Worth Sharing

WS

Stories That Matter

# Heroes

Former Microsoft Executive Finds Joy Boosting Literacy Instead of Profits

avatar By Jeanne Goddard

10 Apr 2013 41 views
Size Print
Email
Former Microsoft Executive Finds Joy Boosting Literacy Instead of Profits
Since leaving his job as Microsoft's China business development director in 1999 and dedicating his life to improving global literacy, New York-based John Wood has put books in the hands of more than 7.8 million children in 10 countries in Asia and Africa.

Since leaving his job as Microsoft's China business development director in 1999 and dedicating his life to improving global literacy, New York-based John Wood has put books in the hands of more than 7.8 million children in 10 countries in Asia and Africa.

His charity, Room to Read, has built more than 14,600 libraries and 1,500 schools in 12 years.

So is he happy? "Extremely. Extremely," he told me recently when he was in Vancouver to promote his new book, Creating Room to Read: A Story of Hope in the Battle for Global Literacy, and doing some fundraising.

(READ the story in the Vancouver Sun)

Tags:
avatar

About author

More posts

# Heroes

A Mother's Fight Against '3-Strikes Law' Helps Hundreds

Since the November election, 240 California prisoners facing potential life sentences have been set free. That's because voters changed California's tough three strikes sentencing law, which sent thousands of people to prison for terms of 25 years to life for minor, nonviolent crimes. The campaign's success is due in no small part to Sue Reams. Her son was one of those released, after 17 years in prison.

# Heroes

Teacher Helps Injured Embarrassed Student Fit In

Six-year-old Brantley Rogers severely injured his eye last week and was nervous about returning to class with an eye patch. But his Jacksonville, Florida kindergarten teacher made a world of difference for him when she crafted eye patches for all the students in the class.

# Heroes

Disabled in Iraq, Now Making Life Easier for Other Wounded Vets

A National Guardsman lost both legs in Iraq, but found a new mission helping others. It was a life-altering injury, but from the beginning, Dale Beatty had a positive attitude about it. Beatty created an organization Purple Heart Homes after a Builders Association -- of which he was a member -- helped him build a wheelchair-accessible home with wide doorways and roll-in bathrooms.

# Heroes

Philanthropist Leaves Fortune to D.C. Charity, Symphony, Opera

Richard A. Herman lived in the Watergate for more than 40 years and was a longtime patron of the arts, but the shy railroad heir was virtually unknown in Washington social circles for much of his long life. Family Matters of Greater Washington today announced that Herman, who died in November at 100, left the nonprofit organization 60 percent of his vast estate — $28 million, which the group says is one of the largest gifts ever to a local social service organization.

# Heroes

Postman Delivers Lesson in Happiness

Typically, post office lines breed anger and frustration. But at the head of this queue on the campus of Penn State University in State College, Pa., you'll find nothing but joy. My mission is to make them have a little bit of levity on the way out and say, 'Hey, it's not so bad after all,' says Mike Herr. To that end, Mike lives by a simple motto: if you can't say something nice about someone, you're just not looking hard enough.

You might be interested in

Be the first to comment

Leave a Comment

Recent Stories
  • A Heartfelt Reminder to Appreciate the Ones We Love
    05 Sep 144 Views
  • Cherish the Woman Who Stands by You
    05 Sep 111 Views
  • Breaking Generational Cycles of Pain
    05 Sep 125 Views
  • Living by Your Own Values, Not Others' Approval
    05 Sep 167 Views
  • When Life Brings Rain, It’s Okay to Rest
    05 Sep 611 Views
  • Before You Judge Someone's Life, Take a Moment to Walk in Their Shoes.
    05 Sep 293 Views