I would like to thank ...
In today's economy, due to the increase in costs of food, fuel and a troublesome housing climate, more people than usual have concerns about the source of their next meals and how far they can stretch their resources. A sample survey of some of our larger partner agencies reported that they are seeing a 20%-30% increase in clients.
Corporate and media sponsors for the 21st Annual ABC 11 Heart of Carolina Food Drive placed a call to action, and the response was deafening.
We set an ambitious goal to collect one million pounds. Due to your enthusiasm and dedication to our mission, you exceeded that goal. It was extremely humbling for our staff to open thousands of envelopes containing $5 and $10 donations during the week between Christmas and New Years — that greatly contributed to collecting more than one million pounds, which in turn was immediately distributed to our 870 nonprofit partner agencies!
Thanks to ABC 11 Eyewitness News, the lead media sponsor, and to corporate sponsors Kroger, Talecris, Embarq, RBC Centura, IBM , Genworth Financial, House Autry Mills, Cisco, and Credit Suisse. Additional media sponsors were The News & Observer in Raleigh, The Herald-Sun in Durham, The Pilot in Southern Pines, The Daily Reflector in Greenville and Curtis Media radio stations across the Triangle. Special thanks to our volunteers who staffed the sites from sun up to well past sun down and helped sort the products in our warehouses in Durham, Greenville, Raleigh and Southern Pines.
At a time when tougher financial decisions have to be made in order to make ends meet by more than 400,000 individuals at risk in our 34-county service area, and to see the overwhelming community support of neighbor helping neighbor in such a huge way is eye-opening. Thank you for your generosity and for setting a food bank record.
Peter Werbicki
President/CEO, Food Bank of North Carolina
Raleigh
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I recently had to drive to an appointment at Triangle Medical Research. I am not very familiar with North Carolina roads.
My friend and I got lost, and we stopped to ask for help. The very first person I asked helped by driving to where we wanted to go and having us follow.
I was so impressed with his kindness! There are some very nice people in this world, and today I had the pleasure to meet one!
Les Borgen and Diane Johnson
South Hill, Va.
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This nation owes Sen. John Edwards and his wife our deepest gratitude for their efforts in this campaign.
They were the only persons to speak out for the poor and the homeless in this election contest. Sen. Edwards was the first candidate to devise a comprehensive program for universal health care to address the needs of 40 million people who do not have health insurance. His efforts and plans to help this nation develop energy independence and combat global warming would be a real benefit to all of our future generations.
Elizabeth Edwards is a beacon of light to all those who have battled cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. Her courage and fortitude should be an example for all of us.
We can only hope that there will be a place for Sen. Edwards in the administration of the next president. We also sincerely hope that Elizabeth Edwards has many more years to be the loving and gracious person she is.
Marvin Woll
Raleigh
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My wife and I went to see "High School Musical" at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium. I have seen over a hundred musical/comedies, and frankly I did not have high hopes for this one. My worst fears were confirmed as I saw hundreds of grade-school children entering the theater with their parents and grandparents. I knew that this was going to be like a slow boat to Beijing Disneyland.
I was so very wrong on all counts.
The children were silently enthralled with the dancing and the songs. The production was excellent, and the actors/singers/dancers were superb. This is wholesome Disney at its very best.
The choreography of the 30 singer/dancers was right out of Radio City. The songs brought tears to my eyes and were performed by two of the freshest faces on stage, John Jeffrey Martin and Arielle Jacobs. If these two actors aren't in real love off-stage, they sure fooled me.
I have seen a lot of shows and even try to write one occasionally, but I have never seen a happier, healthier musical than this.
If you want your children quiet for two hours and you want to enjoy a great production yourself, take them to experience "High School Musical," one of the new great musical/comedies.
Jon R. O'Connor
Wendell
