Today is MAKE A DIFFERENCE Day!

“In every community there is work to be done. In every nation there are wounds to heal. In every heart there is the power to do it.”
- Marianne Williamson

Millions of Americans are committed to and participating in projects of good deeds on this annual day of volunteering, “Make A Difference Day.” Kids, families, celebrities, professional athletes, corporate citizens, governmental leaders and students alike are doing something to make a difference in their communities on the nation's largest day of service. Volunteerism is energizing! When people volunteer, they find a need that they are passionate about in order to help others. One person doing little things can truly make a big difference in someone’s life.

You do not have to be a celebrity in order to make a monumental gift from your heart. Although money is definitely needed in helping many causes, the random acts of kindness are the impressions that make lasting memories. We applaud everyone who is participating in this largest national day of service, but we salute you even more if you are volunteering and making a difference throughout the year.

“To show great love for God and our neighbor we need not do great things. It is how much love we put in the doing that makes our offering something beautiful for God.”
- Mother Teresa

Domestic Violence = Deadly Consequences

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Recently, I was reading in our local newspaper some disturbing reports about more abused women seeking emergency shelter due to an increase in domestic violence. Regardless of the causes, there is a tremendous amount of stress on many families due to a myriad of reasons. Some oppressors are not strong enough to divert their frustrations and anxieties on something positive or solutions-based. Instead violence seems to be the most logical way they handle these frustrations. Regardless of the reasons for domestic violence, there are more people, including innocent children who are acutely victimized. Recently in the news, we have witnessed the deadly consequences that result from domestic violence in murder/suicide cases.

There are many organizations providing a safe house for women and children who are fleeing from a dangerous abuser and seeking emergency refuge. If you are being abused or know someone who is, please seek help as quickly as possible. The abuse will not just simply go away completely. Sometimes the abuser will halt for a moment, but when something sets them off again, you do not know whether it’s going to be your last breath, that of your children or even other family members.

I often meet many women through some of my volunteer work, who barely escaped their abuser with just the clothes they have on their backs. Many people who have not been in a serious situation such as domestic violence or being a victim in some way, are clueless why these victims (mostly women), do not pack a bag and leave immediately. Trust me, it’s not that simple sometimes. These abusers are intimidators and the victims feel powerless. Often the victims have no money, no family or friends to turn to and they continue to suffer silently and often cover up and defend their abusers. Recognizing the signs of abusive relations is something that you must be aware of. When a so-called love tap turns into a boxing match...that’s abuse. Start planning how you will escape. You are being held hostage mentally, emotionally and physically. At some point, once the victim turn their fear into courage, they will escape their abusers.

We are going to have to stop the madness of this disease that’s eating away at our families, leaving serious scars and taking innocent lives. To learn more about how you can become involved in the Domestic Violence Awareness initiative, please check out this website:

The Mission of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) is to organize for collective power by advancing transformative work, thinking and leadership of communities and individuals working to end the violence in our lives. http://www.ncadv.org/

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National Breast Cancer and Domestic Violence Awareness Month

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Domestic Violence Awareness Month. While there is a laundry list of various monthly observances occurring and celebrated during the month of October, they include these two causes we are witnessing and experiencing, that are so crucial to the survival of family and friends.

Please read this resourceful article that we found published in the New York Times about Breast Cancer: http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/breast-cancer/overview.html?inline=nyt-classifier.

To learn more about how you can become involved in the Domestic Violence Awareness initiative, please check out these websites: http://www.ncadv.org/ or http://dvam.vawnet.org/.

We cannot stand by and allow these two diseases to rob our families of life and longevity. We invite you to read more about them and help out in any way you can. Your community and your family cannot be ignored.

http://www.kymgmoore.com/