There are many ways to thank those who make personal sacrifices and put their lives on the line so the rest of us can enjoy liberty and freedom. For the deployed soldier who must endure difficult living conditions, long periods away from home, and threats from hostile enemies, even a small thing like a letter or package from someone who expresses appreciation for what they are doing can mean a great deal. That’s what makes Operation Gratitude so important for the morale of American service men…
Everyone has been feeling the pinch in this difficult economy, including the Lloyd A. Stage Nature Center, a 100-acre sanctuary located along the north Branch of the Rouge River in Troy, Michigan. When budget cuts forced the City of Troy Michigan to cut funding for maintenance of the trails and main building in May 2011, one of the local citizens decided that this nature preserve was too important to lose, and so John Ragan turned what should have been a quiet retirement into a quest to raise money…
When it comes to attitudes towards animals there are two kinds of people, but not the animal lover vs. non-animal lover response you’re probably thinking. What it really comes down to are those who believe in treating animals humanely, and those people who think of them as a nuisance that must be “dealt with.” Unfortunately, this latter group of individuals often view those who try to help animals as a nuisance as well, making it difficult or even impossible for these kind souls to help an…
There are many ways to determine the true measure of a man, and there’s probably no better way than to see what they do for the benefit of others. For some this may be as simple as making a donation to a worthy cause, but for others it means overcoming adversity and turning a debilitating injury into a positive force. There’s a lot we can learn from a man like Christopher Reeve. Once an accomplished actor at the height of his career, Christopher’s life changed suddenly in 1995 when his spinal…
One person can make a difference, and everyone should try. These words were often spoken by John F. Kennedy, but if you ask me they aren’t said enough anymore. Imagine what kind of world we would have if everyone lived by these words. Thankfully, there are a lot of really dedicated and amazing people who take these words to heart and volunteer their time to help the less fortunate. These people deserve our thanks and appreciation. What’s even more amazing is when one of these people is someone…
Written by Ashley Hennen. Posted on December 1st, 2011 in The Hub A mosaic that’s reminiscent of Van Gogh’s Starry Night hangs in the lobby of Mariners Inn, the Cass Corridor shelter and treatment center for homeless men. The blues and golds look like that famous painting, but instead of a night sky spanning across this triptych, there’s a bridge that spans from dark to light as the mosaic tiles move toward the door. “It’s transformation,” says Maxine Gardner a volunteering artist…
