Akron's Paula and Rick Park are scheduled to undergo major surgeries after the first of the year at the Cleveland Clinic.

Rick is donating a portion of his liver to his wife of nearly 25 years.

The liver is the only organ that can regenerate itself.

Paula, whose liver has been failing for three years due to NASH (Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis) cirrhosis, had been on the waiting list for a cadaver donor. But her situation became grave as her liver was simply running out of time.

The Parks have been through so much lately, including losing their home when they had to make the life-and-health decision: medicine over mortgage payment.

Even so, making the decision to be tested and to donate was a no-brainer for Rick Park. It's what you do when you love someone as much as he loves his wife.

''It's really hard to think he's doing this,'' his tearful Paula said. ''But he made me realize he doesn't want to live without me.''

Prior to her failing health, Paula Park, 57, worked as a receptionist in various dental practices. Her husband is a professional painter. Neither has private health insurance.

So, a Paula Park Benevolent Fund has been set up at FirstMerit Bank (any branch) to help with expenses.

All kinds of support

Concerned friends and neighbors of 31-year-old Deanne Derry, a mother of three and a home health-care provider, are gathering around her with support, both emotional and physical.

Recently, members of the the Bath Township police and fire departments joined in my delivering and attaching a portable wheelchair ramp to the Bath house she is renting.

The ramp is needed for her 7-year-old daughter Sea, who has atypical Rett Syndrome, a neurodevelopmental disorder that inhibits her ability to speak and walk. Seizures also are a commonplace.

Deanne, who is dealing with her own health issues, also is being assisted by members of Grace Brethren Church of Norton with interior painting and the like.

Talk about the Christmas spirit. Dear readers, it doesn't get any better than this.

Not ordinary

Barberton Citizen's Hospital doesn't just have an excellent nurse in Fran Mollric. To hear Debra McDonnell — unit coordinator on the hospital's 4 South general/medical floor — tell it, she's also a Christmas angel.

''Fran has always decorated the floor and not just at Christmas,'' McDonnell said.

''But the Christmas trees she decorates are far from ordinary. She goes all out. And patients from other floors and their visitors stop by to see. She always uses themes.

''This year's theme is 'Coca Cola: Give. Live. Love.' It's in memory of her daughter, 25-year-old Shelley R. McGraw, who passed away of cancer but used to collect Coca-Cola items . . . ''

Access to kindness

Cadette Girl Scout Troop No. 358 of Akron is busy filling holiday shoe boxes with goodies for children and their mothers living in safety at Battered Women's Shelter, Harvest House and ACCESS Inc.

Last year's ''Christmas Shoe box Campaign'' provided over 150 shoe-box gifts to these families.

''You and your family can choose to fill a shoe box for a boy, girl and/or mother with toys, books, word puzzles, travel games, cards, journals, pens, pencils, crayons, socks, hats, gloves, toothpaste, tooth brushes, deodorant, combs,
brushes, bath gels, shampoos, soaps, wash cloths, sponges, etc.,'' writes Willa R. Keith, Girl Scout troop leader.

''We then ask that you wrap the box and lid separately (for security reasons), label it with 'A Mother' or the gender and age of the child, then place a Christmas card in the box from your family.''

Drop-off location is St. Anthony of Padua School, 80 E. York St., Akron, OH 44310. Drop-off dates and times are the following: 3 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11; 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15; and 3 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 18.

Food packers

Major kudos to Highland High School sophomore Tony Morgano for his ''Shoeboxes for Soldiers'' holiday project.

Tony has drafted fellow students into collecting nonperishable food, toiletries and other items to pack these goodie boxes, which to date, number 260.

Tony, whose own father is a Navy reservist on his second tour of duty in Iraq, knows firsthand how much the soldiers appreciate these gifts from home.

In order to get the boxes mailed, Tony needs our help with shipping costs; about $9 per box.

Checks made out to Highland High School with ''Shoeboxes for Soldiers'' in the memo section should be mailed to the attention of Judy Zimmerman/Shoeboxes for Soldiers, Highland High School, 4150 Ridge Road, Medina, OH 44256.

Serving the community

Get a jump-start on giving back to the community and check out Catholic Youth Organization's new ''Teens for Service'' program which will host its first service project from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 15.

Teens will gather to wrap holiday gifts for more than 90 Adult Day Service participants.

'''Teens for Service' is a new year-long program that meets once a month and emphasizes service learning, career exploration and fun as we build a youth volunteer corps to serve the many needs and programs of CYO and Community Services,'' said Mary Kase, volunteer coordinator.

The program, open to high school students in Summit, Medina and Portage counties, requires a commitment of 50 service hours in a calendar year. For more information please call 330-762-2961, ext. 232 or e-mail mkase@akroncyo.org.