BRIGHT SPOT

A youth group from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints helped to finish the Central Lakes Rotary Club's project for Read to Succeed.

The 17 youths packed and tied ribbon on nearly 600 baby blankets with the "Good Night Moon" book inside. They delivered them to the St. Joseph's Medical Center so they can be given to mothers of new babies to help their baby's development through reading at an early age. The youths used the project as a "pay it forward" in trade for paying their way to camp this summer.

Participants included Newel Hirst, Elena Hirst, Dallin Sonenstahl, Desirae Sonenstahl, Dominique Sonenstahl, Megan Miller, Madison Oldham, Jessica Miller, Rachel Howard, Sharaea Bartlett, Britton Murrey, Donovan Bartlett, Derek Sonenstahl, Joshua Murrey and Nick Oldham.

This was a truly inspirational project that not only touched our youths' hearts, but many families receiving the blankets as well.

- Donna, youth leader

A NEW FEATURE IN NEIGHBORS, "A Bright Spot," allows readers to submit their pay-it-forward moments, those random acts of kindness. Submissions may be sent to DeLynn Howard, Brainerd Dispatch, P.O. Box 974, Brainerd, MN 56401 or delynn.howard@brainerd dispatch.com. You may submit your name and city where you live or remain anonymous.