Hearts of gold: Parents honored for life-giving decision

Shelby Star | Jackie Bridges
The family of Dick Palmer presented the Gold Heart Award to the family of Jamar Whisnant. "This award is presented posthumously to Jamar Whisnant and to his parents, Erica and Larry," said Palmer's daughter, Anne Landry, reading from the plaque as she made the presentation. "May Jamar's life and the generous act of his parents inspire others to follow this example of an unselfish act."

The pain of losing a child stays with a parent, said Erica Poston, whose son, Jamar Whisnant died in August after routine heart surgery.

"We try to do as best we can," Poston said. "It's difficult."

The decision she and Jamar's father, Larry Whisnant, made to donate Jamar's organs has helped "somewhat, but it's still hard to deal with," she said.

Jamar's life and his parents' difficult decision have been recognized with a Gold Heart Award from the Dick Palmer family.

The family established the award in 2011 to honor Carl Carpenter, who searched 10 years for the owner of a photograph he found after the Belwood tornado in 1989. His simple act of kindness to return the photo changed Julia Palmer’s outlook on life and also started a chain reaction of good deeds. Carpenter died in March 2012. The award is presented monthly to recognize those who put others before self and prefer to stay out of the limelight.
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