Sense of community
evident in program
Recently, I had the pleasure of visiting Logansport. I was there to see Missy Iles who coordinates the backpack program at Fairview and Columbia Elementary schools. I have worked with Missy for several months as the program supplied the children with a backpack full of food to help sustain them during the weekends when school meals aren’t available. Missy is a woman of quiet strength and a genuine commitment to help those in need. She also had the unique ability to open her heart to include all those around her.
What I thought would be a fairly mundane visit turned into a surprising event. When I arrived at First Assembly of God Church, I noticed right away that the parking lot was home to two fire trucks and a fire command vehicle. When I entered the building, there was no emergency, just eight firemen happily helping Missy move cartons of food from the storeroom, opening boxes and stacking food neatly on the table. They moved about the task with light chatter and great sense of purpose. As the last of the food was arranged on the table, the men said quiet goodbyes and left the building.
In a few minutes, senior citizens, some using wheelchairs and walkers, began to arrive. Amid happy greetings and hugs from Missy, they made their way to a place at the table where they were preparing to pack the 250 backpacks that would later be driven to the schools by other church volunteers. The volunteers were greeted by Chris Hess and Liz Loposser, principals at the elementary schools served by this program. The principals chatted about the needs of the children at their schools and the tremendous help this program has been. They recalled that Joyce Gebhardt, executive director of the Cass County United Way, proposed and funded the backpack project, and at least seven groups that had come together to make this happen.
As I look back on my visit, I am overwhelmed with the sense of community that was visible and the incredible power of one woman to bring people together to do exactly what needed to be done. Thank you, Missy, and your wonderful volunteers. I feel like a better person because I know you and I know the Logansport community is a better place because you are there.
Kim Motuliak
Resource director
Food Finders Food Bank
Lafayette
Opinion
Public forum, July 2
- Opinion
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An outstanding community effort
United Way of Cass County announced this week that it had raised more than $600,000 in its most recent campaign. The campaign’s success is a testament to the generosity of local residents and to the great work of the United Way and its member agencies.
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Thorns & Roses
Thorns & Roses is our staff’s compilation of the best and worst of the week, but if you have your own nominations, feel free to send them along for publication in our Public Forum. Submissions of up to 400 words may be addressed to Pharos-Tribune, 517 E.
Broadway, Logansport IN 46947. The fax number is 574-732-5070, and the email address is publicforum@pharostribune.com. Don’t forget to include your name, address and daytime telephone number. -
Public forum
Letters of up to 400 words may be submitted to Public Forum, Pharos-Tribune, 517 E. Broadway, Logansport IN 46947. The email address is publicforum@pharostribune.com, and the fax number is 574-732-5070.
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Another step forward for local trails
Local officials broke ground this week on the planned Eel River Run from downtown to Riverside Park. The project will expand a trail system of which the community can be proud.
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White should not return to office
The conviction of Indiana’s secretary of state on charges of voter fraud has left Republicans and Democrats fighting over who will hold the office. No matter how the fight comes out, Charlie White’s ouster from office should be permanent.
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Even in names, Eli beats Peyton
Columnist Dave Kitchell looks at the names of Cass County's babies in 2011 - and the effect they may have had on the Super Bowl.
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Public forum
Letters of up to 400 words may be submitted to Public Forum, Pharos-Tribune, 517 E. Broadway, Logansport IN 46947. The email address is publicforum@pharostribune.com, and the fax number is 574-732-5070.
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A grand success for Indianapolis
The just-ended Super Bowl was the result of decades of preparation. Indianapolis left a great impression on the thousands of visitors who descended on the city.
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Public forum
Letters of up to 400 words may be submitted to Public Forum, Pharos-Tribune, 517 E. Broadway, Logansport IN 46947. The email address is publicforum@pharostribune.com, and the fax number is (574) 732-5070.
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Public forum
Letters of up to 400 words may be submitted to Public Forum, Pharos-Tribune, 517 E. Broadway, Logansport IN 46947. The email address is publicforum@pharostribune.com, and the fax number is (574) 732-5070.
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An outstanding community effort








