Today on CNN Newsroom
Your Fresh Start for 2011
As the end of the year approaches, many of you may be sitting by the lava lamp and writing down your resolutions for the new year:
Do you plan to get back into your "skinny jeans"?
Be more plugged in to social media... or less?
Quit smoking once and for all?
Manage stress better?
Drink less alcohol?
Make more time for your family, friends, loved ones?
Finally go after that master's degree you've been putting off?
Make a barbeque recipe to rival Uncle Jack's secret sauce?
Hone on your DIY skills to become a "Mister or Miss Fix-it"?
As you reflect on the days that have passed in 2010, and set the bar high for yourself, share your plans with us.
We want to hear not only what your goals are, but what your game plan is for achieving them.
How do you plan to keep the goal in mind, and not have it dissolve at the first whiff of a hot Krispy Kreme donut?
We'd like to help.
Your project could become the focus of a CNN Newsroom segment, complete with expert advice, and planning tips to help you and those inspired by you... to succeed.
So rather than spend the next 12 months ruminating about what you didn't achieve last year... plug-in and prepare for a fresh start and share your plan with CNN Newsroom.
MISSION POSSIBLE: Fighting Hunger in America
Last year, nearly 30% of US families were classified as "food insecure" meaning they lived on little or no food. That's more than 50,000,000 people! 17,000,000 are children. Today we highlighted a program called Why Hunger.
To check out the organization, click here.
MISSION POSSIBLE: Fighting for the World's Children
Ali and celeb designer/UNICEF Ambassador Vern Yip talked about his work with the U.N. agency.
For more information, check out UNICEF's site, or Vern's own website.
MISSION POSSIBLE: Beating Back Bed Bugs
Today Ali talked to Jeffrey White of BedBug Central about a great charitable program they sponsor across the country, every fall/winter.
"Taking a Bite Out of the Holidays" offers free bed bug services to those in financial need.
For more information, head over to BedBug Central.
MISSION POSSIBLE: Steaks for the Troops
Today's Mission Possible is on a group that delivers food to U.S. troops.
To check out Steak Team Mission, click here.
Mission Possible: Dogs Helping Veterans
A lot of war veterans come home with trauma.
And they need help.
Well there's a need for a new 'army' – an army of people willing to train dogs, or donate money, to assist vets.
There's an organization out there called Dublin Dog Foundation. Basically they raise money to train dogs to assist people who need extra help. This year they focused on helping soldiers returning home from war.
It's a tough job: Each dog costs $20-$25,000 to train, over 6-9 months. They partnered with Freedom Service Dogs, a nonprofit that does just that.
You can help out Dublin Dog Foundation. Their website is: http://www.dublindogfoundation.org/
Happy Veterans Day.
MISSION POSSIBLE: Feeding America
Today's Mission Possible featured a group called Feeding America whose mission is to feed the hungry in this country through a nationwide network of member food banks.
For more information on Feeding America, click here.
Mission Possible: Reality Stars' 26.2 Mile Battle
Reality stars Ryan Sutter (The Batchelorette) and Ethan Zohn (Survivor: Africa) went head-to-head in this weekend's NYC Marathon.
They ran 26.2 miles through 5 boroughs. The reason? Making the world better.
They were racing each other, with the winner getting money donated to the charity he supports.
Ryan is with First Descents, an organization that empowers young adults with cancer through outdoor "adventure therapy" – things like kayaking and rock climbing.
Ethan is the co-founder of Grassroots Soccer, which uses the power of soccer to educate, inspire, and mobilize communities to stop the spread of HIV. Ethan was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma last year, and is in remission.
Their final race times? Ryan finished at 3 hours and 20 minutes, Ethan in 4 hours and 16 minutes. Impressive!
Check out Ryan's First Descents challenge: https://101010.firstdescents.org/
Check out Grassroots Soccer: http://www.grassrootsoccer.org/
Mission Possible: School of Rock ♫
A lot of kids need outlets. Maybe they're sick. Or depressed. Or just want to be CREATIVE.
Today Ali talked to Sandra Rizkallah and Tom Pugh, the founders of Plugged In. It's a program that teaches teens how to be in a Rock Band! The kids perform concerts and give the proceeds back to charities. The goal is to give teens a creative outlet that doesn't just help THEM grow, but teaches them to help the WORLD out, too.
You can check it out or donate online here: www.pluggedinband.org
♪
On Twitter
