Hopeless/Hopeful

By Stuart Harper

I made a decision to try to stop my alcohol and drug addiction and entered a 28 Day rehab facility. I found myself the first night lying in bed wondering if I really had a problem or was this something I have to do to get back in the good graces of my family? I guessed it was a little bit of both. I quickly found out that I was there because I had a real problem and when I figured that out I had never been so scared in my life. For me that was 23 years ago and I have been clean and sober since July 27, 1988. July 27 was also the date of my youngest daughter’s 8^th birthday. Can you imagine missing your daughter’s birthday because you were in rehab facility for alcohol and drug addiction? READ MORE...

Sierra Leone Alliance: Picture Page

There are a number of organizations in Western New York that have their hands, their hearts and heads involved in Sierra Leone—this tiny little country half way around the world. We brought everyone together and asked what each was doing and they shared their expertise and the resources they had and how each organization complimented each other, as a result something unique was birthed. This Alliance was formed to say we collectively want to make a difference on behalf of the faith community of Western New York for the betterment of the country and the entire nation of Sierra Leone. READ MORE...

Do Good: Many Hands Make Light Work

Rebuilding lives and homes

By Lisa Littlewood

Tom Splain, 76, is not completely sure how he ended up spending the last fifteen years helping to build homes for those in need. After retiring from more than three decades of work as a high-school teacher in East Aurora, Splain found himself, to put it simply, a bit bored.

   “I had been retired for about six years,” he said, “You need to find some outside interests [after you retire]. I knew I liked this type of work and so I thought I’d try it to see if I would fit in.” READ MORE...

Shop for a Cause

“Macy’s is committed to giving back to our local communities.  Our annual Shop for a Cause Program, which has raised more than $38 million for local and national charities in the past five years, is meaningful for us because it gives our customers and associates an opportunity to give back to the local charities, schools and non-profits that matter a great deal to them,” said Martine Reardon, Macy’s Executive Vice President of Marketing. Macy’s 2011 Shop for a Cause will take place on August 27, 2011, customers can purchase tickets now from The Salvation Army downtown offices. READ MORE...

The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army is in the people business.   What is most fulfilling is that we help people from all walks of life.  It could be someone who just lost their job, or someone who is homeless or lonely or unable to provide for the basics of life.  The Salvation Army is here to help with food, clothing, shelter or prescriptions along with encouragement and the skills to help people become self-sufficient.  If we can’t help them, we can refer them to the appropriate resource or provide them with counseling and direction.  The Salvation Army is usually found in areas with the greatest needs so we can “Do the Most Good”  - not only here in Buffalo, but also in other parts of the USA and around the world.  We currently serve in 124 countries, providing help and hope to those in despair. READ MORE...

Progress: Stories of Hope

By Stuart Harper

Our society pours millions of dollars and thousands of man hours into programs supporting the poor and homeless and we have to ask ourselves, “Are we making any progress?” From my vantage point at the Mission, I say absolutely YES. The reason I can say yes is because I see the progress each day in people’s lives. I was at the market the other day and saw one of our program graduates working. He was explaining to a woman about the difference between two different cuts of meat. I have to admit I felt like a proud father. One year ago this man was unrecognizable to even his own family. His recovery is remarkable. He is living proof that through God anything can happen. READ MORE...

TOPS MARKETS LAUNCHES “GREAT AMERICAN CHARITY CAR GIVEAWAY” WITH ONLINE AND SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN

Tops Friendly Markets is giving away 36 cars in 36 days through its recently launched Great American Charity Car Giveaway, a campaign that will allow online users to vote for their favorite not-for-profit organization to win a new vehicle valued at $20,000.

The opportunity for charities to participate is part of Tops’ Great American Car-A-Day Giveaway, a promotion, exclusive to Tops Markets that is running from Memorial Day to the 4th of July and will give away 36 cars in 36 days. This is the first online campaign of its kind by a grocery retailer in Tops’ operating areas. READ MORE...

World Refugee Day

We Are Manna Ministries (WAMM) is hosting a free and open to the public screening of the stunning documentary, "God Grew Tired of Us" tonight from 6-7 followed by a panel discussion, Q & A and refreshments at 895 North Forest on the campus of Zion Dominion Global Ministries in honor of World Refugee Day. READ MORE...

Running for Water

By Josh Ward

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot. Nothing’s going to get better. It’s not.” (Dr. Seuss)
    Over 250 Western-New Yorkers participated Saturday in Running Water, a charitable 5k/1 mile walk by local organization Let Them LOL to provide clean water in Sierra Leone, Africa. The event was able to raise over $14,320.87 enough to build almost three wells and provide hundreds with clean water, a community here gave selflessly to help a community over there. READ MORE...

National Donut Day

The Salvation Army Buffalo is celebrating the 73^nd annual National Donut Day today so if you can justify breaking the diet and allow that sticky, chewy, sugary pleasure, know it’s all for a great cause. 

The Salvation Army is widely credited with popularizing the donut in the United States by feeding American soldiers the tasty confection during World War I.  READ MORE...