The Greatest Perk of All

“People have to feel needed. Frequently, we just offer a job and ‘perks.’ We don’t always offer people a purpose. When people feel there is a purpose and that they’re needed, there’s not much else to do except let them do the work.”

–Maya Angelou

Willing to Walk

“If you’re walking down the right path and you’re willing to keep walking, eventually you’ll make progress.”

—Barack Obama,  author of The Audacity of Hope and Dreams from My Father

Survival of the Giving-est

Oprah’s Big Give, a new reality show on which the “biggest giver” wins, will air on ABC on March 2nd.

Ten contestants will receive millions of dollars to give away in order to change needy people’s lives across the country. 

Each “giving challenge” will take place in a different city. The way to win a challenge is to come up with the most creative & effective way of giving.

Charitable celebs making cameo appearances during the eight-episode contest include: Jennifer Aniston, Andre Agassi, Tony Hawk, Jada-Pinkett Smith and pilot John Travolta.  

How to Help Kenya Now

An Emergency Fund has been set up for victims of violence in Kenya, where more than 250,000 people have been displaced and more than 800 people killed since post-election uprisings.

Learn what you can do to help now at www.afsc.org.

Miss America for Alzheimer’s?

Melissa Chaty (aka Miss California 2007) of the Alzheimer’s Association San Diego/Imperial Chapter, will vie for the 2008 Miss America crown tomorrow night in Las Vegas. The pageant will air live on TLC at 8/7c.

Ms. Chaty has been using her Miss California title to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s disease.

For info on how to get or give help for Alzheimer’s, go to www.alz.org.

De-Funding the War in Iraq

The AFSC has just released a 2-minute video on the cost of war in Iraq.   

One Day = $720 Million.  

Find out how you can help “de-fund” the war and “re-fund” human needs at afsc.org/cost/.

Loraxism

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”

–the remorseful Once-ler in Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax

Check out the fate of the Truffula trees in The Lorax video.

Down with Dreaming

“I’m tired of dreaming. I’m into doing at the moment. It’s, like, let’s only have goals that we can go after.” —Bono