Is it possible for one idea or action to change the world?

I often share the story of the grandfather and grandson walking on the beach, and the grandfather stops every now and then to throw a starfish back into the water… I’m sure you’ve heard it—the moral is, “no, I can’t save them all, but I can save a few… and that’s O.K.” If you think about it, the world can be as close as the people that enter your life every day, and “No” you can’t help everyone, but you can help some, and that’s O.K.

Today, I went to FairRidge Jewelers with a friend, and in conversation, the owner Nick asks me if I know his cousin Sal, from Sal's Pizza in WNY. I tell him yes/ kind of… I’ll need to start from the beginning:

A few days ago I received an email about a little boy named Max who is 6 years old and has become ill with ALD (Adrenoleukodystrophy), a very serious illness. My friend, who knows the family personally, explained how the medical expenses are exorbitant and not all are covered by the insurance, and how there was a fund set up for anyone who felt moved to help.

Needless to say, I felt moved to help. I offered to do a
fundraiser to raise much needed money to help with the medical bills (a coin
toss on B'line Avenue and a Canister Campaign to all the local merchants)... the
idea was that I would organize it, my company My Internet Doorman would
donate the canisters, and the youth group I coordinate at Holy Redeemer
Parish in W.N.Y. would be the manpower to work it.

Turns out that Max is Nick’s grand-nephew; it’s a small world—isn’t it?

Think you can't make a difference? Too young, too old, not enough time, don't know what to do, need help yourself? Wrong-- rent the video "Pay It Forward" (PG13 by Warner Bros. Pictures, Starring Kevin Spacey, Helen Hunt and Haley Joes Osment) and see how one idea carried out can change the world!

Mr. M - My Internet Doorman

Interested in helping Max and his family?

Checks can be made to "Massimo Against ALD, Inc. " a non-profit fund
Mail to:
Sal's Pizzeria, 6127 Bergenline Ave.
West New York, NJ 07093-2203
Att: Uncle Dominic Renaudo.

The local police are running their first fund raiser...
Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008
The Park Avenue Bar and Grill
3417 Park Ave. Union City, NJ 6 pm-10 pm.
donations are $50 with all proceeds going directly to the cause.
For info on this event, contact Deputy Chief Joe Blaettler 973-725-9677,
Officer Gene Knabner 732-604-1574, or Karina of State Farm 201-865-6650.

Fireproof- A review of the heart

My wife and I went to see “Fireproof” this Sunday; the parallel of a fireman’s code “never leave your partner behind” and the vows of holy matrimony were fantastic. I found the movie to be well balanced with action, plot, humor and surprise woven together to show the real complexities of today’s marital relationships. The plot had many unexpected twists and the presumptive nature of man was used against us to a surprising end. The stars battle with internet pornography was classic and a battle which is on the rise as we’ve seen in recent weeks with celebrity marriages gone a rye and their addictions to porn brought to light. At one point my wife nudged me and whispered, “He needs My Internet Doorman”, I felt proud knowing that God was using me to help men and women all over the country to fight this battle and to prevent youth from becoming victims of this addictive and destructive vice. I strongly recommend this movie to engaged couples, newlyweds, anyone struggling to hang on to their marriage, anyone on the fence of divorce, and anyone who has ever been there. Bravo!



Mr. M - My Internet Doorman

Fireproof…Commitment and Marriage

Fireproof…commitment and marriage
A new email friend, Irene, just made me aware of a movie opening tonight at select theatres in our area “Fireproof”…no, it’s not a Spielberg, but it does deal with marriage and the sacredness of vows… something we don’t hear about too often. Those of you than know me, know that I was married at 19 and have been married for 24 years…I know that if not for our vows and the grace they have given us through the Church… we would never have made it this far. I have asked my wife to treat me to this movie for my birthday 9/28! I Hope you can get a chance to see it too, I’ll definitely be posting a review on Monday. See the movie trailer on the link below:
http://www.fireproofthemovie.com/

Here's where FIREPROOF will open on September 26:
Clifton Commons 16 > 405 Route 3 East> Clifton, NJ
NJ Manville > 12 180 North Main Street> Manville, NJ
NJ Cinema 12 Parsippany > 3165 Route 46> Parsippany, NJ
NJ Washington Township > 121 Tuckahoe Rd.> Sewell, NJ

Mr. M - My Internet Doorman

September 11th "take a moment to remember"

This morning I put out the Flag in memory of those who died on September 11th and for what they stood for. It made me think of a fellow catechist Frank A. Palombo who was a hero and gave his life that day, leaving behind his wife and 10 children. Looking at a list of those who died I pondered the connection...they did not die in a tornado, in a cruise ship accident, or at war-- they died because they represented you and me; regardless of their nationality, age, personal and religious beliefs, the fact that they were "Americans", that they represented the "Freedoms" that you and I treasure, that they were a part of a culture which pledges itself "one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for All" is what made them a target of terrorism, they are you and me. Stop a moment to pray for them, for those they left behind, for the values that they stood for as Americans.

Before the day is over, put out your flag, say a prayer, visit a church, speak to your children-- it's a learning moment for all of us.

Mr. M - MyInternetDoorman

Fly The Flag on September 11, 2008

Thanks Monica for forwarding me this email message:


Please join us in this FLY THE FLAG campaign and send a copy of this message immediately to everyone in your address book asking them to also forward it.
We have a little more than a week and counting to get the word out all across this great land and into every community in the United States of America.

THE PROGRAM: On Thursday, September 11th, 2008, an American flag should be displayed outside every home, apartment, office, and store in the United States. Every individual should make it their duty to display an American flag on this seventh anniversary of one our country's worst tragedies. We do this in honor of those who lost their lives on 9/11, their families, friends and loved ones who continue to endure the pain, and those who today are fighting at home and abroad to preserve our cherished freedoms... In the days, weeks and months following 9/11, our country was bathed in American flags as citizens mourned the incredible losses and stood shoulder-to-shoulder against terrorism. Sadly, those flags have all but disappeared. Our patriotism pulled us through some tough times and it shouldn't take another attack to galvanize us in solidarity. Our American flag is the fabric of our country and together we can prevail over
terrorism of all kinds!

Action Plan: So, here's what we need you to do ...
(1) Copy this message and email to everyone you know (at least 11 people).
(2) Fly an American flag of any size on 9/11.

Patriotism, this is a good one to start with. In fact, I recently wrote an article regarding patriotism for an Independence Day Newsletter, and it left me feeling kind of sad, because I too, have seen patriotism disappearing--"I remember as a boy, growing up, patriotism was something that was instilled in us by the grownups in our life". Being a father of 2 boys, 19 and 6, I frequent many town sporting events, It's just not the same. Many parents don't pledge allegiance, in fact few put their hand over their hearts, actually most don't stop their conversations long enough to acknowledge "Old Glory". I may not agree with a particular policy, I may not agree with a current law, I may even feel that our country has, maybe lost its' way-- One thing is for sure, the United States of America has given me and my family the opportunity to grow in knowledge, to grow in faith, to grow in brotherhood, to live in freedom. Many folks take these things for granted, otherwise they would love this country and be proud to pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. On September 11th 2008... and all year for that matter, you can find "Old Glory" flying proud in front of my home. God Bless America! I'll end with a salute to my friend Trade Martin who dedicated an entire CD "Country Freedom 43" to patriotism, and the memory of his dad, Armando Capriglione, 1910-2004, WWII Infantry.

Mr. M - MyInternetDoorman