Fashion With A Cause - FEEDing Hungry Children

Watch CBS News Videos Online

Susan Burton, A Hometown Hero

Susan Burton was able to turn her life around after serving time in prison and is now encouraging other women to do the same. She offers newly released women a warm bed and a family atmosphere. See her story here:

Good News - Today is Free Pancake Day at IHOP!

Celebrate National Pancake Day! Go to any participating IHOP today from now until
10 pm, and receive a free short stack of buttermilk pancakes! On your way out, be
sure to make a donation to local children’s hospitals through Children’s Miracle Network or other local charities. Eat good, while you help out a great cause! Visit www.ihop.com for more information.

5th Graders' Campaign Lands Honor for Ruby Bridges

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: http://www.jsonline.com/news/education/84829237.html
By Erin Richards of the Journal Sentinel

Posted: Feb. 20, 2010 |(9) Comments

The efforts of about 15 first-graders who sought to raise awareness of an African-American civil rights pioneer were rewarded with the ultimate Black History Month activity Friday: a personal visit from the very heroine they have championed for a year.

Ruby Bridges - who, as a first-grader in 1960, was the first black child to attend the all-white William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans - flew to Milwaukee on Friday to personally thank Barton Elementary School and the group of students who petitioned the federal government to recognize her integration efforts 49 years ago.

Based on the awareness campaign launched last year by teacher Laura Floryance and her students, Congress passed a resolution this month honoring Bridges for her bravery and recognizing Nov. 14, 1960, as the first day of integrated schools in New Orleans.

The House resolution was sponsored by Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Milwaukee), while a Senate version of the resolution was sponsored by Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wisconsin).

The legislators pushed for the resolutions because of Floryance's first-grade class, which gathered 2,213 signatures on a petition between February and May 2009.

Floryance said she teaches about Bridges every year because her predominantly African-American students identify with a child their age who did something remarkable. When plans for a Bridges video project fell through last February, however, she asked the children what they should do instead.

"What do you think people need to know?" asked Floryance, who now teaches in Georgia.
Kids start petition drive

The children settled on gathering signatures on a petition to send to President Barack Obama, asking for national recognition for Bridges. News of the project spread, and signatures of students from all over the district and across the country poured in. Although they never heard back from Obama, Floryance received a call from Feingold's office in November.

"I told him the kids would be thrilled with just a letter back commending them for their efforts," Floryance said. "And he said, 'We're going to push for a resolution.' "

Floryance, who still makes frequent trips back to Milwaukee and Barton, said they hope to keep pushing the Ruby Bridges story to see if they can make Nov. 14 a national day of celebration, to get it listed on popular calendars.

"If it weren't for this group of kids, most of America would still have no idea who Ruby Bridges is," said Barton Principal Brian Babbitts, who added that even he hadn't heard much about Bridges until the project snowballed and attracted the attention of Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, Gov. Jim Doyle and lawmakers in Washington.

"It's been an educational experience for these students to educate others, as well as a lesson on civil rights," Babbitts said.

According to Bridges' accounts of her experiences, she and five other black students were chosen to attend white schools after segregated schools were ruled unconstitutional in 1954. On Nov. 14, 1960, Bridges walked through angry crowds to William Frantz and spent the entire first day at school in the principal's office with her mother, while protesters yelled at them through the window.
Norman Rockwell moment

Bridges' experiences became the subject of a famous Norman Rockwell painting, "The Problem We All Live With." The scene depicts a black girl in a white dress being escorted to school by U.S. marshals, with tomatoes splattered on the wall behind her.

Eventually, Bridges married and became Ruby Bridges Hall. Now 55, she runs a foundation in New Orleans and is rebuilding the school she integrated almost half a century ago. William Frantz, located in the lower Ninth Ward, was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.

"It's been a major campaign to get that school rebuilt," Bridges said at Barton on Friday. "I want to reopen the school and have it be focused on social justice and community service."

Bridges said the visit to Barton was different from other school visits, when she normally gives students a serious lecture about her experiences with racism.

"I find that kids know who I am, but adults often don't," Bridges said. "I'm geared to one group, and that's only been kids. Now we have to build a campaign to remind adults about this."

Savannah Anderson, 7, said she was excited to see Bridges in person after working on the petition last year. Thursday night, she laid out a fancy polka-dot dress and her good shoes to wear to school the next day.

Kim Anderson, Savannah's mother, said her daughter got very interested in the project. "So many other civil rights leaders have overshadowed (Bridges) for some reason, but her story is really important."

After dozens of photos, hugs and endless requests to sign various books about her story, Bridges said the event was a great way to kick off what will soon be the 50th anniversary of the first day she attended William Frantz.

In November, Bridges said, she's hoping to have a celebration in New Orleans. If all goes well, she said, she hopes the students at Barton who pushed for Congress to recognize her efforts will be able to attend.

Dance Teacher, 80, Still Moves to the Beat

VIDEO LINK: http://www.jsonline.com/general/37714089.html?bcpid=8725036001&bctid=67318038001

By Photo And Text By Angela Peterson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Posted: Feb. 21, 2010 |(0) Comments

You might say that dance is in Roey Pokrass' genes.

As a child growing up in Chicago she remembers her grandmother dancing and exercising. Grandma Jenny on her father's side danced on the stage, and Grandma Ida would get up in the morning and exercise. Her mother, Elva Stein, was a dancer as well and in 1948 taught body dynamics, a form of breathing and exercising, in Chicago.

"My mother said I was always dancing in my playpen. She had us (she and her younger sister, Barbara Becker) enrolled in ballet, tap and acrobatics as a child," she said.

Stein continued dancing until the age of 103. Her mother died in 2006 at 105.

And Monday on her 80th birthday, Pokrass, of Milwaukee, continues doing what she loves most - dancing.

For more than 30 years she has taught group exercise classes for the Fitness Firm in a style that features a variety of dance movements.

But her age doesn't define her speed. Quite the contrary. It is Pokrass who sets the pace for the class, and slow is not on the dance card for this mother of two and grandmother of five.

"Roey's an excellent teacher," says Claire Marks, 62, of Fox Point, a member of her class for 27 years. "And even though she's older, she still moves so beautifully. You get the beat of the music. It's not just exercise, it's dancing."

But when Pokrass first started teaching in 1978, the dance routines weren't quite as effortless as they appeared on a recent visit to her class at Range Line School in Mequon.

"I was a wreck," she says of that first class in which she subbed for an instructor. "There were about 45 to 50 people in the class. I didn't know how to run the tape machine or do anything electronically. I apologized before and after the class."

Her sincerity and love of dance have endeared her to those like Marks, who follows Pokrass no matter where she teaches in the area.

The Mequon-Thiensville Recreation Department, her third teaching venue, includes her class as part of the senior program. It attracts about 20 regulars. The youngest member in the class is 60 years old, and Pokrass is the elder in the group. She leads the class through at least 10 different 3- to 4-minute exercise/dance segments.

As a group fitness instructor myself for more than 12 years, I came to the class with hopes of bootlegging a few of her steps to take back to my class, but I couldn't keep up as she transitioned from one routine to the next. Just as I thought I had snagged a move, she was on to the next - step brush, right left right left, x-hop back, step left right, vine right left, heel walk up, jazz kick 4, disco strut 8.

And just when her regulars get the routine, the choreography changes every eight weeks. The Fitness Firm provides the new teaching material via DVDs and CDs, and Pokrass passes it along to her followers. To keep herself on track with the wide range of material, she tapes posterboard-size cards on the wall in front of her as she teaches.

"Those are some of the routines in case some of the girls want to look at them, or in case I have a sudden senior moment," she says with a wide smile.

"She's a perfect example of how to age gracefully," says Sue Kimmel, 71, of Mequon, who has been a Roey Rockettes member since 1999. The group gave itself the nickname in honor of Pokrass.

"I promised her when I retired that I would start taking her class," Kimmel said. "It's been a terrific experience. I feel stronger and healthier."

Pokrass may need a little more assistance these days with those cue cards on the wall, but she's far from contemplating her own retirement.

"My daughter, Ellen, said to me this year, 'Mother you know it's time (to slow down),' " Pokrass said.

"And I said I figured I'm going to bop until I drop."

Home Again

100 year-old Rose Cosey was a Hurricane Katrina evacuee. She recently returned to her home in New Orleans that was built by her late husband 47 years ago. Community members and volunteers made it possible for Cosey to return home. See this heart felt story here: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/35322209#22185071

Julia Mancuso Wins Big

Julia Mancuso is making history in this year's Winter Olympics. She has won the most medals by a female alpine skier in U.S. history. Check out her phenomenal story! http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/35322209#35484699.

Fashion for Relief

Fashion icon Naomi Campbell spreads awareness and raises massive donations for Haiti through her charitable organization, Fashion for Relief. Check out this star-studded event! http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/35322209#35480606.

Saving the World One Video Game at a Time

Video game designer Jane McGonigal, thought of a new way to help save the world, one online game at a time. Her goal is to create games that allow the gamer to solve real world problems. One of the ways she plans to implement this idea will be through the release of her game EVOKE, developed by the World Bank. It’s set to launch March 2010 and teaches skills such as networking, courage and entrepreneurship. If all ten missions of the game are completed, the World Bank will then certify the player as a Social Innovator, class of 2010.

Flying Nun Soars Over Fundraiser

Man Feeds Families in Local Community

When President Obama talked of hope and change in his 2008 campaign speech, one Tucson, Arizona man knew he could make the same impact in his own local community. For 57 weeks now, Peter Norback has been collecting can goods and other food items from local neighbors and donating them to his town Community Food Bank. So far, he has contributed 9,000 pounds of food. Pauline Hechler, the food bank’s development officer says, “The demand for food in Tuscan has increased 40 percent over the past year,” and the Community Food bank gives out 48,000 meals per day. Norback keeps track of his weekly progress on an email and blog post.

Luckily, Peter’s good deeds have been catching on in other cities as well. When Carol Reed, a former resident of Tucson, son heard of Norback’s One Can a Week program, it motivated him to start a similar drive in his own area of Wake Forest, North Carolina for local veterans. To date, they have raised over 800 pounds of food! To help build a One Can a Week Program in your community, visit Peter Norback’s s website at http://onecanaweek.blogspot.com. To see the entire story visit http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/15/yes-he-can-one-can-a-week_n_462827.html.

Nelson Mandela's Prison Release Celebrations

Celebrations are underway to mark the 20th Anniversary of South African leader Nelson Mandela's release from prison. This honorable activist fought for equal rights for Blacks in the nation, along with opposing an apartheid government. Friends and other South African community leaders were at the Drakenstein prison to mark this monumental occasion. Take a look! http://news.yahoo.com/video/world-15749633/18107768;_ylt=A0wNcnpsw3VLm1MBnAD_SpZ4

Mystery Gambler Gives Away Riches to the Less Fortunate

A professional gambler makes a big difference in the lives of others. But who is this mystery man? He goes only by the name of Robin Hood 702, and like the well-known tale Robin Hood, he unselfishly gives his winnings at high-stakes Las Vegas blackjack tables to individuals and families who need it the most. His website, robinhood702, is packed with stories of people in unfortunate circumstances that need his assistance. Robin Hood 702 says, this unconventional way of giving back is in honor of his mother's memory. The Kegler family in Detroit, Michigan, asked for Robin Hood's help last year as they struggled to pay their daughter's medical bills when she was suffering from brain cancer. He granted their wish by giving them $35,000 and a trip to Las Vegas! Robin Hood also gets help from donors. He is certainly giving back in a big way! To learn more about how Robin Hood 702 could help you or someone you know in need, visit www.robinhood702.com. See the entire story and video at http://www.aolnews.com/philanthropy/article/mysterious-gambler-gives-winnings-to-the/902502?icid=main%7cmain%7cdl1%7clink6%7chttp%253A%252F%252Fnews.aol.com%252Fphilanthropy%252Farticle%252Fmysterious-gambler-gives-winnings-to-the%252F902502.

Man Returns Fortune

It was a normal day for traveling dental assistant Barry Stringer, until he found two green bags on the side of the road when leaving his job at a nursing home. The bags were marked Bank of Dickson, and Stringer says he didn't immediately open the bags because he planned to return them after his last appointment. However, when he arrived at the bank that evening, it was closed. Stringer took the bags home, opened them, and found a deposit slip for $72,000; over $30,000 in cash and the rest in checks. He then saw the money belonged to the same nursing home he worked for that day. The next day, Stringer returned the money to the nursing home staff members who were thankful and happy to get it back. See the entire story and video at http://www.wkrn.com/global/story.asp?s=11953743.

Barking Dog Saves Family

Thirteen year old Tyler and his sister Heidi are now safe and sound after a fire suddenly sparked in their Genesee County, NY home. The two heard their family dog's repeated barks, which alerted them to leave the house. Neighbors soon heard the dog's cries and called 911. The house was completely destroyed by the time firefighters arrived. Investigators believe the fire started in the laundry room, but are not yet sure. See the entire story and video at http://see%20the%20entire%20story%20and%20video%20at%20http//www.wivb.com/dpp/news/local/Barking-dog-warns-family-of-house-fire.

Pack the Pounds for a Good Cause

Rebecca and Scott Rothney of North Carolina have a passion for wildlife tours and often make trips to Kenya, South African and other African countries. During one particular tour, they came across a group of boys playing soccer with a ball of rags tied together by a string. Rebecca then got the idea to pack deflated soccer balls in her suitcase to deliver to the young men on a future trip. The simple thought of making a little extra room in one's suitcase for a small items that could in turn make a big difference, gave Rebecca the idea to launch, "Pack for a Purpose." This non-profit organization works with travelers to pack needed educational materials and medical supplies for children around the world. They have started a list of lodges and safari companies worldwide, where local people can benefit by small donations bought by travelers. Before taking off, travelers can visit the Pack for a Purpose website to find participating lodges where they are visiting. Then, the lodges will collect the items and distribute them to the local community. One of cooperating organizations, Wildlife Safaris, in South Africa says, "The idea is a brilliant one- it costs almost nothing on the part of the donor, just a great deal of kindness and a small amount of effort." Travelers wishing to participate or suggest lodges that would be willing to participate in a program should visit http://www.packforapurpose.org/. See the entire story at http://http//abcnews.go.com/Travel/pack-purpose-helps-needy-africa/story?id=9744358&page=1

Green Opportunities in the Inner City

Majora Carter saw the potential for a green community in a place where most would least expect it...Bronx, New York. One day while Carter was walking her dog along the Bronx River, she came across an industrial wasteland. Instead of ignoring it like so many others, Carter envisioned this dumping ground as the perfect site for a park. With hard work and support, she was able to obtain and organize the community in order to make her dream a reality. The Bronx now has a new green park and Carter continues work on the space in hopes to turn it into an 11 mile green way. Carter believes that no community should have to suffer environmental burdens more than experiencing the environmental benefits. One of the entrepreneur's ultimate goals is to build a national brand of locally grown produce to restore fresh food, jobs, and hopes to the cities that need it the most. Watch this amazing story at http://http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/35206820#35225485

Boston Locals Help Haiti in a Big Way

Jim Ansaras and his wife Karen knew it was their duty to assist Haitian victims after the devastating earthquake. For several years, Jim Ansaras built one of the country's largest construction companies, Shawmut Design and Construction until he decided to sell the company in 2006 to his employees. Jim knew he wanted to do more than simply manage money; he wanted to change the world. Recently, the couple donated $1 million of their personal funds to aid in relief efforts in Haiti and Jim rushed down to Port-au-Prince four days after the quake to immediately set up working generators in hospitals. Karen created a Haiti relief and development fund through the Boston Foundation, and stayed behind in Boston to encourage donors to match their gift, and get the local community involved with recovery efforts.

This isn't the first time the Ansaras' have been avid philanthropists. They first got a look at third-world poverty when they adopted three Ecuadorian girls and created the Ansaras Family Fund in Boston. Jim Ansaras is also building a 180-bed hospital in Mirabalais Haiti with Dr. David Walton, a physician at Bringham and Woman's Hospital. Ansaras says, "I'm a little different from other people who have sold businesses and made some money...I wanted to do something that had an impact in the world." Ultimately, Jim and Karen hope to reach a $2 million goal through their Haiti recovery and rebuilding fund. See the entire story at http://http//www.boston.com/news/world/latinamerica/articles/2010/02/02/couples_two_front_battle_aids_haiti/?page=2..

2-Year-Old Hero Helps Injured Mom

Ursula M. Burns, Making Strides

Ursula M. Burns is the first African-American woman to lead a Fortune 500 company. She is the CEO of Xerox Corp. and the second highest placed African-American woman in last year's Fortune magazine's, 50 Most Powerful Women in Business, only second to Oprah Winfrey. Burns started at Xerox in 1980 as a mechanical engineering summer intern earning a respective degree from the Polytechnic Institute of NYU and a master's at Columbia University. See her complete story at http://www.thegrio.com/black-history/thegrios-100/thegrios-100-ursula-burns.php.

ShelterBox Recognized for Ongoing Haiti Relief Efforts

From CNN.com:

(CNN) -- Aid is getting to Haiti but it's not as simple as getting a direct flight to the quake-battered nation.

CNN followed one aid container from the headquarters of ShelterBox in Cornwall, England, to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, to see the hurdles aid groups face.

Minutes after the earthquake struck on January 12, the ShelterBox crew sprang into action. The international disaster relief organization is the brainchild of Tom Henderson, who was recognized as a CNN Hero in 2008.

"If you've lost everything as they have in Haiti, it's all about shelter, warmth, comfort and dignity," says Henderson. "That's what ShelterBox is."

A ShelterBox container -- containing relief supplies including a 10-person tent, water and blankets -- is designed to be easily carried by two people and stackable for easy storage.

To get to Haiti from Cornwall, the box went on four flights and one overland trip over five days before being distributed to a mother and her newborn baby.

Once in the Dominican Republic -- Haiti's neighbor -- there were delays because of security concerns and a national holiday that meant local help was limited.

The ShelterBox was one of 720 boxes eventually loaded into a four truck convoy in Santa Domingo for a U.N.-escorted drive to Haiti.

The drive from Santo Domingo to the Haiti border took about 11 hours because of poor roads and a puncture.

Twelve ShelterBoxes are being used to build an emergency field hospital at the airport, said Mark Pearson who is in Haiti for the charity.

Each ShelterBox contains individual survival equipment like water carriers, a tool kit and a children's pack containing drawing books, crayons and pens.

By February 1, Shelterbox hopes to have more than 7,000 boxes in Haiti, housing up to 70,000 people. But Henderson acknowledges there is much more to be done.

"There are thousands of people dying every day. That's what drives us forward. This is not a job for us. It's a passion."

Want to get involved? Check out ShelterBox's Web site and see how to help.