As much as I would love to assist organizations no matter their fundraising situation, there are groups who have created conditions that are nearly impossible to recover from, short of a miracle.

But for two recent groups I worked with, there were no magic, rabbits, or hat involved: just commitment, investment, and follow-through. And the transformations have been amazing.

As we grapple with lingering impacts of the earthquake on Haiti last year and now the devastation unleashed on Japan, as we continue to struggle in a state racked with budget woes and cities making enormous cuts to make ends meet, remembering how simple acts of charity can profoundly impact others in need can unleash the power of agape – of charity – in you, too.

Last night at the Champaign County Republican meeting, Donna Giertz shared a concern that this proposal "is inappropriate and ill-advised. This type of maneuver will trivialize the position and diminish the status of the Republican Party."

They can be a nightmare for homeowners: Burst pipes, exploding water heaters or the slow, steady, hidden drip of leaky appliance hoses. Here's what to do if you find yourself in a water emergency, and 12 ways to prevent disaster.

First, let’s start with everyone’s favorite flu shot myth; I got the flu from the flu shot.  Have you gotten a flu shot in the past and sworn that it gave you the flu?  I am here to tell you that this is not true!   You cannot get the flu from the flu shot because the flu shot does not contain the live virus.  The flu shot contains a dead flu virus that is thought to be the most common virus during this year’s flu season.  When the dead virus is injected, your immune system is set into action.  Your body begins to create antibodies for the virus.  With your pre-made antibodies, you can be exposed to the virus and begin fighting the virus immediately instead of waiting for you immune system to catch up.  If you are one of those non-believers who has heard this all before and still swears you got the flu from the shot, there is more to this story.  When a virus attacks your body, most of the symptoms you suffer are from your body’s immune system’s response to the virus.  Coughing up sputum and a runny nose are your body’s way of getting rid of disease.  The flu shot is designed to artificially stimulate our immune system.  And while your body is busy creating antibodies, it is still flu and cold season.  It is possible to catch a totally different bug right after getting the flu shot.  This is all the more reason to wash your hands as often as possible, which is a proven way to prevent the spread of the flu.

I have also heard may people say that the flu is harmless and “no big deal.”  The seasonal flu is responsible for the hospitalization of over 200,000 people per year and for around 36,000 deaths annually.  To put this number into perspective, that is more deaths caused by the flu per year than shark attacks, lightning strikes, and gunshot wounds put together.  (BTW, there have only been 464 fatal shark attacks since 1580.)  If you think about it, the flu shot is a much easier way to protect yourself than a metal cage or a bullet-proof vest.      

So, should you get a flu shot?  While the flu is most likely to seriously affect those under 2 and over 65 years old, you are still at risk.  The more people that get vaccinated, the less likely the at risk group are to be exposed to the flu.  Do you want to be responsible for putting your toddler or grandmother into the hospital because you couldn’t be bothered to get vaccinated?  Anyone that is immune-compromised, regardless of age, should also get vaccinated.  This means pregnant women and their husbands should get their flu shots.  I also know that some of you are afraid of needles, my advice is one needle stick now is nothing compared to the blood tests and IV fluids you will receive during treatment of the flu.  Bottom line, it’s your choice whether or not you receive a flu shot.  But, by getting a flu shot you are protecting yourself and your loved ones from the flu.