Thumbs Up – March 30, 2015

The Exchange Club of Albany has two news names in its Book of Golden Deeds. Rick and Jane Runge are members of Byne Memorial Baptist Church and have hearts for home-based foreign missions. The Runges head up the church’s World Hunger Emphasis program and serve as co-directors of International Ministry at Byne. The couple helped establish the Vietnamese Church at Byne as well as the English as a Second Language program. The Runges have supported those wishing to become American citizens with whatever was needed from tutoring to babysitting. It is for their service that the Exchange Club presented this award. Golden Deed recipients, past and present, are among the best people to ever cross the Dougherty County line. Congratulations.

Another special couple making the news this week is Ross and Isabelle Gatlin. Their’s are not names that have made the pages of the paper for political involvement, criminal activity or any other topic so popular with readers. Quite simply, the Gatlins are newsworthy for the dedication each has shown to their marital vows made so long ago. The two met in 1944 and were married on March 21, 1945. After 70 years, Ross Gatlin says, “I am still in love with my wife and she is with me.” On the subject of the secret to such a long life together, he responded, “trust and love.” Happy anniversary to you, Mr. and Mrs. Gatlin.

Earlier this month two busy men took time to come to the Boys and Girls Club of Albany’s 28th Steak and Burger Dinner. Former University of Georgia and NFL player Phillip Daniels spoke to inspire the children about their futures and what each child needs to do to fulfill his or her dreams. Following Daniels was none other than the 2003 American Idol winner Ruben Studdard, himself a regular at the Boys and Girls Club in Birmingham as a child. The event gave members of the community a chance to mingle with the boys and girls as well as win any number of raffle prizes all the while raising much-needed funds for the program. It is safe to say that a good time was had by all.

March has been a good month for the Cancer Coalition of South Georgia. When all the dust settled (and bills paid), the Night for Hope fund raising gala netted $33,000 for the Coalition. Physicians at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital have for some time now donated their would-be Doctor’s Day bonuses to worthy causes and they chose the Cancer Coalition this year. The original idea to donate the bonus dollars came from Dr. Hasan Rizvi, who was once the chief of medical staff at the hospital. The money, $5,000, was given this year in memory of Rizvi, who died last August in a car crash. When all the invoices are settled, organizers of Georgia’s Wing Fest will have yet another donation for the Cancer Coalition. All funds that go to this agency are used exclusively in South Georgia for screenings, support services, education and just about anything else that can prevent, detect or ease the physical and emotional pain associated with cancer.

Accessibility to reading materials is something most people take for granted and often assume everyone has. Such is not the case. Dougherty County has an excellent public library system but often children have no way to get to the abundance of available books. Locally, the first Little Free Library, a small weather-protected birdhouse-like structure was placed in Rawson Circle by school board member Melissa Strother last spring. Sherwood Christian Academy first grade students, as a Christmas project, donated money and books to establish the newest Little Free Library at Webb Park which opened last week. The idea is that anyone and everyone have access to a book if they so wish. There are no forms to fill out and no late fees. All that is needed now is more of these structures, especially in areas with a lot of children.