World AIDS Day

Let us not forget all who have fought and won or lost their battle to AIDS. In memory of my brother and all of those who are no longer with us, I bow my head with loving thoughts to their brave battle against this insidious disease.

Today I ask you to say a prayer or meditative thought for those who courageously live with the virus.

If you want to do more check out God's Love We Deliver https://www.glwd.org/

AIDS can destroy a family if you let it, but luckily for my sister and me, Mom taught us to keep going.

Don't give up, be proud of who you are, and never feel sorry for yourself.

Ryan White

World AIDS Day

Today is World AIDS Day. Please take time to send a prayer, thought, or donation to all those who are living with this illness. Until we have eradicated this disease across the world, we must continue to fight for a cure. I lost a brother AIDS, so this cause is very near and dear to my heart. By the way, did you know globally over 50% of AIDS victims are women and children?

Half of all children living with HIV will die before their second birthday . . .unless we act. A few simple measures can dramatically reduce a mother's risk of passing HIV to her child. But far too many moms lack access to care that can prolong their lives — and protect their children. (World Vision). Please think about giving to http://www.joinred.com/Splash.aspx or http://www.worldvision.org/

In the spirit of love and a cure... Peace!

¿What’s Your Legacy?

Listening to the memorial tributes of Senator Ted Kennedy, I realized the impact of his legacy. There was many a tale of him assisting the person on the street with whatever was their particular concern. He helped my family with immigration, Vietnam veteran issues, and even donated his staff to work on one of my charity events.

You know they say that dead men tell no tales. This makes me pose the question, what will be your legacy?

“I may be here for a short while, gone tomorrow into oblivion or until the days come to take me away. But, in whatever part you play, be remembered as part of a legacy...of sharing dreams and changing humanity for the better. It's that legacy that never dies” author unknown

Where Charity and Love Prevail

As many of you know, I am a fan of the Celebrity Apprentice. I was so happy with this year’s outcome. Joan Rivers won and was able to win oodles of money for her charity God's Love We Deliver.

However, what was really nice about this win was that it wasn’t based solely on money raised. The other criteria included the integration of the charity in the event. That truly was the highlight of the evening. Joan embraced all the workers and volunteers of her charity to help to pull the event together. More importantly, she held an event with a silent auction that allowed full participation from celebrities and regular folk. I have seen so many auctions that are overpriced and only the very wealthy are able to participate.

By Joan keeping it affordable, she allowed everyone involved to feel good and to be able to donate to the best of their ability. God's Love We Deliver http://www.godslovewedeliver.org/ delivers meals on wheels to those who are sick and home bound. Check them out. I urge you to day to give what you can afford, whether it is your time, talent, or treasure to the charity of your choice.

Hunger’s Hope Is You!

In these challenging economic times, there are so many of our neighbors who may be going hungry, in order to pay their bills, keep a roof over their head, while striving to provide for their families.

Today, I ask that you do your part to help those in need. There are simple ways to do it. You can volunteer at your local food pantry or donate several food items to a local food bank.

Want to make a greater impact? Be a silent angel and find someone in your community who may be in need and give a gift card to a grocery store or a bag of groceries anonymously.

Count your blessings for what you have, for even if to you it may seem little…. to others you may have much. For within your ability to do your part, you have given hope to those in need.
Peace!

If you can't feed a hundred people, then just feed one.” Mother Teresa

In the Spirit of the Season

I love this time of year. It is a time to get together, see family and friends, and enjoy the spirit of the season.

I asked my niece and nephews a question that I heard a Priest ask kids in Church one Sunday. I asked why is it we get presents on Jesus’ Birthday? I asked them that if they knew that they were getting ten presents would they willing give one a way. Well….Out of the Mouths of Babes. They said sure, because the greatest present they receive on Christmas is Love and they would like to share it.

I must say that not only was I proud of their answer but I was truly moved. The kids went beyond the materialistic and they really understand what it means to share in the universal spirit of love.

In the spirit of the season, I wish all of you peace and love.

Merry Christmas

Good vs. Evil Charity Style

The other night I watched the finale of the Celebrity Apprentice. Yes I was hooked on the series. I thought it was great that the celebrities would put their money and faces to help a great cause. However in my humble opinion Donald Trump missed the boat on this. The two final applicants were Trace Atkins (Good) vs. Piers Morgan (Evil)

Donald Trump allowed evil to triumph that night because Piers won. Now don’t get me wrong, Piers did a fabulous job raising money but he still missed the boat. Trace’s charity was a smaller charity and people gave money according to scale and to me by far that was the bigger gift.

How many times do charities receive donations from celebrities but was is the impact. Will the celebrities and their friends continue to give? Will they visit the charity? Will they practice true stewardship by donating their time, talent and treasure?

For me Trace Atkins’ charity was personal. As a child who grew up with severe allergies I praise him for bringing a smaller known charity to greater visibility. The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network or http://www.foodallergy.org/

Donald Trump said that he wanted to see a battle between good and evil but he didn’t see that at all. What he did was base the reward solely on the money raised. Yes, it made great television and a lot of money was raised for two awesome charities. However I would have to say to the Donald- You are fired!!

Good always wins in the end!!!

Go Red

Today is "Go Red For Women Day" which is sponsored by the American Heart Association. Heart disease is the number one killer and ailment for the women in my family so this is very personal for me. The average person can not recognize the signs of a heart attack or how to maintain a healthy heart. Visit http://goredforwomen.org/ and

take the heart check up.

Peace

Giving with Heart

You know I was in a toy store the other day, to pick up a gift for our church’s giving tree. The giving tree grants holiday gifts to children in need. As I was trying to decide between a couple of items for a little girl, I asked woman who I was in conversation with what she thought about this present or that. Her answer alarmed me, "For a giving tree? I wouldn’t spend a lot of money on it? Wow! I thought, if we are giving a gift shouldn’t it be from the heart. Why participate in charitable giving to anybody and give them something that you would not want to receive.

That is why so many of us are royally disappointed with Yankee swaps, Kris Kringles, and holiday gift exchanges. We often buy the gag gift or something we definitely wouldn’t want to get as a gift and feel smug that we participated in the annual event.

This year, give with your heart, with love and with joy!

“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35 (New International Version)

World Aids Day

Today is World Aids Day. This is a day to celebrate life and hope for all of those living and surviving with this disease. It is also a day of reflection. A day to remember all of those who light was extinguished from this world way too soon.

This day is personal for me. My favorite sibling, my big brother who I loved dearly and hero worshipped, is one of those who left this earth way too soon. He, I think more so than my parents, helped shaped the person I was meant to be. His caring spirit for those less fortunate in the world, his love of education and learning, his sage advice (which too my regret I often ignored) and his ability not to prejudge others is a model I now try to emulate.

If the spirit moves you, please give to one of the many charities working tirelessly to eradicate Aids and to help those living with the disease.

http://joinred.com/

http://www.clintonfoundation.org/cf-pgm-hs-ai-home.htm
http://www.aidsaction.org/

As you go about your day try to do something for someone that will matter.