As 2001 comes to a close, do you find yourself wishing there had been more good news? Despite a year when nothing seemed to make sense, there are still amazing examples of the good that perseveres in the world. We're pleased to recognize some of the most extraordinary ideas, actions, and organizations helping create a better world.
Dear GoodLetter readers,
We're happy to announce this year's Favorite GoodThings 2001 honorees! Whether you've been a loyal GoodLetter reader since the very beginning or if you just found GoodThings last week, you know we're dedicated to recognizing people, programs, and pursuits that are having a positive impact on the world. Back in August, we asked all of you, our readers, for suggestions of your favorite organizations, companies, and people doing extraordinary things, and we were thrilled with the response. We received hundreds of inspiring, uplifting suggestions and found it challenging to select a group of twenty-five honorees that adequately represented the best of the human spirit. We're happy to say that each of this year's honorees confirm that the drive to make the world a better place is as strong as ever.
Among this year's honorees are a small Boston-based organization working to teach tolerance and prevent youth and school violence, a humanitarian organization striving to improve the rights of women in Afghanistan, a New York foundation that assists low-income families of victims of the September attacks, a public television show on the arts, and even a fun way to stay connected to your friends and family.
Check out the twenty-five Favorite GoodThings 2001 categories below, and be sure to click the links to our Web site to learn more about each of the honorees and how you can connect with them. Of course, if you'd prefer to see them all at once, all in one place, visit this page on our site.
Enjoy!
:: FAVORITE COMMON-SENSE SOLUTION
City CarShare
:: FAVORITE BRIDGE ACROSS THE DIGITAL DIVIDE
Hewlett-Packard's World e-Inclusion
:: FAVORITE WAY TO EXPAND A CHILD'S WORLD VIEW
Debra Frasier's On the Day You Were Born
:: FAVORITE RESOURCE FOR STRENGTHENING FAMILIES
PEPS (Program for Early Parent Support)
:: FAVORITE INSPIRATION BEHIND A CAUSE
Deep Roots
WorldWise
:: FAVORITE INTERNATIONAL HEALTH ORGANIZATION
PATH (Program for Appropriate Technology in Health)
:: FAVORITE INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LEADER
CARE (Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere)
:: FAVORITE KID-FRIENDLY WORLD MUSIC
Putumayo's World Playground 2
:: FAVORITE WAY TO CONNECT THE ARTS AND JUSTICE
Artists for a New South Africa
:: FAVORITE "LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD"
Earth Island Institute's SAVE International
:: FAVORITE OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUTH INVOLVEMENT
City Year
:: FAVORITE PICTURES OF THE REAL WORLD
The Bread and Roses Cultural Project's Unseen America
:: FAVORITE REALITY TV
PBS's Egg: The Arts Show
:: FAVORITE RECIPE FOR FIGHTING HUNGER
DC Central Kitchen
:: FAVORITE POVERTY SOLUTION
The Robin Hood Foundation
:: FAVORITE SMALL BUSINESS WITH A HEART
Annie's Homegrown, Inc.
:: FAVORITE FILM FOR THE SOCIALLY MINDED
Maysles Films' Lalee's Kin: The Legacy of Cotton
:: FAVORITE WAY TO BE A DESKTOP ACTIVIST
Entropia's FightAIDS@Home Project
:: FAVORITE WAY TO TEACH TOLERANCE
Peace Games
:: FAVORITE VISIONARY
Studs Terkel, author of Will the Circle Be Unbroken?
:: FAVORITE WOMEN'S ADVOCACY GROUP
RAWA (Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan)
:: FAVORITE WORLD VIEWS
Transom.org
BBC's Outlook
:: FAVORITE SOCIAL GOOD FOR ANIMALS
The Elephant Sanctuary
:: FAVORITE ANIMALS FOR SOCIAL GOOD
Pike Place Market Foundation's Pigs on Parade
:: FAVORITE GIFT TO CONNECT PEOPLE
Ceiva's Internet-Connected Picture Frame
It has been a trying year, but this year's Favorite GoodThings honorees make it clear that humanity, commitment, connection, and compassion will always shine through, even the hardest of times. We hope these ideas, actions, and organizations have inspired you as much as they have us. Thanks so much for caring about making a difference and for continuing to support GoodThings.
Stay in touch.
:: GOODTHINGS
(Thoughts on Favorite GoodThings 2001? E-mail us -- don't forget to tell us your name, where you're from, and if we can use your words in a future GoodLetter or on our Web site.)
TALK ABOUT IT
What do you think of the Favorite GoodThings 2001 honorees? Which ones inspire you the most? Of course, many ideas, actions, and organizations didn't make this year's list. Which positive pacesetters would you nominate for next year? Share your thoughts and ideas.
LEARN MORE ABOUT IT
Each of the Favorite GoodThings 2001 honorees is helping change the world. Please remember to click the links above to get information about what they're all doing and how you can get involved.
DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT
Make the Favorite GoodThings 2001 campaign matter by supporting this year's honorees. Consider a year-end donation to your personal favorite. Or better yet, if they happen to be located near where you live, consider giving them a bit of your spare time. Every minute and dollar you can spare makes a tremendous difference.
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Readers Respond
We're following the non-profit Bountiful Table's month-long Heart of America Bus Tour across the US to promote community, diversity, and compassion. Last week, we heard from Tom French, executive director of Bountiful Table. This week, a new voice, Ella Dillon, offers her perspective. Be sure to click the link below to our Web site to get Ella's full story and find out how you can get involved:
"The Heart of America Bus Tour crossed the ice-strewn roads of South Dakota and arrived safely in Chicago on Thursday, November 29. We were welcomed with open arms. And then on Friday, after a wonderful team-building dinner at the Heartland Cafe, Chef Tom French got jumped and beaten by six young men.
Across this country, we've been asking people: Between giving up and stepping up, which are you choosing? As bombs go off in Jerusalem and Afghanistan and home-brewed trouble stirs our own neighborhoods, to Alana, Allen, Tom and me, that question took on new, raw, tangible, and very personal significance..."
:: Visit the GoodThings Web site to read Ella's important epiphany.
We love to hear from you about anything: ideas or situations that are inspiring you or challenging you to think, as well as organizations, programs, and people that contribute to your community and the world everyday. Please drop us a line.
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::: Are you getting GOODBUZZed?
Earlier this week, you may have received a little something extra from us -- by accident! It was a brief blurb about Locks of Love, a compassionate campaign to turn your freshly clipped hair into wigs and hairpieces for those who've lost their own due to a serious illness. The Locks of Love piece was one installment of our daily subscription newsletter, GoodBuzz, showcasing good news from around the world. It's short, easy to digest, and action-oriented. Need a quick dose of something constructive every morning to get you through the day? Consider giving GoodBuzz a try and click here to subscribe.
The Upshot
Having trouble making sense of the holidays this year? Still finding yourself in the same old patterns?
Kerry LaBounty, a GoodLetter reader and personal and business coach, offers ten insights on how to add more meaning to this year's celebration. See if Kerry's ideas resonate with you, and once you've read them, contribute a few of your own. To read Kerry's list, click here.
THE UPSHOT. "The moment is now."
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Good Gravy
Having a hard time figuring out what to give your friends and family for the holidays? GoodThings can help you narrow your picks.
Music
For the old-timer who's still got soul:
Blind Boys of Alabama's Spirit of the Century
For the non-stop dancer:
Rick Trevino's Mi Son
For the friend who just adores sweet singing: Claire Holley
Books
For the world traveler:
Seal Press' A Woman Alone
For the parent-in-training:
Marc Parent's Believing It All: What My Children Taught Me About Trout Fishing, Jelly Toast, and Life
For the person finding themselves:
Meghan Daum's My Misspent Youth
For the essay enthusiast:
Scott Carrier's Running After Antelope
For the bird-watcher:
Marie Winn's Red-Tails in Love: A Wildlife Drama in Central Park
For children
More book ideas
Movies
For the armchair historian:
Sunshine
For the old-movie buff:
Roman Holiday
For the lover of offbeat comedies:
Life Is Sweet
More movie ideas
Want to share some Good Gravy of your own? Tell us what you're reading, watching, or listening to and why you think it's good.
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