Online social networking and internet marketing sites saved a family whose child has leukemia from financial ruin. So far Aidan Reed, 5, and his family have sold more than 4,500 prints of his crayon and marker drawings of monsters and other creepy characters.
5 Year-old’s Monster Art Draws $50,000 to Help Pay for his Chemo
Faith & Works | Rabbi Helps Church With Capital Campaign
When Rabbi Robert Slosberg was invited to give a talk on Judaism at Unity of Louisville in July as part of the church’s yearlong series on world religions, he found another way to honor his heritage beyond a simple discussion of Judaism.
The 100-year old Unity church was hurting for money, yet had never done a capital campaign before. Slosberg had, and the church accepted his offer to give presentations to members on how to do one. Adath Jeshurun launched the campaign with a $1,000 donation.
3-Year-old Conducts Beethoven Symphony
An obvious prodigy in action, 3 year-old Jonathan pretends to conduct the 4th movement of Beethoven’s 5th Symphony.
This piece was originally conducted by Herbert von Karajan and the Berliner Philharmoniker, one of Jonathan’s favorite conductors and orchestras. Jonathan’s passion for classical music became apparent when he was only eight months old. Shortly afterward he began conducting in his living room.
McDonald’s Ousted by Disney World in Gluten-Free Swap
A new project to bring healthier food to Disney has given McDonalds the boot and replaced it with a tiny gluten-free vegan cupcake shop called BabyCakes, along with healthy restaurants Pollo Campero and Fresh Apeel.
BabyCakes founder, Erin McKenna said on her blog, “In what couldn’t be a bigger blow, cupcakes have been deemed healthier than a McRib.”
(READ the story at Foodie Buzz)
Strangers Shower Selfless Homeless Man With Donations Of Thanks
When a Tempe homeless man found an abandoned backpack at a train station stocked with a laptop and $3,300 in cash, he deliberated about what to do — and decided to turn it in.
Now, over the past few days, Dave has been completely overwhelmed by the donations from strangers nationwide who have sent him checks or dropped off cash.
40 “Patriotic” Millionaires Call for Their Tax Cuts to Expire
Dozens of America’s wealthiest taxpayers — including hedge fund legend Michael Steinhardt, super trial lawyer Guy Saperstein, and Ben Cohen of Ben & Jerry’s fame — have appealed to President Obama not to renew the Bush tax cuts for anyone earning more than $1 million a year.
Calling themselves “Patriotic Millionaires for Fiscal Strength,” the 40-plus signers today launched a website and a campaign that they hope will draw support from others who agree that fiscal responsibility should begin with those who can best afford it — as their letter to Obama explains:
“We are writing to urge you to stand firm against those who would put politics ahead of their country.”
(READ more at ABC News)
RELATED: Rich Germans Demand Higher Taxes
U.S. Cities Offer Homeless Free Storage Space
Last Thanksgiving, Phillip Black says most of his belongings were thrown away by the police. He has been homeless ever since illness forced him out of work and his home three years ago. He now works during the day but cannot keep all his possessions with him while he is working.
Finding a place to safely leave possessions is one of many challenges homeless people face each day, homeless advocates say. Some cities, including Portland, Ore., St. Petersburg, Fla., New York, San Francisco and Chicago are trying to help people in Black’s situation by offering free storage space to the homeless.
(READ the story in the USA Today)
U.S. Automobile Manufacturing On the Rise Once Again: Obama
On the occasion of GM relaunching itself as a public company and harkening back to the federal government bailout two years ago, President Obama said the tough decision to inject cash into the auto industry has led to a major success.
“The American auto industry—an industry that’s been the proud symbol of America’s manufacturing might for a century and that helped to build our middle class—is once again on the rise.”
“What’s more,” continued Obama on Thursday, “American taxpayers are now positioned to recover more (money) than my administration invested in GM.”
Another Newfoundland Hero Dog Senses Trouble and Saves the Day
A Roseville, Minnesota pooch has once again proven that dogs just may have a sixth sense after all — and this particular breed, an historic penchant for lifesaving.
Murphy, a usually quiet Newfoundland dog would not stop barking on Wednesday morning.
His owner finally let him outside. Murphy then darted straight to the fence and continued barking.
The dog sensed that his 95-year-old neighbor had fallen and was helpless in the cold.
Another Newfoundland Hero Dog Senses Trouble and Saves the Day
A Roseville, Minnesota pooch has once again proven that dogs just may have a sixth sense after all — and this particular breed, an historic penchant for lifesaving.
Murphy, a usually quiet Newfoundland dog would not stop barking on Wednesday morning.
His owner finally let him outside. Murphy then darted straight to the fence and continued barking.
The dog sensed that his 95-year-old neighbor had fallen and was helpless in the cold.
A Loving Family At Last for Four Siblings Awaiting Adoption: Nat’l Adoption Day
Here is an inspirational and well-timed story for National Adoption Day, Nov. 20. The subjects in the story happen to be Good News Network readers, Michael and Molly Turner!
When Michael and Molly were first dating, the young couple knew that over time things would change, but there always was one constant — they wanted to adopt.
Neither was a product of the foster care system nor came from an adoptive home. But they considered it a reflection of their Christian values to open their home and their hearts to kids waiting for a mom and dad.
Children With Autism Get Help From Therapy Dogs
Considered “bombproof,” meaning she will remain calm in nearly any situation, Shadow, a well-trained therapy dog, volunteers at the Anderson Center for Autism in the Hudson Valley north of New York City.
“As soon as I get her working vest out, she jumps up and her little tail starts wagging.” said her owner and handler, Ani Shaker. “She loves the work.”
(READ the story in the NY Times)
Alert Dog Saves Sitter’s Family from Toxic Fumes
A hair stylist and her family was lucky to have been dog-sitting on a night when black smoke filled their home.
Smoke detectors failed while the family slept but the poodle jumped upon the owner and barked, waking her in time to rescue the household from toxic fumes and smoke.
Alert Dog Saves Sitter’s Family from Toxic Fumes
A hair stylist and her family was lucky to have been dog-sitting on a night when black smoke filled their home.
Smoke detectors failed while the family slept but the poodle jumped upon the owner and barked, waking her in time to rescue the household from toxic fumes and smoke.
States Put the ‘Home’ in Nursing Homes
The Leonard Florence Center for Living in Chelsea, Mass., is part of what’s known as the Green House project, founded by geriatrician Dr. Bill Thomas as an alternative to traditional nursing homes. Each apartment includes a large, centrally located kitchen and dining room designed to be the heart of the home. Residents often take part in meal planning and preparation.
The Center, in a working-class neighborhood on the outskirts of Boston is technically a nursing facility — a place most people hope they can avoid. But for Rhoda Klein, age 79, this five-story urban complex feels like home.
Good News Ahead of Tiger Summit: Species Gaining Ground in China
There is some good news ahead of the international Tiger Summit that starts Sunday in Russia, where global leaders will seek to double the number of tigers in the wild by 2022.
The 13 Asian countries where tigers roam in the wild have already agreed in principle to that ambitious goal.
A study this year suggested that protection measures are effective in bringing tigers back.
Over the past 50 years, protection efforts have helped the endangered Amur tiger bounce back in Russia’s Far East. The population was boosted to 430-500 today, making it possible for the tigers to migrate into forests of neighboring China.
(Source: WWF)
U.S. Car Fuel Economy Up, CO2 Drops for Sixth Year
A new report from the Environmental Protection Agency found that C02 emissions have decreased while fuel economy has increased every year since 2005, reversing the trend of the previous eight years.
Carbon dioxide emissions dropped by 14 percent per mile over the last six years and gasoline use fell by 16 percent.
(READ story from Reuters)
Reluctant Hero Becomes First Living Medal of Honor Recipient Since Vietnam
This afternoon in the East Room of the White House, President Obama presented the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry to Staff Sergeant Salvatore Giunta, U.S. Army — the first living servicemember from the Iraq or Afghanistan wars to receive it — the highest award for military bravery.
“Sgt, Giunta, repeatedly and without hesitation, charged forward through extreme enemy fire, embodying the warrior ethos that says, ‘I will never leave a fallen comrade.’” said Obama. “His actions disrupted a devastating ambush before it could claim more lives. His courage prevented the capture of an American soldier and brought that soldier back to his family.”
The President recounted the story of the events that earned him the honor (You can watch the entire 23 minute video at the White House blog)
“During the first of his two tours of duty in Afghanistan, Staff Sergeant Giunta was forced early on to come to terms with the loss of comrades and friends. His team leader at the time gave him a piece of advice: “You just try — you just got to try to do everything you can when it’s your time to do it.”
“Salvatore Giunta’s time came on October 25, 2007. He was a Specialist then, just 22 years old.
“Sal and his platoon were several days into a mission in the Korengal Valley — the most dangerous valley in northeast Afghanistan. The moon was full. The light it cast was enough to travel by without using their night-vision goggles. With heavy gear on their backs, and air support overhead, they made their way single file down a rocky ridge crest, along terrain so steep that sliding was sometimes easier than walking.
“And the two lead men were hit by enemy fire and knocked down instantly. When the third was struck in the helmet and fell to the ground, Sal charged headlong into the wall of bullets to pull him to safety behind what little cover there was. As he did, Sal was hit twice — one round slamming into his body armor, the other shattering a weapon slung across his back.
“They were pinned down, and two wounded Americans still lay up ahead. So Sal and his comrades regrouped and counterattacked. They threw grenades, using the explosions as cover to run forward, shooting at the muzzle flashes still erupting from the trees. Then they did it again. And again. Throwing grenades, charging ahead. Finally, they reached one of their men. He’d been shot twice in the leg, but he had kept returning fire until his gun jammed.
“As another soldier tended to his wounds, Sal sprinted ahead, at every step meeting relentless enemy fire with his own. He crested a hill alone, with no cover but the dust kicked up by the storm of bullets still biting into the ground. There, he saw a chilling sight: the silhouettes of two insurgents carrying the other wounded American away — who happened to be one of Sal’s best friends. Sal never broke stride. He leapt forward. He took aim. He killed one of the insurgents and wounded the other, who ran off.
“Sal found his friend alive, but badly wounded. Sal had saved him from the enemy — now he had to try to save his life. Even as bullets impacted all around him, Sal grabbed his friend by the vest and dragged him to cover. For nearly half an hour, Sal worked to stop the bleeding and help his friend breathe until the MEDEVAC arrived to lift the wounded from the ridge. American gunships worked to clear the enemy from the hills. And with the battle over, First Platoon picked up their gear and resumed their march through the valley. They continued their mission.
“I found out when I first spoke with him on the phone and when we met in the Oval Office today, he is a low-key guy, a humble guy, and he doesn’t seek the limelight. And he’ll tell you that he didn’t do anything special; that he was just doing his job; that any of his brothers in the unit would do the same thing.”
“That’s why Salvatore Giunta risked his life for his fellow soldiers — because they would risk their lives for him. That’s what fueled his bravery — not just the urgent impulse to have their backs, but the absolute confidence that they had his.
“We’re all in your debt. And I’m proud to be your Commander-in-Chief.”
Reluctant Hero Becomes First Living Medal of Honor Recipient Since Vietnam
This afternoon in the East Room of the White House, President Obama presented the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry to Staff Sergeant Salvatore Giunta, U.S. Army — the first living servicemember from the Iraq or Afghanistan wars to receive it — the highest award for military bravery.
“Sgt, Giunta, repeatedly and without hesitation, charged forward through extreme enemy fire, embodying the warrior ethos that says, ‘I will never leave a fallen comrade.’ said Obama. “His actions disrupted a devastating ambush before it could claim more lives. His courage prevented the capture of an American soldier and brought that soldier back to his family.”
Arab-Americans are Detroit’s Unlikely Saviors
What others see as an urban disaster zone, Nafa Khalaf views as a land of opportunity. The Motor City, he says, gave him chances that would have been inconceivable in his native Iraq.
“You want to know if Detroit has a future? Ask us Arabs,” Khalaf says. “We believe in this place.”
Their community is growing and prospering alongside Detroit’s decay as one of the largest concentrations of Arabs outside the Middle East.
Khalaf went to Detroit’s Wayne State University in 1986 to study engineering and was so impressed with the city that he never returned to his homeland.
(READ the story from Time magazine)