Hi Brian. The Project Linus is a national organization of volunteers who make quilts/blankets/afghans and donate them to ill or traumatized children in hospitals.  There are 405 local chapters and to date they have donated 3,005,973 homemade blankets to ill kids.  The national headquarters can be reached by FAX309-454-1768 or by Voice Mail 309-454-1764 The Houston chapter can be reached by e-mail at sgburns4@comcast or by phone 281-492-3679 Sally Burns is chairperson.

Hi Brian, The HIGH SCHOOL DROP OUT RATE IN BEXAR COUNTY IS nearly 40%. Family Service Association of San Antonio, Inc. Youth Against Gang Activity program is making a huge difference. 98% of all students that participate in our program go on to graduate high school. They overcome everday struggles within their own families and community. They are engaged in community service, youth employment opportunities, they save 10% of what they earn and often help their parents pay the bills all while still in high school. They learn self respect, self confidence, and many of these students have low self esteem when they first join this program. These students are exemplary and go on to higher education. Family Service Association of San Antonio, Inc. is truly making a positive difference in the lives of many youth in our community. They are our future.

The "Open Door" volunteers.  For the last 14 years - a group of volunteers make, and deliver almost 500 meals every Sunday to anyone in the community that needs them.  There are no questions asked, if you need a meal (or 10) delivered, all you have to do is call and give your address and how many meals you need - no charge.  It's all run by volunteers from the shoppers, cooks, coordinators and delivery people.  It's run out of a school kitchen in Huntington, Indiana.  Every Sunday - 52 weeks a year. rain or shine.  I have only been part of this program for about a year - but some have been doing this for over 10 years. They are all very happy to be able to help.  Just wanted to share the story.

Brian-About 10 years ago, you featured Dr. Mark Ottenweller as your Person of the Week.  At the time, Dr. Ottenweller was living with his family in Johannesburg, having left the suburbs of Atlanta to set up an HIV?AIDS clinic in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, and then more in Soweto.  Now, these many years later, Dr. Ottenweller has become one of the foremost authorities on all aspects of this horrible disease and has worked with others to spread these programs to numerous African countries.  This work now touches the lives of over 145,000 orphans and vulnerable children, provide education, support and prevention for many others.  A year and a half ago, due to the aging of his own parents in Louisiana and in order to create more revenue streams for the work, "Dr. Mark" and his wife, Diane, moved back to the state, to Philadelphia, the headquarters of HOPE worldwide, the charity for which he works.  Two weeks later, Diane had died of a sudden heart attack, leaving him and his 3 children deeply grieving.  And while he has carried on, he is now facing the possibility of his own position being cut along with that of his number 2, Dr. Marc Aguirre.  Sadly, the funds for the program support are also in jeopardy as the charitable contributions have fallen.

"Dr. Mark" is a truly remarkable, brilliant, warm and caring man.  What an interesting story were you to follow-up on the life of this man and all that his sacrifices have meant to so many.  I would love to submit his vitae, as it is quite impressive for a boy from Lake Charles, Louisianna.

Sincerely, Katherine Chiles

I am nominating my son, Private First Class (soon to be promoted to Lance Corporal) Hall, Brandon K., Field Artillery, U.S. Marine Corp., stationed at Camp Lejune, Jacksonville, North Carolina, for his heroic efforts to help sustain our country and preserve peace.  I am very proud of his abilities to excel within his Mission of Statement, and want to tell the world that he reassures us that "While it is true that this world is in the midst of turbulent times with the threats of terrorism quite prevalent, that is exactly why he is in the Marines, in order to prevent the Taliban from killing innocent people, and to help make the world a better place" because it is simply what he feels called to do and he knows that his life is in God's hands."  He told me this the day he was sworn into the Marine Corp. October 20, 2008.

Kyle is my only son.  He is 22 years old and a very handsome young man, full of integrity and character, and love for his fellowman and country.  He will be deployed to Afghanastan in the near future.  I am asking for earnest prayers for his safe return home, as well as the safe return home for all of our soldiers.

Thank you,
Ginny Harris
gnnyhr@aol.com

Hi, Brian,
Love the NBC nightly newscast!! And I'm glad you continue to commit to the Making a Difference segment; it's very inspirational and encouraging.
I want you to be aware of One Step Closer, an organization that was founded in 2008 with the mission to provide needy youth in the Rochester, NY, City Schools with a new pair of shoes for the new school year so they may start the year with pride.  This wonderful effort was the brainchild of Nicole Becker, a dedicated teacher in the Rochester City district.  
The payoff for Nicole and the organization, is seeing the children's eyes when they receive new shoes, and the impact that their new-found pride has on their attitude and performance.  This effort has truly made a difference in the lives of the children, their families, and One Step Closer's members and donors.
This would be a great feature in your "making a difference" segment!  For the entire scoop visit www.onestepclosershoes.org/

Dear Brian,
I would like to nominate a special group of volunteers in Maryland. These wonderful people donate their time to something called OPERATION WELCOME HOME:MARYLAND.  The Team Captains organize groups who show up at BWI airport to Welcome Home our returning military from Iraq, Kuwait, and Afghanistan.  The stop in BWI is usually a connection for the military, but they are greeted with a warm receiving line and a goodie bag.  The main volunteers or Team Capt's arrive early and get the supplies together for the goodie bags, then all the volunteers form a line and put the goodies in the bags to hand out.  The Team Capt's also decorate the arrival area with patriotic posters, flags, etc.  Many of these Capt's greet flights several times a week. It is amazing to see the surprise and delight of the troops as they get rock star treatment for several minutes as they pass through the receiving line.  The Service Men  and Women are the true heroes, but the OWH Team Capt. volunteers are heroes in their own way. Many of them are veterans or mothers/wives of military members.  Anyone can show up at a scheduled event to say thanks to our brave returning men and women, but the Team Capt's make it happen. Brian, this is such a wonderful and uplifting Team.  Please give them the thanks they deserve by featuring them on "Making a Difference". Attached is the Operation Welcome Home site. Thank you for your consideration.
http://www.operationwelcomehomemd.org/

Animal lovers in Arlington, Virginia are trying to raise donations for a local dog owner who has frequented local dog parks with his dogs since they were puppies.

Police officers raided his home in error - they were looking for someone who did not live there.

One of the dogs (Zeus) acted in self-defense and attempted to nip one of the officers, who in turn pursued a dangerous dog charge despite the fact that Zeus has many friends who will testify that he has never had an aggressive bone in his body.

The website below is meant to promote awareness of this growing trend, plead Zeus' case for the appeal, and raise money to help pay lawyer fees, animal welfare charges, and the costs of additions to his home.

http://www.HelpZeus.org

(I am the person who runs the site, but I would prefer the cause to be promoted under "Arlington Dog Owners.")

Look at www.alzquilts.org and see what one woman--Ami Simms--has accomplished with the help of a worldwide network of quilters.  Over $290,000 has been raised so far, all earmarked for Alzheimer's research.  Let's beat this thing!

Hello Brian,
Breast cancer does not distinguish between rich or poor, race or religion. Gina Maisano, a breast cancer survivor has created a wonderful web site dedicated to all means of support and help for women to cope with this disease. She has never asked for anything in return. I just became a new reader to her site,I am diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer. Gina is making a difference in many lives; I hope you can find the air time to help her make a difference for other women who need support and do not know of the web site.
http://www.nosurrenderbreastcancerhelp.org/
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Sincerely, Marilyn Fifer

In the small town of Fowlerville, Michigan, although a few miles west of Detroit, unemployment has also taken a huge toll on the business community.  If you are unemployed you can't afford to take your kids to the karate class, pay for baseball or the dance class the kids suffer and usually don't understand why.    

One business has taken a huge stand for the kids of the unemployed:  San Larioza of OHANA KARATE.  He has waved fees for karate classes for those current students who, for a time, cannot pay the class fees.

We feel he is really deserving of a round of applause.  Let's hear it for San Larioza, 7150 W Grand River Rd  - Fowlerville, MI 48836  517-223-9131.  Call him and say thanks for making a difference. And if you do have a job, sign your kids up for karate!

I am a massage therapist in Manchester, CT and have the best client anyone could ask for.  My client that always remains anonymous has paid for 29 one hour massages so far this year for people that she doesn't know.  Not only is she helping me out financially but she gives me the gift of giving to those that have physical and or emotional pain.  Her only request is that each of these people "pay it forward" in some way no matter how small.  It's the gift that keeps on giving.

I wish to nominate Ed Harrison and the other volunteers who work the fire lookouts in the Southern California area.  We have 7 of them in our local National Forests and these folks spend their time keeping us safe from a very real danger.

http://www.sbnfa.org/firelookouts.php

Our square dance club in the Villages, dances at nursing homes about twice a month. Every time we go, one lady by the name of Roberta Troop has a new afgan ready for one of the residents to win. She has already made and given away over two hundred beautiful afgans. She is so much appreciated to always have colorful afgans for these people. She spends all of her free time making sure we have one for the next time we dance to cheer up these people.

Brian,
It's me again. I meant to state in my previous contribution about the Friday ceremony at the pentagon that the author is "connected" with McClatchy Newspapers.
I am not familiar with them but thought yuou would want to know. Thanks for all you do.....

For the past 3 weeks, there has been a battle raging in Lowell, MI.  Not a verbal battle or a destructive battle, but a battle between North and South... the North and South sides of Main St., that is.  A local realtor, Rick Seese , came up with an idea to create a competition between North and South Lowell over which side could collect the most non-perishable food items for Flat River Outreach Ministries (FROM), the local food pantry.  Although it got kind of a slow start, it gained momentum each week of the competition.  Local businesses were designated as drop-off locations, and weekly counts were taken and announced.  At one point, the North side was 1,000 items behind, which really sparked their competitive spirit...  In the end, the North side won, but only by a margin of 88 items.  Overall, both North and South together collected close to 9,000 food items for FROM.  This incredible outpouring of generosity from the small community of Lowell sprung from one man's idea.  Because of its overwhelming success, it will most likely become an annual event.      

Brian,  How about a couple of truly over the top heros?  Gene and Becky Needham in Midland TX surely have golden thrones waiting for them one day! They are a retired couple who give thier time, heart and soul to abused and neglected children. They are CASA volunteers, actually super-volunteers. They basically work full time as CASAs. Not only do they not get paid, but they spend plenty of thier own funds getting the job done. They work recruiting and training new volunteers, fundraising, mentoring other CASAs, planning, raising awareness of the plight of kids in the family court system, I could go on. Thats all before they even start to work on their own cases. They are truly exceptional people who give thier souls to the children who need them so much. I am a better person for knowing them and I'm so proud to call them my friends/mentors. People like this are the reason you do this sort of reporting! I thank you for this forum and I thank them just for being.  Cissy Mills, CASA of West Texas

There is a program called the Youth Educational Empowerment Program "YEEP" that teaches financial literacy to young people from ages birth to 24.  A group of college students lead by the president of the organization, teach classes in high schools and other youth organizations.  I feel that in this economy, not enough is being done to prepare our kids in financial affairs.  This subject is not commonly taught in schools or covered in the news. However this organization has taught over 10,000 participants since it's inception in 1997.  They have increased financial knowledge by 26% each year and students increase there savings by $160 a semester on average.  The best outcome of this organization is that 4% of the students that participate say they teach their family at home what they learned in school.  www.myyeep.org

Centura Oil Inc. of Minnetonka, Minn., is making a difference. They are using ultra-high pressure waterjets to stimulate methane and other wells. This process can increase well productivity up to 300%, reducing the need to drill more wells. Read more at http://www.jetedge.com/content.cfm?fuseaction=dsp_success_case&case_ID=92

Here is a couple making a difference

In Chattanooga, TN, a doctor and his wife's loss of their infant son to a rare pediatric cancer has resulted in the Ausin Hatcher Foundation and their first "Hatch's House of Hope" is about to open. Out of their loss of one..thosands will be served and saved
Here is a brief overview and the link to their website
The Austin Hatcher Foundation was formed in 2006 after Amy Jo and Jim Osborn lost their infant son Hatch to a rare form of pediatric cancer.  The foundation’s mission is to support research towards the diagnosis, treatment and development of a cure for pediatric cancer, and to provide support and hope to children and families undergoing treatment as well as those who have lost children due to cancer.  The foundation has developed a landmark group of programs and services essential to help cancer stricken children and their families function within their community.  Designed as a safe haven for families, Hatch’s House of Hope will connect them with these landmark services.

Hatch’s House of Hope is a unique concept designed to keep the family unit whole when dealing with pediatric cancer.  Specifically, these services include IEP neurocognitive testing, educational programming to help effected children overcome their cognitive and learning deficits, emotional counseling for the cancer affected child, their siblings and parents, and marital and financial counseling to ensure a safe environment to maximize the family growth as a whole.  Erlanger Medical Mall in Chattanooga, TN is the site of the first Hatch’s House of Hope, which will open for services mid July, 2009.

hatcherfoundation.org

Thank you for the delightful story of Sister -in Boston. Her goodness comes through.

I would like to nominate Pat Prior Sorrells. She is President of Camp For All (www.campforall.org). Pat has dedicated her life to CFA and its camps for over 10 years. Camp For All is the largest special needs summer camp for children and young adults in Texas, and probably the nation. The camp is located on 206 acres in Burton, Texas, about 85 miles from Houston. It has all the normal activities of a summer camp (horses, canoeing, zip lines, climbing wall, swimming) but is completley barrier free. Its a special place for where children with all types of disabilities can be "normal kids" for a week. The Camp is open almost year round, and they would love to have you visit.

In the interest of full disclosure, Pat is my wife.

If you want to know the one thing that has mage a difference in our lives now.  My husband has lost his job, I am now disabled for the last 4 years.  We now live to watch the news, with Brian Williams, the segment on people making a difference...HAS made a difference in our lives.  It encourages, enlightens, and generally uplifts us every evening.  So the person making a difference, are the people bringing us these broadcasts!  Thanks to all!

I would like to tell you of a wonderful person who has started an awesome sports organization for "special" children.  Her name is Deb Fruend.  She has started T.A.S.K (Team Activities for Special Kids).  It is run by her and an army of volunteers.  She is a special ed. teacher for the Mehlville school district here in South St. Louis County.  We met her back when my son was in kindergarten (he is starting high school now).  Because of TASK, he learned how to play softball, soccer, how to bowl (correctly), how to play basketball, and how to swim.  There are kids there with Down's, autism, hearing impaired, sight impaired, cerebral palsy, and half a dozen other diagnoses.  There are able-bodied siblings who play along too.  In addition to the sports, their offerings have expanded to a social club, weight training gym, martial arts, and summer camp.  I don't know how Deb does it and still work for the district (unless she has retired by now).  Many go to TASK until they grow up.  Others are able to "graduate" to regular team sports and leagues.  Now she wants to build a permanent facility for "her" kids instead of having to depend on the kindness of local churches and schools.  People from all over St. Louis come to TASK, not just South county anymore.  She is just someone incredible, and if the money fairy ever smacks me upside the head, you can bet TASK will get a large share of the blessing.

Brain,
Today I write to you about a very timely matter...health care. In 2006, at the Lexington Rotary Club, I heard about a new non-profit that was created by area physicians called Surgery on Sunday(SOS). I was impressed, my club was impressed and we have now help to raise funds and awareness of this group that has really hit its stride as the economy hit the wall. I hope you will be impressed as well.
While Sunday may be a day of rest for many, SOS provides outpatient surgical procedures to income-eligible individuals and families who do not have health insurance and are not eleigble for federal or state assistance. A local surgery center donates their facilities one Sunday a month.  All of the physicians, nurses, medical care teams and staff volunteer their time and gifts so that people in need of surgical care may be helped.  This program is so outstanding that other areas are now wanting to try to establish their own SOS program.
None of this would have been possible with Dr. Andrew Moore who is president of this organization.  He thought of this program because he actually cares about health care for all and lives this every day.  You can contact him at (859)246-0046.  The web site is www.surgeryonsunday.org.
Thanks for sharing not only the "news", but the "good news" that shows each of us can make a difference if we want to.
Deborah Tatum

Brian, I just caught a great story on the local NBC station, KSL 5, Salt Lake City, Utah. This is about a community coming together to help an older neighbor who had many, many animals. Humane
Society took all the animals, and his neighbors came in to put his home back into a livable environment. I was moved to tears.Too many times Our Senior Citizens become the "forgotten". KUDOS to this community and Julie Sharp.

Dear Brian,
I would like to nominate Master Chris Natzke (7th degree black belt) for truly making an incredible difference.  His current group of black belt candidates are doing over 27,000 random acts of kindness in 16 weeks.  Moreover, they are doing a community service project in August involving down syndrome kids.  The fundraiser will help raise awareness and research efforts and will engage these kids in the martial arts making them a black belt for a day.  Please contact me for more information.

One of the first champions of environmental issues in the small town of Murray, KY - -

Murray-Calloway County Chamber of Commerce members honored City Councilman Bill Wells by (09 July 2009)naming him "Citizen of the Year" at Thursday night's Annual Banquet.  

Last year's honoree, Mayor Tom Rushing, presented Bill Wells with the award, saying he always has an upbeat outlook, is a long-time Rotarian and serves on a variety of boards, including the City Council. He said Wells had been a local champion of environmental issues long before "green" became a popular buzz word, never failing to remind people when the next Make A Difference Day is. Rushing said Wells is also known for spreading awareness of community service on his radio show, "Random Acts of Kindness," and for previously serving as the principal of Murray High School for 13 years.

Some facts - -> over 70 Make A Difference Days held in Murray, KY-town of 16,000 people - - amount collected:  18,066 eyeglasses_- - 6,83 Ink Cartridges - - 90,400 Aluminum cans  - - 14,100 gallons of used oil - -22,095 lbs of corrugated board - - 43 gallons of prescription drugs incinerated - - glass bottles taken in at a rate of 1000 lbs. per hour

His outlook & methods are contagious and could be expanded nationwide for a better world.

I would like to nominate buildasign.com. This is a company who makes beautiful welcome vinyl banners and signs free of charge for families of homecoming vets from Iraq and Afghanistan. also jumbo cards. I ordered one for our Son returning from Iraq, and it was beautiful!  This must be costing the company a lot of money to donate these signs free of charge. I cannot thank them enough. I think they deserve recognition for quietly helping the families and veterans of war.  Thank you, Aprikl  p.s. Their website is buildasign.com

I would nominate Harvey Robbins.  He has single handedly rebuilt the city of Tuscumbia, Al. Birthplace of Helen Keller and it is an amazing story.
I do not know all the details but you can contact Mayor Shoemaker at 256-383-5463. I hope you can follow up on this and get the rest of the story.

In the small town of Brimfield,Illinois, there is a heartwarming but not surprising story of the town, community and even beyond the community, coming to the needs of one of the long time Brimfield residents, Steve Howe, age 61. When it was discovered that his house was actually falling down around him - three local men made plans to build him a new house. The three quickly grew to many more wanting to help.
Steve moved into his new house Friday, July 10, where he sat in his recliner and sobbed with gratefullness.  The full story of Steve and his determined life is well covered, with pictures, in the July 15 edition of the Peoria Journal Star.  It is a tribute to the small town quality of watching out for their own. You will find the article at www.pjs.com.  Thanks for all the good stories you have covered.
 

Well, this is at least other news that should get some attention. Roz Savage is rowing alone across the Pacific Ocean and bringing marine environmental issues to light for many as well as inspirational motivation for life. She has already rowed solo across the Atlantic and from the west coast of the U.S. to Hawaii. She continues today and can be tracked at: http://rozsavage.com/
In our world of dismal events at least this is something and someone to keep track of that gives humanity hope that there is something else out there to inspire us to take action.

I would love to nominate JMI (Jobson Medical Information) for Making a Difference, but I can't. They've just cut salaries across the board and have laid off people who've been with the company a number of years to ensure that their investors are paid projected earnings. It's pitiful.

Donna Hunnewell of the Lowell Wish Project has been a life saver for the Greater Lowell Area.  She collect anything and everything and manages to match donors with in need recipients.  Donna started this project in donated warehouse space several years ago and now is well known in the Lowell Area.  From back to school backpacks for needy school children to washers/dryers, cribs, beds for children..you name it and Donna can find it.   Items move out the door almost the day they are received.  So no bureaucracy, sign up qualifying applications...just have the need and Donna and her wonderful group find the items.  She and her crew have helped get mothers and families out of temporary Motel rooms and into their own apartments by helping provide the furnishings.  Donna can be found at The Wish Project, 1 A Foundry St., Lowell, MA 01852 (tel 978-441-9474).   She and her group are gems in this terrible economy.    

I have rarely cried in my 65 years. Your story about the veterans who gather to make wooden toys that are distributed to the poorest of the poor kids at that school had me slobbering. I remember well how it feels to get a new toy and how you run out to show and play with your friends. It made me feel special and confident. Those vets are now heroes to me.

Brian,
I don't have good news but I think that some good news is not reported by the "Nightly News." I watch your "Nightly News" just about every night and I'm beginning to notice that most of you stories about the war and past wars do not feature African-Americans. Did African-Americans ever fight in any war that America was in? Especially the Afghani war and the Iraq war, and when you talk about the first and second world wars there are no mention of African-Americans. And this is also true of the Vietnam War, why is this?

Dear Mr. Williams,
WE NOMINATE MRS. KERRY TRAN OF UNITED CEREBRAL PALSY IN MOBILE, ALABAMA, AS OUR PERSON MAKING A DIFFERENCE.  Our son, Connor, is six years old and has cerebral palsy.  He is also non-verbal and wheelchair bound.  During the past school year, Mrs. Kerry Tran believed in our son and has been instrumental in dramatically improving his communication skills with his communication device.  She played a major rule in his transition to elementary school.  In addition, she is a director of Camp Smile.  Camp Smile is a summer camp for special needs children and adults.  Our son attended the camp this year and had a great time.  She is truly an angel and has had a tremendous impact on our son.  Many other families also feel this way.  We are thankful that she cared enough to help our son reach his potential.  

Sincerely,
Rick and Lisa O'Brien

I would like to nominate Diane Pirzada, a home town woman from Lockwood, CA. population 85, where American Flags fly proudly and a spiritual journey led her to a new direction in her life.  She has spent countless hours helping Veterans, especially those who wish to visit the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C.  She would like to start her own non-profit under the umbrella of Honor Flight Network (Clint Eastwood gave a testimony on this.) (Please see www.honorflight.org) She is a gifted public speaker who created "Portraits from War",(please see www.dianepirzada.com for more details) reuniting hand painted pictures of Servicemen from that era with the Vets today.  So successful was her mission,  another dream came true for Pirzada when she traveled to Washington D.C. to meet one Vet face-to-face.  The pair were featured on the Pentagon Channel in a documentary which aired May 21.  I am helping Diane help hundred of Veterans by raising funds to visit the memorials dedicated to honor the service and sacrifices of themselves and their friends.  Honor flight will be held this fall, and a staggering statistic is that today, 1,200 Vets from World War II will die before their dreams are answered. Featuring Diane and her good works would be a much needed Patriotic boost for all Americans and our most vital folks, those that served us.  Generations would be touched by a segment on her, and if you met her or viewed the documentary, you would agree!  Thanks so much!

Dear Brian, I would like for you to consider Mrs. Jeannine Lowery, of Midwest City, OK.  She & her husband both retired from the telephone company and he died shortly after... But instead of just staying home, Jeannine got involved!  She voluntered for a mision trip to Chile with our church and witnessed to a recent widow there as well as spreading sunshine to all she came in contact with.  After returning from the mission trip she wanted to stay involved with missions so she headed up a Ladies Ministry at one of the low rent government subsidized apartments in Midwest City.  Once a week she held a Bible study with the women and afterwards she gave out bags of food and sometimes clothing.  If the women needed transportation for doctor visits, job interviews or whatever, Jeannine volunteered to take the women. She was also one of the overseers of our "Mission Mid-Del" building where anyone could come 2 days a week for food, clothing, household items, toys etc.  But the building was very small and cramped with the workers and all the donations, so Jeannine started a prayer chain praying for a larger building to meet the needs of the community.  Land was donated to our church from an unknown person and plans were made to build a new Mission Mid-Del outlet.  At the beginning of the school year they dispense school supplies to the children of the parents that come for food, counseling etc and at Christmas a big toy drive is held.  Also, after surviving breast cancer herself, Jeannine started a program called "Hand in Hand" ministry for the people in our church who have experienced serious illnesses themselves or who have family members with illnesses..  They meet once a month and discuss and help each other with suggestions and prayer.  Jeannine is also active in organizing our church group for the "Relay For Life" cancer walk in our community..  She is truly a wonderful lady and saw a need in her life as well as in our church and community.  Mission Mid=Del will supply food, clothing, household items, and sometimes donated old cars and usually sees to the needs of about 300 a week, sometimes more.  

Hello Brian,

I would like to nominate Gina Maisano as a person who is making a difference. Breast cancer does not distinguish between rich or poor, race or religion. Gina Maisano, a breast cancer survivor created a wonderful web site dedicated to support and help for women diagnosed with this disease. She has never asked for anything in return. Gina is making a difference in many lives.

I hope you can find the air time to help make a difference for women who need support and do not know where to turn.

http://www.nosurrenderbreastcancerhelp.org/

Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Sincerely, Marilyn Fifer

I would like to highlight something simple, and not really about any one person. Since the economic decline, charity donations has declined with it. There is though a simple free way to give back for internet users. There are two website that I would like to share. The first one is www.thehungersite.com, where clicking the buttons provides food, health care and so on to the ones who are in need of it. The second one is called www.freerice.com. This is run by the UN and it is where you can donate rice by increasing you knowledge in vocabulary, georaphy and so on. A great mental warm up for any student.

These are websites that I have worked into my everyday and forget that I am even helping anyone. I just wanted to share this for people who feel bad about not being able to give in these times

There is an amazing organization that everyone should know about.  It is called Hug-A-Hero.  They provide dolls to children of soldiers who are deployed oversees - these are not ordinary dolls, these dolls have the image of Mom or Dad on them so that if a child needs a hug from Mommy or Daddy all they have to do is hug the doll.  This helps children to deal with the stress and loneliness that is part of being in a military family.  This is a non-profit organization that only wants to help the most precious amoung us.  http://www.operationhugahero.org/

Lindsay Wetzel is making a huge difference to the homeless in Reno, Nevada.  Last Christmas, she took some cookies to the homeless shelter, which is near the downtown casino area.  One of the men asked her if she had a sandwich.  She apologized that she didn't, but promised she'd come back.  And she has come back again and again, every Sunday since then.  When Lindsay found out that the homeless shelters don't serve a hot meal from Saturday night until Monday morning, she took it upon herself to make sure that these people have a decent meal to eat on Sunday.  On a slow Sunday, she'll serve 250 people, and the number can jump to over 350 on a busy day.  She cooks all the food herself in her kitchen, and brings it down to the shelter at 11:30 on Sunday mornings, where the men, women and chidren are lined up waiting for her.  Besides the hot item (which can be anything from burritos, pulled pork, pasta with meat sauce), she serves a side dish like macaroni and cheese, or a pasta salad, and usually a dessert, like homemade cookies, brownies, or cake.  In addition, she'll make over 100 tuna fish sandwiches so they have something to take with them for later in the day.   And, she has done all this, in spite of the fact that she was laid off from her job last November.   She calls those who help her out "her angels," but in fact, she is the angel.  

Well Brian, I guess I'm going to have to nominate the government and car companies.  My wife is an elementary school teacher and I'm a graduate student, and on Monday we carted our little three-week old to the local Toyota dealership to try our luck with the cash-for-clunkers program.  When the salesman suggested we look at a Camry, we obliged, but were certain we wouldn't be able to afford it.  Our 1991 Ford Explorer indeed qualified for the program, netting us $4500.  But that was just the beginning.  The car was discounted $3000 because it was a 2009 still on the lot, and then we got a $1500 factory rebate, and another $1000 for being a recent college grad.  Well, with a $10,000 discount, the payments on the Camry fell right into our budget.  We drove away from the lot with our little girl sleeping in her car seat amazed that a new family like us, in an economy like this, could afford such a great new car.  

Hello Brian--We talked briefly a few months ago (at the Ronald Reagan Library) when I asked you about the integrity of the news as presented--you gave an excellent answer about your personal observations and your commitment to honestly presenting the news.  With that same sense, I wanted to bring your news team some information about a group of very good people bringing substantial humanitarian relief to large numbers of Americans every day.  As a pilot and a physician, actively involved with Angel Flight West, I have noted the recent quiet observation that our group of pilots, flying throughout the western United States, has just completed its 40,000th mission.  These are all volunteer pilots (about 25 from our Santa Barbara area), hundreds of men and women flying (and paying for) their own planes, paying for gas, navigating the skies of America in about 4,000 flights this past year alone to bring the precious human passengers to their destinations.  None of us is looking for public credit, but this 40,000 mission milestone does provide at least a measure of the genuine good done by so many people who care about the humanitarian needs of our country's population.  The headquarters is in Santa Monica, the website is angelflightwest.org, and the story about these pilots and their spectrum of patients would likely be of considerable interest to many of your viewers.  I would be happy to talk with you or any of your news staff who might have an interest in this story.

Thank you.

Roger C. Dunham

My wife and I watched as soldiers from Iraq returned home to Fort Story in Virginia.  The streets were lined with posters and flowers welcoming them back.  At the time in 2006, we thought it was very nice, but we wished we could do more for the returning soldiers.  We came up with the idea of taking them to a AAA Norfolk Tides baseball game.  That is how Just Baseball came about.  For the past 3 years, we have sent over 1000 soldiers and their families to the Tides games, for an all you can eat picnic in left field. The soldiers and their families have time to relax, and enjoy each others company, if only for a night. I think it shows how a couple of people can make a big difference in the lives of others.  Our next Tides night will be August 2 for approx 350 soldiers and their families.  Thanks

I would like to see you do a feature on the work Dr. Susan Love's Army of Women is doing in trying to recruit volunteers who would be willing to participate in local breat cancer research projects if they qualify. The AofW doesn't charge any membership fees or solicit donations from members. It needs all kinds of women -- all ages, races, breast cancer survivors & patients, and those who have never had breast cancer.  Researchers can then use this data base (which is totally confidential) to find subjects for their projects instead of wasting valuable research time trying to find them.  

I really enjoy your making a difference pieces.  It really shows that there are good people in the world still.  

I used to volunteer at Hubbard House in Orlando, Florida when I lived in Orlando.  Hubbard House is a hospitality house for individuals/famlilies who have a loved one in the hospital(ORMC).  The hospital is next door and the Hubbard House is run like the McDonald House except for it is one of a kind.  Peggy Smith who runs the Hubbad House has done so for years, she lives at the house and is a cancer suvivor.  She knows what these individuals/families are going through on a daily basis and she, her staff and large group of volunteers are there for them 24/7.  The Hubbard House also serves 3 meals a day to the individuals/families and the cost to stay there is a simple donation.  The Hubbard House is run solely on donations and is not supported in any part with any entity or organization.  Peggy works hard to keep the doors open and with the help of a small staff and the many volunteers is able to do so.  The house has 22 rooms and usually has a waiting list.  There is no time limit of how long people stay and people have stayed as long as 9 months.  Now with ORMC having a cancer center Peggy is allowing individuals receiving cancer treatment at the hospital to stay at her house to keep their costs down.  Every person who steps through the doors of Hubbard House is changed by the time they leave.  They see how much one person can care and how much compassion there still is in the world.  Peggy really deserves to be on the Making a Difference segment because in the time I volunteered with her she made a difference in my life.  If all people could be like her the world would be a wonderful place.  Thank you.

Making a Difference:  At Rio Lindo Academy, which is a Christian highschool in northern California, the campus school and church has decided to take what Christ said literally and actually feed the hungry and clothe the naked.  So for a few months instead of asking for money offerings, the church collected offerings of clothing, shoes, sleeping bags, etc.  The students went without a meal and donated those funds to feed the hungry the next day.  So on a Saturday in November, the first service event was held, called "Open Table" (named with the idea that all are welcome at the table.)   This event was held in downtown Santa Rosa, CA with the students leading out in a Praise Band, drama group, students sharing testimonies and special music, and other students giving out clothes, shoes, sleeping bags, etc.  The school cafeteria came and fed over 90 homeless.  There was also a booth where people could put in their names and prayer requests for a raffle of several $50 Safeway cards and calling cards.  The event was a hit.  Now the school does "Open Table" every 3 months.  Each event has gotten bigger, with new booths getting added, such as a toiletries booth (with clean underwear, socks, and toiletries such as deoderant, shaving items, etc being handed out), a resume booth (where staff of the school and students bring computers and printers and meet with people to make resumes for them so they can have help finding jobs), and the regular booths of clothes, blankets, the raffle drawing, and a hot meal served by the school cafeteria. Not only have the homeless community come to look forward to the event, but the students have as well, asking often "when will the next Open Table be?"  One student shared, "Finally this is what makes sense in being a real Christian.  This feels like what church should be."  The students have heard many stories of the people who come by, not just homeless, but business people in the area who are inspired by the students hearts of service, or who are just looking for a good meal.  Many of the homeless are new to the streets, living in their cars due to economic hardships. All come together at the Open Table and all are equal as all find common ground in the fact that we are all human and in need.

Story idea: Congress sets itself above and apart from the rest of us.  

They voted a very plush health care package for themselves that the rest of us have NO access to.

This year they voted themselves a pay increase - while not doing their jobs - at the same time they decided that those receiving Social Security will not receive COLA's in 2010.

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