BUCYRUS — Local residents are reflecting on the past year and acts of kindness that either happened to them or that they did for someone else. They are also making plans to brighten other people’s lives through acts of kindness in 2020.
Candie Knecht, a nurse at Heartland of Bucyrus, knows first-hand that not all residents at the nursing facility have family members that come to visit or that bring them Christmas presents.
“I gathered donations, so I was able to give every person at Heartland a Christmas gift this year.” Knecht said. “Every resident who wanted one was able to get a gift this year.”
Former Bucyrus resident, Stacy Reppart-Davis, now resides in Mansfield and is paying it forward after being the recipient of many people’s acts of kindness in 2019.
“I received an amazing outpouring of love from my friends and from people around the world for my son’s 18th birthday!!! We have been paying it forward and will continue in 2020 by sending cards and gifts to others that I happen to see on social media,” Reppart-Davis said.
Mike Sparks, an on-air personality at Iconic Rock Q92.7 WQEL, wants to become a better listener.
“One area of my life that I continue to work on is listening to people not to reply but listening to understand,” Sparks said. “I realize we all have issues and burdens and perhaps, by understanding, I can relate to what someone else is dealing with and share with them thoughts and words of encouragement that can get them through a similar situation.”
While Bucyrus resident Tina Wilson purchased food for local homeless folks, Mindy Jo Hildreth hosted a raffle at Smokey’s Tobacco and Brew for Operation Hope to assist the program in helping local addicts enter into treatment and recovery.
“We raised $1,536 and are hoping to just as well, if not better, next year,” Hildreth said.
Alicia Zachman said her daughter, Brianna O’ Bryan, started a Facebook page called Helping Hand.
“It is a page where people can ask for things they need or, if you have things you don’t need, you can give to others. Many people were helped this Christmas because of this page,” Zachman said.
The page may be accessed here.
Rural Bucyrus resident Belinda Warren said she strives to help others on a daily basis.
“I know the world is overwhelming for everyone and everyone has a need, whether just a friendly voice or help with getting by every day. We have to start holding each other’s hand and stop putting up our hands in rejection. We need to find a way back to a simpler life where we are not all separated,” said Warren, who is a board member with the Lorain County Music. “We give opportunities to new artists to raise money for our children’s music and arts program. I also am a board member for the Spencer event committee, and we do community events to bring the community together. We do fun events like fishing, sack races and walks in the woods to learn about the environment.”
She is currently partnering with the Florida Medical Rights Association to change laws that she considers inhuman and barbaric.
“I still believe in us and with a little cooperation, we can change everything,” Warren said.
Cristy Shaffer, who resides in Bucyrus with her family, was the recipient of an act of kindness about a month ago.
“The lady in front of me at McDonald’s paid for my order. I felt so blessed by that I paid for the guy behind me,” Shaffer said.
Local author Rhonda Kay Hero said she will continue to reach out to those who need a friend, food, money, or simply someone to listen to them in 2020.
“I will also be continuing my college work in social work and drug alcohol counseling. This is so much needed, and I am ready to help,” Hero said. “I will still be a Daisy Girl Scout Leader and instill in my girls that they are ‘Perfect and Beautiful as they are’, I want them to Stand Tall, Stand Strong Always.”
She said she will also be looking for new volunteer jobs in which she can be a leader and touch other people’s lives.
“I will continue paying for others’ lunches, helping at food pantries and always sharing my faith and my God with others,” Hero said. “Life is so short and since my son’s death, I value every second of life.”
She also wants to secure public speaking engagements to help others in that way also.
Tara Schiefer has been clean and sober from drugs and alcohol since June 2015.
“I will continue to inspire people who are either struggling with addiction or who are in sobriety from drugs. Anyone can get clean, but staying clean is the hard part,” Schiefer said.
Julie Light Cooper said she is focused on helping others since her retirement and has also been on the receiving end of acts of kindness.
Galion native Amy Eulett, who now works and lives in Bucyrus, said she blesses people all year long and loves doing it.
“I bargain shop a lot and this year I was able to bless Heartland with tons of brand-new clothing, slippers, scarves, and more for those who needed it. I was able to donate large quantities of Christmas gifts to three toy drives this year as well,” said Eulett. “I have a huge donation to drop off to our local schools after the kids go back to school. This is just a small portion of what I tend to call my life’s calling. I will continue to bless others as I go into 2020 with nothing holding me back.”