The Nevada Appeal's "Silver Dollar" and "Wooden Nickel" feature recognizes positive achievements from the capital region and, when warranted, points out others that missed the mark.
Silver Dollar: To David and Kelly Fluitt of Carson City, who recently returned from 12 days in Haiti assisting a medical team. David, a pharmacy manager, and Kelly, a nurse practitioner, have made previous missions to Haiti, but the hope and resilience of the Haitian people, and heroic efforts of the medical team, left an especially deep impression. "What we were just so amazed by was the hope of these people," Kelly Fluitt said.
Silver Dollar: To the students of Carson and Douglas high schools, who turned their friendly rivalry into a competition for a great cause. The two schools raised $6,588.91 for the Red Cross to put toward Haiti relief. Douglas won, based on a per-student ration. This effort, and dozens of others like it, show that young Nevadans have tremendous heart and
generosity.
Wooden Nickel: To the growing contingent of Northern Nevadans who ignore their call to serve on jury duty. Carson City judges Todd Russell and Jim Wilson have resumed the practice of cracking down on folks who don't bother to respond to their jury summons. What once would have been unthinkable - shirking one's civic duty to contribute to our nation's unique system of justice - is unfortunately becoming commonplace. By hauling folks before the bench and fining them for not responding to their call to duty, the judges are sending an important reminder that no one is above the rule of law.
Silver Dollar: To Freida Carbery and her staff at the Dayton Food Bank, whose motto is "Freely We Share." The food bank is feeding more families than ever, many having to rely on this service for the first time as the economy continues to struggle. Many of the current and former recipients are giving back what they can by volunteering at the food bank and in the community. The spirit of giving back that Carbery's group espouses helps instill pride and sense of purpose for those who otherwise could be demoralized during hard times.