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Miley Cyrus And New Online Hub Encourages Teens To Get Their Good On

2009-11-25T21:52:04Z

Youth Service America and Miley Cyrus have joined forces in an effort to encourage teens to social network for good. Dubbed both a social network and a youth movement, Get Ur Good On was launched this week to help keep youth informed and engaged in ways they can improve their world. The new site features blogs, videos and photos of people giving back to their communities in an effort to showcase teens' efforts to make the world a better place.

Here's what Cyrus had to say about her new online network:

Youth Service America improves communities by encouraging young people to take leadership roles in their own communities and to continue their service toward others for their entire lives.

Check out the new online hub at www.geturgoodon.org.

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Outpouring Of Support From Seattle Community After Food Bank Burglary

2009-11-25T20:08:44Z

As part of its Bearing Witness 2.0 project, the Huffington Post is rounding up a few of the best local stories of the day.

Last Tuesday night, the Rainer Valley Food Bank, in Seattle, Wash., was burglarized. Thieves broke into the storage container and took all the food they could, including hundreds of pounds of potatoes and dozens of crates of canned fruits, vegetable and soup, amounting to a total loss of about $2,000. The food was going to be distributed this week in Thanksgiving bundles.

The city erupted in rage and donations started pouring in. Individual people and businesses came by to drop off food and write checks. Walmart and local radio station 100.7 WOLF each dropped off a semi-truck's worth of food, a local produce market chain donated about $1,000 worth of fruits and vegetables and a restaurant launched a food drive to help out.

In the end, the food bank raised $70,000 in cash and $30,000 worth of food. That's far more than it knows what to do with -- or can store -- and it is going to be distributing the food to neighboring organizations that need help. "If anybody needs to pick up something," said director Sam Osborne, "we have plenty." Their only problem now: sorting through everything.

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A burglar stole electronic equipment, a laptop and microphones from a church in Clayton County, Ga., reports WBS-TV's Linda Stouffer. The thief broke in at night but left a note: "Sorry but I'm poor. Forgive me Lord."

"You always get aggravated with people stealing things," said pastor Roger Davis, "I don't know what kind of situation this person was in but maybe it's someone we need to reach." Neighbors were rendered speechless.

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Ten-year-old Jonathan Brende, in Independence, Mo., has a severe form of cerebral palsy, and needs constant care, reports Fox 4's, Rob Low. He is on Medicaid, but just barely: in order to stay covered by the federal plan, his father had to turn down a raise at work.

But his mother, Tonni, has Hepatitis C, which was ruled a pre-existing condition by her insurer, and hence not covered. "I got sicker because I couldn't afford to go to the doctor," she said, "I quit going when the insurance company quit paying and I saw how the bills were piling up." Because of her medical bills, the family filed for bankruptcy.

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Just a year and a half ago, Northern California's Shelter Network was fielding about 100 phone calls per week from people looking for homeless shelters. Last week that number was up 900 percent, according to Will Oremus, from the Bay Area Daily News. The high demand is causing some shelters to have the longest waiting lists they have ever had, and as the weather gets colder more homeless are looking to move indoors.

"Right now it's pretty cold outside," said Vickie, who declined to giver he last name. "To sleep in my car, I would be a popsicle." She is trying to stay healthy and warm while she finishes up her online classes at Eastern Oregon University.

HuffPost readers: Seen a compelling local story? Have a neighbor going to bizarre lengths to get through the recession? Tell us about it! Email jmhattem@gmail.com.

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Charity Challenges Thanksgiving Overeaters To Burn Calories By Giving

2009-11-25T19:51:31Z

Already feeling guilty about those second (okay, third) helpings you plan to load up on during Thanksgiving dinner? Ubuntu Education Fund is encouraging you to give your way out of those calories and guilt, Tonic reports.

Rather than using shock and bawl, The Ubuntu Holiday Fitness Challenge is both a perfect parody of a true American art form (the infomercial) and a holiday "ask" that will not end up in the garbage. The video (see it, below) absurdly suggests that donating money is an effective way to shed unwanted holiday pounds.

The ad jokingly claims that donators can burn 8 calories per $5 text donation this holiday season. The money goes to the Ubuntu Education Fund is dedicated to working with the people of the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa to develop quality education and healthy communities.

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE:

To join the Holiday Fitness Challenge, text "UBUNTU" to 20222.

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Donating Bras To Women In Need: Support1000 Sends Undies To Released Convicts

2009-11-25T19:25:09Z

If you're a female convict being released from prison, you'll probably expect a few issues assimilating back into society. One thing you might not think about, though, is undergarments.

Nonprofit director Julia Sledge helps released female prisoners move on with their lives, and says it's a topic that frequently comes up.

"[Not having] a change of underwear because you can't afford it" is a reality for many of her clients, Sledge says, adding that she speaks from similar experience. "I'm heavy-chested and remember once, years ago, being so broke that I had to ask someone to help me buy a bra that would fit me."

That's where Support1000 comes in. Ozkr "Oz" du Soleil's organization collects and distributes bras for women in financial trouble. A navy veterans, du Soleil operates Support1000 out of his one-bedroom apartment in Chicago and distributes hundreds of bras each week.

The jokes, looks of confusion and outright suspicion no longer bother du Soleil when he tells people about his collection of women's bras.
"Questions about whether I'm strange do come up initially," he says. "I am careful. I joke up to a certain point. But after a while there is a limit."

The increase in press about Support1000 has led to an increase in donations. Though the most common bras donated are 36Cs, du Soleil often makes requests for Ds and Gs as well.

Got some extra bras you wouldn't mind donating? Here's where you send them:

Oz du Soleil
Support1000
PO Box 412406
Chicago, IL 60641

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Seattle French Dip Shop Feeds Homeless Youth

2009-11-25T18:34:32Z

This week, the Rizzos bought six Angus certified inside top round roasts. They plan to cook them in the home recipe au jus that has carrots, garlic, celery and their own seasoning mix.

They figure those six roasts will be enough for at least 150 French dips -- sandwiches they plan to give as gifts to street youth who come by their store Wednesday afternoon.

New Yorkers Line Up Early For Thanksgiving Supplies At City Food Bank

2009-11-25T17:46:54Z

In the face of unemployment and tough economic conditions, food banks are serving more than ever this Thanksgiving. CNN visited an upper Manhattan pantry and found that many working New York City residents were lining up as early as 5 a.m. to supplement their holiday dinners too.

WATCH THE VIDEO:

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Brad & Angelina Gave Away $7 Million In 2008

2009-11-25T17:21:03Z

Angelina Jolie, 34, and Brad Pitt, 45, gave a whopping $6.8 million to charities in 2008

Michael Brewer, Burn Victim, Has Thousands Raised For Him At Benefit

2009-11-25T16:59:00Z

Valerie Brewer described the turnout at a fundraiser held for her son Michael as "incredible." The 15-year-old Michael was doused with alcohol and set on fire a month ago in South Florida. Three boys have been charged with attempted murder and will be tried as adults. But Valerie Brewer says that she's not focusing on the prosecution of the assailants, only on her son's quick recovery.

A foundation to help pay Michael's medical bills has already raised over $130,000, including donations from several members of the Miami Dolphins who attended the fundraiser, including injured quarterback Chad Pennington.

All donations are currently being directed through Neighbors 4 Neighbors, sponsored by the local CBS affiliate. To make a donation to Michael Brewer's fund, visit their site and specify "Michael Brewer" in the field marked "Intention For Donation." You can also donate via the widget below.

Don't have money to donate? You can join the Facebook group Pray for Michael Brewer and leave him a message.

Michael's doctor and mother say that he is making great progress. Valerie says Michael is determined to overcome his ailments and return to normal life. His friend D.C., a brother of one of the suspects, expressed his sympathies to "Mikey" and said he hoped they could all get through this. Watch the complete report on "Good Morning America."

9 Ways To Show Your Gratitude On Thanksgiving Day

2009-11-25T03:05:30Z

Favorite Turkey Recipe? Check. Special occasion dishes and gravy boat? Check, check. Ways to express your gratitude this Thanksgiving? Don't worry, we've got you covered with nine ways you can show what you're grateful for this year by giving back to others who may not be faring as well.

Tweet your thanks on Tweetsgiving
Between November 24 and 26, Epic Change encourages social media users to share their gratitude both on and offline by participating in TweetsGiving. Share what you're thankful for via Twitter, your blog, Flickr, Facebook, YouTube, or blip.fm with the #tweetsgiving tag and a $10 donation. This year, they hope to raise $100,000 to build an educational facility in Arusha, Tanzania, and fund future Epic Change projects.

Sign the Charter for Compassion
In February 2008, former nun Karen Armstrong won the TED Prize and asked for the help of others to create, launch and promote an international Charter for Compassion. Thousands of people contributed to the creation of the multilateral Charter to promote compassion across cultural and religious boundaries. By signing the online document, you agree to live by and encourage the "golden rule" by treating everyone in this world with compassion and respect.

Send a holiday care package to a soldier abroad
Our service men and women who are out of the country during Thanksgiving often long for the comforts of home. By sending a care package through Any Soldier, you can show them your gratitude for their duty and make them feel loved. Any Soldier has provided care packages to 96,371 service members and has an extensive list of popular items that have been requested by soldiers if you need ideas for what to include in your package.

Deliver a Thanksgiving meal to housebound neighbors
Don't forget seniors or the seriously ill during this holiday. By volunteering with a local Meals on Wheels Program to bring a hot dinner to those who may not be able to join family or friends. They'll appreciate the food and, more importantly, the time you share with them at their homes.

Feed families with pocket change
According to a recent government report, 49 million Americans went hungry last year, so you can bet that many families are facing slim pickings for Thanksgiving this year. Help change this by participating in Feeding America's Thanksgiving Feast for 9 Million. By donating $1, you can provide seven meals this holiday, and $50 will provide 350 meals for hungry families.

Run a "Turkey Trot"
All over the country this Thanksgiving, companies and nonprofits are hosting 5k races to benefit local charities and good causes. San Francisco's fun run will benefit a local high school's Track & Field team and Ann Arbor's will benefit local animal shelters and community groups. The bonus? Most of these races are Run/Walks that encourage full family participation and you can work off some of dinner before you even sit down at the table. Runs are planned for on and around Thanksgiving day and some require advance registration, so be sure to mind the rules specific for your area.

Pledge to Give 29 Things Away
‪Thanksgiving is a perfect time to sign up for the 29-Day Giving Challenge, a commitment to give something away each day for 29 days. It can be a tangible object or something as simple as a compliment. The goal is to make giving a habit and share your stories with others who might be inspired. Each month, 29Gifts features a different cause, so if you get stuck one day there are plenty of ideas ready to go.‬

Serve Thanksgiving Dinner at a Homeless Shelter
All the donated food that is raised during Thanksgiving time has to have willing hands to help cook it. Lend yours by volunteering this thanksgiving at a homeless shelter to prepare and dish up a meal with all the trimmings for those who don't have a home to go to this Holiday. The National Coalition for the Homeless has a searchable directory to find homeless shelters in your area.

Sponsor a Family in Need
Thanksgiving is only one day out of the year that U.S. families go hungry. Why not do a little to help one family a lot during the whole year? Family-to-family.org can help you connect with individual families that you can help by providing food, clothing and other necessities throughout the year. Or, open a family-to-family branch in your area.

For more information on how to sponsor a family in your area, you can watch a step-by-step "How To"from Create The Good:

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"So You Think You Can Dance" Producer Puts Underprivileged Youth In The Spotlight

2009-11-25T02:26:50Z

"So You Think You Can Dance" co-creator and executive producer Nigel Lythgoe sees a lot of talented young people who aren't quite ready to take the stage on his hit show. That's why he decided to create a nonprofit to boost dance education in the U.S. through scholarships, school programs and a dance academy in Los Angeles, CNN reports.

The Dizzy Feet Foundation is a group effort by Lythgoe, director and choreographer Adam Shankman, Carrie Ann Inaba of "So You Think You Can Dance" and "Dancing with the Stars," and "So You Think You Can Dance" guest star Katie Holmes.

The scholarships have come first: Last month, Dizzy Feet announced that it had awarded scholarships to underprivileged students to attend the Juilliard School, the American Ballet Theatre and the Debbie Allen Dance Academy...But with their background and interest in dance, Lythgoe and his co-founders aren't content merely to raise money and hand it out. They also want to establish an accreditation program for dance schools, and national standards for dance education, to ensure that students receive high-quality instruction.

You can read more about the Dizzy Feet and Lytgoe's efforts to provide for the dancers of tomorrow at CNN.com.

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Online Fundraising Campaign Raises $14 Million In 24 Hours

2009-11-25T01:26:28Z

What does it take to raise $14 million dollars in one day? A lot of Minnesotans, Tonic reports. Minnesota nonprofit fundraising campaign, GiveMN challenged individuals and 50 nonprofits to "Give To The Max Day" on November 17, and 38,778 donors took the organization at its word.
The millions of dollars will be donated to more than 3,000 community organizations within the state.

Beth Kanter, a blogger on nonprofit and social media topics and a visiting scholar at the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, told the Minneapolis-St.Paul Star-Tribune that she was amazed by the donation numbers. "I'm sitting here with my jaw dropping," she said. "You had a critical mass, a good strategy ... and a very charitable state. You've set the bar."

Learn more about the incredible fundraising efforts and read reactions from fundraising experts at www.Tonic.com.

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Charities Running Out Of Turkeys To Give Away

2009-11-24T21:44:58Z

As part of its Bearing Witness 2.0 project, the Huffington Post is rounding up a few of the best local stories of the day.

Charities across the nation are serving record numbers of people this week in advance of he Thanksgiving holiday -- and there just aren't enough turkeys for everybody.

In Darlington, S.C., local businesses prepared 1,000 turkeys to give away on Tuesday, reports Tonya Brown for Carolina Live, but by 11 a.m. twice that many people had showed up and the birds were long gone. The crowd was so overwhelming that local police had to come in for traffic and crowd control.

In Opa-locka, Fla., people started lining up outside city hall six hours before doors opened for turkey handouts, reports Helen Berggren for the Miami Herald. Because of the crowd, city officials -- some of whom donated hundreds of dollars of their own money -- started handing out turkeys two hours ahead of schedule. By noon, all 1,350 birds were gone.

In Lafeyette, Ind., on Monday, hundreds of residents lined up before sunrise in near-freezing temperatures, according to the Journal & Courier's Dorothy Schneider. "I just want to thank everybody from the bottom of my heart," said Elva Casas, who recently lost her job and insurance and worried about feeding her four children. All 1,200 turkeys were given away by noon.

And in Erie, Penn., 1,000 people lined up in front of the city mission, half of whom showed up before the doors opened, reports the Times-News' Erica Erwin. Shortly before 1 p.m. all the turkeys were gone. "I always felt like I didn't need help," said Ed Sedziak, who was laid off a few months ago. "I always felt that there were people out here who were more needy than me; let them get it. This year, the money's tight."

A church in Louisville, Ky., gave away 600 turkeys on Monday, and organizers were concerned that they would not have enough to give away Tuesday, reports the Courier-Journal's Marcus Green. "We're kind of in a dilemma there, but we'll just go until we run out," said the Cavalry Episcopal Church's outreach director, Margaret Dickinson.

In Montana, the Missoula Food Bank served 1,400 families, reports Tristan Scott for the Missoulian, 150 more than last year. Each family received a turkey and a brown bag of side items.

"We have plenty of folks who are trying hard and just don't have enough, even with jobs and an income," Nick Roberts, development director for the Missoula Food Bank, told the paper. "Either their housing expenses or their car payments are too high, or often times it's an unexpected bill, like a medical need or a car problem."

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Consumer complaints about debt collectors have risen 25 percent in the last two years in Baltimore, reports Joce Sterman for local ABC 2 News. The majority of the complaints are concerning debt collectors who misrepresent who there are, and how much money they are seeking, as well as making threats of jail time and physical violence. "It is some of the worst bullying tactics I've ever seen," said attorney Jane Santoni, who has handled a number of cases against debt collectors.

Complaints to the Federal Trade Commission are up nationally. Between 2007 and May, 2009, almost 228,000 claims were filed against debt collectors.

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Woodrow Reed, a paralyzed man in southern Texas who was given a free home, has expressed his gratitude to his benefactors, and said he felt blessed, reports KRGV's Jordan Williams. Reed was living in a storage shed after his mobile home was foreclosed. He has never met the people who are giving him his new home, but said "God's going to really bless them in some way, shape or form."

Reed has been in the hospital for most of the last two months after his broken leg became infected. He has yet to move in to his new place. His neighbors are planning to fix up the donated house before he gets out of the hospital.

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In Sacramento, Calif., employees for the state government have started patronizing local food banks, reports News 10's Suzanne Phan. State workers are facing a salary cut of up to 15 percent, and some have been living beyond their means.

"They had worked through some of their savings funds. That had really caught up with them and they were kind of desperate at the end of the month in order to put food at the end of the table for their families," said Eileen Thomas, of the River City Food Bank.

HuffPost readers: Seen a compelling local story? Have a neighbor going to bizarre lengths to get through the recession? Tell us about it! Email jmhattem@gmail.com.

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Cranksgiving: How To Illegally Street Race And Give Back At The Same Time

2009-11-24T21:06:06Z

Most major cities obviously have more to worry about than the occasional alleycat street bike race, but the brains behind a burgeoning Thanksgiving tradition are coming up with an even stronger incentive for local police authorities to look the other way.

Cranksgiving marries the Thanksgiving hallmarks of giving back and riding one's bicycle through a grocery store. Participating cyclists navigate supermarkets to select items to give to the city's needy. Last year, the New York event donated over $1,000 worth of food to local pantries, and the race is spreading throughout the U.S. The Milwaukee Cranksgiving chapter has laid claim to their eponymous Twitter account and Cranksgiving Miami's race stretches 17 miles and donates food to the veteran organization Camillus House.

From The New York Times

Since the event began in New York in 1999, Cranksgiving races have emerged in at least 13 other cities around the country, from Des Moines to Miami to Los Angeles. This year's 118 bikes -- including three tandems -- represented the largest New York turnout yet, according to Ken Stanek, who took over organizing the race from its founder, Antonio Rodrigues, three years ago. (Mr. Rodrigues now runs a Cranksgiving race in York, Pa., where he lives. He's also written a history of the event.)

"I wanted to make sure this race keeps happening," Mr. Stanek said. "It's such a good idea, it can't not happen."

See a list of all Cranksgiving events via Urban Velo.

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TV Viewers Help N.C. Family Stay In Home For Holidays

2009-11-24T17:08:18Z

On Friday, North Carolina's WWAY featured a story about Terry Jorden and his wife, who were both laid off two years ago and lost their home. They moved to Carolina Beach, N.C., so that his wife could start working for ten dollars an hour. Terry still could not find work, though, and his employment benefits expired months ago.

The family sold all their valuables. "My wife has even had to pawn her wedding rings."

But they still can't make ends meet. "Me and my wife has gone as much as eating toast for three days... it's hard to look at your children and tell them that there's just not enough to eat."

Now Jorden is worried his family could be homeless before the holidays. "We're already behind two months on rent. It will be three months at the first of the month... their Christmas will maybe be a McDonald's burger, if we can afford that."

Over the weekend, WWAY viewers called the station by the dozens to offer to help in any way they could. The station connected callers with the family. "People actually called to catch us up on our rent. They've helped us with our truck payments. They've brought us food," said Jorden.

Jorden says he's thankful for all the support, but never expected the response. "I just wanted to bring attention to the fact that it was taking North Carolina so long to get out the benefits that are so desperately needed right now, especially through the holidays and with it getting cold."

Everyone who lent a hand said they didn't want anything in return; they were just happy to help.

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Vermont Is Hungry, Ranked The Sixth Hungriest State In U.S.

2009-11-24T17:00:48Z

BARRE, Vt. — A federal government report ranking Vermont the sixth hungriest state in the country may come as a surprise to many, but officials say they have seen signs the problem is growing in Vermont.

In the new report, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said 12 percent of Vermont households struggled to get enough food on the table in 2008, and one in 20 Vermonters was "severely hungry," U.S. Rep. Peter Welch, said Monday at a news conference at the Vermont Foodbank.

"We live in an economy now where the danger of falling off being able to provide for the basic necessity of food is very real," he said.

According to the week-old report, more than one in seven American households – about 49 million people, or 14.6 percent of U.S. households – struggled to get enough food last year, the highest rate since the USDA began tracking hunger in 1995.

The Vermont ranking reflects the increased demand for food that foodbanks contended with last year.

Foodbank CEO John Sayles said the Vermont Foodbank delivered 7.5 million pounds of food in 2008 – 1 million more pounds than the previous year – and expects to deliver 8 million pounds this year.

The need is growing and will likely continue to rise even as the economy improves, he said.

"We've seen a 35 to 40 percent increase in demand over the last year," Sayles said.

A Bellows Falls drop-in center has served 53 percent more meals in the last year while the Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf in Burlington, the largest food distribution outlet in the state, had 1,000 more people coming in for help this year, Sayles said.

Marissa Parisi, director of the Vermont Campaign to End Childhood Hunger, said she's heard of children taking home part of a school snack in their pocket for later and others who line up for school breakfast on Monday, famished after a weekend at home.

"We really believe that hunger is an injustice that should not exist in this country and should not exist in this state," she said.

Sayles urged Vermonters to spread the word about hunger and to volunteer at food banks and donate food.

The congressman said he has co-sponsored a bill intended to improve coordination among nutrition programs among various agencies and the federal government, set up a White House office on global hunger to coordinate public policy on hunger issues, and resurrect a congressional committee on hunger.

The legislation is pending in the House, and has not been considered yet.

Besides getting food to people in need, another big challenge is ensuring a more nutritional food supply, Welch said.