Family, friends and church respond in time of need

Family, friends and church respond in time of need

EDITOR:

This is about the people who have turned a “bad happening” to a miracle of good behavior.

While visiting my daughter in Virginia, I had to have two toes amputated on my right foot. After coming back to our home here in Boardman, I had to have the other 3 toes removed. As expected, my daughter Shirley Johnson and my son-in-law Dave, along with my two grandsons David and Michael, did a superb job in my recovery.

Coming back to Ohio, I didn’t know the perils that would happen with set backs pertaining to infections. Lo and behold kindness after kindness began to happen and continues today. First, my neighbors, Steve and Monica Gable, along with their son took care of our yard while we were away. Justin Gable and my relatives, Tony and Doris Duponty, took care of thousands of leaves that fell from our maple trees. Richard and Mel Schiffauer have given us more help than anyone could believe. Driving me to doctors and hospital appointments and helping with my prescriptions put Mel and Dick in the company of saints.

When we told Deacon Mike that our railing on our front porch was rusted and coming out of the cement he called Cimmanaro Welding, and it is better than new. Next after the thousands of leaves engulfed our property, Waste Tech Ltd. came with a special truck and picked up all the bags that were in excess of normal pick-up.

All these acts of kindness have to be related through The Vindicator, so the Valley knows that some of the finest people in the country live right here. God has blessed the two of us and leaves us with the thanks to all the people who I have mentioned and some of those I have omitted.

ART ROZNOY

Boardman

Woman and pup reunited

EDITOR:

I recently purchased a puggle puppy at Petland in Boardman, but due to unforeseen circumstances, I had to sadly return her. Petland felt my pain and was extremely understanding and took her back into their safe care.

Just one week later, everything in my life changed (for the better) and all I could think of was my little baby, “Kennedy.” I took a chance and called Petland, hoping she would still be there, and she was. When I arrived, they were so pleasant and delivered again to me my freshly bathed “Kennedy.” We were so happy to have each other back, and I will never part with her.

I cannot express my gratitude to the staff and owners of this wonderful pet facility. These are good people.

SHARON YOUNG

Youngstown

A special thanks

EDITOR:

Some weeks ago, The Vindicator published a story with pictures of children who had been adopted and were shown with their adoptive parents.

I was touched by the article because I was reminded of a saying I heard my mother often say which was, “Love is the food that nourishes life, and life is the fuel that keeps love alive. And God nods happily from His heaven as if to say, my children this is good — this is right, this is the way.”

The people I know who have adopted children display special qualities of love and generosity. They have a love for God, family and their fellow man. These people always seem to supply extras whenever or whatever may be needed.

I personally believe that not all of God’s angels reside in heaven, but some are chosen to serve as God’s helpers on earth. Any person who loves a child that is not biologically their own, care for their needs, provide guidance, instill values, and a happy stable safe environment qualifies not only as Gods’ helper, but also as his earthly angel.

Filling one’s tummy with turkey this Thanksgiving is great, but filling one’s heart with love and joy is priceless. A happy Thanksgiving to all.

MARY LOU JURINA

Youngstown

Much to be thankful for

EDITOR:

On this Thanksgiving, as always, I am thankful for my wonderful family. My five wonderful children who have all become very productive, giving Christian adults. I am thankful for my fantastic, beautiful grandchildren. I am thankful for my job at St. Elizabeth Hospital, and all the wonderful nurses and support staff that I work with each day. I am thankful for the patients in Acute Rehab who touch my life every day with courage and perseverance that make their fight for survival successful.

I am especially thankful for my wonderful, courageous husband, who in spite of his constant, silent battle with Multiple Sclerosis has managed to accomplish so much as fire chief of McDonald. In this past year alone, he has managed to secure a major grant that provided the entire department new fire gear. In recent years as chief he has helped to obtain a new ambulance, new radios and pagers for everyone, keep a part-time program in place that provides daytime coverage for our village when most of the volunteers are working their regular jobs. He has managed to encourage education and training and fought hard to get financing for education of our members.

He has been an excellent instructor and inspiration to our young firefighters, often making himself the victim on a roof, down a gully or in an attic so that they could practice search and rescue. He never asks anyone to do anything that he himself cannot and would not do.

To look at him you would not know the hidden pain and fatigue of MS. The fire service and his love of it have given him the drive and determination to win the fight. This past year has been especially difficult for him since he lost his beloved father suddenly in April. My children and I salute and give thanks for a real American hero: Ed Winterbauer. Hail to the chief.

JoANN WINTERBAUER

McDonald