Published: August 20, 2006 02:18 pm            

8/20/06 Letters to editor

Thanks from APPLES organizers



Dear Editor:



The American Legion Auxiliary’s APPLES trees program helped over 250 children this year. Thank you Cleburne, Keene, Rio Vista, Alvarado, Joshua and Godley residents who picked APPLES and generously donated school supplies, backpacks and shoes that made going back to school a proud day for these deserving students.

Unpicked APPLES supplies and backpacks were purchased with funds donated by the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 50 Cleburne; Cleburne Jaycees, Cleburne Rotary Club, Wal-Mart Distribution Center, United Cooperative Services, American Legion Post 50 Cleburne, Sons of the American Legion Cleburne Squadron 50, Johnson County Board of Realtors, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 648 Rio Vista, and private individual donations.

We appreciate the businesses that allowed APPLES trees to be placed in their locations. They include: First Baptist Church of Cleburne, First Financial Banks (2), OmniAmerican Bank, First State Bank of Texas (3), Bank America, Community Bank, Ables BBQ, Keene Pharmacy, Cleburne Bible Church, Wells Fargo (Rio Vista), Staples, Albertson’s, and H-E-B donated backpacks.

The families who benefited from your generosity were extremely grateful as evidenced by the smiles of children. Assistance was also given to children through the Children’s Advocacy Center, Family Crisis Center and Child Protective Services.

Please plan and budget to assist again next year in this important program. APPLES trees will be in place shortly after the Fourth of July. Volunteers and other organizations that wish to be part of this effort are asked to call 817-645-6053 and leave a message for the Auxiliary.

For God and country,



Darlene Barber, chairman

Rhonda Tatum, Unit 50

president







Thankful to George Marti, Bob Childress



Dear Editor:



Now living in Houston, I sometimes browse the Cleburne Times-Review Web site. I was fortunate enough to catch the article written about the George Marti Foundation. As a past recipient, I would like to personally thank Mr. Marti and the work he has done to help the community.

Back when I was nearing graduation, attending college was a trivial ambition. Scholastically and athletically, I was more than qualified to attend any college. However, financial concerns were a realistic obstacle that seemed a limiting factor in my ability to do so. In came Mr. Marti and Bob Childress of Childress Engineers. With their support I was able to attend Texas A&M without significant financial strain and achieve a goal that many never believed would happen.

I didn’t come from a wealthy family, or blessed with extraordinary talents, but I had a dream and there are people in Cleburne who will help you reach that dream. I am now a civil engineer in Houston, living my dream, and Mr. Marti’s scholarship went a long way in helping me reach this goal.

I want to say thank you to George and the Cleburne community. I hope I can serve as motivation that help is out there. I am a living testimony that anything you set your mind on is possible and I am truly blessed to have the support of so many.



Robert E. Jones

Houston

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.