Our regular Tuesday expression of gratitude to those who work to make this a stronger community:



Elkhart Police Sgt. Scott Hupp thought he had a cold that might’ve become pneumonia. But when he visited the emergency room in late December, doctors found something worse.

Much worse.

A CT scan discovered a tumor in Hupp’s chest. Doctors diagnosed him with a form of pediatric cancer rarely found in adults.

The 15-year EPD veteran took a medical leave of absence and started chemotherapy. If that doesn’t work, he could require radiation treatments or surgery.

Hupp is 44. He’s married with five children, ranging from 13 to 17 years old.

The Fraternal Order of Police, Elkhart Lodge 52, stepped up to help the Hupps with a Saturday fundraiser. As of this writing, a total was unavailable.

But to make sure Hupp knew he isn’t in this fight alone, about 40 friends and co-workers shaved their heads Friday morning.

Neighbors, police and others help the family by running errands, cooking meals and helping with bills.

“Our hearts are full of so much thankfulness and gratitude, at times it becomes overwhelming,” Hupp’s wife, Leah, told an Elkhart Truth reporter.

Thanks to all those helping the Hupp family in their time of need.



The Eppers family knows the way to the community’s heart — through its stomach.

Joe Eppers owned the Shakey’s Pizza Parlors in Elkhart and Dunlap that closed long ago. But the kids who grew up eating chicken and mojos — batter-fried potato wedges — never forgot the experience. They grew wistful just thinking about Shakey’s.

When the Knights of Columbus needed to raise money, the Eppers family offered to make chicken and mojos, re-creating the recipe as closely as possible. They had to print more tickets and expand hours for Saturday’s event, which drew former Elkhart kids from across Indiana.

Thanks to the Eppers family for helping a lot of area 40-somethings reclaim their youth, even if only for a few hours.



Finally, thanks to members of Granger Community Church, who packed around 1,700 boxes of food Saturday for Church Community Services and the Middlebury Food Pantry.

“It gives nutritional help, but it also gives hope for the next day and next week,” Gene Troyer, pastor of the Elkhart campus of Granger Community Church, told a Truth reporter. “This is what this is about — giving hope back to the community.”

That’s something we can always use — hope. On behalf of those who need it most, thanks.