All People Making a Difference
Difference MakerFoster Andersen provides outdoor adventures to those with disabilities (like him)His Shared Adventures brings recreational and social activities to people living with disabilities.
Website helpfulpeeps connects willing helpers with those in need'Our vision is to build a global community with millions of people helping each other every day' by doing good deeds, says the website's cofounder.
Army staff sergeant leads a double life as a super volunteerLeo Gruba, who sees his 'duty' as a 24/7 commitment, volunteers with scouts, schools, fund-raisers 鈥� wherever he can help his community.
A picture of pirouettes and pink at Gaza's only ballet schoolAmid the chaos and destruction that has shattered Gaza so often, with repeated wars between Israel and Hamas, the school is a haven of calm and order.
First Look$500,000 donation to Salvation Army by Minnesota couple$500,000 donation: An anonymous Salvation Army red kettle donation offers a warm start to a generous holiday season.
Difference MakerYakzan Shishakly offers refugees from Syria鈥檚 civil war a safe spaceAn American born in Syria, he's moved to the Turkey-Syria border to provide aid to families, especially women and children, who have fled for their lives.
First LookHoliday surprise: Woman donates entire toy store to New York's homeless kidsA New York philanthropist bought and donated the contents of a West End toy store. Thousands of toys, stuffed animals, and school supplies were given to children in time for the Holidays.
Qatar slavery museum aims to address modern exploitationThe Bin Jelmood house is the first museum to focus on slavery in the Arab world amid concerns by rights groups that migrant workers are modern-day slaves.
Difference MakerEitay Mack wants Israel to reveal its secret arms salesMack, a gadfly and lawyer, says he believes his country is selling arms to governments that abuse human rights.
Truckers join a drive on US highways to tackle sex traffickingTruckers Against Trafficking has trained some 170,000 drivers and truck stop workers to look out for possible instances of sex trafficking.
Fairphone answers the call for more ethical smartphonesThe Dutch company started in 2010 by raising awareness of the links between electronics and minerals mined in conflict zones, then decided to make an ethical smartphone of its own.
Interactive maps help secure land rights for indigenous peoplesA global interactive map called LandMark helps indigenous peoples worldwide prove that their land is not vacant, idle, or available for outside exploitation.
Philanthropist couple expand its refugee rescue mission to Aegean, AsiaChristopher and Regina Catrambone set up the Migrant Offshore Aid Station to save refugees trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea to Europe. Now they are expanding their efforts.
Difference MakerT.Mac Howard opened a school for disadvantaged youths in a small Southern citySupporters say the Delta Streets Academy is playing an important role in moving Greenwood, Miss., toward being better race relations.
Microgrids light up the night in Kenya villagesSome 1.3 billion people worldwide lack access to electricity. An innovative solar company is using microgrids and smart meters to deliver power to villages deep in the African bush.
Guitars Over Guns reaches at-risk youths with musicChad Bernstein says involving students in an after-school music program hones their problem-solving skills and creative abilities 鈥� and keeps them in school.
Rochelle Ripley is 'pre-programmed to give back'Her nonprofit group hawkwing Inc.聽has delivered $9 million in goods and services to the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation in South Dakota.
Creative financing helps co-ops create jobs in post-Sandy New YorkHalf of small businesses don鈥檛 make it past the first five years, and owners lose everything. The Working World lets co-ops stabilize before repayment begins.
US college student creates 'Refugee Help Map'David Altmayer was studying in Budapest, Hungary, when the refugee crisis broke out. So he designed an interactive online map that shows where the refugees are and what they need.
Difference MakerKayo Oda left a safe career to teach Sudanese how to avoid land minesShe makes treks along nameless unmarked paths to conduct lifesaving land-mine safety meetings. Getting lost happens frequently because of the ever-shifting sands.