Acts of Kindness

Heartland Lutheran basketball record

First of all I would like to congratulate the 24 young men that set the Guinness World Record for the longest basketball game on July 7, 2008 by playing 77 hours 7 minutes 7 seconds at Heartland Lutheran High School in Grand Island.  These young men showed their desire and determination to complete their goals and to raise money for their school. 

The event was designed to raise money for payments for the HLHS building, bring awareness to the public about Heartland Lutheran High School and to set the new world record.  They accomplished all three of them! Our goal was to raise $27,000 which we did surpass but we also have a "dream" goal of $1000 per hour totaling $77,000.  As of July 15 we have received donations totaling a little over $46,000.  We will continue to accept donations in celebration of the record accomplishment for the next 60 to 90 days at http://charity.cccusa.net/hlhs/ or by mail to Heartland Lutheran High School, BB EX 77, 3900 W Husker Hwy, Grand Island, NE 68803.

Secondly, I would like to THANK the over 130 volunteers and over 400 donors that helped make this event a success!  Another THANK YOU goes to the outstanding press coverage by Grand Island Independent, radio stations, and TV stations. I cannot explain the awesome feeling that we all felt on July 7th when people filled the HLHS gym and cheered the 24 players up and down the floor for the last 37 minutes to a 76 – 76 tie.  It is something that I personally will never forget and will cherish for a long time.

To the 24 young men: THANKS for the memories.  You truly became men on this July 4th weekend that you and many others will remember for the rest of their lives.  You have learned a life lesson on what hard work and dedication can accomplish, that no matter how tough things get you can make it through, and that God will always provide and be with you. Matthew 7:7 – Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

Lloyd Wagnitz

3556 Graham Avenue

Thanks from garbage workers

On behave of all the employees at Mid-Nebraska Disposal and Clark Brothers Sanitation the management would like to thank these kind ladies for their care packages. With all the basement flooding creating a lot of wet and heavy extra garbage they felt the garbage men needed to know their work was appreciated.  We do have customers that do go out of their way to let the guys know they are doing a good job.  So often they only hear the negative comments. The AOK Ladies are a hidden asset to our community and bring a ray of sunshine to everyone they touch.

Chris P. Woodward

2215 W Phoenix Ave

Thanks for help with groceries

Friday in the Super Saver parking lot, an attractive young lady stopped her car and got out to help an old lady load groceries into the black station wagon and also returned the cart to the cart bin. All that help took all the aches out of these 82 year old bones immediately. I hope it did as much for that good Samaritan with the car license 8 C 5550.

Dona Landgraf

704 W. Hagge Ave.

Good experience traveling through

I wanted to write to tell you about the recent experience our family ad traveling the Nebraska Byways and enjoying several businesses along the way. The Rieber family held it's 10th annual reunion over the Fourth of July holiday weekend in the Dunning and Thedford areas.

Forty-five family members traveled to the Sandhills from Oklahoma, Colorado, Texas, Wyoming, Iowa and, of course, different areas of Nebraska. Every one of us drove in on either the Loup River Scenic Byway 91 or the Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway 2. One of the things that really stands out in our minds is the friendliness of the Sandhills people who are very accommodating and happy to see people from other parts of this beautiful country.

Our weekend started out in Dunning at the Open Bible Church for a family meal. On Saturday, we had a picnic in the park at Thedford and then traveled further up Highway 2 to Mullen where all ages of our family enjoyed canoeing, kayaking and tanking (including three dogs) down the Middle Loup River, thanks to Glidden Canoe Rentals. The beauty of the river is amazing, both from the middle of it and along the highway. We saw wildlife grazing, turtles along the road, which the children enjoyed, green hills and  wild flowers in bloom. While in my tank, I heard comments such as "I wonder what type of plant that is?" and "Look at those beautiful hills."

One of the best acts of kindness happened right on the river that day. Our oldest member of the family was kayaking and tipped her vessel over. She was unable to get it right side up and was not near any other family member at that time. Some very friendly and helpful men from Whitman and Hyannis in Grant County were in a tank coming down the river at about the same time so they helped her gather her things, get the kayak drained of the water it took on, and got her back on route. You don't find friendly people in all parts of this great country, but it seems like you always find someone in the Sandhills ready and willing to help those in need.

Many of our family stayed at the Roadside Inn in Thedford both in the hotel and campground. They found it to be comfortable and reasonably priced, especially the campground. We had our Saturday night meal at Stub's Restaurant next to Roadside Inn. The food was scrumptious and the service was friendly and efficient after a long day on the river. Some of the family also traveled to Uncle Buck's in Brewster for a Sunday buffet and found it also to be delicious.

As we drove to our various events along the scenic byways, we stopped at Norm's Auto in Dunning and Hodges Conoco in Thedford for gas and goodies. The staff at both places seemed happy to see us and asked who we were and what we were doing because they noticed many people coming in with matching T-shirts.

Overall, this was probably one of the best reunions we have had. So much of it was due to the wonderful, friendly service, the beautiful scenery, great accommodations and good food. Thank you, fine people of the Sandhills, for a wonderful time and a great vacation.

Sandi Rieber

LeMars, Iowa

Build America

The 2008 Build America team, comprised of seventeen members of Pi Kappa Phi social fraternity from across the nation, would like to thank the members of the Grand Island, Nebraska, community for their hospitality and generosity during the team's stay.

It was a truly rewarding experience that none of the team members will ever forget. The team would especially like to extend its deepest gratitude to Sue Hamilton, Tammy Nance, and Andrea Spencer for their extraordinary efforts to make the team's stay the best it could possibly be, as well as their endless devotion to the mission and philosophy of Push America.

They truly embody what it means to be a selfless individual, a caring human being, and a humble yet driven philanthropist who puts the needs of others above their own.

We were truly honored to work with every person we met during our stay, and are grateful for the welcoming community of Grand Island, Nebraska.  Though our trip is coming to a close and we will return to the lives we left behind, the memories we have of our brief endeavor in your communal family will always leave an important impression on our lives.

Thank you for everything,

The 2008 Build America Team

P.S. You rock. Go Huskers.

Tyler Quinn

Build America Public Relations

Benefit for Scott Beaudette

Trinity Lutheran Church would like to thank and gratefully acknowledge the help and support of the many people who participated in the benefit dinner for Scott Beaudette on June 1. Over 150 people were in attendance.

Funds raised will assist the Beaudette's with their expenses for Scott's cancer treatment. Funds raised will be added to by Thrivent Financial.

Well wishes can be sent to Scott at 1719 S. Harrison, Grand Island, NE 68803.

Anyone wishing to make an additional contribution can send their check to the Scott Beaudette Fund in care of Trinity Lutheran Church, 212 W. 12th St., Grand Island, NE 68801. If you have questions, call the church at 382-0753.

Jon Heinrich

212 W. 12th St.