Goodwill Industries chief thanks Valley supporters

Goodwill Industries chiefthanks Valley supporters
EDITOR:
It is during this time of giving thanks and celebrating holidays that Youngstown Area Goodwill Industries would like to recognize our community. Thank you for your generous contributions of money and usable household items. Thank you for shopping in our Goodwill stores. Thank you to the businesses and organizations that contract with us for janitorial services, packaging and assembly, and laundry.
Your support allows us to employ more than 300 individuals in our community. In addition, we have helped more than 60 people find employment in the community this year. Our employees (more than 80 percent are disabled or have other barriers) will earn more than 3 million. Together, Goodwill and our employees will pay more than 800,000 in taxes.
We will also provide vision screening and follow-up to more than 1,800 preschoolers and our Radio Reading Service reaches more than 1,000 people.
While we are proud of our accomplishments, we realize that there is much more to be done. We also realize that we cannot continue without your support.
We are pleased to be in such a generous and caring community. Thank you for your generous support, and please remember your continued support is needed.
MICHAEL W. MCBRIDE
Executive DirectorGoodwill Industries
Generosity of Laricciasmerits community praise
EDITOR:
Being fairly new to Youngstown, I am astonished at the generosity of Tony and Mary Lariccia. It seems to extend everywhere.
The community is very fortunate to have such generous, caring people as the Lariccias in its midst. A big thank you is due them.
RUTH BARSCH
Youngstown
Forum hospital staff excelsin care and professionalism
EDITOR:
Recently I came home after a five-day emergency admission and course of treatment from our own Forum Health System. The visit was just my second stay in a hospital in over 40 years. I did not want to go in the first place, but my daughter, a nurse, and my wife, a nurse practitioner, insisted I needed help. I was a very sick Buckaroo.
As soon as those emergency doors opened, those caregivers went to work. Despite my foggy condition, I felt them caring for me like I was the only person in the whole hospital. Within a couple of hours, I was X-rayed, CT-scanned, preliminarily diagnosed and shortly after, admitted. I was then placed in the hands of the staff of Floor 2 NW.
My doctors provided the directions, and the staff followed them with a zeal that got stronger as I started to improve. I always felt that I was their number one priority, yet , realistically, I knew they had many patients just as sick as I was. The art of caring for others requires special skills from special people that I am convinced exists in abundance on 2NW and the other support services that help those folks do their jobs. Are these folks important to the Mahoning Valley? I say: You bet they are. I thank them for everything they did, and I want everyone to know how grateful I am.
FRANK M. GORSUCH
Girard
Hail Community Correctionsfor new look of Market St.
EDITOR:
After driving down Market Street in Youngstown recently, I could not help but notice all of the vacant lots that were vastly improved by Community Corrections Association. What an eye pleaser.
It was such a nice surprise to see the Market Street corridor so much improved.
Keep up the good work, CCA.
FRANCES WAGNER
Youngstown
Stranger in the right
EDITOR:
I am writing this letter to attest to the kindness of strangers. On Sept. 22, I was out for my afternoon walk when I tripped on a broken sidewalk and fell very hard on my face and arm.
A man stopped to come to my aid. He called the ambulance, provided me with tissues, as I was bleeding severely from my nose and mouth. He stayed with me until help came.
I am truly sorry, sir, that I failed to get your name at that time.
I want to publicly thank you for your compassion for a stranger.
PATRICIA STROJEK
Girard & ordm;
Those who exited program for veterans early missed out
EDITOR:
Last week a great gift was given to the community of Girard and its veterans. The Girard Community Band, Community Choir and dozens of second- and third-graders presented a free concert to honor our area's veterans. The children were dressed in red, white and blue. They did a magnificent job singing patriotic songs as the band accompanied. The auditorium was filled, and the children evoked an immediate standing ovation. What a great opportunity to teach our young children to love patriotism and freedom and to honor those who gave it to us.
Unfortunately, most of the children missed that opportunity. Why? Because when they were done singing, the majority of their parents took them home. It was not late. A few families would have had reasons to leave early, obviously, but when the children were done singing, half of the auditorium emptied. I thought you parents might like to know what you and your children missed.
You missed more than 50 veterans come to the front to announce their years and locations of service. Several were from World War II. The thunderous applause lasted several minutes.
You missed one veteran sing his impromptu, a cappella version of ''God Bless America.'' He had been stationed at Pearl Harbor. What an ovation he received!
You missed the retiring of the colors by the Trumbull County Color Guard Unit as "Taps" (and the echo) was played to a somber crowd.
You missed the thrill of a perfect piccolo duet during John Philip Sousa's "The Stars and Stripes Forever" march. Again, another standing ovation.
But you know what you missed the most? You missed a perfect opportunity to teach your children about respecting those who have protected our freedoms. Instead, you taught your children that the concert was just about them. I wonder what the veterans thought when they saw you all leave. I know what message it sent to me.
I want to thank all of the teachers, musicians, children and veterans who made this a truly inspirational evening. Girard is lucky to have you.
JANICE STEVENS
Girard
Cancer support groupthanks Liberty restaurant
EDITOR:
In this day and age, it is hard to find caring people who do a great job and don't ask for much in return. I am a facilitator for a local cancer support group for myeloma, which is a blood cancer. Two years ago, when our support group got off the ground, I was looking for a central location that would be easily accessed by members whether they lived in Trumbull or Mahoning counties.
A fellow support group member approached the manager of Denny's on Belmont Avenue and I-80, and he was told we could meet there monthly free of charge; the only stipulation was a drink order. We have continued to meet there each month, and have always been greeted kindly and courteously.
I wanted to write this letter to tell the staff of Denny's that I appreciate their cooperation and friendly attitude, and to offer a heartfelt thank you from myself and the entire Myeloma Support Group.
DONNA M. DETWILER, R.N.
Poland
Memorial to Dr. Politis
EDITOR:
I am writing in memorium of Dr. John Politis, a local physician who passed away on Nov. 2. To all of those who knew him, Dr. Politis will be unbearably missed.
As per his tribute in The Vindicator, Dr. Politis was a decorated physician, outstanding teacher, close friend, wonderful peer, and most importantly, the best human being I have ever known. Without his guidance, teachings, and friendship, I know I would not be back in my hometown of Austintown, let alone even practicing internal medicine. He was my mentor, my idol and my very good friend.
He was a father figure to every resident who trained at Forum Health over the last three decades.
He did not treat anyone as a boss treats an employee, but as a father cares for his children -- with kindness, respect, and love (and scolding, when needed). He had an innate ability to place others' problems and needs before his own, almost to a fault. There is not one person who ever knew Dr. Politis who can consciously say a single negative thing about him.
To his family, my deepest and sincere sorrows go out. Words cannot describe the loss that his wife, two children, the medical community, and the community as a whole have now endured.
JAMES SHINA, M.D.
Austintown