When horses are brought to Karen Pomroy’s ranch in the Arizona desert they are starving, scared, and unwanted.
But, at Jumpin’ Jack ranch, the horses find a safe haven where they are well fed and loved.
Their wounds are treated and volunteers train them to be riding horses able to be adopted.
When horses are brought to Karen Pomroy’s ranch in the Arizona desert they are starving, scared, and unwanted.
But, at Jumpin’ Jack ranch, the horses find a safe haven where they are well fed and loved.
Their wounds are treated and volunteers train them to be riding horses able to be adopted.
The US Air Force has developed an energy plan focused on reducing demand and increasing efficiency.
For instance, 99 percent of the Air Force fleet is now certified to operate on a 50/50 blend of synthetic fuel derived from byproducts like feed stock and normal jet fuel.
Operational flight paths of some aircraft have been changed to take advantage of shorter distances to destinations in Asia, which saves not only fuel but also wear and tear on aircraft.
Evangelical, Roman Catholic, mainline Protestant and other Christian leaders joined together to creating a “Circle of Protection” for the poor and vulnerable during this season’s budget debate. Representing more than 50 Christian groups, a joint statement released by the leaders three months ago provided a unified Christian voice at the start of the American budget debate.
“As Christian leaders, we are committed to fiscal responsibility and shared sacrifice. We are also committed to resist budget cuts that undermine the lives, dignity, and rights of poor and vulnerable people. Therefore, we join with others to form a Circle of Protection around programs that meet the essential needs of hungry and poor people at home and abroad.”
| Leith Anderson- President, National Association of Evangelicals
Dr. Carroll A. Baltimore Sr. – Pres., Progressive National Baptist Church Geoffrey Black – Minister and President, United Church of Christ Bishop Stephen E. Blaire of Stockton US Conference of Catholic Bishops Bishop Charles E. Blake Bishop, Church of God in Christ Bishop John R. Bryant African Methodist Episcopal Church J. Ron Byler – Executive Director, Mennonite Central Committee US Patrick Carolyn, Franciscan Action Net Rev. Peg Chemberlin- President, National Council of Churches of Christ Rev. Luis Cortes, Jr. Pres., Esperanza Joseph Flanagan – Pres., Natl Council of US Society of St. Vincent de Paul Wes Granberg-Michaelson – General Sec., Reformed Church in America Bishop Mark S. Hanson – Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Bishop Thomas L. Hoyt, Jr. Christian Methodist Episcopal Church Bishop Howard J. Hubbard Cmte. Chair, US Conf. of Catholic Bishops Michael Kinnamon – Gen. Secretary, National Council of Churches of Christ The Very Reverend Leonid Kishkovsky Orthodox Church in America A. Roy Medley -General Secretary, American Baptist Churches USA John A. Nunes – President and CEO, Lutheran World Relief See more signatories at: |
They charge politicians in both parties with failing to bring moral leadership to the budget debate. In the words of the Christian leaders:
“These choices are economic, political—and moral. As Christians, we believe the moral measure of the debate is how the most poor and vulnerable people fare. We look at every budget proposal from the bottom up—how it treats those Jesus called “the least of these” (Matthew 25:45). They do not have powerful lobbies, but they have the most compelling claim on our consciences and common resources. The Christian community has an obligation to help them be heard, to join with others to insist that programs that serve the most vulnerable in our nation and around the world are protected.”
Congress has been wrangling for months over the 2012 budget and raising the ceiling on the national debt to pay its bills. According to the Christian leaders’ statement:
“Budgets are moral documents, and how we reduce future deficits are historic and defining moral choices. As Christian leaders, we urge Congress and the administration to give moral priority to programs that protect the life and dignity of poor and vulnerable people in these difficult times, our broken economy, and our wounded world.”
The leaders outlined eight principles for ethical decision-making that must be considered in a moral budget. These include protecting and improving “poverty-focused development and humanitarian assistance to promote a better, safer world” and ensuring that budget discussions “review and consider tax revenues, military spending, and entitlements in the search for ways to share sacrifice and cut deficits.” They also call for a focus on creating jobs since “decent jobs at decent wages are the best path out of poverty, and restoring growth is a powerful way to reduce deficits.”
The leaders said that it is the “vocation and obligation of the church to speak and act on behalf of those Jesus called ‘the least of these.'” This basic principle has provided a unifying point for Christians that gets past the partisan politics dominating Capitol Hill. They say they plan to hold political leaders accountable for protecting programs that serve the poor and for using moral principles to make budget decisions.
Rhinoceros horn cups brought to the Antiques Roadshow on Saturday in Tulsa became the highest-value appraisal ever made by the PBS television show in its 16 year history. The unidentified man, who started collecting the carved Chinese cups inexpensively, and had no idea of their worth, was told they were valued at 1-1.5 million dollars.
The rhino horn cups from the late 17th- or early 18th-century, have increased in value dramatically since their original purchase because of today’s strong market for Chinese antiques.
Rhinoceros horn cups brought to the Antiques Roadshow on Saturday in Tulsa became the highest-value appraisal ever made by the PBS television show in its 16 year history. The unidentified man, who started collecting the carved Chinese cups inexpensively, and had no idea of their worth, was told they were valued at 1-1.5 million dollars.
The rhino horn cups from the late 17th- or early 18th-century, have increased in value dramatically since their original purchase because of today’s strong market for Chinese antiques.
He has been on a labor of love since he was 17 — hauling litter, tires, and even rusty cars out of the nation’s rivers. Spearheading 500 cleanups he’s pulled 70 million pounds of trash from the water and water’s edge, including 775 refrigerators, with the help of thousands of volunteers.
For the past 13 years, Chad Pregracke has brought together donors, boats, barges, and even cranes to help him finish a job he started in high school, cleaning up every river in the country.
He was featured last Friday in the NBC Nightly News Making a Difference segment. Last fall he was named the Hardest Working Man in America (story on GNN).
He has been on a labor of love since he was 17 — hauling litter, tires, and even rusty cars out of the nation’s rivers. Spearheading 500 cleanups he’s pulled 70 million pounds of trash from the water and water’s edge, including 775 refrigerators, with the help of thousands of volunteers.
For the past 13 years, Chad Pregracke has brought together donors, boats, barges, and even cranes to help him finish a job he started in high school, cleaning up every river in the country.
He was featured last Friday in the NBC Nightly News Making a Difference segment. Last fall he was named the Hardest Working Man in America (story on GNN).
A world-renown dancer is coaching thousands of Havana’s poorest children in her dance studio which welcomes everyone, no matter their size or economic status.
She saves kids from the barrio, who are often in trouble, by teaching them to dance.
“I try getting into their hearts, into their souls.”
A world-renown dancer is coaching thousands of Havana’s poorest children in her dance studio which welcomes everyone, no matter their size or economic status.
She saves kids from the barrio, who are often in trouble, by teaching them to dance.
“I try getting into their hearts, into their souls.”
A freak accident during her bachelorette party left Rachel Chapman in a wheelchair. Despite the upheaval, there was never any doubt the two would get married.
“It was never, ‘what am I going to do’, said her new husband. “It was always, ‘what are we going to do’.
Last week Rachel finally got to wear her wedding dress, at an marriage ceremony and reception donated by the folks at 1-800-Registry, who heard their story on the Today show.
WATCH the video below from MSNBC…
Four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon just returned from a week-long trip in Africa working with the Rethink Refugees foundation to find better ways to help people in Congo.
“It was the most incredible experience of my life,” said Gordon, who went on the trip with leaders from the Clinton Global Initiative.
Gordon is no stranger to charity work, particularly now that his Sprint Cup car is backed by the AARP’s Drive to End Hunger campaign. Last weekend, Gordon visited a food bank in Manchester where he presented a $10,000 donation. Next week brings another fundraiser for the Riley Children’s Hospital in the form of Gordon’s annual celebrity bowling event.
His foundation also funds pediatric cancer and a children’s hospital, and has in six years exceeded $1 million in annual contributions.
Teaming up with Michelle Obama, the discount giant is moving into neighborhoods where there are no grocery stores. Altruism or savvy business move? A little of both.
Walmart announced this week that it will open up to 300 new locations over the next five years in food deserts across the country. These locations, along with the 218 stores in food deserts that Walmart has opened over the past four years, will serve 1.3 million people–many of whom have no other option for fresh produce and unprocessed foods other than Walmart.
“By opening stores where customers need them most, Walmart will help build healthier families and stronger communities.”
The National Football League began reopening for business after player union leaders announced a new 10-year collective bargaining agreement with the league owners Monday.
Players return to teams’ training facilities today and some teams begin their training camps Wednesday, according to a report in the Washington Post.
Meanwhile, NFL players, knowing the lockout took a toll on their fans, contributed to a thank you video released by their union, the NFLPA, on YouTube.
The Canadian government is pledging an additional $50 million in aid for famine-relief efforts in East Africa and urging Canadians to be generous in donations toward alleviating the growing humanitarian crisis in the region.
In addition to government funds, Ottawa will match any donations Canadians make individually to charities working on drought-relief efforts in the region.
Destitute villagers of Seolong outside Rustenburg in the North West will soon have roofs over their heads, thanks to the legacy of Nelson Mandela.
The foundations were dug for the start of construction on 50 houses for people with disabilities, child headed families and the elderly.
This was done through the campaign, Take action, inspire and change, aimed at celebrating the 93rd birthday of former President Nelson Mandela.
The Large Hadron Collider has picked up tantalizing fluctuations which might – or might not – be hints of the sought-after Higgs boson particle.
One of the primary goals of the collider is to search for hints of the Higgs, which is the last missing piece in most widely accepted theory of particle physics.
Without the Higgs, physicists cannot explain why particles have mass.
More than 2.6 billion people around the world don’t have access to a toilet. Now, the world’s largest charitable foundation is launching an effort to bring safe, clean sanitation to millions of poor people in the developing world.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced $42 million in grants to encourage innovation in the capture, storage and repurposing of waste as an energy resource.
TV cameras were focused on two boys who tried to catch the same ball at an Arizona Diamondbacks game. The gesture of kindness displayed afterward surprised the broadcast announcers in the booth.
The boy’s generosity was paid back tenfold, as the baseball club rewarded him for his good deed.
(WATCH the video below, one a follow-up segment, from ABC News)
TV cameras were focused on two boys who tried to catch the same ball at an Arizona Diamondbacks game. The gesture of kindness displayed afterward surprised the broadcast announcers in the booth.
The boy’s generosity was paid back tenfold, as the baseball club rewarded him for his good deed.
