News From Terre Haute, Indiana

Letters

Discussion

Welcome to our online comments feature. We welcome your thoughts and your opinions, including unpopular ones. We ask only that you keep the conversation civil and clean. We reserve the right to remove comments that are obscene, racist or abusive and statements that are false or unverifiable as well as posts that are attacking other users. Repeat offenders will be blocked. You may flag objectionable comments for review by a moderator.
comments powered by Disqus
January 13, 2012

READERS' FORUM: Jan. 13, 2012

The Tribune-Star

Great stories to warm your heart

In the course of each year there are events that seem to stand out, some more than others. We are honored to witness so many acts of kindness at Catholic Charities in Terre Haute that it seems selfish not to share them with your readers. This Christmas season three such events seemed to stand out that I would like to attempt to describe.

The first took place at our Christmas Store program. Every year we work with more than 35 different social service agencies in an effort to provide items to our clients. The list of items they received is what most would consider “basic needs” as opposed to luxury items. This includes at least two pair of socks and underwear, a personal hygiene kit for each household member, men’s and women’s clothing as well as a household item. If there is a child in the household we make sure each one receives a toy. Because we receive referrals for each family with information about members of the household, we are able to schedule shopping times over a two-week period and usually have a very good idea of what is needed well in advance.

This year we had several applications which came in late and had us scrambling at the last minute to make up for our shortages. A few of our regular volunteers from the ISU women’s soccer team lead by their coach, Erica True, stepped in and took it upon themselves to raise awareness and ask the ISU community to help out. I can’t speak to all the different and innovative ways they went about collecting money or getting people involved but they went out of their way to purchase the necessary items to make our distribution a success this year.

The second item is a “Change for Change” campaign initiated by Pi Kappa Alpha/Theta Omicron fraternity on ISU’s campus. This group of young men heard about our Bethany House Emergency Shelter a few years ago and asked to tour the facility. Since then they’ve collected food, raised funds and hosted awareness events at their residence to learn more about homelessness and have found ways to get involved and help — most recently by collecting money to help purchase and install an on-demand hot water system for the Soup Kitchen.

The final item, I think, speaks of the leadership we have at ISU. For the last three years, Cheri Bradley has hosted a Christmas party at which each guests brings a gift, wrapped for Christmas, to be donated to one of the three different women’s outreach programs. Mrs. Bradley delivers the items to these programs, one of which is our Bethany House, for distribution to women who in some cases have little or nothing.

There are so many more stories I could tell you and each one would tell of the good these efforts made in the lives of those who received. To those who are described here in this letter it is their gift of joy which has left a warm feeling in our hearts.

God Bless you and may you have a healthy and prosperous new year with the ones you love.

— John Etling

Agency Director

Catholic Charities

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Letters
Latest News
Multimedia

Like us on Facebook!
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
TribStar.com Poll
Front page
AP Video
Raw Video: Toddler Trapped in Washing Machine Raw Video: Fire on Nuke-powered Sub in Maine Astrologers Predict Outcome of Presidential Race NYPD: Person Implicated in Etan Patz Death Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles Illegal Burn Suspected in Nevada Fire FAMU Bandmates: Victim Volunteered to Be Hazed Obama: 'We've Got More Work to Do' Castro's Daughter Takes on U.S.-Cuban Relations 1 Dead After Crop-Dusters Collide in Midair Raw Video: Tornado Appears During Wedding Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released Romney: "I'd Like Every Parent to Have a Choice" Raw Video: School Bus Hits House Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted Raw Video: Passed Out Man Robbed Clinton Touts Rights Advances, Assails Assad Inquiry Hears Wider Secret Service Misbehavior HP to Cut 27,000 Jobs, Save Up to $3.5B
NDN Video
Fight erupts in Ukrainian parliament over language bill. Racy ad encourages safe sex for senior citizens New Video of The Dark Knight Rises Released by Warner Brothers Coach dismissed after going to prom with student Jennifer Lopez's Rock Hard Abs Plane Passenger Records Engine Hatch Blowing Off What Katy Perry Thinks Makes Her Hot Toddlers Mistake Laundry Detergent TidePods for Candy, Get Poisoned Anderson Kicks Guest Off Show Lolo Jones Admits Trouble Keeping Boyfriends Behind 'Breaking Bad's' Big Bang Big Bang Theory Star Comes Out Laundromat video: It was the babysitter and her friend "The Choking Game" - Deadly Trend for Youth Sanchez Eager to Start Her Career after 'Idol' Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK K.Stew's Topless Confession at Cannes Raw Video: Passed Out Man Robbed Raw Video: School Bus Hits House American Idol Crowns a Champ
Parade
Magazine
Click HERE to read all your Parade favorites including Hollywood Wire, Celebrity interviews and photo galleries, Food recipes and cooking tips, Games and lots more.
  • -

    March 12, 2010

activity
Real Estate News