2008 Featured Essays

Thank you to everyone who nominated a friend or loved one. Whether someone has gone above and beyond the call of duty or simply made a kind gesture, National Thank You Day was created as an opportunity to show our gratitude to those around us for all that they do. Below are some inspiring essays that captured the true spirit of the everyday thank you.

Richard Greene, Ogden, UT

A professor at WSU, Dr. Greene, has really gone the extra mile for my children His classes inspired them to seek an academic life themselves. This is usually easier said than done. A little council would have been expected but Dr. Greene went far beyond that. He spent hours of his own time often on weekends and holidays, going over their submission papers, making suggestions and making sure they understood them. He worked with them for months, truly caring about their dreams for the future. Through his encouragement both got into highly ranked PHD programs.

Denny Gross, Sioux City, IA

I have the utmost respect for my high school counselor, Mr. Gross, for being my support system throughout high school. I had a very difficult time managing my diabetes, following insulin schedules and such. On top of that I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, which meant numerous colonoscopies. I had been hospitalized for a few months, when Mr. Gross offered to gather all my schoolwork and send it up to the hospital for me. He was so compassionate and determined to see me succeed! He helped me get my grades on track, transfer to alternative school, and even graduate early! I even got straight A's my senior year! He helped me get into college, wrote me a wonderful recommendation letter, and persisted with my scholarship when they initially denied me. I am now in college with a 4.0 GPA!

Jennifer Aimone, Mt. View, WY

Our family would like to give a big MERCI to Jenny Aimone. Jenny is one of those rare individuals that always puts others first. Always. Jenny started the Relay for Life(and been the chairperson) in Bridger Valley(population 5469) 3 years ago. Raising over 80,000. this year. Jenny and her parents started Sub for Santa in the Valley and she works tirelessly to provide Christmas for families in need. When a friend with Cerebral palsy needed a golfcart to get around, Jenny came up with the funds. Jenny is also a foster Parent. When there is anyone in need she is the first at the door with money,time,pray or just to hold a hand. There is never a time throughout the year that Jenny is not championing one cause or another and her infectious personality makes everyone around her want to be involved.

Chandra Sherr, Novato, CA

Chandra Sherr is a fantastic teacher who puts her all into her class. Two months into the year they converted her class from a Second grade to a 1/2 combo class. Shortly after that, the roof in her classroom leaked and some of her teaching materials were damaged. A couple of months after that, her classroom was condemned due to toxic levels of mold. Even though all these obstacles confronted her, she still pressed on, organizing school wide activities for Read Across America Day, and giving all her time and effort to helping her students achieve greatness. Chandra spent her own funds on her classroom and did not have enough money to go on vacation this summer. I think she deserves a wonderful trip for two to Las Vegas for a weekend. I know she has never been there and wanted to go for her birthday.

R. Scott Nusbaum, Hamilton,IN

I would like to thank my husband for his selfless dedication to our children and youth in our community. Despite long hours at work, he has spent the last ten years volunteering with youth organizations. He has been a Scout leader, Sunday school teacher, and a soccer and track coach, among others. He demonstrates a positive attitude, dedication and teamwork as well as the importance of community service. He goes out of his way to support the scouts, youth group and athletes, including driving all over town to pick up kids who need a ride to events and practices. When donations are needed, he's always the first to volunteer his support. He is truly an inspiration to us all.

William Gerber, Syracuse, NY

Bill Gerber is the quintessential wonderful human being. He give remedial reading and math support to over 50 students each day. He crams them into a back room of another classroom and never complains about his working conditions. He will attend all meetings, even the boring ones. He will help even the most challenging student find a positive solution to problems. He always has a smile on his face and a finely honed sense of humor. He is a friend, a mentor, a leader, and an all around nice guy. Also, since his brother owns a car junkyard, he always is stuck driving the worst clunkers imaginable. He is there for us, even though his wife has just officially lost her sight and he must be her seeing eye partner.

Tricia Brunton, Enfield, CT

My friend Tricia embodies what it means to give back. While working on her undergraduated studies, Tricia experienced grave challenges that nearly ended her educational career. Rather than focusing on herself, she thought of others and founded an organization, known as Xcel, Inc., which strives to "foster the advancement of female college students around the world by facilitating programs that enable members to achieve success in their personal, academic and professional objectives. " Today, Tricia continues to nourish this organization while being a full-time employee, student and single parent. I feel Tricia deserves a vacation, money to pay loans as well as fund a scholarship for the Xcel organization. Through her, I have learned that we shouldn't wallow in our problems but help others.

William Sandusky, Northglenn, CO

My parents, Bill and Jeri Sandusky. My dad is 82 and every winter he can be found using his snowblower to clear half of the block on their street in Northglenn, Colorado. He chops up the ice on the street too so that driving is easier. Every summer he mows the lawns of 5 other houses besides theirs. He'll pull weeds in the cross street's divider to keep the landscaping attractive. And this is after undergoing a quadruple bypass on 9/10/01! My 76 year old mom still bakes pies, cookies and cakes (peanut brittle and divinity at Christmas!) and shares them with neighbors. They will give you the shirt off their backs if you need it. They continue to selflessly give to their children and grandchildren - I truly appreciate all they have done for me.

Lori Krug, Warrenton, MO

Lori Krug has given so much of herself to make her Pro Start cooking class the best it can be. Each summer she pays to fly to another state so she can be certified to teach this class. Because she does this, all of her students can earn college credit for her class. She isn't required to do this, but does it because she cares so much about the success of her students. Lori never ask for anything for herself, only what she can get to help her students. Her students enter cooking contest and Lori spends hours after school practicing with them on food she pays for herself. She deserves to be awared for all she does.

John Gibbons, Fort Smith, AR

I would like to nominate my husband John Gibbons for having served his country for forty years in the US Air Force and Air National Guard. He never received a hero's welcome, but got ridiculed at airports and spat on coming home from Vietnam. He volunteers his time at church, local hospital, a children's home and Habitat for Humanity. He is always willing to help others and he is just a kind, good-hearted person who deserves to be recognized. He loves to travel but we are not always able to because we believe in living within our means.\r\nJohn is my hero and I will always love him for what he has done for his country and for others.

Gwen Peters, San Jose, CA

Gwen Peters is my nomination. She is in her late 70's but that hasn't stopped her from operating a series of charitble groups. She helps lead our food outreach at church as well back to school giveaway(shoes,jackets,and school supplies) as well as cgristmas toy giveaway. Gwen does all these things and recently she and her husband took in a group of children while their mother was incarcerated. She always has a smile to share and has shown me what unconditional giving is. I want to tell her thank you!

Patty West Mckinleyville CA

I work at an animal shelter, everyone here works very hard. My coworker, Patty has done a lot more than pitch in. She has donated her time, money, energy and even more when on days off to save animals that would otherwise not have a chance at getting adopted. A shelter has limited resources and Patty has seen to that she fosters and nurses sick and special needs animals when the shelter resources have been stretched beyond their limits. She collects food and resources for local rescues and coordinates finding and distributing supplies to those that want to help but are not equipped to do so. In the 3 years I have known her she has saved literally hundreds of pets.

Anne Nelson, Whitehall, WI

My friend Anne is on many community boards and helps anyone in need. She is very giving of herself and, although she is going blind and has to walk everywhere and is caring for a son who has down'e syndrom, she would anything for anyone in need. Anne truely deserves a Thank You from many in our community from the WELCA, Hospital Aide, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, The Relay for Life, United Caregivers, Youth and Family, Meals on Wheels (yes, eventhough she can't drive), Special Olimpics and many more.

Major Todd, Schmidt Washington, D.C.

When Major Todd Schmidt (US Army) was deployed to Afghanistan in 2004, he and his soldiers helped make the country safer for Afghan children to return to school. And return to school, they did! But the kids had nothing - not even a pencil - to study with. He contacted friends at home and founded Operation Dreamseed, a nonprofit organization that enables Americans to send notebooks, pencils, pens and the simple things that we take for granted to needy Afghan children. Because of MAJ Schmidt's vision and hard work, we at home can help our soldiers fight illiteracy as well as terrorism, and give the Afghan people a better future. Also, every time we send a box of school supplies, our soldiers know we care about them. It's our special way of saying "thank you" for their service and sacrifice.

Jeanette Cram, Hilton Head, SC

I was introduced two years ago to a wonderful woman named Jeanette Cram. She runs an organization called Treat the Troops. Her organizations sends cookies to the troops overseas. After meeting her, we set up our own local branch of TTTT, and to this day, we have grown to have the largest Crumb group of hers in the country. I would like to personally thank her for (a) helping me get involved in serving our troops and (b) for all the sacrifices and time and effort she has put into serving our troops. Her selfless efforts have helped many men and women know and realize that they are loved and remembered!

Debbie Corbin, Linton, IN

My friend, Debbie Corbin, is a wonderful example of "love". She volunteers her time to take folks to hospital appointments, clean houses for elderly, cook for home-bounds, and works in a prison ministry and sings for churches. She deserves free gas for a year to enable her to continue this work of love for many, many people, especially for the children she cares for, at no cost, while moms go to work.

Suzanne Reed, Newburgh, NY

I am nominating my friend Suzanne Reed because she always has a kind word for everyone and is always trying to help out any way she can. She uses coupons and every week gets for free, food and non foods the majority of it she usually gives away to the single mothers that are struggling to make ends meet, or the church that needs donations, or she collects the items specific to other peoples needs and gives them away from the goodeness of her heart. she goes out of her way to make employee appreciation day really feel special, she goes around and asks businesses for donations and such and then matches up the donation to what that person is actually in need of or would just like to have.

Robert Muller, Kendallville, IN

I am nominating Rev. Robert Muller because he is a tireless worker in the community with the hurting, the poor,and the hungry. He spends countless hours counseling and helping people obtain services that they need and are eligible to receive......Social Security, Medicaid, Food Stamps, Legal services, etc. Each Friday he supervises the local Farm Wagon free distribution of food from Community Harvest Food Bank in Fort Wayne. Many of the people he serves are recovering from addictions, many are single parent families who are struggling to raise their children and survive, a large number are under the care of a psychiatrist and local counseling centers, and nearly all are in poverty.