Another wonderful story of folks out there doing amazing things.
This is about a group of guys who returned to the neighborhood where they grew up and they're helping the kids who live there find peace of mind in a way you might not expect.
They were asked to coach peewee football, but Andy Gonzalez, along with brothers Ali and Atman Smith, had another idea...
Yoga, offering an extraordinary experience to Baltimore kids who know nothing about inner peace.
Nine years ago they formed the Holistic Life Foundation, a nonprofit offering free yoga classes. They got the kids that had all the behavioral issues, anger management issues, emotional issues. They started with 15 students. Now they've taught more than 1,000.
Away from the yoga mat, these men are tutors and mentors. They've even gotten kids who once destroyed property to help build this neighborhood park. There haven't been a lot of studies on how yoga affects kids, especially inner- city kids like these in Baltimore, but early findings show this kind of exercise is helping kids manage their stress.
Brothers Ali and Atman Smith met Andres Gonzalez at the University of Maryland College Park, spending a lot of time reading books on spirituality, philosophy, religions and other related topics. They all saw some things wrong with the world but it wasn’t until Andres asked. “So, what are we going to do about it?” that they all knew they had to do something.
What that something was, they had no idea. During this time they also began their journey on the path of yoga practice. As young children, Ali and Atman actually grew up with yoga in their home, with their father having them meditate every morning before school. You see, their parents were big hippies. They were also into yoga, vegetarianism, and all the stuff of their parent’s generation.
One summer afternoon, after graduation, the three were watching TV when they saw a commercial about a book telling how to get grant money to help you do almost any type of work. The commercial said something like: “Doing what you want to do in life is like being on vacation every single day!”
They knew they wanted to help people and the planet, and now had some ideas on funding.
At the end of that summer, they moved back into the house that Ali Atman grew up in and immediately noticed the sense of family that was present in the neighborhood when they grew up there was gone.
The Smith brothers remembered when they were living there as children, the neighborhood was like one big family with the older guys there serving as mentors and big brothers to all the younger kids. They say that as important factors in their growth and development. They knew then that they had to try and do something to help bring that feeling back to their neighborhood.
During this time, they began the planning and development for the formation of the non-profit organization. They also began to delve deeper into their practice and study of yoga. After months of hard work, on December 19th 2001, the Holistic Life Foundation was officially incorporated.
The services they now provide include:
Training:
Providing trainings for teachers, administrators, and youth workers. Trainings help participants incorporate yoga mindfulness, breathing, centering and related techniques into their work to improve the deliver of the services they provide.
Workshops:
The Foundation facilitates workshops in many formats, including one-time workshops and workshop series. Workshops include yoga, holistic health, Tai Chi, games, discussions, role-play, interactive activities, lectures as well as holistic solutions for all problems.
They also provide Mentoring, Environmental Advocacy programs, Stress reduction and mindfulness curriculums, Healthy Seniors Programs and much, much more.
So obviously, these two brothers and their friend found unbelievably creative ways to put their collage degrees to work for the benefit of humanity with funding readily available in the form of grants and donations, forming a non-profit organization, which allowed all deserving participants free admission.
All it took was their intelligence, drive, hard work, determination and hearts of gold.
Once again proving beyond a doubt there are people out in the world who do care. Not only care but also make things happen. Every day, every moment, these things are out there happening.
Isn’t it about time we demand our news media’s start focusing on these angels instead of just the negative? At the very least do their duty to show us the truth with balance instead of just one sided?
Want to learn more?
http://www.hlfinc.org/home.htm
Again. PLEASE DO NOT E-MAIL ME. Take the time and effort to read the directions below and add to the conversation for all to enjoy.
Thanks....
Now click on the "Comments" link at the bottom of this blog and add your response or thoughts for others to see when they click on the "Comments" link (TRY IT RIGHT NOW!). It makes it far more interesting if we make it a conversation, instead of just my bullshit. Thank you to those who take the time and effort to do so.....
COME ON..........DO IT!!!
Friday, April 13, 2012
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Saving Private Smoke
This is number five in what I hope will be on ongoing crusade to help us get back on track with knowing and appreciating our full potentials as the giving, honorable, loving human beings most are in reality.
Something most media's and political extremists would apparently love us to forget.
Donny Eslinger, a Private First Class, was wounded critically on 26 September 2011 when Insurgents attacked his Forward Operating Base with indirect fire weapons. Donny was standing only 4 feet from the impact of a 75mm Recoilless Rifle round. His injuries were immediately life threatening. His femur bone was shattered lacerating his leg, shrapnel to the shoulder, head and chest. There was a hole in his chest the size of a softball.
Eight of his fellow Soldiers immediately came to his aid, risking their own lives. With rounds continuing to land within 50 feet, Soldiers still worked on him without seeking cover for themselves. Two other Soldiers were wounded trying to and still aiding Donny. He was eventually moved to the Aid Station where the Doctor and Medics feverishly worked on him, which saved his life. Donny is now in Tampa, Florida where he is being treated for his Traumatic Brain Injury. He miraculously survived his injuries and has a long road to recovery.
On that mission Donny found a little puppy about 6 weeks old, him being the animal lover he is, he picked up the puppy and placed him in his assault pack, he quickly named Smoke. He traded three cigarettes to become the dog's owner. He named the dog Smoke Pup Barbarian because of the transaction.
When Eslinger was later flown to Germany and then the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for more treatment, Smoke was left behind.
Smoke was the only bit of moral that made these kids forget were they were and cope with the tragedy they’d just experienced. It is amazing how therapeutic a little creature can be. Donny took care of that dog up until he was injured. Many of the people in his Platoon would love nothing more than to see Smoke reunited with Donny.
Well a group called The Puppy Rescue Mission heard about Smoke Pup when Eslinger's squad leader sent a letter telling Eslinger's story. The dog was then transported to Bethesda on Tuesday, where he was reunited with Eslinger.
For a wounded soldier home from Afghanistan, it was a special reunion a long time in the making. The puppy he adopted on the front lines is now with him again in Bethesda, Md.
Through the efforts of The Puppy Rescue Mission, the dog arrived in Orlando, Fla., just recently.
The primary mission of The Puppy Rescue Mission is to fund-raise and assist in pet rescue, foster and re-homing when needed, in particular pets of soldiers, especially those deployed in war zones. They assist with requests, logistics, administration and fund-raising for the adopted stray dogs of war rescued by and bonded with soldiers. This may include vet care, supplies, transport and related issues. They work with or through other organizations that help our soldiers bring their companion animals home from war.
Another of many fine examples of human beings of compassion, even in the heat and hell on the front lines of war. People sent by us to protect our way of life, asking nothing in return other than hoping to come home in one piece to those they love, having accoumplished the mission given, with honor and pride.
So the next time you’re feeling like your problems are becoming insurmountable, think of what Donny Eslinger went through, probably still is today but in the middle of all that hell, he found a ray of light and hope with his little buddy Smoke.
I’m thinking in a funny way, Smoke was the lucky one to have found such a loving, caring friend to spend the rest of his life with.
Added note:
A dog or cat for that matter does not discriminate. They do not care who you are, what you look like or what you do. The only thing in life they ask for is a little food to keep in their belly, some cool refreshing water to drink, and a pat on the head or pet every now and then. I think we could learn a lesson or two from them. Someone with the most basic of needs that can give back the amount of love that they do - it's pretty damn impressive if you ask me.
Again. PLEASE DO NOT E-MAIL ME. Take the time and effort to read the directions below and add to the conversation for all to enjoy.
Thanks....
Now click on the "Comments" link at the bottom of this blog and add your response or thoughts for others to see when they click on the "Comments" link (TRY IT RIGHT NOW!). It makes it far more interesting if we make it a conversation, instead of just my bullshit. Thank you to those who take the time and effort to do so.....
COME ON..........DO IT!!!
Something most media's and political extremists would apparently love us to forget.
Donny Eslinger, a Private First Class, was wounded critically on 26 September 2011 when Insurgents attacked his Forward Operating Base with indirect fire weapons. Donny was standing only 4 feet from the impact of a 75mm Recoilless Rifle round. His injuries were immediately life threatening. His femur bone was shattered lacerating his leg, shrapnel to the shoulder, head and chest. There was a hole in his chest the size of a softball.
Eight of his fellow Soldiers immediately came to his aid, risking their own lives. With rounds continuing to land within 50 feet, Soldiers still worked on him without seeking cover for themselves. Two other Soldiers were wounded trying to and still aiding Donny. He was eventually moved to the Aid Station where the Doctor and Medics feverishly worked on him, which saved his life. Donny is now in Tampa, Florida where he is being treated for his Traumatic Brain Injury. He miraculously survived his injuries and has a long road to recovery.
On that mission Donny found a little puppy about 6 weeks old, him being the animal lover he is, he picked up the puppy and placed him in his assault pack, he quickly named Smoke. He traded three cigarettes to become the dog's owner. He named the dog Smoke Pup Barbarian because of the transaction.
When Eslinger was later flown to Germany and then the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for more treatment, Smoke was left behind.
Smoke was the only bit of moral that made these kids forget were they were and cope with the tragedy they’d just experienced. It is amazing how therapeutic a little creature can be. Donny took care of that dog up until he was injured. Many of the people in his Platoon would love nothing more than to see Smoke reunited with Donny.
Well a group called The Puppy Rescue Mission heard about Smoke Pup when Eslinger's squad leader sent a letter telling Eslinger's story. The dog was then transported to Bethesda on Tuesday, where he was reunited with Eslinger.
For a wounded soldier home from Afghanistan, it was a special reunion a long time in the making. The puppy he adopted on the front lines is now with him again in Bethesda, Md.
Through the efforts of The Puppy Rescue Mission, the dog arrived in Orlando, Fla., just recently.
The primary mission of The Puppy Rescue Mission is to fund-raise and assist in pet rescue, foster and re-homing when needed, in particular pets of soldiers, especially those deployed in war zones. They assist with requests, logistics, administration and fund-raising for the adopted stray dogs of war rescued by and bonded with soldiers. This may include vet care, supplies, transport and related issues. They work with or through other organizations that help our soldiers bring their companion animals home from war.
Another of many fine examples of human beings of compassion, even in the heat and hell on the front lines of war. People sent by us to protect our way of life, asking nothing in return other than hoping to come home in one piece to those they love, having accoumplished the mission given, with honor and pride.
So the next time you’re feeling like your problems are becoming insurmountable, think of what Donny Eslinger went through, probably still is today but in the middle of all that hell, he found a ray of light and hope with his little buddy Smoke.
I’m thinking in a funny way, Smoke was the lucky one to have found such a loving, caring friend to spend the rest of his life with.
Added note:
A dog or cat for that matter does not discriminate. They do not care who you are, what you look like or what you do. The only thing in life they ask for is a little food to keep in their belly, some cool refreshing water to drink, and a pat on the head or pet every now and then. I think we could learn a lesson or two from them. Someone with the most basic of needs that can give back the amount of love that they do - it's pretty damn impressive if you ask me.
Again. PLEASE DO NOT E-MAIL ME. Take the time and effort to read the directions below and add to the conversation for all to enjoy.
Thanks....
Now click on the "Comments" link at the bottom of this blog and add your response or thoughts for others to see when they click on the "Comments" link (TRY IT RIGHT NOW!). It makes it far more interesting if we make it a conversation, instead of just my bullshit. Thank you to those who take the time and effort to do so.....
COME ON..........DO IT!!!
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Operation Walk
This is number four in what I hope will be on ongoing crusade to help us get back on track with knowing and appreciating our full potentials as the giving, honorable, loving human beings most are in reality.
Something most media's and political extremists would apparently love us to forget.
Another inspirational story about a doctor helping people get back on their feet again. They're in constant pain, but like many Americans they can't afford to pay for the care they need. That’s where one doctor and his doctor friends come in. They're making a difference in a lot of lives.
These orthopedic surgeons do more than fix bones for a living. For years, Operation Walk, the charity Lawrence D Door MD founded, has provided free surgeries for thousands of vulnerable people around the globe. Now with tough economic times in this country, Dr. Dorr is bringing his charity home. During a recent two-day span, he and 60 other orthopedic surgeons operated on uninsured patients, replacing their bad hips and knees. These were people who had lost all hope for their tomorrows until he came along.
Operation Walk was started in 1995 by Lawrence D. Dorr, M.D. in Los Angeles CA.
Dr. Dorr is one of the leading joint replacement surgeons in the United States. On a teaching trip to Russia, Dr. Dorr had the idea that one of the best ways to teach physicians was to actually demonstrate the surgery. Dr. Dorr put together a team of surgeons, internal medicine doctors, anesthesiologists, nurses, and physical therapists and planned his first Operation Walk trip to Havana, Cuba. The connection was made through a former patient, Mr. Buddy Litten, and the program took its first step. The team spent eight months getting all of the implants, medications, surgical supplies, and postoperative supplies ready to be transported to Havana. The first trip was a success with 45 joints operated in a 3-day period. It was a very rewarding experience for the team, and of course, everyone was full of enthusiasm to plan the next trip. Over the next 10 years, 2 Operation Walk teams operated 6 times in Cuba, helping over 250 patients.
The entire medical team volunteers their time. Physicians, nurses, physical therapists, anesthesiologists, internists, and Orthopedic surgeons.
While on location the team educates the local medical community on advanced treatments and techniques.
Emphasis is placed on promoting the importance of preoperative planning, after care, and rehabilitation.
Medical supplies and equipment are provided through donations.
Operation Walk was founded in 1994 and has operated on over 2500 patients in ten countries In Mar. 2000, Dec. 2001, Nov. 2002, Mar. 2004, Jun. 2005, Nov. 2006 and Nov. 2007.
The Operation Walk team donated its services to the Los Angeles community, promoting the importance of preoperative planning, after care, and rehabilitation.
Operation Walk plans up to four international medical missions a year.
To-date, teams have provided surgeries and education in Russia, Nepal, China, Cuba, the
Philippines, Nicaragua, Peru, Guatemala, El Salvador and Panama.
Hospital charges for one surgical replacement:
Hip would equal $117,500
Average cost for 30 replacements of either hip or knee (per mission trip):
Would be greater than 3 million dollars
Volunteer time donated (per mission trip):
One medical team’s time donated per mission trip would equal $115,320
Physician’s time donated per trip would equal $300,000
So the next time you think all Doctors are money hungry, greedy, selfish examples of humanity, remember Dr. Dorr and everyone involved with The Operation Walk team.
I’ve thought for years that before that new fangled thing called medical insurance changed the whole emphasis in medicine, people became Doctors from a need to help their fellow humans in time of need, not for money.
We’ve all heard stories from the distant past of farmers trading a chicken or two for a Doctors services. Maybe someday, we can return to some form of sanity with our health care system, where medical care is within reach of everyone, instead of just those with the means to afford it.
Again. PLEASE DO NOT E-MAIL ME. Take the time and effort to read the directions below and add to the conversation for all to enjoy.
Thanks....
Now click on the "Comments" link at the bottom of this blog and add your response or thoughts for others to see when they click on the "Comments" link (TRY IT RIGHT NOW!). It makes it far more interesting if we make it a conversation, instead of just my bullshit. Thank you to those who take the time and effort to do so.....
COME ON..........DO IT!!!
Something most media's and political extremists would apparently love us to forget.
Another inspirational story about a doctor helping people get back on their feet again. They're in constant pain, but like many Americans they can't afford to pay for the care they need. That’s where one doctor and his doctor friends come in. They're making a difference in a lot of lives.
These orthopedic surgeons do more than fix bones for a living. For years, Operation Walk, the charity Lawrence D Door MD founded, has provided free surgeries for thousands of vulnerable people around the globe. Now with tough economic times in this country, Dr. Dorr is bringing his charity home. During a recent two-day span, he and 60 other orthopedic surgeons operated on uninsured patients, replacing their bad hips and knees. These were people who had lost all hope for their tomorrows until he came along.
Operation Walk was started in 1995 by Lawrence D. Dorr, M.D. in Los Angeles CA.
Dr. Dorr is one of the leading joint replacement surgeons in the United States. On a teaching trip to Russia, Dr. Dorr had the idea that one of the best ways to teach physicians was to actually demonstrate the surgery. Dr. Dorr put together a team of surgeons, internal medicine doctors, anesthesiologists, nurses, and physical therapists and planned his first Operation Walk trip to Havana, Cuba. The connection was made through a former patient, Mr. Buddy Litten, and the program took its first step. The team spent eight months getting all of the implants, medications, surgical supplies, and postoperative supplies ready to be transported to Havana. The first trip was a success with 45 joints operated in a 3-day period. It was a very rewarding experience for the team, and of course, everyone was full of enthusiasm to plan the next trip. Over the next 10 years, 2 Operation Walk teams operated 6 times in Cuba, helping over 250 patients.
The entire medical team volunteers their time. Physicians, nurses, physical therapists, anesthesiologists, internists, and Orthopedic surgeons.
While on location the team educates the local medical community on advanced treatments and techniques.
Emphasis is placed on promoting the importance of preoperative planning, after care, and rehabilitation.
Medical supplies and equipment are provided through donations.
Operation Walk was founded in 1994 and has operated on over 2500 patients in ten countries In Mar. 2000, Dec. 2001, Nov. 2002, Mar. 2004, Jun. 2005, Nov. 2006 and Nov. 2007.
The Operation Walk team donated its services to the Los Angeles community, promoting the importance of preoperative planning, after care, and rehabilitation.
Operation Walk plans up to four international medical missions a year.
To-date, teams have provided surgeries and education in Russia, Nepal, China, Cuba, the
Philippines, Nicaragua, Peru, Guatemala, El Salvador and Panama.
Hospital charges for one surgical replacement:
Hip would equal $117,500
Average cost for 30 replacements of either hip or knee (per mission trip):
Would be greater than 3 million dollars
Volunteer time donated (per mission trip):
One medical team’s time donated per mission trip would equal $115,320
Physician’s time donated per trip would equal $300,000
So the next time you think all Doctors are money hungry, greedy, selfish examples of humanity, remember Dr. Dorr and everyone involved with The Operation Walk team.
I’ve thought for years that before that new fangled thing called medical insurance changed the whole emphasis in medicine, people became Doctors from a need to help their fellow humans in time of need, not for money.
We’ve all heard stories from the distant past of farmers trading a chicken or two for a Doctors services. Maybe someday, we can return to some form of sanity with our health care system, where medical care is within reach of everyone, instead of just those with the means to afford it.
Again. PLEASE DO NOT E-MAIL ME. Take the time and effort to read the directions below and add to the conversation for all to enjoy.
Thanks....
Now click on the "Comments" link at the bottom of this blog and add your response or thoughts for others to see when they click on the "Comments" link (TRY IT RIGHT NOW!). It makes it far more interesting if we make it a conversation, instead of just my bullshit. Thank you to those who take the time and effort to do so.....
COME ON..........DO IT!!!
Friday, February 24, 2012
Vets Helping Heroes
This is number three in what I hope will be on ongoing crusade to help us get back on track with knowing and appreciating our full potentials as the giving, honorable, loving human beings most are in reality.
Something most media's and political extremists would apparently love us to forget.
Hearing about our little darlings destroying property at the Foresthill park forced me to change the line: “as the giving, honorable, loving human beings we are in reality" to: “most are in reality” but I’m still sticking to my opinion that the vast majority of folks are on the positive side of things and as much as I’d love to suggest what should be done with whoever is acting like animals there, that’s all I’m going to say about that at this time.
So consider this, over 40,000 of our returning vets have been injured in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Irwin Stovroff a decorated World War II veteran, a former P.O.W., is answering the call to help ease the way for young vets who have already given so much.
The World War II hero was on his 35th bombing mission over France when his plane crashed behind enemy lines.
They captured him immediately. He figured this time he was not going to make it.
Irwin quickly threw away his dog tags, which identified him as Jewish and survived a year in a German P.O.W. camp.
Now 70 years later, the 89-year-old decorated hero is on a different mission. Irwin raised $3 million to provide service dogs to wounded soldiers, including the newly wounded returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. He began his group "Vets Helping Heroes," after learning there is no government program giving soldiers canine help. Retired lieutenant Colonel Kathy Champion, going blind from a mysterious virus contracted in Iraq, became a hermit in her own home. She quit school and quit her job.
Well, along came Irwin, who raised money to give Kathy her angel dog, telling everyone who would listen that her new friend granted her back the life she felt was taken from her.
Training these exceptional canines can cost as much as $70,000 per dog and takes 18 months beginning in the puppy stage. They look like any other Labrador, but they are so much more than that. After the extensive training, they are working therapy dogs, helping service men and women recover from the wounds of war.
Irwin Strovoff is far more than a true hero. He’s another example of the heights humans are capable of and willing to reach toward helping others. These wonderful, selfless people are out there in droves folks. We all need to start not only acknowledging them but holding them in the highest esteem.
Here’s some information on the organization Irwin started:
Who They Are
Vets Helping Heroes is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization created to solicit and provide funds for qualified training facilities so that they may provide assistance dogs and training to veterans and active-duty military personnel who have been wounded in the post 9/11 conflicts.
Their Mission
To provide a professionally trained assistance dog prepared by a qualified instructor to every disabled American veteran or active-duty military personnel wounded in the post 911 conflicts enabling them to return to a life of dignity and self-reliance whether they are visually impaired or have other special needs that would benefit from an assistance dog.
How The Heroes Benefit
Assistance dogs provide independence and service to a veteran 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. In addition, they are a source of much needed enjoyment as beloved "family members" - running with children, providing comfort for spouses, and the security of knowing that they can even provide such services as predicting an oncoming seizure.
How can I help this organization?
Writing this story up, I thought to add everything I could find to enable folks to contribute or help them.
I eventually decided the best thing I could do is simply give their web address, so you can log in, find out all you want to know, then contact them, donate, contribute or just enjoy the website they’ve created.
So here ya go:
http://www.vetshelpingheroes.org/
Again. PLEASE DO NOT E-MAIL ME. Take the time and effort to read the directions below and add to the conversation for all to enjoy.
Thanks....
Now click on the "Comments" link at the bottom of this blog and add your response or thoughts for others to see when they click on the "Comments" link (TRY IT RIGHT NOW!). It makes it far more interesting if we make it a conversation, instead of just my bullshit. Thank you to those who take the time and effort to do so.....
COME ON..........DO IT!!!
Something most media's and political extremists would apparently love us to forget.
Hearing about our little darlings destroying property at the Foresthill park forced me to change the line: “as the giving, honorable, loving human beings we are in reality" to: “most are in reality” but I’m still sticking to my opinion that the vast majority of folks are on the positive side of things and as much as I’d love to suggest what should be done with whoever is acting like animals there, that’s all I’m going to say about that at this time.
So consider this, over 40,000 of our returning vets have been injured in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Irwin Stovroff a decorated World War II veteran, a former P.O.W., is answering the call to help ease the way for young vets who have already given so much.
The World War II hero was on his 35th bombing mission over France when his plane crashed behind enemy lines.
They captured him immediately. He figured this time he was not going to make it.
Irwin quickly threw away his dog tags, which identified him as Jewish and survived a year in a German P.O.W. camp.
Now 70 years later, the 89-year-old decorated hero is on a different mission. Irwin raised $3 million to provide service dogs to wounded soldiers, including the newly wounded returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. He began his group "Vets Helping Heroes," after learning there is no government program giving soldiers canine help. Retired lieutenant Colonel Kathy Champion, going blind from a mysterious virus contracted in Iraq, became a hermit in her own home. She quit school and quit her job.
Well, along came Irwin, who raised money to give Kathy her angel dog, telling everyone who would listen that her new friend granted her back the life she felt was taken from her.
Training these exceptional canines can cost as much as $70,000 per dog and takes 18 months beginning in the puppy stage. They look like any other Labrador, but they are so much more than that. After the extensive training, they are working therapy dogs, helping service men and women recover from the wounds of war.
Irwin Strovoff is far more than a true hero. He’s another example of the heights humans are capable of and willing to reach toward helping others. These wonderful, selfless people are out there in droves folks. We all need to start not only acknowledging them but holding them in the highest esteem.
Here’s some information on the organization Irwin started:
Who They Are
Vets Helping Heroes is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization created to solicit and provide funds for qualified training facilities so that they may provide assistance dogs and training to veterans and active-duty military personnel who have been wounded in the post 9/11 conflicts.
Their Mission
To provide a professionally trained assistance dog prepared by a qualified instructor to every disabled American veteran or active-duty military personnel wounded in the post 911 conflicts enabling them to return to a life of dignity and self-reliance whether they are visually impaired or have other special needs that would benefit from an assistance dog.
How The Heroes Benefit
Assistance dogs provide independence and service to a veteran 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. In addition, they are a source of much needed enjoyment as beloved "family members" - running with children, providing comfort for spouses, and the security of knowing that they can even provide such services as predicting an oncoming seizure.
How can I help this organization?
Writing this story up, I thought to add everything I could find to enable folks to contribute or help them.
I eventually decided the best thing I could do is simply give their web address, so you can log in, find out all you want to know, then contact them, donate, contribute or just enjoy the website they’ve created.
So here ya go:
http://www.vetshelpingheroes.org/
Again. PLEASE DO NOT E-MAIL ME. Take the time and effort to read the directions below and add to the conversation for all to enjoy.
Thanks....
Now click on the "Comments" link at the bottom of this blog and add your response or thoughts for others to see when they click on the "Comments" link (TRY IT RIGHT NOW!). It makes it far more interesting if we make it a conversation, instead of just my bullshit. Thank you to those who take the time and effort to do so.....
COME ON..........DO IT!!!
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Run for Parkinson’s disease…
So this is number two in what I hope will be on ongoing crusade to help us get back on track with knowing and appreciating our full potentials as the giving, honorable, loving human beings we all are in reality.
Something the media's would apparently love us to forget.
His name is Sam Fox. In the span of two months this past fall, he ran and hiked 2,400 miles on the Pacific Crest Trail, from Canada to Mexico. Through thick forests, over snowy mountains, and past sandy desserts, covering almost 43 miles every day, for 61 straight days. He did all of this in an effort to honor His Mother, Lucy Fox, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease a decade ago, and to raise funds for Parkinson’s disease research/awareness. To date, he has raised over $170,000 that will go toward a cure for this terrible disease.
Pacific Crest Trail Stats….
Stretches 2,650 miles from Manning Provincial Park in British Columbia all the way to Campo, CA, at the Mexican border.
Climbs 60 major mountain passes
Descends 19 major canyons
Passes more than 1,000 lakes
Traverses 3 National Monuments, 7 National Parks, 24 National Forests
Fewer people have successfully thru-hiked the PCT than have reached the summit of Mt. Everest.
Sam was born in Rhode Island, and he is 24 years old. He attended South Kingstown (RI) Public Schools and then the Wheeler School, in Providence. At Wheeler he earned 15 varsity letters in 4 sports. Sam captained eight teams, he was the Rhode Island High School State Champion in the high jump in 2005, and was presented with the Scholar Athlete award upon graduation in 2005.
Sam continued his athletic career at Yale University where he was a 4-year varsity letterman in Track and Field. He won a gold medal in the High Jump at the 2007 Penn Relays, and earned All Ivy and All East recognition in 2009, while also qualifying for the NCAA East Regional Championships (all in the high jump).
Sam is a 2007 graduate of the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), in glacier mountaineering. As an experienced outdoorsman, Sam has run, hiked, biked, skied, and climbed in the Alps, the Rockies, the Canadian and American Cascades, the Sierras, the White Mountains, and the Himalayas.
He had been hiking, climbing, camping, skiing for as long as he could remember. In recent years, while out on various solo trips, he said he discovered a cardiovascular and pain endurance threshold he didn’t know he possessed. For this particular challenge; running the entire length of the Pacific Crest Trail, he’d certainly need a healthy tolerance for both. His training regimen was intense, mixing extreme mileage with extreme terrain, peppering in sleep deprivation, altitude training and injury tolerance. It took place on roads, trails across the country (Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Mt. Rainier, the Colorado Rockies) through deserts, mountains, and forests. Also taking place in weight rooms, in the back of his car, in the mud and in the snow. He said most importantly it took place in his own mind, which had to be conditioned right along with his body.
His mother was diagnosed with Parkinson’s more than 10 years ago now. While he had seen changes in his mother’s life, her hobbies, and often times her ability to do the things she used to love so much, he’d not seen changes in who she is.
He had said his mother was certainly an inspiration to him, but not because she is bravely fighting Parkinson’s, it is because there was never any doubt that she would face and defeat whatever challenge arose. He didn’t dedicate his training and efforts on the trail to her battle with a terrible disease, He simply dedicate them to her, for being his mom, for all that she’s done and all that she is.
He said simply……Thanks Mom.
So while it was his Dad who helped spark his love of adventure and the outdoors, it is his mother’s lessons about hard work and toughness that he’d call upon during the long days and nights on the trail. Those lessons would be what would carry him through the cold, rain, blisters and breaks, steeps, mud, and wracking exhaustion, for 2650 miles with (at the least) an ironic smile.
Obviously, this is a young man we all should not only be proud of but use as proof that the vast majority of American youth are intelligent, driven, caring people who will willingly and with great pride lead the country and world toward greatness.
So the next time you hear some doom and gloom idiot say something like: “The youth are going to hell in a hand basket. They don’t respect their elders anymore and are just plain lazy.” You can just smile knowingly and consider the ignorant source.
And from all who suffer from this devastating disease, I’m going to take it upon myself to give this young man a mental standing ovation and to shout out a great big THANK YOU SAM FOX, on their behalf.
Again. PLEASE DO NOT E-MAIL ME. Take the time and effort to read the directions below and add to the conversation for all to enjoy.
Thanks....
Now click on the "Comments" link at the bottom of this blog and add your response or thoughts for others to see when they click on the "Comments" link (TRY IT RIGHT NOW!). It makes it far more interesting if we make it a conversation, instead of just my bullshit. Thank you to those who take the time and effort to do so.....
COME ON..........DO IT!!!
Something the media's would apparently love us to forget.
His name is Sam Fox. In the span of two months this past fall, he ran and hiked 2,400 miles on the Pacific Crest Trail, from Canada to Mexico. Through thick forests, over snowy mountains, and past sandy desserts, covering almost 43 miles every day, for 61 straight days. He did all of this in an effort to honor His Mother, Lucy Fox, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease a decade ago, and to raise funds for Parkinson’s disease research/awareness. To date, he has raised over $170,000 that will go toward a cure for this terrible disease.
Pacific Crest Trail Stats….
Stretches 2,650 miles from Manning Provincial Park in British Columbia all the way to Campo, CA, at the Mexican border.
Climbs 60 major mountain passes
Descends 19 major canyons
Passes more than 1,000 lakes
Traverses 3 National Monuments, 7 National Parks, 24 National Forests
Fewer people have successfully thru-hiked the PCT than have reached the summit of Mt. Everest.
Sam was born in Rhode Island, and he is 24 years old. He attended South Kingstown (RI) Public Schools and then the Wheeler School, in Providence. At Wheeler he earned 15 varsity letters in 4 sports. Sam captained eight teams, he was the Rhode Island High School State Champion in the high jump in 2005, and was presented with the Scholar Athlete award upon graduation in 2005.
Sam continued his athletic career at Yale University where he was a 4-year varsity letterman in Track and Field. He won a gold medal in the High Jump at the 2007 Penn Relays, and earned All Ivy and All East recognition in 2009, while also qualifying for the NCAA East Regional Championships (all in the high jump).
Sam is a 2007 graduate of the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), in glacier mountaineering. As an experienced outdoorsman, Sam has run, hiked, biked, skied, and climbed in the Alps, the Rockies, the Canadian and American Cascades, the Sierras, the White Mountains, and the Himalayas.
He had been hiking, climbing, camping, skiing for as long as he could remember. In recent years, while out on various solo trips, he said he discovered a cardiovascular and pain endurance threshold he didn’t know he possessed. For this particular challenge; running the entire length of the Pacific Crest Trail, he’d certainly need a healthy tolerance for both. His training regimen was intense, mixing extreme mileage with extreme terrain, peppering in sleep deprivation, altitude training and injury tolerance. It took place on roads, trails across the country (Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Mt. Rainier, the Colorado Rockies) through deserts, mountains, and forests. Also taking place in weight rooms, in the back of his car, in the mud and in the snow. He said most importantly it took place in his own mind, which had to be conditioned right along with his body.
His mother was diagnosed with Parkinson’s more than 10 years ago now. While he had seen changes in his mother’s life, her hobbies, and often times her ability to do the things she used to love so much, he’d not seen changes in who she is.
He had said his mother was certainly an inspiration to him, but not because she is bravely fighting Parkinson’s, it is because there was never any doubt that she would face and defeat whatever challenge arose. He didn’t dedicate his training and efforts on the trail to her battle with a terrible disease, He simply dedicate them to her, for being his mom, for all that she’s done and all that she is.
He said simply……Thanks Mom.
So while it was his Dad who helped spark his love of adventure and the outdoors, it is his mother’s lessons about hard work and toughness that he’d call upon during the long days and nights on the trail. Those lessons would be what would carry him through the cold, rain, blisters and breaks, steeps, mud, and wracking exhaustion, for 2650 miles with (at the least) an ironic smile.
Obviously, this is a young man we all should not only be proud of but use as proof that the vast majority of American youth are intelligent, driven, caring people who will willingly and with great pride lead the country and world toward greatness.
So the next time you hear some doom and gloom idiot say something like: “The youth are going to hell in a hand basket. They don’t respect their elders anymore and are just plain lazy.” You can just smile knowingly and consider the ignorant source.
And from all who suffer from this devastating disease, I’m going to take it upon myself to give this young man a mental standing ovation and to shout out a great big THANK YOU SAM FOX, on their behalf.
Again. PLEASE DO NOT E-MAIL ME. Take the time and effort to read the directions below and add to the conversation for all to enjoy.
Thanks....
Now click on the "Comments" link at the bottom of this blog and add your response or thoughts for others to see when they click on the "Comments" link (TRY IT RIGHT NOW!). It makes it far more interesting if we make it a conversation, instead of just my bullshit. Thank you to those who take the time and effort to do so.....
COME ON..........DO IT!!!
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Amazing people doing amazing things....
I've written about this before but I think in todays world of almost exclusively super negative news and commentary, all of us need to realize the truth is far from what we're daily fed.
Here's the deal, as I've said before, there are far far more creative, intelligent, forward looking, often times miraculously good things happening every moment than bad. My best guess would be for every bad thing happening, there are hundreds, if not thousands of great things happening not only in America but throughout the world. Every moment of every day.
Our entire information system is flat ass lazy. It's far easier for them to run out and take pictures of some poor soul murdered, they're hoping with his guts hanging out, than to search out all the good things happening.
So I've decided to make this my latest obsession. To search the Internet, Newspapers, or just listen to regular folk's stories and present just the good side of life for once. If for no other reason than to attempt a balancing act between the bad and the good, although I believe my side of the scales will always be setting on the table, while the bad side is waving franticly to be let down, scared of the heights.
So this is number one in what I hope will be on ongoing crusade to help us get back on track with knowing and appreciating our full potentials as the giving, honorable, loving human beings we all are in reality. Something the media's would apparently love us to forget.
One I've personally heard about for years would be Paul Newman's Business model.
What kind of a business would intentionally give away everything it makes and not keep one cent of profit? Well, that would be Paul Newman's kind of business. If you don't have Paul Newman's face on a product somewhere in your kitchen, then you know somebody who does. He gave us a lot of joy and fine performances in life. And while he's gone now, it's what he is still giving away that is still making news and making a difference.
How long can a corporation last when it gives everything away? Of course, it turned out to be a hugely successful experiment. Americans have been buying up everything with Paul Newman's picture on it for years, and Newman's Own, the company he founded, has now surpassed $300 million in charitable giving. That money has made a difference for thousands of charities, focusing on kids, education and nutrition for close to 30 years. It all started in Paul Newman's kitchen. He used to make his own salad dressing because he thought store bought had no taste and he used to give away a few bottles to friends at Christmas time. That idea exploded. So did the eventual list of products. Among his favorite charities is a landmark he founded, the Hole in the Wall Camps for kids with serious medical conditions.
What could be better than to hold your hand out to people who are less fortunate than you are? That's simply the way he chose to look at life.
The Hole in the Wall organization started with just 300 campers back in 1988 and has now helped over 200,000 children and families, just by giving them a safe place to be kids and get away from their illnesses for a while. Recently, Paul Newman's widow, Joanne Woodard, was joined by a number of celebrities and friends gathering to celebrate this $300 million milestone. Paul Newman was a husband and father and friend, a better than average looking race car driver, and he was a great actor who wanted to be remembered as a man who made a difference. That much is assured.
I'm guessing we would all agree three hundred million dollars toward charities makes him a man who truly made a difference.
Again. PLEASE DO NOT E-MAIL ME. Take the time and effort to read the directions below and add to the conversation for all to enjoy.
Thanks....
Now click on the "Comments" link at the bottom of this blog and add your response or thoughts for others to see when they click on the "Comments" link (TRY IT RIGHT NOW!). It makes it far more interesting if we make it a conversation, instead of just my bullshit. Thank you to those who take the time and effort to do so.....
COME ON..........DO IT!!!
Here's the deal, as I've said before, there are far far more creative, intelligent, forward looking, often times miraculously good things happening every moment than bad. My best guess would be for every bad thing happening, there are hundreds, if not thousands of great things happening not only in America but throughout the world. Every moment of every day.
Our entire information system is flat ass lazy. It's far easier for them to run out and take pictures of some poor soul murdered, they're hoping with his guts hanging out, than to search out all the good things happening.
So I've decided to make this my latest obsession. To search the Internet, Newspapers, or just listen to regular folk's stories and present just the good side of life for once. If for no other reason than to attempt a balancing act between the bad and the good, although I believe my side of the scales will always be setting on the table, while the bad side is waving franticly to be let down, scared of the heights.
So this is number one in what I hope will be on ongoing crusade to help us get back on track with knowing and appreciating our full potentials as the giving, honorable, loving human beings we all are in reality. Something the media's would apparently love us to forget.
One I've personally heard about for years would be Paul Newman's Business model.
What kind of a business would intentionally give away everything it makes and not keep one cent of profit? Well, that would be Paul Newman's kind of business. If you don't have Paul Newman's face on a product somewhere in your kitchen, then you know somebody who does. He gave us a lot of joy and fine performances in life. And while he's gone now, it's what he is still giving away that is still making news and making a difference.
How long can a corporation last when it gives everything away? Of course, it turned out to be a hugely successful experiment. Americans have been buying up everything with Paul Newman's picture on it for years, and Newman's Own, the company he founded, has now surpassed $300 million in charitable giving. That money has made a difference for thousands of charities, focusing on kids, education and nutrition for close to 30 years. It all started in Paul Newman's kitchen. He used to make his own salad dressing because he thought store bought had no taste and he used to give away a few bottles to friends at Christmas time. That idea exploded. So did the eventual list of products. Among his favorite charities is a landmark he founded, the Hole in the Wall Camps for kids with serious medical conditions.
What could be better than to hold your hand out to people who are less fortunate than you are? That's simply the way he chose to look at life.
The Hole in the Wall organization started with just 300 campers back in 1988 and has now helped over 200,000 children and families, just by giving them a safe place to be kids and get away from their illnesses for a while. Recently, Paul Newman's widow, Joanne Woodard, was joined by a number of celebrities and friends gathering to celebrate this $300 million milestone. Paul Newman was a husband and father and friend, a better than average looking race car driver, and he was a great actor who wanted to be remembered as a man who made a difference. That much is assured.
I'm guessing we would all agree three hundred million dollars toward charities makes him a man who truly made a difference.
Again. PLEASE DO NOT E-MAIL ME. Take the time and effort to read the directions below and add to the conversation for all to enjoy.
Thanks....
Now click on the "Comments" link at the bottom of this blog and add your response or thoughts for others to see when they click on the "Comments" link (TRY IT RIGHT NOW!). It makes it far more interesting if we make it a conversation, instead of just my bullshit. Thank you to those who take the time and effort to do so.....
COME ON..........DO IT!!!
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
The world's inequalities....
I've been holding back on this one for quite a while now because it's so loaded with extremist sensationalisms, it's hard for me to put in words.
As we all know, not just in America but world wide, there are protesters coming out of the woodwork, protesting everything from tyrannical rule to the growing divide between those that have and those that don't.
Speaking of those protesting in America right now, I truly wonder how many of these are hard working, honest, clean, intelligent people who have lost their jobs or on hard times from no fault of their own, other than trapped in the same currant recession as everyone else?
Is it possible and probable that the news media look for and find only the minority ones just for the sensationalism? The dirty, disheveled, shitting in the streets ones to show us and not the majority who are truly hurting?
I've worried for years with the worlds "The rich get richer and the poor get poorer" realities.
My best example of this would be Saudi Arabia, where there are maybe 14 families with more money than they or their future generations could burn for firewood and never run out, when the vast majority are wondering wither they'll be able to eat before they watch their children die of starvation before their very eyes.
The reality that we and all other countries seem to be heading down that same path scares the hell out of me. None of this will come to fruitarian in my lifetime but I worry about the future humans.
Truth is, that path is sick and not good for either the rich or poor. Those very rich have to live behind 20 foot cement walls, called "compounds" to keep the majority from killing them, which brings up the question....What kind of life is that, even for the rich? For the extreme poor around the world, it has to be a living hell.
What seems to have snuck up on us all in the last 30+ years is the exceptness of all the sports players, actors, CEO's of giant companies, high tech executives and investors making absolutely obscene amounts of money. We've come to except those folks having 4 mansions, dozens upon dozens of $100,000 cars, without batting an eye.
I know. I know....The extreme right wing folks would be screaming right now..."Those folks worked hard for what they have and deserve to be rewarded for their labors." The also yell "Who said anything was fair?" and I agree but like I said above, to follow this path to it's ultimate will only lead not only America but the whole worlds economies to the Saudi Arabia model, which is not healthy for anyone ultimately.
I have no desire to take from the rich and give to the poor but there has to be logical and fair ways to rebuild everyone's chances at being a hard working member of a middle class. Where anyone willing to work hard would deserve a living wage, with enough money for safe housing, healthy food, medical care for themselves and their families and yes, a secure retirement when they reach an age too old to continue working. Also a way for those super rich people to help those who aren't able to help themselves by sharing some of their wealth.
The truth is I have no idea how to make all this happen but I hear everyday great ideas that never see the light of day. Hearing all the sides of this issue for all these years, the only conclusion I feel is anywhere near true is the super rich, giant corporations and mega companies don't give a rats ass about any of us. They only care about their immediate profits and they'll do anything, including controlling and buying our politicians to satisfy their greed and selfishness.
By the way, I really think this might be the biggest issue to hit the world perhaps forever and in my humble opinion other than the problem of overpopulation, this one is just starting, probably in it's infancy and just might never go away until we get a real handle on it.
Again. PLEASE DO NOT E-MAIL ME. Take the time and effort to read the directions below and add to the conversation for all to enjoy.
Thanks....
Now click on the "Comments" link at the bottom of this blog and add your response or thoughts for others to see when they click on the "Comments" link (TRY IT RIGHT NOW!). It makes it far more interesting if we make it a conversation, instead of just my bullshit. Thank you to those who take the time and effort to do so.....
COME ON..........DO IT!!!
As we all know, not just in America but world wide, there are protesters coming out of the woodwork, protesting everything from tyrannical rule to the growing divide between those that have and those that don't.
Speaking of those protesting in America right now, I truly wonder how many of these are hard working, honest, clean, intelligent people who have lost their jobs or on hard times from no fault of their own, other than trapped in the same currant recession as everyone else?
Is it possible and probable that the news media look for and find only the minority ones just for the sensationalism? The dirty, disheveled, shitting in the streets ones to show us and not the majority who are truly hurting?
I've worried for years with the worlds "The rich get richer and the poor get poorer" realities.
My best example of this would be Saudi Arabia, where there are maybe 14 families with more money than they or their future generations could burn for firewood and never run out, when the vast majority are wondering wither they'll be able to eat before they watch their children die of starvation before their very eyes.
The reality that we and all other countries seem to be heading down that same path scares the hell out of me. None of this will come to fruitarian in my lifetime but I worry about the future humans.
Truth is, that path is sick and not good for either the rich or poor. Those very rich have to live behind 20 foot cement walls, called "compounds" to keep the majority from killing them, which brings up the question....What kind of life is that, even for the rich? For the extreme poor around the world, it has to be a living hell.
What seems to have snuck up on us all in the last 30+ years is the exceptness of all the sports players, actors, CEO's of giant companies, high tech executives and investors making absolutely obscene amounts of money. We've come to except those folks having 4 mansions, dozens upon dozens of $100,000 cars, without batting an eye.
I know. I know....The extreme right wing folks would be screaming right now..."Those folks worked hard for what they have and deserve to be rewarded for their labors." The also yell "Who said anything was fair?" and I agree but like I said above, to follow this path to it's ultimate will only lead not only America but the whole worlds economies to the Saudi Arabia model, which is not healthy for anyone ultimately.
I have no desire to take from the rich and give to the poor but there has to be logical and fair ways to rebuild everyone's chances at being a hard working member of a middle class. Where anyone willing to work hard would deserve a living wage, with enough money for safe housing, healthy food, medical care for themselves and their families and yes, a secure retirement when they reach an age too old to continue working. Also a way for those super rich people to help those who aren't able to help themselves by sharing some of their wealth.
The truth is I have no idea how to make all this happen but I hear everyday great ideas that never see the light of day. Hearing all the sides of this issue for all these years, the only conclusion I feel is anywhere near true is the super rich, giant corporations and mega companies don't give a rats ass about any of us. They only care about their immediate profits and they'll do anything, including controlling and buying our politicians to satisfy their greed and selfishness.
By the way, I really think this might be the biggest issue to hit the world perhaps forever and in my humble opinion other than the problem of overpopulation, this one is just starting, probably in it's infancy and just might never go away until we get a real handle on it.
Again. PLEASE DO NOT E-MAIL ME. Take the time and effort to read the directions below and add to the conversation for all to enjoy.
Thanks....
Now click on the "Comments" link at the bottom of this blog and add your response or thoughts for others to see when they click on the "Comments" link (TRY IT RIGHT NOW!). It makes it far more interesting if we make it a conversation, instead of just my bullshit. Thank you to those who take the time and effort to do so.....
COME ON..........DO IT!!!
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