In Friday’s issue of The Tidewater News, we featured stories on two folks who are making a difference.

First is 12-year-old Brittni Baker, who is making a one-person effort to raise $1,000 for March of Dimes, which will hold a walk in Franklin at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 22, beginning at Barrett’s Landing.

A J.P. King Middle School seventh-grader, Brittni passed up invitations from friends to go skating over spring break to knock on doors in Franklin for donations.

Brittni’s initial goal was $200. When she reached that, Brittni made it $500; as of Thursday, she’d raised $763.

Brittni has the support of her parents, Starla and Brian Baker, on this effort. Keep up the good work, Brittni, and keep us posted.

The other person making a difference is former International Paper employee Wesley Dorsey. One year to the day after losing his job of 21 years at the Franklin paper mill, the 50-year-old from Gates, N.C., is organizing a reunion for former sheet plant workers and retirees. It will be held 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 14, at the Bronco Club, which donated the use of its facility.

This is a great idea. A lot of mill workers have probably faced one of the toughest years in their lives. Losing a good job in a poor economy can be a rude awakening.

A lot of these folks also probably haven’t seen much of each other after seeing each day in and day out, for many years. We’re sure they’ll have a lot to talk about.