CHEERS: to Medina police officers Bryan Wagner and Daryn Winebrenner for leading a free, department-sponsored self-defense course for women. The four-day program taught participants not only what to do if they are attacked, but to listen to their instincts, be more aware of their surroundings and follow safety rules to help them avoid becoming targets at all. “In those situations, you feel so helpless. This kind of empowers you,” said participant Kris Patalita.

CHEERS: to community aid groups like the Lodi nonprofit Christmas for Kids that are working hard to stretch donations as far as possible to help increasing numbers of people in need. For 10 years, the organization has been able to provide $50 to $60 in toys and clothes for about 100 children in the village. “… Because of the economy, we have to do less for the children. But everybody will still get a Christmas,” said Yvonne Sivard, who leads the program.

CHEERS: to students at Heritage Elementary School and others who are making a point of remembering the thousands of U.S. military personnel stationed away from their families during the holidays. Heritage students took up markers and construction paper to make 200 Christmas cards — with more on the way — to send to troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. “They’re in the war for us,” said 10-year-old Isabella Mercurio.

CHEERS: to a program in which youth in the Medina County Juvenile Court system deliver toy bears to disabled children at Windfall School as part of fulfilling the juveniles’ community service sentences. Material for the bears, assembled at the Medina County Achievement Center, was provided by Build-A-Bear and through community donations. Some 80 bears were delivered, along with an untold number of smiles and hugs.