 
Recent Public Affairs Programs
Sunday Mornings 6-7am
For podcasts or audio of previous shows click here.
Sunday, September 5
Joining Gary Shipe this week are Don Leingang: Chairman of the Board of Directors & Tom Jaffa, from USO Puget Sound. The USO (United Services Organization) has been around since World War Two delivering a unique combination of morale building, counseling, and recreational services for our men and women in the armed forces. The USO is not a part of the military or government, but is a privately run non-profit that depends on volunteers to make it so successful. The Puget Sound Area USO has facilities at SeaTac airport and McChord Air Force Base. They are usually the last person that a serviceman or service woman sees before being deployed overseas. Learn more about the Puget Sound Area USO on line at www.usopsa.org, or call 206-246-1908 or you can email Executive Director Don Leingang directly at dircetor@usopsa.org
Friends of the Children King County is a pioneer mentoring program based on the principle that the most vulnerable children can become healthy, productive adults with a consistent, caring adult in their lives. Friends of the Children is the only mentoring organization in the nation that pairs children from distressed neighborhoods with paid, full-time professional mentors for 12 years. Friends is celebrating its 10th anniversary in Seattle, with the first children enrolled in the program entering their junior year. Executive Director Kelly Stockman Reid and one of the friends/mentors, Richmond, sharing experiences and inviting us to partner with them by donating back to school items, a monetary gift, and joining them at the annual major fund raising dinner/auction on Saturday October 9 at the Westin Hotel in Seattle. www.friendskc.org
Sunday, August 29
Joining us this week are folks from PAWS; the Progressive Animal Welfare Society. Mary Leake Schilder and Sylvia Moss discuss the increasing occurrences of human/wild animal interaction, especially with raccoons this time of year. Some good tips are shared for how to lower the incidences of wild raccoons, etc. from interacting with you and your pets. PAWS is a non-profit animal shelter and rehabilitation center that counts on donations and fundraisers for their operating expenses. They are hosting their annual PAWSwalk on Saturday, September 11th at Seattle's Magnuson park. All proceeds from PAWSwalk directly benefits the thousands of homeless, orphaned and injured animals PAWS cares for each year. The day will be full of activities for you and your dog from the 5K walk to an agility course, to face painting for the kids and lots of dog themed vendors. Learn more about PAWS and the PAWSwalk on line. www.paws.org www.pawswalk.net
Shelley Baldwin is the Impaired Driving Manager for the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, and they are in the midst of a huge and important campaign: Drive Hammered, Get Nailed. This is the largest ever campaign, involving more than 170 law enforcement agencies throughout the state on the mission to rid our roads of impaired drivers. The big focus is happening right now, and continues through the Labor Day long weekend. In 2009 264 people lost their lives to a drunk driving accident--most of these were innocent victims. Shelley tells us that just as the focus on seat belt safety caused better equipment in cars, and raised awareness, the focus now is on impaired driving. A part of Washington's Strategic Highway Safety Plan is also known as Target Zero and the goal is to eliminate all traffic deaths and serious injuries in Washington by 2030. www.wtsc.wa.gov
Sunday, August 22
Our guests this week are from FUSION. FUSION stands for Friends United to Shelter the Indigent, Oppressed, and Needy and they are a grass roots organization that are dedicated to lifting families out of homelessness through their transitional housing. Peggy LaPorte founded FUSION around her kitchen table more than 15 years ago and Maurleen Davidson, at one time a resident, is now a volunteer for FUSION. The story they each tell shows the belief, compassion, and dedication that the volunteers and supporters of FUSION are having a lasting impact on the women and children they serve.
Learn more about FUSION at www.fusionfederalway.org or call 253-874-1257.
Gary Pollock is the Executive Director of the Moyer Foundation, a role he's held since the first days of the Moyer Foundation--10 years. Gary is dedicated to his work and the misson of the Foundation, which is: ... to offer encouragement, comfort and support to children enduring a time of profound distress – whether physical, emotional, or financial and to provide opportunities for enhancing overall wellness, stability and quality of life. The Moyer Foundation provides many opportunities for the community to participate in various functions to partner in the important work of supporting children. Some of the great progrms of the Moyer Foundation are-- Catch a Cure for Cancer with dollars donated to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Camp Erin--for children dealing with berevement issues, and Camp Mariposa which is for children whose lives are impacted by drug and alcohol abuse, all funded by donations from the community and those around the country. Gary also noted that volunteers are always gratefully welcomed by the Moyer Foundation. www.moyerfoundation.org
Sunday, August 15
Becky Bishop, the Executive Director at Reading With Rover joins us this week. Reading With Rover is a community-based literacy program volunteering in the schools, bookstores and libraries in the Puget Sound area of Washington State. In the "Rover" program, children with reading difficulties actually read stories to a dog and the dog loves listening! A child who may be hesitant to read aloud to his peers is typically less stressed when reading to a dog and the dog never judges the child's reading ability. Studies have shown that the presence of an animal can create a therapeutic environment that can turn off anxiety, anger and depression; create safety, intimacy and increase positive expectations and self esteem. It is their goal to make the "Rover" program available to all schools, reading and learning facilities that would like to enhance their reading programs. Learn more about Reading With Rover on line or email them specific questions. www.readingwithrover.org info@readingwithrover.org
Dr. Michael Holick has spent over 30 years in research, teaching, and working as a physician. The importance and value of vitamin D has been at the core of his work from the beginning. He is a professor of medicine, physiology, and biophysics at Boston University Medical Center. Dr. Holick has authored more than 300 peer-reviewed research articles, written 2 books for a general audience, and his newest book, the topic of our conversation is: The Vitamin D Solution: A 3-Step Strategy to Cure our Most Common Health Problems". Most of us are likely vitamin D deficient, and a simple lab test exists to give us that information. The most effective way to ingest vitamin D is from mid-day sunshine, with just 20 minutes a day providing a good daily dose, but supplements exist that provide our daily needs as well. www.drholicksdsolution.com , www.vitamindhealth.org
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