Here are some of the best - and worst - of the week:
BEST
FIGHTING HUNGER - Today from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Blessed Mary Angela Parish (St. Hedwig's) Social Center, 324 Townsend St., Dunkirk, you can purchase a bowl for $10, $20 or $30 made by an area potter filled with a simple lunch made by BOCES students. Why would you want to do this? Because the proceeds will be donated to help fight hunger. Buy a bowl for your relatives for Christmas. After all, do they really need another pair of socks?
REMEMBERING SOLDIERS - The Blue Star Mothers once again have been collecting donations for care packages which will be shipped to soldiers overseas. The packages are scheduled to be shipped today. While we're home complaining about how much work we have to do before the holidays, let's remember the soldiers who are not home this Christmas season, defending our freedoms and our country. We applaud organizations like the Blue Star Mothers, who make sure they're not forgotten.
PETS NOT FORGOTTEN - With all the donations being collected for the victims of Hurricane Sandy, it's easy to focus on the people and forget about their pets. But thanks to the Nestle Purina Plant in Dunkirk, some of those furry creatures will still be eating good. Nestle Purina PetCare has coordinated donations to more than 30 animal welfare organizations, veterinary clinics and hospitals in the affected areas. Locally, the Dunkirk plant donated about 50,000 pounds of cat and dog food.
WORST
REPEAT OFFENDER? - We're still waiting for the court case for all the details, but earlier this week, Danielle Kellogg, 24, of Brant was operating a sports utility vehicle around 9 a.m. on Route 20, Brant, when it crashed into a car driven by Denise Hine, 31, of Hamburg. The car was broken in two, Hine's seven-month old baby was killed while she was taken to the Erie County Medical Center where she remains in serious condition. Police have charged Kellogg with driving while intoxicated. This isn't the first time Kellogg has been charged with DWI. On Nov. 26, 2009, Kellogg was stopped on Route 60 in the town of Pomfret after crossing the line. After further investigation she was charged with two counts of DWI. Losing a loved one during the holiday season is difficult enough, but losing a baby to an alleged drunk driver at 9 o'clock in the morning?! There aren't words that can adequately express the grief the family is going through.
