Woycik: Animal shelter, OE match could be heavenly

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Updated: January 9, 2012 9:11AM

The Porter Council meeting room was filled to capacity Tuesday night for a special meeting with the commissioners to talk about the Porter County Animal Shelter’s future.

It was a good feeling to me to see how many people care about the future of homeless cats and dogs that can’t speak for themselves. And, it could be a match made in Heaven — well, maybe not quite, but almost.

The possibility that Opportunity Enterprises and the Animal Shelter could join forces is great. Not only will the shelter be kept in pristine condition by having employees who take pride in their work, but both OE clients and the animals at the shelter will benefit from the love they’ll have for each other.

Special needs people have a special quality that brings a warmth to animals, and the homeless pets showing caring back is a win-win situation.

I sure hope it comes to be a reality, and sincerely thank all those who are involved in the decision for doing the best for the best.

Silver medallion award winner

Congratulations to former Valparaiso mayor Bryce Billings for being honored with the Porter County Boys & Girls Club silver medallion award.

Billings launched the Boys & Girls Club here 40 years ago. From one club that served 200 school children, our county now boasts four clubs — Valparaiso, Chesterton, South Haven and Portage — with more than 5,000 members ages 5-18, with programs covering academic assistance, sports, social activities, mentoring and more.

And that’s not all — there are also eight Kidstop locations under their umbrella for children who need a safe place to stay before or after school.

Many of the former club members return to volunteer in a variety of ways including coaching and being a big brother or sister.

All that because a mayor sought to bring a positive club for school kids to Valparaiso so many years ago.

It has to be a super feeling to realize that something you believed would be good for youngsters in your community grew to be great for kids in our whole county.

Thank you from all the families who have benefited from your vision 40 years ago, Mayor Billings. I’m sure all of them would join me in voting you as pet person of the week.

Toys for Tots

There are only 17 days left until Christmas day (gulp!), and the Valparaiso Parks Department, in cahoots with Dunes Marine Corp League and Toys for Tots, is helping make sure that every child is wide-eyed, finding a special gift under the tree.

From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, downtown at the Central Park Plaza, there will be all kinds of big rigs, including fire trucks and even snow plows, for big kids and little kids to check out, plus free hot chocolate to keep tummies warm.

There will even be prizes for some lucky winners who donate an unwrapped toy or a cash donation for Toys for Tots. Take yourself shopping for a surprise for some youngster, or two. You’ll be a winner just by helping keep a smile on a child’s face.

So brave the cold, and join the fun, and then I hope you have a great day because you deserve it.

Thanks for reading. Fly your flag.