Street Heat

Street Heat, a band based in Louisville, Ky., has been performing shows for 15 years at schools and other venues across Kentucky. But they’re not your typical rock band. The members are full-time police officers, sheriff’s deputies, correctional officers and firefighters who volunteer their time, and they use music to reach kids with messages about resisting drugs, avoiding violence, dealing with peer pressure and believing in themselves. And they perform in their uniforms! Street Heat works to stay current on music popular with kids. Their song list includes tunes on the pop charts, some rap, a bit of country and even a few classic oldies.

Sunset Beach Salute

In December 1941, Marvin Hume learned that 2 of his childhood friends had been killed during the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

Filled with pain, Marvin entered the military. He served in the U.S. Navy for three years and, during his missions, saw unforgettable images of death and destruction.

Marvin, who’s in his 80s now, doesn't talk much about those World War II images, but they’re at the heart of a memorial ceremony he’s conducted for over 30 years just outside a small beachside resort in New Jersey. It's a daily flag ceremony (from May--October) on Sunset Beach to honor the sacrifices of our nation's veterans.

Fifteen minutes before sunset, he stands at the base of a flagpole on Sunset Beach, alongside a family that wishes to honor a deceased loved one who served in the military. Marvin plays God Bless America and The Star-Spangled Banner over a loudspeaker system, and then helps members of the family lower the American flag while Taps is played.

Here's the link for more information: http://www.njsouth.com/Sunsetbeach.htm

Laptops for the Wounded

Laura Brown, a mother whose son who fought in Iraq, is trying to improve conditions at Walter Reed Army Medical Center…one laptop computer at a time.

A few years ago, Laura was chatting online with the mother of a wounded soldier, and the mother mentioned that she had to print out her son's e-mails and take them to him at the hospital because there weren't enough laptops to go around.


Laura, whose own son had recently returned safely from the war, thought the solution to the problem seemed easy, so she formed a group, Laptops for the Wounded, to raise money for the cause.

Since its fundraising effort began in November 2005, Laura's organization has donated almost 40 computers to military hospitals around the country…with the majority of them going to Walter Reed in Washington D.C.

For more information, please visit: http://www.laptopsforthewounded.com/

From the Heart Stories

1. Compton United Soccer Club

Mike Herman has been with Campus Crusade for Christ for 15 years, and he recently founded the Compton United Soccer Club. But this is more than an afterschool athletic program--players work on character and spiritual development, leadership, and community service. For more info, check out http://www.comptonunited.org/.

2. Hidden Harvest

Christy Porter has brought back the ancient practice of gleaning. Through her Hiddden Harvest organization, workers collect what's left behind after the harvest. They're able to take the surplus home to feed their families, and produce is also donated to area food banks and soup kitchens. http://www.hiddenharvest.org/

From the Heart Stories

1. Talking Parrot

When a little African Grey parrot flew out of his cage in Tokyo recently, the police found him on a rooftop and sent him to a veterinary hospital while they searched for clues as to his owner. The parrot had kept quiet with the cops, but he told the vet his full name--"Mr. Yosuke Nakamura"--and address! Mr. Nakamura is now home with his family. :-)

2. The Mowing Mailman


Eric Wills is a mailman who spends his day off mowing the lawns of elderly, poor, and physically incapacitated people on his mail route. He calls his ministry "Lawns for the Lord!" For more on Eric, click here: http://www.sptimes.com/2008/01/27/Life/Admirers_deliver_for_.shtml





3. Drew's Big Birthday Give

Drew friend decided to give away all of the presents he received at his 5th birthday party to needy families with children, and inspired a whole community to open their hearts and give. That's Drew below taking a whack at a pinata at his party! Here's the link for the whole story: http://www.drewsbiggive.com/








4. Running Club for the Homeless


Anne Mahlum started a running club for the homeless, after jogging past a shelter day after day and passing a bunch of homeless men just standing around outside. Back on My Feet is now a non-profit organization that promotes the self-sufficiency of Philadelphia's homeless population by engaging them in running as a means to build confidence, strength and self-esteem. Here's the link for more info: http://backonmyfeet.org/main/index.html

From the Heart Stories

1. The Young at Heart Chorus

Meet a choir where the average age is 80!!! They sing contemporary songs and, in addition to a cd and tour, have just made a movie. :-)

http://www.foxsearchlight.com/youngatheart/

http://www.myspace.com/youngatheartchorus

http://www.youngatheartchorus.com/

2. A Book Club for the Homeless

A nurse at a men's shelter started a book club, and now the members are reading and discussing 2 books a month. Yay! Here's the link for more info: http://abcnews.go.com/Business/Economy/Story?id=4361989

3. Julio Diaz was held up at knifepoint, but he ended up taking his mugger to dinner! Read the whole story here: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=89164759

4. Do One Nice Thing

This website was started by a gal who decided to take on small problems that could be solved. It originally began by encouraging people to do One Nice Thing every Monday as a way to make that first day of the week better. Now there are tons of great causes for you to read about and get involved in! http://www.doonenicething.com/

From the Heart Stories

1. Luxury Tax

Pastor Jeff Wenke and the Journey Church in San Jose, CA developed a fun way to support World Vision in AIDS-devastaed Limpopo, Zimbabwe! Inspired by the Monopoly board game, they printed up Luxury Tax cards and taxed themselves for "luxuries" like running water, cell phones, and even nights out on the town- things that people in Limpopo can only dream about. They raised over $25,000 in one month and sponsored 100 World Vision children!

Find out more or contact Pastor Jeff at the Journey website, http://www.talkinchurch.com/.

2. Warm Hands

911 operator Toni Dukes found a way to warm the hands- and hearts- of San Francisco's homeless. She began purchasing and handing out gloves to homeless people, and soon friends and family supported her cause by helping her buy more gloves! For more details on Toni's project, check out http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/abc7_salutes&id=5958739.

3. Home Cares

Mack Staley collects used medical equipment- wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, and more that people no longer need. Then, through his Home Cares organization, he turns around and gives it away to someone in need! Read the details and find out how you can help at http://www.marinij.com/ci_8292384?source=most_emailed .

4. DogsinDanger.com

This website has information on dogs in shelters, along with how much time each dog has before they are euthanized. Please click on the site and help them! http://www.dogsindanger.com/

This is Wilson, the precious boy we mentioned on the air. As of 3/27, he has 6 days left. Here's the link to his page on the site: http://www.dogsindanger.com/dog.jsp?did=1205097299574

5. Welcome Home a Hero

Bert Brady gets up early almost every day to welcome home American troops as they arrive at the airport. Here's the link to see this inspiring video: http://cw730.wordpress.com/2007/02/12/dfw-welcome-home-a-hero/