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International Women’s Day: Three Women Turned Pennies into Empowerment

Hawaiian photo by Sun Star

Photo by Sun StarToday is the 100-year anniversary of the founding of International Women’s Day—a day to celebrate the achievements of women worldwide and to rekindle efforts toward their advancement.

Celebrating the centennial, performer Annie Lennox will lead a charity march across London’s Millennium Bridge, joining in spirit with 25 countries that have officially recognized the holiday, including the U.S. Afghanistan, Russia, Ukraine, Vietnam and Zambia.

Many women in places like Rwanda, Colombia and Cambodia face two choices: Accept a life in historical poverty, or strive for a brighter future. With hopes of building a business, three women stand out as examples of how to choose the latter.

Slain Hero a Finalist for Civilian Medal of Honor

Citizen Service Before Self Honor

Citizen Service Before Self HonorA Houston man killed last year protecting a woman from a gun-wielding purse snatcher has been named a finalist for an award created by U.S. servicemen who have been recognized for similar selfless acts during war.

20 people from across the country were selected to be considered for the “Citizen Service Before Self Honors” from the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation, a recognition given every year to men and women who have shown courage and sacrifice to help others.

(READ the story at the Houston Chronicle)

Teen Recovering From Brain Injury Models New Pitching Helmet to Protect Others

pitchers-helmet-gunner-sandburg-video

pitchers-helmet-gunner-sandburg-videoGunnar Sandberg, who recently returned to his high school baseball diamond after nearly dying from a line drive off his skull a year ago, introduced a new helmet prototype that he hopes will become standard equipment for youth leagues nationwide.

‘Amazing’ Hug-a-Hero Dolls Imprinted With Photo of Deployed Parents

Branden with his Hug-a-Hero doll

Branden with his Hug-a-Hero dollThousands of kids whose parents are overseas serving in the military cling to the memory of hugging their daddy or mommy thanks to the Hug-A-Hero doll, which is imprinted with a photo of their parent in uniform.

The dolls, which are free to families, help kids cope while mothers or fathers are away, said executive director Lisa Berg of Hudson, Florida.

“There’s nothing else like it,” Berg said. “They’re hugging their parent.”
Alamae is 7 years old and loves to keep her doll close. “She brings her daddy to school and shows him to everyone,” said her mom, Amanda Beltran. “It is her favorite thing to take for show and tell — it makes her so proud!”

“These dolls are the most amazing thing ever created,” added Mrs. Beltran.

Operation Hug-a-Hero was started three years ago by the Michigan company Daddy Dolls.

Currently, there’s a waiting list of 800 military children.

You can get more information or provide a doll by donating on their website www.operationhugahero.org.

‘Amazing’ Hug-a-Hero Dolls Imprinted With Photo of Deployed Parents

Branden with his Hug-a-Hero doll

Branden with his Hug-a-Hero dollThousands of kids whose parents are overseas serving in the military cling to the memory of hugging their daddy or mommy thanks to the Hug-A-Hero doll, which is imprinted with a photo of their parent in uniform.

The dolls, which are free to families, help kids cope while mothers or fathers are away, said executive director Lisa Berg of Hudson, Florida.

“There’s nothing else like it,” Berg said. “They’re hugging their parent.”

17 New Small Business Tax Cuts for 2010

tax forms

tax formsSince January 2009, President Obama and Congress has passed or extended 17 small business tax cuts and credits, including the exclusion of up to 75% capital gains on key small business investments and new tax credits for hiring Americans who had been out of work for at least two months.

Volunteer Cuddlers Soothe Tots with Touch (Video)

baby-hand-grandma-hand-nbcvid

baby-hand-grandma-hand-nbcvidParents can’t always be there to hold their babies who are in the hospital for an extended period, but that’s where a group of core volunteers step in.

Sometimes they soothe children who are regularly admitted over years, and the two keep in touch.

WATCH the video below from MSNBC…

 

Have you ever volunteered to perform this service?

A Teen with Cancer Chooses Opportunities Over Depression

Kaiser-Permanente photo of Shelby Makris

Kaiser-Permanente photo of Shelby MakrisA high school junior’s life was turned upside down. But she was determined to not fall into depression. 

“I could no longer attend school and my life became a balancing act between doctor’s appointments and studying at home,” wrote Shelby Makris in a special for the Los Angeles Times. “I had a choice to make: Delve into depression or grasp the opportunities I still had to make the most of them. I decided to go for it.”

She completed every assignment that her classmates were given, she upped the capacity of her charity work (ironically, she was president of her school’s Make-a-Wish Foundation club), and every day she is getting a little bit healthier.

“I have proved to myself that I am a much stronger person than I thought I was.”

(READ her essay in the LA Times)

Veterans Form Human Shield to Protect Soldier Funerals From Protesters (Video)

flags-line-road-bikers-vid

flags-line-road-bikers-vidThe U.S. Supreme Court this week ruled in favor of the rights of Westboro Baptist Church members to protest at soldiers’ funerals, reaffirming the protections in the U.S. Constitution for free speech.

But, that doesn’t mean the soldier’s family must listen to the repugnant speech or view the extremist language on the picket signs. 900 bikers from around the country are making sure they don’t have to.

The Patriot Guard Riders, many of them former veterans, protect funeral-goers from the hurtful speech by creating a ‘wall’ of American flags and soaring patriotic music to shield families from the protest.

Since the high court ruling, new members are rushing to join the Patriot Guard Riders, a charitable organization formed in Kansas in 2005, after bikers belonging to the American Legion first heard about the Westboro Baptist protests and decided to take action.

The group doesn’t confront the protestors at all. Instead, they shield the family from the brunt of the abuse.

(WATCH the video below)

Thanks to Nancy Peske for submitting the story!

Veterans Form Human Shield to Protect Soldier Funerals From Protesters (Video)

flags-line-road-bikers-vid

flags-line-road-bikers-vidThe U.S. Supreme Court this week ruled in favor of the rights of Westboro Baptist Church members to protest at soldiers’ funerals, reaffirming the protections in the U.S. Constitution for free speech.

But, that doesn’t mean the soldier’s family must listen to the repugnant speech or view the extremist language on the picket signs. 900 bikers from around the country are making sure they don’t have to.

The Patriot Guard Riders, many of them former veterans, protect funeral-goers from the hurtful speech by creating a ‘wall’ of American flags and soaring patriotic music to shield families from the protest.

Rejected by Publishers 26 Year-old Makes $1Million Selling eBooks on Internet

amanda-hocking-author-KTTCvid

amanda-hocking-author-KTTCvidAfter countless rejections from large publishing companies, Amanda Hocking turned to the internet to sell her stories in digital formats that now have made her a million dollars on sales of more than 900,000 copies.

The 26 year-old now has young fans all over the world reading her zombie eBooks. Her successful entrepreneurial effort will land Amanda in the March issue of Elle magazine.

Rejected by Publishers 26 Year-old Makes $1Million Selling eBooks on Internet

amanda-hocking-author-KTTCvid

amanda-hocking-author-KTTCvidAfter countless rejections from large publishing companies, Amanda Hocking turned to the internet to sell her stories in digital formats that now have made her a million dollars on sales of more than 900,000 copies.

The 26 year-old now has young fans all over the world reading her zombie eBooks. Her successful entrepreneurial effort will land Amanda in the March issue of Elle magazine.

9 Secrets of a Happy Retirement

tennis-oldsters

Photo by Sun StarA large nest egg doesn’t guarantee a happy retirement. While a significant retirement income is likely to make you happier than just scraping by, money isn’t the only necessity.

Here are some tips for cultivating retirement happiness…

(READ the story at US News)

Photo by Sun Star

Baby Laughing Hysterically at Ripping Paper

Laughter is good for our health, so I enjoy sharing videos of babies that are sure to make most people giggle.

In this home video, the baby thinks it is hilarious when her father tears some paper.

Dozens of People Perform CPR to Save One Heart Attack Victim

CPR symbol

CPR symbolWhen Howard Snitzer clutched his chest and crumpled on a freezing sidewalk outside Don’s Foods in Goodhue, Minn., he was wearing gym shorts, fresh from his daily workout.

For the next 96 minutes — more than an hour and a half — two dozen bystanders and first responders took turns performing CPR on the fallen man. Their teamwork saved Snitzer’s life, in what may be one of the longest, successful out-of-hospital resuscitations ever.

More Economic Good News: As Manufacturing Demand Grows, So Do Jobs

factory-workers-retraining-plant

factory workers retraining for green jobsA common misconception is repeated that factory jobs are slowly disappearing in the United States. But there have been steady gains recently: Just last month, manufacturing created 33,000 jobs.

U.S. manufacturing in 2010 ended the year with a net annual gain of 136,000 jobs.

This latest jobs report from the Labor Department actually showed “pretty strong growth across most industries”. The private sector is adding 150,000 jobs per month and picking up steam.

More Economic Good News: As Manufacturing Demand Grows, So Do Jobs

factory-workers-retraining-plant

factory workers retraining for green jobs

A common misconception is repeated that factory jobs are slowly disappearing in the United States. But there have been steady gains recently: Just last month, manufacturing created 33,000 jobs.

U.S. manufacturing in 2010 ended the year with a net annual gain of 136,000 jobs.

This latest jobs report from the Labor Department actually showed “pretty strong growth across most industries”. The private sector is adding 150,000 jobs per month and picking up steam.

10 Easy Spring-Cleaning Decorating Resolutions

photo by Geri

photo by GeriWith spring on the horizon, it’s natural to revisit, revise, and resolve to spruce things up in the coming months.

Similar to “resolutions,” the choices we make each spring are really goals, says Maria Shriver. Working towards and achieving our goals is a sure way to feeling accomplished and fulfilled.

Whether you’re looking to reinvent your life or just make a few small but important tweaks, here are some starter ideas to help you make your own “decorating resolutions” – and design the coming months to be your best yet.

 

Boy, 13, Youngest in Troop’s History to Achieve Eagle Scout

scouting uniform - Photo by Mary R Vogt, via Morguefile

Photo credit: Mary R. Vogt - MorguefileZachary Ahlheim, 13, has become the youngest Eagle Scout in his Boy Scout troop’s 65-year history.

“I’ve always just tried my best to be prepared and live up to the highest standards,” said Zachary. “No goal is too tough if I set my mind to it.”

The eighth-grader, who started scouting when he was in the second grade, now attends flight school, working toward his dream of becoming a Blue Angel pilot

(READ the story at Jacksonville.com)

Have your own good news from the Jacksonville, Florida region? Send items to [email protected].
Photo credit: Mary R. Vogt – Morguefile

160 Studies Show Happiness Improves Health and Lengthens Life

smiling-white-shirt

Photo by Sun StarA review of more than 160 studies has found ‘clear and compelling evidence’ that – all else being equal – happy people tend to live longer and experience better health than their unhappy peers.

The study is the most comprehensive review so far of the evidence linking happiness to health outcomes. Its lead author, University of Illinois professor emeritus of psychology Ed Diener, who also is a senior scientist for the Gallup Organisation, of Princeton, N.J., analysed long-term studies of human subjects, experimental human and animal trials, and studies that evaluate the health status of people stressed by natural events.