Make A Difference Project

Happy Monday everybody! If you are looking to get involved in making a difference, here are some great local events happening this week!

 

Reconnect with PHE!

Monday, July 16th (TONIGHT)

6:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Dorchester Brewing Company

1250 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston

Interested in advancing health equity and improving health outcomes for young people? Have you heard of Peer Health Exchange? PHE Boston’s Alumni Council is teaming up with Dorchester Brewing Co. to sponsor a fundraiser supporting the PHE Boston program, which trains college student volunteers to teach a comprehensive, skills-based health curriculum in Boston area high schools.

For more information, click here.

 

8th Annual Summer Dock Party

Thursday, July 19th

6:30 PM – 10:30 PM

Community Boating, Inc.

21 David G. Mugar Way, Boston

The Esplanade Friends Council will host the 8th Annual Summer Dock Party this Thursday. Set against the backdrop of the Charles River at sunset, this annual summer soiree has become a social highlight for young Bostonians. Over 200 guests will enjoy a sunset dinner and drinks followed by dessert and dancing on the docks with the DJ’s of Boston spinning music all night long. The funds raised at this year’s event support our mission to care for and maintain the park while providing the community with free summer programming.

For tickets and more information, click here.

 

MDS Awareness Walk

Friday, July 20th,

9:00 AM -12:30 AM

Boston Common

Park St., Boston

This Friday, the MDS Foundation will hold its inaugural 5K walk in Boston, MA to help raise awareness about Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS.) Inspired by the thousands impacted by MDS each year, the first-ever MDS Awareness 5K Walk strives to drive awareness of this devastating disease, create connections and build a community for patients, families and caregivers.

Join us and register for the event here.

 

Yoga for Charity

Saturday, July 21st

12:30 PM – 1:30 PM

Lexington Power Yoga

1762 Massachusetts Avenue – Suite 204, Lexington

Join Wilson Farm at Lexington Power Yoga for an afternoon of Vinyasa Flow Yoga! LPY’s skilled teachers will guide you through a sequence of movements and poses, helping you link each pose to breath. All guests will receive a swag bag courtesy of Wilson Farm and 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the Pan-Mass Challenge which benefits the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

For more information and tickets, click here.

 

Maggiano’s Little Italy Kid’s Cooking to benefit Make a Wish

Saturday, July 21st

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Maggiano’s Little Italy

4 Columbus Ave, Boston

Join Maggiano’s Little Italy for a fun-filled morning with their Chef where he will show the kid’s how to create their own version of a Maggiano’s favorite! The tasty creations may proudly be taken home to be cooked & enjoyed. Proceeds from this event will go to The Make a Wish Foundation! They will also be selling Make A Wish cookies & raffle tickets to help raise additional funds.

For tickets and more information, click here.

 

After the holiday week, we’re all settling back into our regular routines. Whether you are feeling refreshed or overwhelmed, we have just the perfect ending to your week; our top three feel-good stories.

A Chance Encounter

Via BBC News

25-year-old Ryan Davidson was homeless and unemployed when he encountered James Minns and asked him for some spare change. After some chatting and learning Ryan’s story, James offered him a job at his paint-coating company. Ryan was thrilled and the two snapped a picture and posted it on social media where it went viral. Ryan’s local milkman even offered him a ride to his first day! Ryan now loves his job at James’ company. In response to the amazing outpouring of support through social media, they have set up a go fund me page to get Ryan permanent housing. Way to make a difference in this young man’s life, James!

 

Traffic Hero

Via Faithpot

Randy Jones was doing work along the highway on a particularly hot day in Oklahoma City when he noticed Logan Duncan holding up a stop sign. Jones pulled over to ask the boy what he was doing to which Logan said he noticed the sign had been run down and he had almost witnessed an accident because of it, so he returned on his lunch break to hold it up. Jones called city workers and asked them to come by and fix the sign, but not before grabbing a picture of the young man to share his good dead with the world.

 

Breathing Easy

Via WRCBTV

Last week, Steven and Michelle Burt were flying JetBlue airlines from Orlando to Worcester, MA with their 3-year-old French bulldog, Darcy. Mid-flight the couple noticed Darcy was in distress. When they took him out of his pet carrier they saw that his gums and tongue had turned blue, meaning he was not receiving enough oxygen. Flight attendants Renaud Spencer and Diane Asher came to the rescue with a small oxygen mask. Darcy has since made a full recovery thanks to the quick thinking of these flight attendants.

Another week of good people doing good things, sometimes we all need to be reminded that there is still good in this world. Now go have a great weekend!

Happy Make A Difference Monday! Here are five great events to support around town this week.

 

Summer Inn the City

Thursday, July 12th

6:00-9:00 pm

Harbor Park at John Joseph Moakley United States Courthouse

1 Courthouse Way, Boston

Join Pine Street’s Innbassadors for their 6th Annual Summer Inn the City Event! Enjoy the best party of the summer season with delicious food, refreshing drinks, fun people and great entertainment – all in support of the mission to end homelessness!

For more information and tickets, click here.

 

Project Bread’s Benefit Night With a Special Beer Release

Thursday, July 12th

6:30-9:30 pm

Down The Road Beer Co.

199 Ashland Street, Everett

Down the Road Beer Co. is throwing a Beer Release Party to benefit Project Bread and launch their limited-release new brew, Banana Bread Ale!

They’ll be donating 30% of sales from their taproom and 20% of sales from their new Banana Bread Ale – made with locally-baked bread! – to help Project Bread open 10 new Summer Eats sites in MA. Summer Eats sites provide free meals for kids and teens during summer vacation.

For more information, click here.

 

Beach Cleanup & Bash with ThreeMain & Rozalia Project

Thursday, July 12th

10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Carson Beach

125 William J. Day Boulevard, Boston

This family-friendly event features a full morning of fun and educational activities. Lend a helping hand to keep our beach environment clean and beautiful and learn from ThreeMain’s nonprofit partner, Rozalia Project, about the importance of protecting our oceans. Guests can also enjoy complimentary refreshments and mingle with fellow ocean-lovers.

For more information and to register, click here.

 

Bikes + Beers for CCALS!

Saturday, July 14th

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM

Rev’d Indoor Cycling | Rev’d Patriot Place

219 Patriot Place, Foxborough

Join Rev’d Indoor Cycling for their third annual bikes + beers for CCALS!  All proceeds from this ride will benefit Compassionate Care ALS. Following class, head over to Bar Louie’s rooftop for celebratory beverages!  $40/per rider, pre-registration + payment required.

For more information and to sign up, click here.

 

Bark & Wine: A Vandervalk Tasting for Paws New England

Saturday, July 14th

1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Vandervalk Farm & Winery

25 Lovell Street, Mendon

Join Paws New England for an afternoon of wine tasting at Vandervalk Farm & Winery! The event includes sampling six wines, snacks, a relaxing atmosphere, raffles & supporting rescue dogs in need!

For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

We hope you all had a fun and safe holiday! Whether you’re still relaxing at the beach or back in the office, here are three great stories that will end the week off right.

Man’s Best Friend

Via People

Earlier this week, Paula Godwin was taking a morning hike with her two dogs in Anthem, Arizona when she almost stepped on a rattlesnake. Thankfully for Paula, her Golden Retriever puppy, Todd jumped into action, got in front of the rattlesnake and took the bite for her. Todd was bit on the right side of his face and immediately rushed to Anthem Animal Hospital where he was treated with anti-venom and is going to be just fine. Talk about man’s best friend!

Just in Time

Via CBC News

Last week at the Broadview subway station in Toronto, Julie Caniglia heard a faint voice call out “help, help me please.” When she got up and looked out over the platform she saw a man with a walking cane lying on the tracks. The man was blind and had fallen. Without hesitation, 24-year-old Kyle Busquine jumped down to the tracks, lifting the man out with the help of two others onto the platform!

Gracious Guests

Via Today

If you’ve been following the World Cup then you probably already know Japan was eliminated by Belgium on Monday. However, it is what the team did after the loss that has fans everywhere impressed with their behavior. Before they left, they cleaned their changing room until it was spotless and left a note for their Russian hosts that said “thank you” in Russian. What a class act Japan!

Enjoy the rest of this beautiful week and remember that even the smallest actions can make the biggest difference.

 

Losing a loved one can make anyone feel utterly alone, and no one knows this better than Denise and Ken Brack. After losing their son, Michael, they established Hope Floats Healing and Wellness Center in 2008 as a resource for other grieving families and individuals.

As a 501 (c) (3) non-profit public charity and bereavement center, Hope Floats offers free support services, grief counseling and retreats for those experiencing significant personal loss or facing other life challenges. Located on a beautiful property in Kingston, Massachusetts, this incredible center has brought together a community of people experiencing similar heartaches and helped them piece their lives back together. All of their staff members are highly experienced and trained in different types of grief. The variety in their specialties allows the facility to offer various support groups for parents, young adults and children coping with life after death.

In addition to support groups, Hope Floats offers day-long support retreats that occur throughout the year. These retreats not only include meditation exercises, yoga and treatment offerings, but they also give those who may feel alone a chance to meet and interact with those dealing with similar losses.

Classes aren’t offered exclusively on retreats, however. Hope Floats offers Yoga, Tai Chi and body treatments such as massage therapy, aroma touch, reflexology, and more. These physical practices help soothe and heal both the body and mind. All classes and treatments are open to the public, and a portion of the proceeds provides support groups/grants for those in need.

Hope Floats is a safe and peaceful environment for people to understand, accept and eventually learn from their grief. The many resources available give people a unique space to cope, heal and explore how loss can transform individuals. While dealing with loss is often an isolating and painful process, Hope Floats focuses on bringing together a community of people who can relate to and learn from one another. With events such as their annual memory walk, Hope Floats helps to keep the memory of loved ones alive.

If you’re interested in making a difference for individuals and families going through difficult loss, you can make a donation to Hope Floats HERE.

If you’d like to participate in a workshop, class or treatment, give them a call at 781-585-4221×2.

The Friday before a holiday week can seem to drag on, so why not take a break and check out this week’s feel-good stories? Wishing everyone out there a fun and relaxing 4th of July!

A Helpful Push

Via The Washington Post 

When amateur boxer Bilal Quintyne was preparing to go for a run with his trainer in Smyrna, Georgia, he noticed 67-year-old Belinda Whitaker sitting in her wheelchair. The battery of her 360-pound electric wheelchair had died and she had been sitting there for about 45 minutes. Quintyne took it upon himself to push Whitaker the 30-minute walk back to her senior living center. Talk about two birds with one stone! Way to make a difference and get in a good workout, Quintyne!

Final Gift

Via NBC

Tammy Waddell was a paraprofessional and teacher at several schools in Georgia throughout her life. Unfortunately, she passed away earlier this month at the age of 58 from a prolonged illness. As a way to give back to her students one last time, she asked for people to bring backpacks filled with school supplies to her funeral in lieu of flowers. On the day of her funeral, they received around 130 backpacks! The backpacks are to be donated to Project Connect, a school district initiative that donates school supplies to the region’s neediest students.

Special Delivery

Via Today

Firefighters from Engine 642 in West Henrietta, New York were called to a vehicle collision this past Saturday. Upon arrival, they realized the driver of the car was on his way to deliver a pizza. After the team treated everybody involved, they decided it was up to them to make sure this pizza made it to its final destination. Firefighter Jeremy Meisenzahl delivered the pizza himself, thanking the customer for deciding to order out and not risk burning food and setting off the fire alarm.

Another week, another round of feel-good stories sending you off into the holiday with some inspiration to do good deeds!