According to an article at AZ Central, the work was part of a Landmark effort to gain funding to eliminate bedbug infestations at public shelters, and to increase awareness of the problem. Orlando’s partner in his efforts, Dawn Gouge (an etymologist whose efforts guided the work at the Mesa shelter), is seeking $190,000 in grants to take on the issue at other shelters.

In addition, event organizers are requesting that people hang a string of colored lights or turn their porch lights on that night to bring attention to the idea of spotlighting abuse. According to the ‘Turn the Light On’ website, one in five children in the United States is sexually abused before they are 18 years old, and only 10% of the time is the abuser a stranger.

The ‘Turn the Light On’ site is also requesting donations, which will go to Shepherd’s Counseling Services, which provides for the needs of adult survivors of childhood abuse.

The event will feature survivor testimonials, community speakers and a range of musical performers – the live music begins at 6:30. Find out more information by going to the Turn the Light On site.

In 2007 Wrinn heard of the work being done by an organization called Sunflower House in South Africa, and she began with a simple garage sale to support their efforts. In 2008 she visited Sunflower House to see how No Child Dies Alone could positively impact their efforts. Last year, Wrinn went to Honduras to assess conditions there at a children’s cancer clinic and hospital.

Wrinn saw how basic pedicatric hospice training could make a huge difference for caregivers, patients and family members. No Child Dies Alone is committed to delivering the tools by which caregivers can take care of children, their families and themselves.

This fall Wrinn is delivering a caregiver wellness presentation to an international audience of children’s hospice professionals at the Children’s Hospice International World Congress in Washington, DC. To find out more about No Child Dies Alone and the work they are doing, or to make a donation, visit them online at http://nochilddiesalone.org

The event, dubbed ‘Lovecology’ was attended by over 500 singles, according to reports. Held at the CQ Function Centre in Melbourne, the event delivered free champagne and food to attendees as well as a variety of raffled prizes donated by corporate sponsors.

The event was a dress-up affair, with a $60 ticket price. DJ’d by Mark Pellegrini and Andreas, and featured a performance by the ‘lovecology’ dancers. To find out more about St. Vincent’s foundation and the work that they do, please go to http://www.stvfoundation.com.au.

McSweeney has created a Be Alive programme for health and well-being which includes a proposed gym facility at the public walking area in Mitchell Curley Park. The plans were kicked off on May 3 with the holding of a barbecue fundraiser for the facility. The fundraiser also included a raffle and a family sports day event.

The Be Alive programme is intended to promote good fitness habits and overall health and well being. In addition to the gym facility, the programme includes training sessions on the new equipment, and a series of workshops with the title ‘Being Alive: A Holistic approach’.

The workshops will focus on diet, exercise and overall healthy living.

The facility is planned for the outdoors to enable people to get out of a stuffy gym and exercise in the fresh air. The idea of outdoor exercise facilities is catching on in Ireland and worldwide – China, for instance, has recently established 30,000 outdoor exercise facilities.

The equipment is made in Ireland, easy to maintain, and durable in different kinds of weather. To find out more on this Landmark SELP project – read the Sligo Weekender.

The project, which Elyssa Renert formed in Landmark’s Self-Expression and Leadership Program and expanded by her friend Jill Ruddy, created 200 coloring books from the artwork from celebrated artists from the Miami area, which were distributed to the Miami and Joe Dimaggio Children’s hospitals.

‘Color us Well days’ were held in the hospitals in December, where the books were distributed, and the artists actually gave art lessons for the children at the hospital.

On May 13 an event is being held from 6:30-9:30 to both raise money to fight diseases and to highlight the contribution of artists to the project. The event, which is taking place at the Viceroy Hotel’s Club 50, will feature an art auction, appearances by the artists, and an interactive painting by John DeFaro.

Money raised from ticket sales and the art auction will benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. There will also be a raffle for attendees – the grand prize is a four-day Bahamas cruise donated by Norwegian Cruise Lines. Tickets will cost $10. For more information, visit Color us Well.

Specifically, much of the money went for badly needed supplies for the Charle Street short term residential facility, which starts homeless men on the road to sobriety free of charge by having them stay there and take part in a twelve-step program. The facility is volunteer run, all of whom are sober but many of whom were former residents.

Money raised also goes towards the Hamiltom House medium-term facility for 12 newly recovered alcoholics. All of the money for the organization comes from private citizens.

Jochum, who took on the project in his Landmark Education self-expression and leadership program, accomplished much of the fundraising simply through Facebook and other simple means. His latest post indicates $8200 has been raised.

Talan has a personal stake in defeating lung diseases, as his mother died of lung cancer 25 years ago, a week after he got married. Talan starting creating large climbing teams for the “Hustle up the Hancock” climbing event as a project in Landmark Education’s self-expression and leadership program. This year’s team has raised over $7,000 thus far. For more information or to contribute, take a look at The Hustle up the Hancock website, the “Life is Good” team fundraising page, or Talan’s personal fundraising web page.

See also a story about Talan’s original project at the Landmark Education News site.