Your Opinions
By Staff
Community thanked for help
Editor,
Thank you for supporting our local Heroes for the American Red Cross campaign. This year's campaign was successful, raising $32,231 in receipts and pledges for Red Cross programs and services right here in our own community.
As America's disaster relief agency, Red Cross can give dignity back to disaster victims, while meeting their immediate emergency needs–food, clothing and shelter. Your generous contribution enables us to continue our mission to empower people of Morgan and Lawrence counties to manage emergencies.
In addition to disaster relief, your America Red Cross provides a broad range of critical services–informing families, individuals and school students about how to be prepared for emergencies through Community Disaster Education; teaching life-saving skills through CPR, First Aid, AED (Automatic External Defibrillator), lifeguard and water safety training; providing emergency communications for military personnel and their families; collecting blood products for patients in our community and throughout Alabama; and developing youth as leaders.
"Heroes" is an annual local campaign to raise funds for local programs and services. We hope we can count on your participation again next year.
Susan Codding, executive director
American Red Cross Morgan-Lawrence County Chapter
Teacher made a difference
Editor:
I am contacting you in reference to a teacher I once had at F.E. Burleson elementary school in 1981-1982.
Her name is Mrs. Barkley (her first name I don't know). In December of 1981, my family and I moved to Hartselle after my parents divorced. So here we are, our family just broken up, living in a strange town, not having much money and not knowing anyone. But the moment I met Mrs. Barkley, I can truly say, changed my life. I could somehow feel the genuine love she had for all of her students, including this shy, skinny, new kid.
She knew of my situation and did everything she could to make me comfortable in my new surroundings. Once, I entered the school's spelling bee and took third place. She, along with Mr. Bennett (the principal at the time), made me feel like a champion at a time when I felt like I was losing at every turn. After all these years, I have never forgotten the care and love that I received at F.E. Burleson Elementary.
Even though my family and I left Hartselle at the beginning of my sophomore year in high school, I still consider myself a Tiger. I was hoping that you could help me locate Mrs. Barkley so that I could thank her for showing me how to love. I have thought of Mrs. Barkley ever since we left Hartselle. I now live in Illinois where I am a police officer as well as a Baptist minister. I am also happily married with three beautiful children. I not only want to thank Mrs. Barkley, but I want to thank the city of Hartselle and all it's outstanding citizens for all the great memories that I will forever treasure.
Marlon E. Williams
