We All Have the Right to Feel Wind in Our Hair

Cycling without age

Cycling Without Age is an international non profit organization that provides the elderly with opportunities to remain active in their day to day lives. Volunteers use trishaws to take their elders on a bike ride that they may not have otherwise have been given the chance to take. Elderly citizens are given the chance to tell their story and relive some of the experiences they had earlier in life.

Christian, the young boy in the video shows us just what being selfless means. He understands that giving to others not only provides kindness to others, but a sense of social responsibility within ourselves. As stated on the Cycling Without Age website, “We are all heading on the same path that our grandparents were on. It is an inevitable journey of life.”

“Without age is the principle of how life does not end at a given age, but instead we can embrace what each generation has to offer through something as simple as cycling.”

 

Video Credit: Mariana Abdalla has a passion in visual arts and her aim is to engage in digital and visual strategic communications.

Love Yourself Enough

camp otyokwah

Love Yourself Enough. It is a simple enough quote, but holds so much more meaning, especially to those that have attended Camp Otyokwah, in Butler, Ohio.

Camp Otyokwah is an overnight summer camp for children and youth. The premise and vision behind the camp is that children are exposed to so many different messages about who they are and who they should be, with little opportunities to grow as individuals. Camp Otyokwah is about building individuality, friendships and a relationship with God. Here, campers have the opportunity to hear what God’s word says about them.

This photo was taken by photographer Jana Life during staff training week. The moment was captured right after staffer, Beth, had completed a trust fall in which she had to fall backwards off a 5 foot platform into the arms of her fellow staff members. The words on her shirt and the expression on her face say it all; loving yourself enough to trust those around you is a recipe for joy.

 

Camp Courage – Life Changing Camp for Those Affected by Burn-Related Injuries

camp courage

In this video, Anne Marie Gefell, an adult burn survivor, recaps what it was like going through the physical and mental trauma of a burn injury without a support system. Now Anne Marie is the director of youth services with the Finger Lakes Regional Burn Association which puts on a yearly summer camp, called Camp Courage, for young burn survivors. Anne Marie’s kindness and dedication to these young survivors makes it so that they will have a support group throughout their recovery and for the rest of their lives.

Finger Lakes Regional Burn Association is a non-profit organization whose mission is to insure that anyone affected by a burn-related injury receives the resources for their road to recovery. They also seek to raise fire and burn prevention awareness. occasionally beyond, regardless of social or economic status.

This film, by Jessica Plance, a student at RIT shows us how Camp Courage can transform not only children impacted by burns, but adults that experienced a burn-related injury earlier in life.

Gefell states, “You have to deal with trauma, or trauma will deal with you.”

 

For more information on Camp Courage, or to learn more about the impact burn-related injuries can have on a person, visit Finger Lakes Regional Burn Association or the American Burn Association.

Saint Mary’s Soup Kitchen: Nourishing the Body and Mind

Poverty, hunger and homelessness are a continuing issue in Memphis, one of the poorest big cities in America. St. Mary’s Soup Kitchen has been an ongoing source of comfort and need for many of those affected. They average more than 300 servings a day. In 2014 their total served was 88,000.
“Often the homeless feel invisible. People walk by them as if they are not even there, often avoiding eye contact. As for the image of the mans face, sometimes even just an acknowledgement of their presence, a smile, a kind word can make a connection with them. Sometimes eyes can connect soul to soul and no words even needs to be spoken. ” says Karen Pulfer Focht, photo journalist.

St. Mary’s Soup Kitchen is the longest continuously running soup kitchen in the United States. It has been operating since 1870, six days a week. Each day beverages, pastries, meat sandwiches, soup, fruit, candy and chips are served. “For four hours we feed bodies and nourish spirits with a hearty “Good Morning,” praise songs and a wish to “Have a blessed day!”

St. Mary’s is able to function because of the more than 50 volunteers from the area that give their time. They are always looking for volunteers Monday thru Friday from 7:15 AM to 10:00 AM. Donations can also be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church Soup Kitchen.

To learn more about St. Mary’s Soup Kitchen, contact Martin at 901-649-3555.

According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, there were 578,424 people experiencing homelessness in the U.S. in January 2014.

Photography taken by Karen Pulfer Focht. Karen isn’t just a photo journalist, but someone who expresses her heart through her photography.

To find a local soup kitchen in your area Feeding America.

 

 

Delta Fantasy Flight – A Flight of Imagination for Children Facing Life-Threatening Illnesses

The North Pole Fantasy Flight is a charity flight, put on by Delta, for children dealing with a life-threatening illness. Patients from local children’s hospitals take a fantasy flight to the “North Pole”. The day is full of wonderful surprises for the children including flight attendants dressed as elves, music, clowns, and a visit from Santa when the plane lands.
The Delta Fantasy Flight is something a child could only dream of. It gives children with life-threatening illnesses a chance to forget about hospitals and their illness. It is a day for these children and their families to experience the spirit of the season.

Photographer, Christa Breaugh, said, “It is truly a fantastic event that I was honored to witness.” Christa is currently a lifestyle and wedding photographer.

Give Kids The World is another organization that provides children with life-threatening illnesses and their families an experience of a lifetime. Children and their families visit a “storybook” resort in Florida for a week long, cost-free vacation.

Be Kind and Do Good Onto Others – Gifts of Smiles and Love in Oaxaca, Mexico

simply smiles trip

The name Simply Smiles meant so much more after reviewing this story submitted by Evelyn Fenick. The photo submission name “Give” lends us just a little insight into the amazing charity work and joy that Simply Smiles and Evelyn gave to the Oaxaca village in Mexico.

Evelyn’s mission trip with Simply Smiles was full of eye opening experiences. Each day brought new challenges but at the same time companionship and understanding from all involved. One day consisted of visiting an orphanage that Simply Smiles built. Here the volunteers got to play with the children, cook, do crafts, and even listen to a mariachi band. Even though many of the volunteers knew little Spanish, “the children still welcomed me and we were able to communicate solely with smiles.” says Fenick. Despite having so little, the children were cheerful and excited to have the extra companionship.

One of the most remarkable experiences in Oaxaca was when the organization and volunteers visited the city dump. There were families living and working in the dump. Families spend most of their days work searching through the dump to collect items they can then sell. Each bag that they collect is worth one dollar. Volunteers were instructed to shake all of the families and workers hands. The reason why is heart wrenching. Buyers of the collected bags will not even place the dollar in the workers’ hands. Instead, they put the dollar payment on the ground. Shaking the workers’ hands gave a sign of respect and was very appreciated.

Late in the week the organization returned to the dump and had a drive of shoes, clothes, sheets, milk, towels, toilet paper and non perishable foods. Families lined up to choose what they needed. Even though each family was very much in need, the love and compassion the villagers had for one another was undeniable. A family chose a pair of shoes, as another family stood behind them, the man offered the shoes he had just chosen to the man behind him – he thought that this other family would have liked the shoes very much.

The week culminated with a fiesta. Invitations were passed out to all of the villagers from the village where the Simply Smiles base is stationed. Villagers helped with the cooking and there was a huge meal for everyone to enjoy.
We couldn’t sum up this story any better than from Evelyn’s words:
“After the trip I was so much more thankful for the small things that happen throughout the day and seeing the generosity of people. I realized that life’s meaning is to be kind and do good onto others. It taught me to not take anything for granted and to have an open mind to new adventures and meeting new people. There is a quote by Margaret Mead that states, ‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has. ‘ “
Evelyn Fenick studied Fine Arts at the University of Connecticut in 2013 with a concentration in Photography.

Keep Our Neighbors Warm Event: We Are On This Earth to Help One Another

womens ministries

Keep Our Neighbors Warm, now in its 5th year, is an annual event put on by the Women with a Vision Ministries here in Connecticut. The most recent event took place on Saturday, December 10th at Capital Community College, where one of the members of the ministry, Marva Patterson, graduated.

Keep Our Neighbors Warm is a community event where donations of coats, footwear, hats, gloves, scarfs, sweaters, and blankets are accepted and then distributed to those in need. The winter drive begins in September of each year. Women with a Visions Ministries seeks donations from consignment stores, churches, and other local organizations. The items are then given out beginning in December. Last winter roughly 1500 individuals received warm clothing and accessories.

This annual program is one of many that is held each year by Women with a Vision Ministries. Around Mother’s Day the organization collects wallets, purses, and totes for the women at the Interval House and The Salvation Army Marshall House. Interval House provides services to break the cycle of domestic violence. Interval House is dedicated to providing services to prevent and break the cycle of family and intimate partner abuse. The Salvation Army House helps those in need in both Connecticut and Rhode Island.

Marva states, “I don’t take credit for what God has commissioned me to do as an ambassador of Jesus Christ.  We are on this earth to help one another. The reason I sent the information to you was because there are people out there that can help us help others.”

If you are interested in taking part of one of Women with a Vision Ministries’ drives you can contact Marva at [email protected] or 860-484-1511.

Knits of Kindness in East Lyme, Connecticut

Act of Kindness in Niantic CT

The town of East Lyme, Connecticut was touched by the most beautiful holiday gesture at the end of 2016. A customer of Twist Yarn Shoppe in Niantic, CT  decked the local town green with knit mittens, scarfs, and hats for those who may need a little extra warmth this holiday season.

In the spirit of the season, a loyal and sweet customer of Twist Yarn Shoppe worked hard to knit mittens, scarfs, and hats this past year. This customer, who wishes to remain anonymous, then put out all of these gorgeous knits on the East Lyme town green for those in need of warmth. This beautiful gesture sparked what will be an even bigger event this coming holiday season. Twist Yarn Shoppe is in the middle of planning a year long project to “scarf bomb” the town. Knits will be made and placed around town for those in need.

Jen and Lisa, at Twist Yarn Shoppe, are a mother-daughter team who have a passion for knitting. Their recently opened shop seeks to embrace knitting being trendy again.  What the owners really hope to do is offer a hobby, a lifestyle, and a sense of community. In addition to yarns and knit products, the shop regularly hosts events that they hope “will bring people together, forge new friendships and provide an environment for all to flourish at knitting!”

If you or someone you know enjoys knitting, or would like to learn, the more the merrier for this year’s town “scarf bomb” event. Visit Twist Yarn Shoppe or contact Jen and Lisa at 860.451.8213.

To learn more about other organizations that create acts of kindness based around knitting you can visit Knit-a-Square and Warm Up America. These great organizations accept donations to help spread warmth to those in need.

Gifts for God’s Children

Gifts for families in need

Catholic Charities of West Tennessee teamed up with Bishop Martin Holley for their event, Gifts for God’s Children”. Catholic Charities is right on the front lines helping the needy in one of the poorest big cities in our country – Memphis.

For many families the holiday season presents even more of a struggle for families to provide food, gifts, and the very basics of living to their children and family members. Gifts for God’s Children is a wonderful example of how local organizations are coming together to support families who are in need of assistance this holiday season. Bishop Martin Holley and Catholic Charities of West Tennessee gave to those in need by providing toys and food to needy children and families outside Catholic Charities in Memphis.

Memphis is one of the poorest big cities in our nation and Catholic Charities is right on the front lines helping the needy. Families sign up for food and toys prior to the event and drive up and they are given a box of food, including a turkey, and the toys for the age children they requested. Many children are also given the chance to take a photo with Santa for the first time ever.

Bishop Holley, shown wearing black ear muffs, was once one of many children who grew up in a very poor home.

Photojournalist Karen Pulfer Focht remembers Bishop Holley telling a crowd that he could remember waking up on Christmas and knowing that “other people”, strangers as a matter of fact, gave his family toys for Christmas. Even as a little boy, he understood how special this was.
The beauty behind this wonderful gesture does not go unnoticed. There are too many children who wake up on Christmas day without gifts from Santa. If you or anyone you know finds it hard to give a gift during the holiday season, there are many organizations which can make child and/or family’s wish come true.

For more information on similar programs that help others give gifts during the holiday season can be found at Toys for Tots or Compassion International. You can also look for local organizations or churches in your own neighborhood.

Let Go – A Journey of Unconditional Love

joy in childhood

Sometimes kindness is not just about being kind to others, but also being kind to ourselves. We often believe that most of our lives are under our control, the reality is that so little of it really is. When unexpected circumstances arise we must be kind to ourselves, be graceful in our acceptance of these circumstances, and breathe life and unconditional love into our journey.

This video submission, by Mariana Abdalla, is a beautiful example of how life may throw you a curve ball, but it is up to you to make the most of it. “Let Go” was filmed in Surf City, North Carolina and is a wonderful documentary of a women, Jean Mendieta, who finds out they are expecting. The film takes us on a journey of acceptance, unconditional love, and freedom. Jean learns to be kind with herself and those around her and accept what life has given her. With kindness beautiful things can be born, like love for one another. As Jean Medieta states, referring to her daughter, “Well, Regina, I’d like to tell you, that when you were born I found unconditional love.” 

“The video makes me think of the role parents, specifically, mothers, have in parenting: it’s not about yourself and what YOU want for your kids: it’s about giving life and love to another human being.” says Mariana Abdalla.

The message speaks to us all. “What are you afraid of? Let go.”