Did you know ::
:: we (the GoodThings team) actually create (with much love and affection) real recycled paper greeting cards?

:: our amazing greeting cards are easily purchased on our safe and secure online store? $2.50 for one, $12.50 for eight.

:: we currently have 22 different cards suitable for a variety of occasions, and in May we will have over 60 vibrant and unique cards?

:: sales of our greeting cards make it possible for us to publish the GoodLetter every week?

:: Mary, from Texas, purchased our Worldwide Favorite GoodThings cards and sent us a note saying "Thank you for the cards. They are beautiful!"

Have you seen the cards yet? Go on, follow this easy-to-remember link to check them out: www.goodthings.com/cards

Did you know ::
:: a new "World Anthem" exists that represents the synthesis of all the anthems of the world?

:: in rural communities in Peru local women like Teodora Reyes are saving lives through basic health education?

:: in Kenya, a project called Amkeni ("awakening" in Kiswahili) is developing a holistic approach to reproductive health and family planning?

:: women doctors in Afghanistan are being trained by International Medical Corps to provide much-needed maternal and child health services?
:: Gloria Fisher of South Africa watches amused as large birds called ibises dance awkwardly in her backyard?

Do you have any stories like these from the field or out your back window? We'd love to hear about them.

3 - GoodLetters :: Kids

Children are our world's most precious resource and our hope for the future.

Did you know ::
:: volunteer CASAs (Court Appointed Special Advocates), like Susan and Stephen Forstadt of California, lend support to children in need?
:: the Healthy Communities/Healthy Youth Initiative helps communities intentionally build assets in their youth?
:: the Empower Program's violence and cruelty prevention curriculum challenges youth to become healthy, confident men and women?

:: students in South Dakota launched a community revitalization project that brought $15 million into their county's economy?

:: in Kosovo, young people like Anisa and Lavdrim are rebuilding their war-torn country with goodwill and hopeful ingenuity?

Are you involved in any programs that benefit or involve our world's youth? Are you under the age of 18 and making positive change? Tell us and we'll pass it on.

4 - GoodLetters :: Making A Difference

Making a difference comes in all shapes and sizes. Send a compliment today and brighten someone's world.

Did you know ::
:: Dave Jenkins, a surfer and a doctor, created Surf Aid International to improve primary medical care in the Mentawai Islands?

:: the organization Casting for Recovery uses fly-fishing to strengthen muscles and boost the spirits of breast cancer survivors?

:: an elementary school in Seattle uses compliment circles to teach kids and parents how to acknowledge strengths in themselves and others?

:: through music, the Songbird Foundation teaches us about the 150 species of songbirds that rely on sustainable forests where coffee grows in the shade?

:: by spending four hours a week caring for someone with Alzheimer's, people like Fred in Minnesota are helping to renew the spirits of primary caregivers?

Have you or your neighbor made a difference in the world recently? Send us word about your passion.

5 - Good Grabs

In Good Grabs, we bring you constructive headlines from the world every day.

Did you know ::
:: committed individuals are building an extraordinary international passageway for tiny, threatened hummingbirds?
:: a new documentary about children in the Middle-East, Promises, puts the Israeli-Palestinian conflict into profound context?
:: human pain relief may be found lurking in the ocean depths? All the more reason to conserve the world's coral reefs.
:: at Ohio's Fur Peace Ranch, guitar legends teach eager students how to find joy in the blues?

:: a Chechnya choir, comprised of mostly blind musicians, uses music as a way of healing and building international awareness?

These and many other Grabs can be found on the GoodThings Web site. Look for them when you need a little boost.

6 - Good Gravy

In Good Gravy , count on finding reviews of entertainment that offers both a constructive perspective and an independent spirit.

Did you know ::
:: the documentary Lalee's Kin will inspire you to do something about reversing the devastating effects of poverty in the world?
:: Putumayo's World Playground 2 will capture any child's imagination with playful songs from around the world?

:: Studs Terkel's latest book, Will the Circle be Unbroken, manages to make the subject of death actually life-affirming?

Take some time to explore our eclectic recommendations of films, books, and music. We guarantee it will refresh and inspire you!

7 - Good Public Radio

Every single week, our multi-talented editor scours the public radio headlines, selects a few exceptional and constructive pieces and writes brilliant and brief summaries so that we can all enjoy the best that public radio has to offer.

Did you know ::
:: people with disabilities shine on stage in Minnesota thanks to the Interact Center for the Visual and Performing Arts?
:: seeds gathered 25 years ago in Afghanistan are now being used to bring food production back to the devastated nation?
:: the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation saves the lives of hundreds of retired race horses every year?

:: winter is the season of storytelling for the Hopi tribe in northern Arizona?
:: in Lagos, Nigeria there is a "Dancing Traffic Cop" who has simultaneously directed traffic and entertained travelers for over 20 years?
:: the founder of Intel, Gordon Moore, and his wife Betty have endowed Conservation International with $261M to protect the environment?

Don't have time to listen to all of PRI's The World or NPR's Best News Shows? Visit our archives of good public radio pieces and enjoy constructive stories one by one.

8 - Upshots

The Upshots always end our GoodLetters with a nugget of inspiration.

Did you know ::
:: a new Legacy Project exhibit puts faces to the names of people who did not return home on 9/11?

:: photographer Sebastio Salgado's Instituto Terra is helping to reverse the trend of deforestation in Brazil's Atlantic Forest?
:: Bountiful Table's first Heart of America Bus Tour carried artists, chefs, and volunteers across the country to build community and celebrate diversity?

:: Stand for Children, a national nonpartisan membership organization, is building a voice strong enough to speak for the rights of all children?

Don't forget, you only get this bit of good news if you scroll all the way down to the bottom of the GoodLetter!

9 - Favorite GoodThings 2001

We annually recognize 25 organizations, companies, and people whose ideas and actions are helping to improve the world. It's our way of celebrating and encouraging positive and constructive social action.

Did you know ::
:: DC Central Kitchen recovers unused food from local restaurants and converts donated food into balanced meals to feed children and adults?

:: public television's Egg: The Arts Show entertains us with vivid vignettes about real people carving out their own unique niches in the arts world?
:: people in San Francisco can share cars and help preserve the environment thanks to City CarShare?

Did you forget to read about our 2001 honorees? You can still find them on the site. And remember to send us your nominations for Favorite GoodThings 2002!

10 - Looking Forward

Whew. If you've made it this far, you deserve a treat! Go grab a handful of M&Ms and return for a look at what's around the corner. Isn't it amazing, though, all the good we've been able to gather and present to you over the last 6 months? Here's a little taste of what's to come...

Did you know ::
:: we'll publish our 100th GoodLetter in the beginning of September?

:: we've just launched the first phase of an improved Web site?

:: we'll have 50+ new paper greeting cards by the end of May?
::: we're developing a GoodThings "Guide to Good" book?

:: we're already starting to collect nominations for our Favorite GoodThings 2002 award?