The annual NASA project provides near space access for 12 undergraduate and graduate student experiments to be carried by a NASA high-altitude research balloon. The flights typically last 15 to 20 hours and reach an altitude of 23 miles. Experiments may include compact satellites or prototypes.

The experiments are flown aboard the High Altitude Student Platform, or HASP, a balloon-born instrument stack launched from the Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility's remote site in Fort Sumner, N.M. The goals of the project are to provide a space test platform to encourage student research and stimulate the development of student satellite payloads and other space-engineering products.

HASP seeks to enhance the technical skills and research abilities of students in critical science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines. The project is a joint effort between NASA and the Louisiana Space Grant Consortium.

NASA's HASP houses and provides power, mechanical support and communications for test articles and instruments. It can support approximately 200 pounds of student payloads. Since 2006, the HASP program has selected 44 payloads for flight, the work of more than 200 students from across the United States.

A question-and-answer teleconference for interested parties will be held Nov. 13 at 11 a.m. EST. The deadline for applications is Dec. 18. NASA is targeting fall 2010 for the next flight opportunity. NASA expects to make selections in January 2010. Teleconference dial in information, application materials and technical details are available in the Call for Proposals document at:

http://laspace.lsu.edu/hasp

Information about NASA's scientific balloon program is available at:

http://sites.wff.nasa.gov/code820

More information about NASA's education programs is available at:

http://www.nasa.gov/education

— WebWireID107202 —

In the 15 years that Lotto has been played, the National Lottery has paid out more than £32 billion in prize money, creating thousands of new millionaires and multi-millionaires.

The biggest individual Lotto win by a player agreeing to publicity was achieved in July 2004 when Iris Jeffrey landed a staggering 20.1 pounds million. Good Causes have also benefitted from the Lotto and other National Lottery games, with more than £23 billion being raised over the last 15 years.

Whilst the Lotto game has created an army of millionaires since it first began, not everyone who has won a prize has claimed it. UK lottery players have up to 180 days to claim a prize, and if that deadline is missed then the prize is given over to the Good Causes fund.

It would be understandable to think that only minor prizes would go unclaimed (http://www.national-lottery.com/blog/unclaimed-lottery-prizes.asp), but some very substantial Lotto jackpot wins have been unclaimed too. The biggest unclaimed prize so far was worth £9,746,996.

Lotto was the very first National Lottery game to be played in the UK, with the inaugural draw took place on Saturday 19 November, 1994. A Lucky Dip feature was introduced in March 1996 which allowed players to have their numbers generated at random, and today Lucky Dip entries are just as popular as hand-picked entries.

The potential to win life-changing jackpots certainly played a big role in the success of the Lotto, but so did the charitable aspect of the game. 28p of every pound spent on lottery tickets goes to Good Causes, and since the Lotto game started in 1994 more than 325,000 grants have been approved to support a variety of worthwhile projects in every part of the UK.

The immediate success of the Lotto game led to the development and launch of many other National Lottery games including scratchcards, Thunderball , Lotto HotPicks, Daily Play, EuroMillions and Dream Number. Players who feel nostalgic and would like to check the results for the very first lottery games can find a complete archive of results via http://www.national-lottery.com/results.asp.

— WebWireID107154 —

NASCAR driver David Ragan and the UPS (NYSE:UPS) team will have an extra 4.5 million fans cheering them this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway when Ragan gets behind the wheel of his No. 6 Ford Fusion, which will sport a new paint scheme that reflects UPS and Boys & Girls Clubs of America's (BGCA) UPS Road Code safe driving program.

The UPS Foundation, the charitable arm of UPS, introduced a national program this year in collaboration with BGCA to teach the company's industry-leading safe driving techniques to teens. Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens, but UPS and its world-renowned drivers are making an effort to change that with the help of BGCA and Ragan.

"UPS drivers are among the safest on the road. The Road Code program gives us the opportunity to use our nationally recognized safe driving training to directly impact a need in our communities and prevent teenage deaths," said Ken Sternad, president of The UPS Foundation. "This special paint scheme captures our commitment to driving safety, starting with teens at local Boys & Girls Clubs, and sharing it with UPS NASCAR fans."

The new car design for the Texas race incorporates BGCA's logo, along with handprints from members of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas who are participating in the UPS Road Code program. The paint scheme was unveiled in a special trackside event featuring Ragan and these Club teens.

"Our entire race team is excited about the special Boys & Girls Clubs of America design we're running this weekend," said Ragan. "This is definitely a change from the normal look of our UPS car, and it's always fun to give the fans something new to get excited about. This car is certainly going to stand out on track and hopefully help bring some awareness to Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the UPS Road Code program."

Ragan became a spokesperson for the UPS Road Code program this season, supporting the program through a series of video and audio public service announcements that are available online and have been broadcast on radio stations nationwide. He's also been visiting some Boys & Girls Clubs near racing cities, speaking to the UPS Road Code teens about the importance of safe driving.

"Safety is a priority for me on and off the track, and being on the road is something that needs to be taken seriously," continued David. "It's easy to get distracted when you're in the car, but you need to be really focused when you're behind the wheel of a vehicle."

"We are extremely grateful to The UPS Foundation for bringing UPS Road Code to our teens, providing access to important safety training utilizing state-of-the-art simulators," said Roxanne Spillett, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. "The paint scheme for David's car is outstanding. It truly captures the essence of our Clubs, our kids, and our dedication to their safety."

Teens, parents, and others interested in learning more about safe driving and UPS Road Code should visit www.ups.com/roadcode. And for regular updates on UPS Road Code, safe driving tips and other UPS news, sign up for the UPS Twitter channel at twitter.com/ups_news.

— WebWireID107181 —

The new work, the result of a Women Composer's Commissioning Competition held by Melodia Women's Choir, was written by Chris Lastovicka. The music is set to poems by Kay Ryan, the current U.S. Poet Laureate. Artistic Director Cynthia Powell will conduct.

''Notes Upon the Breeze' is fresh and inspired, full of subtlety and wit,' said Powell. The choir is now in its sixth season, according to Jennifer Clarke, executive director and founder, and is performing its third commissioned work by a woman composer.

The concert, filled with radiant music that reflects the meditative sentiments of autumn, also features "Songs of the Lights" by Latvian-born Canadian composer Imant Raminsh. Five songs from 'The Princess' by Gustav Holst will be performed by the choir, along with selections from Pergolesi's "Stabat Mater", which is recognized for its beauty and musical mastery.

The choir will be joined by the string performers of the Transfiguration Quintet and Taisiya Pushkar on the piano.

Melodia Women's Choir is comprised of 35 talented women singers who are selected through an auditioning process. The choir is described as having a "rich and ringing" sound, and has performed several sold-out concerts, including at Merkin Hall.

Chris Lastovicka's work has been performed at the Boston Early Music Festival, Merce Cunningham Studio, in Spoleto, Italy, by the New York City Opera at its VOX showcase of American Composers, and elsewhere.

The mission of Melodia Women's Choir is to create, explore and perform rarely heard women's choral music and to promote opportunities for women composers and musicians.

Jennifer Clarke, founder, is an arts consultant in New York who has worked with Symphony Space, Dancing in the Streets and the American Music Center. Melodia Conductor Cynthia Powell recently conducted choral scenes for Meredith Monk's Songs of Ascension at BAM. Melodia Women's Choir has been featured on WNBC, Women's Voices for Change and Women's eNews, and has been invited twice to perform at celebrations of Women's History Month of NYC.

Funding for Melodia's commissioning program is provided by the Sorel Charitable Organization and the Joyce Dutka Arts Foundation.

For more information see www.melodiawomenschoir.org.
____________________________________________________________________
CONCERT DETAILS

Melodia Women's Choir
'Notes Upon the Breeze'
Saturday, November 14, 2009
8 pm
Saint Peter's Church, Citigroup Center
Lexington Avenue at East 54th Street, New York City
Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door.
Visit www.melodiawomenschoir.org or call 212-252-4134

— WebWireID107136 —

ST. LOUIS (November 2009) – Inpatient Management, Inc. (IMI), a nationally recognized provider of comprehensive hospitalist, inpatient management and consulting services, recently announced sponsorship and two speaking engagements featuring CEO and Co-Founder Kirk Mathews. IMI will be co-sponsoring the Southwind Institute for Senior Health System Executives Nov. 4-6, followed by Mathews' faculty presentation and plenary speaking role at the Greeley Medical Staff Institute Symposium
Nov. 7-9.

'Each forum brings together a unique group of healthcare executives discussing key topics in the industry,' said Mathews. 'I find this collaboration a priority due to the changing atmosphere of healthcare and the evolutionary manner of hospital medicine.'

The 2009 Southwind Institute, designed specifically for non-profit health system C-suite executives, will focus on 'Optimizing the Value of Your Employed Physician Strategy.' IMI is proud to be a sponsor of the three-day conference that will act as a forum for enriched discussion between industry professionals and leaders. Mathews will also be leading a roundtable discussion called, 'Optimizing Your Hospitalist Program.'

In addition, Mathews will lead the opening session at the Greeley Medical Staff Institute Symposium with a brief presentation and consequent panel discussion titled, 'What Does Healthcare Reform Mean for Physicians and Hospitals?' He will be presenting with Dr. John Maa, the author of The Surgical Hospitalist Program Management Guide and pioneer of the surgical hospitalist program at the University of California – San Francisco. Mathews will also give a speech entitled, 'Hospitalist Recruitment and Retention: Successful strategies and processes for sourcing, interviews, scheduling, and compensation.'

Mathews is a frequent speaker on hospitalist programs and hospitalist recruiting. He served as faculty at the 2009 Society of Hospital Medicine (SHM) annual meeting, presenting 'Building an Effective Hospitalist Recruitment Program' and is a contributing writer for the SHM Best Practices Hospitalist Course.

In the fall of 2008, Mathews published the book, A Practical Guide to Hospitalist Recruitment and Retention. He also writes a weekly 'Hospitalist Leadership' blog for HC Pro, a leading provider and publisher of integrated healthcare information, and maintains a large following on his Twitter page @Hospitalist_Pro. Mathews was recently recognized by the Medical Group Management Association as one of the 'Top 10 Healthcare Professionals to Follow' on Twitter.

About Inpatient Management, Inc.
Inpatient Management, Inc. (IMI), based in St. Louis, Mo., is a national provider of comprehensive hospitalist programs and consulting services. Independently owned and operated since 1997, IMI serves clients around the country including Missouri, Indiana, Illinois, Tennessee, Michigan, Nebraska, Kansas, North Carolina, Alabama and Washington. For more information about Inpatient Management, visit www.inpatient.com.

— WebWireID106984 —

BENTONVILLE, Ark., Today, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation kicked-off 'Walmart Gives Back,' a holiday giving initiative that will provide $32 million in monetary and in-kind donations to charitable organizations across the U.S. Executives from Feeding America and Meals On Wheels joined Walmart to launch the historic campaign by sending off a convoy of 35 trucks donated by the Walmart Foundation.

Valued at $3 million and loaded with Great Value-branded products and fresh apples, the new refrigerator trucks will arrive at Feeding America food banks in Miami, Indianapolis, New Orleans, Boston, Memphis and 30 other communities in time for Thanksgiving. Feeding America estimates that these refrigerator trucks will enable the food banks to transport up to 52.5 million pounds of food, the equivalent of 41 million additional meals, per year.

'In this economy, families and seniors across the country who rely on food banks have been hit especially hard,' said Margaret McKenna, president of the Walmart Foundation. 'As Walmart stores continue to be the price leader on groceries, our partnership with Feeding America is helping us do our part to put more food on the dinner table. Our business and our charitable giving are united in the commitment to eradicate hunger in America.'

The donated refrigerator trucks are the Walmart Foundation's response to a call from food banks that were unable to safely transport nutritious produce, deli meat, beef, chicken, dairy and other nutritious food donated from Walmart stores and other grocers. Since last November, Walmart stores and Sam's Club locations have donated more than 90 million pounds of food – the equivalent of 70 million meals – to Feeding America food banks, exceeding the company's goal and making Walmart Feeding America's largest food donor.

'With more than 90 million pounds of food donated to Feeding America's network of food banks, Walmart is Feeding America's top corporate partner in the fight against hunger,' said Vicki Escarra, president and CEO of Feeding America. 'These 35 new refrigerated trucks are critical to the food banks and will make an enormous impact in allowing the safe transport of nutritious food to millions of people in need around the country. No American should go hungry, and we are proud to partner with Walmart and fight to end domestic hunger.'

In addition, the Walmart Foundation announced today a $2.2 million grant to Meals On Wheels Association of America. Through this funding, 140 Meals On Wheels programs across the nation will upgrade or replace delivery vehicles, stoves, refrigerators and freezers. These improvements will help increase the number of meals provided to the one in nine seniors facing the threat of hunger.

'When people think of hunger in the United States the elderly do not come to mind. The reality is, though, that hundreds of thousands of our country's seniors are going to bed hungry right now. Those are our mothers, our fathers, our veterans, the people who raised us,' said Enid Borden, president and CEO of Meals On Wheels Association of America. 'We are thankful that the Walmart Foundation understands that senior hunger is a major problem and can be eradicated. I applaud Walmart for stepping up to the plate, once again, to help us deliver the next meal so no senior goes hungry.'

As in years past, the majority of Walmart's holiday giving will happen at the local level with more than $24 million donated from the Walmart Foundation to nonprofits in the communities where Walmart's 4,000 stores and clubs are located. In addition, the Walmart Foundation will, once again, donate $1.25 million to The Salvation Army and Red Kettles will fundraise at Walmart stores and Sam's Club locations nationwide from Friday, Nov. 27 through Thursday, Dec. 24.

Later this holiday season, Walmart will announce additional recipients of its Walmart Gives Back holiday giving initiative. For more information, visit www.walmartgiving.com.

###

About Philanthropy at Walmart
Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are proud to support the charitable causes that are important to customers and associates in their own neighborhoods. Through its philanthropic programs and partnerships, the Walmart Foundation funds initiatives focused on creating opportunities in education, workforce development, economic opportunity, environmental sustainability, and health and wellness. From February 1, 2008 through January 31, 2009, Walmart – and its domestic and international foundations – gave more than $423 million in cash and in-kind gifts globally. To learn more, visit www.walmartfoundation.org.

About Feeding America
Feeding America provides low-income individuals and families with the fuel to survive and even thrive. As the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity, our network members supply food to more than 25 million Americans each year, including 9 million children and 3 million seniors. Serving the entire United States, more than 200 member food banks support 63,000 agencies that address hunger in all of its forms. Feeding America is headquartered in Chicago. For more information on how you can fight hunger in your community and across the country, visit www.feedingamerica.org.

About Meals On Wheels
The Meals On Wheels Association of America (MOWAA) is the oldest and largest national organization in the United States representing those programs that provide meals to people in need. To obtain more information about MOWAA or to locate a local Meals On Wheels program, visit the MOWAA website at www.mowaa.org.

— WebWireID106920 —

GENEVA - NEW YORK - A comprehensive action plan that can save up to 5.3 million children from dying of pneumonia by 2015 is being launched today by the WHO and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

Pneumonia is the biggest cause of child deaths in the world, killing 1.8 million children under five years of age every year, more than 98% of which occur in 68 developing countries. In spite of its huge toll, relatively few resources are dedicated to tackling this child killer.

The Global action plan for the prevention and control of pneumonia (GAPP) includes recommendations on what needs to be done, specific goals and targets, and estimates of what it will cost and how many lives will be saved. Its aim is to increase awareness of pneumonia as a major cause of child deaths, and it calls on global and national policy-makers, donor agencies and civil society to take immediate action to implement the plan.

"This action plan provides the strategy to prevent and control pneumonia, which today kills more children than any other illness," said Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General of WHO. "We know the strategy will work, and if it is applied in every high burden country, we will be able to prevent millions of deaths."

"Pneumonia is the leading cause of under age five mortality, killing over 4 000 children every day," said UNICEF Executive Director, Ann M. Veneman. "Effective interventions to reduce deaths caused by pneumonia must be used more widely and made more readily available for children at risk."

The release of the GAPP strategy coincides with the first Global Pneumonia Summit being held in New York City on 2 November.

The GAPP has a three-pronged vision:

* Protecting every child by providing an environment where they are at low risk of pneumonia (with exclusive breastfeeding for six months, adequate nutrition, preventing low-birth-weight, reducing indoor air pollution, and increasing hand washing);
* Preventing children from becoming ill with pneumonia (with vaccination against its causes: measles, pertussis, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae b, as well as preventing and treating HIV in children, and providing zinc for children with diarrhoea);
* Treating children who become ill with pneumonia with the right care and antibiotics (in communities, health centres and hospitals).

The cost of implementing the GAPP by scaling up the recommended measures in the 68 high burden countries is estimated at US$ 39 billion for 2010-2015. The costs are expected to double over the six-year period, rising from an annual need of US$ 3.8 billion in 2010 to US$ 8.0 billion by 2015.

Specific targets and goals to be reached by 2015 under the GAPP strategy are to expand coverage of all relevant vaccines and exclusive breastfeeding rates to 90%, and raise the level of access to appropriate pneumonia case management to 90%. This will lead to a reduction in child pneumonia deaths by 65% and cutting the number of severe pneumonia cases in children by 25%, compared to 2000 levels.

— WebWireID106847 —

It's no surprise to Tubbergen traditional fundraising methods are falling short as these methods often rely heavily upon stock market performance. When the donors' investment portfolios are suffering or are in danger of suffering, donors are simply less likely to make charitable contributions. And, charities are painfully aware of this fact.

In these tough economic times, charities are now exploring new methods of fundraising, methods that get results, according to Tubbergen. They are finding these results in the patent-pending giving strategy called 'Immediate Legacy™', Tubbergen explains.

Immediate Legacy™ is one of the many topics that will be discussed at the 'Increasing Charitable Contributions in the Current Economy' workshop being held in Grand Rapids, Michigan, this month. Charities are able to explore ways to expand their budgets and exceed fundraising goals when other organizations are tightening their belt or closing their doors all together.

Charities aren't the only ones that can benefit from the Immediate Legacy™ concept, Tubbergen explains. A charitable supporter who might be able to use the Immediate Legacy™ giving method could give a donation without permanently parting with an asset and still receive a tax deduction. This means if they qualify, the donor isn't giving to charity at their family's expense—their family will be made whole.

'We are very excited that this patent-pending program can create donations even in this tough economic environment,' Tubbergen says.

Charities selected to attend the 'Increasing Charitable Contributions in the Current Economy' workshop will benefit from a strategy-building setting relevant to their unique situation, Tubbergen notes. Leaders and decision makers for non-profit charitable organizations can find out more information on how to attend and possibly receive a complimentary stay in a four star hotel along with round-trip airfare by requesting an application and more details from MNemecek@ImmediateLegacy.com. To request a DVD with additional information feel free to visit www.ImmediateLegacy.com

— WebWireID106760 —

Many women are looking to the Internet to get the leverage to start their own business in these trying economic times. They have found a solid source of grants, loans, and peer-to-peer lending online. Women are receiving business grants from government, corporate, and private sources.

Mary Wilcox, Public Relations Chief of GrantsForWomenLike.me, said: "Many people aren't aware that there are specifically grants for women to start up their dream business. This is a huge opportunity. The money is already allocated, all you have to do is take advantage of it. "

The Internet is a new level playing field for women who want to begin their first business. Leading edge tools are often available online for free. And the opportunity to network with like minded people is quick and easy. Finding the right resources online provides an encyclopedia of business launch information.

"Because of the Internet we now have the power to compete against the big guys. All the tools are there, all the information. Women are working together to get the leverage and launch new businesses each and every day," added Wilcox.

New technology and new funding sources are putting new female entrepreneurs in charge of their own financial lives. This bright light in the current economic storm is proving to be a lifeline and inspiration to women all over the planet.

— WebWireID106407 —

This year's auction features items and jewelry from artists with disabilities as well as a plethora of unique gift packages. Bidders will have opportunities to obtain Blackhawks box seats, Bulls tickets, or enjoy a Dinner Cruise on Free Spirit Yacht. Ample chances remain to win $1,000 in cash with raffle tickets going for $10 each or 6 for $50, and purchasers need not be present to win.

Entertainment for the fun-filled afternoon will include a fashion show of casual business wear provided by Carson's and J. Jill's of Orland Park. Join us as we cheer our amateur models of Garden Center participants with disabilities and their family members! A performance by the Garden Center choir is sure to bring a smile to anyone's face, and Fun-Fun-Fun DJ's will provide dance music as we celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of adults with disabilities living independent lives.

All proceeds generated from this stellar event will benefit Garden Center Services in their mission to provide living and working opportunities for individuals with cerebral palsy, autism, Down syndrome, and other developmental disabilities.

Garden Center grows dignity and independence by providing homes and work opportunities for people with developmental disabilities. The 53rd Annual Fashion Show Luncheon will take place on Sunday Nov 1, 2009 from 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm, at the grandiose Lexington House located at in Hickory Hills. Luncheon reservations are accepted anytime. Come and be a part of one of the year's most exciting benefits while helping individuals with disabilities live and work in the community.

— WebWireID106403 —

Make A Difference Day provided a key moment to celebrate the new swell of volunteers flocking to improve the quality of their communities. According to the Corporation for National and Community Service, neighborhood engagement levels have risen sharply since 2007, with a 31 percent increase in the number of people who worked with their neighbors to fix a community problem.

President Obama has made the call to get citizens involved in service through the United We Serve campaign and the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act. This important bipartisan legislation will change the course of civic responsibility in our nation. Prioritized funding through the Volunteer Generation Fund will help ensure that non-profit organizations can actually train, equip and mobilize people, our greatest national resource, to change their communities and country.

We clearly see that mobilization is happening. People from all sectors are answering the presidential call to service to tackle the nation's toughest problems. Now we need to strengthen our civic infrastructure and ensure that we take advantage of the upsurge in volunteerism and engaged citizenry as partners with the public and private sectors is vital to our nation's social and economic health.

Creating more volunteer leaders is an essential step to maintain this momentum. We must train a vast volunteer network to lead efforts, develop additional leaders and motivate others to engage in service.

University of Phoenix is answering the presidential call through a partnership with HandsOn Network to help develop this new nation of leaders. In addition to supporting HandsOn Network's activation for Make A Difference Day, University of Phoenix will be the premier partner of HandsOn University, creating a volunteer leader certification program and holding a self-organizing summit to empower those who stand ready to focus on specific community needs.

If you see a need in your community, you can address it. It starts with a single step: Go to www.handsonnetwork.org to get started. Think about how to use your passion and skills to make a difference.

As a volunteer, you will truly get more than you give.

Michelle Nunn is CEO of the Points of Light Institute, which inspires, equips and mobilizes people to take action that changes the world and operates three business units: HandsOn Network, MissionFish and the Civic Incubator. Chas Edelstein is Co-Chief Executive Officer of Apollo Group, Inc. in Phoenix, Arizona, a leading provider of higher education programs for working adults.

— WebWireID106298 —

WASHINGTON, D.C.- The Kodak American Greenways Program, the nation's longest running community-based grants program preserving open space, trails and greenways, is marking its 20th anniversary by honoring three individuals and funding 28 local nonprofits and public agencies that are making great strides with greenways.

Since the program's inception in 1989, more than $800,000 has been granted to nearly 700 organizations in all 50 states. The program is a partnership between Eastman Kodak Company, National Geographic Society and The Conservation Fund.

This year's individual award recipients are:

* Alexie Torres-Fleming, who led the removal of tons of trash from the Bronx River in New York City, including 40 cars and 10,000 tires, creating a healthy waterway and river corridor that inspired youth in the community to connect with nature and take pride in their South Bronx neighborhood.
* Rosie Zamora, the driving force behind Houston Wilderness and its effort to bridge the vibrant, lively city with wetlands, forests and rivers, and educate Houston residents on the spectacular environment in their backyards.
* Rick Wagner, a 26-year veteran of the National Park Service with 43 years of federal conservation work, who preserved key pieces of the American cultural and natural heritage by spearheading the creation of the State of Idaho Castle Rock State Park and the expansion of the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail, the Nez Perce National Historic Trail, and the California Trail in the City of Rocks National Reserve.

This year, 28 nonprofits and public agencies received grants, including:

* Swain Family Intervention Services, Inc., forconstruction of signage along trails near Lake Fontana in western North Carolina that protect historic African-American cemeteries.
* Pend Oreille River Tourism Alliance, fora water trails webpage that will provide downloadable maps, information and other interactive features for the Pend Oreille River and accompanying trails in Oregon.
* Berrien County Health Department, to lay out a 'Rail to Trail' greenway around Benton Harbor that will provide new recreational opportunities for county residents.

'Kodak appreciates the value of local community grassroots initiatives in preserving our nation's great outdoor heritage,' said David Kiser, Kodak Vice President and Director, Health, Safety, Environment and Sustainability. 'These local initiatives and individuals recognized in the Kodak American Greenways Awards are visible, valuable and never more vital.'

'Greenways not only improve the nation's ecological health, these natural corridors provide vital opportunities for all Americans to improve their physical health,' said Gilbert M. Grosvenor, Chairman of the National Geographic Society. 'With the help of companies like Kodak, the greenways network has linked city streets to parklands and other open spaces. The program still enjoys robust growth as we celebrate 20 years of cooperation.'

To mark the 20th anniversary of the Kodak American Greenways Program, The Conservation Fund presented Kodak and National Geographic with a special award for their continued leadership and vision in sponsoring this important program.

'Winding through cities, parks and woods, and alongside rivers, lakes and abandoned rail lines, greenways are a vital part of any city's infrastructure. These pathways preserve wildlife habitat, enhance water quality and provide opportunities for close-to-home outdoor recreation and sustainable economic development,' said Larry Selzer, president and CEO of The Conservation Fund. 'I thank Kodak and National Geographic for their tremendous dedication to this program for 20 years, and I congratulate the outstanding recipients of this year's awards and grants. Together we are preserving lifelines that link neighborhoods, parks and people.'

— WebWireID106230 —

WASHINGTON, A new American Red Cross poll shows that while concerns about exposure to the H1N1 (swine flu) virus remain high, women are more likely than men to make extra efforts to cover coughs and sneezes with tissue, wash their hands more carefully and use hand sanitizer more often.

Since it was first identified in April, the H1N1 virus has been spreading across the country and the world. The new Red Cross survey of 1,005 adults in the U.S., which was completed October 11th, found that 22 percent said they know someone who has had the H1N1 virus.

The survey found significant differences in how men and women have reacted to the threat of the H1N1 flu.

Made an extra effort to cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue:
Women 83%
Men 67%

Made an extra effort to clean surfaces at home or at work with disinfectant:
Women 72%
Men 53%

Started to use hand sanitizer more often:
Women 66%
Men 50%

Made an extra effort to avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth:
Women 64%
Men 47%

'The flu doesn't favor one gender over another, so it's important for everyone to take steps to reduce the spread of H1N1,' said Sharon Stanley, Chief Nurse of the American Red Cross.

The survey also found that vaccination is on the minds of women. The survey found that more women (35%) have gotten their seasonal flu shots this year than men (26%). At the same time, women are more concerned than men about the safety of the H1N1 vaccine, with 60% of women expressing concern to 44% of men.

'Vaccines are the most powerful public health tool for controlling both the seasonal flu and the H1N1 virus,' Stanley said. 'In addition to getting vaccinated against the flu, men, women and children can help reduce their exposure by practicing good hand-washing hygiene, using hand sanitizer and covering their cough.'

Many People Going to Work or School When Sick

The survey also looked at how Americans are responding to H1N1 in the work place and found that in the past two months, in one in five households, someone has gone to work or school when they were sick.

'People who have the flu should stay home from work or school to help prevent passing the illness on to someone else,' said Stanley. 'Each of us has the responsibility to be a good neighbor. To help keep others from becoming sick, do your part by washing your hands, sneezing into your arm, using hand sanitizer and staying home when ill.'

While 70 percent of Americans are confident that they could take time off from work to care for someone with the flu, only 20 percent have actually talked to their supervisor about what happens if they need to take time off from work.

Additional survey findings:

* 78% started washing their hands more carefully and more often.
* 63% are making an extra effort to clean surfaces at home or work with disinfectant.
* 73% know what symptoms to look for that would tell them if their loved one needed to go to a hospital.

As with any emergency, the Red Cross encourages people to prepare by getting an emergency kit, making a plan and being informed.

The Red Cross has recently released a Pandemic Flu educational program for small businesses to help raise awareness and educate workplaces on what to expect and how to plan for a pandemic. Smaller companies often operate with fewer resources and limited capacity compared to their larger counterparts and can be particularly at risk for disruptions resulting from a flu pandemic.

More information about H1N1 and the seasonal flu is available at www.redcross.org/pandemicflu. This site contains video resources, preparedness tips and information about how to help lessen the spread of the flu virus as well as information for people caring for loved ones with the flu. The Red Cross also has products available at www.redcrossstore.org that promote healthier environments and help people protect themselves from the spread of germs.

The telephone survey of 1,005 U.S. adults 18 years and older was conducted October 8-11, 2009 by CARAVAN® Opinion Research Corporation. The margin of error is +/- 3.1 percent.

CARAVAN® Opinion Research Corporation conducted three telephone surveys of U.S. Adults on behalf of the American Red Cross, with the most recent in October 2009 (May 1-4, 2009, 1,004 Respondents; July 17-20, 2009, 1,002 Respondents; and October 8-11, 2009, 1,005 Respondents). Margin of error for each is +/- 3.1 percent at the 95% confidence level.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

— WebWireID106201 —

Last school year, Unilever activities funded school meals for 76 000 children in Kenya, Ghana, Indonesia, Colombia, Pakistan and the Philippines. This year Unilever aims to reach 100 000 children. World Food Day has been an annual event since 1979.

Unilever fundraising activities on World Food Day will include, 'a meal for a meal' whereby Unilever employees can donate the cost of a WFP school meal whilst buying their own lunch. In Kenya, employees have volunteered to visit one of the schools supported by the partnership (Makongeni Pri school in Nairobi). They will serve the children lunch and get involved in other school activities during the day. In Trinidad, Blue Band margarine will donate meals to children's homes and orphanages across the country. In the Netherlands, Unilever's CEO Paul Polman will team-up with other Dow Jones Sustainability Leaders, CEOs of DSM and TNT, to raise awareness amongst the business community and the government.

Recently Paul Polman visited Kaloleni Primary School in Nairobi, Kenya to meet some of the children who benefit from Unilever's partnership with WFP. Polman witnessed the positive results and impact of the WFP. 'Global hunger is a serious issue that can only be addressed by organizations and companies working together. I am proud to see that companies like Unilever can play an important role in this serious issue'.

However, experts estimate one billion people on the planet still don't have enough to eat. Polman adds, 'Due to the global economic crisis, the number of people failing to get access to food is increasing. 2008 was a year of unprecedented challenges for WFP, 2009 developments are worrying and funds are needed more than ever.'
Hygiene

This week, two global days are organised to create awareness for hunger and hygiene. Yesterday, October 15, via Global Handwashing Day more awareness was created on the importance of hygiene. Unilever raised awareness through various activities with the soap brand Lifebuoy. Hand washing with soap is the single most cost-effective intervention to prevent child mortality. This is needed because Diarrhoea and respiratory infections are amongst the top killers of children around the world and together amount to 3.5 million deaths annually.

--End--
Notes to Editors:
Unilever & WFP

* 2008 contribution total of 3.2 million Euro (corporate donations, cause-related marketing campaigns and donations from employees)
* 1.8 million euro was used to provide school meals via WFP's school feeding programme in Kenya, Ghana, Indonesia, Colombia, Pakistan and the Philippines. Other funds were used in expertise, educational programmes and through emergency relief operations.

About World Food Day (16 October)

* World Food Day is an initiative of the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and has been an annual event since 1979. Its purpose is to heighten public awareness of the world food problem and strengthen solidarity in the struggle against hunger, malnutrition and poverty.
* The World Food Programme (WFP) is FAO's sister organisation within the UN and also takes part in World Food Day. WFP is the UN's frontline agency in the fight against hunger, and the world's largest provider of school meals and take-home rations for poor children. Unilever has a partnership with WFP, called 'Together for Child Vitality', aimed at combating child hunger. World Food Day is an opportunity for us to mark our partnership with WFP and raise awareness about child hunger and malnutrition.

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WASHINGTON, HP today announced it has joined the Global Forest & Trade Network in North America (GFTN-NA), a World Wildlife Fund (WWF) initiative linking more than 300 companies globally that share a commitment to responsible forestry.

By becoming a member of the GFTN, HP has committed to progressively increase the amount of responsibly harvested fiber used in its paper products and sold globally. HP has set a target of 40 percent of its paper sales from Forest Stewardship Council-certified or post-consumer recycled sources by 2011.

As part of meeting these goals, HP will be engaging with suppliers and informing customers of its commitment. WWF will provide technical assistance toward reaching these goals.

'For more than 50 years, HP has been a leader in environmental sustainability, delivering solutions that help customers reduce their environmental impact,' said Glen Hopkins, vice president, Global Media Business, HP. 'We look forward to working closely with WWF to demonstrate the importance of responsible and sustainable forest management practices.'

Carbon emissions from deforestation and forest degradation are a main cause of climate change. Joining the GTFN is part of HP's commitment to mitigating climate change by reducing its carbon footprint across its business operations, products and supply chain.

'Every year, more than 30 million acres of natural forest are destroyed to meet the growing demand for wood and agricultural products,' said Suzanne Apple, vice president, Business and Industry, World Wildlife Fund. 'With this new relationship, HP is helping to protect the world's forests by sourcing and trading responsible forest products.'

HP sells more than 280,000 tons of paper annually, including HP Everyday Papers, small- and large-format papers, photo media and other branded media products to a global market with a concentration in North America and Europe. HP papers are sold in office supply and retail stores throughout North America, including Wal-Mart, Office Depot, Staples, Target and FedEx Office (formerly FedEx Kinko's).

HP and the environment

For decades HP has been an environmental leader, driving company stewardship through its HP Eco Solutions program, which spans product design, reuse and recycling as well as energy and resource efficiency. HP influences industry action by setting high environmental standards in its operations and supply chain, by providing practical solutions to make it easier for customers to reduce their climate impact and through its research on sustainability solutions that support a low-carbon economy. More information is available at http://www.hp.com/ecosolutions.

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international, not-for-profit organization established to promote the responsible management of the world's forests. FSC is a certification system that provides internationally recognized standards, trademark assurance and accreditation services to companies, organizations, and communities interested in responsible forestry.

About World Wildlife Fund

WWF is the world's largest conservation organization, working in 100 countries for nearly half a century. With the support of almost 5 million members worldwide, WWF is dedicated to delivering science-based solutions to preserve the diversity and abundance of life on Earth, stop the degradation of the environment and combat climate change. Visit www.worldwildlife.org to learn more.

The Global Forest & Trade Network (GFTN) is WWF's initiative to eliminate illegal logging and drive improvements in forest management while transforming the global marketplace into a force for saving the world's valuable and threatened forests. First established in 1991, the GFTN is the world's longest-running and largest forest and trade program of its kind – assisting hundreds of companies in evaluating their procurement and implementing appropriate action plans to ensure sustainable supply. By facilitating trade links between companies committed to responsible forestry, the GFTN creates market conditions that help conserve forests while providing economic and social benefits for the businesses and people that depend on them. With combined annual sales of $64 billion, trading by GFTN participants represents 16% of all forest products bought or sold internationally every year. Read more about the GFTN's work on supporting responsible forest management and trade at www.worldwildlife.org/naftn.

About HP

HP, the world's largest technology company, simplifies the technology experience for consumers and businesses with a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure. More information about HP (NYSE: HPQ) is available at http://www.hp.com/.

— WebWireID105832 —

NEW YORK – Eleven American Indian students from across the United States will continue their post-secondary education with the aid of $125,000 in scholarship funding from Accenture's American Indian Scholarship Fund.

The scholarship program, established in 2004, awards funding to the highest-achieving American Indian and Alaska Native students who are pursuing degrees and careers in technology and business. Criteria for scholarships are academic excellence, leadership ability, a commitment to American Indian culture and community and proof of enrollment in a federally recognized American Indian/Alaskan Native tribe.

'Now in our fifth year, the Accenture American Indian Scholarship fund is a critical resource for American Indian and Alaska Native scholars who want to pursue high education but require financial assistance,' said Randy Willis, senior executive sponsor of Accenture's American Indian employee interest group. 'We are honored to aid these 11 talented men and women who have demonstrated the aptitude and commitment to represent – and give back to – the American Indian community.'

The following six undergraduate Accenture Scholars will receive scholarships toward completing four-year baccalaureate degrees:

* Monica Briggs (White Earth Mississippi Band of Ojibwe ), of Minneapolis, MN, is attending Hamline University
* Millie Bigler (Creek), of Sapulpa, OK, is attending the University of Oklahoma
* Jared Boerger (Kashunamiut), of Bethel, AK, is attending the University of Alaska, Fairbanks
* Kelsey Campbell (Inupiaq), of Palmer, AK, is attending the University of Arizona
* Cole Haskins (Cherokee), of Tulsa, OK, is attending Dartmouth College
* Kody Jones (Caddo Nation), of Mustang, OK, is attending Northwestern Oklahoma State University

The following five graduate Accenture Fellows will receive scholarships toward completing advanced or professional degrees:

* Ken Bernard (Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa), Minocqua, WI, is attending Harvard Business School
* Keith Candelaria (Pueblo of Jemez), of Albuquerque, NM, is attending Stanford University
* Jessica Edwin (Native Village of Kluti-Kaah ), of Anchorage, AK, is attending the University of Alaska, Anchorage
* Shynoke Ortiz (Dine – Navajo), of Albuquerque, NM, is attending the University of New Mexico
* Catherine Wiley (Muscogee – Creek) of Anadarko, OK, is attending Oklahoma Christian University

'Accenture's American Indian Scholarship Fund supports our corporate citizenship focus, which helps individuals develop their skills to improve the economic well-being of their families and their communities,' said LaMae Allen deJongh, managing director of U.S. Human Capital and Diversity at Accenture. 'We wish the Accenture Scholars well as they take the next steps toward the future.'

About Accenture

Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company. Combining unparalleled experience, comprehensive capabilities across all industries and business functions, and extensive research on the world's most successful companies, Accenture collaborates with clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments. With approximately 177,000 people in more than 120 countries, the company generated net revenues of US $21.58 billion for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2009. Its home page is www.accenture.com.

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Efforts to help the community do not just involve microbial issues. Michael Himelfarb, the President of GPS, and Jeanette Kurtz, Executive Vice President, have been dedicated to area charities as well. They are both board members of the Leader Dogs Classic and Michael is the current President and Jeanette is the Vice President of the annual charity event.

The Leader Dogs Classic is a two day series of non-profit charity events that are annually planned, organized and staged by an organization of 100% local community volunteers. The event supports Leader Dogs for the Blind, a recognized 'Best in America' charity by the Independent Charities of America (ICA).

Leader Dogs for the Blind was founded by three Detroit area Lions Clubs members in 1939 and provides dog guides to people who are blind and visually impaired to enhance their mobility, independence and quality of life. Each year, over 270 students attend a 26-day residential training program to be paired with a dog guide. The annual Leader Dogs Classic is held each spring with the primary goal of raising funds for the Leader Dogs for the Blind organization.

'At GPS we have dedicated time and money to help numerous charities over the years and the Leader Dogs Classic is one event that really touches our hearts,' reported Michael Himelfarb, President of Global Prevention Services. 'The money that the Leader Dogs Classic raises each year goes to help blind and visually impaired people across the country improve their lives in so many ways.'

To learn how to become involved with the Leader Dogs Classic please visit www.leaderdogsclassic.org or visit www.leaderdog.org for more information about Leader Dogs for the Blind. To learn more about the GPS please visit www.NoMold.com, email info@NoMold.com or call 877.NoMold5.

About Global Prevention Services
Global Prevention Services has been on the forefront of treating buildings with microbial problems and providing preventive mold solutions to residential and commercial facilities. The company currently has relationships with insurance companies, government agencies, school districts, national property management companies and major commercial and residential builders to provide proven and guaranteed solutions.

— WebWireID105558 —

Paris - Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU), for the fourth year in a row, has committed to the 'Cercle Passeport Télécoms' program, a public-private partnership dedicated to help young people from difficult urban areas. The program supports students with sponsorship and mentoring schemes to help them integrate in leading business and engineering schools or universities in France.

For the academic year 2009-2010, Alcatel-Lucent will mobilize more than 200 volunteers (134 mentors from its French teams and 70 from the United States).

In addition to the initiatives engaged together with the partner companies, the Alcatel-Lucent Foundation offers all Cercle Passeport Telecoms students a window on the world by encouraging them to practice the English language.

In 2010, the Foundation will repeat its 'We made it!' contest, which enabled 22 selected students to spend a week of total immersion in the USA, last June. Staying with the families of Alcatel-Lucent employees in New Jersey, students are given the opportunity to find out about American culture, meet some Alcatel-Lucent partners and customers, and visit New York.

The 'We made it!' contest follows on from an program set up in 2007 whereby mentors from Alcatel-Lucent's US teams conducted regular telephone interviews in English with the French students.

The Alcatel-Lucent Foundation will also pursue its series of videoconferences between Paris and New Jersey on the topic 'Working across cultures.' The series aims at practicing conversational English, understanding cultural differences between the two countries, and share practical information about living in the USA, such as how to find an internship or a summer job, how to write and present a résumé, etc.

'Through the Cercle Passeport Telecoms, the Alcatel-Lucent Foundation reiterates its commitment to diversity and equal opportunities by making higher education more accessible to young people from under-privileged backgrounds,' says Alcatel-Lucent Foundation's executive director Béatrice Tassot. 'The 200 volunteers involved in this program on both sides of the Atlantic are there to support and advise the students, facilitate their access to the enterprise (learning about trades, visiting sites, etc.), assist them with their career choices (project planning, interview preparation, etc.), get them speak English and, finally, help them build up a professional network.'

For more information on « We Made it », visit Alcatel-Lucent's WebTV.

About the 'Cercle Passeport Télécoms'
Created in 2006 at the initiative of SFR, the 'Cercle Passeport Télécoms", consists of seven telecom companies (Alcatel-Lucent, Ericsson France, Gemalto, Nokia France, Nokia Siemens Networks, Orange, SFR) that joined forces with the French public institutions to create a program a program designed for young people from disadvantaged areas in France presents in 46 classes préparatoires and in the major engineering and business schools (40 grandes écoles partners). The objective is to help them throughout their studies to get through the stages of a high level of education with the prospect of obtaining a higher-education qualification.

About the Alcatel-Lucent Foundation

The Alcatel-Lucent Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Alcatel-Lucent and it leads the company's charitable activities. With a focus on education and volunteerism, the Foundation's mission is to support the commitment of Alcatel-Lucent to social responsibility by serving and enhancing the communities where its employees and customers live and work. To accomplish its mission, the Foundation manages grants, corporate contributions and employee volunteerism on a global level. It is defined as a "charitable", non-governmental, non-profit, private organization that receives its income from the corporation — Alcatel-Lucent — whose name it bears. However, legally it is an independent entity and is governed by its own board of trustees that is separate from the corporate board of directors. For more information, visit: www.alcatel-lucent.com/CPT

About Alcatel-Lucent
Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) is the trusted partner of service providers, enterprises and governments worldwide, providing solutions to deliver voice, data and video communication services to end-users. A leader in fixed, mobile and converged broadband networking, IP technologies, applications and services, Alcatel-Lucent leverages the unrivalled technical and scientific expertise of Bell Labs, one of the largest innovation powerhouses in the communications industry. With operations in more than 130 countries and the most experienced global services organization in the industry, Alcatel-Lucent is a local partner with a global reach. Alcatel-Lucent achieved revenues of Euro 16.98 billion in 2008 and is incorporated in France, with executive offices located in Paris. For more information, visit Alcatel-Lucent on the Internet: http://www.alcatel-lucent.com

— WebWireID105413 —

Ms. Stimac has an extensive history of dedication and commitment to her community and a passion to help children who have been abused and neglected. As a member of the Child Abuse Prevention Task Force in Seminole County, Ms. Stimac has chaired for the past two years the Community Safety Fair, hosting over 3000 attendees. The focus of this event is to provide to the residents of Seminole County a valuable resource directory which identifies key contact information for rape hotlines, shelters, health centers, counseling facilities, and other vital services.

As Vice President of Seminole County Friends of Abused Children, Ms. Stimac has chaired the school supply drive which provides school supplies to children in the foster care system. In that capacity, she has chaired the Secret Santa program which allows the children to receive a Christmas gift of their choosing. She has also been a key organizer of the Light of Hope Ceremony. This annual ceremony, held during the designated Abuse Prevention month, April, is preceded with a host of events to help promote the prevention of Child Abuse in the County. The Ceremony brings together key figures involved in the effort, as well as state and local legislators. At the close of the Ceremony a candle light vigil is held for abused and neglected children.

In the past, Ms. Stimac has also served as guardian ad litem, raising awareness about the abused and neglected children, helping the children through custody hearings and court proceedings, as well as advising judges on how to rule in these cases.

Ms. Stimac also works in the family owned business, Machining Solutions in Altamonte Springs.

'Yvonne's commitment and dedication to advocate for children is exemplified by her numerous hours volunteerism to these child advocacy groups. Her passion to help those who can least help themselves is contagious and Ironwood Maine is proud to have her seated on the council,' said Marion Rodrigue, Ironwood Maine's President and Director.

About Ironwood Maine

Ironwood Maine is a residential treatment center committed to helping families in crisis with troubled teens. We trust the teens and families we treat to share our commitment to generating successful, rewarding outcomes. Our aim is to assess and treat the causes of unruly behavior, while providing self-esteem building activities and life-enriching experiences along with academic studies. We strive to reunite youth and their families through clinical therapy, discipline, hard work, and shared experiences in a safe, secure, and therapeutic learning environment. For more information on the program call 877-342-2463 or go to www.ironwoodmaine.com.

— WebWireID105313 —