Now that I've achieved my goal of writing a column for a major newspaper, I thought I could cross it off my "to do" list and start on the next item: learning to Rollerblade without causing bodily injury to myself. But thanks to the nice comments and positive feedback from that first column, I've been asked to do more articles shining the spotlight on the outstanding citizens that live in our area.

I was somewhat surprised by the compliments and nice reviews about the column that people were so kind to bestow upon me. But it's not because of me that the column was a success; it's because it concentrated on the goodness of folks in our community. When the subject matter is on positive people and how they touch others with their kindness, it's an easy task to write a good story.

There were a couple of areas in the first column that I need to improve upon. My mother called me after reading it and told me it was wonderful, but too long. And she was right, as always. I'll try to do better this time and keep the verbiage to a minimum.

The other error that surfaced was from the story about the Wiemers' children helping their parents, Barb and Gene, celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary. The problem is that Barb is married to Gary Wiemers and not his brother Gene. At least I kept the mistake in the family, so to speak! My apologies to the Wiemers and thank you for being such good sports.

I received a call from a woman in town telling me about someone she thought deserved to be recognized as a "do-gooder." She told me of all the work that Sunya Decker does for charitable organizations. After doing a little research into the matter, I could tell she was right. Sunya was hesitant to be the subject of this column, because she didn't think she did anything out of the ordinary for which to be recognized. But she was gracious enough to share her story with me and I persuaded her to let me write it.

Sunya was born near Palisade, Neb., and later moved to Oklahoma. While she was there, she became involved with raising money for St. Jude's Hospital. After moving to McCook in 1975, Sunya continued to help raise money for the hospital. Through her job as a custodian at North Ward School, she even got some of the students involved in a Math-a-thon one year that raised over $5,000 for the organization.

About that time, a local sorority that she belonged to was doing a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. Sunya began raising money for this worthwhile cause and hasn't stopped since. She is now the chairman for the Southwest Nebraska Unit of the American Cancer Society. She and Nora Lewis, treasurer for the unit, are helping area groups raise money for the Society. They both spend countless hours working on projects such as Daffodil Sunday and Relay for Life.

I asked Sunya if one of the reasons she is such a tireless worker for the Cancer Society was because she or someone in her family had been stricken with cancer. She replied that wasn't why she started, but due to her involvement with the American Cancer Society she started hounding her husband, Harold, to get checked for prostate cancer about six years ago. To make her happy, Harold went to the doctor and to his surprise found that he did have this type of cancer. Surgery was the treatment option and he has been free of the disease ever since.

Another pet charity of Sunya's is the Red Cross Bloodmobile. She has been a blood drive volunteer and donating blood herself for 28 years. Just one more unit of blood and she will reach the "Twelve Gallon" mark. And in her spare time, Sunya brushes up on her custodial skills by cleaning her church twice a week, saving the congregation the cost of hiring a janitor.

Sunya did want me to tell you readers that there are so many worthwhile organizations out there that can always use volunteer help. Any amount of time or money that you can give these groups would be greatly appreciated. Whatever your talents and abilities might be, please consider contributing them.

One of the best things about volunteers like Sunya is that they encourage the rest of us to get out there and do something to help make the world a better place in which to live. The lady that told me about Sunya confided to me that she felt she contributed so little in life compared to a person like Sunya. So she and three of her friends decided to find their own way to make a difference in someone's life. They found a pattern on the Internet for making turbans and head wraps for cancer patients who have lost their hair. These four ladies get together often to spend the day cutting out material and stitching up turbans. When they get 100 of them made, they make a field trip to North Platte and leave them at the cancer treatment center to be distributed free of charge.

It just goes to prove that all of us can be an example to others of what a generous, caring person can do. Everyone has special gifts or talents that we can use to improve our world. Some of us are seamstresses who can make quilts or turbans for the ill. Others are administrators and fundraisers who can inspire groups to raise money to benefit charitable organizations.

There are those who deliver meals to shut-ins, work on a Habitat for Humanity house, mentor youth, or help a stranded motorist change a flat tire. But whatever your abilities and talents are, please use them to help others. Let your light of compassion shine out for others to see.

One more way you can help make a difference is to take a few minutes and think of those who inspire you by the unselfish acts they do for others. Now do two more things.

Write them a short note, anonymous if you want, thanking them for their acts of kindness. And then contact me at the Gazette or call me at (308) 345-2189 and let me know about them so I can pass on their examples to others.

And, Mom, my word count is 400 less than the first column. I done good!

Sunya Decker at the Relay for Life [Click to enlarge]