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South Georgia’s generosity is always amazing. From the annual Empty Stocking Fund to the recent response to people in need living under the James Beck Overpass to the response to a story about a young woman needing a wheelchair to help make her life more independent, area folks don’t just offer a helping hand — they change lives.
On Tuesday, The Times published a story about Kendra White, a young, military wife who needed help acquiring an ultra-lightweight wheelchair. With specialized wheels, this chair will allow her more maneuverability, more independence and even the opportunity to customize it to her own sense of style.
Alan Carter, founder of Brain Injury Advocate Services of Georgia, brought the story to The Times’ attention. He said all Kendra needed was an additional $800 to make the chair possible.
A Times reader made the chair possible early Tuesday morning.
Though the newspaper had only been out for less than a few hours, Carter received an email by 8:30 a.m. promising the needed money. The donor wished to remain anonymous, but the money was available a short time later.
Kendra White will have her new ultra-lightweight wheelchair.
Meanwhile, Carter and The Times fielded calls throughout Tuesday into Wednesday from people wanting to help Kendra White.
In the bustle of various activities, in the hard-nose confrontations of politics, in the pettiness of online comments, and amidst stories of horrible crimes, a community can sometimes lose sight of how blessed we are to be where we are.
South Georgia’s generosity can be contagious. To those people who wished to help Kendra White after the money for her wheelchair had already been secured, we would encourage you to look to your neighborhood, or your church, or consider an area organization where your contributions can do the most good.
And if The Times can help in some small way, let us know.
What We Think
Ask and you shall receive
- What We Think
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Thoughts on graduation
Graduation ceremonies reflect how life marches on. For the students receiving their diplomas and degrees, graduation is a culmination of the majority of their lives’ work.
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Thumbs up, thumbs down
THUMBS UP: To Dr. John Gaston, retiring dean of Valdosta State University’s College of the Arts. For the past 10-plus years, Gaston has worked to build a more interconnected program with various artistic and communications departments working together. Given that you are likely to see one College of the Arts department collaborating with another during events is proof of Gaston’s success.
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On the go this weekend
Take a breath.
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Sharing the roads with motorcycles
With the recent pleasant temperatures and sunny skies, the number of motorcycles on area roads has increased.
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Thank your local law enforcement today
Today, May 15, was designated Peace Officers Memorial Day back in 1962 when President John F. Kennedy was in office.
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Visit musical roots this weekend
Beginning Saturday, May 18, Nashville, Ga., will be hosting a special Smithsonian exhibit, “New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music.” The exhibit will continue through the end of June and Nashville has done a tremendous job in promoting and planning for the exhibit.
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Happy Mother’s Day!
A few years ago, a television commercial asked, Who first believed in you? Many folks may have instinctively answered by simply saying, Mom.
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Thumbs up
THUMBS UP: To mail workers, volunteers and food bank staff for gathering food for the annual Stamp Out Hunger postal food drive today. A plastic bag designated for canned goods and other non-perishable food items should have arrived in your mailbox earlier this week. If you haven’t already, take a few moments to fill the bag with food and hang from your mailbox. If you didn’t receive the special Stamp Out Hunger bag, any plastic bag filled with food will do. This food drive helps feed thousands of South Georgians annually. Valdosta-Lowndes County often donates more food than nearly all other cities and counties in Georgia.
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Celebrating nurses
She is considered the founder of modern nursing so it seems only natural that National Nurses Week would include Florence Nightingale’s birthday.
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Helping the hungry: Mail it in!
Valdosta-Lowndes County continues revealing its generous spirit.
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Thoughts on graduation
