Posted by Gabe on August 31, 2010 under Family | 
I really never thought I would be writing this, unless it was a posthumous note about our dog Pablo. I have sent out many pictures of him, wrote a blog post about him until 3AM and all in all loved him very much. Despite the physical damage he has done to our home, the “accident” stains when he gets nervous, and the knowledge that at any time during the night it would be my turn to sleep with him in the storage room if an unexpected thunderstorm appeared, we were all resigned to the fact that we would keep him through thick and thin. That is, until two days ago. Sunday was a beautiful day and my wife Michelle was reading a magazine out on the deck with the three dogs. I was finishing up some work in my office. Sadly I couldn’t hear what was going on until I heard MaryMargaret scream. I rushed to see what happened and apparently Charlie and Pablo, the two males, got into a big fight on the deck. We normally sequester them, but this was just one of those things. There was a noise inside the house and all three dogs converged on the door which started the row. Michelle screamed at them to stop. This normally works but did not on this occasion. Without thinking she stepped in to try and break it up and Pablo bit her in the leg.
Now we know it wasn’t his fault but we also realized that we were putting our daughter in danger by having these animals coexist with each other. What made matters worse is that yesterday morning Pablo charged Michelle (playfully) and knocked her into the wall. (He gets excited when it’s time to eat.) This is the second time he has done this; the first time resulted in a fall halfway down the stairs.
We really felt we could deal with him but he is just too big and boisterous for us to handle, especially considering we have two other large dogs similar to (albeit better behaved than) him. I put a call into the breeder we rescued him from and she agreed she would take him back. This is devastating for us as we truly love that dog, but we know it is best for him, and for our family. It was heart wrenching for me to see MaryMargaret crying in her bedroom last night as she held a picture of Pablo in her hands. ”Why can’t you give him back five years from now?” she asked me.
Today I have the unenviable task of meeting his owner at a point halfway from both of our homes — three hours from here. I know how much she loves him too so I know he will be cared for. But that is little solace for us. Goodbye Pablo, we will never forget you.
UPDATE: 8/31/1- 3:00 PM. I just got back from dropping Pablo off. It was tough to leave him but his former (and new) owner is going to keep him and show him as a veteran. We might even get to cheer him on when he competes in Frederick in February. They are also about to purchase a farm, so I’m confident that Pablo will be comfortable and well taken care of. One of Pablo’s signature moves was to jump up on the couch then lean on you until he is almost laying on your lap. That was the first thing Charlie did to me when I got home and he’d never done that before in his life. Ok that’s a bit eerie but I think it’s a good kind of eerie.
Posted by Gabe on August 28, 2010 under KAH Day 2010, Kids are Heroes, Kids Are Heroes Day |
Some of the girls from last year's celebration.
It’s not even September and already I am waking up in the middle of the night thinking about Kids Are Heroes Day. We are exactly eight weeks away from the big event. It has been my goal to make each event bigger and better than the last one. This starts to become a challenge after you’ve had ex-NFL players put on a show during one of them. But already I’m pretty confident we will live up to the task. More on why a bit later.
For the unaware this will be our third annual Kids Are Heroes Day to be held at the Francis Scott Key Mall in Frederick, Maryland. Christina Steinbrenner, marketing director of the mall, has been very generous to us since our inception. The fountain coins are donated to a different hero’s charity each month, and Christina makes every effort to ensure that Kids Are Heroes Day is something special.
So what makes this year stand above the rest? Well last year we had Cati Grant travel all the way from San Diego, California to be with us. Cati, whose platform is against bullying, held the record for traveling the furthest to be at one of our events. Well her record will be shattered this year by Diana Onyonyi who will be coming all the way from Nairobi, Kenya!! We are so excited to be able to meet and welcome her. Diana is a fifteen-year-old young woman who was instrumental in building a school dormitory and library for the Karura school in Nairobi. She is a Global Teen Leader through the Three Dot Dash organization. According to an email I just received from her she “was named as a contributor in the process of building the second republic” of Kenya as “His Excellency Mwai Kibaki promulgated Kenya’s new constitution.” Diana is scheduled to be here the entire week of the event, so we will be scheduling appearances for her all over the county at schools, public meetings and press interviews. The topic for her speech at Kids Are Heroes Day is “Peace is Possible.” This is something that should not be missed.
This year we will also welcome the support of our local government which plans to issue an official proclamation declaring October 23rd, 2010 as “Kids Are Heroes” Day. Ms.Jan Gardner, current County Commissioner President, has offered to send official county award certificates to all of our heroes, regardless of their location. As I mentioned before we still haven’t hit September yet. There are other things we are working on to make this event more special than ever. So please stay tuned. There’s lots more to come.
Posted by Gabe on August 19, 2010 under Kids are Heroes |
Have you seen that Cisco commercial where Ellen Page visits a classroom (assumed to be in the US) and she asks where the kids are going on their field trip today? The kids’ answer in unison: “China!!” then point to their video screen where another classroom of Asian children yell back to them. I’ve always thought that was kind of a neat commercial but also assumed it was actually implemented for a select few or even still a pipe dream. I stand corrected. This technology is widely available and being used in the US. How do I know this? Because one company that uses it extensively has invited Kids Are Heroes® to build a presentation for 15-20 schools across the country. This event is already scheduled and we are calling it the first “Virtual Kids Are Heroes Day”. On Wednesday, December 8, we will be taking a train to Philadelphia so MaryMargaret and I can host this presentation. There will be several other heroes involved, only they will not have to travel much as the technology already exists where they live. That was part of the reason they were chosen as the first group to participate in this wonderful event. Gail Poulin, kindergarten teacher from the Norris School in Southampton, Massachusetts, will also participate as she can explain to all the students and teachers how she embeds the Kids Are Heroes experience in her curriculum from the beginning to the end of the year. Each location has two 50″ plasma TV’s , one displaying the current featured presenter and the other showing the participating schools. It’s even interactive so that during the Q&A part a school in Kentucky can ask a question of one of our heroes in New Hampshire. Is that awesome or what??
This is the kind of thing we have been working towards for quite some time now. And this one was funny how it happened. It sprouted from an email from Heather Weisse, the Manager of Educational Services for MAGPI. From MAGPI’s web site: “MAGPI (the Mid-Atlantic Gigapop in Philadelphia for Internet2) is a regional high-speed network and aggregation point providing access to robust advanced network infrastructure and Next Generation networking services for institutions in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.”
Another exciting thing about this is that once it is complete it will have been recorded and will be available for everyone to stream it over the Internet. Activities like these will take us to the next level. And if it goes well we may be able to do it on a regular basis. Isn’t technology great?
Update 11/02/10: Due to a conflict in scheduling (MaryMargaret is being flown to San Francisco in early December due to the role model contest she won) the MAGPI session has been rescheduled to February 2, 2011.
Posted by Gabe on August 11, 2010 under Featured Hero, Kids are Heroes |
Sometimes I do get frustrated when it comes to what I do. The reason is simply because I cannot share what I learn with everyone. Everyone should indeed know about what Neha Gupta is doing. She is our newest featured hero. And although I cannot reach everyone, the ones who read this blog post will know what I mean. It is truly amazing what our younger generation is capable of accomplishing. Neha is a young teenager who has created a non-profit called “Empower Orphans” which aims to better the lives of orphans in India.
At what age would you say you started getting involved in philanthropy and what started you down this road?
As my grandparents live in India, I often visit the country. In keeping with family tradition, we volunteer at an orphanage each time we visit my grandparent’s hometown, located in northern India. When I was nine years old, I realized that the 200 children who live at the orphanage did not have adequate money to gain a proper education; I felt very sad when I heard this because I know the importance of education. Moreover, it was heartbreaking for me to think that these children had no mother or father to guide them, protect them, or love them.
Instead of internalizing these feelings and merely showing empathy for the orphans and underprivileged children, I decided to take action by raising money. The money would help the children gain a better education, be able to stand on their own feet and ultimately become positive contributors to society.
How did you initially discover the orphanage you are helping?
My grandparents have a tradition to volunteer at the orphanage, Bal Kunj, in their hometown in India every year, so I have been going there since I was very little.
How did your non-profit, “Empower Orphans” get started?
To formalize my fundraising efforts, I created and registered a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (Empower Orphans; www.empowerorphans.org). The mission of Empower Orphans is to address the problems associated with orphans/abandoned children and children born into homes living in poverty by motivating individuals to translate empathy into action.
The organization’s goal is to help create self sufficiency by supplying the children with the tools to gain a basic education and technical skills to enable a sustainable livelihood; helping them to become productive and positive contributors to society. In addition to education, Empower Orphans provides food, clothing, healthcare, and medical supplies to establish an effective learning environment.
What does the organization mean to you? Why is it so important to you that you help the orphans? What has been achieved so far?
I believe that every child should have the opportunity to gain a proper education, and since these orphans do not have the means to, I feel that it is extremely important for me to help them, and that is what Empower Orphans stands for- bettering the education of the children.
Significant strides have already been made to make a difference in the lives of more than a thousand orphaned, underprivileged and abused children.
Bal Kunj Orphanage – India
- In 2006, a library was started at the Bal Kunj orphanage. Over the years, I expanded upon the library and have continued to provide stationery to each of the 200 children who live there.
- Each child is provided with nutritious food, school bags, shoes warm clothes and blankets (to combat the severe winters experienced by northern India).
- In addition, I have provided technical books to 20 children aged between 14-16 years, enabling them to enter a trade and earn a living.
Shree Geeta Public School (for underprivileged children) – India
- During the summer of 2009, I expanded my efforts to provide education and improve wellness among 360 underprivileged children who attend the Shree Geeta Public School.
- A four day eye and dental clinic was held at the school, during which medical doctors evaluated the vision and oral care needs of the 360 children.
- 56 children received more advanced eye care, while 103 children received further dental treatment.
- The annual education of 10 underprivileged children was sponsored by Empower Orphans.
- Sewing machines were given to 10 older girls, who can now take on seamstress jobs and stand on their own feet.
- During 2010, the number of projects conducted increased substantially.
- A computer center with 4 computers and printers was established. Children in grades 3 to 7 can now start to gain an understanding of computer technology.
- Another library was opened for 360 children. Books represented 40% of the school fees and this directly reduced the burden on the parents.
- The education of 40 children sponsored.
- 20 more girls were provided with sewing machines.
Christ’s Home for Children – Warminster, PA
- Provided 175 CFL bulbs so that the orphanage can start reducing their electricity bills and utilize the money towards improved care for the children.
- In 2010, I plan to provide bicycles to children at the orphanage.
Mission Kids (for abused children) – Norristown, PA
- Distributed stuffed animals to children that visit the Mission Kids center in Norristown, PA
Street Children – India
- Provided 220 children with shoes.
I see you have a web store where people can help with needs for the orphans. What would you say would be their greatest need?
As I have mentioned, these orphans do not have the means to gain a proper education so the greatest need of the children would be school fees, uniforms and books.
I understand you are doing things in the US to help people too. Can you elaborate on that?
This year, I expanded my organization to include children in the US. I have already given 50 stuffed animals (given by Build-a-Bear and Kohls) to the children at Mission Kids in Philadelphia and 175 CFL light bulbs to Christ’s Home for Children in Warminster, PA. I am now working towards supplying the orphanage in Warminster with bicycles, food and books to Mission Kids, and am going to start helping the extremely under-privileged schools in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.
How can other kids help out if they want to get involved in what you are doing?
Other kids can help out by going to www.EmpowerOrphans.org, to start their own fundraising teams/ branch in their area. Through that, they can raise funds in whichever way they feel comfortable. The funds can then be used for projects in US or India or other places globally.
How would you say this activity has affected your life?
Empower Orphans has affected my life considerably, as I have learned how important it is to give to others and also how just one person can truly make a difference in society.
What would you say to a child who really wants to do something great for other people but doesn’t know where to start?
At first, I did not know where to start either. But, I set goals, and started with small ideas which slowly led to bigger and better ideas. After five years, I raised $50,000! Therefore, what I would tell a child who wants to get involved in philanthropy, is to just stay determined and remember that you may not think that your impact will be vast at first but it actually will be.
How do you envision yourself once you reach adulthood?
When I reach adulthood, I envision expanding Empower Orphans into a truly global organization. In the future, I want to open a Technical School for the orphaned and underprivileged children. Once children living at the Bal Kunj orphanage turn 16, they have to leave the orphanage and fend for themselves. They are not trained for any vocation and find it difficult to make a living. Subsequently, the potential of their slipping into a life of crime or prostitution is high. This sequence results in more orphans. To break this cycle, the Technical School will focus on teaching technical skills (electrician, mechanic, lathe operators, tailors and seamstresses) to both the orphans as well as other underprivileged children (approx. 500 children a year).
On a personal level, I want to become a pediatrician (so that I can continue helping children).
Why not give Neha a shout-out on the Kids Are Heroes web site? To do so click here.
Posted by Gabe on August 2, 2010 under Kids are Heroes |
Photo by Michelle Lindsay
This is a follow-up post from my last one which was “Calling All Photogs“. That post wrote of a volunteer matching system to be built on our web site where we match volunteer photographers with our heroes, so that the heroes could post events where photographers were needed and in turn the photographers who have signed up could get some valuable pro bono work, and help a great cause at the same time.
Well I have been busy over the last week or two building this system. As a matter of fact I decided that as long as I was building it I would add some potential volunteer disciplines, namely videography and graphic artistry for starters. I decided to integrate it with Twitter for a number of reasons. That may be disappointing to some, but in the end I think it was the right move. Most of the volunteers will come from the people following me on Twitter and it will also encourage the heroes who are not yet on Twitter to take that step and join the fun.
So if you are a photographer, a graphic artist, or a videographer and you would like to volunteer your skills to help out some young heroes who are doing amazing things, please go over to http://volunteer.kidsareheroes.org and register yourself. In the beginning it will be a bit like the chicken and the egg, as we will need heroes to post their events as well, so after you have registered please check back from time to time to see if any opportunities have been registered. Since it is integrated with Twitter if you follow our heroes you will be able to see when opportunities are entered. Heroes will be able to browse the volunteer list as well and potentially follow the volunteers and/or contact them directly.
So please check it out and start posting events/volunteering. It is a brand new system so it may have a glitch or two. If you find any please feel free to let me know about them, and/or send me ideas on how to improve it in the comments section below. Thank you!!
