The Barrie Examiner – Ontario, CA Thomas McBride was named the 2007 Volunteer of The Year by Sun Life Financial for his work with Gilda’s Club Barrie.
McBride is a financial advisor. His goal is to raise $2.5 million by the end of 2008 and to build a house for people living with cancer.
Gilda’s Club http://www.gildasclubbarrie.org/ mission is to provide a free, non-residential, not-for-profit support community for anyone touched by cancer.
reportonbusiness.com: Want to make a difference? Learn to drive social change This was a great article I ran across written by Andrea Southcott. She talks about how you can make a positive change in your business even though your a for- profit business. She states “…think about how your organization can stay true to its mission.” Get involved in doing something you believe in. Don’t just do something because it’s the right thing to do. Do something because it has meaning to you.
Here is a community service quiz to see how much you know about it. http://www.chicagotribune.com/topic/sfl-fltl0522teasertlbemay22,0,3797795.story
Roane County, West Virginia
Seven year old Christopher Carpenter won a new 16 inch Huffy Rockit at his school’s carnival. Christopher could have kept the bike but he knew a child that needed it far more than he did. He gave the bike to four year old Marshall Sloter.
Marshall’s home was destroyed in a fire on April 24th. The family has lost everything. They are currently living with family.
Christopher’s mother said that he is typically very giving. He came up with the idea of giving the bike away.
If you would like to donate to the Sloter family you can call
1(304) 577-6598.
Christopher you are a great little boy. Don’t let the world change you.
The Roane County Reporter
http://www.thetimesrecord.net/
The West Virginia woman that came back to life has a personal connection to me. My fiance works with the woman’s sister due to the fact this is national I won’t mention where. I did not post on this out of respect for the family. They wanted something that would end up on TV. I said fine and I took a back seat out of respect. Now that it has gone national people are writing about her everywhere and they are just reporting what they see or hear on TV. This is what I know : She did indeed die rigormortis did set in. There were no brain waves. The family said their goodbyes and they had actually placed her in the body bag. What a miracle! She began to breath. I guess she isn’t done here and her time hasn’t come it has only just begun.
Hello All,
Like Amber before me, I am also new to the Proof Positivity team. My name is Nards and I am thrilled to be a contributor to this most uplifting effort. As the mother of an almost nine year old, I am constantly on the lookout for educational material that is colorful, thought provoking, challenging and FUN! I am pleased to call your attention to the United States National Gallery of Art. Be sure to visit the NGAKids link.
http://www.nga.gov/kids/kids.htm
“The Art Zone” features an activity zone where a child (or a child at heart) can interactively create art online. Lots of fun for everyone! But be careful…you just might learn something! – Enjoy -Nards
Hello everyone, I am new to the Proof Positive Crew, my name is Amber. I will be writing new posts every now and again.
I found a great post about a great award highlighting some amazing kids. Doors to Diplomacy – What is this Award , you might ask?
The U. S. Department of State sponsors the “Doors to Diplomacy” educational challenge – to encourage middle school and high school students around the world to produce web projects that teach others about the importance of international affairs and diplomacy. Each student team member of the winning “Doors to Diplomacy” Award team receives a $2,000 scholarship, and the winning coaches’ schools each receive a $500 cash award. Additional prizes may be provided by sponsors.
Ordinary Kids helping teachers to create websites that are educational and interesting, and those sites are helping to create a better world.
You’ve got to check out the blog post, it lists all the winners and lists links to their websites. This blogger did allot of cool research. Kudos to TechFun on his post: Doors to Diplomacy 2008 Winners Announced.
You can also send an email to the winners or just let them know what you thought of their entries, all the contact info on the individual project pages is linked from here: http://www.globalschoolnet.org/gsndoors/winners/
I was just informed Google isn’t going to recognize this site and give it a page rank until I have 100 posts. I have 23 posts to go. One day we will have a rank I guess.
Other stuff
I have a badge on the right hand side here is an email sent to me so go check out the site
Shirley –
Thanks for joining the 350 Challenge!
By displaying our badge, your blog will help us offset 122,500 lbs of CO2 — that’s like turning off 38,000 light bulbs for a day! With your support, we’re putting more clean energy on the national energy grid, and together, we can help fight global warming, one blog at a time.
We’ll check out your site today so that we can add you to the list. In the meantime, please help spread the word so that we can meet our goal of 350 badges and 122,500 lbs of CO2 offset!
Sincerely,
Emily
Emily WheelerCommunity Outreach CoordinatorBrighter Planet
The site to get the badge:
http://350.brighterplanet.com/
While we are talking about it here is a sight to teach you how to go green
http://www.treehugger.com/gogreen.php
I’m now real green but I do a few things like cut my plastic that comes from 6- pack pop.
My best friend works for the Department of Health and Human Resources. There is a whole other side to DHHR than food stamps. They fight for the rights of the elderly as well. She has seen it all. I’m not sure I want to go into detail because this is a child friendly site but a lot of really bad things do happen to older people sometimes when they are in these nursing homes.
The positive news is that there are organizations that fight for the elderly. Such as CAIRE http://www.carie.org/ ” The Center for Advocacy for the Rights and Interests of the Elderly (CARIE) is a non-profit organization, based in Philadelphia, dedicated to improving the quality of life for vulnerable older people. ”
Elderly Rights in Texas http://www.hulseytherapy.com/forms/Medicare_Rights_of_the_Elderly.pdf
Here is a site with a huge list of places to take care of the elderly https://www.thefamilycaregiver.org/caregiving_resources/agencies_and_organizations.cfm?gclid=CNGT8raIupMCFRcOIgodDHE8DA
“we’ll keep you close as always… and friends are friends forever…” Micheal W. Smith
I’ve mentioned previously about the long lost friend who was donating a kidney.
http://proofpositivity.blogspot.com/2008/03/abc-news-friends-share-facebook-kidney.html
True friendship is one of the most meaningful things you can have in your life. Having someone to turn to is good for your health doctors agreee that without friends it poses a risk as high as diabetes, high blood pressure, and smoking. If you’re changing your eating habits they help with support. They make sure to call you to do some exercise in the morning and discuss you eating habits.
Friends help eliviate stress. When you have a high level of stress your body produces chemicals that can over do it resulting in high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and it can age you. http://headaches.about.com/library/weekly/aa-rx-friendship-a.htm
I started a Squidoo page for this site http://www.squidoo.com/proofpositivity
It’s just the feed from this site mostly. When I figure it out a little better I’ll be working on it some more.
Here is one for you talks about the benifits of hugging http://www.squidoo.com/free-hugs-campaign
On June 17, 2008 Isreal will hold a good deeds day so why not join along . There are so many things you can do and it doesn’t even have to cost money. Tell someone they are special or go volunteer. When you do a good deed that makes a difference in someone else’s life it not only makes you feel good but them as well.
Here are a few things you can find on Proof Positivity’s shop site. To visit just follw the link above.
This Girl Scout sold 17,328. You go girl! Girl Scouts have been selling cookies for 90 years. In 1936 the demand was so high they enlisted bakers.
They have a new one, cinna-spins which comes in 100 calorie snack packs. The Girl Scouts have a fun site all about the cookies here http://www.abcsmartcookies.com/default.asp
The Girl Scouts teach valuable skills to girls. As a girl scout I learned how to make a bird feeder which earned me a badge, I went camping, and I made a lot of new friends. http://www.girlscouts.org/program/
http://www.blogcatalog.com/discuss/entry/bloggers-unite-for-human-rights-may-15th-2008 – This is a list of bloggers who participated
Bloggers Unite is over. This doesn’t mean it is the end of human rights on the internet this is only the beginning. There are so many things in the world that need attention not just the things happening in other countries but right in our own back yard. Homelessness, domestic violence, drug addictions, rights for those with mental retardation all of the places connected to these issues accepts money for funding or volunteers. Helping someone out doesn’t have to be about money. So, just go out and do something. http://www.volunteermatch.org/ Volunteer Match is a place to start.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
http://www.un.org/Overview?rights.html
Article 1
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act toward one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
Article 3
Everyone has the right to life, liberty, and security of person.
Article 4
No one shall be held in slavery or servitude: slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.
Article 5
No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
Article 6
Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.
As an American I take for granted the freedoms we have. We are free to choose whatever religion we want. Freedom of speech, and press, the right to bear arms to take these things away would be deemed unconstitututional and our constitutuion is followed through fairly well. The same cannot be said for every country.
In the 1700s Haiti escaped a French rule of slavery. One of the first countries in the Americas to win this battle. Due to poverty the idea of slavery was reintroduced this time by its own people. A child is sold to a well to do family with the promise of education and all the things a child needs. The promise is then taken away. The restavek “slave” is ordered to take the “master’s ” children to school but the restsvek will not be attending. The slave is forced to watch the family eat but no food is given to him/her. This child can be beaten to the death and thrown on the streets to rot.
In Africa ” …a ship carrying hundreds of people was recently turned away from Benin, Africa, officials suspected that the children on board were human slaves. ” http://www.infoplease.com/spot/slavery1.html These slaves are held in bondage.
In in isolated parts of India they hold auctions selling children and their virginity. A devadasis is a servant of God. These children are dedicated to their God at puberty.
“At the age of 12, Lashmi became a concubine for a 60-year-old man. Her friends say she was relatively lucky. Her master was a good person – not too demanding, never violent, and seldom drunk.” When he died her status changed. She and her son had an uncertain future.
As a devadasis her main occupation was in the flesh trade. She basically ended up as a prostitute. This happens to feed her child. The girl passed away due to AIDS. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/2071612.stm
Even though these places have passed laws banning this activity slavery is still in existance. They are not following their laws or the rules set forth by the United Nations. This activity is cruel and unjust. The people of Haiti, Africa, and India don’t know any other way.
There are organizations that help fight against slavery such as Amnesty International http://www.amnesty.org/
Haitian born Wyclef Jean, former member of the Fugee’s created The Yele Haiti Foundation http://www.yele.org/
Other sites to visit: iAbolish Amercan Anti-Slavery Group http://www.iabolish.org/
Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (CAST) http://www.castla.org/facts.html
You can sign a petition to to abolish the Transatlantic Slave Trade. http://www.antislavery.org/2007/actionsign.php
The positive news is there are organizations to help rid the world of the atrocity of slavery.
These are videos from December. I though you might enjoy a look back.
May is National Foster Care Awareness Month
What can you do?
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Join us at the national First Annual Foster Care Prayer Vigil
As you know may know the Corbett family, founders of Ark of Hope For Children, have always had a heart for domestic orphans. Currently with 10 children, 5 which were adopted from foster care, their hearts over flow towards all of the children that must live in U.S. foster care for their own safety. You also know of their passion to build a community in High Springs, Florida where siblings from foster care will be able to stay together while in care. Recently were encouraged and blessed by joining agencies from around the world in the fourth annual "Orphan Summit." Now it is our pleasure to join with these united agencies in the first annual national Foster Care Prayer Vigil.
Across the U.S. Christians will petition God on behalf of the 514,000 domestic orphans living in our nation’s foster care system and their caretakers. During the week of May 19 – 25 Christians will unite in a multi-denominational effort to call the believers in their city together to pray on behalf of the foster children in their state. In the Gainesville, High Springs area of North Central Florida join together to interceded in guided prayer with Ark of Hope For Children.
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To locate a foster care prayer vigil elsewhere in the U.S. click Hope For Orphan’s Prayer Vigil National Locator Map.
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Every city has them. They aren’t obvious by the way they look, or even by the way they talk or act. You may very well have walked by one today without suspecting it. They are our nation’s foster children. Children come into the U.S foster care system for various reasons, including neglect, abuse, abandonment, and substance abuse by their primary caregivers. They are most often placed with complete strangers, and nearly every aspect of their lives is decided by adults who don’t really know them.
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The bottom line is this; These children are hurting deeply and they need prayer. So do the adults in their lives—their birth families, their foster families, their social workers and the agencies they work for. Join with us as we join God in His mission to redeem the lost and heal the broken. Won’t you join Ark of Hope For Children and dozens of other agencies and churches across the U.S. to intercede on their behalf?
Ark of Hope For Children
May 22, 2008 – 6:30 till 8:30pm
at Living Faith Fellowship Church
5510 NW 39th Ave., Gainesville, FL
Click here to visit our news page on our website for all of the details!
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To locate a foster care prayer vigil elsewhere in the U.S. click Hope For Orphan’s Prayer Vigil National Locator Map.
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The national Foster Care Prayer Vigil efforts are organized and promoted by;
Family Life’s "Hope For Orphans"
Steven Curtis Chapman’s "Shaohannah’s Hope"
Be a blessing and be blessed, Blair Corbett, Ark of Hope For Children
President George Bush states, “”The thoughts and prayers of the American people are with the Chinese people, especially those directly affected. The United States stands ready to help in any way possible,”
China is evaluating the need and has yet to ask the U.S. for help.
Places to help out:
American Red Cross http://www.redcross.org/
List of disaster relief agencies http://www.disastercenter.com/agency.htm
This video is heart breaking sometimes to have some positive, some negative has to be there. I think if we all supported each other it would take care of most of the worlds problems.
http://www.cherishourchildren.org/ The good news is there are people out there who form organizations to help others.
Photos courtosy of Karen Cooper. Thank you so much for your time.
Karen Cooper is raising $10,000 to bring Moses to Minnesota for treatment.
To help out you can go to:http://www.hopeformosesfund.org/
Saturday May 2, 2008 Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar. The government raised the death toll to 22,500 killed in the storm and over 40,ooo missing. Water is now contaminated and the people of Myanmar will need some resources. Here is how you can help:
Visit International Medical Corps http://www.imcworldwide.org/content/article/detail/1759/
and donate your money will go toward medical supplies, blankets, water purification tablets, sanitation items and hygiene kits.
Google is raising funds http://www.google.com/myanmarcyclone/
World Vision http://www.worldvision.org/Worldvision/eappeal.nsf/egift-disaster-response-southern-asia-cyclone-relief?OpenForm&campaign=11365555&cmp=KNC-11365555
Americares http://www.americares.org/newsroom/news/responding-to-myanmar-disaster.html?s_src=cpc_google&s_subsrc=ic_mynamar&gclid=COra_6zNlpMCFQIIFQodg2Imew
MercyCorps http://www.mercycorps.org/topics/emergencies/2150?source=1054&gclid=COPF19jNlpMCFRZ1FQod-jAmew
Decorating with Thrift Store Finds on Squidoo
I interviewed Jenn Thorson about her site on Squidoo. This is what she had to say:
Here is some World War II memrobilia that Jenn found.
This was a $1.00 find at Fleatique in Ligonier with a little wear.
There is a poem on the piece that states:
To My WifeA darling little wife–
Has made my dreams come true
She blesses all my life,
Her name is only “You”
You are my partner sweet,
You share in all I do,
And make my joy complete
By simply being You!
1.) I read a little about your family and great- aunt Bess can you tell me how your family influenced your love of thrifting?
My dad grew up during the Depression, so that time period really affected his desire to save money. We would visit the local Salvation Army each Saturday, as a family. We also were big fans of flea markets and garage sales. To this day my Dad hits the garage sales and flea markets. And when we visit with each other at the holidays, we make sure to make the journey to favorite thrift and flea market haunts.
2.) Have you always shopped at thrift stores?
Because of the way I grew up, thrift stores have always been a part of my life. Almost all of my school clothes came from thrift stores for as far back I can remember. As a teenager this was an interesting challenge, because, of course, teens want to be in fashion (or at least not draw teasing from classmates). So I recall scouring the racks for trendy finds. It was certainly doable, but the thrift stores also helped encourage dressing uniquely.
3.) What would you say is your best find?
Now that I have my own home, I’d say I spend more time looking for interesting decorating or collectible items, than clothes. But that said, I think I have two favorite finds. One is a gorgeous pale blue and mother-of-pearl Lucite purse from the 50’s in perfect condition. The other includes some souvenir pillow covers from World War II with sentimental poems on them addressed to the family at home. There’s a lot of great history and beauty to be found in thrift stores.
4.) What is the feeling you get as you stand at the door before you open it as you walk through? Do you feel anticipation, excitement, etc?
I’d say when I discover a new store in particular, I do find my curiosity absolutely piqued. There’s just that sense that virtually anything could be there, waiting. Things you’d wanted your entire life, or something you never even knew you’d wanted until now. It is a little exciting, really. It cheers me, especially if I’ve popped by on my lunch break from work, and it’s been a stressful day.
5.) What do you look for in an item? age? color…?
My house is from 1899, so I tend to look for things that are pretty old ranging from around 1900-1920, though I admit, the vintage 40’s and 50’s stuff, cute kitchen bowls and other dishes– have been fun to find lately. If an item’s going to be used in my own house, I try to keep my choices within the colors I’ve already established there. If it’s as a part of a gift basket for someone, I really work to keep the colors and items within that person’s taste.
6.) Can you give some thrifting tips? What would the top five tips be to someone who has never stepped foot in a thrift store?
A.) Thrift stores may not be what you expect. I think a lot of people still have the vision that thrift stores are dark, dirty places where only the most needy folks go. That’s not really true anymore. Many are bright and clean, offer things like shopping baskets and carts, and have dressing rooms to make trying clothes on convenient. A wide range of people are now thrifting. Really, you’ll find people who are interested in getting value for their money.
B.) Know what you like. Get to know the sorts of things that appeal to you and what they have in common. That can really help dictate whether you’ll end up using the item or it will end up in the attic or being re-donated.
C.) If you love it and the price is right, buy it. Thrift stores can be very competitive. Unlike antique malls and other stores, you can’t guarantee that if you walk away from something you like, it will be there in another ten minutes. So it helps to hone your decision-making. And if you love something and you can afford it, perhaps it really should come home with you.
D.) Know what you want to pay. Thrift stores have prices that range widely, and just because it’s at a thrift doesn’t mean it’s necessarily a good deal. So if you’re looking for something in particular, know what it costs brand new. Know what you want to spend. And that will ensure you get what you want for a price you’re comfortable with.
E.)Don’t become discouraged if you don’t find what you’re looking for the first time you thrift. Thrifting has an element of surprise to it and thrifting something in particular on cue isn’t necessarily going to happen (though it can!). Because you’re dealing with things people have donated at a certain time, merchandise appears to go in cycles. So just because you don’t find it one day, doesn’t mean you won’t the next, or in a week, or in a month. Thrifting often helps. And just enjoying the thrifting experience, you may find you’ve discovered some unexpected treasures, too
7.) The proceeds from your site goes to the Salvation Army. How does that work? I didn’t see much advertising on the site.
While I keep my blogspot site advertising-free, my Decorating with Thrift Store Finds Squidoo page was designed specifically to generate money for the Salvation Army. The way it works is, any royalties from the recommended Amazon books on that page, or clicks from ads, ends up going to the Salvation Army. It’s a little at a time, but it helps them. And it allows me to feel it’s giving back a bit to one of the charities that had brought me a lot of joy over the years. The Squidoo page was my contribution to BlogCatalog’s Blogger’s Unite charity initiative in December 2007. I continue to update the page with new content.
Thank you so much for your time.
I’m excited– so sweet of you to interview me!
-Jenn
Salvation Army does so much with the money donated to them.
They help out with disater services their goals are to offer to both victims and first responders
-Material comfort
-Physical comfort
-Emotional comfort
-Spiritual comfort
There is an elderly camp program for people 55 and up. Salvation Army offers drug and alcohol rebalitation, youth camps, and Christmas Charity. They also are in the fight against human trafficking. For more information on the Salvation Army visit here: http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn_2.nsf
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Jenn Thorson’s other sites are:
of Cabbages and Kings http://cabbages-n-kings.blogspot.com/
The Thrift Shop Romantic http://thriftshopromantic.blogspot.com/
A few article she has written:
http://www.thethriftshopper.com/sections/magazine/2006/dec2006.htm#592
http://ezinearticles.com/?Cup-of-Cheer&id=697454
Please make sure you visit the site at the top of this Interview.
Society of Professional Journalists: Code of Ethics This was something I felt important to post. I encourage you to go to this link especially if you are into journalism.
When I grow up
Michael Tabit was diagnosed with cancer and was in remission the cancer came back. Due to the families house being caught in floods it is filled with mold. Mold was found in Micheal’s lungs. His dream was to be a fire fighter like his father came true. The Boomer Volunteer Fire Department added him to the roster. The child was planning to be a fire fighter when he turned 16.
You can donate to the Michael Tabit Fund at
United Bank
c/0 Michael Tabit Fund
P.O. box 1379
Montgomery, WV 25136
John Kanzius is a man with a mission. This man is not a scientist he is a regular guy. Who went on a theory. He declined my interview but at least you can enjoy the video
Uniquely Herself – How Dominique Dawes Is Helping Preteen Girls – General Articles – Preteenagers Today- iParenting.com Gymnist Dominique Dawes will be visiting Charleston, WV May 6th at a Girl Scout chapter fundraiser. Approximately 300 people are expected to attend the Black Diamond Council luncheon at the Charleston, Marriott. Seats are $150 per seat. This event is going to be shown by satellite in Wheeling, WV.
Here is the Marriott’s site http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/crwwv-charleston-marriott-town-center/
My next door neighbor is going to chemotherapy for breast cancer. She was in remission but it came back. She just went to the last session and if it didn’t shrink the tumor she is going to stop and go on living as best as she can. My high school Spanish teacher took it to the grave. I will miss her she passed away the same year my gram did. There are sites to go to for more information http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_6x_National_Breast_Cancer_Awareness_Month.asp
http://www.mylifetime.com/community/my-lifetime-commitment/breast-cancer
Test yourself this is very important. My doctor told me it is very important to know what your breasts feel like all the time. For us women that means check yourself just before girl time, during, and after because our breasts change. http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing/self_exam/bse_steps.jsp
Go for a walk http://walking.about.com/od/breastcancerwalks/Breast_Cancer_Walks.htm
Or create your own fundraiser http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/give-hope/fundraising2?hct=googlePPC_Give&gclid=CLDj7tvBjJMCFQrFGgod7DdGgg
Ludacris Reaches Out To Runaways Via Charity And Single With Mary J Blige :: Hip-Hop News
Well here it is as promised my fiance pulled through and I can turn it around to a positive story. 450, 700 children are considered runaways each year this is an estimate from the Department of Justice. Teenagers run away because of arguments with parents. Most leave because of child abuse and they think they will have a better shot at happiness on the street.
If you are a runaway there are a few resources for :Child Quest International 800-248-8020
Are you far away from home and need to talk to somebody? This international runaway hotline will help you get in touch with someone that can help you.
National Runaway youth switch board
I am a member of blog catalog and I’ve begun a group called Resolving Child Abuse http://www.blogcatalog.com/groups This group is open to all. So, please come and visit me.
