A new program of yoga lessons is helping prisoners at Gruoenpunt Maximum Security prison in South Africa to discover ways to stay calm and be more positive while incarcerated. After seeing how yoga calms inmates, South Africa’s Department of Correctional Services wants to implement the program in other prisons and jails. (BBC News Reports)
(photo by sealion of Sacramento)
This past November our staff here at Diamond Public Relations sat in the conference room discussing what to send our clients for the holidays. We wanted each of them to know how much we cherish their relationship. That said, we couldn’t figure out what to send that would have impact and be special.
Believe me we had a lot of ideas… from tree planting to gift baskets (which we collectively decided against, as no one really needs another basket of cookies or bottle of wine). But none of them really resonated, until we decided to spend the money adopting a needy family for Christmas, on behalf of Diamond PR and our clients.
For most of us, this was one of the most impactful things we had ever done.
A former lawyer is making a lot more money as an artist, making incredible fine art sculptures from Lego bricks. “I see the world in little squares.” See all the wonderful lego art in this Steve Hartman video report:
Every once in a while we meet someone who inspires us to new possibilities for ourselves simply by the way they approach their own lives. Scott Blum is one of those people. After many successful years as the co-founder of the hugely successful inspirational website DailyOM (www.dailyom.com), Blum is now sharing magic and wisdom with a new series of books, the first of which is offered in a free download beginning today.
You may be wiping tears of joy after seeing these news reports from around the country as Americans give back to those who need it most at Christmas time. This touching series of stories proves that even during tough times, generosity still flows abundantly in this country.
Enjoy this special look back at the 2008 holiday…
Over a thousand new species have been discovered in the Greater Mekong Region of Southeast Asia in just the last decade, according to a new report launched by WWF.
Discoveries include 519 plants, 279 fish, 88 frogs, 88 spiders, 46 lizards, 22 snakes, 15 mammals, 4 birds, 4 turtles, 2 salamanders and a toad. The region comprises the six countries through which the Mekong River flows including Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and the southern Chinese province of Yunnan. It is estimated thousands of new invertebrate species were also discovered during this period, further highlighting the region’s immense biodiversity.
One inspiring story in 2008 featured an entrepreneur whose heart was moved by a homeless man trying to sell newspapers to earn a living. The businessman started a website to raise money for one year, which helped Troy to move into an apartment.
I came across this updated story about the journey of both men and where they are now. Troy is in need of a part-time job in Chicago that would supplement his newspaper business. You can find him every Sunday at the True Temple of Solomon church, on 7138 S. Halsted, and meditating and praying daily in his new home for the ability to become a minister someday. (Chicago Sun-Times)
Something stirred inside Carey Barrett, 42, as he watched a news report about a program for people who want to donate a kidney. Even though he had no one in his life who was in need of an organ donation, he wanted to help. So, he flew to Texas to begin a pay-it-forward chain of kidney donations. (The Citizen in Fayetteville has the story/photo)
Despite what may be your immediate impression of 2008, overall it was a pretty good year. Looking back, one can be grateful that gas prices kept falling — just when people needed it the most. And, looking ahead, citizens from all walks of life seem to be hopeful about 2009. Last year was one of the safest years in modern aviation history, with the lowest number of crashes worldwide in 44 years. Even though air travel boomed, he total number of fatalities in 2007 was 25 percent lower than the year before, and is the lowest since 2004. (MSNBC.com)
The Bush administration’s “radical and liberal” national campaign against chronic homelessness has been successful in leading the nation in a 30 percent decline in U.S. chronic homelessness from 2005 to 2007. “Housing first,” it’s called. For instance, in L.A., Beyond Shelter’s “Housing First” Program for Homeless Families has prevented family homelessness for thousands — primarily single mothers with children — who are rebuilding their lives in permanent rental housing throughout Los Angeles County. (McClatchy News)
Overall, the world is getting happier, according to the World Values Survey conducted regularly by a global network of social scientists. It found happiness to be on the rise since 1981 in 45 of 52 countries analyzed. Some of the optimism is attributed to economic growth in previously poor countries, democratization of others, and rising social tolerance for women and minority groups. The happiest country is Denmark. The US ranked 16th. (MSNBC.com) Also thanks to the Gallup Organization’s new Happiness Index – Read more about it at McClatchy)
7) Wind Power in the U.S. Surged by 45% this yearRenewable energy markets surged in the United States in 2008 — including wind power, on a pace to increase 45% this year. In fact, wind, solar, and geothermal energy are all on the rise. The $700 billion rescue plan for the economy includes incentives and benefits for green consumers and businesses that want to expand energy conservation and renewable energy. And, President-Elect Obama has pledged to make renewables a top priority naming as secretary of energy, the highly respected scientist and Nobel laureate, Steven Chu. (Environmental News Network)
6) Massive Numbers of Gorillas Discovered in CongoWildlife researchers said in August that they’ve discovered 125,000 western lowland gorillas deep in the forests of the Republic of Congo, calling it a major increase in the animal’s estimated population, possibly doubling previous numbers for the primate. (Good News Network)
Cancer researchers have been waiting for this day for a long time. For the first time since we began counting them, the number of new cancer cases has gone down. For both men and women the rates are falling across the board for lung cancer, colon cancer, and breast cancer. The declines held across racial lines for whites, blacks, hispanics and Asian. “What we’re seeing is clear evidence that cancer prevention is working.” This month, the CDC reported the number of adults who smoke has dropped below 20 percent. (Chicago Tribune)
A Murfreesboro, Tenn. woman who recently found $100K in the bathroom of a local restaurant returned the money after the owner called in and described it. The honest woman even refused a $1,000 reward after hearing that the woman “needed every penny”. (Video at Good News Network)
While the misfortunes of others lured hundreds of bargain hunters to the Texas foreclosure auction, one Dallas woman bought a stranger’s foreclosed home, and gave it back to her. Rockwall resident Marilyn Mock didn’t even know where the house was, but after talking to the sobbing owner in the hallway, decided to help. (Story at WFAA, Dallas; CNN Video via Good News Network)
Workers at the family-owned Peer Bearing Co. in Waukegan, Ill., broke down in tears after seeing the checks given to them as year-end bonuses. 230 employees each received an envelope with a special holiday bonus, along with a handwritten thank-you card from the Spungen family addressed, “to our extended family”. Some received $30,000, based on years of service. One longtime employee was stunned to see a check for $100,000. (Video via Good News Network)
1) Historic Obama Election Inspires People of All Races and Backgrounds with America’s PromiseNo matter your politics this year, the unfolding of the candidacy of Barack Obama and the eventual historic electoral sweep, leaves all objective observers a bit awe-inspired by what happened this year: 45 years after Martin Luther King Jr.’s I Have A Dream speech, during a time of economic upheaval, an 80% white majority country elected a skinny black kid with a foreign name to be its leader.
Maybe we crossed the fulcrum of generational shift in attitudes regarding the acceptability of a black president. Maybe we simply recognized a leader for the times, and ultimately didn’t care what he looked like. One thing is certain, Martin’s dream did come true, and America voted for the content of a man’s character — not for the color of a man’s skin. Countries around the world, minorities and ruling classes, took note. They raised their chins a little higher when considering this surprise turn of events in America. Even staunch Republicans are wishing Mr. Obama well and seem hopeful for 2009 and beyond. (AP Video via Good News Network)
Despite what may be your immediate impression of 2008, overall it was a pretty good year. Looking back, one can be grateful that gas prices kept falling — just when people needed it the most. And, looking ahead, citizens from all walks of life seem to be hopeful about 2009. Last year was one of the safest years in modern aviation history, with the lowest number of crashes worldwide in 44 years. Even though air travel boomed, he total number of fatalities in 2007 was 25 percent lower than the year before, and is the lowest since 2004. (MSNBC.com)
The Bush administration’s “radical and liberal” national campaign against chronic homelessness has been successful in leading the nation in a 30 percent decline in U.S. chronic homelessness from 2005 to 2007. “Housing first,” it’s called. For instance, in L.A., Beyond Shelter’s “Housing First” Program for Homeless Families has prevented family homelessness for thousands — primarily single mothers with children — who are rebuilding their lives in permanent rental housing throughout Los Angeles County. (McClatchy News)
Overall, the world is getting happier, according to the World Values Survey conducted regularly by a global network of social scientists. It found happiness to be on the rise since 1981 in 45 of 52 countries analyzed. Some of the optimism is attributed to economic growth in previously poor countries, democratization of others, and rising social tolerance for women and minority groups. The happiest country is Denmark. The US ranked 16th. (MSNBC.com) Also thanks to the Gallup Organization’s new Happiness Index – Read more about it at McClatchy)
7) Wind Power in the U.S. Surged by 45% this yearRenewable energy markets surged in the United States in 2008 — including wind power, on a pace to increase 45% this year. In fact, wind, solar, and geothermal energy are all on the rise. The $700 billion rescue plan for the economy includes incentives and benefits for green consumers and businesses that want to expand energy conservation and renewable energy. And, President-Elect Obama has pledged to make renewables a top priority naming as secretary of energy, the highly respected scientist and Nobel laureate, Steven Chu. (Environmental News Network)
6) Massive Numbers of Gorillas Discovered in CongoWildlife researchers said in August that they’ve discovered 125,000 western lowland gorillas deep in the forests of the Republic of Congo, calling it a major increase in the animal’s estimated population, possibly doubling previous numbers for the primate. (Good News Network)
Cancer researchers have been waiting for this day for a long time. For the first time since we began counting them, the number of new cancer cases has gone down. For both men and women the rates are falling across the board for lung cancer, colon cancer, and breast cancer. The declines held across racial lines for whites, blacks, hispanics and Asian. “What we’re seeing is clear evidence that cancer prevention is working.” This month, the CDC reported the number of adults who smoke has dropped below 20 percent. (Chicago Tribune)
A Murfreesboro, Tenn. woman who recently found $100K in the bathroom of a local restaurant returned the money after the owner called in and described it. The honest woman even refused a $1,000 reward after hearing that the woman “needed every penny”. (Video at Good News Network)
While the misfortunes of others lured hundreds of bargain hunters to the Texas foreclosure auction, one Dallas woman bought a stranger’s foreclosed home, and gave it back to her. Rockwall resident Marilyn Mock didn’t even know where the house was, but after talking to the sobbing owner in the hallway, decided to help. (Story at WFAA, Dallas; CNN Video via Good News Network)
Workers at the family-owned Peer Bearing Co. in Waukegan, Ill., broke down in tears after seeing the checks given to them as year-end bonuses. 230 employees each received an envelope with a special holiday bonus, along with a handwritten thank-you card from the Spungen family addressed, “to our extended family”. Some received $30,000, based on years of service. One longtime employee was stunned to see a check for $100,000. (Video via Good News Network)
1) Historic Obama Election Inspires People of All Races and Backgrounds with America’s PromiseNo matter your politics this year, the unfolding of the candidacy of Barack Obama and the eventual historic electoral sweep, leaves all objective observers a bit awe-inspired by what happened this year: 45 years after Martin Luther King Jr.’s I Have A Dream speech, during a time of economic upheaval, an 80% white majority country elected a skinny black kid with a foreign name to be its leader.
Maybe we crossed the fulcrum of generational shift in attitudes regarding the acceptability of a black president. Maybe we simply recognized a leader for the times, and ultimately didn’t care what he looked like. One thing is certain, Martin’s dream did come true, and America voted for the content of a man’s character — not for the color of a man’s skin. Countries around the world, minorities and ruling classes, took note. They raised their chins a little higher when considering this surprise turn of events in America. Even staunch Republicans are wishing Mr. Obama well and seem hopeful for 2009 and beyond. (AP Video via Good News Network)
After 11 months of collecting discarded handheld electronics, one small city in Japan has reduced its trash burden and found a source of income from waste that would have otherwise cost significant money to dispose. After the success of the pilot project, Japan has allotted 75 million yen ($832,000) to support other recycling projects throughout the country. Tokyo has set up 20 boxes to collect old and discarded cell phones and other parts of the country are getting on board as well. (Greener Computing has the story)
Four years since the tsunami swept across the Indian Ocean, leaving more than 230,000 dead, improvements can be seen in many of the devastated areas. Today, new schools have been constructed, and armies of workers — many of them volunteers — have cleared and rebuilt homes and towns, and helped get people back to work. (CNN reports)
Air New Zealand has completed the world’s first commercial test flight using a new biofuel. The two-hour flight around the Auckland region was powered by a unique 50:50 mixture of Jet A1 fuel and a “Jetophra plant” biofuel.
The pilots were delighted with the performance of the new fuel which was tested at different speeds, different altitudes and even during a mid-air engine re-start. This groundbreaking test brings environmentally sustainable air travel one step closer to fruition, and could see Air New Zealand’s aircraft powered by biofuel as soon as 2011.
Doctors have found that prescribing music can improve heart health and lower cholesterol levels. Their research found that if a patient listens to 30 minutes a day of their favorite music, it does more than relaxing them mentally – it also benefits them physically by expanding and clearing blood vessels. (The Times of London reports)
The number of militant attacks in 2008 fell 40 percent in the disputed region of Kashmir — its lowest levels since an anti-India rebellion began nearly two decades ago, police said Friday. (WTOP News.com)
A Sandusky, Ohio amusement park has collected loose change dropped at the park since 1988 and donated more than $182,000 to local charities. Last week, Cedar Point turned over $6,500 dropped this year by park visitors to the Victory Temple Soup Kitchen and a burned children fund. (News Net 5 reports)
Anonymous “Layaway Angels” have embraced the essence of the holiday spirit by secretly paying off layaway balances at Sears’ stores.
The benefactors first appeared at a store in Claremont, Calif., where they elected to pay outstanding balances totaling more than $1,000 for customers who had set aside necessities such as children’s shoes, socks, underwear, other clothing and toys. The “Layaway Angels,” named by a Sears store manager, wished to remain anonymous, but the couple wrote a note to each recipient that read; “Believe in miracles and have faith — your Christmas Angel.”
Claremont’s Layaway Angels have even inspired copycat “Angels” to emerge in other parts of the country, as anonymous donors have stepped up in El Centro, Escondido and Chula Vista, Calif., Sears stores to pay the remaining layaway bills of those they thought might be in similar situations.
“We are touched that these ‘Layaway Angels’ would find it in their hearts to give back anonymously. They are a wonderful example of charitable giving and what the holiday season should be about,” said Don Hamblen, Sears’ chief marketing officer. “We hope that the kindness of these strangers continues to spread into the New Year, inspiring others to help out this holiday.”
The Claremont store manager heard an outpouring of relieved responses from families when he called the layaway customers to let them know their balance had been paid. One customer shared that his house was in foreclosure and this was “the best present imaginable.” Another father, who came in with his wife and five young children, to pay his balance was overwhelmed and in tears.
Every December, a 27-year U.S. Postal Service letter carrier walks his route as Santa Paws, delivering more than 100 doggy stockings, with each pooch’s name careful written across the cuff. He packs them with rawhide candy canes, dog cookies and biscuits, along with an ornament — different each year — that features a photo of the dog taken with his 35 mm film camera. (The Washington Post features Arnold’s good deed w/ photos)
(Photo: Mini, the Santa Schnauzer via www.dogster.com)
Procter & Gamble and global health organization Population Services International (PSI) are providing 10 million liters of safe drinking water to help prevent cholera in Zimbabwe.
Developed by P&G, PŪRTM Purifier of Water is a powdered water clarification and disinfectant technology that comes in small, easy-to-use packets. Using some of the same ingredients as municipal water systems, the PŪR water purification packets remove pollutants and cysts as well as kills viruses and bacteria, including the bacteria that cause cholera.
David Goodfellow’s Hampstead home resembled a warehouse recently with 35 tons of toys and food baskets piled high, ready to be distributed in an ongoing giveaway known as the “Kindness Offensive.”
Goodfellow, a 29-year-old event planner, and his housemates are spontaneous do-gooders and on Monday they distributed 3,500 hampers (baskets) and thousands of presents to neighbors in in North London. “Kindness is infectious. If you do good deeds others will follow.”
But the number one reason David works for his kindness offensive is because it’s FUN. (www.TheKindnessOffensive.com)
