RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS: KINDNESS HOTLINE

Saving child's life

Virginia Sides called to thank the employees at a gas station in Jackson for saving her grandson's life. Sides didn't get the names of the two women and one man who came out to help her, but she said if it hadn't been for these people, her grandson might have died.

Sides, who lives in Jackson, was driving to Cape Girardeau with her two grandsons. She was in front of the water slide on U.S. 61 when her youngest grandson somehow got the seat belt wrapped around his neck. She pulled into the gas station across the street and tried to get the seat belt off, but the more she pulled, the tighter the belt got.

The station employees came out to help and ended up cutting the seat belt to free the boy.

"If it hadn't been for them, I wouldn't have my grandson now," Sides said.

Students give gifts

Blanchard Elementary School's Boys Club and Girls Club, sponsored by Caring Communities, presented gifts to all staff members Wednesday. The gifts were floral pins, made by the fifth- and sixth-grade club members of the Cape Girardeau school.

Thanks to neighbor

Betty Butler of Jackson wants to thank a neighbor, Sally Adams. Butler said she had a recent operation, and the first evening home, Adams brought the family dinner.

Mother's Day help

Jeri Stone, from the Professional Fashion Uniform shop in Town Plaza, performed a Random Acts of Kindness for Mother's Day. The shop filled two baskets of personal items and toiletries for women who just came into the Safe House. They received a big thank you note.

Language of kindness

Kathy Deleev of Cape Girardeau called to thank Mary VanCleve for interpreting a letter written in Spanish that Deleev's family has had for 38 years.

Deleev said that in 1962 her uncle Bob Thompson was working at Poplar Bluff Country Club when a letter written in Spanish came to a Hispanic man who had worked there but who had moved on with no forwarding address. Thompson took the letter, hoping to be able to find the man someday, though he never did.

Bob Thompson eventually gave the letter to his brother, and Deleev's father, Dan Thompson, who unsuccessfully tried to find someone to interpret the letter. Deleev found the letter recently as she helped her father clean out his garage. Deleev asked VanCleve, who teaches English as a second language at the Vocational-Technical School, to translate the letter. VanCleve did and refused to take any payment for her work.

Deleev said the letter was family news from one sister written to another. Deleev said the family was a little disappointed the letter didn't involve romance or drama, but that at least the family's curiosity about the letter has been satisfied.

Donuts delivered

Personal Support Inc. at 618 Bellevue in Cape Girardeau delivered donuts to its clients Wednesday morning as an act of kindness.

Celebrating 80 years

May 13 was the 80th birthday of Johnny Marie Sumpter. Her sister, Pauline Koch, planned a party. Twenty-five family members attended. Johnny's son, Delbert Kelley, and his wife, Glena, came to Cape from Evansville, Ind. The party was very nice, and everyone enjoyed it. Johnny thanks Pauline for planning the gathering and Delbert and his wife for the gift.

Treats for teachers

Thanks go to the Shawnee Elementary South first-grade students and their parent for the treats and cards they presented to the school staff this week.

Appreciates hello

A woman called in to say her day is brightened every time she goes into Storey's Food Market by the big smile and hello given by Charlie Ditto. He is a true asset to that store and its customers.

Acts of beauty

We would like to thank a special woman at St. Augustine's, Kelso, who works so faithfully keeping the flowers and plants at church looking so beautiful. She also does other acts of kindness. Her name is Marian Essner, and we feel honored to know her.

Thanks for lunch

I wanted to express my appreciation to a Diana Steele who made a special effort and brought me lunch on Sunday when she knew I had to work. She didn't have to, she just did it out of the kindness of her heart, and I want to thank her.

First-graders visit elderly

From Al Lipke, principal at St. Paul Lutheran School in Jackson: The school's first-grade class went on a field trip Tuesday morning. In the afternoon, instead of continuing its field trip students went to the Lutheran Home. The students made little banners, played games with the residents and helped the residents with some projects. They gave up part of their field trip day so they could visit with elderly at Lutheran Home.

Neighborliness appreciated

I have a neighbor, Jane Bodine, who walks her dog every day and picks up my paper and puts it on my porch. I'm elderly and really appreciate it.

Pennies from heaven

Betty Cox reported that some friends from New York had read in their newspaper last year about the penny shortage in Cape Girardeau. When Jim and Jeannette Maxim attended a conference for printing teachers with Betty and her husband, Bob, the Maxims gave them three rolls to bring back to Cape Girardeau because the town is short on pennies.

A snack of kindness

First- and second-grade students at St. Joseph School in Scott City put together a snack basket of fruit and candy and presented it Friday to workers at city hall.

A helping hand

Wanda Stelling has provided food or a place to stay for people in need throughout the years. She is also handing out kindness stickers as she takes her dog for a walk this week. She helps people in lots of different ways. She is trying to do all 100 list of kind suggestions published in the Missourian over the next year.

This week my husband had outpatient surgery. Our pharmacy was closed. A very helpful nurse named Barbara Dirnberger called around to locate a pharmacy that would accept our insurance. She was very professional, and her assistance was greatly appreciated.

The management at Rhodes 101 in Chaffee gave all their employees $10 gift certificates to Rhodes 101. The employees really appreciate it. "With gas prices today, it's really helpful."

A Cape Girardeau family wants to think the Rev. David Schaffner for his kindness during a daughter's illness.

The Rev. Schaffner visited the daughter in the hospital, and when she was tranferred to St. Louis, he offered transportatio for the family.

Rev. Schaffner also put the daughter, who had suffered a massive stroke, on the church's prayer line.

The family also wants to think friends, neighbors and churches for their kindness. The daughter has progressed from a coma to where she can now say a few words.