A series of funny TV ads produced by the mortgage company Ameriquest clearly demonstrate why it is not a good idea to judge our fellow human beings too quickly. Situations are often not what they seem.
Humor makes the point so very well in these clever ads.
An organization called One Simple Wish has granted the wishes of more than 3,000 foster children providing a small piece of comfort and joy to kids still in need of a permanent family.
12-year-old Kahlil always wanted music lessons, something most kids take for granted but which remains elusive for many in foster care. Thanks to One Simple Wish a donor was able to make Kahlil’s dream come true.
After serving a 14-year sentence for murder, no one would have expected Sarah Jane Coffman to go anywhere near the Hiland Mountain Correctional Center once she was released.
But every Saturday she makes the 10-mile drive with a viola in tow for orchestra practice at the prison just north of Anchorage.
Coffman is a founding member of the women’s string orchestra at the prison, playing since 2003.
In contrast to what the news media portrays as a hopeless situation in the Middle East, there is an Arab village in northern Israel, Ibillin, where the leaders of tomorrow are gathering daily in school classrooms, Jews befriending Muslims befriending Christians.
At the Mar Elias Educational Institutions (MEEI), children receive a superior education but also work together to promote peace, justice, and reconciliation in the Middle East. MEEI has become a shining beacon of hope for all people of the Holy Land – and around the world.
In contrast to what the news media portrays as a hopeless situation in the Middle East, there is an Arab village in northern Israel, Ibillin, where the leaders of tomorrow are gathering daily in school classrooms, Jews befriending Muslims befriending Christians.
At the Mar Elias Educational Institutions (MEEI), children receive a superior education but also work together to promote peace, justice, and reconciliation in the Middle East. MEEI has become a shining beacon of hope for all people of the Holy Land – and around the world.
Pushpa Basnet, a Nepalese woman who runs a home for children so they don’t have to live behind bars with their incarcerated parents, was named the 2012 CNN Hero of the Year on Sunday night.
Nepal is one of the poorest countries, and when a parent is incarcerated and no other guardian can be found, children have little choice but to live in prison as well. Basnet, 29, decided in 2005 to give these children another option.
She started a home in Kathmandu where children can receive education, food, medical care and a chance to live a more normal life. She also runs a day care program for children who are too young to be separated from their parent. They can come out every afternoon from behind prison walls to play, color and learn music. With 40 children, ages 6 and up, living in the home and the day care toddlers she attends each afternoon, Basnet has assisted more than 100 children of incarcerated parents.
The former social worker was chosen as Hero of the Year through a nine-week public vote held on CNN.com. For being named CNN Hero of the Year, she receives $250,000 to continue her work.
When accepting the Hero of the Year award, Basnet relayed a message to incarcerated children in Nepal.
“Mamu’s going to take you out from the prison, and you’re coming to my place,” said Basnet, who is called “Mamu” by many of the children.
(WATCH the 2 videos about Pushpa below, and SEE the moment she won, or READ more about her work at CNN)
Source: CNN
Pushpa Basnet, a Nepalese woman who runs a home for children so they don’t have to live behind bars with their incarcerated parents, was named the 2012 CNN Hero of the Year on Sunday night.
Nepal is one of the poorest countries, and when a parent is incarcerated and no other guardian can be found, children have little choice but to live in prison as well. Basnet, 29, decided in 2005 to give these children another option.
Money can buy you happiness, especially if you share it with others.
“There is some science to this, literally,” said Robert Ashcraft, executive director of the Lodestar Center for Philanthropy & Nonprofit Innovation at Arizona State University. “There are studies done about the physical and mental reaction that people have in the act of giving time, as well as money.”
Find a cause that speaks to you, share a few dollars and wait for the endorphins to hit.
Heroes, not celebrities, will be honored tonight in a red carpet gala as the sixth-annual CNN Heroes award ceremony airs LIVE from Los Angeles.
Celebrity presenters, who will read the incredible stories of each of the ten heroes, include Susan Sarandon, Viola Davis, Glee’s Jane Lynch, David Spade, and Modern Family’s Rico Rodriguez.
Each of the ten finalists already received $50,000, but one will be named CNN Hero of the Year and receive an additional quarter million dollars to continue their work.
Olympic Gold Medalist Cullen Jones and hip-hop star 50 Cent will also join host Anderson Cooper for CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute, December 2 at 9pm ET. Three-time Grammy Award winning singer songwriter NE-YO is set to perform as the musical guest.
“As we enter the season of giving thanks, we are grateful to these talented and caring entertainers who are joining us in this celebration of the human spirit. We appreciate the time they’re taking to raise awareness for the life-changing work of this year’s CNN Heroes,” said Kelly Flynn, Senior Executive Producer for the “CNN Heroes” initiative, CNN Heroes: Sharing the Spotlight and CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute.
Now in its sixth year, the CNN Heroes initiative has received more than 45,000 nominations from more than 100 countries reporting on everyday heroes doing extraordinary work.
Click to see the Top 10 CNN Heroes and see their charities that will be honored tonight.
More at www.cnn.com
School supplies traveled 7,800 miles from New York to Afghanistan after students from Windsor Central High School collected more than 70 boxes for the children and teachers overseas.
The simple project was dreamed up by a teacher at the school, now deployed in Afghanistan, who understands that basic school supplies might have the potential to influence a child to become a doctor, lawyer, or teacher.
A Massachusetts boy who believed that his dream toy was no longer available received an amazing surprise on his 11th birthday – all courtesy of Lego.
James Groccia of West Boylston, who has Asperger’s syndrome, set his heart on the expensive Emerald Night Train set over two years ago and began saving money.
Much to the family’s dismay, in those two years the Lego company had discontinued making the set — and its price in online shops had doubled.
A Massachusetts boy who believed that his dream toy was no longer available received an amazing surprise on his 11th birthday – all courtesy of Lego.
James Groccia of West Boylston, who has Asperger’s syndrome, set his heart on the expensive Emerald Night Train set over two years ago and began saving money.
Much to the family’s dismay, in those two years the Lego company had discontinued making the set — and its price in online shops had doubled.
To announce one of the biggest events of their lives together, Cindy and Mark Hill returned to the place where it all began — the high school where they became sweethearts in the 1970s.
Surrounded by family and friends, the two were introduced Friday as winners in this week’s huge Powerball lottery.
To announce one of the biggest events of their lives together, Cindy and Mark Hill returned to the place where it all began — the high school where they became sweethearts in the 1970s.
Surrounded by family and friends, the two were introduced Friday as winners in this week’s huge Powerball lottery.
A wealthy Missouri man posing as “Secret Santa” stunned New Yorkers, handing $100 bills to many in Staten Island who had lost everything to Superstorm Sandy.
The Kansas City businessman is giving away $100,000 this holiday season, and spent the day in New Jersey and New York giving away thousands.
A wealthy Missouri man posing as “Secret Santa” stunned New Yorkers, handing $100 bills to many in Staten Island who had lost everything to Superstorm Sandy.
The Kansas City businessman is giving away $100,000 this holiday season, and spent the day in New Jersey and New York giving away thousands.
Not many convicts consider themselves blessed, but Eric Smallridge does, and for good reason. He’s getting out of prison — way early.
A few years into his sentence of 20 years, a woman came forward and asked the judge to reduce his sentence.
She claimed Eric was truly sorry for what he’d done and deserved leniency. The judge obliged — partly because of what she said, but mostly because of who she was.
This photo taken by a tourist in Times Square, shows 25 year-old NYPD officer Lawrence DePrimo stooping on his knee against the cold sidewalk to talk to a homeless man with bare feet. The cop noticed blisters on the older man’s feet and asked him what size shoe he wears. The storefront in the picture happens to be a Skechers, where DePrimo went looking for a pair of all-weather boots to buy for the man. He spent $75 after the manager cut the price with an employee discount, according to the New York Times, which reported that the homeless man’s face lit up at the sight of the boots. Jennifer Foster, who works in an Arizona Sheriff’s office took the photo in secret, after the sight reminded her of her father, also a cop, who once bought food for a homeless person. She emailed it to the NYPD and said they could post it on their Facebook page. The image, and the story behind it, has spread across the internet in 48 hours like a contagious kindness virus.
A year ago, the professional children’s performer, Red Grammer, was crushed to find out his beloved Martin M-36 guitar had been stolen from a baggage terminal after his flight to LAX was delayed. Last month he was still pining after the instrument, which had an “incredibly rich, sweet, and well-balanced tone,” when Kyle Crabb (left) unknowingly purchased it. After taking it home, Crabb noticed a metal label with the name “Red Grammer” on the inside of the custom road case. Following his intuition Crabb sent an email to Grammer asking if his guitar had been stolen. “Imagine my excitement!” Grammar later wrote on his Facebook page. “He generously offered to return my guitar saying that he loved it, but knew it had to be returned to its rightful owner.” Crabb’s only regret was that he needed a guitar to play. Red offered his back-up guitar, and a little money to help offset the loss, to which Crabb instantly agreed. “We met in Seal Beach, California where we exchanged instruments and I got to thank him personally for reuniting me with my beloved guitar.” – Red Grammer’s Facebook page
An inspiring photo was posted on the social media website, Reddit, by a friend who snapped the picture in a parking lot. Somebody taped three shopping bags together to cover the open window as a gesture of concern when it started raining. “Didn’t want your car to get wet,” said a note on the bag. “Have a nice day!” – Source: Reddit
LeeAnn Hobelman posted this photo of her kids moments after they were given a shocking holdiay surprise. A man checking out in front of them at Target asked their names and wrote something on a card. “He just now bought a $50 gift card and handed it to my kids! How freaking Awesome!” His name was Joshua and they promised him they would be paying his kindness forward in the coming weeks. “I hope this will inspire some of you to pay it forward too,” she wrote on Facebook.
Jim Cummings is well-known as a voice actor and his credits read like an encyclopedia of family films: “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?,” “The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin,” 
“Tarzan,” “Pocahontas,” “The Lion King,” “Babe: Pig in the City.” He is best known, perhaps, as the voice of “Winnie the Pooh” (and tigger, too). But, no matter how busy his career keeps him, it all stops when the Make a Wish Foundation calls on behalf of a sick child who wants to hear from their favorite animated character. He will drop everything to talk to a child and speak to them in his famous voices. Just imagine the wonder of a child hearing Pooh bear on the phone.
An professor at Southern Maine Community College is using the skills she’s honed over a lifetime to give back to families who feel like they’ve lost a lifetime of memories. Kate Q. Sibole has teamed up with her old employer, Andy Graham, CIO of Designtex in Portland to offer their services for the restoration of photos damaged in Hurricane Sandy. “I was so moved by a lady on Staten Island who was interviewed by Ann Curry. She lost everything…but then found wedding pictures under mud and debris.” Send Kate the photos. As a photography and digital imagery expert, Kate will scan and retouch the damaged treasures and then Designtex will print and mail them back — both the original and retouched prints.
(Email Kate for more information at: katesibole AT gmail DOTcom) Send images along with RETURN Adresses to: Kate Sibole c/o Andy Graham, Portland Color/Design Tex, 14 Industrial Way, Portland, ME, 04103. Label the packages: RE: Special Project Sandy Retouching” – Photo (above) found miles away but reunited with family on Facebook at Jersey Shore Hurricane News
This photo taken by a tourist in Times Square, shows 25 year-old NYPD officer Lawrence DePrimo stooping on his knee against the cold sidewalk to talk to a homeless man with bare feet. The cop noticed blisters on the older man’s feet and asked him what size shoe he wears. The storefront in the picture happens to be a Skechers, where DePrimo went looking for a pair of all-weather boots to buy for the man. He spent $75 after the manager cut the price with an employee discount, according to the New York Times, which reported that the homeless man’s face lit up at the sight of the boots. Jennifer Foster, who works in an Arizona Sheriff’s office took the photo in secret, after the sight reminded her of her father, also a cop, who once bought food for a homeless person. She emailed it to the NYPD and said they could post it on their Facebook page. The image, and the story behind it, has spread across the internet in 48 hours like a contagious kindness virus.
A year ago, the professional children’s performer, Red Grammer, was crushed to find out his beloved Martin M-36 guitar had been stolen from a baggage terminal after his flight to LAX was delayed. Last month he was still pining after the instrument, which had an “incredibly rich, sweet, and well-balanced tone,” when Kyle Crabb (left) unknowingly purchased it. After taking it home, Crabb noticed a metal label with the name “Red Grammer” on the inside of the custom road case. Following his intuition Crabb sent an email to Grammer asking if his guitar had been stolen. “Imagine my excitement!” Grammar later wrote on his Facebook page. “He generously offered to return my guitar saying that he loved it, but knew it had to be returned to its rightful owner.” Crabb’s only regret was that he needed a guitar to play. Red offered his back-up guitar, and a little money to help offset the loss, to which Crabb instantly agreed. “We met in Seal Beach, California where we exchanged instruments and I got to thank him personally for reuniting me with my beloved guitar.” – Red Grammer’s Facebook page
An inspiring photo was posted on the social media website, Reddit, by a friend who snapped the picture in a parking lot. Somebody taped three shopping bags together to cover the open window as a gesture of concern when it started raining. “Didn’t want your car to get wet,” said a note on the bag. “Have a nice day!” – Source: Reddit
LeeAnn Hobelman posted this photo of her kids moments after they were given a shocking holdiay surprise. A man checking out in front of them at Target asked their names and wrote something on a card. “He just now bought a $50 gift card and handed it to my kids! How freaking Awesome!” His name was Joshua and they promised him they would be paying his kindness forward in the coming weeks. “I hope this will inspire some of you to pay it forward too,” she wrote on Facebook.
Jim Cummings is well-known as a voice actor and his credits read like an encyclopedia of family films: “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?,” “The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin,” “Tarzan,” “Pocahontas,” “The Lion King,” “Babe: Pig in the City.” He is best known, perhaps, as the voice of “Winnie the Pooh” (and tigger, too). But, no matter how busy his career keeps him, it all stops when the Make a Wish Foundation calls on behalf of a sick child who wants to hear from their favorite animated character. He will drop everything to talk to a child and speak to them in his famous voices. Just imagine the wonder of a child hearing Pooh bear on the phone.
An professor at Southern Maine Community College is using the skills she’s honed over a lifetime to give back to families who feel like they’ve lost a lifetime of memories. Kate Q. Sibole has teamed up with her old employer, Andy Graham, CIO of Designtex in Portland to offer their services for the restoration of photos damaged in Hurricane Sandy. “I was so moved by a lady on Staten Island who was interviewed by Ann Curry. She lost everything…but then found wedding pictures under mud and debris.” Send Kate the photos. As a photography and digital imagery expert, Kate will scan and retouch the damaged treasures and then Designtex will print and mail them back — both the original and retouched prints.
(Email Kate for more information at: katesibole AT gmail DOTcom) Send images along with RETURN Adresses to: Kate Sibole c/o Andy Graham, Portland Color/Design Tex, 14 Industrial Way, Portland, ME, 04103. Label the packages: RE: Special Project Sandy Retouching” – Photo (above) found miles away but reunited with family on Facebook at Jersey Shore Hurricane News
As Michele Pich took hold of the dog’s leash, the prisoner handed it to her but with one request.
“Please, just promise me that you’re going to love her as much as I love her,” he said.
A few months earlier, someone surrendered the 39-pound Staffordshire Terrier mix to animal control in Philadelphia. Judging from her scarred body, Peyton had been used as a bait dog in vicious dog fighting rings. A day or two before her scheduled euthanization, a group called New Leash on Life plucked her from the shelter and brought her to a detention facility.
Once there, she took training lessons with prisoners and began the long road that would lead to her unexpected career as a therapy dog. She also got a fresh name for her fresh start: Vivian Peyton.
These days, the dog shares her home with Michele Pich, co-director of the VetPets program at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. At work, Vivian helps Pich comfort grieving pet owners and sick children at the Ronald McDonald House.
“The second I met her, I just knew that I needed her to be part of my family,” Pich says. “It was such a godsend that she was able to come out of her shell. She just needed somebody to love her and give her a chance.”
Now 2 years old and a long way from her heartbreaking past, Vivian is being honored by the National Dog Show as one of this year’s featured therapy dogs. We caught up with her owner to hear more of Vivian’s story and find out how she’s handling all her newfound fame.
Q. What does it mean to be Therapy Dog Ambassador for the National Dog Show?
A. Michele Pich: “It’s an incredible honor. It’s wonderful that they’ve been including therapy dogs in the show — especially because of the work they do, they really promote the human-animal bond in such an amazing way. Just to have my little girl be part of that is pretty incredible, especially considering all the circumstances she started from.”
Q. What was Vivian’s life like before she was rescued?
A. “It was pretty terrible. Based on the condition she was in, they were pretty sure she was used as a bait dog. She was emaciated, terribly bruised, and scarred and cut up. She was terrified of people, just scared of everything, understandably. Medically, they didn’t even think there was a good chance she was going to survive.”
Q. Can you tell us about the New Leash on Life program?
A. “They pair the people in society that most people have given up on — prison inmates — with dogs that are at risk of euthanasia. That’s one of the criteria for dogs coming into the program, that they’re on the euthanasia list. So they pair the people and dogs that have often been thrown away by society, and give them another chance to shine and succeed by being a part of each other’s lives. Working one-on-one with an inmate — it made such a huge difference for her, to shine and be who she was always meant to be.”
Q. When did you realize Vivian would make a great therapy dog?
A. “The first day I met her. I had taken my veterinary students to help socialize the prison dogs, to get the dogs used to other environments. All the dogs there were good, but they were nervous. Except for Peyton over there. There she is, laying on her back, belly up, smiling at everybody. That was my first clue that she was going to be able to adapt to most environments.”
Q. What’s a typical working day like for Vivian?
A. “Wednesdays tend to be her busiest day. We come into work in the morning, and she greets the clients I’m working with. Then we go to the Ronald McDonald House, and all the kids know that Vivian is here on Wednesdays. Sometimes they schedule their treatments around being at the house on a Wednesday, so they have something to look forward to at the end of the night.”
Q. What did Vivian think of her first time at the National Dog Show? Has all the fame gone to her head?
A. “She was great, I’ll tell ya! She certainly had never been to a dog show before. It was a new experience for both of us. I was so proud of her — she was hamming it up with everybody, flirting with everybody. She did great with all the other dogs, and everyone was just so excited to see her. She was fantastic.”
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