From art to intervention: Chicago native making water filters in Dominican Republic, Haiti that were inspired in art class

"Prayer alone was no longer enough for Lisa Ballantine, who watched the families fill their baby bottles with murky river water that sickened and even killed their children.

After returning from a yearlong mission trip to the Dominican Republic in 2000, Ballantine, 43, knew there must be a way to help villagers who had neither plumbing nor a way to sanitize their water supply."

For more on how Ballantine is making a difference, click here.

More Than 300 ING Miami Marathoners Compete To Raise $150,000 for Haiti Earthquake Relief

"More than a year has passed since a devastating earthquake hit Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and some 1 million people there are still homeless. At Sunday’s annual ING Miami Marathon, more than 300 Team World Vision runners will compete not in hopes of bringing home the $2,000 grand prize. Their goal is raise $150,000 for the people of Haiti through global relief organization, World Vision."

To read more about this fund raising effort, click here.

Only Year One: More Needs to be Done for Haitians, says Save the Children

"One year after the historic Haitian earthquake, Save the Children says the only way to ensure Haitian children and families face a brighter future is for Haitians and the international community to keep building on large-scale efforts to deliver that goal."

For more on the situation in Haiti, click here.

Pro bono lawyers help Haiti quake survivors get loans

"Haiti's massive earthquake didn't just destroy its capital Port-au-Prince, the devastation has also had a major impact on farmers in the countryside, say two U.S. lawyers providing pro bono help in the country."

Click here for more on how these two are aiding Haiti survivors.

Hygiene Promotion is Key to Preventing a Nationwide Cholera Epidemic in Haiti, says Save the Children

"With more than 700 people dead and 11,000 now sick from cholera across Haiti, additional sites in Port-au-Prince are reporting their first cases of the fatal yet preventable and treatable disease. In Gaston Morgan, a camp where Save the Children provides health care to inhabitants and surrounding community, the first suspected case of cholera has been identified."

Click here for more on how Save the Children is working to help the people of Haiti.

Stars Turn Out for Save the Children Bingo Night Benefit for Haitian School

"CBS studios’ New York Street in Studio City, Calif., shined brighter last night at a star-filled Bingo Night benefit to raise funds for a new Save the Children-supported school in Jacmel, Haiti."

Click here for more on this fund raising event.

Haiti quake a ‘game changer’ for corporate philanthropy

"As Haiti marks nearly eight months since its devastating earthquake and Chile sees the six-month mark since its own destructive quake, international aid agency World Vision has seen a notable increase in both corporate donations and level of involvement and interest in disaster relief from companies in a broad range of industries."

Click here for more on the changes.

JPMorgan Chase and World Vision Bring Hope to the Children of Haiti

"Three months after the devastating January 12th earthquake in Haiti, global financial institution JPMorgan Chase employees are teaming up in Miami to show tangible support for the children and families of Haiti, through international aid agency World Vision."

Click here for more on the partnership.

Save the Children and Scholastic Establish 'Education Recovery Fund' to Benefit Haiti over the Long Term

"Save the Children has teamed up with Scholastic to establish a long-term education recovery fund that will benefit the children of Haiti.

The Scholastic Education Recovery Fund was seeded by a $50,000 contribution from Scholastic following the earthquake and will receive an additional $50,000 contribution from Scholastic in connection with this month's publication of a new paperback edition of 'Hope Is An Open Heart' by Lauren Thompson."


Click here for more on this new program to reach Haitian children.

Save the Children Urges Robust Support from Donors, Governments and Organizations to Ensure that Haitian Children Survive and Thrive

"Nearly three months after a killer earthquake devastated vast swaths of Haiti, children are increasingly at risk and require sustained assistance and protection. With the advent of the rainy season, the plight of displaced children living in untenable settlements is urgent. The International Donors' Conference in New York tomorrow presents a critical opportunity for the Haitian and donor governments to prioritize the needs and rights of Haitian children — whose health, well-being, education and future hinge on the meeting's outcome."

Click here to read more.

The Countersign: God’s Servant in Haiti

"When catastrophe strikes, what can we Christians offer? We can offer a countersign. I’ll explain."

For more of Mark Earley's commentary, click here.

Come Together Now Haiti: Music City Unites for Haiti

"When the music community comes together, powerful things happen.Look for your favorite Christian, gospel and country performers in this moving video."

Click here for the video. Then pass it along!

February 17 is a Good News Day (posted by Mary Beth)

Eight Is Enough?: In-Vitro Fertilization and Nadya Suleman

"By now you’ve heard more than you wanted to hear, probably, about Nadya Suleman, the California mother of six who recently gave birth to octuplets. Her story has dominated talk radio and cable news."

More of Chuck Colson's commentary here.



Chicago, Seattle first markets to get instant Starbucks
"
Starbucks Corp. will launch its new instant coffee product next month in Chicago and its home turf of Seattle, with a full-scale, national offensive set for the fall."

Get the scoop here!



Does the United States make anything anymore?

"It seems like the country that used to make everything is on the brink of making nothing. But manufacturing in the country isn't dead, it's just becoming more efficient."

Produce the rest of the article by clicking here.


Folsom, CA - The Heritage of a Gold Rush Town - Part 1

"We in Folsom are blessed with a treasure trove of historic buildings, larger than life characters and pivotal moments in time. Our heritage is all around us, and we are close enough to touch it, to feel it, and be part of it."

Investigate the background of a piece of history here.



In New York, working to help their school in Haiti and its city

"For two decades and more, Haiti, a land of grinding poverty, has endured coups, riots, a repressive military regime and hurricanes, travails that have often been overlooked beyond its borders. But one group of 60 Haitians, most of whom live in Brooklyn, has worked hard to maintain a bond with one small part of their homeland."

Read more about this dedicated group here.



A Biblical Pattern for Conflict Resolution

"In Acts, chapter 6, we have the election and ordination of the first Board of Deacons. The new committee was formed because of a dispute—sound like your church? There were two kinds of poor widows in the early Christian church: Palestinian (Aramaic speaking) widows and Hellenistic (Greek speaking) widows."

The complete article awaits you here.