99 Balloons

Words can not explain how special THIS VIDEO is.

Thank you to Matthew Mooney and his family for the inspiration and for showing us that each day is a gift.

Matthew received the 2009 All Pro Dad Wilbur L. Dungy Award.  It was obviously well deserved.  Please take a moment to see HIS INTERVIEW WITH TONY DUNGY.

Give back the thanks today by sending this story to a gift in your life.  Also, check out the Mooney Family’s blog at www.theatypicallife.com and their amazing non-profit organization at www.99balloons.org.

charity:water

While we are all thinking about our New Year’s Resolution, let’s take some time to watch SCOTT’S STORY. If you don’t have time to watch the amazingly inspirational 15 minute video that may change your life, then please read the story about Scott Harrison right below the amazingly inspirational 15 minute video that may change your life

charity:water is an incredible organization dedicated to bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations.  Almost a billion people on the planet don’t have access to clean drinking water!  LOOK AT WHAT CHARITY:WATER IS DOING TO CHANGE THIS.

Thank you to Scott Harrison and charity:water for the inspiration.  Remember that this was all started by one man seeing something that bothered him and making a decision to do something about it.  Give back the thanks by GETTING INVOLVED and shopping at their VERY COOL STORE (The Black Wristbands are awesome!). 

We hope that this post helps you with your New Year’s Resolution this year.  Resolve to LIVETHANKS!

The Red Door

When our weather turns snowy and frigid, it is hard not to think about the homeless.  There are so many incredible people and organizations in cities all over the world dedicated to helping them in their greatest time of need. 

Click on the RED DOOR to the right  to see one example of what we mean.

Thank God for programs like The Red Door.  Give back the thanks by seeing what people are doing in your community to help the homeless.  Or, GIVE TO THE RED DOOR and support their very important mission.

First Book

Anyone who loves to read remembers the first book they read.  It is truly a magical experience.

FIRST BOOK is an organization dedicated to making sure all children get to have this experience.  TAKE A LOOK HERE to see what a much-needed difference they are making!

Thank you to First Book for the inspiration and proof, yet again, that when one person decides to Livethanks, amazing things can happen.  According to the First Book website, their founder Kyle Zimmer, a corporate lawyer by day, tutored children at an inner-city soup kitchen by night. She discovered that the children she tutored had no books to read. That year, Kyle left her day job, and she and two friends founded First Book to provide new books and resources to the children who needed them the most. They delivered 12,000 books to local communities in the Washington DC area the first year.  Today, nearly 20 years later, First Book has delivered more than 65 million books to programs serving children in need across the United States and Canada.  Now that is what I call Living Thanks!

There are so many ways to give back the thanks to First Book.  First, CHECK OUT HOW TO GET INVOLVED.  Second, do your Christmas shopping HERE, AND SHARE THE GIFT OF READING.  Finally, if you know an organization that needs books  CLICK HERE TO HELP THEM OUT.

Protect and Serve

Our Police Officers are an integral part of our society.  We should always give thanks that there are men and women willing to answer the call and put themselves in danger to protect and serve us. 

Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc.  (C.O.P.S.) provides resources to assist in the rebuilding of the lives of surviving families and affected co-workers of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.  Take some time to watch and see what A DIFFERENCE THEY ARE MAKING.

 

C.O.P.S. and the people they help are an inspiration to all of us.   Give back the thanks by making a DONATION or checking out some of their very cool MERCHANDISE.  Also, the next time you see a Police officer, go out of your way to say thank you and offer a prayer for those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

 

Warm Hearts

As the weather gets colder, the struggles of the homeless will become more severe.  Although there is no easy solution to this problem, sometimes a small gesture can lead to big things.

Take some time to watch HANNAH’S STORY to see what we mean.  Thank you Hannah for being an inspiration to all of us.  You are amazing!

Give back the thanks by thinking about what you can do in your community to warm some hearts.  HANNAH CAN HELP YOU GET STARTED BY CLICKING  HERE.

A Career Day!

Charles Woodson, a football player for the Green Bay Packers, had a pretty good day yesterday.  His team won, he intercepted two passes, scored a touchdown,  forced a fumble, recovered a fumble and had a sack.  Guess what?  That was not the best part of his day.

The best part of the day was THIS.  (You have to watch a 15 second commercial first…sorry:)

Thanks for the inspiration Charles! Give back the thanks by checking out www.woodsonfund.org.

Thanksgiving 2009

Here is a great quote to think about today.  Happy Thanksgiving!

 “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”
–John F. Kennedy

In other words…LIVETHANKS!

Always Faithful

Semper Fidelis, or Semper Fi for short,  is Latin for “Always Faithful.”   This is the motto of the United States Marine Corps.

THE INJURED MARINE SEMPER FI FUND is a living example of this motto as they remain faithful to serving the brave men and women who help preserve our freedom.  They provide financial assistance and quality of life solutions for Marines, Sailors and other military personnel assigned to Marine Forces, injured in post 9-11 combat, training, or with life threatening illnesses, and their families.

Take some time today to read about THE HEROES THEY SERVE.  Thank you all for the inspiration!

Don’t forget to give back the thanks.  CLICK HERE to see how you can help.  One thing we can all do right now, wherever we are, is to say a prayer for our soldiers who are in harm’s way.  We are so grateful for their sacrifice.

The Giving Season

From now until the end of the year, so many people need our help.  You will notice more requests coming in the mail, at work, on the phone and maybe even at your front door.  We at Livethanks are going to have more stories from now until the end of the year to help inspire some extra giving.  Remember, it is not just about giving money.  Give your time, pass on a story, say a prayer.  Use whatever gifts God gave you to give back whatever you can.  The results will make a huge difference!

Here is a story that will inspire you to believe we are all created to give, even when it may seem impossible:

CLICK HERE AND WATCH THE FIRST VIDEO TO MEET AN AMAZING MAN NAMED TONY MELENDEZ

A Store Without Cash Registers

Did you know Teachers spend an average of $1,200 of their own money on classroom supplies annually?  Teachers are without question some of the most giving people in the world and we are so thankful for them.

 STOREHOUSE FOR TEACHERS gives us an opportunity to give back and show our appreciation.  They provide teachers and their kids with school and classroom supplies…at no cost. 

LOOK AT THE DIFFERENCE THEY ARE MAKING!  Thank you to Storehouse for Teachers for the inspiration.  CLICK HERE to give back the thanks.

Veterans Day 2009

Happy Veterans Day!  OPERATION ONCE IN A LIFETIME is an organization dedicated to making the dreams of soldiers and their families come true by providing free financial and moral support.  They do so many things to honor the sacrifice of our troops.  Make sure YOU CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO TO SEE WHO THEY PARTNERED WITH to get the word out!

Give back the thanks today, on Veterans Day, by GIVING to this amazing organization. 

We love OUR TROOPS  here at Livethanks.  Each and every one of us can do something for them today to honor them.  Simply stop what you are doing and say a prayer for the brave men and women and their families that sacrifice so much for us.

Saving Souls

One moment can change a person’s life forever.  When someone decides to make a difference, one moment can change millions of lives forever.

Take some time today to MEET WAYNE ELSEY and see what we mean.

Soles4Souls is an incredible organization committed to changing the world, one pair of shoes at a time.  They are doing it!  CHECK OUT SOME OF THE RESULTS.  Thank you to Soles4Souls for the inspiration!

There are so many ways to give back the thanks.  HERE ARE SOME WAYS TO HELP.

Living thanks is all about looking around and realizing most of us have so much to be thankful for.  Then we take that thanks and make a choice to give it back and make a difference.  Maybe we will be writing about YOUR choice on a Livethanks post in the future

Greatness

Mario Lemieux is without question the greatest hockey player to ever lace up a pair of skates.  What he does off of the ice is even greater.

Take some time to learn about The Mario Lemieux Foundation and the incredible things they are doing to fight cancer.  The Foundation would also like to hear stories of hope and inspiration and how your experiences, or the experiences of someone close to you, can help others in their fight against cancer.  CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT A STORY OF HOPE AND INSPIRATION.  What a great way to give back the thanks!

Thank you to Mario and his foundation for truly making a difference.

Joyful Service

Take a little time today to learn about a group serving the poorest of the poor.

The Missionaries of the Poor are doing amazing things in difficult places and circumstances.  They are dedicated to doing it with “Joyful Service to Christ on the Cross”

Yet again we see an example of a person simply taking a look around, seeing a problem, and deciding to do something about it.  CLICK HERE TO SEE HOW IT ALL STARTED.

Thank you to the Missionaries of the Poor for the inspiration and joyful service!  There are several ways to give back the thanks:

1. They have many immediate needs including deodorant roll-ons, soaps, vitamin C and multivitamins.  CLICK HERE if you can help.

2. Check out their awesome VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES.

3. They put on some incredible CONCERTS AND SHOWS and have great MUSIC, VIDEOS, and neat stuff FOR KIDS.

4. Last but certainly not least they have a COOL BLOG  and an beautiful RETREAT CENTER

A Great Team

You have probably figured it out by now.  We love sports here at Livethanks.  We love people who do awesome things even more!  When we see those two things come together…you are going to get a Livethanks post.

Today we feature a story about another great  coach who was recognized by the NFL as one of the best high school football coaches in America.  CLICK HERE TO MEET COACH ANDY BONHEYO AND HIS AMAZING TEAM!  Or, you can CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT IT.

Give back the thanks today by thinking about what is possible…even if it seems impossible.

The poetry of living thanks

In OUR LAST POST, we referenced a book called “Season of Life”.  I checked it out from the library and read it in 2 days.  It is amazing!  I also came across part of a poem in the book that sums up what Livethanks is all about. 

Here it is:

“There is a destiny that makes us brothers:
None goes his way alone:
All that we send into the lives of others
Comes back into our own.”
From the Poem “A Creed” by Edwin Markham

Give back the thanks by sending this to someone who thinks that they are going it alone.

Coach for America

Joe Ehrmann was a defensive lineman in the NFL for 13 years.  He went on to become a high school football coach.  His teams have finished undefeated multiple times and have been ranked nationally.  Parade magazine called him “The Most Important Coach in America” 

What is his secret?

You would not believe me if I told you.  You need to WATCH THIS VIDEO to find out.  It is long, but it is worth every minute.

Give back the thanks by checking out the book written about this amazing coach.  It is called SEASON OF LIFE.  Also, Joe is available for speaking, workshops and seminars.  Tell people about  his site at www.coachforamerica.com.  The world needs more coaches like Joe Ehrmann.

One Special Gift

If I asked you what was the greatest gift a man named Hershey gave to this world…how would you answer?

I bet you said the Hershey Bar, right?  Not even close!

With all due respect to that delicious chocolate bar, it doesn’t come close to the impact the Milton Hershey School has had on thousands of lives.  Take some time to CLICK HERE AND LEARN ABOUT THIS AMAZING SCHOOL.

Give back the thanks by sharing this story with someone you care about.  Maybe they know someone who can benefit from this wonderful gift?

But, If Not

This post doesn’t need much of an introduction.  Sometimes Living Thanks is about standing up for what you believe in.  Here is someone who understood what that means:

“I say to you, this morning, that if you have never found something so dear and precious to you that you will die for it, then you aren’t fit to live.

You may be 38 years old, as I happen to be, and one day, some great opportunity stands before you and calls upon you to stand for some great principle, some great issue, some great cause. And you refuse to do it because you are afraid.

You refuse to do it because you want to live longer. You’re afraid that you will lose your job, or you are afraid that you will be criticized or that you will lose your popularity, or you’re afraid that somebody will stab or shoot or bomb your house. So you refuse to take a stand.

Well, you may go on and live until you are ninety, but you are just as dead at 38 as you would be at ninety.

And the cessation of breathing in your life is but the belated announcement of an earlier death of the spirit.

You died when you refused to stand up for right.

You died when you refused to stand up for truth.

You died when you refused to stand up for justice.”

-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
From the sermon “But, If Not” delivered at Ebenezer Baptist Church on November 5, 1967.

Grateful American

We spend a lot of time here at Livethanks thanking our troops.  Their service is what living thanks is all about!

If you have been inspired by one of  THESE STORIES, then it is time to give back the thanks.

GRATEFUL AMERICAN COIN is a great way to show our men and women in the military that we are thankful.  Take some time to SEE THE IMPACT THESE COINS HAVE.

Here is what we plan on doing here at livethanks:   We are going to buy 20 of these coins and keep them with our luggage.  We always see troops in the airport.   This an easy way to show our appreciation for the incredible  sacrifice they make.

We would love to hear your ideas.  HERE ARE SOME OTHER AWESOME STORIES OF WHO PEOPLE USED THE COIN.

Mental Tenacity

Navy SEAL Lieutenant Jason Redman was seriously wounded in 2007 after receiving eight gun shot wounds  while in battle with Iraqi insurgents.  If you came and visited him in his hospital room after this, you would find this sign:

Here is what the sign says: "Attention to all who enter here. If you are coming into this room with sorrow or to feel sorry for my wounds, go elsewhere. The wounds I received I got in a job I love, doing it for people I love, supporting the freedom of a country I deeply love. I am incredibly tough and will make a full recovery. What is full? That is the absolute utmost physically my body has the ability to recover. Then I will push that about 20 percent further through sheer mental tenacity. This room you are about to enter is a room of fun, optimism, and intense rapid regrowth. If you are not prepared for that, go elsewhere. From The Management"

Thank God we have people like Lt. Redman protecting us.   He is an inspiration to us all.  Give back the thanks by checking out WOUNDED WEAR, an incredible organization started by Lt. Redman.  Don’t forget to take a look at the AWESOME GEAR you can buy to support them.  One last thing…say a prayer tonight for all of our soldiers in harm’s way.

www.woundedwear.org

Back To School

James Rosenberg was a mergers and acquisitions attorney when he was mentoring a student at a school for pre-Kindergarten aged physically and mentally delayed children. James was astounded by the lack of resources in the classroom, especially in contrast to the wealth in corporate America that he witnessed in his professional life.  Inspired to “do something,” and with the assistance of law school friend Max Holtzman, James started Adopt-A-Classroom to provide members of the community with an easy way to help teachers. James left his law job in 1998 and has devoted his full time to the mission ever since. (Taken from the Adopt-A-Classroom Website)

The mission is making a huge difference.   CLICK  HERE TO SEE HOW.

Sometimes all it takes is someone to look around, see what’s wrong, and make a commitment to do something.  Thanks to Adopt-A-Classroom for making this commitment!  Give back the thanks today by supporting your teachers.  TAKE SOME TIME TO LEARN MORE  ABOUT WHY THEY NEED OUR HELP.

Loans that Change Lives

 

Take some time today to learn about KIVA.   They are fighting poverty in a way that might surprise you.  They are making small loans to entrepreneurs in some of the poorest places in the world.  And guess what?  It is working! 

WATCH THIS VIDEO TO SEE SOME RESULTS. 

We at Livethanks believe that it is in giving that we truly receive.  Kiva allows you to experience this.  HERE IS HOW IT WORKS.

Thank you to Kiva for the inspiration.  Give back the thanks by MEETING SOME ENTREPRENUERS who are trying to make a better life for them and their family.  Maybe all they need is you?

Uplifting

August is the time of year college football players across the country begin the grueling preparation for the upcoming season.  Teams will participate in two, sometimes three practices a day in the brutal summer heat to become better athletes.

These same athletes also are training to become better people by being involved with non-profit organization called UPLIFTING ATHLETES. 

These guys are doing amazing things for RARE DISEASES  through outreach, research,  education, and advocacy.  Take some time today to learn about what some of the best college football teams in the country are doing off the field to make a huge difference by CLICKING HERE.

Thank you Uplifting Athletes for the inspiration. Thank you for showing us the power of giving.  Give back the thanks by TAKING ACTION!  Also, don’t forget to check out some of the very cool GEAR YOU CAN BUY to support their cause.

Livethanks Greatest Hits!

We have a new tab above for you to look at anytime you would like called “Greatest Hits” .

Here we will feature a story you may have missed.  We are so thankful for their inspiration and we never want them to get lost

The definition of a friend

Webster’s Dictionary defines a friend as “one attached to another by affection or esteem.”

Leroy Sutton and Dartanyon Crockett take the definition of friendship to a whole new level. Take some time TO WATCH THEIR STORY AND BE INSPIRED. 

Give back the thanks by sending this story to a friend.

Strong in adversity. Unafraid in danger.

On September 11, 2001,  40 strangers gave their lives to save countless others. Take a moment to MEET THE HEROES OF FLIGHT 93.

We can never truly thank these brave souls for what they did, but we can make sure they are never forgotten.  WATCH WHAT OTHERS ARE DOING TO MAKE SURE OF THIS. 

Sometimes I think about what life would be like without these heroes.   We can all thank God that they were put into our lives.  Learn what  else you can do to honor them by GIVING TO THE FLIGHT 93 NATIONAL MEMORIAL.

In the words of President Bush “Let us also remember that the first victory in this war came on a hijacked plane bound for the nation’s capital.  Somehow the brave men and women on Flight 93, knowing they would die, found the courage to use their final moments to save the lives of others . . . Few are called to show the kind of valor seen on Flight 93, or on the field of battle.  Yet all of us do share a calling: Be strong in adversity and unafraid in danger.”

If you can, you can

This is the motto of Clay Dyer.  It sounds simple, but take a little time TO LEARN ABOUT CLAY’S STORY and you will realize why these words provide so much inspiration.

Give back the thanks by sending this story along to somebody who thinks they can’t do something.  Also, learn more about Clay and what he is up to on his OFFICIAL WEBSITE.

Field of Dreams

Mike Sherry was inspired.  READ HIS STORY HERE.

Livethanks was started to prove that when people are inspired, they give.  When people give, amazing things happen.  THE MIRACLE LEAGUE is a great example of an amazing thing happening because of one man’s inspiration.

Give back the thanks today by sending this post to someone who my need a miracle in their life.  Also, CHECK OUT HOW YOU CAN HELP MAKE A MIRACLE.

Team Work

There is no “I” in “T-E-A-M”.  Great teams are made up of people who are willing to forget about themselves and adopt a higher purpose.

The Friends of Jaclyn Foundation is all about helping teams adopt that higher purpose.  Take some time to learn about the INSPIRATIONAL STORY OF JACLYN MURPHY.

TEAMS FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY  have been inspired by the FOJ Foundation.  The inspiration has led to giving.  These teams are committed to Live!thanks.

Give back the thanks by sharing this story with a team.  Maybe it is your team, maybe it is your children’s team, maybe it just a team you would like to see living thanks.  Also, remember to stay connected to JACLYN’S JOURNEY.   She will always be in our prayers.

Your morning cup of LIVETHANKS

Wow.  CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO OF HOW SOME COFFEE DRINKERS ARE LIVING THANKS.

Give back the thanks by starting a “Pay it Forward” chain of your own!

Compassion

Allow yourself to be inspired.  This is what we try to do here at livethanks.  We believe that inspiration will lead to giving, and when you are giving, you are truly living. 
Emily Blake was inspired at age 12 to do something great. And in her words, “She couldn’t get it out of her mind” .  Take some time today to READ HER STORY.

WATCH AND SEE WHAT THAT INSPIRATION TURNED IN TO!

Each and every one of us have something to be thankful for.  We hope to use that thanks and inspire people to give.  Emily is a great example of the impact you can make when you livethanks.

Give back the thanks by learning more about COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL and the amazing work that they do.

American Tears

Take some time today to get to know an amazing young girl named AMY De SILVA. 

Amy lives with a disorder called CMT (Charcot-Marie-Tooth), which effects 1 in every 2500 people of all ages.  Although CMT prevents Amy from raising her wrists and fingers, it has not prevented her from using her beautiful singing voice to record a song called “American Tears”for our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.  She did this when she was 12 years old!

Thanks you Amy for being an inspiration to all of us, and to our brave men and women oversees.

Give back the thanks and learn more about CMT and the inspirational work of the CMT Association BY WATCHING THIS SHORT VIDEO.  You can also see some awesome ways to help out the CMT Association by visiting the CMTA WEBSITE.

Little Sisters

Do you know who Jeanne Jugan is?  If you said yes…WOW, your are smart. 

Don’t feel bad if you didn’t know who she was.  She founded the Little Sisters of the Poor, and for a while, even the Little Sisters didn’t know who she was!

The whole world is about to know who this amazing woman is because On October 11, 2009 she will be canonized a Saint by Pope Benedict XVI.

Take some time to read THIS AMAZING STORY OF INSPIRATION and learn more about the life of Jeanne Jugan.  Also, read about the LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR and the incredible things they do all over the world.

This soon-to-be Saint reminds us that God has a plan for all of us.  We never know how or when He is going to use us.  Jeanne Jugan accepted her call and she lived thanks!

Give back the thanks today by sending this story to someone who is struggling to find their plan.

Special Forces

Stop what you are doing.  Click HERE AND WATCH THIS STORY.

There are so many things that are “Special” about the story of Keith Zeier.  The next time someone says that young people don’t care anymore, I need you tell them the story of this hero.  We owe that to him.

The cause that Keith supports is the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.  This is their mission, taken directly from their website:

Providing college educations to surviving children of fallen Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps special operations forces who lose their lives in combat or training.

I learned something about this organization that broke my heart…the majority of their donations come from the military.  How can this be!?  We at Livethanks are committed to changing that.  Please do whatever you can to spread the word about Keith Zire and the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.

After you watch the first video, WATCH THIS ONE and find out how the race went.

We want to leave you with this thought.  Half way through the first video, Keith Zeier says something extraordinary.  He says “I almost feel guilty for the living the life I live.”

This is a young man who signed up to fight for our country at 17, was permanently wounded in combat, told he would walk with a cane for the rest of his life, and then ran in a 100 mile race to honor the soldiers.  The fact that he feels guilty reminds us here at Livethanks about why we do what we do.  We need to be thankful for people like Keith and spread that thanks as much as we can.  They deserve our thanks.

God Bless you Keith.

 

 

Potential NOT Poverty

The Christian Foundation for Children and Aging  is doing all it can to end the cycle of poverty.  This may seem like an impossible goal, but this amazing organization is up to the task.  Click HERE to learn about how they are doing it.

Take a few minutes to read THIS STORY about a couple who decided to Live!Thanks and support The Christian Foundation for Children and Aging.  They are changing the world…one thanks at a time!

There are many ways to give back the thanks if you are inspired.  You can MAKE A DONATION or perhaps learn more about BECOMING A SPONSOR.  Either way…you will truly be Living Thanks!

Wounded Warriors

Click HERE to meet some real warriors.

As we prepare to celebrate our country’s birthday, take a moment to remember the price that is paid for freedom.

The Wounded Warrior Project honors and empowers the brave men and women who put their lives on the line for us. 

There are so many ways to give back the thanks to this organization.  Learn about how you can get involved with the WWP.

Thank you to the Wounded Warrior Project and to all the soldiers who allow us to celebrate Independence Day each and every year.

The Station

Please take some time to read THE STATION. 

 It may change your life forever.

Give back the thanks by sending it to someone you care about. 

*Used Here by Permission 2009.

Alex’s Lemonade Stand

 

Please take some time today to learn more about Alexandra “Alex” Scott (1996-2004). She is truly a blessing.

Alex’s Lemonade Stand started as a front yard lemonade stand and turned into a  nationwide fund raising movement to find a cure for childhood cancer.

Give back the thanks by getting involved with this very special organization.  We at Live!Thanks pray for their mission: FIGHTING CHILDHOOD CANCER, ONE CUP AT A TIME.    Please take a moment to learn about the MANY HEROES involved in this fight.  They are such an inspiration to all of us.

Danny’s Promise

Inspiration leads to giving.  Giving leads to living.  This is the message livethanks tries to spread through this blog.

St. Jude Children’s Hospital is an incredible organization that gives care to thousands of children every year. Its mission is to find cures for children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. All patients accepted for treatment at St. Jude are treated without regard to the family’s ability to pay.

It all started with a prayer to the patron saint of hopeless causes, St. Jude Thaddeus by Danny Thomas.   He asked the saint to “help me find my way in life, and I will build you a shrine.”  The rest of the story is what livethanks is all about.  Click HERE to learn more about Danny’s Promise and see what can happen when someone is inspired to give!

Make sure to give back the thanks with a DONATION, or browse the HOPE GIFT BOOK for some really great gifts.

Thank you Danny Thomas, his family and St. Jude for providing such a wonderful story of inspiration.

Never Quit

Every now and then you come across a story that just screams “LIVETHANKS!!!!!!”

We got one right HERE.

You have to really admire the reason this young man does what he does.  Make sure you read all the way to the end to see what keeps Kevin Laue going.

Give back the thanks today by sending this to a friend. One thanks will lead to another.

Everyone’s Best Friend

Anyone who has a dog understands the unique bond between owner and pet. 

Canine Assistants takes that bond to a whole new level.  Check out THIS VIDEO to see what we mean.

Even dogs know how to livethanks!  Then again, anyone who owns a dog is not surprised.  Give back the thanks by making a donation, sponsoring a canine assistant, or even buying a cool cookbook.

Healing Waters

We would like to honor all of our amazing men and women who serve this country  with today’s post.

Anyone who has been fly fishing knows the peace that comes with being in a stream.   Project Healing Waters is dedicated to bringing that peace to military personnel who have been wounded, injured, or disabled to aid their physical and emotional recovery by introducing or rebuilding the skills of fly fishing and fly tying and by using and enjoying these skills on fishing outings and as lifelong recreation.

Take some time to watch this video about this awesome organization by clicking HERE. (you have to watch a 25 second commercial first)

Give back the thanks by making a donation or by buying some cool fly fishing gear from the organizations that support Project Healing Waters.

May God Bless our Veterans in a special way today on Memorial Day.  We can never thank you enough for what you do for us.

To Infinity..and Beyond!

Some of you may recognize that saying from the Toy Story star, Buzz Lightyear.

However, that phrase also is a part of a miraculous, inspiring story about a father and son who never gave up.

Check out the story HERE.

Give back the thanks today by sharing this miracle with someone you know.

Eat n’ Thanks!

One of livethanks favorite establishments has really stepped up to the plate!  

Click HERE to read about how Eat n’ Park has given to a very worthy cause.  A cause we featured on livethanks….The Fallen Heroes Fund.

 

A message among the ruins

On November 14, 1940 the Cathedral in the town of Coventry, England was destroyed by a devastating bombardment by the German Luftwaffe. 

One of the parishioners found two pieces of the roof  that had fallen on the floor in the shape of a cross.  The cross was later placed on the altar along with a message for the world to see.  What do you think they wanted the world to know after their church had been destroyed?  Click HERE to see.

Do Something BIG

Do you ever find yourself saying “I want to make a difference”

Zach Bonner, an 11 year old boy decided he wanted to do something big, and he is making a huge difference.

Click HERE to read his story and learn more about the foundation he started.

Thanks to Zach for the inspiration.  Be sure to check up on Zach’s progress by checking out the ZACH TRACKER.

Give back the thanks by doing something big today.

You Are My Sunshine

Remember that song?  ”You are my sunshine…my only sunshine…you make me happy…when skies are gray”

Yes…just hearing that again has to put a big smile on your face!  

This song has also inspired miracles.  Take some time to read THIS STORY.  It is really much more than a story.  Women’s Day Magazine called it the Miracle of the Song.

We would like to wish all the Mothers a blessed Mother’s Day today.  So many of you have sung this song to your children…I hope you that you how much it means to us.

Give back the thanks today by sharing this miracle with someone you love.

The dad of his child’s dreams

We do not hide the fact that we are Steelers fans here at Livethanks!  Our Coach, Mike Tomlin, has some words of wisdom about what comes first in his life.  Check out this article was on http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2009/01/fatherhood-come.html