruth Ann Hobeck for getting the newspaper and mail for her everyday. They also make meals for her. They have been neighbors for 24 years. This isn't the first time they have done kindness. She really appreciated them.

Junior high students say thanks

Students of Cape Central Junior High School left flowers on the neighbors' steps Friday morning and Tracy Krantz wants to say thanks.

RAPCO aids Humane Society, FISH

Employees of Rapco collected food items for the Humane Society and for FISH as part of Random Acts of Kindness Week.

Thanks mom

Sarah Volkerding of Jackson appreciates her mother, Rebecca Volkerding, for going beyond and above the call of duty. She sells insurance and is also a part-time teacher. "It seems like she works 24 hours a day but she always finds time to help myself or my siblings or anyone she might not even know." She teaches a Bible class at the Lutheran Home once a week, and if someone in her class tells her that someone isn't doing very well, and even if she doesn't know them, she goes in their room and tells them the Lord loves them.

A helping hand at Shawnee Elementary

Megan Randolph of East Cape Girardeau, Ill., a student at Shawnee Elementary South, helped her best friend, Jessica, get her books, her book bag and coat and helped her on the bus when she got hurt at school Thursday.

Praise in Jackson

A Jackson resident wants to praise Mike and Shawna Lukeshar. Shawna cuts terrace lawn and sometimes entire lawn. Mike helps getting mower started.

Kindness corner at Southeast Hospital

The Psychiatric Unit at Southeast Missouri Hospital has its own "Kindness Corner" in observation of "Random Acts of Kindness Week." Recreational Therapist Yvonne Menke said the staff has created the "Kindness Corner" to post inspirational message, praise for a job well done by fellow employees or an amusing cartoon or joke. And during unit crafts sessions, patients this week are making "pillow pals" to be donated to Southeast's Pediatrics Unit. Response to the week has been great, Menke said. "There have been lots of nice notes posted in the 'Kindness Corner,' plenty of homebaked goodies are being shared -- and a bouquet of flowers arrived one day for our patients -- sent by an anonymous donor!"

Thanks to garden club

Ruth Rhodes, a teacher at Franklin Elementary School, called to say River Hills Garden Club helped the 4th graders plant flowers at the school.

Kindness in Benton

People in the Benton area want to thank Bernice Kern, who works at the Riverside Regional Library at Benton. Kern is always helpful, to young and old, willing to help school children with reports and projects, and helping adult find books. She is helpful throughout the year. She is also instrumental in developing a summer reading program for youngsters.

A pat on the back

Debbie Kembel and neighbors of Patty and Paul Hodges, who live on Camelia St., want to thank the Hodges for their help to everyone in the neighborhood. The Hodges moved to the neighborhood in December and since then have helped neighbors in many ways -- walking neighbors' dogs, taking in the mail when neighbors were out of town. They deserve a pat on the back say neighbors.

A kind pharmacist

Dolores McDowell of the Cape County Health Department wants to commend Sam Unnerstall, owner of Unnerstall Drugs. He is very pleasant to customers. He is closing his store. McDowell said he has helped the health department numerous, numerous times. He has paid for non-insured persons, Medicaid pending, He's especially good with kids, giving them antibiotics. He goes above and beyond. He will take medicine to their house.

A note of appreciation

Carla Sims wants to thank her father, Johnny Sims, and her uncle, Bob Seabaugh, for cleaning up her yard and building a porch, for being there to fix anything she needs replaced. Sims said, "I appreciate it."

Moms touch junior high

Mary Mims called to say Central Junior High Moms in Touch came to the junior high this week with treats for the faculty. Throughout the year they take prayer requests and they act as a support group for the faculty.

Thanks to secretary

Mary Warner of Cape Girardeau would like to thank Beth Free, secretary at New McKendree Cox Center for her help obtaining medicine, food, etc.

Kindness close to home

Freda Grosswiler wants to thank Shelly and Jim Vanganett. They've shown a lot of kindness ever since she moved to Jackson in 1992. they cut the grass, help with trash, etc. The Grosswilers are elderly and can't get along well. Wilma Stone, their niece, helps with medical needs, prescriptions and doctor's appointments.

Sorority treats businesses

Carla Heins called to say Tri Sigma Sorority took donuts to local businesses Thursday.

A carbonated boost

Keith Essmeyer of Southeast Missouri State University Facilities Management Department called to say Pepsi donated sodas to facilities management because of Random Acts of Kindness. Friday, Coke did the same thing. He said the gifts were greatly appreciated.