The Daily Tell

Prior to the 2004 NFL season, Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback David Garrard began experiencing stomach pains, lost a considerable amount of weight and missed part of pre-season training. He was diagnosed soon after with Crohn’s Disease.

For the past two years, Garrard has scored for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America through the In the Zone for Crohn’s program, which earned $180,000 this year from the on-the-field exploits of Garrard and support from Centocor Ortho Biotech.

As part of the program, $10,000 was donated to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America for every touchdown Garrard scored during the 2009 football season. This season, Garrard accounted for 18 passing and rushing touchdowns, raising the $180,000 for the CCFA.

"Since being diagnosed with Crohn’s disease several years ago, it has been my goal to raise awareness of this debilitating disease and to help inspire other people who are living with Crohn’s disease," said Garrard. "I want people to know that if I can overcome this condition and still live a happy and healthy life, they can too."

The money raised by Garrard’s involvement in the In the Zone for Crohn’s program over the past two years hasallowed the CCFA to advance critical Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis research in order to make a profound difference in the present and future health of patients with these diseases, the foundation said.

"David has impacted a countless number of people through his inspiring story of overcoming Crohn’s disease and his continued efforts to shed light on this often misunderstood and under-reported condition," said Richard Geswell, president of the CCFA.

Garrard, one of the 1.4 million Americans with Crohn’s Disease and the related ulcerative colitis (UC), recently completed his third season as the Jaguars’ full-time starting quarterback.

Henry C. Woods, Jr. who spent a large part of his life at The Lawrenceville School, continues to impact the community five years after his death with the largest donation in the school’s long history.

Woods and his wife, Janie, have bequeathed $60 million to The Lawrenceville School, which will be used to strengthen a host of programs, ranging from faculty support to student financial aid to campus facilities, the school announced.

Henry Woods graduated from The Lawrenceville School in 1940. A graduate of both Yale and Columbia, he served the school in various roles for more than 30 years as an English teacher, English department chair, trustee, and trustee emeritus until his death in 2005. His wife died in 2007.

"We are extremely grateful to the Woods for their extraordinary gift to the school. Lawrenceville was Henry’s and Janie’s family," said Head Master Liz Duffy. "It’s wonderful that through their bequest, their legacies at Lawrenceville will endure in perpetuity. We’re thrilled to receive this historic gift as we celebrate the school’s bicentennial."

The Woods’ generosity began during their lives, as they gave close to $10 million to the school.

Those previous gifts supported a variety of positions and programs ranging from student prizes in critical writing and science, art acquisitions for the school’s museum, the campus day care center, and a school camp for children from underserved communities, the school said.

The Woods’ final $60 million gift, which comes in the middle of the schools bicentennial, will be used by the school for a mix of human and facility upgrades, including student scholarships, a faculty sabbatical and intern program, and support for the maintenance of the School’s campus.

The school said it would rename Memorial Hall,the iconic campus building where Woods taught for many years, Woods Memorial Hall.

Morgan and Helen Chu have continued their longtime support for City of Hope by establishing an endowed chair in the Beckman Research Institute with a $2.5 million gift.

Richard Jove, the institute’s director and professor in the Department of Molecular Medicine, will be the first holder of the Morgan and Helen Chu director’s chair, according to City of Hope.

Morgan Chu is a partner at the Los Angeles-based law firm of Irell & Manella, and the $2.5 million gift builds on recent contributions to City of Hope by the firm.

Among the other recent gifts from the law firm were $3 million to endow the Cancer Center director’s chair, a $5 million gift to City of Hope’s graduate school, and a $2 million gift to create a visiting professorship.

"Helen and I are pleased to support City of Hope and the innovative science of the Beckman Research Institute," Chu said. "Many of today’s most promising medical treatments – from synthetic human insulin to the technology used to create some of the most powerful cancer drugs – stem from the groundbreaking work of City of Hope scientists."

Founded in 1983, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope engages in molecular and cellular biology investigations, exploring normal and abnormal biological processes as they relate to human disease.

Michael A. Friedman, president, chief executive officer and cancer center director, of City of Hope, lauded the Chus’ commitment to the institute and its research, saying it inspires its scientists research work in cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases.

City of Hope scientists developed patented recombinant DNA technology, which is used to produce synthetic human insulin and led to the development of some of the most promising anticancer treatments based on monoclonal antibodies.

Woods and his wife, Janie, have bequeathed $60 million to The Lawrenceville School, which will be used to strengthen a host of programs, ranging from faculty support to student financial aid to campus facilities, the school announced.

Henry Woods graduated from The Lawrenceville School in 1940. A graduate of both Yale and Columbia, he served the school in various roles for more than 30 years as an English teacher, English department chair, trustee, and trustee emeritus until his death in 2005. His wife died in 2007.

"We are extremely grateful to the Woods for their extraordinary gift to the school. Lawrenceville was Henry’s and Janie’s family," said Head Master Liz Duffy. "It’s wonderful that through their bequest, their legacies at Lawrenceville will endure in perpetuity. We’re thrilled to receive this historic gift as we celebrate the school’s bicentennial."

The Woods’ generosity began during their lives, as they gave close to $10 million to the school.

Those previous gifts supported a variety of positions and programs ranging from student prizes in critical writing and science, art acquisitions for the school’s museum, the campus day care center, and a school camp for children from underserved communities, the school said.

The Woods’ final $60 million gift, which comes in the middle of the schools bicentennial, will be used by the school for a mix of human and facility upgrades, including student scholarships, a faculty sabbatical and intern program, and support for the maintenance of the School’s campus.

The school said it would rename Memorial Hall,the iconic campus building where Woods taught for many years, Woods Memorial Hall.

Morgan and Helen Chu have continued their longtime support for City of Hope by establishing an endowed chair in the Beckman Research Institute with a $2.5 million gift.

Richard Jove, the institute’s director and professor in the Department of Molecular Medicine, will be the first holder of the Morgan and Helen Chu director’s chair, according to City of Hope.

Morgan Chu is a partner at the Los Angeles-based law firm of Irell & Manella, and the $2.5 million gift builds on recent contributions to City of Hope by the firm.

Among the other recent gifts from the law firm were $3 million to endow the Cancer Center director’s chair, a $5 million gift to City of Hope’s graduate school, and a $2 million gift to create a visiting professorship.

"Helen and I are pleased to support City of Hope and the innovative science of the Beckman Research Institute," Chu said. "Many of today’s most promising medical treatments – from synthetic human insulin to the technology used to create some of the most powerful cancer drugs – stem from the groundbreaking work of City of Hope scientists."

Founded in 1983, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope engages in molecular and cellular biology investigations, exploring normal and abnormal biological processes as they relate to human disease.

Michael A. Friedman, president, chief executive officer and cancer center director, of City of Hope, lauded the Chus’ commitment to the institute and its research, saying it inspires its scientists research work in cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases.

City of Hope scientists developed patented recombinant DNA technology, which is used to produce synthetic human insulin and led to the development of some of the most promising anticancer treatments based on monoclonal antibodies.

While retailers count the time from Thanksgiving through the New Year as their busy season, things are just heating up for tax preparers like the "Tax Lady," Roni Lynn Deutch.

To take advantage of the increased traffic, the Roni Deutch Tax Center is partnering with Prevent Child Abuse (PCA) America and its new "Pinwheels for Prevention" campaign to help raise awareness of and funds for healthy child development and child abuse prevention nationwide.

The company said that this is the first time PCA America has incorporated a pinwheel as a symbol for child abuse and neglect prevention.

Until the end of tax season, April 15, all 44 of the Roni Deutch Tax Centers are going to chip in by having paper pinwheels on hand that clients can buy for $1.00 that will go to the cause. The franchises themselves will also be helping out on the local level if they take advantage of the opportunity to make a $20 donation to their Prevent Child Abuse America America (PCA) state chapter for every federal tax return filed.

"My mission throughout my whole career has been to help taxpayers get the most out of their tax returns … while at the same time protecting them from the IRS," said Roni Lynn Deutch, CEO and founder of Roni Deutch Tax Center. "When looking to partner with a national charitable organization, I wanted to continue with that protective mission. Working to prevent children from being abused or neglected is very close to my heart."

At the end of tax season all monies collected by the Roni Deutch Tax Centers will be donated to PCA America, to support its programs, which serve more than 40,000 families annually.

Even as the economy is reportedly on the mend, times are still hard for Americans. In particular, the downturn has made it hard for many to put dinner on the table. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 49 million Americans – including 17 million children – struggled for food security in 2009.

Still, Americans are far from the most vulnerable to food insecurity. Worldwide hunger is a continuously growing problem. According to the World Food Programme, food insecurity is a problem for alarmingly high percentages of the population in some underdeveloped nations.

To combat this global epidemic, Feed the Children recently provided 1.2 million meals to hungry families worldwide as part of its second annual Fight Against Hunger campaign. The meal donations were made in partnership with Jean-Charles Boisset, president of the wine company Boisset Family Estates.

Boisset says his corporation is proud to partner with Feed the Children. "We are committed to helping families in need in this trying time for America and for the world. Never before has it been so important," he told USA today.

Feed the Children hopes to provide relief for children and their families around the world who battle hunger. It invites partnerships from major corporations and individuals through programs like the Fight Against Hunger campaign, sponsor a child, and disaster relief efforts.

The disaster relief efforts are particularly focused on Haitian relief. Currently, Feed the Children has established an operations base in Carrefour, Haiti to provide medical relief to victims of the earthquake.

The organization has partnered with the World Food Programme and Oxfam Great Britain to supply the entire camp with food and milk.

Before the earthquake, Feed the Children had more than 100 children in their Haitian child sponsorship program. The organization hopes that in the aftermath of the quake, generous citizens worldwide will help them increase this number.

From manning phone banks to holding bake sales to raising funds to flying relief missions to the island nation, American Airlines and its patrons are going above and beyond in aiding those who fell victim to the earthquake in Haiti earlier this month.

The efforts by the airline began the day after the earthquake and since that time it has delivered more than 125,000 pounds of food and supplies. It continues to work with charitable organizations and U.S. officials to transport relief workers and supplies.

To date, American Airlines and American Eagle have flown 12 relief missions working with organizations such as Airline Ambassadors, American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons, the Haiti Consulate, Love a Child, Miami Dade College Physicians, Missionaries of Charity-Mother Theresa Order, Northshore Medical Center in Miami, and several others. The flights have transported medical personnel. relief workers and humanitarian supplies, including bottled water, food, medicine and other non-perishable goods, the company said.

But the company is not doing it alone, as members of its frequent flier AAdvantage program have joined in the efforts.

More than 7,800 AAdvantage members have donated more than $835,000 to the American Red Cross for Haiti relief since January 14.

Our hearts go out to our friends, family, coworkers and all people affected by this catastrophic earthquake," said Peter Dolara, American’s senior vice president. "It is extremely gratifying to see how our employees and customers have come together to help provide much-needed assistance to the people of Haiti."

To help facilitate the member contributions, American is offering AAdvantage members a one-time award of 250 bonus AAdvantage miles for a minimum donation of $50 – or 500 bonus miles for a donation of $100 or more – to the American Red Cross through the end of February.

Trying to make the best of a bad situation, DHL and the Clinton County Port Authority, announced their preliminary agreement on the essential business terms for the donation of DHL’s former U.S. express hub to the local community of Wilmington, Ohio.

The Air Park was absorbed by DHL when it bought Airborne in 2003. DHL subsequently invested hundreds of millions of dollars to upgrade the facility before closing it in May of 2009 in favor of nearby Cincinnati as it looked to trim expenses, according to several reports.

The decisions to shutter domestic service and abandon the airport left 8,000 people without jobs, according to WHIO radio. The city, nestled in southwestern Ohio, has a population of about 12,000.

The donated airpark will be used by the CCPA for the redevelopment of the area with future use of the site as an airport andcommerce park.

"With the donation, we will close a challenging chapter in our company’s history," said Frank Appel, CEO of Deutsche Post DHL.

In 2008, DHL restructured its U.S. express business to stem losses, eliminating the need to maintain the $310 million Air Park in Wilmington, Ohio as its principal U.S. air hub, the company said.

"On behalf of the directors of the CCPA I would like to acknowledge the generosity of DHL," said John Limbert, chairman of the CCPA. "As a result of this philanthropic transaction the communities that comprise Southwest Ohio will be in a better position to manage their own economic growth."

Previous to this latest gift, DHL has also donated $1 million to the Clinton County Fund for the Community of Wilmington, contributed an additional $50,000 to the Foster J. Boyd, MD Regional Cancer Center, and funded a Job and Career Transition Center for the employees of the Air Park.

All terms of the donation agreement are expected to be finalized for closing of all property transactions in early 2010.

From manning phone banks to holding bake sales to raising funds to flying relief missions to the island nation, American Airlines and its patrons are going above and beyond in aiding those who fell victim to the earthquake in Haiti earlier this month.

The efforts by the airline began the day after the earthquake and since that time it has delivered more than 125,000 pounds of food and supplies. It continues to work with charitable organizations and U.S. officials to transport relief workers and supplies.

To date, American Airlines and American Eagle have flown 12 relief missions working with organizations such as Airline Ambassadors, American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons, the Haiti Consulate, Love a Child, Miami Dade College Physicians, Missionaries of Charity-Mother Theresa Order, Northshore Medical Center in Miami, and several others. The flights have transported medical personnel. relief workers and humanitarian supplies, including bottled water, food, medicine and other non-perishable goods, the company said.

But the company is not doing it alone, as members of its frequent flier AAdvantage program have joined in the efforts.

More than 7,800 AAdvantage members have donated more than $835,000 to the American Red Cross for Haiti relief since January 14.

Our hearts go out to our friends, family, coworkers and all people affected by this catastrophic earthquake," said Peter Dolara, American’s senior vice president. "It is extremely gratifying to see how our employees and customers have come together to help provide much-needed assistance to the people of Haiti."

To help facilitate the member contributions, American is offering AAdvantage members a one-time award of 250 bonus AAdvantage miles for a minimum donation of $50 – or 500 bonus miles for a donation of $100 or more – to the American Red Cross through the end of February.