Every time a marcher finished a lap around the City Light Home for Women and Children on Jefferson Street in Downtown Boise, a volunteer slipped a rubber band around the marcher’s wrist.

Those bands collected on the arms of about 50 marchers, many of them the women and children who live at City Light.

Every rubber band meant another can of food, or another dollar, promised by a sponsor to support Boise Rescue Mission shelters.

Meagan Ellis, event coordinator, said that City Light, the Mission shelter for women and children, is now serving 250 meals a day.

Fred Meyer, one of the march sponsors, was responsible for a big chunk of the donations Saturday, giving a check for $10,000.

The rest came from other donors, including a few who happened to drive by, saw the marchers, and stopped.

Thirteen children, including a newborn who was expected home from the hospital this very weekend, live at City Light with their mothers.

Angel Nilsson, 37, and her two children are residents. The three participated in Saturday’s march. Nilsson is enrolled in City Light’s “discipleship” addiction recovery program, studying to get her GED. She’d like to be a welder one day.

“I praise God that I’m here,” she said.

Her recovery program will last 24 months – a long time, and time enough for her and the other women at City Light to become “sisters,” she said.

“I almost lost my children because of relapsing and depression. Now I’m changing, focusing on God,” she said.

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EL PASO, TX — The hundreds of students gathered in the gym of Desert View Middle School did not know Daniel Peinado, much less how he died. It is his father’s goal to change that.

Albert Peinado’s teenage son was killed in a car crash last summer in Virginia. Daniel was engaged in a conversation on his cell phone when he stepped out onto the street. He did not see the oncoming car, and was struck.

Since then, Mr. Peinado has realized that what happened to his son can happen to other kids. His goal to prevent that tragedy and honor his son in the process led to his pioneering a cell phone safety assembly. “Street Smarts” was held Wednesday afternoon.

“Before I tell you my story,” Mr. Peinado, an English teacher at Desert View, told the hundreds of kids sitting on the gym bleachers, “I want to introduce you to my son, Daniel.” A slideshow of his son, from birth to his final years as a student at Hanks, rolled as Elton John’s song “Daniel” played in the background. (more…)

NEW ORLEANS: The Copeland’s of New Orleans restaurant chain is creating awareness for a rare form of skin cancer with limited-edition wristbands and a partnership with NBA player Chris Paul.

The restaurant chain launched the Al Copeland Foundation to raise awareness for Merkel cell carcinoma after founder and restaurateur Al Copeland passed away from the disease in 2008.

Copeland’s and the Al Copeland Foundation are working with MWW Group, AOR since August 2008, on a multi-tiered PR campaign, targeting local and national media such as the Baton Rouge Business Report and New Orleans Living.

Online, the Foundation has a Web site and Facebook presence, and the company is also using grassroots marketing on-site at New Orleans Hornets’ basketball games. Paul, a point guard for the Hornets, wore the wristband at the March 25 game against the Denver Nuggets, kicking off the campaign.

“We were looking for a way to get our message out nationally,” said Al Copeland Jr., CEO of Al Copeland Investments. “The main message—and it’s a very focused message for the Al Copeland Foundation—is to find a cure for Merkel cell carcinoma.” The company leveraged a past relationship with Paul, an Olympian and NBA All-Star, to garner national attention.

Proceeds from the sale of the wristbands will go to the Foundation, as well as Chris Paul’s Basketball Camp.

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Woods Cross » This was supposed to be the year Steve Drott helped Woods Cross out of its softball mediocrity. It was supposed to be the year the Wildcats took a step up in Class 4A. Instead, Drott is in the intensive care unit at the McKay Dee Center hospital.

The nightmare began in late October, when he found blood dripping out of his nose during a biology class at Woods Cross High School. He was diagnosed shortly thereafter with multiple myeloma, a serious form of bone marrow cancer that holds about a 35 percent five-year survival rate according to American Cancer Society.

Stunned by the rapid turn of events, the Woods Cross community is coping. The football coach, Fred Fernandes, took over as the head softball coach. Tom Moore, a football assistant, is helping coach the softball team. Players wear a trio of maroon, grey and blue wristbands that read “Fight for Drott,” “I am strong,” and “Fear nothing.”

For now, the players have carried on without him the only way they know how. They play games — and so far, they are winning most of them. The Wildcats started the season with a school-best 8-1 record.

Not that it really matters.

“For this to happen to him, its’ just made us all realize that life is really short,” said Woods Cross softball player Morgan Brown. “Anything can happen. You’ve got to live life to its full potential.”

The news came as Drott, also an assistant volleyball coach, was set to embark on his first year leading the Woods Cross softball program. Drott set the bar high from day one, and the Wildcats responded. Following the unexpected diagnosis, the players were forced to make adjustments, but Drott’s expectations and hopes for the team have never wavered.

So, after the initial shock subsided, Drott and the Wildcats got right back to work. Before the season began, he took the team to a local ropes course to teach them the importance of teamwork and unity. In the midst of chemotherapy treatment, Drott has still been teaching his biology and marine biology classes and attending softball games, keeping book for the team.

“I know he didn’t feel up to it but he just continued to do all of these amazing things for the team,” said Fernandes. “He’s been strong with the cards he’s been dealt.”

Meanwhile, the Woods Cross community has rallied around Drott and are finding ways to help. Inspired by his perseverance and positive attitude, volleyball coach and former softball coach Donna Tippetts arranged for the “Fight for Drott” wristbands to be made and sold for $2 during the lunch hour to raise funds to offset Drott’s climbing medical expenses. Many have offered to pay much more.

“He’s been such a trooper. “We all support him but our first concern is for his health,” said Woods Cross principal Vicki Ingram. “I think we’re all in shock. We all just want to see him back here. We’re just living one day at a time.”

But last week, Drott suffered a setback. Heading into Woods Cross’ game against Bonneville on Tuesday, the team learned that their coach had been hospitalized with pneumonia. The news sent another shock wave through the emotionally drained Wildcats, but they played on, hoping to earn another win in honor of their coach. In the end, a late seventh inning run would cost them the win. But no one could blame the Wildcats for not having their head in the game.

“The concentration level wasn’t there. They were worried about him,” said Fernandes. “They are always asking what they can do for coach Drott. He’s constantly on our minds.”

Following the game, the Wildcats vowed to battle back. After all, Drott would expect nothing less.

“From day on, Drott told us to just stand up in the midst of whatever comes our way,” said Brown. “Don’t let anything scare you. You can fight through anything. Always be strong.”

Then on Thursday, some promising news. Though Drott remains in the ICU unit, the Wildcats learned his fever had broken and things were looking up. The Wildcats hope it’s just the first bit of good news they’ll hear in the weeks to come.

“Hopefully as he gets better, he’ll be able to come out again and see them play,” said Fernandes. “I know he misses it. He’s so passionate about softball. It’s so hard for him not to be with the girls.”

But Drott has found ways to stay in touch. Following the team’s victory at the St. George Tournament last weekend, Drott sent Brown and pitcher Nikki Fernandes a congratulatory text from the confines of his hospital bed.

“Words can’t explain how proud I am of you and your team I am,” it said. “You did what had to be done. No fear, great execution and team attitude. Lets go now and win a region championship. The sky is the limit. I knew you would do it. Enjoy.”

Given the circumstances, that’s easier said than done.

In the meantime, the team plans to send footage of each game to Drott so he can stay up-to-date on the team. While the Wildcats can’t wait for Drott to join them back on the field, they’ll settle for some coaching advice from Drott in his hospital bed.

“We know he’ll be watching it intensely,” said Brown. “It’ll be good for him to be able to see us play and he’ll definitely still be able to give us some good feedback.”

While they eagerly await Drott’s return, the Wildcats think the best thing they can do for their coach is to continue to win games.

“The girls are playing with a purpose now.” said Tippetts. “It’s given them some inspiration and, in turn, it’s helping him in the battle for his life.”

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A 17-YEAR-OLD has shown his support for his soldier brother, who is serving in Afghanistan, by snapping up 10 Woofers wristbands.

Joshua Roberts dropped into the Evening Telegraph’s office to collect the bands on Saturday.

Joshua, who himself is in training at Harrogate to be a soldier, said it was important he showed support for his brother, Nathan, who flew out to Helmand Province with the 2nd Battalion Mercian regiment (Worcesters and Foresters) two weeks ago.

The former Heanor Gate Science College pupil said: “I think it’s very important that we show serving soldiers we are at home thinking about them while they are fighting.

“A lot of people don’t realise how hard it is out there, so anything we can do, however small, to show support is a good thing.

“I am currently attached to the Parachute Regiment but, when my first phase of training is over, I plan to transfer to 2 Mercian.”

The bands, which bear the message “Support 2 Mercian (Worcesters and Foresters) in Afghanistan”, cost £2, with all money raised going to the regimental fund, which provides financial support for soldiers and their families.

They can be bought in the reception of the Evening Telegraph building in Meadow Road.

Judith Wright, of Ripley, whose son, Drummer Thomas Wright, died on the Woofers’ last tour of

Afghanistan in 2007, pre-ordered 50 of the wristbands.

She said: “I have had people asking me for months when they are going to be available.

“This first lot of 50 will be gone in a couple of days and I’ll be coming back for more.”

Peter Vause, of Allestree, has also been helping the Woofers by selling them at Royal British Legion Clubs and Cadet units across Derby.

His son, Josh, is a member of the Woofers and has been in Afghanistan for more than two weeks.

Mr Vause said: “I have got rid of around 200 so far, which is pretty good going, but I want to try and sell the remaining 200 I have and then get some more.

“I have heard from Josh a few times since he flew out to Afghanistan.

“He has been out on patrol and said he is really enjoying it out there.

“He has been made an acting captain as well, which we are all very proud of.”

The Evening Telegraph has sold around 100 of the bands, which can also be ordered by calling the battalion on 02890 420375.

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