Salem-News.com Charity articles Page 24

Viva Palestina Still Blocked From Reaching Gaza

The Convoy, which is made up of more than 200 vehicles, planned to reach Rafah on December 27th.

(CAIRO, Egypt AL JAZEERA) - Al Jazeera's Sohail Rahman reports and discusses Egypt's decision to block the Viva Palestina Convoy from entering Egypt at Nuweiba.

The video includes commentary from Institute of Palestinian Studies' Mouin Rabbanu and a live phone interview with George Galloway at the Jordan/Syria Jaber border crossing.

Pink Floyd`s Roger Waters Issues Message of Solidarity with The Gaza Freedom March

"Today, hundreds of thousands, tomorrow, millions, soon, hundreds of millions. We Shall Overcome" -Roger Waters

(NEW YORK ) - I am writing to express my great admiration for and solidarity with the 1,360 men and women from 42 different countries around the World who are gathering in Egypt, preparing for The Gaza Freedom March.

We all watched, aghast, the vicious attack made a year ago on the people of Gaza by Israeli armed forces and the ongoing illegal siege.

Hedy Epstein Begins Hunger Strike to Open Gaza Borders

When Hedy Epstein was a young teen her parents smuggled her away, then perished in Auschwitz in 1942. No wonder she supports the people of Gaza.

(CAIRO, Egypt) - Hedy Epstein, the 85 year old Holocaust survivor and peace activist, announced that she will begin a hunger strike today as a response to the Egyptian government’s refusal to allow the Gaza Freedom March participants into Gaza.

Ms. Epstein was part of a delegation with participants from 43 countries that were to join Palestinians in a non-violent march from Northern Gaza towards the Erez border with Israel calling for the end of the illegal siege.

Gaza Freedom Marchers Maintain Pressure in Cairo for Border Opening

Activists are keeping up the pressure with the intent that Egypt should open the border and allow the convoy to go to Gaza.

(CAIRO, Egypt) - The Gaza Freedom March is being held up by the Egyptian government after all, in spite of word issued a few days ago that Egypt had changed its position on allowing entry into Gaza.

It has been one year since the Israeli military decimated the people of Gaza in retaliation for Hamas rocket attacks that killed a small number of Israeli people, approximately seven. In retaliation, Israel unleashed an attack involving illegal weapons and specific targeting of ambulance crews and schools.

Egypt Allows Humanitarian Viva Palestina Convoy to Enter Gaza

Government of Egypt changes policy to allow humanitarian group Viva Palestina to enter Gaza December 27, 2009.

(CAIRO, Egypt) - Members of the Gaza Freedom March are congratulating the Government of Egypt on its change of policy to allow international missions into Gaza during December.

The decision will allow the Viva Palestina convoy to go into Gaza on December 27, 2009.

When the Need is Greater, More Funds are Needed

The Salvation Army of Marion and Polk Counties needs the community’s help. Just five dollars in the red kettle will feed a hungry person for a day.

(SALEM,. Ore.) - Christmas Eve marks the last day of The Salvation Army's 2009 Red Kettle Campaign. With one more week to go, the Salvation Army of Marion and Polk Counties is 11% short of where they were this time last year, in part due to fewer kettle locations.

Funds from this year’s Red Kettle Campaign will help sustain vital Salvation Army programs and services in the Salem, helping those in need through their daily struggle for survival.

Holiday Shop with a Cop a in Salem Huge Success

Law Enforcement for Youth would like to thank everyone who contributed to this program.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Law Enforcement for Youth is pleased to announce that the 2009 holiday Shop with a Cop was a huge success. This years program held from 9:00am to noon on Decemeber 12th at the South Salem Walmrt was able to serve 401 children.

107 law enforcement officials from numerous agencies including the Marion County Shiriff's Office, Salem Police Department, Keizer Police Department, Oregon State Police, Oregon Department of Corrections and more.

Jack Herer Benefit Event Tonight at Village Ballroom in Portland

The Oregon Jack Herer Benefit Event happens December 4th in Portland.

(PORTAND, Ore.) - The public is invited to a benefit event scheduled this Friday, December 4th at 8:00 p.m. at the Village Ballroom for hemp icon and author, Jack Herer.

The Village Ballroom is at 700 N.E. Dekum Street, which is located above the Oregon Cannabis Cafe, Oregon NORML's new medical marijuana patent resource center that has received a firestorm of publicity since opening last month.

Oregon Gets a `C` Ranking for Premature Births

November 17th marks the nation's 7th Annual Prematurity Awareness Day, when March of Dimes focuses the nation's attention on the growing problem of premature birth (birth before 37 weeks gestation).

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - For the second consecutive year, Oregon earned a "C" grade on the March of Dimes Premature Birth Report Card. While the grade remained the same, the state slipped in U.S. ranking and Oregon's preterm birth rate increased by a tenth of a percent.

The grades were determined by comparing preterm birth rates to the national Healthy People 2010 preterm birth objective, which is 7.6% of all live births. Oregon's rate increased slightly to 10.3% from 10.2% and the United States continues to fail at 12.7% with a "D" on the Report Card.

Oregonians `Give Back` in Record Numbers (AUDIO)

One-third of Oregonians do some form of volunteer work.

(PORTLAND, Ore. ONS) - The unemployment rate in Oregon may be high, but so is the rate of volunteerism. In the last year, about one million Oregonians contributed more than 120 million hours of their time for charitable and community service projects.

In this economy, you might assume people would pass up working for free, to look for paying jobs, but Bandana Shreftha, director of community engagement for AARP Oregon, says that hasn't been the case.