Latest news with #MakingaDifference
The Citizen
02-08-2025
- General
- The Citizen
‘Lucia's Kiddos' grows from a few loaves to a lifeline for a community
'Lucia's Kiddos' grows from a few loaves to a lifeline for a community What began with R100 and a few loaves of bread has grown into a lifeline for 83 children, thanks to a domestic worker's vision and a community's compassion. Seven years ago, Lucia Majola from Cottonlands, Verulam, had a dream in which God told her to feed hungry children in her area. 'I asked, 'How will I do that? I am just a domestic worker who also needs help.' The voice in her dream replied, 'Start with the little you have,'' said Majola. The dream stayed with her, but it wasn't until last year, when hardship struck, that her sister reminded her of the dream. She took the plunge and began feeding children who often go hungry over weekends. Today, she feeds 83 children every Saturday and Sunday. 'More children come, and I wish I could feed them all. But I am deeply thankful to everyone who has helped. It means so much to the children and their parents.' Her story inspired Donovan Chisholm, a sales executive at Bidvest McCarthy Toyota Ballito. 'If she could start with R100, so could I,' he said. Chisholm rallied colleagues and formed a group called Making a Difference, encouraging community members to contribute R100, food or time. The initiative grew rapidly, with Ballito families joining in, donating meals, clothes and toys, while bringing joy through dancing, singing and play. 'For those few hours, there's no darkness, just life and light,' said Chisholm. In the past year, the group has served more than 7 000 meals and is now registering as an NPO. Plans are under way to build a shelter to protect children during food distributions. Their latest project, a winter blanket drive led by the Toyota Knights of Bidvest McCarthy Toyota Ballito, has raised over R15 000 worth of blankets, with support from Radio Life & Style, local donors and even international donors. 'One mother told me her daughter had considered ending her life, but after joining the weekend programme, she found hope,' said Chisholm. 'We are just getting started. Anyone can make a difference, you simply have to choose to. Contact Lucia at 068 241 5880. Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news. Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here, or if you're on desktop, scan the QR code below.
7NEWS
10-06-2025
- 7NEWS
Sister's emotional plea at candlelight vigil for alleged murder victim Pheobe Bishop
Alleged murder victim Pheobe Bishop's sister has made an emotional plea to people who gathered to celebrate the life of the Bundaberg teenager. Hundreds of people attended a second candle lit vigil in two days paying tribute to the 17-year-old whose body is believed to have been found in dense scrub land on Friday. Bishop's older sister, Kaylea Bishop, made an emotional plea for everyone to cherish their siblings through the good and the bad. 'I want to tell everybody, as much as your siblings p*** you off and grind your gears — because god, they know how to do that — don't take them for granted,' she said. 'Love every minute of it.' Kaylea said she would pay $1,000,000 to have her sister walk through the door and 'punch her on the arm'. 'Don't take it for granted, just cherish it,' she said. 'Love the good and the bad. Worship it all. Capture the memories.' Community leaders, friends, family and supporters joined the vigil in Buss Park in central Bundaberg, in the coastal Wide Bay-Burnett region of southern Queensland, on Monday night. Bundaberg Mayor Helen Blackburn said people had gathered to remember Bishop 'not just for how she passed, but for how she lived'. 'Her passing has left a silence we all feel deeply,' Backburn said. 'In the midst of this sorrow something beautiful has happened, we have come together, we've paused our busy lives, set aside our differences and stood side-by-side. 'In times like these, the true character of a community is revealed.' Bishop's mother, Kylie Johnson, highlighted the importance of programs such as the Making a Difference (MAD) Camp and Y School in Bundaberg — both of which had positive impacts on her daughter's life, Johnson said. MAD Camp aims to help teenagers struggling with everyday challenges and to 'build positive relationships and find a sense of hope, purpose and meaning', while the Y School offers alternative, holistic education that places a priority on the mental and emotional health of students with a 'trauma-aware' approach to teaching. Johnson also thanked people from her community and overseas for their support, saying Bishop would be 'proud that she got to travel the world without even leaving Australia'. 'She'd be blown away by that support,' she said. Candles, flowers, photos and glass jars filled with prayers and memories written on paper were placed in the park as those gathered listened to music chosen by Bishop's family. The event marked three and a half weeks since Bishop went missing on her way to Bundaberg Airport. She was preparing to fly to Western Australia on May 15 to visit her boyfriend but failed to check in. After weeks of searching, human remains believed to belong to Bishop were discovered in dense bushland in an area of the Good Night Scrub Park near Gin Gin, a rural town about 50m west of Bundaberg, on Friday afternoon. The remains are yet to be formally identified, with police confirming it will take ' significant' forensic examinations before investigators will be able to identify Bishop's cause of death. Police have still not found her luggage or her phone. Bishop's housemates James Wood, 34, and Tanika Bromley, 33 have each been charged with one count of murder and two counts of interfering with a corpse. Investigations are ongoing.
Scotsman
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Panmure RFC's unsung hero wins £5,000 to support grassroots rugby
Rob Prudom of Panmure RFC Rob Prudom named Scottish winner of the and Telegraph Media Group's Making a Difference campaign Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Panmure RFC's Rob Prudom has been named the Scottish winner of the and Telegraph Media Group's Making a Difference campaign, which celebrates the unsung heroes of community rugby. The competition invited clubs to nominate individuals whose selfless dedication and commitment have made a real difference to their clubs, with the chance to win £5,000 for their club. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Prudom, a proud Yorkshireman who moved to Dundee 30 years ago, was one of just three winners selected from over 800 nominees across Britain. Since joining Panmure RFC in 2003, he has played a crucial role as a long-time player, captain, fixtures secretary and treasurer. His dedication and leadership have been instrumental in keeping the club thriving. Club members praised Prudom's contributions in their nominations, saying: 'He's the glue that has kept The Panmure Panthers together, even through Covid. His commitment to the club and grassroots rugby is unmatched.' Speaking about the recognition Prudom said, 'For me, it's about giving back to a sport that has been a lifelong passion. We want kids to come together, play rugby, and enjoy themselves in a supportive environment. The fact that so many of them are playing regularly in a small community like ours is something we're incredibly proud of.' The £5,000 prize will support the club's school programme, fund an additional coaching position, and hire minibuses to transport school teams to away fixtures. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Paul Rogers, VP of Marketing at and judge of the Making a Difference campaign said 'For us, Rob really embodies everything that grassroots rugby is all about. His dedication to coaching, mentoring and growing the game beyond the community is truly inspiring and shows the impact that Panmure RFC is having.'
Business Upturn
16-05-2025
- Business
- Business Upturn
WITHERITE LAW GROUP AWARDED OVER $127,000 TO DUNBAR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS THROUGH 2025 ‘MAKING A DIFFERENCE' SCHOLARSHIP
By GlobeNewswire Published on May 16, 2025, 23:16 IST FORT WORTH, TX, May 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Witherite Law Group and 1-800-TruckWreck awarded $127,500 to 51 graduating seniors from Fort Worth's Dunbar High School this morning through its annual 'Making a Difference' Scholarship. Now in its 11th year, the scholarship program continues to expand its impact, with every Dunbar student who applied this year receiving a scholarship. The $2,500 awards are renewable annually if students maintain a 2.5 GPA and enroll in at least 12 credit hours. The event began with a musical prelude performed by the Dunbar High School band, followed by a welcome from Principal Justin Edwards. During his remarks, Edwards acknowledged the longstanding commitment of Witherite Law Group and Amy Witherite's deep involvement in the Dunbar community, stating, 'Amy Witherite not only talks the talk, she walks the walk—and she's been there with us every step of the way.' The partnership with Dunbar High School started in 2014, and since then, Witherite Law Group and 1-800-TruckWreck have awarded 404 scholarships and renewed 398 scholarships total—an investment of approximately $1,990,000 across all schools supported by the firm—helping propel graduates into careers in nursing, engineering, aviation, and more. This year's recipients represent a diverse range of aspirations, from electrical engineering to health care. The Making a Difference Scholarship recipients for 2025 include: S'nia Harmon, Brianna Weathersby, Za'ryah Blaylock, Tichina Steadman, Ja'Naria Justice, Zharich Leon Esparza, Graciela De Leon, Angelina Maldonado, Andre Edwards, Josiane Twizere, Makaila Smith, Umutoni Esperance, Eliza Amosi, Cameran Wiley, Dinah Uwiringimana, Jocelin Williams, Raymond Whitney, Alton Warren, Kalani Lawson, Luis Beltran, Kamel Lee, Mayra Perez, Xander Thomas, Grace Jones, Maali Williams-Surles, Kingston Clark, Chloe Ware, Angel Aguilar, Jaiden Wilson, Nickolas Stein, Quinnshon Wilson, Aaleiyah Sherman, Kevin Garcia, Kimberly Estrada, Braedyn Snow, Jaida Williams, Tiarra Dee, Jayla Rodriguez, Dayanara Baeza, Devani Vasquez, Jaslynn Sanders, Ja'leel Johnson, Jose Corpus, Marielle Maldonado, Krishawn Evans, Logan Caise, Monserrat Santillan, Amber Sanchez, Jeslyn Altamirano, Dayin Watson, Ntama Niyibitanga. In addition to awarding scholarships, Witherite Law Group sponsors numerous Dunbar initiatives such as Dads of Dunbar Mentoring Program, Senior Decision Day, Muffins with Moms, the Athletic Banquet, Teacher Appreciation, and the Top 10 Luncheon. Their presence and support have become a staple in the school's culture and student development. As a special moment during the event, the Fort Worth Police Department honored Amy Witherite with the Unsung Hero Award for her unwavering commitment to education and community service. 'Most people cannot afford college outright, so scholarships can be a lifeline for students,' said Witherite. 'We are proud to support these remarkable students as they take the next step toward their futures.' Attachments Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with GlobeNewswire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same. GlobeNewswire provides press release distribution services globally, with substantial operations in North America and Europe.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
WITHERITE LAW GROUP AWARDED OVER $127,000 TO DUNBAR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS THROUGH 2025 ‘MAKING A DIFFERENCE' SCHOLARSHIP
2025 'Making a Difference' Scholarship Recipients Fort Worth Police Department honored Amy Witherite FORT WORTH, TX, May 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Witherite Law Group and 1-800-TruckWreck awarded $127,500 to 51 graduating seniors from Fort Worth's Dunbar High School this morning through its annual 'Making a Difference' Scholarship. Now in its 11th year, the scholarship program continues to expand its impact, with every Dunbar student who applied this year receiving a scholarship. The $2,500 awards are renewable annually if students maintain a 2.5 GPA and enroll in at least 12 credit hours. The event began with a musical prelude performed by the Dunbar High School band, followed by a welcome from Principal Justin Edwards. During his remarks, Edwards acknowledged the longstanding commitment of Witherite Law Group and Amy Witherite's deep involvement in the Dunbar community, stating, 'Amy Witherite not only talks the talk, she walks the walk—and she's been there with us every step of the way.' The partnership with Dunbar High School started in 2014, and since then, Witherite Law Group and 1-800-TruckWreck have awarded 404 scholarships and renewed 398 scholarships total—an investment of approximately $1,990,000 across all schools supported by the firm—helping propel graduates into careers in nursing, engineering, aviation, and more. This year's recipients represent a diverse range of aspirations, from electrical engineering to health care. The Making a Difference Scholarship recipients for 2025 include: S'nia Harmon, Brianna Weathersby, Za'ryah Blaylock, Tichina Steadman, Ja'Naria Justice, Zharich Leon Esparza, Graciela De Leon, Angelina Maldonado, Andre Edwards, Josiane Twizere, Makaila Smith, Umutoni Esperance, Eliza Amosi, Cameran Wiley, Dinah Uwiringimana, Jocelin Williams, Raymond Whitney, Alton Warren, Kalani Lawson, Luis Beltran, Kamel Lee, Mayra Perez, Xander Thomas, Grace Jones, Maali Williams-Surles, Kingston Clark, Chloe Ware, Angel Aguilar, Jaiden Wilson, Nickolas Stein, Quinnshon Wilson, Aaleiyah Sherman, Kevin Garcia, Kimberly Estrada, Braedyn Snow, Jaida Williams, Tiarra Dee, Jayla Rodriguez, Dayanara Baeza, Devani Vasquez, Jaslynn Sanders, Ja'leel Johnson, Jose Corpus, Marielle Maldonado, Krishawn Evans, Logan Caise, Monserrat Santillan, Amber Sanchez, Jeslyn Altamirano, Dayin Watson, Ntama Niyibitanga. In addition to awarding scholarships, Witherite Law Group sponsors numerous Dunbar initiatives such as Dads of Dunbar Mentoring Program, Senior Decision Day, Muffins with Moms, the Athletic Banquet, Teacher Appreciation, and the Top 10 Luncheon. Their presence and support have become a staple in the school's culture and student development. As a special moment during the event, the Fort Worth Police Department honored Amy Witherite with the Unsung Hero Award for her unwavering commitment to education and community service. "Most people cannot afford college outright, so scholarships can be a lifeline for students," said Witherite. 'We are proud to support these remarkable students as they take the next step toward their futures.' Attachments 2025 'Making a Difference' Scholarship Recipients Fort Worth Police Department honored Amy Witherite CONTACT: Kayla Tucker Adams KTA Media Group 2144039852 info@ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
