As winter continues its spring fling, Purple Heart Homes’ hope of breaking ground on the construction of a new house for Marine veteran Manny Jimenez by early March is gaining momentum.

Since last month, two road races have been scheduled to raise money for the effort, fundraising plastic wristbands have been ordered, and websites and Facebook pages have been created to help get the word out.

“There is a wonderful infectious enthusiasm and great community spirit surrounding this project in Glastonbury for Manny Jimenez. We have a lot of people that have volunteered,” Homes spokeswoman Vicki Thomas said.

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The hallways of high schools and universities in Ottawa were awash in purple Tuesday morning, as students marked the first annual Power to the Purple month, a campaign that aims to raise awareness about youth mental health.

The initiative’s message was particularly felt at Ashbury College; student Daron Richardson committed suicide two years ago when she was 14 years old. Today is Daron’s birthday and she would have turned 16 this year.

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