For the past nine months, I've been publishing full-page stories in the NY Daily News about people who make a difference in other people's lives.
Meeting and writing about these people has changed my life, and it's been an honor and priviledge. I've been invited into people's homes, have played basketball in Harlem, have toured schools for the deaf and blind, have watched a baby being born at 2:30 in the morning, and the list of adventures goes on. In a media world that all too often emphasizes the unspeakably violent and trivial aspects of society, it's nice to be able to tell people about the exact opposite--people helping people.
Most of these people never dreamed their story and a photo would be in a mainstream tabloid, either; all are nominated by friends or colleagues, which makes it a special treat---they're not helping people to get famous.
Some of the stories include:
*An athlete who was shot and paralyzed in a robbery, but who now coaches kids' basketball as well as a senior women's basketball league---from his wheelchair;
*A 7-year old boy who started a lemonade stand outside a grocery store and raised $12,000 in a year to aid an organization that trains dogs to assist the handicapped;
*A woman who has devoted her life to teaching deaf children to dance;
*A nun who drives a Winnebago into Brooklyn's most dangerous neighborhoods, 365 days a year, to deliver hot meals to the poorest of the poor. I took a ride with her and the youngest person lining up for a piece of chicken and a salad was 4 years old.
*An Israeli soldier who was shot in the eye and chest while attempting to arrest a man responsible for the deaths of dozens of civilians in a bombing, but who survived a paraplegic and now heads an organization helping wounded soldiers assimilate back into society;
*More, many more.
I thought, in the spirit of the holidays, I would start linking to the stories here until Christmas. For me, there's nothing like it for the winter blues and blahs---and who knows? It might give folks some ideas about helping others this holiday season...giving inspires giving, they say.
Here's the latest, a story about a 15-year-old student who organized a benefit in aid of the victims of the current and ongoing slaughter of the people of Darfur. In one evening, she raised $11,000.
Click below to read the story of Violeta Picayo!
http://www.nydailynews.com/city_life/big_town/v-bigtown_archive/story/474069p-398788c.html
'Appy 'Olidays.
Meeting and writing about these people has changed my life, and it's been an honor and priviledge. I've been invited into people's homes, have played basketball in Harlem, have toured schools for the deaf and blind, have watched a baby being born at 2:30 in the morning, and the list of adventures goes on. In a media world that all too often emphasizes the unspeakably violent and trivial aspects of society, it's nice to be able to tell people about the exact opposite--people helping people.
Most of these people never dreamed their story and a photo would be in a mainstream tabloid, either; all are nominated by friends or colleagues, which makes it a special treat---they're not helping people to get famous.
Some of the stories include:
*An athlete who was shot and paralyzed in a robbery, but who now coaches kids' basketball as well as a senior women's basketball league---from his wheelchair;
*A 7-year old boy who started a lemonade stand outside a grocery store and raised $12,000 in a year to aid an organization that trains dogs to assist the handicapped;
*A woman who has devoted her life to teaching deaf children to dance;
*A nun who drives a Winnebago into Brooklyn's most dangerous neighborhoods, 365 days a year, to deliver hot meals to the poorest of the poor. I took a ride with her and the youngest person lining up for a piece of chicken and a salad was 4 years old.
*An Israeli soldier who was shot in the eye and chest while attempting to arrest a man responsible for the deaths of dozens of civilians in a bombing, but who survived a paraplegic and now heads an organization helping wounded soldiers assimilate back into society;
*More, many more.
I thought, in the spirit of the holidays, I would start linking to the stories here until Christmas. For me, there's nothing like it for the winter blues and blahs---and who knows? It might give folks some ideas about helping others this holiday season...giving inspires giving, they say.
Here's the latest, a story about a 15-year-old student who organized a benefit in aid of the victims of the current and ongoing slaughter of the people of Darfur. In one evening, she raised $11,000.
Click below to read the story of Violeta Picayo!
http://www.nydailynews.com/city_life/big_town/v-bigtown_archive/story/474069p-398788c.html
'Appy 'Olidays.
