Thumbs up to Alex Card, a Southwestern Central School senior who made headlines for his play on the football field this fall and now, as a member of the school’s basketball team, is making headlines for his play on the basketball court. Through Card’s efforts, the Trojans’ basketball team is participating in the Hoops For Hearts campaign. Inspired by the story of Elianna Vazquez, a local first-grader who suffers from a congenital heart condition, two weeks prior to the season Card came up with the idea to host a campaign on pledgeit.org/swhoopsforhearts that will donate funds for every free throw that is made at home games. Card first became aware of Elianna’s condition and her need for a heart transplant through his mother Lisa, who spends time during the school week teaching Vaszquez via Facetime, as her condition does not allow her to attend school currently. While Card wears that bracelet every day and the shirt as often as he can, the senior also wanted to do more to help after hearing Elianna’s story. Here’s hoping Card hits a lot of free throws during Southwestern home games this year — and that the donations pour in for Elianna. Interested parties are encouraged to visit pledgeit.org/swhoopsforhearts and contribute to the campaign.

Thumbs down to a bizarre road rage incident earlier this week in Jamestown in which a man took out his frustration with another driver by hitting the offending vehicle with a hatchet. Jamestown police reported the 19-year-old city man followed the other driver until driving around her near the intersection of the Arterial and Prather Avenue, cutting her off near the intersection and then using a hatchet to chop into the hood of her car, causing $1,500 damage. Luckily, the damage was limited to the vehicle. The woman was able to take a picture of the vehicle, allowing police to find it and charge the man with criminal mischief and menacing. It’s probably bad enough that most drivers mutter under their breath — or more loudly — when other drivers aren’t considerate on the road, but we hope incidents like Monday’s remain the exception rather than become the norm.

Thumbs up to the Kennedy First United Methodist Church for hosting 50 area residents for Christmas dinner. Anyone who was alone and wanted to share the day with other people were welcome to attend. The idea was born in 2009 when one of the members of the church found that she would be alone that year for Christmas. Pastor Jennifer Delahoy and other members of the church prepared and served 50 meals and spent some time socializing with guests. Plans are being made to host the dinner next year. It is a wonderful outreach that the church performs for people who would otherwise be alone on Christmas. Kudos to all involved.