JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL TO RECEIVE RUBY AWARD

Portland, OR – Soroptimist International Northwestern Region along with many other agencies will come together to host the annual Northwest Conference Against Trafficking on Saturday, January 9, 2010 at the Red Lion Hotel on the River in Portland, Oregon.

It was announced today that the Soroptimist Ruby Award will be given to HLN’s Jane Velez-Mitchell by two Northwestern Region clubs, Soroptimist International of Southwest Washington and Vancouver. A notable television news journalist, Jane Velez-Mitchell is the host of the TV show “Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell” which airs on HLN every night at 7p.m. eastern and 4 p.m. pacific. Previously, Jane reported for the nationally syndicated Warner Brothers/Telepictures show "Celebrity Justice." She also frequently guest hosted for Nancy Grace on her widely watched HLN show.

The Soroptimist Ruby Award: For Women Helping Women (formerly the Soroptimist Making a Difference for Women Award) acknowledges women who, through their personal or professional activities, work to improve the lives of women and girls. The work of these women helps to promote the issues that are important to the Soroptimist organization. Honorees are ordinary women who have worked in extraordinary ways to benefit women and girls. Examples of the type of work honored include: spearheading an effort to open a domestic violence shelter, starting a mentoring program for at-risk girls, or lobbying companies to provide on-site child care. The program enables local Soroptimist clubs and the Soroptimist organization to thank these women and encourage others to explore ways to assist women and girls.

The program begins on the club level, where the type of recognition varies. Award winners at the club level are eligible for additional awards at other levels of the organization. The finalist receives a $5,000 donation to the charity of her choice.

Women who are improving the lives of other women or girls through their professional or personal activities are eligible for the Soroptimist Ruby Award. These women have identified and focused on a need in their communities, which has significantly contributed to the improvement of women and girls’ lives.

Past Making a Difference for Women recipients have included: domestic violence expert and advocate Elaine Weiss; former U.S. Congresswomen Patsy Mink and Patricia Schroeder; novelist and former district attorney Linda Fairstein; Princess Diana; former child actor and U.S. Ambassador Shirley Temple Black; former Philippines President Corazon Aquino; and marine biologist Dr. Sylvia Earle.

Velez-Mitchell will accept the prestigious award on January 9, 2010 at the Northwest Conference Against Trafficking in Portland, Oregon. Anyone interested in attending the conference can visit the website for registration information at http://www.nwcat.org/.

CNN HERO IS YELLING FIRE!

Press Release: CNN HERO IS YELLING FIRE!

Velez's Book - an Honest Life!

I recently purchased the book iwant by Jane Velez-Mitchell and must say this book is "addictive." I find myself at 2am still not wanting to put it down, not because Jane explores and invites you into her personal space but rather because the common factors are parallel with my own personal journey of where I have been and where I am going.

I have not personally had a substance addiction (unless you count the many medications over the years that have helped me to be mobile from rheumatoid arthritis. From chemo type drugs to DMARDS, there has been many but without the addiction side effects) problem, but I am a child of a recovering alcoholic, my mother’s painful and destruction years have been a difficult one, however hearing and reading Jane’s book has allowed me to see [from an addict’s perspective] just what my mother has gone through to get to where she is today; three years sober!

I am still getting to know this beautiful woman [my mother] that for almost forty years of my life I really never knew. See, the bottle was always more important than I was to her. The lifestyle we lived, the cars we drove, the weekend trips to the Bahamas, the luxury of International travel and designer clothing always seemed to be the norm in our lives; but the status of celebrity, the status of our postal address, and the status of the company we kept only were the future products of a disaster waiting to happen. Growing up in our house (in an elite neighborhood on the inter coastal waterways of Fort Lauderdale) a young girl always had everything she could ever want…but did I?

Jane’s journey is no different than most of our lives, but until you know who you are and where you are going and why, you may think you are in a different class (for better or worse), but I encourage you, go get this book and read with an open mind and allow yourself to really understand what our purpose on the earth is all about. As Jane’s mom Anita says “The body is like soap. It gets used up.” You and only you can determine how quickly your body and soul will be used up. Stop blaming others for how things went in life and focus on how to pave the road that will take you on the journey you are destined for.

I went the local bookstore to purchase Jane’s book with the intent to help another family member with his deep alcohol addiction, but as with most things on my journey, when I have always set out to help others (indirectly or with intent) I seem to be the recipient of a beautiful gift; in this case, setting out to help an in-law actually help me to understand the struggles my mom has gone through and how lonely and in pain my mother actually was; which today, makes me even more grateful for the journey my life has taken this past year…back to having my mom in my life.

Take the time and pick up a copy of the book today, you too will have a better picture looking back in the mirror at you as I did. Kudos to Jane and I am looking forward to reading the remainder of the book!

Buy your copy today: http://www.janevelezmitchell.com/

Search for Jamie Grissim Today

Vancouver, WA - Just a reminder that later today Clark County Sherriff’s Office will be conducting a ground search & recovery effort for the missing Vancouver Teenager (from 1971) Jamie Grissim. On hand will be Starr Lara (Hillsboro, OR resident and sister of Jamie Grissim), Michelle Bart, chairperson of National Vigil For Hope, and lead detective on this cold case, Rick Buckner.

Search & Recovery for Jamie Grissim
Sunday, October 11, 2009 – 9am
www.HelpFindJamieGrissim.com

Jamie,16,was last seen on the morning of December 7, 1971, as she left for school at Ft. Vancouver High School by her sister. Her purse, ID, and possessions were found in May 1972 in the woods NE of Vancouver, at a bridge crossing within very short distance from a trail where two victims were found. Jamie is considered to be the first victim of a potential serial killer [Warren Forest] who is believed to have raped and killed 6 to 8 young Vancouver women in Clark County between January 10, 1972 and October 1, 1974. He was tried for the death of one woman in 1978 and received life sentence. Jamie is still missing. One body was never identified to this day. All victims except Jamie have been found. Forest is due out in 2014.

Thank you for continuing to keep this case and all missing children & adult cases visible. Any questions, please contact at 626-644-3472.

Michelle A. Bart
Helping Heroes National Vigil for Hope
626-644-3472 cell/voicewww.nationalvigilforhope.org
www.helpfindjamiegrissim.com

Voices for Justice: Kidnapped #3

VOICES FOR JUSTICE: KIDNAPPED Part 3

National, USA – Helping Heroes will host a BlogTalkRadio “Voices for Justice” this coming Wednesday, September 30, 2009 6-7:30p.m. (Pacific Time).

Join us for KIDNAPPED: Part 3; Mothers, Grandparent’s, Sisters, and Friends Speak Out! Amber Dubois (14 years old), Lindsey Baum (11 years old), Brittanee Drexel (17 years old), Jamie Grissim (missing since 1971), Trenton Duckett (2 years old), Haleigh Cummings (5 years old), and many others are still Gone but not Forgotten…their loved ones need your help!

Please go to www.blogtalkradio.com/helpingheroes for more information. Listeners can call-in on Wednesday by calling (347) 838-8622.

Upcoming Shows:
Human Trafficking, Looking Beyond the Surface at Modern Day Slavery
Media Divas Making a Difference on Television & in their Communities

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Vigil for Hope 2009 - Sunday, May 17th

National Vigil For Hope 2009
Sunday, May 17, 2009
www.nationalvigilforhope.org

Speakers include the families of:

Haleigh Cummings, Trenton Duckett,
Amber Dubois, Jamie Grissim

National Vigil For Hope 2009

Sunday, May 17, 2009
Click Here!

Caylee Marie: will she ever rest in peace?

Caylee Marie and the many people I met and worked with over the past eight months made an everlasting impact on my life, but also an everlasting opinion on how one little girl can continue to intrigue a nation and for that matter a world.

Will Caylee Marie ever rest in peace? Will the truth ever be exposed? Most importantly, will we ever know why someone would cause such pain to an angel who became the "Sunshine" to many people's lives?

I have so many questions and like with all of you, I just hope these questions soon will be answered so "America's Angel" can be the wind beneath our wings in helping other families find their little angels too.

For updates and to leave a message to George, Cindy, and the family continue visiting www.myspace.com/cayleeismissing.

Another Angel in Heaven – Stephanie Condon’s Remains Found

Today has been bittersweet for many families across the country, but for the Condon Family it means closure. Stephanie Condon was only 14-years old when she disappeared while babysitting her cousin on October 30, 1998 in Tri City, Oregon.
A beautiful teenager, Stephanie loved hanging with her friends, playing volleyball, and had a zest for life. On Friday, March 13, 2009 a hiker walking his dog near Glide, Oregon found skeleton remains; today it was announced they were the remains of Stephanie Condon.

http://www.katu.com/news/41831747.html

Duncan & Jack Connolly (abducted March 8, 2009)
Duncan (9) and Jack (7) Connolly were abducted from Leroy, IL on March 8, 2009 after their father Michael Connolly did not return them to their mother after a overnight visitation. Please continue reposting their photos and story, lets work together to bring them home.

http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/news/leroy_amber_alert_mar09 http://www.wjbc.com/WJBCShows/JimFitzpatrick/tabid/9145/Default.aspx

PRAYER DAY FOR AMBER'S SAFE RETURN – April 5, 2009
http://www.bringamberhome.com/

National Vigil For Hope 2009

American Idol Weekly Recap - March 10th

American Idol Weekly Recap – March 10, 2009
By Michelle A. Bart


This week’s American Idol narrowed down the playing field to not twelve but thirteen singers looking for their big break in making it to the top. After callers voted -Jasmine, Anoop, and Jorge were in the bottom. With the option from the judges (one save in the entire season) to keep one of them, Jasmine and Jorge were both sent home.

My opinion, Anoop and Jorge both should have been sent packing. Jasmine, only 16 years old, in my opinion would have been able to surpass many others in weeks ahead if given a little more time to show her colors; her voice is awesome and in the end I believe she many have been in the top five, but we’ll never really know.

Jasmine, use this as a stepping stone and next year try out again – I believe you will go far in life, but your voice will guide you even farther!

Hope this wasn’t another Jennifer Hudson mistake. Tonight, I predict Adam and Lil to rock it out in the end, but that’s this week’s prediction, with Idol all things are possible and you can never underestimate the voters/callers.

Michelle Bart is a freelance writer for many national publications. She is also owner of Helping Heroes Productions a national marketing and public relations’ corporation. She can be reached at www.helpingheroes.com.

National Vigil For Hope 2009

National Vigil For Hope
May 17, 2009
www.myspace.com/nationalvigilforhope

President Obama: a HERO Among Us!

The entire weekend of events that led up to today’s anticipation of our new President and new horizons for all American’s was an Oscar Award Winning production!

Today brings Hope and Change for all, and together we will bring the United States of America back on our feet and together we will stand tall again! Congratulations President Obama and thank you for being a HERO among us!

To our friends at CNN, the continued coverage throughout the world on the days leading to today was just fabulous! Kudos to all anchors including Hilary, Anderson and Wolf to name a few; everyone at CNN that made this historical day possible for all to witness, thank you!

Our prayers are with Senator Kennedy and Senator Byrd for a fast recovery.

YES WE CAN – TOGETHER WE CAN!


Michelle A. Bart, Helping Heroes

"Prove it on Me" Comes to Palm Springs

Join us for a HOT Night in Palm Springs April 4, 2009 for the second run of "Prove it on Me." Hot music, a beautiful love story, and one exciting weekend! Join us as we heat up the desert! www.proveitonme.com.

Human Trafficking Awareness Event this Sunday!

Soroptimist Launches Trafficking Awareness Campaign Sunday

Vancouver, WA / Portland, OR- As you read this, there are women and girls right here in Clark County being held against their will. Modern day slaves, they are exploited as laborers and commercial sex workers. These wives, mothers and daughters may be off our radar – but they need our help.
The trafficking of human beings is a serious problem throughout the world. According to U.S. government estimates, 800,000–900,000 victims are trafficked globally each year and 17,500– 18,500 are trafficked into the United States. In particular, the sexual trafficking of women and girls is a widespread problem, implicating nearly every country in the world:
· Around 75 percent of all human trafficking victims are trafficked for sexual exploitation.
· There have been reports of sexual trafficking in at least 20 U.S. states.
· At any given time, there are 30,000 –50,000 sex slaves in the United States.

Clark County Soroptimist International Clubs will host a forum on Sunday, January 11, 2009 from 2-4pm at the Water Resources Education Center, 4600 SE Columbia Way, Vancouver, Washington to bring more awareness to this modern day plague that is becoming a growing concern and problem in our own backyard.

Come hear keynote speakers: James Pond from Transitions Global and Liz Ferguson of Shared Hope International whose organizations continue to rescue individuals each and every day from this modern-day slavery.

Soroptimist is an international organization for business and professional women who work to improve the lives of women and girls, in local communities and throughout the world. Almost 95,000 Soroptimists in about 120 countries and territories contribute time and financial support to community–based and international projects that benefit women and girls.

The name, Soroptimist, means "best for women," and that's what the organization strives to achieve. Soroptimists are women at their best, working to help other women to be their best.

This free forum will offer refreshments, speakers, and resources. For more information on this National Day of Human Trafficking Awareness please call Mary Weber at (360) 608-5315 or Marilyn Brown at (360) 833-1828.

For additional information about Soroptimist and human trafficking, please visit http://www.soroptimist.org/trafficking/trafficking.html