Red Nose Day

One of the promotional pics for Red Nose Day.

No, it wasn't today; it was yesterday. RED NOSE DAY is something that the Brits do. Approximately every two years, people throughout Britain get together and do something funny to earn money. It could happen anywhere - work, home, school. The money doesn't go into private pockets, but it's a reminder for people to give generously to help those in Britain and Africa, who face difficult life conditions and need monetary assistance. It's actually similar to COMIC RELIEF, with which we in the States are familiar.

That day of funny has already happened; it was yesterday. Even before Red Nose Day, Sam Smith and John Legend got together to perform a duo of Sam Smith's single, "Lay Me Down". In fact, the performance is the official song for this year's event. All sales of this performance will go to the Red Nose Day charity. It's also a great way to say that charity/generosity doesn't have to be serious. It can be fun and artistic at the same time.



Let's take a look at how some people participated in this year's Red Nose Day. Daniel Craig, who played James Bond at one time in his career, participated in a mockumentary skit that revealed a deep, dark secret about Agent Bond. Sam Mendes also acted in the sketch and said, "I decided to take part in this sketch because the work Comic Relief undertakes, especially in West Africa, for people whose suffering is beyond our comprehension, is truly exceptional."

Phoenix Nights, a live comedy group, performed sixteen shows, with a total of 196,000 tickets sold, a sellout for the entire series, and raised more than £5 million. This series of performances was noted for its reunion of original cast members and it raised the most money of any live comedy shows in the world.

One of the beneficiaries of this fundraising effort has been the newly renovated Iyolwa health clinic in Eastern Uganda. Lenny Henry, a British comedian, was visiting the clinic after it had just reopened and met twins Lenny and Henry, two-day-old infants born at the clinic. Obviously, Lenny was stunned, "Never in my wildest dreams did I think a baby in Uganda would be named after me, Lenny from Dudley, much less two....It is fantastic that these two, and all the other residents of Iyolwa, now have a fully functioning clinic to rely on when they are sick, injured, or in need of medical care"

These represent just a small number of participants and beneficiaries of this wonderful organization. Giving can be fun; it doesn't even have to be large or cost anything. Just give of yourself; that's all that is needed.

Thanks to this article from Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/09/sam-smith-john-legend-lay-me-down_n_6830470.html?ir=Impact&ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000054, and information from Red Nose Day.

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Igniting Critical Thinking

Teacher Betsy Farrell-Messenger holding chickens for a student's hands-on learning.

There is one very creative teacher at BROWN SCHOOL in Schenectady, NY. Her name is Betsy Farrell-Messenger and she teaches Sixth Grade Science, or as she likes to call it, Engineering By Design.

She might start out with a selection of items, like a plastic bag, a seashell, some sea water, and a container of oil. Then she starts her students brainstorming about how all of these items are connected. There is testing of these items involved, then students learn about how what humans do affect the environment around them. Proposed solutions follow. Betsy might be on her way to developing the next generation of scientists to solve some of the major environmental problems that this world faces.



And that just one piece of the curriculum. Some of the classroom interactive learning has led to students devising a way to remove styrofoam disposables from the school cafeteria. And Betsy and her students filmed the process, so they could teach others how to use activism to make changes.

Since Brown School also has an afterschool enrichment program, Betsy oversees the gardening program. But it's not just planting/harvesting. The project turned into designing a Mindful Garden to transform an old concrete playground. That set off a flow of student creativity and the space became a peaceful place for outdoor learning, designed for both teachers and students.

Why does Betsy Farrell-Messenger use this approach to stimulate student thinking? As she says, "School should be a place where self-discovery happens through meaningful and relevant topics that encourage critical thinking and problem solving. There should be a feeling of life, work, play, and pride." It's also the scientific process in action in the classroom. It isn't memorization; it's using the scientific process to learn.

This year Betsy's students have become engaged in running imaginary nonprofits; it's the framework upon which this year's curriculum rests. Although it is, at this time, a simulation, students are utilizing the framework to address social issues that are impacted by the scientific process. Imagine the skills that this group of students are learning and using! There are also plans for the future to convert this simulation framework into a real problem-solving mechanism.

It's almost a boardroom atmosphere when students get together for the simulated nonprofits.

Thanks to this article from Pollination Project: https://thepollinationproject.org/grants-awarded/betsy-farrell-messenger-brown-school-schenectady-ny/; this article from Institute For Humane Education: http://humaneeducation.org/blog/2014/12/11/humane-education-activity-making-connections-creating-solutions/; and this article from Times Union blog: http://blog.timesunion.com/giving/igniting-imagination-in-youth/2394/#29816101=0.

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Always Smiling

Before and after major dental work for Brian Maixner.

If you've ever been in Wichita, KS, and have eaten at the DOO-DAH DINER, you might have met Brian Maixner. He's been waiting tables for about twenty years and he serves his customers at the diner with friendly laughs and smiles. He's a bright light in a busy day for those who stop by the diner; the smile and upbeat attitude can be contagious.

Well, one day a while back, Brian broke a tooth and, well, one thing led to another, so before long, he had a mouth full of dental problems. But on a waiter's salary, he couldn't afford to get the original problem tooth treated, much less the problems that followed. But life goes on, and Brian's upbeat attitude never changed.



Then, something of an angel entered the diner. Fred Boettcher was in town to visit his daughter and stopped by for breakfast. That's when he noticed the cheerful and energetic Brian Maixner, serving customers, with such kind words and smiles. Fred noted, "He carried himself with such kindness and confidence with a mouth that looked painful. I was struck by that."

With Fred's heart being touched by Brian and his needs, Fred called over owner Timirie Shibley to find out whether it was permissible for him to offer to pay for fixing Brian's teeth. And so, it was. The offer so affected Brian that he cried tears of joy, as he accepted the offer.

Apparently, generosity is one of the traits common to Mr. Boettcher. His daughter, Meredith Boettcher Young said, "It's so strange this gift is spreading like wildfire [about the viral spread through the internet]. Dad gives so much, I remember him buying groceries for people in need when we were growing up."

Brian has spent several weeks getting the dental work completed, and now has a completely reworked smile, one that goes along with the joy that flows from within. As for Fred, he says, "No matter what religion you might be or whether you even believe in an afterlife, the way to be satisfied in your life is to be kind to everybody and be as generous as you possibly can be." That generosity doesn't have to cost a lot of money, either. Just look at Brian, his kindness costs smiles and the joy in his heart.

Fred Boettcher and his daughter, Meredith, next to Brian Maixner.

Thanks to information from this article on KWCH12: http://www.kwch.com/news/local-news/tip-transforms-wichita-waiters-smile-for-life/31687428.

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Beyond The Basics

Some student members of Enactus FRC with literature for the Uganda project.

How would you like to teach at a community college where 90% of the students are the first in their families to attend any type of college program and more than 80% need some sort of financial aid in order to attend? This is true of FEATHER RIVER COLLEGE, a community college located in northeastern California.

Located in rather a peaceful setting, surrounded by nature, this college also provides some unique academic programs for the benefit of its students. Among the areas available to students is instruction in social entrepreneurship. The school has a social entrepreneurship organization, ENACTUS FRC, which has engaged in such activities as providing a mentorship project with local foster youth, older adolescents who are aging out of the system. The mentors help to advise the youth they serve in preparation for independent living, since these youth don't often have the support of parents into young adulthood.



Another portion of Enactus FRC involves service to communities in Southwest Uganda, which lacks some of the basic infrastructure with which most of us are familiar. Providing water pipelines, business microloans for area businesses, and even seeds to be planted for marketable plant products are some of their services. The faculty adviser is Amelia Schulz, a grants and business instructor, one of the associate faculty at Feather River.

Amelia, or Amy, has been focused on education in entrepreneurship and workforce development. Through Enactus FRC, students can gain hands-on experience with real projects. She's a faculty member who has been at her current position for three years, and at Feather River for more than ten years. She is known for her innovative ideas and practices with which she engages with students who would otherwise not receive the educational opportunities present at mainstream colleges.

Ms. Schulz has certainly come to the right place with her forward-thinking philosophy. As she says, "I am a believer that the way to social change is through individual empowerment. This can be achieved by giving everyone a purpose, no matter what their backgrounds or challenges." Both as a faculty member and as an activity adviser, she puts her beliefs into practice.

Faculty member, Amy Schulz (center), with some of her students.

Thanks to this article from Pollination Project: https://thepollinationproject.org/grants-awarded/amy-schulz-feather-river-college-quincy-ca/; and this profile on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyschulz1.

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Hot Cocoa For A Friend

Tristan Regini and his hot cocoa stand in front of his home.

More than a year ago Cade Humphreys, age eight, was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Since receiving surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy at CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF COLORADO, Cade has had no signs of the cancer that was found, according to his parents.

During that time span, Cade had one very special worried, but now grateful, friend. Tristan Regini, also eight years old, wanted to do something special for his friend, Cade, and the place that had helped his friend heal. So, he set up a hot cocoa stand to raise money for the hospital.



Starting on February 28, the stand was set up in front of his home in Denver. Even through some very frigid temperatures, Tristan persisted. He was selling a cup of hot cocoa for $1, with marshmallows added for $2. The drinks were especially sweet; they were for a worthy cause, after all.

Why did he do this? Tristan said, "The Children's Hospital saved [Cade's] life, so now I'm trying to sponsor it even more." Tristan accomplished his goal, to the tune of $3.000 in sales, donations, and pledges. His friend, Cade, even put in an appearance at the hot cocoa stand, standing right next to his buddy. Cade got to talking about Tristan's fundraising efforts, "I thought that was so amazing. He's one of my best friends. He has spread the word. It was amazing. It makes me feel good."

So far, besides the money Tristan has raised, the hospital has also received donations from people around the country, who were inspired by the boy raising money for his friend. Cary Larger, senior vice president of community fundraising for the Children's Hospital Colorado Foundation, said, "Each gift, whether large or small, is an investment in a child's healthy future and this gift is particularly meaningful because it demonstrates the youngest members of our community giving to enhance the hospital experience for his peers." From all of us who know of your deeds, thank you, Tristan and Cade.

Cade (in red hat) joins Tristan at the hot cocoa stand.

Thanks for the information provided by this Huffington Post article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/10/tristan-regini-hot-chocolate_n_6818340.html?utm_hp_ref=good-news; and this article from 9news: http://www.9news.com/story/news/features/2015/03/08/boys-hot-cocoa-stand-raises-thousands-for-childrens-hospital/24620263/.

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Movement And Healing

A Cal State LA student teaching a community member how to use a swing for exercise.

Let's take a look at a portion of the programs at CAL STATE LA, specifically within the SCHOOL OF KINESIOLOGY AND NUTRITIONAL SCIENCE. The focus within the kinesiology portion is on human movement. Frequently, you see people who work within the field as leaders in development of exercise programs for the general public and reparative movement programs for people with injuries or illnesses that affect their ability to move. The latter generally involve strengthening muscles in the injured body parts or compensatory strengthening in other body areas to support those parts of the body that now have limited movement.

Now, Cal State LA has some outreach programs within the School of Kinesiology and Nutritional Science. One of these is the MOBILITY GYM, under the direction of Connie Wong, an educator within the department. Connie has always striven to impart to her students what serving others within this field means, "It must involve humane understanding, openness to being taught by whom we serve and compassionate communication through our hands, eyes, ears and words." Indeed, Ms. Wong's philosophy is a sound one for anyone working within the health care professions!


The place where Ms. Wong's philosophy comes into action is the Mobility Gym, which provides service learning opportunities for the students she teaches. Members of the public, who have special exercise needs (those with such illnesses as multiple sclerosis, diabetes, visual impairments, etc.), can enroll at the gym for a 10-week activity course. They receive one-on-one assistance from students enrolled in "Principles of Mobility Training", under the supervision of program faculty, in utilizing adaptive exercise equipment. In return, students learn about their clients, who have various physical limitations and illnesses, along with the specifics of working with the adaptive equipment. It's a real give-and-take, with both clients and students benefiting.

In addition, Connie Wong has also helped her students to engage with the general public, in the South Los Angeles area of the Figueroa Corridor. Connie, a physical therapist, was wanting to bring to this underserved area some of the basics of a healthier lifestyle and she brought her students, also. She reported, "Every Friday, our students traveled to where the promotores [community members with special training in health education] live and work to show them these concepts in their own environment. Together, we taught them how to use common household objects as exercise tools, and we demonstrated to them that fitness can happen anywhere."

This is just one program at one university, led by one instructor, bringing students to communities which need their services. There are more programs around that utilize expertise found within the university community for the greater good. Yes, faculty at colleges can be an inspiration.

A client being helped with adaptive exercises at the Mobility Gym.

Thanks to this article from Pollination Project: https://thepollinationproject.org/grants-awarded/connie-wong-cal-state-university-los-angeles-los-angeles-ca/, and the above links, for the information.

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They're Friends

Emmett (left) and Erling (right) on their matching tractors.

It's a friendship that started when they were neighbors in Farmington, Minnesota, between a three-year-old tot and an 89-year-old man. Emmett Rychner, now four years old, met Erling Kindem, now 90 years old, a few months ago over some tomato plants Erling was growing in his garden. There would be Erling working in his garden, and Emmett, curious about how his world worked, would wander over.

Erling said, "Every time he saw me out there, he'd come running over. [Emmett would ask] 'Erling, got any 'matoes?'" Then, before anyone knew it, the two had become friends. They would draw pictures, play croquet, and, their favorites, ride bikes and lawnmowers. Last summer, people took notice of both, who were separated in age by more than 80 years, when videos were posted of both together, riding a lawnmower and bike that looked rather similar.



Then, the two friends became separated by miles, when the Rychner family moved sixteen miles away to a new home. Then Erling and his wife moved to a retirement community. But regular visits remain part of the schedule, because you can't really keep a good friendship down, and the two miss each other during the time between visits.

Just recently, Erling turned 90 years old, and among the guests was a very special friend. Emmett and his family made the trip to help in the celebration. Among the gifts was a set of dog tags, one for each of these special friends, just like the dog tags Erling had worn back during WWII. The dog tags are engraved "Emmett & Erling", along with "Friends Forever" in Norwegian. At the end of the celebration, when Emmett was leaving with his family, Erling was heard to say, "You come back again." And Emmett responded, "I will eventually."

Ah, friends! What would we do without them? Friendships can occur without much rhyme or reason, and this very special friendship spans a large gap in years. It's between a young boy setting out to discover the world and a knowledgeable older man, who can answer some of the questions of a curious young boy.

Erling and Emmett at Erling's 90th birthday celebration.

Thanks to this article from Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/05/erling-kindem-emmett-rychner-_n_6802786.html, and this article from KARE, channel 11: http://www.kare11.com/story/life/2015/03/02/emmett-erling-wwii-veteran-preschooler/24297201/.

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