Honesty

From today's Letters to Editor:

I would like to express my gratitude to two unknown little girls who found my purse left in a cart at the Lowe's parking lot and brought it to the cashier in the garden section.  I wish I could thank you in person.


And thank you to the parents raising these thoughtful and kind children.

Source:  San Luis Obispo Tribune 5/28/12

Family Devoted To Student Death-Prevention

High school graduation parties celebrate a life-passage, and they can also create a life's end. Each year, after a graduation ceremony some over-celebratory graduates will die from alcohol poisoning. 

Following the death of a popular Texas college student from alcohol poisoning, Aware Awake Alive formed to "...prevent loss of life to alcohol poisoning by educating teens, young adults and parents on the dangers and symptoms of alcohol overdose, generating awareness and dialogue around amnesty-based policy and legislation and creating an atmosphere of partnership in which young people, parents, educators and like-minded organizations share responsibility for supporting and educating one another."

The website acknowledges, " Julia, Scott and Hayden Starkey have faced the loss of their beloved son and brother with a focus on turning their personal tragedy into something positive for the greater good. The Starkey family believes the loss of Carson has given them a unique gift to serve and help others. Julia and Scott commit themselves fulltime to the mission of Aware Awake Alive."

Scholarships For Students Who Dream of Touching the Stars

More than 80 astronauts participate in the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, originally called the Mercury Seven Foundation, that provides  scholarships for college students who exhibit motivation, imagination, and exceptional performance in the science or engineering field of their major.

From the ASF website:

The original Mercury Seven Foundation began on a shoestring budget, and the first seven scholarships, at $1,000 each, were awarded in 1986. As more money was raised the amount and number of scholarships increased gradually. The foundation now awards 28 scholarships annually, each worth $10,000, for a total of $280,000. To date, the foundation has awarded over $3 million in scholarships to deserving students nationwide.

Scholarship money is raised through astronaut appearances, fund-raising events, corporate and individual donations, and astronaut autographs.

Pay It Forward In Lamu, Kenya

You Can Thrive is a UK based charity that focuses on improving the living conditions thru sustainability, in Lamu, a small town on Lamu Island in Kenya.

The founder mentions that the level of poverty is related to "a lack of opportunity and tourism."  So the charity formed last October.   In February an organized Lamu Beautification project began which will include providing waste bins for households and businesses, and recycling bins for plastics and other wastes.

Reaching Out to Disadvantaged South Asian Children in US

"... South Asian Youth Action (SAYA) seeks to help needy South Asian children, but not in some distant land like India — these youths are in its backyard in New York City," reports the New York Times.

More than 1 out of 20 youths (between the ages of five and 19) in New York City are South Asian. A quarter of this population lives at or below the poverty level, according to the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey from 2010.

"Founded in 1996 by Sayu Bhojwani, a Queens resident who saw a lack of resources for South Asian children in New York, SAYA offers more than a dozen sources of support. On the academic side, students can get tutoring and help with the college application process through the Chalo College program, which includes campus visits and information on financial aid and scholarships. For personal development, there is a leadership program for girls, a basketball program for boys and counseling for emotional issues," writes the NYT.

Saving China's Yangstze Finless Porpoises

The blog, Neptune 911 recently reported on the survival challenge of the endangered species Yangstze finless porpoises dwelling in China's waters.  Scientific American reports:

"Chinese officials added an extra 50,000 carp to the waters of Poyang Lake this week to help feed the endangered Yangtze finless porpoises (Neophocaena phocaenoides asiaeorientalis) that live there, according to a report from the Xinhua news agency."

Hollywood's Bridge For Veteran Support

Jobs.  Education.  Health.  Housing. Family. Leadership. 

These are the 6 Pillars the organizers for Got Your 6, a Hollywood-based non profit, announced as its partnership goals as a means to support US military veterans.

The website clarifies:

• Got Your 6 will inspire Americans to help bridge the civilian-military divide.
• Got Your 6 will provide tools, platforms, and resources that Americans can use to feel more comfortable with military and veteran culture. 
• Got Your 6 will create opportunities for veterans and civilians to join together to reinvigorate our communities. 
• Got Your 6 will change the conversation in America, so that our returning veterans are not seen as liabilities, but as assets.
• Got Your 6 will embody—for all Americans—the values of duty, selfless service, and mutual respect upheld by those that serve in our military.