Solid match - Warren Cooper didn’t think twice about being his brother’s bone marrow donor

When his little brother, Warren, was a freshman in college, David Cooper, helped him find his way around campus and get his books at the bookstore.

They lived in different apartments in the same apartment complex, so each could have his independence, but David kept tabs on him.

“He always tried to look after me,” Warren said. “He was the big brother and made sure that I did this or that. He tried to keep me out of trouble.”

After college, life took the brothers to separate towns. David and his wife, Donna, live in Clarksville, Tenn., with their two children. And Warren lives with his wife, Sandra, and 4-year-old son, Dalton, in Mooresboro.

No doubt about the match
But when David was diagnosed in January with acute leukemia, Warren didn’t think twice about being a bone marrow donor for his brother.

“I never considered doing anything different. I prayed, but I never doubted that I would be a match,” Warren said.

The numbers were against him — the chances that a sibling will be a match are between 20 to 25 percent. However, Warren surprised doctors by not only being a match, but a 10 out of 10 match — the closest you can get.

“That’s a miracle of God,” Warren said.

David and Warren’s mother, Joy Cooper Williams, said she’s scared about the upcoming transplant but she’s also holding onto her faith.

“We have been praying from the first day and God has answered our prayers,” she said. “We are praying for a full recovery and a minimum of side effects.”

A new birthday
The transplant will take place July 2-3 at Vanderbilt University Hospital in Nashville, Tenn. Warren’s wife and son, his mom and his dad, Don Cooper, are going to be there for the transplant. Williams said the hospital is one of the best in treating David’s type of cancer. She participated in a caregivers class last week and learned what she can expect before and after the transplant.

David will go in the hospital on June 28 to prepare for the transplant. He will be given intense chemotherapy and radiation treatments that will kill all of his bone marrow. At the same time, Warren will begin taking shots that will make his body produce stem cells. On July 2, the stem cells will be harvested in a manner that is similar to donating blood. The blood is pumped out, goes through a machine and then is put back into the bloodstream. The new stem cells will be given to David on July 3.

“July 3 is his new birthday. It will take about two years for a full recovery,” Williams said.

Family’s faith important
She said that David’s prognosis is good, because they discovered the leukemia early. They found it in January and he’s been in remission since March.
“I have more faith than I’ve ever had,” she said.

She grew up in a Christian home with a mother who believed in prayer.

“My mother’s influence and my family’s influence was so important,” Williams said. “You never know what your children will face and they have to have something to lean on.”

Warren, who serves as a deacon at Sandy Run Baptist Church in Mooresboro, said the support and prayers of his church family have helped his family face this difficult and scary time.

“I’m blessed to have the network of friends that I have,” he said. “Everybody has been so supportive of our family.”

Praying for others and celebrating life
But he also wants people to realize that they are not the only ones who need prayer.

“At Vanderbilt, there is a whole room of people who are fighting leukemia,” he said. “We don’t have the toughest battle.”

He also said the experience has made him think more about the time he spends with his family.

“You look around and notice the little things,” he said.
“If you haven’t talked to somebody in a while pick up the phone and call them, because you never know. If Dalton wants to swim a little longer, we swim a little longer. If he wants to play ball a little longer we play ball.”

If you’d like to send a message of encouragement to the family, e-mail joyetc@bellsouth.net.

(In the photo above, David is on the left.)

If you have a story to share about how someone has brightened your day, post your comments on the Random Acts of Kindness blog at shelbystar.com under “Staff Blogs” or e-mail jackiebridges@shelbystar.com or call 704-669-3337.

More photos from Connie and Steve Willis' garden in Fallston

FALLSTON — For 21 years, Connie Willis and her daughter, Erin, were inseparable. Erin had cerebral palsy and Connie kept her close.
“We went everywhere together,” Connie said. “I never left her with anyone. I miss her a lot.” When Erin died on May 17, 2005, the neighbors wanted a way to honor Erin’s memory and help Connie and her husband, Steve, deal with the loss of their daughter. The idea was a memory garden, and Evelyn Horldt, who lives across the street, collected the money.
“We wanted to do something that they could look back on,” Horldt said. “We collected $320 and gave it to them and let them purchase what they wanted. I can enjoy it by being across the street. They keep it lit at night. It’s a constant reminder that Erin’s spirit is still here.”
Here are more photos from the garden made by Star photographer Jeff Melton:

A very special bond --Students support teacher battling cancer

From the moment Jenny Bridges shared the news of her cancer diagnosis with co-workers at Springmore Elementary School, she has received constant encouragement and support.

“I found the place right after spring break, toward the end of March,” said Bridges, a third-grade teacher.Her first chemotherapy treatment was 3½ weeks later.

After she shared the diagnosis, a fifth-grade teacher, Nicole Albright, made a bracelet for her, which was a gift from the third-grade and fifth-grade teachers.

“Jenny liked it and wore it and everybody on the grade level wanted one, her family wanted one, everybody started asking for one,” Albright said.

Because the bracelets were so popular, the third- and fifth-grade teachers decided to sell them to raise money for Bridges’ medical expenses.“We love her,” Lydia Sewell, a third grade-teacher said.

“We’re a team. We’re a family. She’s our heartbeat. We’ve been friends for a long time, since the beginning of Springmore, and there’s a special bond between the third-grade and fifth-grade.”

Holly Glover handled orders and getting supplies to make the bracelets. In the eight weeks since Bridges received her diagnosis, they have made more than 400 bracelets and raised more than $8,500. They’ve also had other fundraisers, but the majority of donations have come through the bracelets, which were sold for $20 each until they were sold out.

The boys have even shown support for their teacher by wearing pink T-shirts.

“I do it to support Mrs. Bridges, so she can feel better,” said Riley Thompson, 9. “She’s a good teacher.”

The teachers presented the money to Jenny and her husband, John, at a surprise party May 31.

She had no idea how much money had been raised.

“The support and love that has been shown through this family has been unbelievable,” Bridges said. “It’s cards, e-mails, prayers and gifts. I don’t even have the burden. Everybody else is carrying it for me.”

More photos from Jenny Bridges at Springmore

In the eight weeks since Jenny Bridges received a diagnosis of breast cancer, her co-workers have made more than 400 bracelets and raised more than $8,500. They presented her a check at a surprise party.

Springmore teachers“Girls Gone Wild for the Jenny Bracelets” These teachers helped raise more than $8,500 for fellow teacher Jenny Bridges, who is battling breast cancer: Holly GloverLydia SewellDonna TrimbleLynne SundayLisa KindlerAllyson CampHeather MorrisonNicole AlbrightShelly JonesNatalie RogersAshley HooksMichelle HamiltonHope Binion

Springmore students have shown support for their teacher. First row, Jaida Wesson, left, and McKala Butler; second row, left to right, Nicholas Deaton, Riley Thompson, Mrs. Bridges, Jenna Bridges, and Taylor Walker

Jenny Bridges talks about the support she's received from the Springmore community.

Jenny and her children: Carson Bridges, Jenna Bridges, Colby Bridges.

More photos from Bethware Fourth-graders visit to Life Enrichment Center in Kings Mountain

Fourth-grade students in Crissie Johnsonbaugh’s class from Bethware Elementary held a bake sale to raise money to buy a birdbath and bird feeders for the Life Enrichment Center in Kings Mountain. The participants enjoy watching, filling the bird feeders and identifying the birds.

The students brought and set up the bird feeders

and birdbath for the participants at the

Life Enrichment Center.

Gift adds beauty and song -- Bethware fourth-graders buy birdbath and feeders for Life Enrichment Center

The healing garden at the Neisler Life Enrichment Center, 222 Kings Mountain Blvd., Kings Mountain, has a path that winds through sedges, herbs and fruit trees. It begins and ends in a veranda furnished with rocking chairs, ceiling fans and an outdoor fireplace.

But something was missing — a birdbath and bird feeders.

“We had a birdbath on our wish list for many months and wondered if we would ever get one donated,” Debbie Vaughan, Community Outreach Coordinator, explained in an e-mail.

The center’s wish was granted in March by a group of fourth-graders from Bethware Elementary — Crissie Johnsonbaugh’s “Johnsonbaugh Jaguars.” Johnsonbaugh said her students had been begging her to do a service project.

“We brainstormed different projects, talked to the principal (the students went and talked to her, and then I went later), and decided on buying something for the Life Enrichment Center in Kings Mountain,” Johnsonbaugh wrote in a e-mail.

The students, with Principal Valerie Boyd’s approval, planned, set up and had a bake sale during their Christmas program at school. Faculty and parents donated baked goods. The students raised more than $200 at the bake sale.

“Many of the participants’ own grandchildren are grown now, so they love and have adopted our new young heroes, the Johnsonbaugh Jaguars,” Vaughan said. “I think what means the most is knowing that these young people care about them. It has taken a lot of work from students, parents and teachers to bake, sell and purchase these items and fill our need.”

Along with the birdbath, the students donated a hook, two bird feeders and bird seed. They brought the items to the Life Enrichment Center and visited with the residents.

“I believe the project will have a lasting effect on the students,” Johnsonbaugh said. “The students were proud of helping push some of the residents around in their wheelchairs, and they were just excited in general.”

Vaughan said the act of kindness has meant “the world” to the center’s participants.

“It is wonderful to know that these young people care enough about us to make a difference in both our lives and our healing garden with the birdbath and bird feeders,” she said. “Many of our participants enjoy being outside in the garden area during their day at Life Enrichment Center. They especially enjoy watching, filling the bird feeders and identifying the birds.”

Johnsonbaugh said her students wanted to do something for others, because they have relatives who are in retirement homes or relatives who are serving in the armed forces.

“I believe they have grown up in a time and around family that believes helping others is how we will survive,” she said.

Gloria Lowe Harper wants to come home to finish cancer fight

Gloria Lowe Harper is a giving and caring person, who has worked for many years mentoring children in the Communities in Schools programs at Crest Middle and Township Three Elementary.

When she was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a type of bone marrow cancer, on April 25, 2007, it was time for her family and friends to rally around her, offering support financially and through their prayers and encouragement.

After doctors here said they could do no more to help her, her family and friends raised the money to send her to the number one Multiple Myeloma center in America, the University of Arkansas for Medical Science Myeloma Institute for Research and Therapy.

She traveled to Arkansas a month ago and family members have taken turns staying with her there. But now, doctors at the center say the treatments are not working and her family wants to bring her back home.

Gloria’s sister, Bea Webber, said they will need $7,000 to fly Gloria home. The family has contacted Hospice Cleveland County and is hoping Gloria will be able to stay at Wendover.

Donations to help bring Gloria home may be sent to Gloria’s church, St. Peter Baptist in Grover.

The St. Peter Ministries for Gloria Harper Fund was created to help lesson the impact on the family, making funds available for not only for medical treatment but for everyday expenses such as rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, travel and lodging.Donations are tax-deductible. Checks should be made payable to the Gloria Harper Fund and send to St. Peter Ministries, P.O. Box 2706, Shelby, NC 28151-2706.

A good turn - Shelby Gymnastics raising money for children in Tanzania

Kaitlin Houlditch-Fair has been turning cartwheels about as long as she’s been walking. The daughter of Shelby City Park Gymnastics Instructor Dot Houlditch, Kaitlin grew up in the gymnastics program and also helped her mother when she got older.

“I owe all my gymnastics skills and life skills to her; she is the most amazing woman I’ve ever met,” Kaitlin writes about her mother. “And yes, it is fair to say that I have been doing cartwheels from a very young age. My mom was even still teaching when she was pregnant with me. It’s embedded in my bones!”

Kaitlin, now a junior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, is studying dramatic art and has received a Burch Fellowship to travel to Moshi, Tanzania, to work as an assistant acrobatics instructor at the TunaHAKI Centre for Street Children.

TunaHAKI is swahili for “we have the right.”

Teaching gymnastics around the world

“I heard about the Centre through a friend of mine here at UNC. Last semester I studied abroad in London and started a gymnastics program at a nursery school down the street from where I lived,” Kaitlin said. “I went once a week and taught 3 and 4 year olds and I absolutely loved it.”

Out of that experience, she wanted to do more.

“I just talked to so many people that had travelled, and when I talked to my friend Marie who studied abroad in Tanzania, I knew this was the right place to go,” she said. “I e-mailed the director of TunaHAKI, David Ryatula, and he invited me to come on over, so I went about getting funding for it.”

She applied and was chosen for The Burch Fellows Program. The program was established in 1993 by a gift from UNC-CH alumnus Lucius E. Burch III. It grants up to $6,000 for a student to pursue a passionate interest.

Giving back to the children

With the gift that Kaitlin has been given, she is going to raise money to give back to the children in Moshi.

“I want to raise money for TunaHAKI itself (now that UNC has agreed to cover my airfare and vaccinations and such) because the conditions of the Center are apparently very poor,” she said. “They are in the midst of building a new facility, one with running water and electricity and enough beds for the children, and this money will go toward that.”

To raise money for the orphanage, Kaitlin and her mom’s students in the gymnastics program at Shelby City Park are hosting a Cartwheel-a-thon May 17 from 9 a.m. to noon.

About TunaHAKI

TunaHAKI houses approximately 20 street children, mostly orphans, and provides them with food, education and a family life. These children are not up for adoption as in some orphanages, but have found a home at TunaHAKI. They perform acrobatics and drama for tourists in order to fund the orphanage.

In addition to raising money for the orphanage, Kaitlin’s goal is to study the way TunaHAKI, known for its focus on acrobatics and drama, promotes the physical and social development of the resident children.

Upon her return to UNC in the fall, she will continue volunteering at the Franklin Porter Graham Childcare Institute by incorporating a new African dance program, crediting the artists she learns from in Tanzania.

Want to help?

What: Cartwheel-a-thon to raise money for children in Moshi, Tanzania

When: May 17, 9 a.m. to noon; Students may come for any or all of this time to practice their gymnastics, turn cartwheels and have fun. A minimum $10 per student is requested, with more being welcomed.

Where: Shelby City Park gymnastics room

Why: Kaitlin Houlditch-Fair has received a Burch Fellows grant from Chapel Hill to spend 8 weeks in Moshi volunteering at TunaHAKI orphanage as an assistant acrobatics instructor. TunaHAKI is a center housing approximately 20 street children, mostly orphans, and providing them with food, education and a family life. These children are not up for adoption as in some orphanages, but have found a home at TunaHAKI. They perform acrobatics and drama for tourists in order to fund the orphanage. Money raised from the cartwheel-a-thon will be given to the orphanage.

Donate: Contributions may be sent to the City Park or mailed to Dorothy Houlditch, 5017 Brooks Chapel Road, Ellenboro, NC 28040. Make checks payable to Shelby Gymnastics with “TunaHAKI” in the memo line.

Learn more by visiting:http://www.tunahaki.org/

http://www.burchfellows.unc.edu/pastburchfellows.html

Photos of Kaitlin Houlditch Fair and the kids in Moshi

Last semester Kaitlin Houlditch-Fair studied abroad in London and started a gymnastics program at a nursery school down the street from where she lived. This summer she will be working in Moshi volunteering at TunaHAKI orphanage as an assistant acrobatics instructor.

TunaHAKI Photos courtesy of D. Mason Bendewald

The TunaHAKI Centre for Street Children in Moshi, Tanzania, houses approximately 20 street children, mostly orphans, and provides them with food, education and a family life. They perform acrobatics, above, and drama for tourists in order to fund the orphanage.

“It is fair to say that I have been doing cartwheels from a very young age," Kaitlin said.

Patrick Center volunteers distribute lettuce, more photos

Lafayette Pearson takes lettuce into the Patrick Center in Kings Mountain.

Roberta Brown separates the bags of lettuce. The bags are separated and then put in grocery bags to be delivered to seniors or for seniors to come and pick up at the Patrick Center.

Rapael Lugo puts bags of lettuce in a grocery bag.

Patrick Center volunteers help distribute bagged salads

Bagged lettuce or salad mix may not seem like a luxury, but to a senior citizen on a fixed income, it may as well be. For about a year now, the luxury item has been offered free once a week to seniors in the Kings Mountain area.

Thursdays are lettuce days at the Patrick Senior Center. You’ll find anywhere from 15 to 20 senior volunteers sorting the bags of lettuce and putting them in grocery bags for pick up or delivery. The program started when Terrie Lewis, program coordinator, received a call from an employee of the Dole Plant near Bessemer City, offering surplus bags of salad to the seniors.
“At first I was going by myself to get the lettuce on Thursdays,” Ms. Lewis said.

It would take her all morning to get the lettuce ready to distribute. Monty Thornburg, director, and other staff members also helped.

“When Lafayette Pearson found out that I was going by myself to get the lettuce, he asked if he could go,” Ms. Lewis said. “He also asked other people to help. Now they get everything ready so that I can go back and do other things. If it wasn’t for the volunteers, I couldn’t get my job done.”

Pearson, 76, said that he wanted to help, “because I know they need some help.”
“If you ever come around here and see what these girls do, you know they do a good job,” he said. “And I want to help them.”

After working all morning to separate and bag the salad, Pearson delivers it to 17 people.
“They love you for bringing the lettuce,” he said. “It really tickles them to death.”

Thornburg said the volunteers arrive at 8 a.m. every Thursday morning to help. After a cup of coffee, some go with Ms. Lewis to pick up the lettuce and the others stay behind to get everything ready.

Martha Harrelson, 74, spends her Thursday mornings bagging lettuce for three reasons.
“It’s helping somebody else out and that’s what we are supposed to do and it’s good to get out of the house and have something to do.”

Like Pearson, many of the volunteers take bags of lettuce to people who can’t come to the Patrick Center and get them.

Dora Bridges, 76, delivers lettuce to about 8 people.
“I’ve always liked helping people and I love doing it for them,” she said. “They appreciate it so much.”

Ms. Bridges and Ivory Nolen, 78, work together to coordinate all the volunteers who help on lettuce day.

“I enjoy volunteering and just being among my friends,” Ms. Nolen said. “We have a good crew who works together.”

When she delivers lettuce to the people on her list, “they are standing at the door waiting on me,” she said. “Everybody is tickled to death to get it.”

But the ones who receive the lettuce aren’t the only ones who benefit.

Roberta Brown, 78, doesn’t like lettuce, but she comes every Thursday to help with the lettuce distribution.
“I just do things to get away from the house,” she said. “It’s boring sitting at home.”

Free lettuce is available on most Thursdays to senior citizens in the Kings Mountain area. For more information, call the Patrick Center at 704-734-0447.

Keeping his promise - Boy Scout raises money to replace three trees from his original project

Andrew Harnage's job was done and he had completed his project on his quest to earn the rank of Eagle - the highest award in scouting. He could have walked away and not looked back.
But the Boy Scout couldn't let that happen. After all, the first point of the Boy Scout Law is: "A Scout is trustworthy."

Back in January 2007, Harnage planted 25 High Tower Willow Oak trees and installed two benches at Graham Elementary School's Head Start playground. The drought this past summer killed some of the trees.

Harnage, a member of Troop 100 and a student at Shelby High School, decided to replace the trees. He went back out to the school March 8 to finish his project for a second time.

"In spite of my efforts to water trees on a weekly basis through the drought of 2007, three of my original trees died," Harnage said. "I thought it was important to replace these trees in order to consider my project complete."

In addition to planting the trees again, Harnage had to raise money to purchase the new trees.

"I sought out contributions from friends of scouting," he said. "I purchased the three replacement trees and planted them while still dormant."

Harnage earned his award April 1, and will receive his Eagle rank in a ceremony on May 30.

If you have a story to share about how someone has brightened your day, post your comments on the Random Acts of Kindness blog at shelbystar.com under "Reporter Blogs" or e-mail jackiebridges@shelbystar.com or call 704-669-3337.

Boy Scout plants new trees

Back in January 2007, Andrew Harnage planted 25 High Tower Willow Oak trees and installed two benches at Graham Elementary School’s Head Start playground.
The drought this past summer killed some of the trees.
Harnage, a member of Troop 100 and a student at Shelby High School, decided to replace the trees.
He went back out to the school March 8 to finish his project for a second time.

Madison's hope

Three-year-old Madison has an infectious smile, loves to draw and dance and wants to be a rock star someday like Hannah Montana.

When you look at her, you don’t see the disease that threatens her future — maybe her next breath. Madison has cystic fibrosis, a fatal disease that clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections and obstructs the pancreas and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down and absorb food.

Madison’s mom, Ashley, had never heard of cystic fibrosis when her daughter was diagnosed in 2005. Since then, she’s learned about the disease that affects her daughter and other diseases that disable children.

“There are so many children affected by disabling diseases every day, like Madison,” Ashley said in an e-mail. “Cystic Fibrosis is more personal to me because of Madison, but Madison and I both participate in Juvenile Diabetes, Relay for Life, Autism and other developmental disability awareness groups.

“So many people come together and the foundation does a lot of research, which has already helped Madison greatly,” Ashley said.

“So I want her to know how important it is for her to help others as well.”

And Madison’s grandmother is Rhonda Cooper, who is the founder of HOPE of North Shelby, which was organized in 1998 to build the first Boundless handicapped accessible playground at North Shelby School. Ms. Cooper has also been involved with various projects and organizations for persons with developmental disabilities over the years.

Sponsoring a team

Because of the help the family has received from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, they are sponsoring a team for the foundation’s annual fundraising campaign, “Great Strides.” Teams work within their communities to raise funds and awareness of cystic fibrosis and then come together in May of every year for an annual event.

The team is called “Madison’s Hope” and it’s sponsoring a golf tournament April 26 at Woodbridge Golf Club.

Living with Cystic Fibrosis

Ashley said that Madison wants and tries to be very active, but sometimes she just does not have the stamina to do so. They recently attempted soccer at the YMCA. Madison went to two practices and after running just a few minutes, she was wore out and told her mother that she did not feel good enough to play. She takes anywhere from seven to 10 medications each day, some of them twice daily. She also takes four pills called enzymes every time she eats or drinks anything like milk, or something her body has to digest.

Every night, after bath, Madison does her “shake vest” and two breathing treatments. The shake vest pounds all the way around her lungs to try and prevent mucus and other bacteria from settling.

“She does not like the shake vest, and sometimes there are tiny bruises,” Ashley said. “Often it makes her sick, even waiting several hours after dinner.”

The future

Because of the research supported by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the average life span for cystic fibrosis has grown in the last 20 years, but there is no guarantee that a person with the disease will even see their teenage years, Ashley said.

“I worry every day, because her health can literally go from OK to very bad in no time at all and it is hard for her to recover from viruses and other illnesses,” she said. “It is one thing in life that I cannot protect her from, and creating Madison’s Hope helped me not only deal with her condition, but also feel like I was doing something for her and all of our cystic fibrosis friends.” The disease is unpredictable and the older Madison gets the more severe her symptoms will become.

“I know we will be looking at a transplant of the liver someday, and probably the lungs, but I have to have faith in God, Maddie’s doctors and the CF Foundation, and just continue to pray that one day someone will find a cure,” Ashley said.

Want to help?

Ashley Allison has formed “Madison’s Hope,” in honor of her daughter to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The team is sponsoring a golf tournament April 26 at Woodbridge.

Details: Four player teams, “Captain’s Choice”

Fees: $240 per team or $60 per person (Includes lunch, awards and door prizes)Awards: First, second and third place and longest putt, longest drive and closest to the pin

Hole Sponsors: Banzen Warren “Restoration Concepts,” Leah Player “In honor of Robbie,” Jill and Butch Miller, “In honor of Luke and Josh,” Richard Moore, “One On One Care Inc.,” and Don Peeler

Confirmed team sponsors: Richard Moore “One On One Care Inc.,” and Missy Hamrick “Mama Lissa’s Tiny Tot University”

More information: Ashley Allison, 704-473-9687 or Rhonda Cooper, 704-692-5341; e-mail, ashleync2003@yahoo.com or on the Web: www.cff.org/Great_Strides/AshleyAllison

Neighbors say dog is a hero

Jane Grigg of Lawndale sent a letter recently about a dog named Buck. She and others in the Lawndale community are truly amazed by Buck’s intuition.Buck is a Malamute — some call the breed a “gentle giant.” Because the dogs love interacting with people, they are not recommended for guard dogs.This friendly, loving animal comforted a lost man and gave Lib Downs a chance to say goodbye to her husband, Herman.

Herman, who suffered from Alzheimer’s, wandered away from home on a brutally cold night wearing only his pajamas. He managed to walk about a ½ mile from his home to First National Bank in Lawndale. Herman, too tired to continue, sat down at the bank.

That’s where “faith or luck or whatever you want to call it stepped in,” wrote Ms. Grigg, who is a friend of the family.

Buck lives near the First National with his owner, Doris Davis. When Buck spotted Herman, he came to him and apparently stayed with him the rest of the night. The cleaning crew found the pair huddled together the next morning.

“If not for Buck staying right by Herman’s side, he would have frozen that night,” Ms. Grigg said.Although Herman died a week later, the rescue gave him a chance to be in a hospital surrounded by his family and his wife of 62 years.

“Life goes on for the rest of us and we miss Herman, but knowing he is with our Lord makes it a little easier,” Ms. Grigg said. “Herman was the oldest member in our church, Lawndale Baptist.”Ms. Davis, the dog’s owner, said that her Buck is the neighborhood pet.

“The folks at the Senior Center love him,” she said. “I’ve had Buck six years.” The dog showed up at her son’s house and she was reluctant to take him, because she lives near the walking track. She didn’t want a dog bothering the walkers. But Malamutes don’t bark much; the noise they make is described as “talking.” And because Buck is friendly, the walkers give him treats.

“I gave a picture of him to Lib and they had it at the funeral,” Ms. Davis said. “We gave Buck some extra hamburger and a hug and told him he was a hero.”

With your help, local Girl Scouts will send cookies and a note of appreciation to wounded soldiers

Who says there’s nothing to look forward to in January?At The Star office we’ve been anxiously awaiting the arrival of our Girl Scout cookies. We’ve all ordered — and consumed — our favorites, from Thin Mints to Lemonades.

Knowing that Girl Scout cookies are a simple way to lift someone’s spirit, the Girl Scouts of the Pioneer Council are again participating in a project to send cookies to our military forces.

Girl Scouts of the Pioneer Council has partnered with the Soldier and Family Assistance Center outreach in Fort Bragg to show our wounded soldiers that they are appreciated and not forgotten.

Local Girl Scouts will be sending cookies with personalized notes of thanks and appreciation to wounded soldiers who are recovering in both Fort Bragg and Camp LeJeune.

“The goal of this service project is to send recovering soldiers at Fort Bragg and Camp LeJeune a handwritten note of thanks and encouragement — what better way to do that than to attach it to a delicious box of Girl Scout cookies,” explains Johanna Lovvorn V.P of product sales for the Pioneer Council.

Girl Scouts throughout Gaston, Lincoln, Cleveland, Rutherford and Polk counties will be selling cookies and accepting donations toward cookies at local cookie “shops.”

Cookie shops will be held most weekends (now through mid March) at area stores. All of the donated cookies will be driven to Fort Bragg, courtesy of the Kings Mountain Armory. From there they will be distributed to wounded soldiers at Fort Bragg and forwarded to wounded soldiers at Camp LeJeune.

“We are honored to able to do this for the Girl Scouts and our Wounded Soldiers. Often, it takes a long time to heal from battle injuries and this is just an easy way to let our Soldiers know that we have not forgotten them during this long process,” said SFC Russell Thorington, 878th En Co.

If you want to help, look for Girl Scout cookie shops in your area (see list below) and make a donation. Participating troops will have a special wrap/tent card at their cookie shops. Cookies are $3.50 a box and $42 per case (12 boxes). Donations of any size can also be mailed or dropped off:Girl Scouts of the Pioneer Council, Attn. Wounded Soldier Service Project, 250 S. New Hope Rd., Gastonia, NC 28054

Local Cookie ShopsStop by any of these locations to donate a box of cookies to a wounded soldier at Fort Bragg or Camp LeJeune.

Cleveland Mall, 2001 E. Dixon Blvd., Shelby, Feb. 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 29 and March 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 14 and 15; Fridays: 4-7p.m.; Saturdays: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sundays: 1-6p.m.

Wal Mart, 704 E. Dixon Blvd., Shelby, Feb. 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 29 and March 1, 2, 14 and 15; Fridays: 4-7p.m.; Saturdays: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays, Noon-6p.m.

K Mart, 706 E. Dixon Blvd., Shelby, Feb. 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 29 and March 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 14 and 15; Fridays: 4-7p.m.; Saturdays: 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Sundays: Noon-6 p.m.

Wal Mart, 197 Plaza Drive, Forest City, Feb. 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 29 and March 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 14 and 15; Fridays: 4-7p.m.; Saturdays: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sundays: Noon-6 p.m.

Web site: http://www.girlscoutspc.org/.

Maj. Derek Vinson and unit send their thanks from Iraq

Over the holidays many of you sent cards, letters and packages to Cleveland County servicemen and women who are serving in Iraq and other places.

Sometimes when you do something nice for someone, you wonder if the small gesture was recognized or appreciated.

Let me assure you that the cards and packages you took the time to mail helped our soldiers feel remembered and honored. I’ve heard from several families who wanted to pass along their appreciation for what the people of Cleveland County did for their sons and daughters.

Here’s another thank you card that was waiting in my e-mail when I came back to work after Christmas.

It was a picture and message from Maj. Derek M. Vinson and sent by his sister, Roslyn Vinson-Braggs, and her family. Derek is serving his third tour in Iraq. His wife, Maj. Dikila Jones-Vinson, brigade signal and automation officer, will begin her tour in Iraq in February. He is a Burns High graduate and a graduate of North Carolina A&T State University with a degree in OSHA/Environmental Science. He is a member of First Baptist Church in Lawndale.

Derek is assigned to the 7th Sustainment Brigade as the Brigade General Supply Officer (GSO) out of Fort Eustis, Va. In Iraq, he is responsible for planning, coordinating, synchronizing, monitoring and controlling all classes of supply operations and services, including bottled and bulk water, ice production and storage and mortuary affairs. He manages the theater bulk fuel reserves in coordination with the Army Materiel Command and the 316th ESC and provides material management for one multiclass SSA and Joint Distribution Center. He is also responsible for the health, welfare, morale and professional development of 26 soldiers. He is scheduled to return home for a mid-tour leave in mid-August and will complete his tour in Iraq in mid-January 2009.

The e-mail from Derek said,
"This is a Christmas card sent from Maj. Derek M. Vinson, a native of Cleveland County and the son of Eugene and Annie Vinson and the grandson of Bernice Vinson and Bertha and G.W Coates, all of Lawndale. Derek sends holiday blessings to the wonderful people of Cleveland County and also sends a special thank you to all who have sent him packages, letters and e-mail. Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year from the 7th SB General Supply Branch.
"Thanks again,
"Roslyn Vinson-Braggs and family"
In a separate e-mail, Ms. Vinson-Braggs added that Derek would like for the people of Cleveland County to continue to pray for him as well as all of the deployed servicemen and women for their safe return home. He shares the goodies that he has received from home with his command, because many do not receive anything.

Addresses of Soldiers from Cleveland County

Soldiers from Cleveland County

Lance Cpl. Torres, Matthew
USS GERMANTOWN LSD 42
1/5 Bravo Co. Combat Cargo
Unit 40330
FPO AP 96610-0330

Robert Dalton
AOB 5310
APO AE 09393

Spc. Johnson, Kevin
#5928, C-Co, 2-325, AIR
Camp Taji, Iraq
APO AE 09378

SSG Jon Canipe
ODA 5322
FOB Q-West
APO AE 09351

PVT. 1st Class Davio Bret Morgan
FOB Dragons 3rd PLT
Alpha Co. 3rd BLT
APO AE 09344

PVT Degree, Alton
557 MP Co. Unit 15192
APO PO 96271

COL. Mike Bumgarner
MNSTC-1/CPATT
FOB Shield
APO AE 09348

AO1 Michael Brian Todd
HSL-44 (W/C 230)
NAS Mayport
Mayport, Florida 32228

LCPL Bryan D. Bridges
3D BN 2D MAR L CO 2 PLT
UNIT 73110
FPO AE 09509-3110

SRA Johnny L. Powell
PSC 9 Box 3894
APO AE 09123

SRA Brian C. Collier
226 Odell Street
Spring Lake, NC 28390

SRMSG Dennis Pearson
29 Cedarbrook
Troy, Ill. 62294

Sgt. Marcos Pearson
ABTRY 2-32 FA
Unit No. 43356
APO AE 09344

TSGT Bowen, Mitchell
JLTF 1144th
70 MTD USAF
APO AE 09366

Pfc. Skelton
Unit 5928, B. Company
2-325 Air 82nd Airborne Division
Camp Taji, IRAQ
APO AE 09378

SFC Wanda Ross
488th CSC Unit # 6510
APO AE 09375

SPC. Ross, Derek
Unit# 5972
HHT 3-7 CAV
APO AE 09378

Sgt. W. Scott Richard
146 Sig. Met SPP
CMR 467 Box 641
APO AE 09096

SSG Manning, Mervin L.
BO 72nd Sig B
CMR 435 Box 297
APO AE 09086

S.Sgt. Jeffrey L. Brackett
VMAQ-2 Unit 78011
FPO AE 09509-8011

LCpl. Thomas Burke
VMAQ-2 Unit 78011
FPO AE 09509-8011

LCpl. Cody Ford
VMAQ-2 Unit 78011
FPO AE 09509-8011

Cpl. Cory Lotspeich
VMAQ-2 Unit 78011
FPO AE 09509-8011

1Sg. Arrowood, Rodney W.
DFST 5/7 CAU
1 BCT 3ID
APO AE 09387

Mologne House
Sgt. Johannson, Tim
Room 221
6900 Georgia Ave NW Building 20
Washington, DC 20307

Spc. Simmons, Louis
26th BSB 3ID
APO AE 09321

Tiffani Lawter
380th ESFS/ SFOB
APO AE 09853

Renita Hutson
380th ESFS/SFOB
APO AE 09853

PFC, Stroup, Jonathan T.
E. Co. 1-2 AVN Regt.
Unit 15008 Box # 393
APO AP 96297-5008

AIC Adam Greene
455 EAMXS/336
EAMU-F15E
APO AE 09354

SGT Louis A. Barber
1132nd MPCO.95th MPBN
FOB Rustamiyah
APO AE 09390-2402

SGT Abernethy, Cole
C Co 2-22 IN HQ 1/10th MTN
FOB Warrior
APO AE 09338

Major Derek M. Vinson
HHC 7th Sustainment BDE
APO AE 09331

Lt. Bradley Hamrick
F Co. 2-504
PIR Unit No. 73312
Al Asad Air Base
APO AE 09333