Listen to the Music Playing

Rockaway, NY suffered major damage, in October 2012, due to Hurricane Sandy.

With the memories still fresh of their catastrophe, this week, the residents of the community thought of the devastated villages in the Philippines and organized a concert featuring several bands in order to raise funds to be sent to the typhoon torn areas. Team Rubicon is in charge of the distribution of funds. This is the same organization that helped Rockaway residents during their time of need, and the residents have not forgotten it.

You don't have to go to the concert to donate money. Just go to the Team Rubicon page and click on their link or  click here.

Raising Money for a Cause

There are several fund raising opportunities throughout the year and each to benefit various groups or individuals.

The one that has just taken place in Rome, GA was the Charity Wreath Auction and it has raised money to be donated to area cancer patients and their families. A lot of work went into creating the wreaths but the cause made it worth it.

In Charleston, WV the Salvation Army is accepting donations to help "a father build a livable home." After suffering major setbacks, due to the illness of one of his children, this husband and father is doing all he can to improve conditions for his wife and children. This is an inspirational story with a good ending.

My parents always say, "Above all health! When you are healthy, you can do anything you want and need to do!" How true are these words. Sometimes, those of us who are healthy, take this blessing for granted. May we never do that again and may we reach out to those who need a word of comfort and a helping hand.

A Different Kind of Stuffing

Today, Americans celebrate the Thanksgiving Holiday complete with turkey, vegetables, rolls, dessert, and... the stuffing!

Here is a young lady whose stuffing has a total different outcome than your seasonal one. Hers is fluffy and made to snuggle! It fills not a turkey but a bear, a teddy bear, to be precise. Her story is inspiring and brings hope not only to the children in the hospital but to a world that, at times, seems to have lots its humanity.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone and thank you Nina Manuel for your service, kindness, and generosity.

And remember, you don't have to be American to be thankful for your blessings and to find a way to bless others around you.

A Different Kind of Dinner

I have been posting about dinners to feed the community during the Thanksgiving Holidays.

This is about another kind of dinner. It is one with and admission charge because all the proceeds will then benefit a Christmas toys and clothes drive for children. This dinner was held last Sunday in Renville County, ND. If you want to read the whole story and will click on the link, you will need to scroll to the second article.

On a total different subject, in Prescott, AZ a small group raised money for breast cancer research. Each of the five participants had a different reason for their involvement with the project but all five had the same final goal. Their success has already them thinking about next year's finish line.

There are many worthwhile causes and events throughout the year. What if we each found something we could help with, either financially or by giving of our time, talents, and efforts?

As Mother Teresa said, "Never worry about numbers. Help one person at the time and always start with the person nearest you."

Feeding the Community

The Cartersville community held its yearly Feed the Community Dinner two days ago. They served a Thanksgiving style dinner to about 1,500 people. Along with a warm meal, they offered other services, free of charge to the attendees.

Rome will host its community dinner on Thanksgiving day. Other communities may have already done theirs as well or will be offering it in the next couple of days.

Along with the Thanksgiving dinner, let us not forget the countless meals prepared every week by churches all around the community to feed the poor of the area. These events no longer make the news, but they are a reminder that kindness and service do exist on weeks other than Thanksgiving week.

If you have never helped with these types of events, don't worry. You can start now. One can of peas, or corn, etc. may not seem much, but along with other donated items will be enough to feed those less fortunate.

If finances do not allow you to donate food, perhaps you can donate some of your time. There are many worthwhile volunteer opportunities. 

Together, as members of our community, we can make a difference and make the world a better place, one community at the time.

Positive Stories

As I was searching for positive stories to share, I stumbled upon a series of websites that publish good news.

I was surprised and happy.

I did not think I was the only one with the desire to find uplifting news to share, but I did not realize that there were this many.
So, for today, I am going to link you to those sites in hope that you will be able to find stories to help you start your day right and get you the charge you need to go forth with a contagiously positive attitude, no matter what your circumstances are.

Make a Hero. This website is focused on inspiring individuals with disabilities and overcoming limitations.

Bringing Hope Home. Especially for people and families who have dealt or deal with cancer.

Huffpost Good News. Many of us may be familiar with Huffington Post. This is their good news version. There are stories for everyone.

ABC Good News. Even the famous abc NEWS reports on good news.

Happy News. Their caption reads: Real News. Compelling Stories. Always Positive.

Daily Good for news that inspires.

Sunny Skyz. Only positive and uplifting news for you to start off your day.

Good News Network. Geri Weis-Corbley has been delivering good news since the late 90s. Read all about her purpose for her website and then read the news she shares.

TODAY Good News. Videos and stories are yours to watch and read.

I have only quickly looked at the first page of these websites, but the amazing thing is that I don't recall seeing the same information on any of them.
This is uplifting on its own as it makes you realize that there is still good in the world.

Some of these are stories of survival. Some are stories of unselfishness. And then there are others of different kind. All of them can bring a ray of sunshine in your day.

So, if you are looking to recharge your mood, put down the coffee and dive into the good news :)

The Good Samaritan

Meet Joel Hartman. He lost his wife whom he loved very much; he lost everything else  he had and he is now homeless.

In spite of his fate, he has kept his integrity and when he found a wallet belonging to a tourist, he returned it and walked away.

The article's headline focuses on the hotel in Atlanta, where the tourist is staying, offering Hartman a room, but the real story is about Joel. He has nothing, yet he returns something of value instead of going on a shopping spree.

He is not the first homeless individual to have shown integrity. Even if in dire need, these individuals have done the right thing.

This past September, in Boston, a homeless man returns a backpack full of money.
In February, a Missouri homeless man returns a diamond ring which had been mistakenly donated to him.

If you had been in their shoes, what would you have done?