Letter: Appreciates Tara’s Totes

Dear Editor,

As a former resident of North Hudson for many years, I enjoy the opportunity to read the Hudson Star-Observer online to keep abreast with what happening in the community. I was immediately touched by Margaret Ontl’s article about Tara Tuchel and her project “Tara’s Totes.” I do not know Tara personally, although I did read about the fire in her home last year. I should qualify not knowing her, although her daughter babysits for my grandchildren, and her sister was one of my cheerleaders at Hudson High School, so I guess I know her in a round-about way. What a wonderful project she has taken started to help others in a similar situation that she and her family had to endure.

Tara is one of those people who is truly “Making A Difference” and she is going to be nominated for that segment of the NBC nightly news. While it would be a great honor for her to receive national acclaim, my guess is that Tara would far prefer to have donations soar through the roof to help those who experience fires in your community.

Each year, my family chooses a project to honor our deceased father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was a hard working Iowa farmer who gave back much to his own community. When we moved from Missouri to Hudson, he said, “No one should drive north of Ames, Iowa, in the winter” yet he and Mother made many faithful journeys to see us and the grandchildren. While most of our family has left the Hudson area, others remain, and Hudson remains in our hearts. Thus, this year, we have chosen Tara’s Totes as our family project.

At Christmas we are all bombarded with many wonderful projects that desperately need funding. We each have to pick and choose which ones receive our donations. Could your family or group of friends come together and donate a tote or two? This is a wonderful way you, too, can” make a difference” in the life of a family struggling through fire. Best of luck with your project, Tara.

Tags: opinion, letters, money