To: Brad, Shelly & Nancy

"Thank you for saving my life during my butterscotch candy choking episode at Bayridge Sushi today. Thank goodness for good pals like you! :) Thank goodness for life and the many more Bayridge sushi fest visits I will be able to make with you guys (minus the butterscotch candy)."

Jennifer D -- Lake Mary, FL

From the Rockford Register Star at www.rrstar.com

Angels, step forward

During Thanksgiving week on East State Street in Rockford, my car stopped in the midst of busy traffic. Almost immediately a man came and said, “I’ll push you around the corner.” I put my Oldsmobile into neutral, and this kind man pushed us out of the traffic onto Hunter Avenue. And then, he was gone.

Moments later, a man stopped and asked us if we needed help. I said I needed a tow truck. We had a cell phone, so he said he’d get us some phone numbers, and he did.

I asked for his name, and he handed me his real estate business card and left. Before the tow truck came, this gentleman stopped by again and asked if the tow truck was coming. We told him yes.

I wanted to thank this man. I hope he reads this letter and realizes I appreciated his kindness.

So, Merry Christmas to these remarkable helpers — Rockford angels, maybe.

— Mary Krause,Belvidere

From The Journal Gazette at FortWayne.com

Hoosiers came through for Katrina victims

Thanks to all in Fort Wayne who helped my family and me in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The “Katrina Express” that Allen and my brother Mike transported here to Biloxi, Miss., was a godsend. When my mom and Allen telephoned me three days after Katrina destroyed our home and belongings and told me that relief – including a camper trailer – would be on its way to us, I cannot tell you how overwhelmed with relief, joy and gratitude we were.

Nine feet of storm surge can do quite a number on one’s home and belongings, but at least our home was not washed away, as were some in our neighborhood. We are grateful that we could salvage the contents of a single room and pick through the rubble to retrieve mementos. From clothes to bedding, food and water, cleaning supplies, toiletries, paper products, the Target gift cards for my daughters, Genny and Laura, and lastly to the camper trailer, we were amazed. The donated cash helped buy a shed to store contents from the undamaged room.

I could not comprehend the kindness and compassion Fort Wayne showed my family, especially since we have not even met many of you. I have never had to depend on anyone for anything material or financial during my adult lifetime, and when I suddenly found myself in great need, Fort Wayne really came through – individuals and businesses alike.

As Hoosiers, you should be proud of the efforts the state has made in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. In fact, I have seen more relief workers from Indiana than from any other state – period.

I cannot begin to figure out how I can ever repay any of you for your kindness, except for me to do the same for someone else in dire need in the future. I want to extend our deep and heartfelt thanks to all of you, and we will never forget your awesome act of compassion and selflessness.

MARK, TONI, GENNY and LAURA MULLEN
Biloxi, Miss.