While recently in Uganda, the Trainees related many breathtaking stories…how their acupuncture treatments led to a significant reduction in size and pain from grossly enlarged spleens, a condition previously untreatable. …another spoke of one of his AIDS patients who, because of his acupuncture treatments, was once again able to walk… And another described how his treatments greatly reduced the severity and frequency of epileptic seizures.

This brief note came to us from Richard Mandell, a Boston-based licensed acupuncturist, a few months ago. Richard founded PAAP, The Pan African Acupuncture Project, in 2003. For people living in remote corners of the world where traditional medicine is limited or even non-existent, diseases like HIV/AIDS, malaria, or TB are daily realities. With the dearth of modern medicine available, alternative choices can be true life-savers and it was this problem that Richard chose to address when he began PAAP. PAAP’s volunteer acupuncturists have trained more than 200 healthcare workers, primarily in Uganda, to use acupuncture’s miraculous techniques in the treatment of these diseases.

Richard estimates that since beginning, more than 50 trainers, a number of whom have volunteered multiple times, have provided approximately 17,000 treatments each year-a very impressive number.

The Good People Fund offered of a $6000 matching grant to expand this amazing work and we were thrilled when Richard reported that his donors responded enthusiastically to the challenge.

What a great surprise it was to just learn that Holly Hirshberg, founder of the San Antonio-based Dinner Garden has just been named a CNN Hero. We met Holly this past Spring (and wrote about her and Dinner Garden here in the Diary on May 17, 2011) and were excited to learn about her efforts to end hunger in this country. Holly has proven that people can help feed themselves and others by growing their own fruits and vegetables. Dinner Garden has distributed seeds and gardening information to thousands of people across the country and also facilitated more than 150 community gardens. A recent Good People Fund grant allowed Holly to mail out almost 5000 packets of seeds to home gardeners in several states. Congratulations Holly!

With Holly’s recognition as the latest CNN Hero, she joins the ranks of several other Good People Fund programs which include Gary Oppenheimer from AmpleHarvest.org, Pam Koner, founder of Family to Family and Irene Zola, founder of our newest grantee, LILY-Lifeforce in Later Years.

Not a bad track record at all! We wonder who will be next.

Check out the CNN clip on Holly and her work: http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/07/14/cnnheroes.hirshberg.seeds/

Zane Buzby, founder of Survivor Mitzvah Project was recently in touch to let us know that she had met her goal of raising matching funds for a grant we offered her program. The Good People Fund match will help make it possible for Zane to once again visit elderly survivors in Eastern Europe next winter. All of these elders live in extreme poverty, isolated, sick and lonely. Zane’s visits are nothing less than a life-saving injection of hope and compassion as she makes her way from village to village bringing modest funds, small gifts and her amazing personality.

Nothing can quite tell Zane’s story better than this recently completed video. It is an amazing story…stop and watch…you will be moved. http://youtu.be/bJLRKA2VhAY

You never know where a conversation will end up. We spend so much time each day speaking to people all over the country. Many want to learn more about our work and some even want advice on how they can make a difference in their own communities. In truth, that is one of our primary reasons for sharing our "good people" stories…to inspire others to do the same, in their own way, in their own community.

About a year ago, Stacy Kamisar from Weston, CT was one of those callers. Stacy wanted to do something in her community… the question was what? We discussed several ideas and after some time Stacy decided that working with books was meaningful and could truly change lives.

We were not surprised when the following email arrived recently. Stacy has succeeded in every way. Today, local individuals and families are supporting the program in many ways including the donation of new books in lieu of Bar/Bat Mitzvah or birthday gifts. Read on…I know that we are inspired! Who knows what may come next?

Hi Naomi – I am thrilled to tell you that in the one year since we first spoke, I have finally gotten my books project up and running, and I have to credit you for the inspiration. After reading about all the work done by people you have met through the Good People Fund, I decided that our Westport UJA/Federation needed to do more to impact our local community. With NO budget, relying on the kindness of donated time and expertise, we have secured storage space, set up a website, formed an advisory committee and are finally ready to start serving beneficiary organizations in Connecticut that are in need of books. Please visit our website…www.books2connect.org and let me know your thoughts.

I can’t thank you enough for inspiring me to make this happen. I think we can have a very positive impact and I will keep you posted as to our progress.

Yasher koach Stacy!

Naomi,

Yitz

This past Sunday was the first day of summer vacation in Israel and we were excited to receive this note from Yitz Feigenbaum, one of the forces behind Beit Hayeled, the group home where kids removed from their parents are given a warm, supportive environment in which to grow and thrive.

It was the generosity of Good People Fund donors who made this movie (and the pizza and ice cream that followed) possible. We hope the rest of the summer is just as much fun!

Think about growing old without the company of a television set…or even a decent TV with a good picture and sound. Those long days, often spent in isolation, can be even longer.

When we spoke with Dalia Abbott at Project Ezra on the Lower East Side of Manhattan last week she shared that every other Thursday a small group of their seniors come to the building for a movie. The group decides what they want to see, Netflix sends it on and everyone enjoys the film, some companionship and a drink and light snacks.

Imagine our horror when Dalia shared a picture of the television the group was using. (Unfortunately, her camera phone did not do justice to the actual photo). Despite the color and beautiful music Barbara Streisand was belting out in Hello Dolly, the group was viewing this on a small out-dated TV set. In fact, Dalia admitted that "sadly, some people have chosen not to come to the group because they can’t see the picture."

This was something we could fix and just a few minutes ago, Dalia reported back on her shopping expedition. For a truly reasonable amount of tzedakah money, Project Ezra’s seniors will ease their isolation, share some food and enjoy a good flick on a wide-screen, flat-panel TV that everyone can see.

Who knows? Maybe Movie Day will be held every week. The Good People Fund is thrilled to make this happen…maybe we will even send some popcorn!