By Janet Wetzel
Enquirer contributor

BRIDGETOWN - Ruth Holzinger has lots of friends, and it's a good thing. They say she needs every one of them to help with the constant flow of good deeds she juggles.

Ruth Holzinger puts together bottles of Gatorade for the Mt. St. Joe football team on game day. (Brandi Stafford photo)

Whether it's a family in need, helping a soldier's wife raise money to visit him, or brightening the lives of mentally disabled group home residents, Holzinger helps make things happen.

The Bridgetown resident holds talent shows, festivals and picnics to help area group home residents raise money for vacations and other extras.

She and her husband, Mike, helped found the Touchdown Club to support the College of Mount St. Joseph football team, where their son, Mike Jr., plays. They also help prepare hundreds of sandwiches and drinks to take to away games to feed 95 coaches and players.

Holzinger works as a cafeteria manager at Rapid Run Middle School but calls herself a "fixer."

"When I see something that needs to be done, I can't rest until I help," she said.

When the Holzingers' kids attended Oak Hills High School, Holzinger led a drive to get 30 flags with school colors for the high school stadium, was in charge of the chicken dinners for the huge annual festivals and was active in the boosters club.

Brenda Burman called her friend a remarkable person.

"There's not much of anything she hasn't done for one person or another," Burman said. "She treats people like she would want to be treated, then goes the extra mile."

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Do you know a Hometown Hero? E-mail Janet Wetzel at jjwetzel@siscom.net or fax to (513) 755-4150.