Big, beautiful bouquets to the students at Copley-Fairlawn Middle School and Copley High School who showed good character Tuesday, when they honored Abby Reichenbach for her strength and determination by wearing blue bandanas in support of the 14-year-old who was diagnosed Nov. 10 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. She received her first round of chemotherapy Nov. 14.When Abby was in seventh grade at the middle school, she was recognized with a Kids With Character award in the Beacon Journal, nominated by her older sister Sarah. Abby is the daughter of Joni Reichenbach of Copley and John and Lisa Reichenbach, also of Copley.Remembering MamieFamily and friends of Mamie Elizabeth Hyatt might choose to pull the shades down and stay inside today because their loss is still so tender. However, I hope they will call upon her spirit to go out and do a good deed in her name on what would have been her 32nd birthday.The Akron native — who made her city, her country and her family proud in so many ways — died April 19 of cancer in Stockholm, Sweden.Aunt Patricia L.H. Jackson shared some of her niece’s incredible story:“Mamie is one of the most extraordinary people I know. The journey will astonish you!” Jackson said, urging me to go back and read her obituary.I did and it did: “She attended Mason Elementary, graduated from Old Trail, Walsh Jesuit High School, Kent State University, Tufts University in Boston with a master of arts degree, and was currently a doctoral candidate studying in Sweden. … “A world traveler, climbing the Great Wall of China and driving a dog sled in the Arctic Circle were among many of Mamie’s adventures.“A meticulous curator and art historian, Mamie utilized her talents and love for her craft as an intern at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice, Italy, and the Metropolitan Museum of Fine Art in New York City, N.Y.”Gone too soon. But she lived her life to the fullest, like there would be no tomorrow. She was never bored. Read on.“In addition, she was a teaching fellow at Boston University, teaching assistant at Tufts University and a graduate lecturer and intern at the Museum of Fine Art in Boston.”And there’s this: “Among her many professional affiliations, she was a Fulbright Fellow and ASF Dissertation Research Grantee to Stockholm, Sweden, a J. William Fulbright (U.S.) Scholar, a member of the American Scandinavian Foundation, and a Jan and Warren Adelson Fellow in American Art and Curatorship.”Wheels for shelterMajor kudos to Allstate Insurance Co. and Sterling Autobody Centers, which this week donated a fully refurbished 2003 GMC Envoy through its Recycled Rides campaign to the Battered Women’s Shelter of Summit and Medina Counties. The agency provides emergency shelter and advocacy to victims of domestic violence. Chippin’ in for ShellyFriends of Medina’s Michelle “Shelly” Green are hosting Chippin’ in for Shelly from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Sharon Center Town Hall to help with the costs associated with her much-needed double-lung transplant. It will cost about $650,000, her friends wrote. “Even with health insurance, the 23-year-old Green, who has cystic fibrosis, faces significant medical expenses. For the rest of her life, she will need follow-up care and daily anti-rejection medications. Cost of the vital post-transplant medications can range from $2,000 to $5,000 per month.“To overcome these financial challenges, the Greens have turned to the National Foundation for Transplants (NFT) for assistance. NFT is a nonprofit organization that helps transplant patients raise funds for transplant-related expenses.”Sharon Center Town Hall is at 1274 Sharon-Copley Road, Sharon Township. Suggested donation is $5; of course, more would be appreciated. Participating vendors include Avon, Mary Kay, Arbonne, Miche Bags, Silpada, Premier Jewelry, Tastefully Simple, Scentsy and homemade crafters. Also on the menu will be Christmas music, candy for children, snacks, beverages, door prizes and gift basket raffles.For information, please contact Jane Ross at 330-461-3842 or jeross09@aol.com, or Debbie Rice at 330-416-9367. To donate, please make your tax-deductible check out to NFT Ohio Transplant Fund, 5350 Poplar Ave., Suite 430, Memphis, TN 38119. Write “in honor of Michelle Green” on the memo line.Cancer supportMenchie’s Frozen Yogurt raised $5,377 during its recent paper balloon campaign at its five Northeast Ohio stores for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, supporting its mission of finding cures for blood cancers and improving the lives of patients and their families.The Fairlawn store alone raised $1,549.Cheers for ShrinersI was reminded by Akron’s C.P. Chima about the extraordinary service the Shriners Hospitals for Children provide to children who have suffered severe burns and those with orthopedic problems.The beauty of these hospitals — state of the art, I might add — is that they charge absolutely nothing. Doesn’t matter if you have health insurance or not. Not only that, volunteers will transport patients and their families to their appointments at no cost.The closest Shriners Hospital for burn victims is in Cincinnati and the closest orthopedic hospital is in Erie, Pa.For information, please call 513-872-6000, Cincinnati; and 814-875-8700, Erie.WITAN welcomes membersWITAN (Women in Touch with Akron’s Needs) — responsible for volunteering more than 2 million hours and giving more than $1.2 million in grants since 1943 — has welcomed a class of 23 new members.They are Nancy Bennett, Gina Campbell, Kathy Casper, Pat Champlin, Berta Cymerman, Norma Dougherty, Debora Dressler, Andrea Dunn, Nancy Farmer, Ilona Feinstein, Carolyn Fleisher, Ailena Hayden, Deirdre Kosmin, Jo Anne Kreiser, Pam Lightner, Denise Loos-Hansen, Sandi Morgan, Rima Muakkassa, Katie Orendorf, Antha Poleondakis, Kathy Saumure, Leila Shorder and Cheryl Warren.Yarn donatedKudos to Akron’s Connie DiCeglio for her very generous donation of yarn for those who knit and crochet hats and scarves for needy children and for Jan Householder’s Giving Doll ministry, which makes soft sculpture dolls for children in crisis.By the way, I learned that the 88-year-old was the Beacon Journal’s first female copy runner.Adoption awarenessHats off to Wendy’s at 2060 Mogadore Road, Akron, for hosting local families celebrating the recent finalization of their adoptions. During each November’s National Adoption Awareness Month celebration, “a local Wendy’s restaurant proudly closes its doors for a couple of hours to host a special recognition dinner for families who have legalized adoptions through Summit County Children Services during the previous month,” said Children Services spokesman Chris Vasco.“Six adoptive families — featuring 20 children (adopted and their siblings) — attended.”Dave Thomas, founder of Wendy’s restaurants, was adopted and continued to support the cause until his death in 2002. He founded the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption.Buy a stockingPat Catan’s, 570 Howe Ave., Cuyahoga Falls, is again sponsoring the Giving Tree, an effort to make for a brighter Christmas for the 300 children, ages 4-12, under the care of Summit County Children Services.Interested in helping? Stop by the store and purchase a filled stocking for $6.Jewell Cardwell can be reached at 330-996-3567 or emailed at jcardwell @thebeaconjournal.com.