A courageous fianceé who is battling her own fears on the home front has told how her husband-to-be and fellow soldiers have been boosted by a campaign to support them in war-torn Afghanistan.

Rachel Henstock (27), of Glapwell, had to brace herself like many loved ones after partner Allan Briggs, of the Infantry Battalion 2 Mercian, Worcesters and Foresters, set out this spring to the Middle East on a six-month tour of duty.But the tearful Derbyshire Times’ sales assistant, who has an 18-month-old son Kaiden, has been comforted to see Allan’s battalion launch the Support the Mercians fund-raising and wrist-band awareness appeal.

She said: “This is a brilliant way for everyone to let Allan and the lads know we’re thinking about them and people can wear the wrist-bands with pride knowing they are supporting so many brave young men.

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Heart bracelets support research

To support research for cancer cures, dressbarn is continuing its annual participation as an American Cancer Society Relay for Life National Corporate Team Program member.

Relay For Life is the largest global cancer-fighting movement that unites communities across the world to raise awareness and funds to support the American Cancer Society’s research and programs.

In addition to the company’s sales associates’ and corporate involvement in the Relay for Life events nationwide, dressbarn is introducing a heart bracelet to raise funds for the American Cancer Society.

The bracelets will be sold at all dressbarn stores for $5 from Friday, May 1, through Monday, Aug. 31, or while supplies last. Dressbarn will contribute the entire net profit of $2.50 to the American Cancer Society.
“This is our way of supporting all of those brave men and women who are dealing with the hardships of cancer,” said Vivian Behrens, senior vice president and chief marketing officer of dressbarn.

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BATH — Some folks paint the town red. The Bath Hammondsport Relay for Life plans to paint the town purple.

Literally.

Relay volunteers plan to paint several crosswalks in the Village of Bath purple May 1 to bring attention to the July 10-11 Relay for Life at the Hammondsport Firemen’s Park.

“Purple is the color of the Relay,” organizer Rita Hoover noted last week. Nationally, Relay volunteers have participated in the Relay’s Paint the Town Purple campaign since the event’s founding 25 years ago.

This is the first year for a local Paint the Town Purple effort.

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BOYNE CITY — One by one Sandy Clausen called up to the front of her Boyne City High School classroom each member of student council. She then proceeded to tell each one why they make a difference.

“She told me that I was a person who really made a difference by being positive and being a leader,” said Chase Petroelje, a senior at BCHS and student council president.

“It meant a lot to hear that I make a difference from a teacher,” said Kelsey Kruzel, a BCHS junior.

Clausen, who is a math/physics teacher as well as student council co-advisor and softball coach, handed each student three purple wristbands, all inscribed with the words: “I make a difference.”

As displayed during an assembly Thursday at the high school, it was a simple act of kindness that began to grow as each person passed it on. (more…)