Thank you for ...

Wife's medical care

To the editor -- I would like to thank the doctors and the nurses for the outstanding care my wife received during her fight for life after open heart surgery. Their understanding care and professionalism was unbelievable. These are special people who do a emotional job for the family and friends.

I cannot put in words what these wonderful people did for us. I will always remember them for their support. Thank you again, the doctors and nurses in ICU and cardiac center.

ROBERT MOTT

Yakima

Response to fire

To the editor -- A devastating fire engulfed an old hop kiln on our Caribou Ranch Friday night, July 3, causing a loss of a building housing three apartments for our farm workers. The occupants lost everything they owned. Thankfully, no one was injured. Also lost was 250 tons of hay.

Firefighters throughout the Valley came to fight the fire. They were great; we can't thank them enough. A special thanks to Landon Lommers and Allan Walker.

A big thank you to Top Foods for their food donation to help the Red Cross. The Red Cross, a wonderful, caring organization, found shelter for the families and provided food at the Harrah Elementary School.

A restaurant in Toppenish gave hamburgers for the firefighters.

Several of the churches in Harrah gave money to the farm workers who lost so very much.

It was gratifying seeing the communities working together, helping in our need.

Thank you, each and every one.

DEE SCHILPEROORT

Wapato

A caring community

To the editor -- My husband, Dale West, was rediagnosed with cancer a year ago and has since undergone chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. The doctors in Yakima can no longer help him, so they have referred him to the Seattle Cancer Center in hopes of finding a clinical trial or other treatment that will work.

During this time, a couple of my son's high school friends, Tylor Lange and Cord Brown from East Valley, took it upon themselves to put together fundraisers in order to help our family. A benefit dinner was organized and was a huge success. The food was excellent and the turnout from the community was heartfelt. It was more than just monetary support they brought, it was concern, compassion, kind words, along with many smiles.

Our family cannot thank enough each individual who has stepped forward to help us during this journey. This Valley truly is full of thoughtful, caring people and because of each of you, it makes this journey that much easier. We have been blessed with all of your support and we are so grateful to know such caring people.

TAMMIE WEST

Yakima

People who help

To the editor -- I am thankful for some good people who helped me out last weekend. On Saturday night, two Mabton Middle School students came to my house to let me know that there was a fire by my house. The fire was started by fireworks that were lit a few blocks to the west of my house. These students saw the big flames and proceeded to help put the fire out until the fire department arrived. If these students would not have alerted me, my family would not have a house to live in.

Then on Sunday, driving home from Richland with groceries on Interstate 82, I got a flat tire. A nice gentleman pulled over and helped me change the tire. I was unable to catch this gentleman's name but I do know that he and his wife square dance and he was driving a silver car. I want to thank him again for helping me.

I am glad that there are people who will still help their neighbors and stop for strangers to offer help.

SHANNON PIERCE

Mabton

Good Samaritans

To the editor -- During a trip to Yakima to visit my mother, we took her car out on a shopping expedition. On this trip, her venerable car decided to stall in the left turn lane of a busy intersection and effectively interrupt traffic. Within seconds, two young men from separate vehicles left their cars to push us across the intersection to a safe spot on the other side. During the few minutes it took us to restart the car, two more motorists asked if we needed help.

Thanks so much to those motorists who provided or offered assistance to us. It meant a lot. Your examples are a strong reminder that in today's harsh world, we can take solace and inspiration in the fact that there are many people out there willing to help others in their time of need. I will remember that next time I see a person who needs a hand.

DICK SEVIER

Boise, Idaho

Animal Rescue Night

To the editor -- June 24 was Wags to Riches Animal Rescue Night with the Yakima Bears. What a fun opportunity for Wags. We appreciate being chosen by Fred Meyer and the Bears as a worthy nonprofit to spotlight in this manner. We gave away 200 Wags dog tags on chains to the kids. We met lots of nice people who were kind enough to donate money for our Guardian Angel Emergency Medical Fund to help with some of our Puppy Mill Poodles expenses.

In addition, over 60 paw prints, representing five bowls of food per paw, were sold to help us feed our rescued animals. We thank you all. Without these donations from the public and from the business community, many of these dogs and kitties would cease to exist. Our lives are better with the animals in them.

BRENDA SETTERLUND

Yakima

Returning purse

To the editor -- Regardless of the headlines, there are still good people in Yakima. Thank you to the kind person who found and turned in my purse at Fred Meyer's. I accidentally left it in a shopping cart at the outside return station. Words cannot express my gratitude other than "God bless you."

ROSE STAPLETON

Yakima