Posted on 04/23/2006 9:02:16 AM PDT by SandRat
SIERRA VISTA — A hugely successful drive to help Cochise County’s foster children has received nationwide recognition.
USA Weekend Magazine has chosen the Herald/Review and the Fort Huachuca Community Spouses’ Club as honorees in its Make A Difference Day Awards.
It follows the amazing support given by our readers to an appeal for luggage for youngsters who often have to throw their belongings into a trash bag when they leave home. The campaign culminated in a one-day collection last October of more than 1,000 suitcases and travel bags — making a difference in the lives of more than 1,000 children. The project is one of just eight in Arizona to be singled out for recognition by the magazine.
Dawn Miller, president of the spouses’ club, said the success of the appeal would be remembered as one of the most significant events in its history.
“I think it’s one of the momentous things that we did in 2005 because it affected so many children,” she said. “I had no idea how much community outpouring we would get. It was overwhelming. And I think to be recognized for an award is fabulous. I think we were close to being chosen as one of the top 10 projects, but that doesn’t matter as we still made such a difference in people’s lives.”
Foster mom Dolores Miller, of Sierra Vista, came up with the luggage collection idea and she asked the spouses’ club to support her. Each of the 10 children she and husband Gordon had fostered through Catholic Community Services had turned up with just a few belongings in a trash or shopping bag, or nothing at all.
Carrie Zerafa, licensing supervisor with Catholic Community Services, said, “Getting this recognition is a wonderful thing. The response was incredible and helped those kids not to feel like baggage themselves.”
To see other Make A Difference Day honorees, find the USA Weekend supplement in today’s edition.
Dang blast it!! Screen's going blurry again.
The more we support the Troops and their families the more they do to support others.
Dang blast it!! Screen's going blurry again. Where's that Keenex Box when you need it.
BTTT
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