A mother in suburban St. Louis was overcome by emotion when a woman approached her and handed her two $100 bills, that could help to get the heat turned back on in her family’s home. The words “secret Santa” were stamped on the money and the woman said, “The only condition is that you do something nice for someone. Pass it on.” (Read the USA Today report here)
Secret Santas in 3 States Spread Cheer, $100 Bills
Bush Administration Has Housed Many Homeless
The Bush administration’s “radical and liberal” national campaign against chronic homelessness has been successful in leading the nation in a 30 percent decline in U.S. chronic homelessness from 2005 to 2007. “Housing first,” it’s called… (Read good news reporter Frank Greve’s story in McClatchy News)
Everyone Wants to be Like Harold Hamilton
“I want to be like Harold Hamilton,” was the refrain on blogs and in dozens of comments following a news report on this 86-year-old hustler.
The retired Lutheran pastor shuffles along buys extra cases of anything on sale in the grocery stores and delivers them to any one of 8 charities in Lincoln Nebraska.
He is always on the move helping someone. And don’t forget his jokes: Q: According to the Bible, how long did Cain hate his brother? A: As long as he was abel.
UPDATE: The pastor died in 2013 and was remembered for helping the hungry, especially after his retirement, during which he involved his grandchildren in his charity work.
Huge Holiday Bonuses Surprise Workers (Video)
A company based in Chicago had a special surprise for its employees: huge holiday bonuses. Golden Parachutes were given to workers they often call “family”. One employee even got $100,000.
International Volunteer Day Celebrated Around the World
Congratulations to thousands of volunteers who contribute their energy and initiative to projects around the world, including critical United Nations activities, senior UN officials offered yesterday as they marked the day dedicated to those who give their time and efforts for free to help others.
“The altruistic spirit of volunteerism is immense and renewable,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a message released for International Volunteer Day, which has been observed by the UN and civil society on December 5th every year since 1986.
Around the world volunteers are holding events this week to mark the Day: in Haiti, a school damaged by hurricanes is being rehabilitated; in Sudan, doctors and dentists are providing free medical consultations; in Kazakhstan, children in orphanages and hospitals are receiving “clown therapy”; and in Indonesia, new mangroves are being planted.
UN Volunteers (UNV) deploys about 7,500 people in 140 countries every year to support national development efforts.
Yesterday UNV launched an online volunteering service – which brings together hundreds of development organizations and thousands of volunteers who would otherwise have time or physical constraints from participating – in French and Spanish and re-launching an upgraded version in English.
“Online volunteers have contributed to environmental projects in Africa, human rights in Asia, youth education in Latin America, and community work worldwide,” Ms. Pansieri said in a statement.
“Online volunteering promotes social inclusion and contributes in a very tangible way to the work of development organizations and communities facing some of the toughest challenges of our time.”
UNV volunteers often work closely with the UN Development Program (UNDP), and that agency’s Administrator Kemal Dervis highlighted their joint efforts to improve conditions in countries emerging from disaster or conflict by rebuilding infrastructure, promoting democratic governance and engaging marginalized or vulnerable groups, such as women and youth.
Measles Deaths Dramatically Cut by 74 Percent Worldwide
Measles deaths have plummeted by some 74 percent worldwide since 2000, the United Nations announced yesterday. Thanks to improvements in routine and immunization activities, the number of people dying from measles each year dropped from an estimated 750,000 to 197,000 between 2000 and 2007.
In the same period, massive efforts by the Eastern Mediterranean countries – including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia and the Sudan – have cut measles deaths from 96,000 to 10,000, achieving three years ahead of time the UN goal of reducing measle deaths by 90 percent. These major successes were a result of ramping up vaccination campaigns, with more than twice the number of children immunized in 2007 compared to the previous year, thanks to the hard work of national governments, volunteers and partners in the Measles Initiative.
Author Helps Build Recreation Center for City
A Microsoft software developer is donating 20 percent of the profits from his debut novel, “Revolution,” toward a community recreation center at Redmond’s Washington Cathedral and a mission in Honduras sponsored by the church.
Alex Tamayo-Wolf wrote “Revolution” as a tribute to his mother’s father. Georg Wolf was the chief of police in Zirndorf, Germany during Nazi tyranny and helped many Jewish families escape from extermination. Tamayo-Wolf didn’t know about his grandfather’s heroism until he was 19 years old, studying Theology and German at a seminary in Austria. He did extensive research on this period in history and delved into his own family’s past to memorialize both innocent people who suffered and those like his grandfather, who freed them from the Nazis.
Tamayo-Wolf explained the link between his book, see it on Amazon here, and his interest in special projects at Washington Cathedral.
“Project Transformation helps feed and educate children living in the Tegucigalpa, Honduras city dump. In essence, to help them escape, which parellels what my grandfather did in his time,” he said.
A Life Changing Holiday Gift
In a recent survey, 71% of people said they didn’t need or want anything this Christmas. People would prefer to have a gift given on their behalf to help somebody else. That’s where World Vision comes in with their catalog. You can buy a baby alpaca, a baby pig or even a goat for a family in need with prices ranging from $35 to $600. (USA Today has the story)
Study Suggests Good Cheer May Spread Itself
When you’re smiling, the whole world really does smile with you. A paper being published Friday in a British medical journal concludes that happiness is contagious — and that people pass on their good cheer even to total strangers. American researchers who tracked more than 4,700 people in Framingham, Mass., as part of a 20-year heart study also found the transferred happiness is good for up to a year. (Full Associated Press story at Yahoo!)
(Photo courtesy of Sun Star)
Adopt a Rescued Koala for Christmas
Here’s a neat idea for a holiday gift, an alternative to the usual gift card, or present! Definitely what I will be asking for: They’re cute, they’re cuddly and, in these times of financial woe, they make an affordable festive gift that’s also good for the soul — adopt a rescued koala. (Reuters News via Yahoo!)
Hawaii Jumps On Plan for Statewide Electric Car Grid
The State of Hawaii and the Hawaiian Electric Company on Tuesday became the second in the nation to commit to building an alternative transportation system based on electric vehicles and an “intelligent” network of tens of thousands of battery recharging stations.
The plan, the brainchild of the former Silicon Valley software executive Shai Agassi, and his company, Better Place L.L.C., will help fuel Hawaii’s drive to lead the nation in renewable energy use, create jobs locally, while also helping to secure its energy future.
(photo: L-R Shai Agassi, Founder and CEO of Better Place, Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle and Robbie Alm, Hawaiian Electric executive vice president… Thanks to Sun Star for sending the story!)
Beautiful Surf Attracts Many, Now That Angolan Wars are Over
The restoration of peace in 2002 has turned oil-rich Angola into one of the world’s fastest growing economies and opened a new frontier for surfers, mostly from Luanda, who flock to the warm blue waters of Cabo Ledo to ride waves. Officials expect the country’s warm climate, vast sandy beaches along with the recently restored peace to begin attracting visitors from abroad. (Reuters Life!)
(Photo courtesy of Sun Star)
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Amazing Basket Wins Game (Raw Video)
Senior Scott Morton tossed a three-foot shot over his head from the left baseline with his back to the basket at the buzzer to give host SUNY Geneseo a dramatic 85-84 win over SUNY Oswego. (Dec. 3)
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Bleak Economy Could Brighten School Prospects
The bleak economy might not be all bad for Allegany County public schools, which plans to seek about $30 million in the next few years to rebuild one of its oldest schools. Funding looks promising for capital projects at Maryland’s schools — not in spite of, but because of — grim economic forecasts, area lawmakers said. “When you have economic downturns, capital projects are one thing that helps the economy,” Sen. George Edwards told local school officials. “One way to provide job opportunities is to build things. So that’s a positive for you.” (The Cumberland Times-News)
Hybrid Solar Plants to Reduce Need for Fossil Fuel
Proclaiming green the new gold, Florida Power & Light executives on Tuesday marked the groundbreaking of the first of three new solar power projects that will eventually make the state No. 2 in the nation for energy from the sun. (Associated Press via Philly.com)
New Campaign Shows Garbage Isn’t Garbage at All
A new effort to help people see garbage in a different way is rolling through San Francisco neighborhoods: 3D garbage trucks that look like you can see inside.
Glance at a recycling truck in the City today and you may see a truck that looks like the sides were removed. 3D artwork on the side of 20 collection trucks give the illusion that you can see all materials inside. The idea is to encourage people to see that most materials thrown away are not garbage at all. Look closely. You will see paper, metal, glass, and food scraps – all resources that should be recycled or composted.
Latina Entrepreneur Succeeds with Ethics Learned From Migrant Worker Parents
Yolanda Cuevas is living proof that the American dream is obtainable for anyone willing to work for it. A first-generation Mexican-American, and the third of 13 children born to migrant farm workers in Texas, Cuevas was named Latina Style magazine’s Latina Entrepreneur of the Year. Working alongside her parents in the fields, Cuevas learned invaluable lessons on which she built a successful career. (Fort Worth Business Press has the story)
Solar Panels on Graves Give Power to Spanish Town
A place of perpetual rest is transforming into one buzzing with renewable energy. This is an interesting use of land that normally doesn’t get put to any productive use. Great way to let your Ancestors contribute eh? (Atlanta Journal-Constitution has the AP story and photo)
Surgeon Saves Boy’s Life by Text
A British doctor volunteering in DR Congo used text message instructions from a colleague to perform a life-saving amputation on a boy. The BBC reports the story here.
Thanks also to Christine for submitting the story!
Starbucks Backs Young Social Entrepreneurs With Thousands in Grants
25 young people from 17 countries will receive between $5,000 and $15,000 to enhance their work as social entrepreneurs, awarded through a 2008 competition launched by Starbucks and the International Youth Foundation (IYF).
An organization in the Philippines that provides small loans to unemployed youth to start their own businesses and a program in Pakistan that combats violence against women by changing the behaviors of men are two of 25 programs to win grants helping the young social entrepreneurs leading the way. All programs have been selected by Starbucks and (IYF) to receive grants through the Starbucks Social Entrepreneurs Fund.
The grantees announced yesterday were chosen through a competition in early 2008 by IYF and the Starbucks Foundation.
“Today’s young social entrepreneurs work tirelessly in support of their social change visions, yet struggle to access the financial resources to take their important work to scale,” said IYF President and CEO William S. Reese. “Starbucks has provided much-needed support to expand the impact of their efforts.”
“We are proud to support the amazing efforts of these young leaders who have the passion to create positive solutions to real needs,” said Ben Packard, Starbucks vice president, global responsibility. “Through their hard work and dedication, we hope to see measurable change in local communities and help them inspire others to act.”
All the young leaders have completed IYF’s YouthActionNet Global Fellowship. The Fellowship is a program that aims to develop a new generation of socially conscious global citizens who create positive change in their communities, their countries and the world.
Among the 25 projects to receive a total of over $300,000 are:
- Australian Youth Climate Coalition, Australia: Launched by Anna Rose, AYCC seeks to build a generation-wide movement to help solve climate change. The grant will be used to educate 25,000 high school students about climate change and solutions at the local, national and global level.
- Emmanuel Youth Empowerment Program, Kenya: Started by Daniel Nduati, the Emmanuel Program will expand its computer literacy and life skills training in an effort to reach 850 disadvantaged youth living in the Dagoretti slums of Nairobi.
- MuJeres por la Justicia, Educacion y el Reconocimeiento (MuJER), Guatemala: Founded by Ana Moraga, MuJER will create a community center where 250 women sex workers in Guatemala City can participate in educational and vocational programs.
- Unite for Sight, United States: Representatives of 24 villages in Ghana will receive training through Unite for Sight, a global nonprofit launched by Jennifer Staple, to serve as community eye health workers who will aim to reach more than 86,000 patients annually.
A committee comprised of IYF staff and Starbucks employees selected the final grant recipients.
Look for personal profiles to be featured on the Good News Network in December highlighting more of these Youth Action Fellows. First up will be Sarah Koch, co-founder of DIG (Development in Gardening). Launched in 2006, DIG empowers HIV affected individuals to meet their nutritional needs by teaching them to create self-sustaining community gardens.
To learn more now, visit: www.youthactionnet.org.