Archive for the ‘HEALTH & FITNESS’ Category
Tuesday, August 12th, 2008
With all the focus on education and preparing children for the future, we can’t forget that sometimes kids just need to have fun. The folks at KaBOOM! know that, and they’ve made it their mission to make sure every kid in America has a great playspace within walking distance. Through partnerships with businesses, communities, pro sports teams, and others, KaBOOM! has helped create nearly 1500 playgrounds, fields, and skate parks since 1995.
Earlier this summer the non-profit completed their Operation Playground project building 100 playplaces in areas affected by Hurricaines Katrina and Rita. In addition to their special building projects KaBOOM! provides, resources, planning help, and even funding options for groups who want to build playplaces in their own communities. To find out how you can get involved click here.
-JH
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Monday, July 28th, 2008
The crew from the Ride:Well Tour wrapped up their cross-country trek this weekend, finishing with a well-deserved dip in the Atlantic Ocean. We at MajorityMag would like to congratulate all the team members on their amazing accomplishment (and wish their butts a quick recovery!)
The final fundraising tally is not in yet, but they reportedly raised close to $20,000 for the Blood:Water Mission’s 1,000 Wells Project. That amount alone will provide clean drinking water to 20,000 people for a whole year! To find out more about how you can get involved, click here.
-JH
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Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008
After seven weeks of cycling the Ride:Well Tour will pedal their last 25 miles tomorrow, July 24th. During this cross-country expedition the team has visited several cities raising funds and awareness for the Blood:Water Mission’s 1,000 Wells Project along the way.
If you live in the Delaware area you can join the team for the last leg tomorrow where they will reach the Atlantic at Cape Henlopen State Park. Whether you want to ride or just cheer them on, I’m sure they would enjoy the support as they conclude this amazing accomplishment. To find out more about the tour or how you can help their mission click here.
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Monday, July 21st, 2008
Lives transformed. Hope restored. That’s the motto for the Nashville-based Mercy Ministries, who for the past 25 years have been helping young women (ages 13-28) overcome difficult challenges like drug addiction, unplanned pregnancy, depression, and eating disorders.
Through a unique 6 month live-in program (which, by the way, is free of charge) the residents are immersed in a variety of activities from counseling to exercise and nutrition instruction, life skills training, and various other educational opportunities. In addition Mercy provides resources for adoption, transitional care, and other post-program needs. Through the years, the organization has seen thousands of success stories and looks to continue that as they grow. There are currently three Mercy Houses in the U.S. as well as international locations in Austrailia, New Zealand, Peru, Canada, and the U.K. with plans for several more in the works. Find out more about how you can get involved here.
-JH
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Friday, July 18th, 2008
Usha Chaumar a former “untouchable scavenger” was crowned “Princess of Sanitation Workers” during her visit to the United Nations in New York earlier this month. Chaumar is a Dalit, the lowest level of India’s “unofficial” caste system. For most of her life, her job has been to clean up garbage, feces, and urine from members of upper castes, but now thanks to Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak and Sulbah International she has a job making saris, and even got a chance to model her work on the runway.
Dr. Pathak, a member of the highest caste, has dedicated his life to helping “untouchables”. He has created affordable toilets that provide clean sanitation and eliminate the need for scavengers to clean them. In addition he has helped thousands of former scavengers like Chaumar learn to read and find jobs.
For more on this great story, check out this video.
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Thursday, July 10th, 2008
In the late 1800’s Matt Talbot was a legendary Irishman revered for his decision to turn his life around through a pledge to sobriety and his commitment to help others do the same. Today, the Seattle-based nonprofit that bears his name, is following in his footsteps.
The Matt Talbot Center is a recovery program that offers hope, services, and support for the addicted, homeless and menatlly ill. Their free program incorporates a variety of treatment, relapse prevention and life skills sessions, as well as shelter, food, fellowship and weekly Bible studies. In order to create a holistic approach members are involved in cooking and cleaning at the facility and engage in a variety of activities outside the building such as hiking and biking in the summer and visiting museums and theaters (for plays, symphonies, etc.) in the winter. Once they’ve completed the program participants may also opt to live in the “clean and sober housing” which consists of a 50-unit apartment complex above the center as they transition into their new lives.
Over the past 25 years of working with men they have witnessed numerous success stories and within the next couple years MTC will be opening a center for women and children as well. To find out more, or how you can contribute click here.
-JH
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Tuesday, July 8th, 2008
Here are some cool facts you can share with friends around the office. A couple weeks back, the Center For Disease Control (CDC) released statistics that show a marked decline in U.S. Deaths between 2005 and 2006 (I know its 2008, but I guess it takes them a while to get all the data together) Anyway, the overall decline was about 3%, and the amount of deaths from 8 of the top 10 killers like heart disease, strokes, cancer, respiratory disease and others decreased even more dramatically. In addition the report also says the life expectancy for children born after 2006 is 78.1, a new record high.
Maybe we’re finally starting to do a better job taking care of ourselves and those around us…I’m sure we all hope to see these positive trends continue, so let’s keep it up.
-JH
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Friday, June 20th, 2008
Back On My Feet founder Anne Mahlum announced yesterday that her organization, which uses running to help homeless men in Philadelphia get their lives on track, will be expanding to include the city of Baltimore in their program. To help fund the Baltimore addition, and continue to build on the success in Philly, they also announced a campaign to raise $100,000 by July 3rd (their 1st anniversary)
In their first year Back On My Feet built a base of over 60 members who have learned the values of attitude, respect, discipline, and leadership through early morning runs and life skills programs provided by partnering shelters and organizations. Several of the men have found jobs and are now working with housing assistance groups to get their own places.
We wish Anne and her team the best as they celebrate their first year, and continue to grow. If you would like to contribute to the $100,000 fundraiser you can do so here, or click here to find out more about how you can get involved with this great organization.
-JH
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Tuesday, June 10th, 2008
Our friends from the Blood:Water Mission began their Ride:Well cross country journey yesterday on the shores of the Pacific. Over the next seven-weeks they will make their way from city to city raising money and awareness to fund their 1000 Wells Project, which provides clean water systems for villages in Africa that desperately need it. Check the schedule to see when they will be in your area and show them some love.
-JH
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Wednesday, June 4th, 2008
“Fewer adolescent pregnancies and eating disorders, less depression and suicide attempts…” These are just a few of the goals of Girls On The Run, an organization that uses running to help empower young girls to be strong as they head into their teenage years. Participants in the program meet several times a week and run while at the same time engaging in activities and conversations aimed at enhancing self-esteem and improving both physical and mental health. The program culminates with a 3.1 mile run, which is a major accomplishment for such young girls.
GOTR has expanded to several hundred locations across the country, and is looking to continue to reach more girls. To see how you can get involved contact you local chapter or if there isn’t one in your area click here to find out how to start one.
-JH
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