High Points of the Valley (Graphic Illustration)

* Every little bit helps for local families with children in active treatment for cancer. Students at Emerson Elementary School came up with more than a little bit when they raised nearly $2,000 through their K-Kids Coins for Cancer project for BrAva. “Thank you so much,” said Traci Nichols, co-founder of the nonprofit that supports local families affected by pediatric cancer. “This is gas for (families) to get to the hospital, rent and food bills paid so that parents get to be with their kiddo.” That kind of help is priceless. “I am happy to raise such a large amount of money in a short period of time,” said K-Kids president and fifth grader Lyric Boyd. “This is amazing, in my opinion.” Lyric and the other students who raised the money should be proud, too. They are getting a good head start on a lifetime of thinking of — and helping — others.

* The Parkersburg Area Community Foundation is practically a treasure chest of gems, but for its 60th anniversary, the organization celebrated a few individuals it considers “Hidden Gems, in addition to paying tribute to the career of executive director emerita Judy Sjostedt Ritchie. Joe Smith, Ruth Patrick, Emily Taylor, Cindy Hopkins and Mary Lee Rupell were chosen as the gems representing the core values of PACF. As new executive director Fred Rader pointed out, the high attendance at the celebration spoke volumes about our community. “It was also a display of deep appreciation for all that Judy has done to make Parkersburg a ‘thriving community whose residents are welcoming, engaged and resilient,'” he said. May 60 years be just the beginning of the good work done.