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CBS News
a day ago
- General
- CBS News
Summer camp in Pittsburgh helps teens and young adults serve the community
You don't typically think of summer camps as a place to work or train, but a special initiative in Pittsburgh is giving teens and young adults the skills and knowledge they need for the future. The Project PEACE summer camp is in its fourth year. Organized by the Wilkinsburg Sanctuary Project for Peace and supporting non-profits Hosanna House, Sleeping Octopus, and WCDC Strong Families, the program sends youth out in the community to do service projects — like cleaning, landscaping, waste removal, painting, and beautification — all under the guidance of volunteer professionals in those fields. The young people also learn interpersonal skills and listen to stories from the residents they help. There were 32 participants this year, many of them focusing on jobs in the Wilkinsburg area. Pastor Janet Hellner-Burris is one of the coordinators. "What it means is giving our young people an opportunity to serve in the community, get to know wonderful people," Hellner-Burris said. "And also get them some skills." There were also nine teens in Pittsburgh on a mission trip from Chicago. Dwaune Dudley was one of them. "We [are] showing them we have patience, and we really want to change they narrative on how they think about us." Duquesne University student Theresa Moore said getting out of her comfort zone has been rewarding. "Communicating and basically marketing yourself and networking so you can go on to do bigger and better things," Moore said. During the week-long campaign, all of the campers were also certified in Mental Health First Aid.
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Travis Kelce receives special award for 'extraordinary' achievement
Travis Kelce has been honored by the state of Ohio for his 'extraordinary commitment, compassion and service' to charity work in his hometown of Cleveland. The Kansas City Chiefs superstar launched his own non-profit organization in Cleveland - Eighty-Seven & Running - back in 2015 with the goal of 'empowering underprivileged youth'. Over the past decade he has worked tirelessly to ensure it continues to help underserved young people strive to become productive citizens, with his foundation offering resources and enrichment opportunities for communities through fundraising, athletic programs, mentoring and more. And to mark its 10-year anniversary, Kelce has been awarded The Oustanding Leadership Award by the Won't Quit Foundation - another non-profit organization in Cleveland. Darnell T. Brewer, a member of Ohio's House of Representatives, announced the three-time Super Bowl winner has received the special honor. 'This award is given out to honor an individual who exemplifies extraordinary commitment, compassion, and service. This award recognizes someone who has gone above and beyond to uplift their community, inspire their peers, and make a lasting impact on the world around them. 'Through consistent action, integrity, and selflessness, they embody the true spirit of leadership and the mission of the Won't Quit Foundation. 'In a world that deeply needs strong, compassionate leaders, your example stands out as a beacon of hope and inspiration. 'Your consistent efforts to create positive change have not gone unnoticed, and this recognition is a celebration of the lives you've touched and the legacy you continue to build.' Fresh off the back of his award win, Kelce enjoyed a round of golf on Saturday at a luxury Hamptons course as he splurged on a private helicopter to take him and a close friend out east. Travis and girlfriend Taylor Swift were spotted in New York City on Friday night grabbing dinner at Italian restaurant Torrisi, after the Chiefs tight end took a private jet to the Big Apple earlier in the day. And a day later he ventured to East Hampton Golf Club with his good friend Ross Travis as they hit the links. Kelce, who wore a white polo shirt, white baseball cap and khaki shorts, was photographed holding a canned beverage as he walked alongside his former Kansas City teammate Travis. The ultra-exclusive club, which opened in 2000, reportedly has an initiation fee of $400,000 for members, who are also said to need a net worth of at least $1million or earn more than $200,000 per year. According to the club's website, it's been recognized as a top 50 golf club in the country with a 'platinum club designation.' The 6,400-yard course also bans carts outside of members who are 'unable to walk the course' due to physical impairments. The club has just 250 memberships, its website says. Nonetheless, Kelce - who will top $111million in career earnings this season - was welcomed to the course for a day during the Chiefs offseason. The 35-year-old and his friends could be seen returning to the helicopter later in the day, as he held his golf shoes in one hand while stepping aboard.
CTV News
19-06-2025
- Health
- CTV News
‘A rewarding experience': Volunteers take part in annual Day of Caring
Volunteers took part in the United Way Elgin Middlesex's 24th annual Day of Caring on June 19, 2025. (Lauren Stallone/CTV News London) Hundreds of volunteers from local businesses joined together for the 24th annual 'Day of Caring' event taking place across London, Elgin County, and Middlesex County. The event, hosted by United Way Elgin Middlesex, aims at providing volunteers deeper insight into important work being done in the community. 'It's an opportunity for workplaces and corporations to come together and go out to united way funded partners and roll up their sleeves and do a little bit of hard work,' said Kelly Ziegner, president and CEO of United Way Elgin Middlesex. Volunteers were sent out to 23 different agencies and participated in activities such as 'garden cleanup' and 'hosting community barbeques.' Organizers said participating in the day is a 'great opportunity' for volunteers to gain a deeper insight into the work being done by United Way's Funded Programs. 'It's great for our workplaces and corporations that are involved because their employees get to work together on something a little different than their desk jobs,' said Ziegner. Jordan Moat with Libro Credit Union, one of the organizations that sponsored and participated in the event, said he enjoys 'sharing such a rewarding experience' with his staff. 'It's a feel-good moment, right?' said Moat. 'They enjoy rolling up their sleeves and getting their hands dirty and feel connected to the community.' One of the projects included in the day was 'Type Diabeat-it' a non-profit organization focused on ensuring Canadians with diabetes have access to quality produce and increase their consumption of vegetables. 'This is Harvest Haven, this is one of our many projects,' said Gonzalo Gomez-Daza, operations manager for Type Diabeat-it. 'It's a one-and-a-half-acre lot, here we grow food that goes back to the community for free.' The non-profit said they were thankful to have so many volunteers come out and show their support. 'Being able to bring all these volunteers here means that lots of work, probably about a couple months worth of work will be done in about a day,' said Gomez-Daza
CBS News
17-06-2025
- General
- CBS News
Melissa and Mark Hortman's work lives on through trained service dogs
Melissa and Mark Hortman served their community in many ways, including training dogs to be service animals for people in need. WCCO spoke with the volunteer group and a veteran who has benefited from their efforts. Minnie, 11, is a special Labrador. She's the perfect companion for veteran Aric Elsner. "She's just the greatest gift, and I've told many people, and I still say this, this dog saved my life," Elsner said. He served in the Minnesota Air National Guard for more than 25 years and lives every day with physical and mental pain. "I had a lot of health issues, PTSD was one diagnosis, and I was diagnosed with a very painful musculoskeletal condition too," Elsner said. That's when Helping Paws came into his life. He was matched with Minnie. "If I'm anxious at home or I have a bad dream, she's right there," Elsner said. Minnie went through two-and-a-half years of training at Helping Paws, working directly with the Hortman family, who volunteered to train her. It started as a high school service project for their daughter, but when she left for college, Mark Hortman finished training Minnie. "Their love for helping others, their love for doing something above themselves, is just living on every day with the gift that I got from their family," Alyssa Golob, executive director with Helping Paws, said. Gilbert never graduated from training school, but went on to be a beloved pet of the Hortman family. Melissa and Mark Hortman and Gilbert were shot and killed on Saturday. "It's evil on its own, and then you add in an innocent dog, and that's a certain kind of evil," Golob said. Minnie is just one of the many examples of Melissa and Mark Hortman's legacy living on, continuing to serve Minnesotans for the better. Since Saturday, Helping Paws donations have been pouring in, totalling more than $10,000. The money will be used to continue connecting veterans with service dogs.
BBC News
13-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Isle of Man cathedral dean who led refurbishment project honoured
The dean who spearheaded the refurbishment of the Isle of Man's Anglican cathedral has been honoured in the King's Birthday Honours ListThe Very Rev Nigel Godfrey, who was appointed dean of Cathedral Isle of Man in Peel in 2011 and has led its £3m upgrade, becomes an Godfrey said the honour was a reflection of the community and "it belongs to a group, it doesn't belong to me".Former journalist John Watterson also becomes an MBE for services and dedication to sport on the island, and Cafe Lingo founder Karen Norton is awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to English learning. Born on the island, Dean Godfrey spent two decades at Christ Church in Brixton in London before return to the island to take up the position in his guidance, the cathedral and its grounds have undergone extensive restored cathedral was opened by the Princess Royal in for his service to church and community life, HE said when he was told about the honour he thought saw it as a reflection of the whole community he served."I hope that people that people will see it as an award for them," he said."At the very best I could be described as a jackdaw I suppose in pulling in other people's ideas and skills and gifts and enabling that community to speak for itself.I think it's that way round." Retired journalist Mr Watterson first started in the newspaper industry at the age of 15 and went on to have a career the spanned five decades and included 38 years acting as sports said he was "a bit stunned" and "very honoured" to receive the recognition, which was "not what I expected at all".During his time in the industry, he said he was "really fortunate" that sport had "really taken off on the Isle of Man", allowing him to follow the careers of Manx athletes Sir Mark Cavendish, David Knight, and Yasmin Ingham."I'm very honoured to be involved in the early stages of their developing careers," he said. A former primary school teacher in both the island and Merseyside specialising in supporting children with additional needs, Mrs Norton founded the community facility Cafe Lingo in Douglas with her husband in 2016. The the volunteer-led gathering place was established to help newcomers to the island from around the world overcome any language barriers by offering free English lessons and 2022, Café Lingo has welcomed Ukrainian families fleeing war, offering both practical assistance and emotional support in partnership with the One World Centre and local Bernard Moore received the Lieutenant Governor's Commendation for 40 years of voluntary service to Moore remained as a leader with the first Marown Scouts throughout his decades of commendation said Mr Moore was "instrumental in maintaining a thriving scout section" and "his contribution extends beyond the scouting community and is marked by exceptional commitment, resilience and care". Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
