A breadth of refreshing news

Words cannot describe what it is like to have a loved one disappear

Mitch Nick — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 12:30:48 +0000

Before June 13th, 2001, we were just an ordinary family living a peaceful, happy existence. My husband, Jim, and I worked outside the home, spent time with our two wonderful sons, attended Mass every Sunday, and enjoyed the company of family and friends. On that fateful Wednesday, our lives changed forever. Our family unit was brutally ripped apart when our oldest son, Jason, then age 19, disappeared without a trace from our driveway.

Source:http://www.projectjason.org/

More than $10 million raised for the fight against Lou Gehrig’s disease

Mitch Nick — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 12:30:07 +0000

The ALS Association is the only non-profit organization fighting Lou Gehrig’s Disease on every front. By leading the way in global research, providing assistance for people with ALS through a nationwide network of chapters, coordinating multidisciplinary care through certified clinical care centers, and fostering government partnerships, The Association builds hope and enhances quality of life while aggressively searching for new treatments and a cure.

Source:http://www.advertisertalk.com/more-than-10-million-raised-for-the-fight-against-lou-gehrigs-disease-9269.zhtml

I was given hope….

Mitch Nick — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 12:29:10 +0000

My loving mother’s gift provides me the chance to help others and pass on the blessings that I have received throughout my life!

My name is Ted Cochran. On August 29th, 2006, at the age of 28 years old I received the most loving, compassionate, and selfless gift from my mother, the “gift of life” by the ways of a kidney transplant. My mother so lovingly and unselfishly donated one of her kidneys to me so I could have a chance at a healthier and extended life.

Source:http://www.myangelfoundation.org/letter_from_founder.php

Individuals are the only ones who can truly add value to their own lives

Mitch Nick — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:13:21 +0000

True to the message he is spreading across America, Shawn Anderson quite literally went the “extra mile” when his cross-country bicycle tour accidentally landed him in Brush.

Source:http://www.fortmorgantimes.com/ci_13223442

Everyone has a singular passion in life that can leave a legacy

Mitch Nick — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:12:40 +0000

Inspired by the belief that everyone has a singular passion in life, TrueNorth, PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay division’s popular line of 100% natural nut snacks, is recognizing real people who have pursued their life’s passions or their “”true north,”" as part of the brand’s “”TrueNorth Story of the Month”" campaign. For the month of July, the TrueNorth brand is recognizing the inspirational story of Monique Pilie, founder of the non-profit organization Hike for KaTREEna.

Source:http://news.prnewswire.com/DisplayReleaseContent.aspx?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/08-17-2009/0005078896&EDATE=

The inspirational life of Riccardo Cassin

Mitch Nick — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:11:50 +0000

“Riccardo Cassin (pronounced cass-EEN) climbed some 2,500 mountains, more than 100 of them first-time ascents, starting in the 1930s with “”almost laughably crude equipment,”" and won for himself the reputation of “”one of the greatest mountaineers of the 20th century.”"

Born into a poor family in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of Italy, Cassin lost his father when he was 3 in a mining accident in Canada, where the elder Cassin had emigrated to improve the family’s fortunes.”

Source:http://www.northshoreoflongisland.com/Articles-i-2009-08-27-81197.112114-sub_The_inspirational_life_of_Riccardo_Cassin.html

Waste Bank: Commercializing a social entrepreneur sector

Mitch Nick — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 12:16:30 +0000

In prior posts, we have explored the need for scaled solid waste management at the Base of Pyramid and some of the challenges faced by the sector. In this post, I will explore how Waste Bank, the vehicle we are creating to commercialize the sector helps to meet this need – and all the ‘behind the scenes’ work that must also be done.

Source:http://www.socialedge.org/blogs/talking-trash/archive/2009/08/11/waste-bank-commercializing-a-social-entrepreneur-sector

Let there D.light!

Mitch Nick — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 12:10:29 +0000

This is Sam Goldman’s story. He grew up in Mauritania, Pakistan, Peru, India and Rwanda, was a Peace Corps volunteer in Benin and studied biology and environmental studies in Canada before receiving his MBA from Stanford. “My neighbor’s son in Benin was badly burned by a kerosene lamp. I decided to provide a source of light that is safe and cheap.” This is the story of a social entrepreneur in the making and the building of a global social enterprise: D.light Design.

Source:http://www.socialedge.org/blogs/let-there-d-light

Attracting more socially minded investors has helped get more funds for social purposes

Mitch Nick — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 12:08:41 +0000

While conventional investors are pulling their dollars out of stocks and bonds, Calvert Foundation investors are putting them where it counts, back into the communities in need of help

Source:http://washington.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2009/01/26/daily50.html

First Book

Mitch Nick — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 12:10:26 +0000

First Book’s resolute mission to reach children, wherever they are, with brand new books they can read and keep now

With over nine million Canadian adults struggling with low literacy, First Book’s mission is to address this challenge at its roots.1 A recent study shows the importance of lowering the threshold of book ownership for low-income families in Canada.

Source:http://www.firstbook.org/site/c.lwKYJ8NVJvF/b.4096897/k.2055/First_Book__Canada_Splsh_Page.htm