Thumbs up to everyone giving to help children

Morning News
Published: June 7, 2008

Thumbs up to everyone who contributed to the Children’s Miracle Network a week ago. This year marked the 26th year of the broadcast at McLeod, and $868,721 was raised for McLeod Children’s Hospital during the broadcast on WBTW News13. The McLeod miracle children who were been profiled in the Morning News and on WBTW News13 this year — Maggie Bailey, Prayher and Primere Lewis and Mitchell Driggers — represent the more than 26,000 children who received care from McLeod Children’s Hospital either as inpatient, outpatient or rehabilitation patients in 2007.  McLeod Children’s Hospital is one of 170 children’s hospitals in North America that make up the Children’s Miracle Network. Each year, the network’s nonprofit member hospitals treat more than 17 million children afflicted with disease, injuries and birth defects of every type by providing medical care, life-saving research and preventative education, regardless of a family’s ability to pay. If you missed this year’s local broadcast, it’s not too late to contribute to this worthy cause. Donations to McLeod Children’s Hospital can be made by visiting the McLeod Foundation Web site at http://www.mcleodfoundation.org and clicking on the CMN icon for an online submission.

Thumbs up to Florence’s Best Buy for presenting a $3,000 check to the Florence Family YMCA on May 29. The money is from a work-for-cash program Best Buy offers to its employees, said Tiffany Gibson, an employee at the Florence store. Through the program, the company matches 40 hours of volunteer work by an employee at a single community location with $1,000, as much as $5,000 for a one-year period. Florence’s Best Buy also recently donated money to the Manna House “because we were going out there once a week to serve food,” Gibson wrote. “We participate in walks or runs, and that also earns money for whichever organization it is for. We are now offering free technology classes to businesses around Florence, as well.” Gibson and fellow employees Mark Smith and Roslyn Brailsford also have participated in coaching basketball. Kudos to all the employees at the store who are making our community a better place.

Thumbs up to Southside Middle School’s seventh-grade World History (Gifted and Talented) class, which was recognized May 30 by the American Kennel Club for its efforts regarding Breed Specific Legislation. Linda Witouski, AKC S.C. legislative representative, judge and Myrtle Beach Kennel Club delegate, presented the class and their teacher, Brian Harvey, with a trophy and certificates for their outstanding work in canine legislation and dedication to responsible dog ownership. Breed Specific Legislation prohibits someone from owning, breeding or raising certain types of dogs. The class presented its project to Florence County Council on why the legislation is wrong, how it violates one’s rights, how it’s inhumane and the cost to enforce it. The students’ project contained several suggestions, including implementing canine safety education programs in schools and responsible canine ownership classes offered to pet owners. Southside is the first school in South Carolina to receive a certificate of appreciation from the American Kennel Club Public Education Department. Southside also will be offering an AKC program that promotes safety and responsible dog ownership in the coming year.