Local Hockey Team Giving Back - by Kristy

The OHL hockey team I intern for, the Plymouth Whalers, have great and unique ways to give back to the community. Each game night there's a new promotion going on which benefits fans as well as the community. Recently they've had a night honoring veterans as well as a food drive.
This upcoming weekend the Whalers have two home games and two new ways to give back. On Friday December 3rd, there will be a blood drive at Compuware from noon to 6pm. Anyone who attempts to give blood will get a free ticket for the game, which starts at 7:05pm. The following night, Saturday December 4th will be the Annual Teddy Bear Toss. Fans are encouraged to bring a stuffed animal, or purchase one at the game, and then toss it out onto the ice when the Whalers score their first goal. All stuffed animals tossed on the ice will be donated to the Plymouth Community United Way children's charities.
Tickets are still available so please come out to support a great cause and a great hockey team!

A second chance at life - by Monica

Read original story at Christian Science Monitor and Indie Pro Pub.

Imagine someone you thought died, showing up at your doorstep, alive.

Sounds like a scene of a movie -- not real life.

But for three teenage boys from Tokelau island (Samuel Pelesa, Filo Filo and Edward Nasau) in New Zealand, they got a second chance at life when their families thought they died.

Two weeks ago, the boys were presumed dead after the air force in New Zealand tried and failed in locating them.

The boys went out fishing in their small aluminum boat in October, and, after fifty days, what other conclusion could you think of except that the boys had drowned or starved?

That's what their village thought too, and they held a memorial service for the boys -- expecting never to see them again.

Then, on Wednesday, the boys were found on their small aluminum boat by a tuna boat crew.

The fact that the boys survived is truly a miracle.

These boys got a second chance at life -- a chance that no one ever thought could happen. So often, we take our lives for granted, when there are people out there, like these boys, who have to fight to keep their lives. Stories such as these remind that life really is a gift.

The village that these three boys lived in thought they were gone. I bet their families had so much left they wanted to say. I bet all they wanted was just to hug them one more time, tell them they loved them. And, now, they can say it. Most people don't get this second chance. So, why wait to say the things we want to say? Pretend that this happened to someone you care about. Now treat them this way, say the things you put off saying, because everyday is a second chance.

Give Thanks - by Kristy

The holidays are fast approaching, with Thanksgiving tomorrow, it's a great opportunity to reflect on all that you are thankful for. Whether it's big things or little things, they all matter. Spend time with your loved ones this weekend and make sure they know how lucky you feel to have them in your life.

I've always had a heavy heart around the holidays and love spending time with my family. But this past semester has changed my perspective on the meaning of thankful. Ever since volunteering at the Children's Hospital in August, I've seen how blessed I am to have my health and for my friends and family to have theirs. I feel inspired by these kids and their families because now is an especially hard time if you or someone you love is in the hospital. But strength will prevail in times of need. I feel comforted to know, at a place like Children's, no patient is alone. They have family support and staff support to help get them through the holidays with a smile on their faces.

So whether you are looking at the big picture or small picture this year, it's all important when it comes to being thankful.

AMA performance - by Kristy

To follow up on Monica's amazing Kid Rock blog post last Friday, I wanted to share a YouTube video of his performance at the American Music Awards last night. I think the video and the song lyrics speak for themselves. The word "inspiring" does not even do the performance justice.

Bad boy gone good - by Monica

Read original article by Oakland Press writer Gary Graff.

Michigan born singer Kid Rock has a rep for being a bad boy.

But, deep down, not so much.

I've heard of good boys gone bad, but Kid Rock is a bad boy gone good, which is a rep I think he should be even more proud of.

Kid Rock has purchased $25,000 worth of gift cards from Meijer's to provide Thanksgiving dinner to 1,000 metro-Detroit families in need for Thanksgiving.

Many of us take the turkey and the stuffing on Thanksgiving day for granted, but some people aren't as fortunate. They can't afford this feast that many of us have grown accustomed to. So Kid Rock will buy a full holiday meal for each family of about four, including turkey, gravy, potatoes, vegetables, cranberry sauce, rolls, and desert.

With this, Kid Rock shows his fans that good guys do finish first and that he does use his money to help those who can't afford simple pleasures like Thanksgiving.

Design a logo, win $500 - by Monica

Every other week, my dad delivers meals to older adults who are in need and may not be able to cook for themselves or have the ability to leave their homes to get food. Every summer since I was eight, I would help my dad deliver the food, and I met many honorary grandparents.

I’m sure many of you have heard of Meals on Wheels, and I think it’s a great program. Some of the people I delivered to never had any visitors. Yet, when they saw my dad and me, their faces would light up. One woman would give me teddy bears from her home, wrap me in a hug whenever she saw me and always call me her friend.

Now, Meals on Wheels needs our help.

Every company needs a logo – something that everyone visualizes when they think of them. For McDonald’s, it’s the yellow arches. For K-Mart, it’s the big red K. For Apple, it’s obviously an apple. For Nike, it’s the swosh. Now Meals on Wheels need a logo that people will always identify with Meals on Wheels.

And they want the public to design this logo.

Bonus: whoever designs the winning logo will receive a $500 check.

This contest ends at 5 p.m. on Fri. Jan. 14, 2011 and is open to Michigan residents.

The submitted entry must be original.

To enter, complete and submit the official online entry form at www.aaa1b.org under News & Events along with your .jpeg or .pdf image (no larger than 2MB) to mealsonwheelslogocontest@aaa1b.com. The e-mail subject needs to be “Meals on Wheels Logo Contest”. Or you can mail the submission form with the design to Meals on Wheels Logo Contest, Area Agency on Aging 1-B, 29100 Northwestern Highway, Suite 400, Southfield MI 48034.

Helping Heal Hearts at the DMC - by Kristy

This is defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh's first season with the Detroit Lions and he definitely isn't shy about getting around town and making his presence known in the community. Besides being a fan favorite on the field, he's quickly becoming a role model off the field as well. He's made countless appearances for charities, autograph signings, and has attended other Detroit sporting events, such as Pistons and Red Wings games in the short time he has been in Detroit so far.

Just last week he paid a visit to the Detroit Medical Center downtown. He had a tour of the rehabilitation center and the children's hospital. He was also able to interact with a few patients and help lift their spirits. He plans on coming back as much as possible in the future.

This 6'4" 307 pound man surely has the heart of a lion, no pun intended. ;)

Click here for the DMC blog's full story with pictures.

Be apart of the Thanksgiving parade - by Monica

Read the original article by Oakland Press writer Gina Joseph on the Oakland Press' website or visit after5detroit.com.

When I was little, I used to dream of taking part in America's Thanksgiving Parade. I drew a picture of my own design -- a "Little Mermaid" float -- and also auditioned to be one of the kids who announced the floats on Channel 4, unfortunately not getting picked.

Now Big Head Corps, the company which obviously creates the big head masks you see at the parade, is inviting people to become part of their team and feel more a part of the Thanksgiving parade like many of us dreamed of as little kids.

Big Head Corps is an organization that offers young professionals the chance to get involved with America’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and offer fun programs and networking opportunities. Former Grosse Pointe native Jim Dailey is the co-founder of this group.

To become an official member of Big Head Corps costs $200, and their benefits include breakfast on parade morning, shuttle service to the parade, being able to actively participate in the parade, two VIP grandstand seats, two VIP pancake breakfast tickets, four passes to the annual Parade Company Preview Party and Big Head Corps apparel. What I think is most exciting is the chance to ACTUALLY WALK IN THE PARADE YOURSELF. To me, that is worth the $200 in itself.


If you do want to be apart of this Michigan tradition, hurry up because open enrollment ends tomorrow. For more information on how to become a Big Head Corps member or The Parade Company volunteer, visit www.theparade.org or call 313-923-7400.

Now, if only they could make me a "Little Mermaid" mask...

Caring in Children - by Kristy

Today browsing inspiration stories on Values.Com, I came across one that I really liked and I wanted to share.

Title: My Son's Spirit
We often do not realize how monumental the briefest moments in our children's lives truly are and how much they reveal about their true character. I am sharing this story in honor of my 7 year old son who is so often my guiding light. I received the following email message from the mother of a child at my son's elementary school. "Today, when my son and I went to pick up my daughter at school, my son was upset about something (probably the change in routine). He was crying and screaming. Your son came over, sat next to us, and tried to console him. It was one of the most wonderful things I was able to witness. My son is autistic so we always worry about how he will be treated by his peers. Your son made my day. My daughter also shared the story of how your son helped her by being her crutch when she hurt her knee. Thanks for raising such a great kid!" As a mother, I can only pray that these moments of caring continue to accumulate and make him a compassionate man throughout his life.


Story submitted by: Donna

See more great stories just like this one on Values.com under the "your stories" tab.

Team Coco - by Kristy

Nine months after comedian Conan O’Brien left NBC, he will be back on television tonight on TBS. In January, Conan was paid millions of dollars from NBC to give up his time slot to Jay Leno, an act that stirred a lot of controversy. Many Conan fans were distraught at his leave from late night television. However, anticipation began to build in April when TBS announced they were going to pick him up. This story shows that with enough determination, you can always come back on top.

One guilt-free hour - by Monica

In the middle of the night this Sunday at 2 a.m. is Day Light Savings Time! So, before you go to bed on Saturday night, set your clocks back one hour. This one is my favorite Day Light Savings Time -- when we gain an hour instead of losing one. But make sure you change your time, or your whole schedule will be off, and you'll wonder why you're going an hour early to everything you do.

So, I advise for you not to spend this extra hour working or doing housework. Think of this as your one guilt-free hour. We live in a world where we are constantly in rush, and feel bad for doing nothing. If you are one of these people, let this hour be your hour to do whatever the heck you want to. Here are some of my ideas of what you can do with your extra hour:
-Sleep (my personal favorite)
-Watch television
-Read a book
-Go to the bar with your girlfriends or with the guys (after-all, the bars will be open one hour later on Saturday night...just make sure you drink responsibly and find a DD!)
-Eat some of that leftover Halloween candy
-Call a friend, especially one that you haven't kept in touch with in a while because you "haven't had time." You can't use that excuse on Day Light Savings Time.
-...or write a letter to someone you care about
-Take a long, hot shower
-Dance around your bed room to music
-Or write your own song
-Bake a cake
-Give yourself a manicure and pedicure

No matter what you do -- just RELAX!

Post with any other ideas you have of what to do with that extra hour.

Compliments - by Monica

Have you ever had one of those weeks where you really feel down about yourself? When you feel like all you hear are the negative things, and it, in turn, you feel like there is nothing you can do right?

Why does it feel like people take so much time pointing out the bad things instead of focusing on the good?

Yesterday I was seen on television (or at least my voice) for the first time in my life. The Oakland Press was covering the election, and we were on the local channel CMNTV. And, well, everything that could go wrong did. My results didn't come in until after deadline, my webcam wasn't working, my reception on my phone was static-y and the whole show was running behind.

But then, when I went in to work today, one of the reporters, Karen Workman, told me she was proud of me.

And that's all it took to make my day.

All week I was scared that I wouldn't be good enough and that I would screw up. And in different areas of my life, I just felt like I was looked down upon.

Yet just one compliment made me feel like I am good enough.

Why does it feel like it's easier, sometimes, to criticize rather than to compliment.

I challenge everyone to compliment today instead of criticize. It will make a world of a difference.

I found this article on the Port Clinton News Herald and reporter Catherine Hadley said,

The compliments that have meant the most to me are those that showed the giver actually noticed me, sometimes in ways in which I had not seen.

The compliments themselves were wonderful to hear. The fact that the givers were paying attention to me on several deep levels was not only equally flattering, but also surprising to me...

A perceptive compliment can change someone's life. I believe it is the most effective way to nurture a loved one's strengths. That, in turn, could give that person the power to overcome his or her weaknesses.

Vote - by Kristy

Just a reminder for everyone to get out and vote tomorrow! Check out this story for some information.