Archive » Worthy Causes

Blackfive: Opening the gates of heaven Mudville Gazette: Sacred words “I want to fight for something” Photo of the day: Maj. Mark Bieger Set a remembrance table

Must-read of the day is at the WSJ Online: “An American Soldier.” It’s an essay from Michael C. Carson of St. Paul, Minnesota, a fallen American soldier, written five years ago when he was a high school senior. Laura Ingraham read it on her show this morning. You won’t get through it with dry eyes. [...]

For once, a good ending–although the child will bear the physical and emotional scars of abuse for years to come. *** Background: Fla. police hope photo will help them find victim of child abuse Sifting Clues to an Unsmiling Girl Police hope photo of possible witness leads to child porn victim

This didn’t make the front page of the New York Times, but thought you’d like to read it: U.S. troops donate 800 pairs of shoes to kids in rural Iraq “I went through villages when I first got here and noticed that some of the kids didn’t have shoes,” said Sgt. William Bailey, 29, of [...]

My new column is up, inspired by National Police Week as well as a number of news items involving cops this week. The intro: When was the last time you thanked a cop? And wouldn’t it be nice if, for just a brief moment, the mainstream media would hold a ceasefire in its incessant cop-bashing [...]

Have you heard of Helen Harcombe? If not, get out the Kleenex before clicking here. An excerpt: A mother who died from breast cancer is helping to bring up her daughter – with a manual of advice she had written in the final stages of her illness. Helen Harcombe, from Porth in the Rhondda, left [...]

If you’re in Connecticut and looking to adopt a dog, read this. Update: Chain Gang notes you don’t need to be a Connecticut resident to help rescue the greyhounds.

Democrat Zell Miller–a true maverick–fell ill yesterday during a speech and was taken to a hospital outside Atlanta. Best wishes for a speedy recovery. Check out Scott Johnson’s lovely tribute to Zell here, “My favorite Democrat.” Mine, too. *** Previous: End-of-the-year listmania (best Zell zingers of 2004, scroll down)

Just found out about this. From Laura Ingraham’s website: You know I hate Drama Kings or Queens, but I am asking for your prayers today and for the forseeable future. On Friday afternoon, I learned that I have joined the ever-growing group of American women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. As so many [...]

Sri Lankans want to know where $425 million tsunami aid pledged by Canada went. Judi McLeod of Canada Free Press investigates. (Hat tip: Reader William B.)

Tony Perry of the Los Angeles Times has a heart-warming article about local citizens in Bangor, Maine, who welcome soldiers returning to the U.S.: BANGOR, Maine — Tired and bleary-eyed, Marines of the 1st Battalion, 7th Regiment, based at Twentynine Palms, Calif., were finally back on U.S. soil after seven months on the front lines [...]

Sweet little story.

John Woodruff’s brilliant victory in the 800 meters at the 1936 Olympic Games helped crush Hitler’s ideals of white supremacy. Now 89 years old and in poor health, Woodruff’s once-powerful legs have been amputated below the knees. He needs an expensive, specialized van to get around.Back in the ’30s, Olympic champions didn’t get multi-million-dollar endorsement [...]

Pat Tillman, who was killed one year ago this week, reportedly turned down the opportunity to be honorably discharged from the military four months prior to his death. (Hat tip: Lorie Byrd.) A road race was held in Tillman’s honor in Tempe, Ariz., over the weekend.

Jeffrey Ake, father of four, was kidnapped by terrorists in Iraq Monday and appeared on a video yesterday surrounded by masked gunmen. Ake was abducted from a water treatment plant near Baghdad. He’s president of a company that bottles water and cooking oil. His hometown of LaPorte, Ind., is planning a Friday prayer vigil. Meanwhile, [...]

Received a beautiful G.I. bracelet today–it’s a purple band that sports the phrase “FOR THOSE WHO SERVE” in honor of the troops. The G.I. bracelets are just $5 each. The entire purchase price goes to the following 501(c)(3) charities: Fisher House Foundation Builds “comfort homes” on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers. [...]

Reader Richard Davis just heard on the radio (Michael Smerconish, WPHT Philadelphia) an interview with Widener University President Dr. James Harris. According to Davis, Harris said Widener will begin giving four-year full scholarships to children whose military parent was killed in either Iraq or Afganistan. The program, called “Widener Cares,” will give away four scholarships [...]

Remember this little story of a Girl Scout and her dad getting hassled by N.Y. cops for selling cookies? The N.Y. Post has a nice follow-up: March 14, 2005 — A “cookie angel” has bought 1,000 boxes of a Long Island Girl Scout’s goodies in hopes of sweetening her recent unpleasant encounter with the NYPD. [...]

The 2005 Templeton Prize winner was announced this week; the $1.5 million award went to Charles Townes, the Nobel laureate whose inventions include the maser and laser and who has spent decades as a leading advocate for the convergence of science and religion. USA Today has a nice profile of Townes today. The prize was [...]

There’s a Marine who needs you. From the Bakersfield Californian: LOMA LINDA, Calif. (AP) – A Marine who received a liver transplant because of a near-fatal infection that developed after his return from Iraq may now need a bone marrow transplant. Lance Cpl. Christopher LeBleu, 22, has a “high probability” of needing the transplant because [...]

…to indefatigable blogger-extraordinaire Ed Morrissey and his wife, who will be undergoing a pancreas transplant tonight or tomorrow morning.

Bring a box of Kleenex. You will need it.

Remember this moving photo of an injured Marine? The Omaha World Herald has a riveting follow-up story today. More at The Right Report and Blackfive. We are truly blessed to have such men of courage serving this nation.

A man who found $850,000 on the road returned it to its rightful owner.

Following up on the controversy at Marquette University over a College Republican fundraiser for Adopt a Sniper, which we blogged about here last week, even al Jazeera has weighed in with a story now. I heard over the weekend from John McAdam, Associate Professor of Political Science at Marquette and the faculty advisor of the [...]

I first blogged about the “Adopt a Sniper” program last August. (See also here.) It’s a terrific charity that supports snipers serving overseas in the War on Terror. Now comes word from many of my readers and fellow bloggers that Marquette University is preventing College Republicans from raising money for Adopt A Sniper. From the [...]

The first Operation Iraqi Freedom Medal of Honor nominee was named today. Sgt. Paul Smith’s incredible story is here. Hat tip: Blogger El Capitan.

Over the weekend, FOX News business anchor Neil Cavuto interviewed SPC Jose (J.R.) Martinez about the Iraqi elections. Martinez expressed elation over the success of the process and gratitude for his fellow men and women in uniform. Martinez’s unbridled enthusiasm and love of country captivated me. He is an awe-inspiring spokesman for Salute America’s Heroes, [...]

Ten-year-old Shelby Dangerfield of Billings, Montana, has launched a campaign to show solidarity with Iraqi voters: “It will symbolize our support if we wear ink on our fingers,” Shelby said. “We’re not forcing them to vote, but they have a chance to do it and they should take that chance.” Shelby said Saturday afternoon she [...]

For those who have been following the story of Baby Jordan, here is the latest wonderful news sent to me from Jordan’s dad, Jeff: BABY JORDAN RECEIVES A HEART! Statement from Jeff and Sadaf Trimarchi We are so happy to announce that a donor heart became available for our baby Jordan on Wednesday, January 26, [...]