The story of CaineMonroy, the 9-year-old who built his own elaborate boardwalk-style arcade out of cardboard and other scavenged material at his father’s auto parts business in Los Angeles, has gone viral, capturing the hearts of millions of people all over the world. Donations have been pouring in from all over to pay for the boy’s scholarship fund. The spirit of creativity is certainly alive and well in this inspiring tale of a young boy determined to make his dream come true.
Steve Hartman tells the story of Bob Hoffman and his "Pass it Forward" mission to encourage and inspire Americans to perform random acts of kindness. Says Hoffman, "Wouldn't it be awesome if we had a day, all across America or the world, to do random acts of kindness or just be kind for somebody else and say spread it on?"
A nationwide program, Brides Across America, gives away wedding dresses to military brides who are occupied on the battlefield and don't have the time or money to spend on a dress.
Here's just one example of people making a difference in their community on National Make a Difference Day: the six non-profits in the Naperville area who decided to donate goods to people who are underserved. These non-profits are encouraging people to do anything they can to help people who are less fortunate. People are recognizing that their neighbors are in need, and they're reaching out and making a positive difference in their community. Keep an eye out for more coverage of National Make a Difference Day, coming up right here in The Good for You Network's Making a Positive Difference section!
Get a cut rate price for a deluxe room. Of course, there is one stipulation: You have to agree to volunteer some of your vacation time to being of service. At the Snake River Lodge & Spa in Jackson, Wyoming, a luxury resort, that means pitching in and removing barbed wire fences to help local wildlife roam more freely. The article also mentions the Sierra Club and over 80 other volunteer vacations that can save you money AND make a positive difference in the lives of others.
The Transformers star is taking action to help his hometown in North Dakota, currently submerged under floodwaters. "What I'm doing is I'm raising awareness and I'm trying to raise as much money as I can to help restore the city," he said. To help, visit Duhamel's Facebook page or go to http://centerforcommunitygiving.com/.
Julio Garcia's widow agreed to donate his organs. A year later, five of the recipients gathered to thank the family personally, a rarity in such an emotional process.
For information on becoming an organ donor: Donate Life America, donatelife.net; 701 East Byrd Street, 16th Floor, Richmond, VA 23219; (804) 377-3580.
This January, as part of National Mentoring Month, Big Brothers Big Sisters launches Start Something™, a national initiative inviting all adults - not just volunteers - to support quality mentoring to help children who face adversity beat the odds. As part of the campaign, volunteers and children will videotape their experiences for posting on Facebook and other websites.
Whatever the size of your budget -- from $20 to $20,000 -- these ideas can help better the lives of others, and your own. Read on to discover various volunteer options, including giving circles, that are especially great for retirees and people who are winding down first or primary careers.
New programs teach students to research charities thoroughly and donate wisely, "inculcating students into a philanthropic zeitgeist that some say eventually will force charities to become more efficient and more accountable."
TGFYN's Take: We think we could all use to learn more about charities and make sure we are giving intelligently... and teaching our children to do so, too, will help us bring about a more socially engaged and responsible generation.
The CNN Heroes special on TV just ended, with Anuradha Koirala, founder of Maiti Nepal, being awarded CNN Hero of the Year. Read on to learn how you, too, can become a hero. Avoid being intimidated by great feats such as Koirala's... Remember, heroism is not just something for others to achieve!
PLUS:Leave us a comment: Are there heroes you know of who weren't fortunate enough to be featured on CNN? We bet there are!
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