It was wonderful to read Cindy Hval’s excellent “Love Stories” feature about Betty and Brian O’Donnell in the Voice (Feb. 15).

They saved a lot of boys at Shamrock Acres Boys Ranch in Newman Lake.

Brian was my wrestling coach and typing teacher at East Valley High School in the late 1960s. Their son Kurt was a wrestling teammate and daughter Colleen was a classmate.

I befriended many of the Shamrock boys because it was mandatory they be involved in after-school activities. So there were always boys on my wrestling, track and cross country teams.

My wrestling teammate Jon Allen is a great example of the life-changing influence Betty and Brian provided. Jon shared with me his struggles before landing at Shamrock.

They helped mold him into a good student, three-sport athlete, college graduate, science teacher and wrestling coach at University High School, husband, father and a mainstay on the Shamrock board of directors.

Just one of scores of success stories.

Brian and Betty are a great team, and I am so pleased they’ve enjoyed this great retirement life.

Jeff T. Jordan,