Helmetta Temple No.. 29 is proud to announce that Esther McKibben, currently serving as Most Excellent Chief, was recently honored for 50 years of service by the Oregon State University Extension Association and Epsilon Sigma Phi for her dedicated community service. Esther has been involved in Extension programming since 1950 when she first started with the Glide Extension Homemaker programs.

The counties of Douglas, Coos, Yamhill and Lane have all reaped the benefits of her many contributions, putting in countless hours designing and making large and small quilts, comforters, afghans, lap robes, and knitted hats, just to mention a few.

Each year, it is not uncommon for Esther to make 30 or more comforters and quilts for various service organizations, as well as at least 70 knitted caps for children of all ages.

Esther was presented with an award in recognition of her outstanding public service and support of the Cooperative Extension Service and its educational programs.  Helmetta Temple No. 20 has also benefited from her dedicated service in promoting Pythianism within our community.

                 Article submitted by Kaye Pomerleau

OREGON PYTHIAN NEWS

Volume 15  Number 1 ~ March 2005

John Lacy Donates Platelets in Memory of Mom ~ American Red Cross

 

Esther McKibben Recognized by Oregon Extension

John Lacy proudly displays his 17-gallon pin and 19-special event pins on his American Red Cross lanyard.  He began donating blood in high school and in 1999 he learned about apheresis and has been donating platelets since.  Within his first three platelet donations he was selected as a designated donor to a Pacific Northwest Patient.

“I like knowing I’m helping others, it makes feel warm and fuzzy,” John cites as one of many reasons for donating. “It feels like family when I come in to donate, I especially enjoy nurses Lynn Sivalvai and Kathi Reynolds.”  In addition, John’s mom, Viona, suffered a reoccurrence of breast cancer after 30 years and required many units of platelets during the course of her treatment.  Unfortunately, she eventually succumbed to the cancer.  John honors her memory on her birthday each year, with a platelet donation. It is a comfort to know it may help another family battling illness like cancer.

As a committed donor, John has developed a sophisticated donation tracking system on his computer. He consistently donates the maximum of 24 donations per

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Red Cross team preparing John Lacy for an

hour and a half Apheresis process.

Kaye Pomerleau (left) helping Esther McKibben

display sample of quilts made by Esther