Angels clothing kids and stacking cups

Angels are everywhere. They come in so many forms. Those beings may not be your typically divine winged ones. Freeport School District 145 family resource coordinators, Deb Stukenberg and Cheerie Cregan qualify as angels.

Humanity and humility is a strong suit. Anticipating an objection to my comparison isn't a stretch. However, in my book, people focusing on the needs of children are more than special.

Walking into donated Stewart Centre office space Friday was inspiring. Joking, laughing and friendship filled the room. Clothing needy District 145 students brought Stukenberg, Cregan, Laurie Jurs and Vicky Coffman together. Reaching that goal helped inspire a bond. They've become sisters on mission.

While Stukenberg and Cregan are community activists, Jurs, Coffman and Cindy Phillips serve as District 145 family resource coordinators Center, Taylor Park and Lincoln-Douglas schools, respectively. Surrounded by neatly hanged coats and folded clothing, Jurs wondered about the impact of their work. Would the students remember? Jurs answered her own question -- former students haven't forgotten her.

A student from Champaign-Urbana still remembers his new boots. Accompanied by a school social worker, the then third-grader -- me -- to Andy's Shoes in Champaign. Getting something new was a relatively rare and special. So, some District 145 students and I have something in common. Our families needed help.Thankfully, concerned people mobilized to help me and District 145 students.

A Star in The Making

Watching 5-year-old Domminick Alber sport stacking never ceases to be amazing. Seeing him stack cups leaves me speechless. (Now, there's a feat.) The action in the living room of his Stephenson Street was unbelievable. Witnessing Domminick's performance in Joanne Gallagher's fifth grade classroom at Lena-Winslow Elementary School was beyond description.

By the way, sport stacking involves stacking specially made cups. The activity is slated to do wonders for one's eye-hand coordination. Sport stacking began in the 1980s in California. The sport gained national prominence, thanks to a segment on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. For more information, visit www.speedstacks.com.

His stacking continued being breathtaking. However, what happened after Domminick's demonstration proved just as intriguing. Being a celebrity came easy to him. He welcomed the students who clamored for autographs. Domminick's signature landed on scraps of paper and a shirt.

A sport stacking is born.