In the midst of her often stressful life, Akron’s Maryann Miller paused to remind herself of the goodness that continues to rain down on her family at a difficult time and what her family is doing to pay it forward.Some of you may remember her son Casey Miller, featured in my column two years ago.Casey, a student at Akron’s Miller South School for the Visual and Performing Arts at the time, suffered a rare spinal stroke that left him paralyzed.“This past year has been a bit of a challenge for Casey but he continues to press on,” Miller wrote.“When Casey first came home from the hospital, one of your readers offered him a power chair that had belonged to her son,” she continued. “Casey could use a manual chair at the time but tired easily and wasn’t able to get out in the grass or out in the neighborhood very easily. He didn’t yet have the endurance or strength he needed to do those things. The power chair was such a blessing and gave him so much more freedom to get around outside while he continued to get stronger and stronger. Eventually he didn’t need the use of the power chair and was getting around well in his manual chair.“About that time my mother’s legs were getting weak and she would be out of breath just walking from one room to another in her house due to heart problems. We offered the chair to her. She was able to get outside and into her backyard which was almost impossible for her at the time. With the chair she could get out into the neighborhood again, and like Casey, it gave her back some freedom.”Sadly, Maryann Miller’s mother died in July. However, that power chair is still making its rounds.“We recently offered the chair to a couple who live just down the street from my mom,” Miller said. “The wife suffered a stroke. They had a basic wheelchair her husband could push her in but it was still difficult and not one she can use on her own. They took us up on the offer and once again the donation from your very generous reader is giving one more person some freedom back.”Both Miller and I have tried to recall who the donor was, to no avail. “I wanted to share with her how much use the chair is getting and how many people have been blessed by her kindness,” she continued. “I thought this sweet lady would like to hear about the ‘traveling power chair.’ You have such giving readers and I think it’s good for people to know how much their kindness means.”Casey is now 16 and a student at Ellet High School where he plays in the orchestra. Life is not smooth sailing for him.Asked if there is anything Casey needs right now, Maryann Miller said he could use a cello stand with foot plates.Interested in helping with this? Please email mamemill@aol.com.Running with a purposeGirls on the Run of Stark County will begin spring sessions March 19. “Girls on the Run is a life-changing, experiential learning program for girls age 8 to 13 years old,” writes Patty Lovell, council director. “The program combines training for a 3.1-mile running event with self-esteem enhancing and uplifting workouts. The goal of the 10-week program is to encourage positive emotional, social, mental, spiritual and physical development.”The objective is to reduce at-risk activities among participants, leading to fewer adolescent pregnancies, eating disorders, suicide attempts, depression, substance/alcohol problems and encounters with the juvenile justice system. GOTR programs are in more than 200 cities with tens of thousands of girls and women participating. For more information, please contact Patty Lovell at patty.lovell@girlsontherun.org.Masons fundraiserAkron Scottish Rite Masons will host “Bidz for Kidz,” a benefit dinner and silent basket auction, at 6 p.m. Jan. 21 at the Barberton Masonic Temple, 107 Fifth St. NW, Barberton. Doors open at 5 p.m.Proceeds go to support the Children’s Dyslexia Center of Akron.“Many school children with dyslexia endure frustration and demoralization on a daily basis as they struggle to acquire reading and writing skills that many of us take for granted,” Bill Murphy, spokesman for Akron Scottish Rite Masons, wrote. “The Children’s Dyslexia Center of Akron provides high-quality, one-on-one reading and writing tutoring services. These tutoring services are offered at no cost and children are eligible regardless of economic status, race, religion or Masonic affiliation.”Lots of themed baskets are up for auction. Dinner options are cabbage rolls or stuffed chicken.Tickets are $15, $25 couple. For reservations or information, please call 330-666-8443 by Jan. 16. Drum set neededThe drum set Sonny Reese had to donate has gone to a good home.However, two inquiries about them might pique the interest of other potential donors. Let me know.• “Many years ago I had to sell my Ludwig set of drums when my husband got cancer because we needed the money. He passed away a year later. “A few years after that my new boyfriend got me a set of drums from [George’s] Drum Shop when it was located on Front Street in Cuyahoga Falls. I started going to some jam sessions and connecting with old musician friends and got a few gigs. Then both of our cars died at the same time and I had to sell my drums again to get a new vehicle.“I was 67 on Jan. 3rd. and I still sit in with the musicians at the local jam sessions but would love to have my old set again. I remember when people used to say “Look at that girl playing the drums. ... The last time I played I heard someone say “Look at that old Lady up there.” Karen Bivens. • “My name is Tatiana Germany and I am 11 years old. I am in 6th grade and I have been playing the drums for three years. My teacher’s name is Mrs. Murphy from Litchfield Middle School. I would like to have the drums because my family can’t afford them. It would be a great surprise to get them. I need to practice to get better at playing.”Unexpected presentChristine Breitenstine’s words were gift-wrapped in gratitude and emotion as she told me about a very unexpected Christmas present.It was from her son’s little sister Rylee, who is 10 years old. “I had stopped on Dec. 4 by my ex-mother-in-law’s house,” Christine began. “That’s when I got a call from my job that I was being let go. I was already waiting to hear from Medicaid about a surgery I needed.“Anyway, Rylee — who is no relation to me — overheard us talking.“All on her own, she started doing chores to raise money to help me with my bills. She had raised $75 by Christmas Eve and then she took the money she received as gifts on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day … and gave me $135 cash and some other gifts.”Christine is now home recuperating from that major surgery, and said she remains touched by Rylee’s generosity. “She was worried about me and wanted to help,” she said. “What a sweet thing to do.”Jewell Cardwell can be reached at 330-996-3567 or emailed at jcardwell@thebeaconjournal.com.