EDITOR’S NOTE: Each Friday, The Gazette salutes those who make Emporia and the surrounding area a better place to live and work. The following folks deserve a pat on the back ...
-Dallas Huston, Alan Blankley and Kimberly Moreno, who celebrated their 11th birthday on 11-11-11. They attend school at William Allen White Elementary.
-Emporia Police Chief Gary Smith, City Manager Matt Zimmerman, and United Way director Jami Reever, who kissed a pig to raise funds for the United Way.
-Leadership Emporia is offering free United States flag kits that they will install on Emporia Homes. They are also giving away window clings for people who live in apartments.
-Olpe Elementary students, who held a bake sale fundraiser for Montana Cole, a third grader at Olpe Elemntary School and has a brain tumor. The event raised $402.80.
-Hopkins Manufacturing, which earned top marketing honors at the 2011 Automotive Aftermarket Product Expo. The award recognized the company’s new packaging for their vehicle-to-trailer wiring products.
-Rob Gilligan, who spearheaded a fundraiser for the United Way. White Ghost Shivers played a benefit concert and more than 300 people attended.
-Duane Henrikson, who was named the parade marshall of the 34th annual Community Christmas parade.