High Five:

Birthday gifts go to dogs

My granddaughter Holly Jean Anderson, a student at Farwell, had her 11th birthday on April 23. While trying to plan a birthday party for her with some of her friends, her mom, Barbara Anderson, asked her what she would like to have for her birthday. She said she would love it if they would give her bags of dog and cat food to take to the Humane Society.

After a recent soccer game, all of the parents donated money, and the girls went shopping for the food. They had lunch at the Dairy Queen, and after that, took the dog and cat food to the Humane Society.

The Humane Society gave her a nice shirt, a pin and a calendar, and the girls all got to pet the animals, and of course, wanted to take them all home.

Lynda Haisley, Spokane

Cancer Society volunteers greatly appreciated

This year, more than 3 million men, women and youngsters nationwide will volunteer their time and talents to the American Cancer Society and its mission to eliminate cancer as a major health problem. I am proud to say we have our share of these terrific individuals right here in Spokane County, and with National Volunteer Week upon us, what better time to recognize and honor them.

Volunteers are the lifeblood of the American Cancer Society. In Spokane County we depend on our many volunteers to help plan and staff our Relays For Life, Daffodil Days fundraiser, and our many advocacy, educational and patient service programs. And for those who have visited our Spokane office, you have probably met one or more of the volunteers who assist us with our many clerical projects.

Cancer continues to be defeated, primarily through the advancements in research being accomplished throughout our nation. The American Cancer Society can continue to direct its financial resources to this research because of the unselfish gifts of time our millions of volunteers continue to offer.

Again, a sincere thank you to our many volunteers.

Bill Budge, district executive director, American Cancer Society

Kudos to Pig Out organizers

This letter is to praise the organizers of Pig Out in the Park.

I don’t know who you are, what board or council you’re on, but thank you, thank you, thank you! Lucinda Williams, an incredible blues, rock and folk musician, has been booked for this year’s Pig Out! I am ecstatic at this news and can’t wait for this amazing show. Last year’s Booker T and the MG’s was a big hit as well.

Keep up the good work.

Tara D. Hall, Spokane

Thank you, Hospice of Spokane

“Thank God for hospice. What did people do before hospice?” my mom said as we left the hospital to take her home to die.

My mom, Jody Dunn (Weller), died seven months ago. Death came sooner than expected to our family. Mom had been fighting cancer for 10 months, and it wasn’t until the last week of her life that we realized she was dying.

Hospice of Spokane was at the hospital within hours to set everything up for us so we could bring Mom home. Hospice organized everything from the pain medications to the hospital bed. They provided excellent nurses and tons of emotional support.

They were extremely professional, knowledgeable and caring. Their presence helped ease anxieties that Mom might have had about dying and of burdening her family with medical details.

She died pain-free, at home, in peace and surrounded by family.

Thanks to Hospice of Spokane, we were able to be with Mom praying, singing, loving, laughing and crying over her as she continued on in her journey.

Thank you, Hospice of Spokane.

Katy Eagle, Chattaroy