Monday, November 11, 2013
Outpouring for ex-homeless NJ man's good deed
Source: HACKENSACK, N.J. (AP) Offers of support have been pouring in from around the nation for a formerly homeless New Jersey man whose good deed proved costly.
James Brady of Hackensack was notified recently that his government benefits were being suspended after he failed to report as income the $850 he had found on a sidewalk and turned over to police.
Brady, who was homeless when he found the money on a sidewalk in April after leaving a local homeless shelter, turned the cash over to police. He was allowed to keep it six months later after no one claimed it during a mandated waiting period.
But the Hackensack Human Services Department denied him General Assistance and Medicaid benefits through Dec. 31 because he failed to report the cash as new income. The director of human services said the agency was just following the rules.
The 59 year-old Brady is a former photographer and market data analyst who has suffered from depression since losing his job a decade ago, according to The Record of Woodland Park (http://bit.ly/1dbcxWB).
Brady told The Record that he hadn't realized he was required to report the money. Formerly homeless, he had recently found housing and was seeing a therapist and a psychiatrist and taking medication, but was unsure he'd be able to afford continuing care after his benefits were cut off.
The newspaper says offers of support for Brady have been pouring in from readers.
Bergen County's United Way has also set up an account specifically for Brady through its Compassion Fund.
The chapter's head, Tom Toronto, told the newspaper that the offers of help stem from a feeling that Brady did a good deed when it would have been easier not to.
"Here's a fellow who behaved admirably, who clearly could have used the money himself, but he showed a tremendous amount of pride and honesty," Toronto said.
Mindful that cash assistance could affect Brady's benefits going forward, Toronto said The United Way planned to work with Brady to develop a program of goods and services tailored to his needs.
James Brady of Hackensack was notified recently that his government benefits were being suspended after he failed to report as income the $850 he had found on a sidewalk and turned over to police.
Brady, who was homeless when he found the money on a sidewalk in April after leaving a local homeless shelter, turned the cash over to police. He was allowed to keep it six months later after no one claimed it during a mandated waiting period.
But the Hackensack Human Services Department denied him General Assistance and Medicaid benefits through Dec. 31 because he failed to report the cash as new income. The director of human services said the agency was just following the rules.
The 59 year-old Brady is a former photographer and market data analyst who has suffered from depression since losing his job a decade ago, according to The Record of Woodland Park (http://bit.ly/1dbcxWB).
Brady told The Record that he hadn't realized he was required to report the money. Formerly homeless, he had recently found housing and was seeing a therapist and a psychiatrist and taking medication, but was unsure he'd be able to afford continuing care after his benefits were cut off.
The newspaper says offers of support for Brady have been pouring in from readers.
Bergen County's United Way has also set up an account specifically for Brady through its Compassion Fund.
The chapter's head, Tom Toronto, told the newspaper that the offers of help stem from a feeling that Brady did a good deed when it would have been easier not to.
"Here's a fellow who behaved admirably, who clearly could have used the money himself, but he showed a tremendous amount of pride and honesty," Toronto said.
Mindful that cash assistance could affect Brady's benefits going forward, Toronto said The United Way planned to work with Brady to develop a program of goods and services tailored to his needs.
Friday, November 8, 2013
BBB: Scammers pretend to be utilities company, want payment immedately
The Better Business Bureau is warning customers of a new utility scam.
The BBB said customers are receiving calls by scammers, who tell them their payments are overdue.
Scammers as customers to make those overdue payments by “green dot money pack carsd” in the next hour, or their utilities will be disconnected.
Charlie Mattingly, Louisville Better Business Bureau, said those cards act as cash and are untraceable, meaning the customers lose their money.
Mattingly also said the scammers sometimes ID spoof the calls, so the caller ID may say that they are calling from a local number, when they are actually out of the country.
SOURCE: WHAS
The BBB said customers are receiving calls by scammers, who tell them their payments are overdue.
Scammers as customers to make those overdue payments by “green dot money pack carsd” in the next hour, or their utilities will be disconnected.
Charlie Mattingly, Louisville Better Business Bureau, said those cards act as cash and are untraceable, meaning the customers lose their money.
Mattingly also said the scammers sometimes ID spoof the calls, so the caller ID may say that they are calling from a local number, when they are actually out of the country.
SOURCE: WHAS
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Vaccinate 500 Shelter Pets
Preventable diseases like kennel cough or feline herpesvirus can stop an adoption in its tracks – not to mention being a danger to unprotected populations in the shelter. Vaccinations are costly and may reduce the number of pets that a shelter or rescue group can afford to save.
Greatergood.org and Petfinder Foundation have teamed up to change that. Working with our corporate partners and supporters like you, we will vaccinate 2 million shelter animals in just two years, protecting them from common, contagious, preventable diseases.
Adorable (shown here) and her brother Imp were just two puppies who received their Bordatella vaccination this year courtesy of A Shot At Life.
A grant to Humane Society of Elmore County enabled the group to vaccinate two hundred puppies and dogs, including Adorable and Imp, against kennel cough earlier this year.
The vaccination not only helped the puppies to stay healthy at the shelter but it also meant that they were quickly adopted.
Your click gives 500 pets like Adorable a shot at life.
Click HERE to Read more
The Western Black Rhinoceros Is Extinct
It's a sad day for nature lovers and really the entire planet. The western black rhinoceros is officially extinct according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The last time one was seen was in 2006. The IUCN says the extinction of these magnificent beasts could've been avoided if proper conservation methods had been implemented. That wasn't the only bad news for rhinos in their report. Africa's northern white rhino and Asia's Javan rhino are fighting for survival due to poaching and a lack of conservation efforts. The report suggests managing and strengthening habitats could save the remaining rhino subspecies from extinction
Click HERE to Read More
Article by: Nick Mangione
Monday, November 4, 2013
Michael J. Fox: primetime advocacy
With both his new television
show and research foundation, Michael
J. Fox is raising visibility and shifting perceptions and prejudices around
people living with disabilities and chronic illness.
His breakthrough work promotes
freedom for all people to have dignified choices about work, and the choice to
live at home.
With optimism and
determination, Michael is leading important work - and we are celebrating his hard work by
personally delivering a super-sized thank you card to him on November 9th.
Click HERE to sign the Thank You Card
Thursday, October 31, 2013
5 Ways to Keep Pets Safe on Halloween
Halloween can be a fun event for families and their pets. However, if safety precautions aren’t taken, it can also be a hazardous time for our four-legged companions.
According to Dr. Justine Lee, a critical care specialist and associate director of Veterinary Services at Pet Poison Helpline, calls increase by 12 percent during the week of Halloween, making it the call center’s busiest time of year.
Here are some practical yet potentially life-saving tips that can help protect your pets on Halloween.
1. Dangerous Pet Costumes
Your safest choice in a pet Halloween costume would be a loosely tied bandana; however, if you choose to dress up your pet, outfit your dog or cat with a simple approach. Pets can become tangled in elaborate, tight-fitting costumes with strings, ties, belts and sashes. Difficulty in mobility can lead to bodily injury, including strangulation.
Never leave a pet unattended while wearing a costume. Small (or large) parts of a costume can become chewed and ingested and can in turn potentially lead to foreign body ingestion which can be life threatening to your pet.
2. Halloween Decorations and Fire Hazards
If you like to decorate your home in the Halloween spirit, take into consideration what you're putting on display and where the decorations will be placed. Easy-to-reach decorations — or candles — can be eaten or knocked over, potentially leading to choking, foreign body ingestion, electrical shock and even burns and a household fire.
Err on the side of caution while decorating and choose pet-safe products.
3. Noise Affects Pets
Dogs and cats can become skittish and anxiety ridden on Halloween due to the incessant ringing of the doorbell, constant squeals and chatter just outside the door, and small fireworks set off in the street.
In addition, the barrage of strangers dressed in unfamiliar and scary costumes can alarm some pets, increasing their anxiety. Take extra precaution on Halloween: gauge your pet's typical reaction while greeting visitors and decide if putting up a baby gate or leaving your dog or cat in a back room of the house would keep them calmer throughout the evening.
4. Candy and Chocolate Are Toxic
Candy and chocolate are never good for dogs or cats and on Halloween there is an increased chance that Fluffy and Fido may consume treats meant for tricksters.
- Chocolate and xylitol, a sweetener found in many candies, can be extremely toxic to pets.
- Lollipops and their sticks can be choking hazards and cause a painful obstruction or foreign body ingestion that may require surgery to remove.
- Candies wrapped in plastic and other types of wrapping can also lead to chocking or cause an obstruction and upset stomach.
Easy solutions to prevent accidental toxicity or ingestion:
- Keep pet-safe treats on hand to satisfy your curious pet.
- Make sure all candies are out of your pet's reach.
- Consider leaving your pet in another part of the house where exposure to hazards is impossible
5. Lost Pets
Halloween isn't an ideal time to let your dog or cat wander outside unattended. While there aren't any documented reports or statistics to indicate that pet abduction increases on Halloween, be mindful that a prankster or a mean-spirited individual could be inspired to mess with your pet.
Take caution and keep pets indoors with you, or escort them outside on a leash if you plan on including your pet in neighborhood festivities. Sudden noises and strange-looking costumes can also spook your pet, causing them to run away, therefore, it’s always a good idea to adorn your pet with a collar and identification tags in case you become separated.
If you haven’t already opted to have your pet microchipped, now is a great time. Should your pet become lost, an ID tag and/or a microchip can help quickly reunite you with your dog or cat.
Emergency Care is Available
Don’t wait to have your pet treated in the case of an emergency. Locate a 24-hour veterinary clinic if your family veterinarian is not available.
If you suspect your pet has consumed a toxic substance during Halloween and you can’t see your veterinarian, contact the Pet Poison Helpline, a 24-hour service* that assists pet owners, veterinarians and veterinary technicians who are treating potentially poisoned pets.
SOURCE: Veterinary Pet Insurance
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