“Always render more and better service than is expected of you, no matter what your task may be.”  Og Mandino

Little Hannah Turner was helping her mother serve meals at a homeless shelter on Thanksgiving Day. She saw something that bothered her a lot: a man with ragged shoes and no socks. She offered him her own tiny socks. The next day she and her mother donated  100 pairs of socks to the shelter, and started a non-profit organization. All based on one simple wish from Hannah: “I want them to know we care.” You see she wasn’t just thinking of that day, and that meal she handed to this man. She was thinking of more than just feeding him. She lived up to the quote above about thinking beyond one act of charity. She wanted homeless people to know someone thought about them beyond Thanksgiving Day. How many of us would have gone home feeling good about doing that good deed for the day, but not thinking about the next day for those we’d served? Hannah saw beyond one need, one meal and one day. Hooray for Hannah and her mama!

“Let us not be satisfied with just giving money.” Mother Teresa

One Sight gives free eye exams and eyeglasses. They teamed up with Fresh Air to spread the love and give to the kids they help. What a wonderful example of teamwork.

“For it is in giving that we receive.”  Francis of Assisi

After watching an episode of Oprah that featured Women for Women International I knew becoming a mentor for a woman was in my immediate future. WfW helps women survivors of war in a number of countries around the world. With only a few dollars so much can be done to help a woman feed herself, her family and maybe, just maybe, change her country.

Women for Women

“Hope is a waking dream.”  Aristole

I contribute to CARE to help women who face daunting challenges.  You can help give hope for what to us is a small sum,  as little as seven dollars. Visit CARE’s website to learn more.

“Nothing but heaven itself is better than a friend who is really a friend.”  Plautus

Demorris Davis was about to leave behind his dream of finishing college. A mix-up led him to owe Western Carolina University money he simply didn’t have. So he packed up to leave. Little did he know that his secret trouble wasn’t so secret anymore.  A true friend, Jason Speier, used his Facebook page and social networking to help Demorris, and prove once again that despite all the bad news there are plenty of wonderful friends in the world ready to help. Even when you don’t ask!

“Come forth into the light of things, and let nature be your teacher.”      William Wordsworth

Ah the memories of summer will take us through fall and winter, making us smile at odd times. Fresh Air has been helping children in big cities have their best summers ever for years. If you want to help children  enjoy sunshine in the country, and get your own warm feeling knowing you made it happen visit Fresh Air to learn more.

A Tribute in Poetry by Patricia Newman Harris

  Looking back on that faithful day, 9/11/2001,

It is still hard to believe what was done

It’s like a nightmare without end.

Just reading the facts about that day made it all begin again

In every way, i t was an ordinary day

On the East Coast, the workday was in full swing.

On the West Coast we were still trying to get into full swing.

People got dressed and left their loved ones not knowing then

That some would never to be seen again

Husbands, wives, fathers, daughters, sons, co-workers and friends

Gone,

The World Trade Center, gone,

The Pentagon, gone

2,993 souls, gone

It is a difficult place to revisit, but revisit we must

Remember, we must

As much as we would like to forget,

9/11 is forever written on the pages of our history

The facts of that day will always be.

As Americans, we can look that day in the face

And feel no disgrace.

As a nation, we came through

We did what we had to do

So, to you and you and you,

                                      I say thank you                                       

But the work will never be through

We still have things we must do

As a nation, it is our duty and our call to continue the fight

For all that is right

As American’s, on this 9/11 and every one to come,

we shall stand with pride

For the families of everyone that died

To the 2,993

May your souls fly free.

As flags all over the nation this day begin to fly

We lift our eyes to the sky

We click or heels and raise our hands in salute

This we will continue to do,

Giving honor where honor is due

“It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.”                  Henry David Thoreau

Meet two young men who looked at styrofoam and imagined a greener way to have the benefits without the cost to our planet.

“Youth is a gift of nature, but age is a work of art.”   Stanislaw Lec

American culture almost worships youth. Billions of dollars are spent on products to help us look and feel young. Recently I was having lunch at work with other middle-aged co-workers when one woman told us she’d overheard a younger employee say, “Why don’t all these old people just leave?” We laughed hard over that one. Why? Because the collective knowledge and history leaving with them  would probably lead to chaos for those youngsters.

Frankly I want to feel and look my best. Yet I also realize that the experience and wisdom that comes with age is a huge bonus. So I don’t dread birthdays. I celebrate what I’ve accomplished and learned over the years. I also value folks older than me because of what I learn from them.

So young people- look at older folks as one of your greatest assets. You can learn a lot from them. Don’t be too quick to wish they’d just get out of your way because they’ve been down the same roads you’re traveling right now. The best maps are drawn by people who have been to those places before!

As we get older we should stop feeling embarrassed about telling our age. Think of yourself as a work of art instead!

“Come forth into the light of things, let nature be your teacher.”   William Wordsworth

Fresh Air is looking for host families to give urban kids a taste of the country and wonderful new experiences. Check out another way to give a gift to a child.