The people of Grundy County once again came out in bulk Wednesday to help one of its own non-profit organizations, We Care of Grundy County.
Executive Director Denise Gaska sent out a press release to the media sharing the following story.
We Care provides food, rent, utilities and prescription assistance to Grundy County residents.
On Wednesday Gaska received an unusual, but greatly appreciated donation - 240 cases of Yoplait's Go-Gurt yogurt. A trucker's shipment was declined so he stopped at We Care and offered it. There was so many cases that We Care's office couldn't hold it all so Gaska decided to pass on her good fortune.
Not having a forklift caused Gaska to be creative. Midwest Auto Service, being a friendly neighbor to We Care, offered some assistance. John Carr of Midwest used his flat-bed truck's winch to pull the pallets from the semi to the flatbed and from there volunteers carried the mass amounts of yogurt into the We Care office.
Obviously with 240 cases, Gaska was in need of some volunteers to move the boxes and was able to call on some last minute friends of We Care: Patsy Phillips from New Community Christian Church and Todd Thompson and Ryan Weimer from First Christian Church.
Whether the need is big or small the people and businesses of Grundy County are always there for one another. Why should moving tons of yogurt be any different?
Gaska called the Morris Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center to see if they wanted any yogurt for their residents and they sent over Dave Webster and Frank Kocholka with a van.
The remaining cases were sent to Walnut Grove Village, Morris Hospital, White Oak Elementary, Shabbona Middle School and Immaculate Conception School.
"There is no better feeling than seeing so many representatives of the community come together at the drop of a hat to help us take advantage of this offer," said Gaska in a press release. "In less than one hour, we were able to get help from local businesses, churches and healthcare facilities. It's great that this delivery will be helping so many people. I'm just glad we were able to all work together to provide it for them and all who will benefit. We are so fortunate that the spirit of cooperation in this county is boundless."
Gaska couldn't have said this better. The people and businesses of Grundy never let the meaning of community fade. Some may say it is because it is a smaller county than its northern neighbors and is therefore more capable of holding on to that community-orientated spirit.
I disagree. In the time I've spent covering this county I've learned it is their dedication to that spirit that keeps it alive. Grundy is a thriving county, but they are committed to controlling the growth and not losing what makes Grundy so unique - its loyalty to the people, business and organizations that built it.
Mallory Medved is an assistant managing editor of weekly publications for
the Sun-Times News Group. She helps cover the Lincoln-Way area and towns
southwest of Joliet. Being naturally nosy has led her to a career in
journalism and fulfilled her dream of getting paid to read. Being a new
homeowner and a future bride, she's also perpetually broke, but enjoys
hearing about other people in the same situation. She lives in Plainfield
but is a native of New Lenox.
Christina Chapman is a Will County resident who desperately wants to live in Grundy County. But since she lost that battle with her boyfriend when they bought a house, she makes due covering Grundy County news for The Herald News in Joliet. When not covering municipal meetings, school events and finding the truth behind the latest coffee talk, she is trying to balance life as a young home owner who is fighting the stereotype that she is living in sin because she is not yet married. She hopes to share with you her perspective on life and the news in hopes that you’ll share yours.
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