A good deed

I appreciate all the people in this community that work so hard to make sure the hungry are fed. I don’t feel enough recognition is shown for this diligence. I, for one, wish to express my utmost gratitude.

The service of preparing a meal for so many people takes hours of preparation and planning.

I believe if it wasn’t for our soup kitchens, food pantries, etc., most of the poor would starve to death. It seems to me that the homeless and needy percentage rate has soared higher than ever in history.

I think that more appreciation should be shown for all who work in this capacity.

Daniel T. Rideout, Lewiston
Fine festival

Annually, Lewiston-Auburn hosts one of the greatest festivals in all of northern New England.

This year was one of the best festivals ever, with great weather, smiling faces, exciting entertainment and balloons in the sky at every launch. The large crowds supported the efforts of the nonprofit organization’s fund-raising activities.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who sponsored, participated and volunteered in the event. We appreciate the community support, which makes the Great Falls Balloon Festival possible each year.

We have already begun to plan for the 12th annual Great Falls Balloon Festival for Aug. 20, 21 and 22, 2004. Visit our Web site at www.greatfallsballoonfestival.com for updates.

Rachel Dixon and Steve Ness, co-chairpersons, GFBF
Lost, found

It was a case of now you see it, now you don’t. I’m referring to a backpack that fell out of our grandson’s truck on his way home Oct. 2.

What a shock when he arrived at home and discovered that his backpack, complete with his new books and notes, was gone. As grandparents, we did the only thing we could do. We prayed for their return.

One week later, to the day, on Oct. 9, some honest, kind and considerate citizen returned the backpack that they had found along the road, completely intact. What a blessed relief.

We want to thank “our hero,” who returned the backpack to Central Maine Community College. Our heartfelt thanks.

Shirley Jalbert, Rumford
DARE party

With appreciation and gratitude, I would like to thank all the volunteers and participants and area businesses and organizations that supported the effort in making the DARE Park Block Party a huge success.

Kim Sequoia,

One ME program manager,

River Valley Healthy

Communities Coalition,

Rumford
The Sun Journal encourages its readers to offer their own sunbeams in writing. Please limit letters to 200 words. Letters must be signed and must include the author’s full name, address and telephone number, for verification purposes only. Anonymous letters will not be printed. Letters may be edited.

Address letters to: Letters to the Editor, Sunbeams, Sun Journal, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Fax: 207-777-3436. E-mail: letters@sunjournal.com, and note that the letter is for Sunbeams. For more information, call David Farmer, editorial page editor, at 800-482-0759, extension 2340.