Happy Make A Difference Day!

Okay, I know I’m a bit late to wish you all a happy Make A Difference Day as it’s almost 10:30 on the East Coast, but I spent most of today packing for my move to Sarasota. (Well, I did take a lunch break with a friend. We went to a local health food store and had tempeh Rueben’s and vegan potato salad, and I was telling her that I recently read a PNN post on pomegranates so I felt like trying the “super pomegranate smoothie.” I’m glad I did--it was very refreshing. Thanks for the inspiration, chitowngirl!) But anyway, I figure there’s no real reason why Make A Difference Day has to be celebrated on October 24th. Heck, we should try to make a difference the other 364 days a year too.

If anyone is interested, I wrote a Care2 blog suggesting 10 ways that people can make a difference for others. It’s not all about health issues; in fact, much of it focuses on helping animals and saving the environment, but if it inspires just one person to take action on any related issues, I’ll be happy.

Well, it’s back to packing for me, but I hope you all had a great Make A Difference Day—whether you spent it volunteering or chilling out with friends!
 

A Few Good Sports

Several professional athletes have been in the news a lot lately for less than admirable actions—driving drunk, carrying an unlicensed weapon, having an extramarital affair, and, of course, abusing animals. It's mind-boggling, really. Believe me , if I had fame and fortune, I'd strive to do the most good with it.  But there are actually some pro-athletes who do a lot of good deeds and charitable work. They just don't make as many headlines for it.

Two of the superstars on my favorite team, the Baltimore Orioles, for example, are not only making a difference on the baseball field, but off it too.

On the baseball diamond, O's All-star second baseman Brian Roberts is perhaps best known for stealing, but in the Baltimore community, he's known for giving back. He's read to school children in underprivileged areas, hosted holiday parties in poor city schools, taken less fortunate families' holiday shopping, organized a fundraiser in memory of a young woman in the Orioles organization who died of breast cancer, and more. Just last week, he hosted his fourth annual "Brian's Baseball Bash" to help the University of Maryland's Children Hospital. (Roberts underwent heart surgery when he was just five-years-old, so he knows what it's like to spend time in the hospital and makes a point to visit sick kids—without publicity—to keep their spirits up.) 

On the same day as Brian's Baseball Bash, Orioles hot-shot right-fielder Nick Markakis and his wife, Christina, held an 5k run and one mile fun walk  to benefit their new charity, The Right Side Foundation.  The foundation raises funds to help disadvantaged children in Maryland, providing them with the resources and opportunity to enjoy childhood and grow into  upstanding adults.

Both events were reportedly very successful, and even though I no longer live in Baltimore—and don't have money to donate at the moment—I've made a mental note to contribute in the future, when possible. (I'll be the first person to tell you that people who make vulgar amounts of money for playing fun games damb well better donate large amounts of money to charity, but the rest of us should still try to help when we can.)

The Orioles are in last place, but I still like watching the games. Not just because I'm not a "fair weather fan," but because I know that what the players do off the field is even more important than what they do on it, and will cheer for good sports any day. 

P.S. My computer is sick again and must go to the computer doctor, so you won't be seeing me on PNN for a while.  ) :

Wise Words from a Wise Woman

By Heather Moore

One of my best friends, breast cancer survivor Elaine Sloan (shown here with Jake, who passed away several years ago but lives on in our hearts), wrote the following letter to newspapers in her community to remind people that the true spirit of the holidays is helping others and giving them hope—not more trinkets or sweaters. She asked me to help spread the word about the Love/Avon Army of Women to other compassionate, philanthropic people, and I immediately thought of the women on PNN. I’m more than happy to honor her request and perhaps you can do the same for someone on your “shopping” list:

Having breast cancer made me realize what’s important in life. This holiday, instead of giving material gifts, I’m contributing to causes that my loved ones care about and I’m asking them to do the same for me by donating to the Love/Avon Army of Women, a charity which aims to recruit one million healthy women to participate in research that will eradicate breast cancer—a truly priceless gift that everyone wants.

If we are to stop cancer, we must stop wasting time and money on irrelevant and inhumane animal experiments, and concentrate on education, clinical studies, and other modern, relevant programs. I urge everyone—no matter what sex you are, where you live, and what you celebrate—to share in the true holiday spirit by making a lasting gift that will help all beings live longer, better lives.

If you want to make a contribution or join the Army of Women, see http://www.armyofwomen.org/.