My hat is always off to parents who, despite suffering and loss, are so willing to help others going through similar heartbreak.So it is with Julie Miller, who founded Claire’s Garden Flower & Gift Shop in memory of her daughter Claire, who died of leukodystrophy on April 26, 2010, at 4 months. The rare genetic disease causes damage to the nervous system and eventual death.“After losing my beautiful daughter, my husband Derek and I wanted to reach out to families in a similar position,” Miller wrote. “While she was hospitalized at Akron Children’s Hospital, many people stepped forward to help us financially, physically and emotionally. We are now dedicating ourselves to returning that wonderful gift to others in need.”Claire’s Garden Flower & Gift Shop at 3281 Barber Road, Norton, is one of only three nonprofit florists in the United States with an all-volunteer staff. It helps to fund a newborn screening program, and eventually genetic testing and clinical trial education and outreach.“Love for Claire/Claire’s Garden sees fundraising events as an opportunity for outreach and mission as well as for monetary purposes,” Miller noted.Miller and her mother, June Maier, will host the first of what they expect to be monthly Swiss steak dinners at 4:30 to 7 p.m. Saturday at First Presbyterian Church, 636 Park Ave. W., Barberton. Cost is $8.50 adults; $4 children 10 or younger. Tickets can be purchased in advance by calling 330-835-6922.Also, on Nov. 13, jazz educator and musician Jamey Aebersold will host an improvisation clinic, lecture and jam session with local participants from 3 to 7 p.m. at Norton High School. Tickets are $5 — call 330-835-6922. Concessions will be available, courtesy of Norton Band Boosters.Family needs assistanceFamily and friends of Diane Plumlee, the Hinckley Township woman who was killed Oct. 18 when she was struck by a pickup truck as she attempted to direct a school bus driver, are doing what they can to help her family.The 54-year-old — who had been widowed Aug. 6 when her husband E. Gustavo died unexpectedly — leaves three children, ages 15, 14 and 11, two of whom with special needs who were adopted. The family formerly lived in Goodyear Heights.A Diane Plumlee family fund has been set up at the U.S. Bank at 2716 Boston Road, Hinckley, OH 44233.Now comes word that the septic system at the family home needs major work. If you are inclined to help, please call Lisa Kiefer at 330-606-8613. Food for the family’s pets — three dogs, three bunnies and six chickens — also would be appreciated.Volunteers help boyMany thanks for the show of generosity for Akron’s Michelle Gardner, whose situation was chronicled in Monday’s column. She is trying to navigate transportation issues in getting her 5-year-old son Mikel to the doctor in Cincinnati, where he recently underwent a bone marrow transplant.Among those stepping up to help have been Monica Miya­shita, who established Lydia’s Hope, a foundation for kids with cancer in memory of her daughter Lydia Li-Mei Eiko Miyashita, who died at age 5 in 2009 of acute myelogenous leukemia; Akron Auto Clinic, which agreed to take a look at the van; Dick Siebert of Doylestown and a member of St. John Episcopal Church in Cuyahoga Falls who volunteered to drive the family to Cincinnati whenever they need to go; and others.Food pantry gratefulJoyce Ruther and all the other grateful souls at the Williard Food Pantry in Akron are giving a huge shout-out to Bath and Richfield townships:“We at the Williard Food Pantry have come to know Chief Michael McNeely of the Bath Police Department through our involvement with Old Trail School. Old Trail’s first- and eighth-graders volunteer monthly at our pantry during the school year. The chief graciously attends our first-grader end-of-the-year picnic and hands out certificates of volunteerism.”However, the pantry has even greater appreciation of McNeely after last week.“When Chief McNeely called me to drop off the proceeds of a local community food drive, I expected him to come in a pickup truck,” Ruther continued. “We were speechless when he pulled up with not only a pickup truck but with a huge trailer loaded with 2,520 pounds of nonperishable food items! The generosity of the residents of the Bath and Richfield communities was overwhelming.”Special thanks to Bath Police Department’s Scott Barb and Lisa Baker for assisting with the delivery.Oak table donatedSheila Adams of Clinton responded enthusiastically to the offer in Monday’s column by Chuck and Beth McVan, who wanted to donate a solid oak dining room table and four chairs “to a young family or a service family.” Adams wrote: “Please know that my son (Mathew) is newly married and a veteran of the Army. He and his new wife would love to own this gift. They are expecting their first baby in January and need all the help they can get.”Falls pupils raise fundsJoin me in congratulating the students at Richardson Elementary School in Cuyahoga Falls on their recent “Pennies for Pies” campaign.“Students brought in loose change from home beginning Oct. 6 until Oct. 17. Each classroom had a jar to fill with change,” explained Rebecca Jones, coordinator for Market Day, who shepherded the effort.“After seven school days the students had collected enough change to purchase 64 pies (apple and pumpkin) to be donated to the Haven of Rest Ministries in Akron.”The students also earned $400 to help with education programs in the school.David Csora’s fourth-grade class and Christine Teetor’s kindergarten filled their quart-size jars five times and won pie parties for themselves.The contest created lots of enthusiasm, Jones noted, adding, “And what a valuable life lesson too!”Wells Fargo builds homeKudos to Wells Fargo Advisors executives for taking not only a monetary role but also a physical one for Habitat for Humanity in Summit County.Louis Ginocchio, managing director and private client group regional president, was on site Saturday leading a team of company volunteers to build the future home of the Smothers family.Rochelle Fisher, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Summit County, said the house will be a certified Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) by the U.S. Green Building Council.“This year, Wells Fargo Advisors has donated $45,000 bringing their total overall contribution to $91,500 to help build houses and build hope in Summit County.”Habitat relies on local businesses to help fund and provide volunteer labor to build affordable housing for families in need. The homeowner also is responsible for contributing labor, otherwise known as “sweat equity.”For more information, please call 330-745-7734. Need a wheelchair?An exceedingly grateful Debra Roberts of Akron phoned to let me know of her desire to find a deserving home for the electric wheelchair she received last year by way of a kind donor through this column.Roberts suffers from a number of disabilities — she’s on oxygen, has sarcoidosis, asthma and more — and has qualified for a Hoveround power wheelchair. She couldn’t bear the thought of someone else in need doing without. “I want to give back,” she said.Interested in the wheelchair? Please call me at 330-996-3567.Jewell Cardwell can be reached at 330-996-3567 or emailed at jcardwell@thebeaconjournal.com