The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards is entering its fifteenth year of honoring young people ages 11 - 18 for outstanding acts of community service. If you know a young volunteer, pass the word along.

Millions of people, many of them children, go days, even weeks, without a decent meal. Hunger is common; a full belly is rare. While you’re basting your Thanksgiving turkey, spare a few thoughts and a few cans of food, to help feed the hungry in America.

Despite the scary economy, don't stop giving. There are ways to give without ever touching your wallet.

For the first time in history, people across the globe can participate in one world-wide election to show their support for Mother Earth. Turn your lights off for “Earth Hour 2009” and you’ll be voting “yes” for the Earth with the flick of your switch.

If you need help, forget the old “wish upon a star.” Just go to wishuponahero.com and post your wish. You never know.

Winter wonderland? Not for everyone. Winter can be pretty, but it often brings with it some situations that challenge the best of us. How do the elderly, the disabled, and the needy handle these challenges?

Some television shows can actually provide important life lessons, such as Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. If you´ve never seen it, give it a try and you´ll see what I mean.

This non-profit, US-based organization uses an interesting combination of grants and loans to help poor communities in countries across the globe create and maintain safe drinking water and sanitation systems.

Years of research have proven that volunteering increases emotional health, decreases stress and depression, and can actually help reduce aging. It seems volunteering is good for the giver too.

Non-profit organizations are no strangers to charity events and gala fundraisers. But regular folks can use the holiday spirit as an excuse to throw a casual charity party to benefit their favorite cause, and literally make the season one of giving.