We all see chances to offer service each day, and many people respond to those in need.

Maybe it's a stranded motorist or a lost pet, but over the past year we've filled the letters column nearly every Thankful Thursday with people expressing gratitude for others' kindness.

We liked the idea so much, we decided to emulate our letter writers and devote Thursday editorials to recognizing assorted good deeds. This week is no exception.

Trucker helps child

It's getting to be that time of year. Snow fell on the Mid-Columbia on Wednesday. On Tuesday, a Santa lookalike picked up a lost little boy on the side of the road.

Typically, people complain about Santa making pre-Thanksgiving visits. Also, people normally get a little bent out of shape when men "lure" children into their vehicle.

In this case a big thank you is in order to trucker Dan Barton when he rescued a 4-year-old boy who had wandered away from his aunt's home and crossed Highway 395 near Eltopia.

Other people saw the boy near the road and were trying to help him but he just ran away. For some reason -- maybe it was the white beard or maybe it was the big truck -- the boy came to Barton.

The trucker, for some reason, was able to connect with the boy when other people were trying, but failing. You never know when you are going to be the person that makes a difference in someone's life.

ConAgra grant

And sometimes, you know that you're making an impact. Kudos to ConAgra for helping feed hungry kids on the weekend. It's hard to believe that in the Mid-Columbia there are kids who are hungry.

But it's true.

If the only meals kids get are the ones they get at school, what do they eat on days that school isn't in session?

It's a good question - one that ConAgra is stepping up to answer. With the help of Second Harvest Tri-Cities, food will now be available in 10-pound boxes for kids to take home.

It's a service we hadn't considered before. Thanks to everyone who saw this vision and made it happen.

Liquor workers

Not everyone is happy about Initiative 1183 passing earlier this year. We're guessing the 900 people who work in the soon-to-be-closed state-owned liquor stores are among that group.

But the voters said they wanted the state out of the liquor business, so come June large private stores will take over.

It's fair to assume that the initiative succeeded because of the financial backing of Costco, which is certain to pick up a large share of the state's liquor sales.

We think it's a nice gesture for Costco to guarantee an interview to any of the state employees displaced by changes the retail chain championed.

New Chaplaincy building

Hospice work must be emotionally and physically draining. And the need for end-of-life care is only going to expand as the baby boomer generation ages.

In the course of a year, the Chaplaincy will work with about 800 families in the Mid-Columbia. The agency has five teams to support these families.

We're glad to have the Chaplaincy in the Mid-Columbia. The group performs a priceless and precious service during a time of transition that is scary and painful for many people.

Congratulations on the new administrative building.