The long, cold winter has finally, begrudgingly, given way to green, vibrant Spring. And that’s good news.

We’re ready for some good news. While our TVs scream murder and mayhem and the Internet brings much of the same by way of innuendo, gossip and raunchy stuff unfit for kids, our Ralston Recorder is chock-full of good news.

I invite you to turn off the TV, log off the computer and sit down with your Ralston newspaper.

This week’s column is merely an extension of all that is good in Ralston.

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Ralston schools staff members came up with an idea last fall to dress casual once a month and raise some money for a worthy cause. Beginning in October, each participant paid $5 for the opportunity to wear jeans. That wasn’t all. Donated prizes were awarded in raffles for those taking part.

Some even kicked in money when they knew they weren’t going to be there, said Shelly Hanson at Central Office. “That was always the most heartwarming thing,” Shelly said.

Their final Jeans Day on St. Patrick’s Day netted more than $1,000.

Hanson reports that $5,700 was donated to the Omaha Food Bank and the Tri-City Food Bank (which services those in need in Ralston). The Omaha Food Bank has helped out at Karen Western on several occasions.

For each $1 donated to the Omaha Food Bank, $14 worth of food and household products can be purchased, according to their Web site. In other words, Ralston school staffers are responsible for nearly $80,000 Food Bank dollars helping out those in need. 

Who would have guessed that six days of wearing jeans could have benefited so many for so little?