Web site changing lives in Las Vegas

from KVBC-TV and MSNBC.com

Susana Cervera lights up when she talks about her years as a makeup artists and aesthetician.

"I love my job, I love my job. I love the makeup. I love everything related to the beauty industry," she gushes.

But her career, which spanned more than 20 years, was abruptly put on hold when she was diagnosed with colon cancer and underwent a massive surgery in 2003.

"I had a wonderful doctor that knew what he was doing. He saved my life. I'm very blessed to have (had) this surgery. Even though my life is never going to be the same, I am very happy to be here."

After her recovery, Susana desperately hoped to go back to work. But unfortunately, she couldn't afford her license. That's when she turned to ModestNeeds.org, a nationwide web-based non-profit organization whose mission it is to stop the cycle of poverty before it starts by helping families facing unexpected emergency expensed.

Located 20 miles outside the valley at the beautiful Lowes Lake Las Vegas, team members are entrusted with the difficult task of reading through thousands of applications. Committee member Mike Dickey hopes to get the word out to families living in Nevada that there is help available for them.

Meanwhile, Susana can't wait to repay the favor. She hopes to give back the best way she knows how: by using her talent to make others feel good.

Susana's story is just one of many you can read on ModestNeeds.org. You can also make a donation to the organization and choose the family you want to help.

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Those in need helping others with donations to Food Bank of Eastern Michigan; Students in Flint schools among those giving back

FLINT, Michigan -- Potter Elementary students are paying it forward to help fight hunger.

The need for food assistance is up more than ever among families at the northeast-side school, but Principal Anthony Sitko says his students are also setting a different, more inspirational record.

Two local churches recently gave Thanksgiving food baskets to the families of 20 Potter students -- and the elementary school responded by collecting a couple hundred food items to be donated to the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, he said.

The drive, organized by the school's Youth Advisory Council, is an example of a subtle shift the food bank has seen in community service. In these poor economic conditions, kids seem to be understanding at a younger age the concept of helping the less fortunate, especially when they see it first-hand.

Sixth-grader Marissa Ebert, who helped organize the food drive, said her family probably needs some help from time to time.  "I wanted to be able to help somebody else," said Marissa, who brought in cans of peas and corn. "I think we helped a lot of people."

Flint Journal extras

Many Flint schools are giving back this holiday season. Here are some examples of their generosity:

• Bryant Elementary: Holding a canned food drive to go toward Thanksgiving food baskets.

• Doyle-Ryder Elementary: Giving away 10 Thanksgiving food baskets.

• Freeman Elementary: Collecting money and canned food for holiday food basket.

• Southwestern Academy: Sponsoring baskets for the needy; Holding a classroom "Adopt-A-Family" project.

Source: Flint School District

Sitko said he often notices that the students who are in need of assistance are seeing that others also need help.
"The demand is up, but the generous giving was also up," he said. "These are tough times and students want to provide support for others who need it."
The food bank recently kicked off its annual month-long fundraising campaign, Face of Hunger. It's goal is to raise $720,000, but food drives like the one at Potter also help the food bank's central mission.

"It shows the real philanthropic nature of our community," said William Kerr, food bank president. "It really is a wonderful example of generosity."

When people think about hunger, they often think of the homeless, Kerr said, but that's usually not the case with many food bank clients.

Many supporters of the food bank have at one point or another needed to use its services, he said. It's evidence that those who need help often feel the need to give back.

"We're not so much a community of haves and have-nots -- we're a community of equals," Kerr said. "Some of us have more than others at certain times and give back."

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