The Elizabeth Gregory Home in Seattle is for women who are in serious transition in their life. Many of these women have been homeless or close to it before entering this program. This special house offers housing and programs for 2 years, helping women to get back on their feet again.

Unfortunately, it was running into financial problems of their own, falling $30,000 short needed in order to operate. This would spell disaster for up to 8 women who would be asked to leave, due to this shortfall. They were in serious need of some positive news.

The story ran in The Seattle Times and unleashed a wave of generosity. One resident who chose to remain anonymous, donated $30,000. She recalled times in her life being a paycheck away from the street and felt that now, it was her time to give back. But it didn’t stop there. The checks kept pouring in: one for $30,000, another for $10,000, $1,000, 500 - to reach a grand total of $130,000!

Executive director, Kimberly Jackson, has this to say:

“The response has just been overwhelming, beyond anything I could have foreseen or imagined. To say that we’re appreciative doesn’t even begin to describe the thankfulness we feel or the joy the women expressed when they were told they could stay in their home.”

And as one donor put it:

“I looked around my family room and my own yard — reminding me of my many comforts and blessings. Every bird deserves a safe, clean nest.”

When Nicole Kuepper opened up her birthday present, she probably expected what most little girls expect: a doll, a toy or a dress. Instead at the ripe young age of 10 years old, Nicole was given a solar energy kit. And her world (as well as ours) was changed.

Now at the age of 23, Nicole celebrates the winning of two Australian Museum Eureka Prizes for her passionate scientific research. Nicole has developed a way to generate solar polar with the use of a conduit as small and accessible and a pizza over or even a laser printer, potentially supplying poverty-stricken regions around the world a new and affordable way to light and electricity.

As it stands today, photovoltaic cells (which convert sunlight to electricity) are sophisticated and costly and need a “clean” manufacturing plant in order to run optimally. Nicole’s new technique (called the iJET cell concept) uses low-cost procedures to manufacture solar cells. And to add to the beauty of this ground-breaking concept, this process is greenhouse friendly!

While it may take as long as five years for the patent on this idea, it’s an idea that may literally light up the world. Something to think about the next time you buy a child a present!