Thumbs column

OPINION

Greetings faithful readers.

May you and yours be richly blessed this Friday -- St. Patrick's Day -- and may we all remember the following maxim this writer recently sighted on a decal on the rearview window of a white Nissan: "Just be kind."

On that note, we start off today's column with a "Thumbs-up" to Colton's Crusaders, the many friends and supporters of 5-year-old Colton White, who is battling stage four neuroblastoma.

These benevolent individuals held a March 11 fundraiser at The Warehouse Event Venue to help Colton's family defray some of the high costs of his medical treatments.

Many thanks to Gefer Sims, venue owner, friend Cortney Nanney, Noah Lloyd, Blake Woodson, caterer Clampit's BBQ, and everyone who turned out for a most worthy cause.

And special thoughts to Colton and his family.

Another "Thumbs-up" goes out to all the good folks who planned and took part in the "Doin' Time for Kids" benefit for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis.

"Doin' Time for Kids" has long been a fundraiser for the Zeta Chi Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha International and recent "jailbirds" worked in earnest to meet their bail and many donations were also given in honor of the late Susan Jarboe, a chapter member who died in December 2022.

Congratulations to Shelby Church, event chair, and all of the dedicated Zeta Chi members who -- along with so many generous individuals -- overcame challenges of the past year to raise $30,200 for St. Jude.

By the same token, we say "Thumbs-up" to the largesse of Levi Hospital for its donation of black scrub tops and bottoms to Jackson House.

Per a Levi Hospital news release that appeared in the hometown newspaper on March 7, Tammy Jones, assistant director of Jackson House, had explained that people who are trying to get their life back on track will get a job as a CNA but might not have money to buy scrubs and if Jackson House doesn't have them, they will go and purchase them. Levi's donation will help those needing scrubs and helps save Jackson House money.

The boxes of clothing were delivered to Jackson House by Levi Hospital President and CEO Zane Jeffers.

Staying on the subject of "giving to others," here is a "Thank you" and a "Thumbs-up" to the four new members who will serve on the Garland County Historical Society Board of Directors.

They are: Kyle Clem, who is still active with his family-owned business, Peter's Flooring, and who has served on several boards, including that of the Cooperative Christian Ministries and Clinic; Ron Fuller, former officer in the U.S. Army, owner of a Little Rock public relations firm and chair of the Arkansas MacArthur Museum Heritage Board; John Hoefl, financial professional with Aspire Wealth Builders, and member of several civic clubs and advisory boards; and Minnie Lennox, director of Human Resources for the city of Hot Springs and who will reign as Queen of the 2023 World's Shortest St. Patrick's Day Parade.

Like the other GCHS board members, these individuals are dedicated to sharing their time and expertise in the nonprofit's preservation of local and area history.

Meanwhile, it's apropos that a "Thumbs-up" be awarded to National Park College as the educational complex continues to remember its 50 years of service to our community.

The NPC library is presenting various displays that contain important memorabilia depicting the college's growth and development over time.

Hopefully, current students will avail themselves of the opportunity to learn more about their educational facility by studying the aforementioned displays.

Kudos to NPC Library Director Lynn Valetutti, NPC archivist and assistant librarian, Kristin Quintanilla, and Darla Thurber, NPC vice president for external affairs and chief of staff for this valuable endowment.

The Thumbs Column appears in The Sentinel-Record on the first and third Wednesday of each month. The newspaper welcomes readers' comments and suggestions, which should be submitted in writing with a telephone number and home address for contact and verification purposes. This information is kept confidential.

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