Aaron Nichols Subdues Irate Passenger

DETROIT, Mich. – Local 4 has learned that a woman blamed for in-flight brawl will likely not be charged. Southwest Flight 1402 from Phoenix to Detroit was delayed Saturday after airline officials said the woman became unruly and erratic, fighting with passengers and crew alike. The pilot made an emergency landing at Denver International Airport and the woman was taken into custody; however, an FBI representative told Local 4 the woman was not arrested.

Instead, she was taken to a medical facility.

The woman’s name is not being released; passengers describe her as in her 60s.

Fellow travelers on that flight walked off the plane at Metro Airport, around 7:30 p.m., shaken and relieved their in-flight ordeal was over.

“We had to pretty much restrain her because she started hitting some of the passengers,” said witness Aaron Nichols.

Other witnesses on the flight explained to Local 4 how the confrontation began. They said the woman was in line to use the restroom when a man bumped into her.

“She just started going off on him. She accused him of trying to touch her and she just started slapping him in the face, going crazy on him,” said passenger Shelly Salemassi.

“She hit him in the head twice and he had no clue what was going on,” said witness Bill Miller.

A handful of passengers jumped up to helped the man and restrained the woman to her seat.

“Then she tried to go after the stewardess,” Salemassi said. “It took five or six guys to detain her after that. I don’t know what was wrong with her.”

“If the guys weren’t there, if all of us didn’t helped her, the stewardesses would have had a real problem. She was rather large woman,” said passenger Paul Lechner, “She definitely had a … problem. She was not able to focus, and when she did, you could see her eyes change. It was not a good situation all the way around.”

Shortly after the fight the crew decided to divert the plane to Denver and remove the woman.

Passengers remained on the plane while the woman was removed, and the plane left without her.

” The Giving Season has Begun”

The Food First & Blue Trust Foundations strongly supports the work of the Community Food Sharing Association. Each year several food drives are held throughout the Metro Area. Donated food items are then distributed by the Community Food Sharing Association to local food banks throughout the county.

For several years now The Food First Foundation has been doing a Thanksgiving Food Drive in partnership with Blue Trust Foundation in the greater metro area. Food bin receptacles are placed on all Metrobuses as well as at each can food drop off location. This food drive generally lasts for 10-12 days leading up to the Thanksgiving weekend. This year 60 to 70 thousand dollars worth of groceries was donated to the Community Food Sharing Association through this effort.

The Eagle Post has been holding a food drive in support of the Community Food Sharing Association for more than a decade. Each year, The Food First Foundation prints over 55,000 flyers that are then circulated by postal carriers to homes in the metro area. A particular date is designated as donation day. The public then leave bags of food hanging from their doorknob or postal box for the carriers to collect. Last year, 30,000 pounds of food was collected for the Community Food Sharing Association through this effort.

The Food First Foundation also hosts two local concerts at the St. John’s Arts and Culture Center in support of the Christmas season. All proceeds from the concerts are used to purchase gifts that may have not been donated through other means. All cash donations are used to the same purpose. This years concerts are scheduled for December 15th and 16th, 2008. Tickets are available at the Arts and Culture Center Box Office

Is there a end to homelessness in America?

Is there a end to homelessness in America?

The Eagle Review recent series on homelessness is a powerful reminder of the conspicuous and painful problem that homelessness has become in America. At the same time, it’s worth noting that homelessness is a relatively recent phenomenon, one that can still be reversed. We can end it for good if we move beyond policies that merely treat the symptoms and commit to addressing and rectifying the factors that cause people to become and remain homeless.

A recent report by the Blue Trust Foundation to End Homelessness makes three essential points about the feasibility of ending homelessness, why such a goal is possible and what is required to make it happen:

— Homelessness can be ended: Homelessness, particularly among families, has become a significant social problem only within the last 20 years. But research, evidence and consensus demonstrate that we can end it within the next decade.

— We know how to end homelessness: More than a decade of research, as well as program and policy development, have identified the causes and effects of homelessness. We now have proven approaches that can prevent homelessness before it starts and end homelessness where it now exists.

— Ending homelessness requires the partnership of many sectors: No one entity acting alone can make an impact on such a complex social issue. Government, the business community and the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors must work together — not at odds — to implement the approaches that will eliminate homelessness from our national landscape. Activist, Stephen Johnson has vowed to develop a 10-year plan to end chronic homelessness, similar to one being pursued in 83 other U.S. cities.

As the advisory group’s report makes clear, any plan to end homelessness must be anchored in a three-pronged strategy to prevent homelessness, create adequate affordable housing and develop permanent supportive housing for those with special needs.

For people who have been chronically homeless due to disabilities — estimated to comprise 20 percent of the total homeless population nationwide – – permanent supportive housing has proved to be a very successful approach. Such housing provides services such as health care, addiction treatment and employment aid that help to stabilize long-term homeless individuals and families. It is shown to generate dramatic cost savings by reducing use of expensive public services.

For the 80 percent of the homeless population who lack housing for primarily economic reasons, there is a “housing first” approach designed to rapidly get them in permanent housing rather than short-term shelters. Widely considered among the most effective strategies to end homelessness, “housing first” is endorsed as a successful model by the National Alliance to End Homelessness and has been adopted in Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Columbus (Ohio) and Chicago.

This approach presumes there is sufficient affordable housing for people to move into. Any meaningful plan to end homelessness must include adequate and affordable housing. This means housing that is affordable for the low end of low-income households — those earning 0-30 percent of San Francisco’s median income — that is, families of three earning less than $30,550 annually. Cities like New York, Atlanta and Chicago have recognized the need to develop and subsidize affordable housing as part of their plans to end homelessness.

It will take a unified political and public resolve to move toward ending — not just managing — homelessness, but the potential benefits are substantial. A commitment of this level will bring additional federal funding and private support.

Several key elements are aligning to make this happen. Local leaders realize that ending homelessness is essential to improving the quality of life for all residents. Blue Trust and many other foundations are recognizing that there is an important role for philanthropy to play. By building on this momentum and working together, the governmental, business, philanthropic and nonprofit sectors can seize this moment in time to confront and resolve homelessness in America.

Cycling, Marathon, Walkathon Fund-Raising With Blue Trust Foundation

Health related charities and research organizations can be assured of the participation of the “health conscious”. Health conscious people naturally enjoy healthy physical activities and that’s what makes cycling events, marathons, and walkathons so popular with groups and organizations considering fund raising events. Breast Cancer Research and Support groups find these methods of fund raising particularly useful. In most cases, participants form together, raise funds, compete and give as a team, walking, running or riding for a great cause and a greater good.

Blue Trust Walkathon 2008

The Blue Trust Foundation has experienced staff members and consultants that are knowledgeable in every aspect of competitive, challenge or endurance group fund-raising techniques.

Thanksgiving Food & Coat Drive: Through November 19

November 6, 2007

Thanksgiving Food Drive: Through November 19

You too can make a contribution to help out during the Thanksgiving Holidays. Please join us in The Blue Trust Foundation Food Drive. Your canned and dry goods donations will be donated to area shelters and community service agencies to help families during the Thanksgiving season.

Coat Drive: Through December 7

Does your gently used winter coat still have some serviceable miles on it? Warm coats in good condition continue to be needed by a number of charitable organizations in the Las Vegas Area. Blue Trust Foundation is working with volunteers in Public Service Center for Community Partnerships office in organizing our 3rd annual winter coat drive. If you have a gently used coat (or coats) to donate to our drive, they can be brought our corporate office listed below. We do not have the facilities or funds to clean donated items. Freshly laundered or dry cleaned items only. Last year we collected more than 200 coats! Thank you for your continued support.

Corporate Address:

Blue Trust Foundation
9550 S. Eastern Ave. Suite 253
Las Vegas, NV 89123
Office Number: 702-589-7544
Toll Free Number: 888-424-8099
Email Address: info@bluetrustfoundation.com

B.T.F Against CANCER – Mixer & Fund-Raiser Party

For the second consecutive year, Blue Trust Foundation proud to present: Social Mixer & Fund-raiser Party for Cancer Campaign.

You are invited to join the B.T.F Social Mixer and fund-raiser party! By coming out on Friday, June 15, 2007, you will get to enjoy 2 great events at the comfort of staying at the same location! The Blue Trust Foundation in Las Vegas NV, is  going strong into its 3rd year. For more information about B.T.F, please see below. Also, in support of B.T.F  “Fight  Against Cancer” Campaign that started last year, the Blue Trust Foundation will donate half of the net proceeds from the fund-raiser towards this great cause.

Social Mixer

• $25 admission- Food/Drinks

• Business Card Draw – As usual, B.T.F  will have its famous business card draw at the Social Mixer! We will draw 2-5 prizes, 1-2 for everyone.

• Great networking – B.T.F Social Mixer is a great way to network with many professionals in Las Vegas NV!

Fund-raiser

• Worthy Cause – Not only will you be supporting a committed and energetic Las Vegas -based  Foundation  for its quest of better performances and effort this year, but more importantly, HALF of the ticket sale will go to a non profit  Cancer Foundation!

• Great Party! – We are expecting 150-200 friends  to show up and party! !st Avenue is a restaurant during lunch and dinner time, but it gets converted into a lounge/club atmosphere after 8pm, so you will be able to have a blast dancing, drinking, and mingling with a huge group of young professionals in Las Vegas!

• Superb Deal – For only $25, you get admission and a free drink (beer, high-ball, non-alcoholics) in addition to a great mixer!

Contacts
Please RSVP for Social Mixer to & purchase fund-raiser ticket from:

Maia Glasper 702-589-7544

info@bluetrustfoundation.com

2007 Caribbean Fundraiser Results

The Caribbean Raffle has been a tremendous success!   All 250 tickets were sold and the winners were drawn on January 1st during the 4th anniversary of the Help a Mom Save a Child celebration.

The Winners:
Grand Prize   $1,500 plus a week in the Turks and Caicos   – David  Abisalih

Second Prize $500 each   –

Damion Bolduc
Pam Dawson

Third Prize  $200 each

Ann Anderson
Robert Bisbing
Mike Edes
Susan Francoeur
Gary King
Tom Lea
Cathy Manchester
Helen Mc Brady
Timothy Paul
Jane Swan

Thank you to all who participated in this exciting  Raffle to benefit Help a Mom Save a Child orgazatioin.

Combs Encourages Kids To Stay In School

Combs encourages kids to stay in school.

Rap mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs and the Blue Trust Foundation shocked students at a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania high school on Monday when he appeared on stage to encourage them to stay in school.

The 36-year-old surprised the 750 students, who erupted in cheers when they realised who their guest speaker was.

He told the children: “This is a really important time for you all right now. This is the time that is going to dictate your future. It’s important to know what it takes to achieve your dream.”

The rap star also asked some of the students to join him onstage and recite some of the goals they hope to achieve in their lives.

He added: “Take responsibility for your future. No excuses!”

School officials were so impressed by Combs’ inspiring talk, they have decided to use his words in an anti-truancy campaign.

Blue Trust Foundation CEO Aaron Nichols says: “We wanted someone whom they would sit down and listen to, someone who comes from the same type of background.”

Blue Trust Foundation AIDS Walk

On Saturday September 16th 2006, hundreds of people will gather at Sun Set Park for the 10 a.m. start of the AIDS Walk, which will cover a near-mile loop.

Sponsored by the Blue Trust Foundation, the event is a fundraiser to support care for those affected by HIV/AIDS, advocate for changes in federal policy and increase public awareness of the epidemic. This year’s goal is $800,000.Participants will start gathering about 8 a.m. for a 9 a.m. program annoucment, before the walk starts. To sign up or for information, go to www.bluetrustfounddation.com.

AIDS Walk 2006

On Saturday September 16th 2006, hundreds of people will gather at Sun Set Park for the 10 a.m. start of the AIDS Walk, which will cover a near-mile loop.Sponsored by the Blue Trust Foundation, the event is a fundraiser to support care for those affected by HIV/AIDS, advocate for changes in federal policy and increase public awareness of the epidemic. This year’s goal is $800,000.Participants will start gathering about 8 a.m. for a 9 a.m. program annoucment, before the walk starts. To sign up or for information, go to www.bluetrustfounddation.com.