Family donates toys

We remember Adrian Zaugg.

We remember when he was terribly sick, when it looked like he would rally and when he died.

Our hearts go out to his parents -- and all who grieve.

A loss could be a death, a major illness, financial setbacks, divorce -- the list is exhaustive.

The Faces of Cancer series has driven that home again this month. For every story we read, there are hundreds more that was don't know about.

We recognize that each person grieves in his or her own way and time. Sometimes a "grief project" helps the healing process.

No doubt, having a party on the day Adrian would have turned 10 was healing for his family. Donating all the gifts from that party to Kadlec's pediatric wing certainly will help families that haven't even heard their child's dreadful diagnosis yet.

To the Zuagg family, thanks for your generosity. We're thinking of you ... and Adrian.

An 'inclusive' playground

Thanks to the city of Richland for creating the Tri-Cities' first "inclusive" playground. Thank you, also, to the volunteers who installed the equipment as part of Mid-Columbia Make a Difference Day.

And no project ever gets off the wish list without some financial backing. Numerica Credit Union donated $10,000 for the project and volunteers have raised about half of the $60,000 needed to complete the first phase.

There's more to be done. The final price tag is $150,000.

Kudos are also in order for the compromise that allows the Tapteal Greenway Association to preserve the native plants in the area and make room for the playground at the same time.

All around, it's a good example of a cooperative effort on the part of many people. The process has been good, and we expect the end result will be fabulous. Thanks, guys.

Outhouse ride

We're thankful that no one was injured when the forklift driver accidentally moved a portable toilet while someone was still inside.

But we did have to smile at this sentence from the story. After the toilet had been lifted more than a foot off the ground and moved 15 feet on a gravel road, "the report didn't indicate what the Teamster was saying."

We're pretty sure he was saying something like, "Excuse me, my good fellow. Pardon me. Could you let me out of the loo? The door appears to blocked." Or the Teamster equivalent of such remarks.

GEAR UP program

Getting kids interested in college while they're still in middle school and high school greatly increases their chances of a college education.

A better educated citizenry is a positive thing for a community.

So the $37 million award to Washington State University Tri-Cities to bolster that goal among the predominantly low-income schools promises to be a good investment.

It's federal money, so ultimately it's coming out of taxpayer pockets and all of us are helping the cause. Another way to help -- and one that doesn't cost any money -- is to encourage youths to "be smart." It's as simple as approving of their efforts and helping them think positively about the future.

There's probably a kid somewhere in your sphere of influence who could use a kind word.

Score for Prosser

Football. The word just wreaks of competition. It really is about winning and losing no matter how many times we tell ourselves it's not.

So let's hear it for the Prosser and Quincy high school squads that choreographed a special play to allow what is possibly the skinniest kid to ever play for the Mustangs the chance to break a tackle, catch the ball and run the length of the field.

Also a big thank you to the team that put Karter Childers on the state championship team, practices with him every day and has him suit up for every game.

And thanks to all the kids in Prosser who participate in the school annual "Make a Wish" week. We can all learn a lot from them. Certainly we each can do something to make someone's wish come true.

Dr. Nik and Josie Wannarachue

Finally, we are glad for this chance to thank Dr. Nik and Josie Wannarachue for their heartfelt and generous support to Kennewick General Hospital over the years. The Wannarachues were the first community members to be honored at KGH's Gala D'Vine in 2005.

We remember the evening well, and very much regret the omission of their names in Tuesday's editorial on Gala D'Vine.