Giving takes many forms

ISSUE: Gifts of service, effort and land
OUR VIEW: Thanks for vital contributions

When recognizing the service of an elected official, the evaluation must go beyond their attendance at public meetings where decisions are made.

True public servants put in many more hours attending countless gatherings, talking with voters, researching issues and observing. Dianne Cooper, who recently closed out her tenure on the Elizabethtown School Board, seemingly was always on the job.

If you visited any of the Elizabethtown Independent Schools buildings for a special event or program, you likely were to spot Dianne Cooper in attendance. She was the definition of a doer.

She was a part of every improvement and every goal achieved by EIS administration and staff over the past 16 years and that’s quite a list. Her three children graduated from Elizabethtown High School and her work benefited the children of countless other households.

“I’ve been continuously proud of our district,” she said in an interview.

In return, the community can take pride in her service.

EVERY $5,000 HELPS. One caring individual’s kind words will help Helping Hand of Hope help other individuals.

Thanks to a touching testimonial written by Martina Kilgo of Vine Grove, Hardin County’s vital benevolence organization received a $5,000 donation from AT&T’s Causes competitive grant program. Helping Hand was one of only five non-profits recognized nationally.

A former volunteer, Kilgo’s entry was not a calculated effort to solicit a grant. It was a caring individual speaking from her heart. She outlined the organization’s programs including providing food, clothing, utility and rent assistance to needy families. The conclusion of her 165-word essay, Kilgo summarizes the Helping Hand of Hope mission.

“This organization, who mainly works with volunteers, contributes immensely to making the lives of the poorest here better. They give hope!”

CHARITY FOR CLARITY. Another contribution helping another community organization also deserves a kudo.

Clarity Solutions for Women received a surprising Christmas present from two local real estate agents.

Lamonte and Mimi Hornback, owners of Hornback Realty Co., were approached by Clarity Solutions for Women about renting a vacant building near its offices on East Memorial Drive in Elizabethtown.

The Hornbacks instead donated the land and building to the crisis pregnancy center. Clarity has not finalized plans for the building’s use, but Clarity’s medical services, which provide ultrasound examinations and free pregnancy testing, may be relocated to the new building. That would free up space for instructional and mentoring programs.

Clarity officials identified a need for space but did not have money in the budget to satisfy that need. The Hornbacks’ generous gift came at a perfect time.

This editorial represents a consensus of The News-Enterprise's editorial board.