Non-Profit Organization Comes to Farmers' Rescue

Ellendale, ND

North Dakota farmer Richard Olson feared for his family's livelihood when he suffered a debilitating accident last year. Without being physically able to plant the farm's crops, Olson faced the prospect of renting out their land and loosing the farm forever.

Thanks to Bill Gross, professional UPS pilot, that didn't happen. In his spare time, Gross runs an organization to help struggling farmers like Olson to make it through the year. Gross, who grew up on a farm, recalls how different farming used to be: "Years ago, when there was an accident or an injury, neighbors would usually come and help each other. Nowadays, there are fewer family farms and fewer children on those farms, and it's just not as easy for neighbors to help one another anymore." It's no wonder, when you consider that the number of farms in the US has dropped 67% since 1910.

Gross's organization, Farm Rescue, aids families like the Olsons by helping with the planting and harvesting - not by giving handouts. Says Gross, "We don't give out money to farmers, this is not a handout or a bailout for any farm family. It's just to help them through the year so they can continue." And it's working. Of the 60 or so farmers Farm Rescue has helped, "[m]ost of [their] cases are success stories where [they] help the family out and the next year they're able to do it on their own."

Read the full story at http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/06/25/heroes.gross/index.html?iref=mpstoryview

In the Face of Recession, Charitable Donations Larger than Ever

US

Despite growing concerns about the economy last year, Americans donated a record amount of money to charitable organizations. Soaring over 300$ million for the first time, the donation was up around 4% from what it was in 2006.

For details, visit http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,371025,00.html

79-Year Old Ohio Man Gets a New Outhouse

Batavia, OH

People Working Cooperatively, a nonprofit organization founded in the 1970s, has supplied 79-year old Lew Preston with a brand new outhouse. Preston challenged the board of health regarding his old outhouse for months before requesting help from the organization. A 5-person team from People Working Cooperatively built a replacement outhouse, complete with a 1,000 gallon septic tank underneath, in one day.

According to Preston, "It's too nice and complicated to be an outhouse. I call it a privy."

For more delightful quotes from Preston, and to see a photo of the new privy, visit http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,364768,00.html

West Virginia Woman Gives Away A Home

Charleston, W. VA, US

With all the buzz about the housing market slump, it's hard to believe anyone would give a home away. But when Jason Tyler's and Kelly Johnson's home burned down, neighbor Victoria Rhodes didn't hesitate to donate her mobile home to the couple and their four children. Though Rhodes insists that it's just an old trailer that she no longer needs, it means the world to the homeless family.

For the full story, visit http://realestate.aol.com/article/news/_a/w-virginia-woman-gives-neighbors-a-house/20080605092609990001?ncid=AOLCOMMre00dynlsec0003