Proof Positivity: Coffee Please

  I sure hope one day this is the first thing you read as you drink your morning cup of coffee.     My happy little news blog is a lot friendlier than most news.  The same isn’t true with me though, someone has to write it.  I can’t just sit back praying it gets done.  Nothing gets done when you do nothing.  This morning my news began with “Joe the plumber” in Defiance, Ohio with John McCain.  Joe, by the way, is not a certified plumber.   It makes me laugh because the whole thing seems like a cartoon.  Kind of makes it all child friendly it’s so funny.  That was my morning news and now on with your morning news:

 

Even Shamu Fights For The Environment

   From shuttles fueled with hydrogen to dinner plates made from sugarcane, the 10 theme parks owned by Busch Entertainment Corporation (BEC) — including Sea World and Busch Gardens — are launching initiatives to tackle some of today’s most pressing environmental challenges in the areas of waste, water, food and fuel.

 

“Our company is committed to environmental stewardship with our day-to-day business decisions,” said Jim Atchison, BEC’s President and Chief Operating Officer. “It’s not always the easy way or inexpensive way, but it is the right way.”

All of the seafood served to guests and even to Shamu will be purchased from fisheries that promote enviromental responsibility.  This will affect more than 220,000 pounds of seafood and completion is expected by early 2009.

 

Busch Entertainment Corporation works with the Marine Stewardship Council and Aquaculture Certification Council in providing seafood options.  Both are international, non-profit organizations that promote environmentally responsible fishing, fish farms, processing and food safety.

 

Partnering with the Rainforest Alliance,  coffee and chocolate will be provided from growers who meet social and enviromental standards.  Making sure food is farmed and harvested in ways that protect wildlife, habitats and people.

 

Forks, knives, spoons, and even plates will be made from sugarcane with the look and feel of plastic.  These products will be  microwavable, freezer-safe, oil-resistant and capable of handling hot or cold food and beverages … and made from renewable resources.  Who would have thought all that could be done with something we make sugar from.

 

More than 50% of their waste is recycled including water drippage from air conditioners. 

 

And They Call It Puppy Love

  Do you remember The Donny & Marie show?  I was maybe four or five and I still remember Donny Osmond had a thing for purple.  I even had the dolls.    Donnie & Marie just signed a two-year extended residency engagement at Flamingo Las Vegas.  If you go you will see a stage production that incorporates singing, dancing, comedy, and  audience interaction.

 

“It’s so exciting to be in Las Vegas,” says Donny. “It’s been 29 years since we’ve done anything like this and it’s great to not only share the stage once again with Marie, but to be in a location that has attracted so many other great entertainers.”

 

“The only thing constant in Las Vegas is change,” says Marie. “Entertainment in this city is always changing and evolving. If you look at the headliners, you’ve got Bette Midler, Cher, Elton John, Barry Manilow, Donny and Marie–it’s like Vegas sneezed and out came the ’70s.”

Proof Positivity: Happy Halloween!

 For many communities tonight is trick or treat night so, I wanted to wish everyone a safe Halloween.  I also urge all those who claim to be of any political party to get along.  There will be children running around and for an adult to act as a child as well is unsafe. During this time it does not matter who you are voting for, who you would do harm for.  All this stuff with hanginging manaquins and inflicting pain upon oneself is silly, juvenile, and unsafe.  Please consider all those involved in this weekend.

 

Too Much Sweet

Please watch how much candy and sugar your chidren consume on a daily basis one day of candy is ok but a lifetime of it is bad and can lead to health risks later on.

Dr. Graneto,  a board-certified osteopathic pediatrician and emergency physician at Swedish Covenant Hospital in Chicago states, “The obvious is to avoid too much processed foods. The perfect examples are simple sugars, such as candies and caramels, and even some of the fruit bars that have really been stripped away of a lot of their nutritional value and left just with the simple sugar content. Limiting soft drinks and cutting back on the obvious sweets is always a battle for parents. And it?s hard to cut back on sweets such as cakes, cookies and ice cream but these are things that need constant vigilance for any parent who?s trying to raise a child with a balanced diet.

And then when you?re cooking at home, one of the things you can do is look for some substitutes for sugar that you can spice up your food and make your foods taste sweeter. And some great examples of that are cinnamon, vanilla, spearmint, anise, all of these can actually provide a sweet taste to foods that you?re making without adding the extra calories of simple sugar.”

 

The ADA offers these tips for enjoying those holiday sweets and keeping the sweet tooth intact.

Consume Sugary Foods with Meals. The mouth produces more saliva during meals, which helps rinse food particles from the mouth and neutralizes plaque acid that can cause tooth decay.

   * Limit Between-Meal Snacks. Nutritious foods are preferable for snacking. And chewing sugarless gum also helps because it increases saliva flow which helps wash out food particles and neutralize plaque acid that can cause tooth decay.

   * Drink More Water. Water with the optimal amount of fluoride can help prevent tooth decay.

   * Brush Teeth Twice Daily with fluoride toothpaste and Floss Daily

   * See Dentist Regularly.

Time To Fall Back and Change Those Batteries

 

This Saturday it is time to set your clocks back and to change batteries in your fire and carbon monoxide alarms. 

 

“Hundreds of fatalities occur every year when individuals neglect to ensure their smoke alarms have fresh batteries. The habit of changing batteries during this campaign is a simple step that can help save the lives of so many families each year,” says Chief Larry J. Grorud, CFO, MIFireE, and president of the International Association of Fire Chiefs.

The IAFC reports that while 96 percent of American homes have at least one smoke alarm, 19 percent of those alarms are not working, mostly due to missing or dead batteries. On average, home fires kill 540 children, 14 and under each year.

 

Remember to change those batteries as they say “The life you save may be your own.

 

Imagine There’s No Hunger

 

When you have so much it’s easy to forget that thtere is a whole world that has so little.   Hard Rock, who has kept with its motto “Love All, Serve All”  is proud to announce the launch of its 2008 global “Imagine There’s No Hunger” campaign to benefit WHY, a nonprofit organization that strives to fight against hunger and poverty in America and around the world.

Setting the foundation for the “Imagine There’s No Hunger” campaign, artist and musician Yoko Ono has donated her late husband John Lennon’s inspirational song “Give Peace A Chance” to the SERVE3 compilation.  The CD will also include rare, new or previously unreleased tracks from some of music’s most influential artists, including Bruce Springsteen, Joss Stone, Avril Lavigne, Starsailor, My Morning Jacket and others.  SERVE3 will be available at Hard Rock locations around the world and on www.hardrock.com beginning November 4, 2008, with digital downloads available at iTunes.com.

 

“I am glad that WHY is using John’s lyrics to communicate the seriousness of this issue to the world,” said Yoko Ono.  “Let’s all work together to make a world without hunger as soon as humanly possible.  We owe this battle to our children. WAR IS OVER if you want it.  In brotherhood and sisterhood.”

 

The campaign also includes a bracelet featuring John Lennons portrait and signature.   All net proceeds from the campaign will be donated directly to WHY to benefit grassroots efforts in Kenya, Haiti, Indonesia, Thailand, South Africa, Venezuela and New Orleans.

Proof Positivity: If Only

 If only I had the time to publish every bit of positive news that hits my email.  Since I try to get something out every Monday through Friday that’s not possible.  My family has the computer on the weekends and I need to spend time with my kids and other household things as well.   Maybe one day I’ll have regular help at this  blog and it will go a little more the way I want but until then…  Here is your positive news for the day:

 

Do You Dream Of Being A Chef?

 

If your a high school senior and dream  of a culinary education and a scholarship you can now enter the Best Teen Chef Competition 2009 at one of The International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes. The top prize winner will receive a full-tuition scholarship toward a bachelor’s degree, associate’s degree, certificate or diploma program to study culinary arts at one of the more than 30 participating Art Institutes locations.

The Best Teen Chef Competition awards more than $250,000 in tuition scholarships to The Art Institutes schools to high school seniors in the U.S. and Canada

  Assistant Vice President of Culinary Arts for The International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes Chef Michael Nenes states, “Each year we see the interest in this competition grow. Teenagers still in high school are demonstrating the determination, focus and drive needed to have a career in the challenging field of culinary arts.”

 

To enter the competiotion you can visit The Art Institutes site.

 

Keep The Dream Alive

 

On Sunday, November 2 there will be a tribute to Martin Luther King to Feature Memphis’ First Human Aerial Art Experience at Tom Lee Park on Mississippi Riverfront.

For Memphis’ historic role in the movement for economic and social justice and to honor Dr. Martin Luther King’s leadership on this issue during the 1968 sanitation workers’ strike, a partnership between labor, civil and human rights groups will create a human aerial art image – the first of its kind in Memphis – depicting Dr. King’s likeness along with the words “Keep the Dream Alive.”

 

Amnesty International USA  is hosting this event with a tribute to Memphis champions of civil, human and economic rights in partnership with AFSCME Local 1733, Memphis Chapter NAACP, National Civil Rights Museum, Southern Christian Leadership Conference and Southwest Tennessee Community College.

 

The coalition is encouraging community involvement and expects thousands to form a human aerial image of Dr. King from 2-5 p.m. at Tom Lee Park.

 

The  photograph will be distributed by Circle Up Now which brings together communities worldwide to create large-scale messages that can only be seen from the sky, to inspire and motivate individuals on the issues of human rights, social justice, peace and freedom.

 

If you’re in the area and would like to get involved you can visit Circle Up Now.

Proof Positivity: Solar Thermal Energy Joins Forces With Habitat for Humanity

Union City, California

Habitat For Humanity provides energy efficent homes for low income families and they have partnered with Schueco,  one of the world’s leading suppliers of solar energy systems for residential and commercial buildings. 

   To demonstrate the effectiveness of Schueco’s solar thermal technologies and  to help low income families reduce their energy costs, Schueco is partnering with a local member of its solar installer network to provide a complete solar domestic hot water system completely free of charge.

 

First Of Its Kind

 

VALHALLA, NY

Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital at Westchester Medical Center is the first children’s hospital in New York State to provide pediatric specialists with an additional resource in diagnosing complex conditions,  enhancing the  care the hospital gives to its pediatric patients.

 

According to Dr. Robert Weiss, Director of Pediatric Nephrology at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital at Westchester Medical Center, “As a major tertiary care academic medical center, our staff is regularly presented with complex diagnostic cases.  The Isabel system complements the knowledge and experience of our physicians to provide the most accurate and fastest diagnoses at the point of care.  Also, as part of our mission to train new pediatricians, Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital at Westchester Medical Center is dedicated to using the most sophisticated tools to educate trainees.”

 

A Smile For A Headstart

 

Headstart is a preschool program for low income families.  Delta dental has agreed to donate $10,000 for your smile. “The 10,000 Smiles Project” and aims to collect 10,000 photos of people smiling on its unique microsite at  When the 10,000th photo is uploaded $10,000 will be donated to Headstart.

Proof Positivity: YAH!

 It keeping with my initial theme of doing community service I wanted to introduce you toYAH Youth Against Hunger.  “Youth Against Hunger (YAH!) is a community service learning program for schools and youth programs designed to help students understand hunger and develop a personal sense of civic responsibility through hands-on community service. “

Among the special events for YAH is a conversation with Steven King and Richard Russo and a kiss a pig event on November 19.

The food bank serves other soup kitchens, food pantries, homeless shelters, childcare centers, elder programs, and other food assistance sites throughout Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire counties in Massachusetts.

For ideas on how to help out feel free to visit the Food Bank. 

Live:  Marriage Proposal 

I thought this was one of the most awesome videos on youtube.  Lucky Girl.  I don’t think any more needs to be said about it but if your like me and cry at everything including happy things grab your Klenexx first.

 

Helping The Children With Downs Syndrome

 
   Down Syndrome Education International has been awarded a grant by the Big Lottery  Fund to test a structured language and reading teaching program in UK primary schools. This  teaching approach offers new opportunities for young people with Down syndrome to improve their language and reading skills.

The Big Lottery Fund has awarded a  grant to investigate the effectiveness of a focused and practical classroom intervention. The study, lasting 4 years, will be conducted by Down Syndrome Education International working in partnership with the Centre for Reading and Language, at the Department of Psychology at the University of York.

 

   Most children who have Down syndrome are taught in regular primary schools throughout the UK. They have some specific learning needs that are additional to those of typical children and benefit from teaching adaptations that are targeted to meet these needs.

 

 Professor Sue Buckley OBE, Director of Science and Research at Down Syndrome Education International, said “This is a vitally important piece of research that promises to help many thousands of young people with Down syndrome. Language and literacy skills are so important for living and learning. Practical scientific research – like this project – helps us to discover the children’s potential and to identify how
to offer them the most effective learning opportunities. We will trial approaches to reading and language instruction that are tailored to meet the specific needs of children who have Down syndrome. By carefully evaluating these approaches, we hope to clearly show that they are both highly effective and easy to implement.”

 Professor Charles Hulme at the Centre for Reading and Language at the University of York said “Existing evidence suggests that an integrated approach to teaching reading and language skills might be particularly
effective for children with Down syndrome. We will trial a teaching approach that combines a structured reading instruction programme with an oral language programme. We expect this approach to be highly beneficial to these children’s reading skills, and to also directly benefit their oral language
skills. We have already seen considerable success from these approaches with other children experiencing difficulties progressing with reading.”

 

  About 15,000 pupils with Down syndrome are expected to benefit from this research over the next 10 years in the UK alone and  150,000 worldwide.

 

Jennie GarthDesigns an Enviromentally Friendly

Bag

 

“Like many moms, I’m on a journey to living a more natural lifestyle without sacrificing quality and convenience. That’s a tough balancing act these days. Working with the Green Works team to design this bag is another opportunity to share the message about natural cleaning, while supporting a deserving organization like Sierra Club. I am so proud to be a part of this effort”

For every bag sold Green Works will donate $3.65 to the Sierra Club.

Proof Positivity: Welcome!

Welcome to Proof Positivity’s new home.  I hope you all enjoy it.  I think this new site gives Proof Positivity a professional look and I like that.  I am still getting used to WordPress so if you see any bugs or glitches just let me know.  If you would like to find out who I am linking to feel free to look around.    A few special features that PP has here that it didn’t have at Blogger is the calander on the side which will tell you when I posted and take you right to that day.  My archives now has a scrollbar.  This site will tell you where everybody is going and the most popular posts automattically.  I think this is an awesome feature.  I am looking forward to making this site the place you go to for your daily dose of positive and happy news and I will also be working on placing a lot more news into the posts.  With that said here is today’s news:

 

RSM McGladrey Supports the Special Olympics

RSM McGladrey, the fifth largest tax, accounting, and business consulting firm in the United States announced the Special Olympics as the official Charity of The PGA McGladrey Team Championship.    The partnership will support athletes by giving financial support and a chance for them to enhance their golf game by participating in certain PGA McGladrey Team Championship events throughout the country.  This will also provide an opportunity for the employees to get involved through volunteerism.

 

“The PGA McGladrey Team Championship is all about the power of teamwork and the idea that you can achieve almost anything if you have the right team,” said Steve Tait, president of RSM McGladrey. “We are thrilled that Special Olympics is now part of The PGA McGladrey Team Championship and we look forward to the passion the Special Olympics involvement adds to this great event. Working with Special Olympics further demonstrates the shared values of giving back, the sport of golf and the accounting profession.”

 

Can of the Year Award

There is an event for every thing including cans.  Dutchman Antonio Perra invented the resealable can and it has won international recognition. His can was nominated ‘Can of the Year’ during ‘The Canmaker Summit Conference’ in Warsaw, Poland.   It was prepared for worldwide production in collaboration with Ball Packaging Europe and Coca-Cola. The Ball Resealable End (BRE) prevents cans from leaking after they have been opened and preserves the beverage’s carbon dioxide content. The first drink to use the BRE is Coca-Cola’s new energy drink ‘Burn’, which was launched in France earlier this year. 

 

Antonio Perra and Sander Zweed (R&D Director) of Bound2B and 4Sight Innovation are extremely honoured. A delighted Perra says: “I would never have dared dream that my invention would eventually meet with this much international recognition. I’m as proud as a peacock. The introduction of the ‘Burn’ energy drink has only just been rounded off, and already we have received this prestigious award. I sincerely hope that this establishes the new standard for beverage cans.”

 

All Smiles

In Madison, Wisconson

October marks National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and sadly, more than five million people in the United States are affected by domestic violence each year. These startling statistics reflect why the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry Charitable Foundation’s (AACDCF) Give Back A Smile (GBAS) program was created. Its mission is to “restore a life by restoring a smile” by providing free cosmetic dental care to survivors of domestic violence. More than 6,000 AACD dental professionals have volunteered their time and expertise for free, over 650 cases have been completed for a total dollar value of over $6 million, and 335 applicants are being treated throughout the United States.

 

“After suffering abuse, it is difficult for survivors to find something to smile about, and it’s even harder when they don’t have a smile to show. American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry members assist survivors of domestic violence by treating their dental injuries, restoring their smiles, their self-esteem, and their lives,” said AACD Foundation Program Manager Lisa Fitch. “We are overjoyed that AACD volunteers have given so much of themselves by helping those in need.”

 Finding Help Through Give Back A Smile
 → Domestic violence survivors who have suffered dental injuries from
     abuse by a former intimate partner or spouse can contact GBAS
     toll-free at 800.773.4227.
 →  Survivors must make an appointment with a counselor, domestic violence
     advocate, social worker, or therapist to complete the advocate section
     of the GBAS application.
 → GBAS conducts the initial review of the application, however, the
     dentist has the final say as to the eligibility of the applicant.
 →  If eligible, the AACD connects the survivor with a local GBAS
     volunteer who provides treatment at no charge to the recipient.
 Restoring Lives by Restoring Smiles.

 

Design Studios Compete in the 5th Annual Los Angeles Auto Show Design Challenge

Today’s race cars have ground-breaking technology to improve speed, power, performance and safety. Imagine  never needing to stop for re-fueling or collision avoidance assistance technology for enhanced safety.

“Automotive designers have always been fascinated with Motor Sports and this year’s Design Challenge has provided them with the opportunity to use their creative talent to look at these cars with new eyes, using innovative technologies and approaches,” said Chuck Pelly, director of Design Los Angeles and partner in The Design Academy, Inc. “This adds to the excitement, interest and personal involvement in the sport that has thrilled people of all ages for many years…and many more years to come.”

  The Audi R25 special features high-velocity banks and tunnels, which allow cars to race “inverted” and the opportunity to pass anywhere with aerodynamic racecars.

 The BMW Hydrogen Powered Salt Flat Racer reuses existing, ordinary and materials such as old oil barrels and BBQ lids to whimsical and sustainable by employing goldfish as “co-pilots” to ensure that the vehicle is running clean

 The GM Chaparral Volt collects and creates its own energy from three different clean, renewable and abundant California resources: Earth, Wind and Fire to create an entirely new category of racing – the eco-triathlon.

Proof Positivity: CHF To Improve Kosovo Schools

Newly independent Kosovo has a burgeoning population – the percentage of the population that is school-age is twice that of any other south European country.
Kosovo’s infrastructure has suffered from neglect and poor maintenance. It has also experienced a recent increase in migration from rural to urban areas. This has led Kosovo’s schools to experience overcrowding. Schools have three or four shifts a day because of the over crowding. The schools are also in desperate need of repair.

USAID is providing The CHF International Response with $5 million in funding to undertake the Small Infrastructure for Education in Kosovo (SIEK) – a substantial program of school repairs and improvements running until 2011. CHF will work with the Kosovo Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MEST) and municipal governments to help reduce school shifts from three or four to a maximum of two. Leveraging local funding and using local labor, the impacts projected are:
– $1 million injected into the local economy — 44,790 students benefiting from 94 completed projects — 15,240 days of employment generated — 17, 250 additional classroom hours per day

Proof Positivity: Your Next Chapter

Borders and AARP announced that Kaye Moon Winters, 61, of Houston was selected as the grand prize winner of the “Your Next Chapter” essay contest.

“Kaye is a great example of what 50+ is in today’s world and her essay really brought her story to life,” said John Wider, Executive Vice President, AARP Services Inc.

As the grand prize winner of the “Your Next Chapter” essay contest, Moon Winters received a $5,000 grand prize package that included a lifetime AARP membership, a $250 Borders gift card, a portable Reader Digital Book from Sony(R) and a Borders Personal Publishing Premium package from Lulu.com. She also received a trip for two to Washington D.C. where she recently attended AARP’s Life@50+ event.

Moon Winters’ passion for helping people attain their educational dreams led her to establish San Jacinto’s first-ever support group for non-traditional students dubbed “N2L@SJC.” More than 200 people now belong to the support group.

Proof Positivity: The Leonardo DaVinci Medal

In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Society for History of Technology has given The Leonardo Da Vinci Medal to a Carnegie Mellon Professor for the second year in a row. Joel A. Tarr, the Richard S. Caliguiri University Professor of History and Policy in the Department of History, received the award at a celebration earlier this month in Lisbon, Portugal.

Mr. Tarr’s reaction to receiving the medal: “I was astonished, and very, very honored,” he said.
Tarr has been with Carnegie Mellon for more than 40 years, has worked a great deal in the area of urban history, particularly urban technology and the urban environment.

The recognition, which is the society’s highest honor, goes to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the history of technology through research, teaching, publication and other activities.

“The Society for the History of Technology’s Leonardo da Vinci Medal is a tremendous honor, and I am humbled by the recognition,” Tarr said. “Receiving the award just one year after my colleague David Hounshell makes the experience even more fulfilling.”

Andras Beck designed the medal, has Leonardo Da Vinci’s face from one of his self portraits. On the opposite side of the medal (in the words of the sculptor) “the basic sources of energy: water, wind, and fire.” The prize consists of a medal and a certificate.

Proof Positivity: Cradles to Crayons

President Bill Clinton stated on April 28, 2005, “Today, I had the chance to go by the warehouse and see all those wonderful volunteers and to thank the donoors of materials and the volunteers and also to acknowledge, what is to m,e phenominal that Cradles to Crayons actually distributes these packages through more than 200 social service agencies.”

I interviewed Rhonda Feder, Community Outreach Manager from Cradles to Crayons.

 

 

When was cradles to crayons founded?
Cradles to Crayons Philadelphia was founded in 2007 by Jennifer Case. We opened our doors in
June 2007. The organization was originally
founded in the Boston area in 2002.

What is Cradles to Crayons?

Cradles to Crayons is a 501c3 (nonprofit) organization dedicated to providing everyday essentials to children in need. We collect new and gently used clothing, toys, books, shoes, puzzles, games, arts and crafts, school supplies, baby equipment and more through donations at our warehouse and through community drives held throughout the Philadelphia region. We are able to provide so much to so many with the help of the great number of volunteers who work in warehouse throughout the year, and through the generosity of those who donate to us their no longer used items for babies and children, and through individual and corporate donations.

What is the mission for Cradles to Crayons?

Formally, our mission is to provide, free of charge, to children from birth to pre-teen, living in poverty or low income situations, the basic essentials they need to be safe, warm, ready to learn, and to feel valued. We also set a foundation for lasting change through the meaningful, tangible volunteer opportunities we provide to thousands of youth and adults each year. It is often easier to understand our dual mission when we put it like this:

1. We provide to children in need what they need when they need it— and make existing agencies that serve children more effective.

2. We are able to do this efficiently and economically by engaging and mobilizing volunteers of all ages thru schools, companies and communities to encourage everyone to “give back.”

What is The Giving Factory?

The Giving Factory is our warehouse, in Horsham, PA. There is also a Giving Factory in Quincy, MA.

Cradles to Crayons serves both Philadelphia and Boston can you please tell me about the child poverty rate in both of those areas?

Public Citizens for Children and Youth (PCCY), a Philadelphia-based children’s welfare advocacy group, reports that 168,718 children in the five-county region in and around Philadelphia are living in poverty. As for Massachusetts, on our website it is reported that almost 500,000 children in Massachusetts live in poor or low income situations, citing the National Center for Children and Poverty.

How is Cradles to Crayons able to help the child poverty rate?

Cradles to Crayons, rather than offering direct service to children, provides essential items for their well being directly to other nonprofit organizations, health centers, schools and others who service children who in need, thereby enabling them to more efficiently serve the children and their families. We fill orders placed on behalf of individual children by their social workers, principals, health care providers and others, providing a reliable resource to those serving children directly. By supporting the basic needs of children, we are enabling other organizations whose mission is to reduce the child poverty rate and serve children in a variety of ways and settings.

How many children do you serve?

So far, we served over 8,400 children! We are receiving and filling more and more orders each week, on average, about 150 orders per week. Each order represents one child.

Do you have any big events you would love to shout out to the world?

Oh yes! Our annual fundraiser, A Family Time to Give, is coming up on November 22, which is also National Family Philanthropy Day. We call this our un-gala fundraiser. Rather than a formal, black tie event, we invite families and the families of corporate sponsors, to spend a day under a heated tent outside our warehouse, in a day of service for the whole family. We re-create our warehouse under the tent, and families inspect and sort clothes and books, test toys, make sure games and puzzles have all their pieces and more. There are special, kid-friendly activities for young children, a band, a delicious lunch, and the joy of spending a day teaching your children the value of community service and giving back. Information about A Family Time to Give, including individual tickets and sponsorship opportunities, are available on our website, http://www.cradlestocrayons.org/. This event is sponsored generously by Bank of America, Comcast, Advanta, Target, Neiman Marcus, Shire and US Airways.

How can the average person get involved?

There are two ongoing ways for individuals and groups, including groups of children, to get involved in Cradles to Crayons. The first is by helping us to collect donated items in the community by hosting a collection drive. This can be done informally among family and friends, in a school or business setting, through a scout troop, sports teams, house of worship, moms’ group, or any other group one may belong to. The pharmaceutical company Shire recently hosted our most successful collection drive to date – it was held over two days at a park near their Chesterbrook corporate offices. As the Community Outreach Manager, I work with individuals and groups interested in hosting a drive, and I provide the kind of support that makes it an easy and rewarding experience for anyone willing to help us! I can be reached via email at Rhonda@cradlestocrayons.org, or by phone at 215-836-0958×207. I am also in need of help from anyone willing to drive to pick up donations, especially those who can make a commitment once a week or twice a month.

The other way to help is by volunteering in our warehouse. Children as young as six years old are welcome (with a parent or guardian). Individuals and groups are welcome, and we often host corporate groups looking to volunteer together or as part of a team building exercise. We have recently hosted groups including Independence Blue Cross, Vanguard, Motorola, Prudential Fox and Roach, Reed Technology, SKF and more. There is always work to be done in our warehouse, and we rely on the time and efforts of our volunteers for much of the work in our warehouse. Volunteers are asked to inspect and sort clothes, make up arts and crafts kids, clean and test toys, pack orders for children, and more. Volunteers are welcome to come in once, but many return on a regular schedule. In addition to our regular hours for volunteers, Tuesday – Friday, 10 AM – 3 PM, we are open Tuesdays and Thursday from 3-5 PM for high school students, and we are open late for working families on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, and two Saturdays each month. We also are always looking for volunteers who can make a commitment for a few hours a week or even a month – we call these our Champion Volunteers! Visit our website to sign up to volunteer at our warehouse.

For you, what is the biggest reward of making a difference in the lives of the children you serve?

The biggest rewards for me are in knowing that we genuinely are children through helping the organizations that directly serve them, and also in helping to set a foundation among children, ALL children, that service is a valuable, important part of life.

Thank you so much for your time.
Thank you for interviewing me!

2006 Video President Clinton video

Proof Positivity: More Interviews

Please forgive me I am working on lining up more interviews and trying to make interviews a regular thing. Some changes are coming and an interview from Cradles to crayons on Monday is part of the changes.

Proof Positivity: Go Out and Vote

For us Americans it is time to go out and vote in three weeks. I encourage everyone to vote our future relies on us voting. I will not tell you who to vote for that is up to you.

I would appreciate if you look at Barack Obama’s site and look at the issues.

Then, look at John McCain’s

You need to not just think of yourself but others as well. What is best for your children? What is best for your neighbor? What is best for the man, woman, or child on another continent? Our politics affect the world. Don’t go in like a blind man and not know what is going on. Don’t vote for a republican because your a republican and don’t vote for a democrat because you’re a democrat. Vote for the best man it doesn’t matter if he is republican, democrat, black, white, Catholic, Mormon, or no religion. What matters is how he will effect the world. Our right to vote is a world issue not an American issue any more. How do you think the world will feel when you cast your ballot.

Don’t vote for a person because that’s what your parents are doing. Vote for someone because of your beliefs. All too often I’ve heard stories of “I’m voting for xyz because my mom is.” Stop it! Do your research know your candidates.

Here is the first presidential debate.

Here is the second debate.

Proof Positivity: The Smart Board

Learning just got a little easier and a little more interactive. The Smart Board is a system that is in place at my son’s school. During a school meeting in which they inform parents about what’s going on in the school they introduced us to the Smart Board. It is touch screen. If you write on it with the pen it’s a lot like using a dry erase board with the exception that it loads up web pages and makes those interactive as well. There are a number of sites for teachers and kids to use for educational purposes.

Engaging Learners

Great Sites

Interactive Internet Resources

Interactive Resources

A lot of the educational games can be played on a regular non- touch screen computer as well.

Proof Positivity: A fun and safe Halloween

One of the best things about carving a pumpkin is baking pumpkin seeds. Last year I had my first experience with this.

You will need:
Your pumpkin
colander
cooking spray
salt

1. Preheat your oven to 350.
2. cut out the top of your pumpkin and scoop all of your seeds out into you colander. Rinse all of the pulp out.
3. get a cookie sheet spray the cooking spray on it.
4. place the seeds on the tray and salt them.
5. Leave them in the oven for 10 minutes turn them over and bake them for another 10 minutes.
6. leave them to cool and then store them in a Ziploc.

Have a safe Halloween

1. If you won’t be Trick or Treating with your child know your child’s route and make sure that he/ she will be going in a group with another parent you can trust.
2. Teach your child not to vandalize. Vandalism is not a trick or treat. Teach your child to clean up any vandalism they may cause.
3. Every Halloween people harm black cats. Make sure your child knows this is wrong and the law protects the animals.
4. Make sure you child wears reflective tape and carries flashlights.
5. Make sure your child knows to look both ways before crossing and not to get into vehicles with strangers.
6. Throw out things like apples and oranges. It’s better safe than sorry. Always inspect your kids bags.

For a spooktacular charitable time

You can help the Help Houston Aeros Charities sell pucks.
In my area Habitat for Humanity will hold a haunted house.
Create your own charitable event for your favorite cause. How about a party where you keep a donation bowl and all proceeds go to your favorite cause. Ask a company to sponsor your event. They may give you things to auction for a little free advertising.

Proof Positivity: Know One, Teach One

KOTO (Know One, Teach One) Is a non-profit restaurant. Most restaurants just add to your waist. This one adds to the self esteem of youth in Vietnam. In 1996 An Australian Vietnamese man asked some street kids what they wanted out of life “we need skills so we can find stable jobs.” The idea of KOTO was created.

Founder Jimmy Pham states, “KOTO is about creating a safe environment where a small group of extremely vulnerable young people can learn and grow – because through education and skills comes empowerment and the path to a brighter future.”

KOTO began as a sandwich shop and it has grown. KOTO now seats 120 people and the students they train are highly valued in the hospitality industry. Many now work in top level hotels and restaurants.

If you would like to sponsor a trainee for an entire year the cost is $190 US dollars for the students welfare and education. You can call or email
sponsorship@koto.com.au
or call (84-4) 847 3492/ 3.

KOTO Hanoi KOTO on Van Mieu Restaurant Restaurant – 59 Van Mieu Street Dong Da District Hanoi, Vietnam(opposite the Temple of Literature)Tel (84 4) 747 0337 or (84 4) 747 0338Fax (84 4) 747 0339Reservation or booking at customerservice_koto@netnam.vn
KOTO Vocational Training Center Training Centre – 72 Thuy Khue Street Tay Ho District, Hanoi, Vietnam kotohanoi@koto.com.auTel (84 4) 847 3492 or (84 4) 843 3840Fax (84 4) 843 3840Email:
kotohanoi@koto.com.au (for general purposes)
sponsorship@koto.com.au (for sponsorship program)
streetvoices@koto.com.au (for donation, fundraising, volunteering)
Website: www.koto.com.au
KOTO International Post Office Box 275Mount Waverley Victoria 3149Australia

Proof Positivity: Canadian Flowers for Food

Every day a man waits for the traffic light to turn red so that he can talk to someone to have them buy his flowers and often times he would be turned away. This man is not the best dressed and he has no money. This man is homeless and the inspiration for Canadian Flowers for Food society.

Marrett Green, founder of The Canadian Flowers for Food Society, saw a boy who was selling flowers to feed the homeless and he wanted to know how a venture like that could be successful. Ellen Shontsa, the founder of the Mom’s Agape Street Ministry told him they purchase the flowers and resell them. Mom’s Agape Street Ministry feeds 600 people every night using electric wheelchairs to haul food.

Marrett managed to get floral donations for Mom’s Agape Street Ministry and now it is so successful it is forcing them to get larger transportation.

This is a homeless man in Vancouver

Proof Positivity: Global Community Service Foundation

“Global Community Service Foundation (GCSF) is a 501 (c) (3) public charitable organization. In 1994, after witnessing the extreme deprivation and hardships in Southeast Asia, Marcia Selva, concerned friends and fellow travelers created a non-profit organization, focused on Viet Nam.”

Da Nang is Vietnam’s third largest city. While the area is growing they are facing over population, unemployment and lack of proper housing. There has been a rise in disease for children including AIDS/HIV.

“Da Nang Street Children’s Program has five houses which are home to over 150 children. It also has a safe house, vocational training center, and a school for children whose parents work in the local garbage dump.” For house number two GCSF plans on raising $35,000 To Build expansions to give the children privacy.

This Foundation has helped the blind, children with special needs, building a school for kindergartners, giving information for AIDS/ HIV, they have given scholarships for vocational training in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).

They have helped out the cyclone victims in Burma/ Myanmar. In Cambodia you can help out an orphanage or help purchase books for a school. In Thailand you can help provide educational resources concerning AIDS/ HIV. You can help fund a home for people who are taking care of elephants in a sanctuary. The opportunities for serving the world are endless.

Proof Positivity: American Humanics

“The American Humanics program is an innovative course of study that equips college and university students to become skilled professionals and leaders in America’s nonprofit organizations.”

In 1948, former Boy Scout Executive and Kansas City Mayor H. Roe Bartle saw a problem with non-profits needing people who knew how to run a non-profit. The solution was to educate and certify future non-profit workers.

Today, the American Humanics certificate is offered on more than 70 college campuses nationwide;

American Humanics has partnered with several colleges to train students on the non-profit sector. Students are taught how to budget for a non-profit and do grant writing.

Proof Positivity: Second Hand Finds and Bargain Deals

Thrift stores are a great place to find something you may want but couldn’t afford otherwise. A pair Of Tommy Hilfiger pants costs $49.00 at Macy’s. I purchased the same pants at a second hand store for $1.00. I’ve purchased a wedding dress for small children to play in for $10.00. I’ve seen full sets of heirloom china, furniture, you name it it’s there.

Some of my tips:
-Inspect everything. Make sure zippers are where they need to be and secure.
-Check for missing buttons. If you think you can get crafty and sew it on that’s great. If you’re not that crafty just leave it there.
-Check for holes. If you can put a patch on jeans and make them cute you’ve got a deal. If that hole is something that you can do nothing with leave it at the store.
-Check for stains. Some stains you can remove some you can’t. Buyer beware.

Bargain Department Stores:
the same rules apply for these stores. You are getting product that was sent back for a reason. You can still get a good deal though if you know what you’re doing. This bed is priced at $1,099.99 and it is solid wood. The bunk bed we have for our boys cost a little over $200, was solid wood but needed a drill to create an extra hole and it was much better quality purchased from Big Lots.
Some other stores you may want to look into:
Marc’s
Gabriel’s

There are a lot of bargain grocery stores too. You might have to bag your own food though. My family goes through the store scavenging for boxes to pack our groceries in. We try to avoid purchasing plastic bags that are bad for the environment to begin with and when we use the boxes that reduce, reuse, recycle rule comes into play and at least boxes are biodegradable. A few grocery stores.
Aldi’s
Save A Lot

If you have any more that can be added to the list please leave the link and I will add it to the list.

Proof Positivity: Domestic Violence month

National Domestic Violence Hotline, 1-800-799-SAFE and for the hearing impaired 1-800-787-3224.

Women’s Rural Advocacy Programs Is a site that will help you locate a domestic violence shelter. Click on the state in which you reside and it will give you information on what to do.

It’s also important to know that domestic violence shelters are kept in secret. You will be kept to the promise of keeping the location secret. This is very important. Lives are on the line and if word gets out you not only risk yourself or your child but also everyone else who lives there.

Domestic Violence Agencies on the Internet Provides a few other resources to get help.

Proof Positivity: Standing tall as One

“The ONE Campaign seeks to raise public awareness about the issues of global poverty, hunger, disease and efforts to fight such problems in developing countries. In furtherance of these purposes…”

One is all about being united as one for the common goal of making poverty history. I think the video can speak for itself.

How to rid the world of poverty:

Education

Fight AIDS, tuberculosis, and Malaria

provide clean water

provide health care

provide food

provide housing

As you can see there is a lot of work to rid the worl of poverty.