A video showing Kiva's spread ... very neat! http://vimeo.com/28413747

My son was interviewed on local news for the day of service they did on MLK Day. He's toward the end of the piece. : ) http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/video/6643350-shady-side-academy-honors-mlk-by-giving-back/

I crazy love Impatient Optimists (Gates Foundation). They always have such amazing news, perspectives, progress, and challenges. Their blog is amazing. It's my go-to read. Here's what's up now: "What are you doing next Wednesday? Will you take a moment to join a global conversation on addressing poverty, hunger, and health with Bill Gates? Next week, Bill will be discussing his Annual Letter with the world leaders in Europe. It's his letter to the world about how he envisions governments, leaders, the business sector, organizations, and individuals working together to address poverty, hunger, and health. And as he mentioned this week in his blog post, he’s also started the conversation with young people around the world to get their take on what's needed. Young people have already stepped up! From Australia to Vietnam, there's been an incredible response to Bill's call to students to share their own "annual letters" about how they want to change the world. But what would you share with Bill about making the world a better place?" I am so weighing in...what would you say? http://www.impatientoptimists.org/Posts/2012/01/You-and-Bill-Gates-Making-the-World-a-Better-Place

My daughters and I joined a national mother-daughter organization a few years ago called National Charity League, Inc. (NCL). They have a chapter in our community. At first I was hesitant, because the dues were a bit high and it has a bit of a "junior league" feel, but it has been worth every penny. To be a member, you and your daughter(s), from the time they're in 7th grade until 12th, put in a required number of hours each year volunteering in the community. NCL sets up ties with a variety of organizations and you and your daughters "go and do". The teen years have been turbulent in our household and some of the only really good "mom and daughter times" for us have been when we're working side by side, volunteering. It's win-win-- we help make the world a better place and bond with each other. We've helped out at such organizations as Special Olympics, the animal shelter, a food bank, and a center for abused children. One of my daughters always says, "Well, we could always volunteer at those places without being a member of NCL" but having to "report hours" to the organization keeps us doing it-- I know we'd probably let life make us too busy otherwise!