Acts of Kindness

Walk of Recovery

I would like to thank everyone who participated in and supported the Walk of Recovery August 24th - September 1st

A special thanks to friends and family who joined us on the walk, provided shelter, meals, gas, and donations. Thank you for believing in us and giving us the encouragement and fellowship to continue going another mile.

My ``Dad`` John Rayno, for helping design our recovery wagon that survived the 243 mile trip across Nebraska.

Grand Island Independent for helping us get our message out to other people and families still struggling with the disease of addiction.

The Council on Alcoholism for providing lunch, mugs, pens, and stop smoking kits. Thank you to all the staff who gave us encouragement and prayers.

Bill Keck for donating a box of his books ``Miracles.`` They were given to jails and people we met along the way.

Lafayette Park Campground Gothenburg, Ne for donating free camp and clean showers.

Rodeway Inn Kearney, Ne for discounted rooms, friendly employees, and encouraging remarks about the walk.

Oasis Campground Henderson, Neb., for discounted camping and clean showers.

Heartland E-Free Church Central City, Ne and Pastor Scott for leading us in prayer.

All the people who stopped to share a life experience or concerns for a friend or family member. Each experience, each frustration, each situation, inspired us to keep going.

We have so far collected $800 for Siena Francis. We came in contact with a man living in a storage shed and hopefully he will be able to accept help. If one life is saved, Our walk will have been worth it!

Thanks again and God Bless.

Lori Ferguson and Walkers for Recovery

Central City

Thank you to Home Federal Bank

The Grand Island Sunrise Rotary Club would like to extend a sincere and heartfelt thank you to Home Federal Bank for its generous hospitality. Three years ago, our Club was required to find a new meeting location due to a construction project at the facility where we had previously met. Club members and Home Federal Bank employees Orv Qualsett and Dale Gilbert came to our aid, offering the use of the community room at the Home Federal Bank on West Stolley Park Road. This facility is tremendous, and the bank staff has been extremely accommodating. With the construction project complete, we will be returning to our original meeting place starting October 7th. We are very grateful for the generosity of Home Federal Bank. Grand Island is fortunate to have a business that exhibits such a philanthropic nature. Thanks again! Grand Island Sunrise Rotary Club.

Chris Wormuth for GI Sunrise Rotary Club

2116 Atlanta St.

Salvation Army benefits from lost and found

An anonymous donation was made to The Salvation Army in appreciation for a hearing aid that was returned to it's owner because of a lost and found listing in the Grand Island Independent.  Thank you to the donor, to the honest person who returned the hearing aid and to the Grand Island Independent for listing the item as lost.

Captain Dave Mowers

818 W. 3rd St.

Thanks to those that Pay it Forward

I just want to say thank you to the individual that paid for my lunch on Monday, September 22.  I was waiting in the drive through at the north Runza restaurant and when I pulled up to pay I was told that a man in a BMW paid for my lunch!  Runza employees stated that this gentleman does this quite often.  This act of kindness really made my day and got me to thinking about a message I received from our corporate office where I work. 

The message stated to Pay It Forward and the Principal Financial Group employees will be receiving some time off to do just that!  I am thinking of who I will be Paying it Forward to.  We can all do an act of kindness whether it be mowing someone's lawn, helping an elderly neighbor get groceries, or surprising someone by paying for their lunch!  Just think if we all had the mindset of paying it forward what a great place Grand Island would continue to be. 

Thanks again to all the individuals who Pay it Forward and to the individual who reminded me of doing the same.

Staci Supencheck

2751 Idaho Ave

Double transplant benefit

On Monday, Aug. 11, a benefit was held to help with the expenses of my recent double transplant. We would like to thank everyone that attended and so generously contributed. We would also like to give a thank you to all the people of Central Community College that put the event together. The time and energy that they put into the event was greatly appreciated. Finally a special note of thanks to Evangelical Free Church for donating the use of their facilities.

David and Kriski Korensky

4304 Michigan Ave.

Accordion Jamboree

A big thank you to Grand Island and the surrounding Central Nebraska businesses for your support and kindness for the 12th annual Accordion Jamboree. This event was held at the Heartland Events Center at Fonner Park in Grand Island on Labor Day weekend including honoring our Veterans.

Thank you to those who had a part in the program of honoring our Veterans, such as the vocalists, accompanists, speakers, national Guard, ROTC, Grand Island Senior High School and Northwest High School, Norm Sodomka for playing the taps, Adam Spotanski and to all of you others. You helped by sharing and making it very special and a special thanks to all of you Veterans for attending.

A special thanks to Heartland Events Center for your accommodations, Concessions for serving good food, Titan Security for your help and to the Red Hats for your assistance and to all of you others who volunteered your help. Thank you to all of you on the committee who helped organize this big event and get it all together, donated items for the silent auction and to others who had a special part in this.

A special thanks to The Grand Island Independent and to the TV and radio stations. MC's Jim Swanson, Charlie Keller  of Wilber and Willie Skala. Special thanks to all of you for all your hard work, help and support and acts of kindness.

Alta Christensen

Assistant coordinator

Phillips