Make A Difference Project

It’s Friday and we’re feeling good! After reading our top three feel-good stories of the week, we’re sure you will too.

Motherly Instincts

Via Fox News

Officer Celeste Jaqueline Ayala was on duty as a guard at a hospital in Argentina when a young neglected baby was brought in. Without hesitation, Ayala’s motherly instincts kicked in and she began  nursing the baby. She provided such a beautiful gesture of love to a child she had never before met. A man took a photo of the selfless moment and it has since gone viral on social media, with Ayala receiving praise from thousands.

Mamma Mia

Via BBC

Sixty-eight-year-old Shirley Lewis has Alzheimer’s disease. She is also a huge Mamma Mia fan. Lewis and her daughter, Rhiannon went to see the movie in theatres and she was so excited she began singing along. When her singing was met with disapproval by other moviegoers, her daughter decided it would be best if they left. After leaving the movie, Rhiannon was so upset by the reaction of others she took to social media to air her grievances. The theatre immediately stepped in – not only offering the pair free tickets to the movie but also taking it upon themselves to host an entire showing of Mamma Mia for people with dementia! Now Shirley can enjoy the movie the way she should.

Be the Match

Via USA Today

Before her first birthday, 3-year-old Skye was diagnosed with a very rare form of Leukemia, only affecting about one in a million children, called juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMM) and was in desperate need of a bone marrow transplant. During this same time, Hayden Ryals was searching for a purpose in her life. One day, while walking to class, Hayden passed by a Be The Match sign and began asking questions about becoming a bone marrow donor. Soon after, Hayden received a call from the registry telling her she was the match to a one-year-old (Skye). Without hesitation, Hayden underwent the procedure, saving young Skye’s life. Hayden kept in touch with Skye’s parents and two years later, asked Skye to be the flower girl at her wedding! It sounds like both of these ladies actually saved each other.

 

If that doesn’t make your heart melt we’re not sure what will. Have a great weekend and as always, never hesitate to make a difference!

It’s time to motivate your Monday and get involved! Here are five opportunities to get involved in your community this week.

 

Community Night: HI Boston at Flatbread Brighton

Tuesday, August 21^st 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM

Flatbread Company Brighton

76 Guest Street, Boston

HI Boston is a nonprofit, member organization founded on enduring belief in the power of travel to foster a deeper understanding of people, places, and the world around. Join them for pizza, bowling, beer, and more as they partner with Flatbread Brighton to co-host a Community Night. Learn about the sustainably focused and community education-based mission of Hostelling International (HI) Boston. A portion of pizza sales will be donated to HI Boston’s travel and cultural education programs. For more information and to register, click here.

 

Summer LRC – Get Ready to Play!

Wednesday, August 22^nd 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM

Scituate Beach Association

88 Scituate Avenue, Scituate MA

12 Women Care invites you to join them for a charitable night of Left, Right, Center! Each guest will play for their favorite charity (non-profit, local organization, booster, etc.). They anticipate having two simultaneous games with two winners. The proceeds from the tickets sales will be split and paid out to the winning charities by 12 Women Care. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

 

Red Cross Food Pantry – Come Volunteer with DBRC!

Saturday, August 25^th 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Red Cross Food Pantry

1033 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston

Join Downtown Boston Rotary Club for their American Red Cross Boston Food Pantry event and connect for good! The American Red Cross Boston Food Pantry provides a 5-7 day emergency supply of nutritionally-balanced food to approximately 107,000 low-income clients annually. Volunteer activities may include: distributing food to clients, data entry on computers, directing clients to nutritional handouts and assisting with nutrition education.  For more information and to register, click here

 

Matthew’s Troops Wine & Whiskey Tasting

Saturday, August 25^th 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

MIXX 360 Nightlife

665 Broadway, Malden

Join Matthew’s Troops for a wine and whiskey tasting. All proceeds from this event will go towards team Matthew’s Troops for the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress (MDSC) Buddy Walk. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

 

Irreverent Warriors Silkies Hike – Boston

Saturday, August 25^th 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Castle Island, Boston

The Irreverent Warriors Silkies hikes are a series of events across the nation designed to prevent veteran suicide by bringing veterans together using humor and camaraderie to heal the mental wounds of war through therapeutic events and entertainment. Civilians are not allowed to hike but are welcome to volunteer and/or meet them at the bar stops along the way! For more information and to register, click here.

TGIF! Who else is ready for the weekend? Let’s celebrate Friday with these top three feel-good stories of the week!

Professional Dress Up

Via Metro

The New York Public Library is making a difference one accessory at a time. The library has started a Grow Up accessory lending program which allows any library card holder with less than $15 in fines on their account to check out accessories including neckties, briefcases, and handbags. Not only are they providing accessories, but the section also has information sheets, tips, website recommendations, and books on job interviews, professional advice, and career guidance.

Precious Time Off

Via USA Today

Florida school teacher Robert Goodman had used up all 38 of his paid leave days while undergoing surgery and chemotherapy for stage three colon cancer. As he started to worry about his financial future, he reached out on social media to share his story saying that he needed at least 20 more paid leave days to finish out his treatment. Little did he know that his post would go viral. Within days Goodman had received 75 sick days from teachers, administrators, college professors, and cafeteria workers across Florida.

Wedding Day Rescue

Via Washington Post

They say rain on your wedding day means good luck but how about a flood? This past Saturday, a bride, her new husband and her bridesmaids were trapped in a car in Bergen County, N.J. A flash flood left their car submerged in water. Thankfully the Bogota Police Department was there to save the day! The bride popped out of the sunroof, dress and all, and onto Officer Michael Laferrera’s police Hummer.

We hope you all have a beautiful weekend! Spread positivity wherever you can and always choose to make a difference!

Happy Monday! Monday’s don’t always have to be terrible. Set your intentions for a great week by joining in on one of these local happenings supporting great causes!

 

SBN on Tour at Red’s Best

Wednesday, August 15^th 10:00 am to 11:30 am

Red’s Best

37 Fish Pier Street West, Boston

Red’s Best, a Boston based seafood wholesaler, aggregates catch directly from over 1,000 small, independent New England fishing boats annually. Red’s Best mission is to sustain the livelihoods of American fishermen and their families while sustaining fisheries for harvest.

Join the Sustainable Business Network of Massachusetts for a tour of the Red’s Best fish pier facility and let’s talk about where our fish comes from and why it matters. For more information and to register, click here.

 

WCI’s 5th Annual Family and Guardian Agency Picnic

Wednesday, August 15^th 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Arsenal Park

485 Arsenal Street, First Floor – WCI, Watertown

Want to get involved? Want to meet people? WCI (Work, Community, Independence) has lots of volunteer opportunities available at the picnic. Please contact Joe Donati at (508)284-4034 or jdonati@wearewci.org. For more information and to register, click here.

 

Cornhole Tournament for a Cause

Thursday, August 16^th 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Chopps American Bar and Grill

1 Burlington Mall Road, Burlington

Cornhole for a Cause! Join CHOPPS American Bar and Grill for a special Cornhole for a Cause competition to benefit Mass General Hospital for Children Cancer Center. Cheer on your favorite cornhole team on the terrace at CHOPPS while enjoying bites from Executive Chef Steve Zimei and tastings from local Massachusetts breweries. Along with Master Mixologist Michael Ray, from Proximo and Sweet Treats from Ice Haus. For more information, click here.

 

BarkHappy Boston: Pupsicles Pawty Benefiting Missing Dogs Massachusetts

Saturday, August 18^th 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Bent Water Brewing Company

180 Commercial Street #18, Lynn

Let’s savor the dog days of summer with a fun Pupsicles Pawty! Enjoy an afternoon of cool beers and cool pupsicles for a great cause, Missing Dogs Massachusetts. They’ll keep you busy with brewery tours, doggy pools and a dog training demo from Theresa Giannino of Gone to the Dogs. For tickets and more information, click here.

 

Wicked AUsome Harbor Cruise

Sunday, August 19^th 4:30 PM – 8:00 PM

Boston Harbor Cruises

1 Long Wharf, Boston

Set sail with Friends of the Wicked AUsome Project for what will definitely be a high point of the summer, the Wicked AUsome Boston Harbor Cruise! This is their 2nd Annual Harbor Cruise and will take place aboard the Rendezvous, a private yacht, that will cruise the Boston Harbor and all of it’s beautiful views of the city. The Wicked AUsome Foundation is a charitable organization committed to promoting Autism Awareness and Acceptance in the community through educational and peer-buddy programs and to enrich the lives of people with Autism through social clubs and events. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

The weekend is upon us yet again! Let’s celebrate with three stories of people who made a difference this week.

Back to School Best

Via WBRC

Manager of the Perfect Line Barber Shop in Alabama, Robert Banks, gave out 100 free backpacks and haircuts to kids in his community to ensure they look their best on the first day of school. This will be the third year he has held the “Annual Back to School Support & Supplies” event in his barbershop. He believes that you can change the future of your community just by showing kids their potential. This event isn’t all Banks does to give back. Throughout the year, he gives free haircuts to kids of all ages who maintain an A.

A Leap of Faith

Via USA Today

Officer Jessie Ferreira Cavallo saw a boy running along the Saw Mill River Parkway in Yonkers, NY on her way to work this past Friday. Right before her eyes, the 12-year-old boy climbed over a guardrail and jumped off an overpass. Without hesitation, Jessie pulled her car over, grabbed any first-aid materials she had and jumped right behind him, ultimately saving his life. Because of her bravery, and the others who stopped to assist, the young boy survived.

Small Favors

Via ABC 13

As many of you have probably heard, the devastating Carr Fire is currently burning in Shasta and Trinity Counties in California. During this time, thousands of northern California residents have been asked to evacuate their homes. Susan and Jeff were two residents who left their home for a few days. Upon their return, they found a note on their door from a firefighter telling them that he had watered their garden while they were gone. The couple is now looking to track down the firefighter so they can thank him properly.

No matter how big or small the action, everybody has the chance to make a difference every day. Whether it’s in your own life or the lives of others, we hope you always choose the path of change!

It’s a new week and a fresh start to make a difference in your community. Check out these five local opportunities to get involved this week.

 

Housing Families Young Professionals Presents: Cornhole for a Cause

Wednesday, August 8th

5:30 – 9:30 pm

Ned Devine’s

1 Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston

Join Housing Families for a cornhole tournament as they raise funds to help families and children who are experiencing homelessness. First prize for the tournament winner is two tickets to the September 24th Boston Red Sox game versus the Orioles! For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

 

15th Annual Shooze Cruise

Wednesday, August 8th

7 – 10 pm

Bay State Cruise Lines

200 Seaport Blvd, Boston

The Shooze Cruise is a signature boat party hosted by the Emerging Leaders of St. Francis House, Boston’s largest homeless day shelter. Attendees are asked to bring a pair of new men’s shoes to donate as they board the cruise. Join the Emerging Leaders on board the Provincetown II for a night of dancing and celebration, all while helping Boston’s most vulnerable. Food is generously provided by North 26 Restaurant of Boston. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

 

Sip, Shop & Support Dress for Success Boston

Thursday, August 9th

6 -8 pm

Industrious Boston Seaport

22 Boston Wharf Road, 7th Floor Boston

Join Dress for Success Boston for an evening of wine tasting, networking, shopping and raising money! Shop an array of local vendors and artisans and 15% of your purchase will directly support Dress for Success Boston. For more information and to register, click here.

 

Wishes on Lockdown 2018

Thursday, August 9th

6 -9 PM

Alibi

215 Charles Street, Boston

Join Paul Grossman and The Wishes on Lockdown Committee as they celebrate their 3rd annual Wishes on Lockdown to support Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island! Hosted on Alibi’s beautiful patio at The Liberty Hotel, the event is a great excuse to get out with friends, meet other young professionals in Boston, and support an amazing charity that grants wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

 

Race 4 Research 5K & Walk

Sunday, August 12th

8:30 am to 2:00 pm

ALS TDI

300 Technology Square, Cambridge

On Sunday, the ALS Therapy Development Institute will be hosting the Race 4 Research 5k. ALS TDI is the world’s largest ALS research center, and it is located right here in Cambridge. All of the funds raised during Race 4 Research go straight to their lab, with the hope of finding a cure for this horrible disease. For more information, to register or make a donation, click here.