ReleaseWire

On May 12th at noon, every nurse around the world is invited to pause and observe a moment of silence in celebration of Florence Nightingale (1820-1910), the founder of modern nursing. The goal is to reach every nurse in the world with the fundamental principles of holistic nursing.

Running a 5K is an excellent goal for new and experienced runners alike, as Marco Bitran, 36 years old, finishes fifth in his age group in the BC 5K Race to Educate. One of the fastest times we found was TJ Unger, 33 years old, at 15:58. You'll get lots of motivation, as well as enjoyment, from participating in a race, and 5K (3.1 miles) is the perfect distance for first-timers. Even if you're a couch potato, you can be ready for a 5K in a couple of months. You can learn more on sample Facebook pages.

World-renowned humanitarian and spiritual leader Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (Amma) will begin her 26th summer tour of North America on May 31 at the Hyatt Regency, Bellevue. Amma which means mother is famous for her unique practice of receiving all who come to her with a compassionate embrace. She has traveled the world for 26 years and literally hugged more than 30 million people. The CBS TV Primetime Special, "In God’s Name" profiled Amma as one the world’s twelve most influential religious leaders. Amma says she is trying to awaken the qualities of love and compassion, which she feels are essential for world peace and harmony.

The trauma of childhood sexual abuse doesn't stop after the act itself. The effects of sexual abuse can linger for years, debilitating victims throughout their lives and well into adulthood, according to experts.

The Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce has announced that TriMark Solutions, along with 8 other Triangle-based businesses, will receive the Steady Growth and Profitability Award during the 28th annual Pinnacle Business Awards event on Tuesday, May 22. Held in conjunction with National Small Business Week, the luncheon and awards ceremony will take place from 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at the Raleigh Convention Center.

When Mark Alston-Follansbee, executive director with the Somerville Homeless Coalition in Somerville, Massachusetts, needed advice on how to make the nonprofit much more cost-effective, he may perhaps have considered attending business school. But he didn’t need to. Harvard Business University came to him in the form of alumni who've helped him create a whole new strategic approach and refocus his endeavours for much better effect.

When Mark Alston-Follansbee, executive director of the Somerville Homeless Coalition in Somerville, Massachusetts, needed advice on how to make the nonprofit more cost-effective, he might have considered attending business school. But he didn’t have to. Harvard Business School came to him in the form of alumni who have helped him develop a new strategic plan and refocus his efforts for greater impact.

SBWire (http://www.sbwire.com), the online newswire for small to medium-sized businesses and organizations, today announced that WomanSage (http://womansage.org) has enrolled in the SBWire for Non-Profits program.

phati'tude Literary Magazine publishes long-awaited Latino issue, ¿WHAT’S IN A NOMBRE? underscoring the important contribution of Latino writers in American literature

Authentic baseball signed by baseball legends Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig will be featured in the Live Auction at the Dempster Foundation Casino Night. The baseball, donated by The Sutherland Family, was obtained from the Heritage Auction Galleries, and comes with a certificate of authentication by James Spence Authentication, one of the top authenticators in sports memorabilia. Through the Dempster Family Foundation proceeds from the sale of the baseball will benefit Children’s Memorial Hospital’s new state-of-the-art facility, the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, opening June 9th. Interested parties must be present to enter a bid on the baseball.

IGSSS is a non-profit organization comprised of professional women based in Delhi India. IGSSS was established in 1960, We works for capacity building and enlightenment of the vulnerable communities across the country through rights-based framework for their effective participation in development and initially began as a means to connect and befriend other women. IGSSS is an award winning non-profitable Women Empowerment Organization that channels the entrepreneurial spirit, the arts and creative talents of immigrant, refugee and low-income women in the India into small businesses that create jobs and a new generation of Indian leaders and entrepreneurs. In India, a whopping 56% of the women are illiterate as against a considerably lower 24% in case of men, evincing the palpable inequity. IGSSS aims to provide Women Empowerment facility with quality, flexible, safe and highly affordable volunteering placements in India.

Urban poverty in India is an increasingly difficult challenge for India. As per official estimates there are over 25% people living below poverty line in urban areas and with the trend towards increasing urbanization this number is only increasing. As per the 10th five year plan (2007- 2008), there was a shortfall of 24.71 million houses (approximately 2.5 crores) in urban India., 90 per cent of this shortfall affects the EWS (Economically Weaker Sections) and LIG (Lower Income Group) sections. IGSSS is having experience enthusiastic resource persons on ,Urban Poverty Homelessness in India & Rights of Urban Homeless on its membership. On the other hand, the IGSSS plays a significant constructive role in a city's 'development', languish in the remote corners of the city. The CityMakers Programme of the IGSSS is designed to work towards improving the living conditions of the Homeless Citizens, and also to ensure well-equipped shelters for them.

The Leader Dogs Classic will hold its 26th Annual Charity golf tournament Monday, April 30th, 2012 at Ancala Country Club in Scottsdale, AZ. Shot gun start time is 12:00PM with registration beginning at 10:30AM. Proceeds benefit Leader Dogs for the Blind, an organization that provides training and delivering of guide dogs for visually impaired people.

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a non-profit organization that designs accessible, innovative programs which inspire young people to pursue education and career opportunities in science, engineering, technology, and math while building self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills.

CESI Debt Solutions, a national non-profit organization providing credit counseling and debt management services, is proud to announce that founder and CEO, Dr. Diane Chen has received an Enterprising Women of the Year award for 2012 by Enterprising Women magazine. This award honors women business owners who have demonstrated that they have fast-growth businesses, mentor or actively support other women and girls involved in entrepreneurship, and stand out as leaders in their communities. Many of the award recipients are also leaders in key organizations that support the growth of women’s entrepreneurship.

In the lead-up to the Duchess of Cambridge’s first royal visit to Liverpool on the 14th February, which will be her second public engagement without her husband, the Duchess announced that she has become the patron of four charities. She has accepted honorary positions with Action on Addiction, East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices, the Art Room and the National Portrait Gallery. Kate will also become a volunteer in the Scout Association. A source from Gateway Merseyside, a local sales and marketing company said, “The royal family has a long history of charity patronages, and it drives millions of pounds to the charity sector.”

In spite of heavy rain and hailstones, around 800 runners, some in fancy dress, turned up to brave the bad weather on Sunday, for the Meadows Marathon. Organisers are hoping the event will be able to break last year’s fundraising total of £40,000. The event was set up in 2007 by Edinburgh University students, and includes a full marathon, along with a half marathon and 5km events. The runners completed laps of the Meadows but were hit by a shower of rain and hail at about 3pm while many were still on the course. We spoke to a source from ThinkMarketing, an Edinburgh-based sales and marketing company, who said, “It’s really impressive the amount of money that’s being raised for charity and that they’re just out there doing it, and not being put off.”

Over the past 12 months, staff and shoppers at St David's Dewi Sant in Cardiff have raised a staggering £14,287 for Marie Curie Cancer Care, the centre's Charity of the Year. Throughout the year, numerous fundraising events were held in the shopping centre, the highlight of which was the Great Daffodil Appeal, part of Marie Curie's nationwide scheme to get everyone wearing a daffodil in March in support of the charity's nurses. Managing Director of A Vision Network, a sales and marketing company based in Cardiff said, “For one Shopping Centre in Cardiff, raising over £14,000 is amazing, especially in 12 months.”

This week Pars Equality Center received the Persian New Year Proclamation from the City of San Francisco on behalf of the Bay Area Iranian American community.

Right Sharing of World Resources (RSWR) and Capability Company are pleased to announce that Betty Tonsing has joined the organization as General Secretary, following an extensive nationwide search.

The Santa Clara County Fires Safe Council has been selected as a State Farm Insurance Good Neighbor Citizenship grant recipient for 2012. The Council will receive a $5,000 grant in support of the organization’s wildfire prevention and loss mitigation programs.

The Santa Clara County FireSafe Council (SCFSC) has been selected for two federal grants to fund ongoing Wildfire Protection and Prevention programs in Santa Clara County. The total for these two federal grants is $229,811 with a matching funds requirement of $24,024.

Home, a nonprofit agency fighting poverty and homelessness in Wake County, will host “My Story, My Song,” an evening of entertainment with country music star Jimmy Wayne on Friday, April 13 from 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Marriott Downtown Raleigh – State Ballroom, located at 500 Fayetteville St. During the event, Wayne will provide special music, as well as share his journey from homeless teen to country music success story. Wayne, a native of Kings Mountain, N.C., is a survivor of homelessness and a staunch advocate for homeless youth. To overcome his difficulties, he turned to music, and has now experienced success with several country hits, including the three-week #1 country hit “Do You Believe Me Now,” as well as “I Love You This Much” and his cover of the 1976 Hall and Oates classic, “Sara Smile.” He is also the author of a novella, Paper Angels.

The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), the nation’s largest traditional grocery retailer with 16 stores throughout the Triangle and North Carolina, has partnered with the Muscular Dystrophy Association to sell shamrocks to raise money for MDA summer camps for children, along with helping to fund additional local health care services for children and adults affected by some 40 neuromuscular diseases. Through Saturday, March 17, customers can purchase a shamrock at three different levels: a green shamrock for $1, a gold shamrock for $5 or a platinum shamrock for $10. All donations made at area Kroger stores will benefit the children and adults served by MDA within the Raleigh district.

On March 16, 2012, Yehri Wi Cry, Inc. will launch their “Altruism Reflected Tangibly For Life” Campaign at The Lexington Social House (1718 Vine Street, Hollywood, California 90028). The mission of the “A.R.T. For Life” Campaign is to create an atmosphere of giving back through the hands of the “art lover.”