The Richest People in America Project is the brainchild of Tim Richardson, an 18-year veteran of motivational speaking and creator of the IM RICH series, who helps his clients discover the "Real Richness" which is the richness of heart within a person or organization and not just the money people associate with giving to charity. His "The Richest People in America" project is about people making a real difference by giving time with heart, and how they give back to society.  The nominees of the project will reflect the best about the joy of giving, using their time and resources to make a better world. 

Tim believes that serving and giving are fundamental to success in life. He has ridden his bicycle thousands of miles to raise awareness for MS. In 2000, he was the 2nd highest fund raiser in the MS 150 in North Florida, one of the biggest MS rides in the US. He’s founder and president of the Bill Walter III Melanoma Research Fund (BWMRF), a foundation that gives money to patients who can’t afford medical treatment and sponsors symposiums for leading melanoma researchers from all over the world. He has been on work trips to third world countries, volunteered in the scouting program, served as a Big Brother and many other volunteer efforts. He is writing Living Rich about the people and organizations that are making the lives of others rich through their work.

Richardson’s mission is to inspire people to spread the message that you get rich by giving and that your greatest investments are made in the lives of those you help. Tim is author of JumpStarts: Wit and Wisdom to Super Charge Your Day and donates all the proceeds from his book to the BWMRF.

One such nominee for "Richest People in America" is Greg Woodburn of Ventura County, California, a 17 year old who has spent half his life helping others in the U.S. and the world.  Starting with a book drive inherited from his older sister that he turned into a major happening, to founding his own organization called S.O.S. (Share Our Soles) that collects and donates running shoes to needy kids.  He set a goal for 100 pairs, but by spreading the word, he collected and washed 520 pairs to date, sending these refurbished shoes to youth groups in Mexico, Sudan, Uganda and Kenya in Africa, as well as to inner-city kids in Los Angeles and non-athletic shoes to Goodwill and Casa Pacifica.  He's set a new goal for 1,000 pairs by the end of the year!   This young man also raised money by taking pledges per mile (191 miles in a month) in order to offer a 'scholarship' to pay the season fee for a youngster to join the Ventura Tigres Youth Track Club, where Greg ran for many years.

If this weren't enough, Greg Woodburn is a straight-A student, is named in "Who's Who for American High School Students" and "The National Society of High School Scholars", been on Ventura High School's Board of Directors for Interact Club and Key Club (Kiwanis International).  He participates annually in the "Relay for Life" which raises money for the American Cancer Society and as a volunteer for Caregivers helps an elderly woman who he does household chores for and visits routinely.  He does none of these things for reward, but because he's a person who cares deeply about others.

His older sister, who nominated Greg for The Richest People in America, has this to say about her younger brother:

"In his young life to date he has already shown the leadership, generosity, energy and positive attitude to serve as an inspiring role model for people of all ages. Indeed, Greg makes the world a richer place for he makes us see a better world by lifting us up on his giant shoulders."

I can't think of one person I know who doesn't have a favorite teacher who influenced them greatly while attending school. You know of what I mean, that one teacher who acts as a catalyst of change within us. While writing about Erin Gruwell’s Freedom Writers [see below] and the life-changing influence she had on her “unteachable, at risk” teenagers made me think of the one teacher who stands out from all the teachers during my school life, Mrs. Jane Isenberg, because her style of teaching was pretty innovative for that time and shares a general philosophy akin to  Gruwell's.   As her student, she introduced me to the art of journaling, and I soon saw the benefits of this self-expression as a catharsis for the emotional problems I was having as the result of my home life.  Kids who come from dysfunctional homes are preoccupied with survival and there’s not much meaningful communication within the family itself, aside from the superficial chit-chat that goes on in close quarters.  Attention and affection within the dysfunctional family doesn’t seem real or last long and that may be a reason dysfunctional kids need outside relationships that display affection and warmth.  In this respect, teachers can have an enormous influence on their students, for better or worse.

For me, it was a blessing to have Mrs. Isenberg as my 11^th grade English teacher.  She was the only teacher who took interest in me as a person compared to most of the other teachers I had in high school.  I don’t think she knew back then how she may have saved a life, but I’m sure she knew I looked up to her. It’s embarrassing for me to write this after so many years have gone by, but her influence on me, aside from wanting to do my best in her class, manifested in how I tried to look like her in every way, down to her hairstyle.   *blush*   Goodness knows, she never made me feel stupid or embarrassed by my attempts to emulate her, but I painfully laugh at the photos I still have of her and me standing together;  I see myself as  the 3 year old standing by Mommy in Mommy's dress and high heels.  Sigh.  And que sera.

 Nevertheless, I survived the painful realization of trying to be someone else instead of the 'me' who felt so invisible.  I was painfully shy and quiet, although I had a finely-tuned sense of humor even back then that never diminished over time.   And, I'm not shy and quiet anymore.  *grin*

Mrs. Isenberg put the spark for writing down into my soul.  Keeping journals helped me progress into writing poetry which I've had published. I still find a sense of comfort when I write in my journal because she pops up into mind even after all these years.  And lest I forget, she was tall, slender like a model, had a lovely face and fetching smile.  And a lot of class!

My only regret with respect to Mrs. Isenberg is not getting in touch with her later in life to let her know how much she mattered in my life at that time, to thank her for how she made me feel special at a time when I needed it the most.  You see, high school was a very painful time for me, emotionally and physically.  It was a time when my home life was in turmoil at the hands of a violent, alcoholic, borderline genius of a  father who instilled fear and dread in us every waking moment.  During a particularly bad encounter with my father when I caught him trying to strangle my mother, I developed a sudden burst of adrenaline and strength that empowered me to wrestle him off mother and throw him against the telephone on the wall, get right in his face and through clenched teeth told him if he ever tried something like that again, I'd kill him.  I recall how horrified I felt at the time; horror at my own thoughts of murder and thinking what Mrs. Isenberg's reaction would be upon learning her quiet, solicitous student had offed her father. I cringe at it now even, but I think my desire to please Mrs. Isenberg plus my need of her approval, may have prevented a tragedy for my family. I didn't want to look bad in her eyes. Talk about influence!  This is the power of an excellent educator.  We need so many more Jane Isenbergs and Erin Gruwells because, as you can see, they were at the right place at the right time, especially as far as this kiddo goes.  How many other students did she provide that extra smile or nod of approval that gave a  boost of morale or helped a student cope with an unbearable home life?  That she helped even one ought to suffice.

I can’t believe I just revealed this to the world.  But…everyone lived happily ever after... sort of.  *smile*

 Jane, if you’re out there – thank you!

 

Edited 6/9/07 to include an update.  After writing this entry, on a whim, I did a search on Google for Mrs. Jane Isenberg and to my absolute surprise and delight discovered she had continued to teach, although not at Hillhouse High School, in New Haven, CT, and had become a mystery writer.  Thank you, God, now I can thank her myself and provide a link to her website here.

This journal, which will concentrate on the movers & shakers of the world, has its beginning in large part due to learning about Dan Eldon's remarkable life and the contributions he's made towards alerting all Peoples of the world about the dire circumstances of a major famine in Somalia by his work as a journalist and photographer. One of his most enduring contributions to the world has been his capacity to inspire others to carry on good works.  His ability to connect with people around him was extraordinary and his heart’s capacity to love was probably the size of Texas.  In learning about Dan Eldon's amazingly dynamic life as a humanitarian, journalist, and artist, I’ve come to the sad realization of my own pitiful attempts to help other people.  Oh, I’ve done quite a number of things in my life for others that I feel good about, but let’s face it, it’s not about me feeling good, it should be about me informing others of the ways and means to bring about changes for those among us whose lives are dominated by poverty, hunger and violence.  To this end, I start with Dan Eldon’s amazing life story that can be read at the An Electronic Revolution Inspired by the Life and Work of Dan Eldon.  On Eldon's website, you can find information about The Creative Visions Foundation, that "supports and nurtures "creative activists" - social entrepreneurs who use media, the arts and technology to inform, inspire and empower others to create positive action in the world."

 

Right on the heels after learning about Dan Eldon another extraordinary person was brought to my attention.  She’s an educator who, in 1994, found herself in a teaching position at Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach, CA; a position that pitted idealistic Erin Gruwell against what was considered by the school’s administration to be  “unteachable, at risk” teenagers. This diverse group of Caucasian, Latino, African-American, Vietnamese and Cambodian students weren’t interested in what she had to teach, but rather took bets about how long she’d last as their teacher.  All these kids had grown up in the roughest neighborhoods in Long Beach, so she would be facing the highest hurdles in reaching the kids.  Erin Gruwell’s palpable enthusiasm and personal philosophy which values and promotes diversity coupled with an innovative approach including steadfast support and encouragement, she totally transformed her students by helping them rethink their beliefs and daily decisions. From the outset, resulting from a blatant display of intolerance by one of her students, Gruwell was able to introduce the cause and effect of the Holocaust to her class who’d never heard of it before! Gruwell initiated a journal-writing incentive, well-known for its cathartic effect on the most painful emotions that arise from childhood neglect, trauma, and dysfunction.  From these personal journals arose their self-appointed name, Freedom Writers. They became critical thinkers through this process. Not only did they all graduate from high school, but each and every one of them entered college!  The Freedom Writers, along with their teacher and co-author Erin Gruwell, wrote a book incorporating these journals entitled, “The Freedom Writers Diary” that’s been made into a movie starring Hilary Swank and Patrick Dempsey.   The Freedom Writers Foundation is also the result of their commitment to positively impact communities by decreasing the drop out rates by using the Freedom Writers Method.  From their website, the following is the Foundation’s overall purpose for high school students; create opportunities for them to reach their highest academic potential, promote their educational philosophy that values, upholds, and honors diversity, and inspire students to realize their roles as vital members of their communities.

 

These kinds of inspiring examples of people helping people will be the purpose of my blog, and I hope it inspires you to do what you can to further the betterment of mankind through acts of kindness as the spirit moves you.  Thank you and may God bless you richly with everything you need in this life.