To the editor:

In this season of giving thanks, I’d like to publicly thank a host of donors who have helped make Smart Strength, at Liberty Memorial Central Middle School, such a successful program for more than a decade.

Smart Strength provides professional fitness training for 50-60 students from LMCMS and other schools. An integral part of our program comes in providing healthy snacks to hungry middle school students before we begin our after-school program.

Over the years we’ve benefited from the generosity, kindness and enthusiasm of many donors, who offer snacks to the students every Tuesday and Thursday between October and March. Our mainstays include Hy-Vee, Checkers, Dillons, Hilary’s Eatwell, Wheatfields, Starbucks, Minsky’s, Jimmy John’s, Einstein Bros. Bagels, 715 with Jake Dodd Sloan, and USD 497’s culinary arts program with Rick Martin. A special shout-out goes to The Merc and Nancy O’Connor, who has provided Smart Strength with an endless array of healthy snacks.

Smart Strength is a modest program, but over time it has affected large numbers of students and their parents. Only through the consistent contributions of these sponsors can we be successful. Smart Strength is truly grateful to all of them. With thanks,

Michel Loomis,

Smart Strength coordinator,

Liberty Memorial Central Middle School