"The greatest nation on Earth". My news search...it upsets me, and there are many more:

[The Straight Story]

Watch for Kacie West to be making appearances at IHOP restaurants in Western Montana on March 1st. The restaurant chain will be raising funds for different charities in their local communities including the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

In her role as Miss Montana 2010 Kacie West serves as the Montana ambassador for the Children’s Miracle Network and helps bring awareness to Shodair Children’s Hospital and support their various fundraising activities. The funds raised for the hospital supports the treatment for Montana kids.

http://www.montanawithkids.com/bozeman/201102151123/march-1st-is-national-pancake-day-in-montana/


Salisbury teen raising money to help hospitalized kids

Salisbury —
Amanda Lowery is taking a personal life experience and using it to raise money for the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.

The Salisbury-Elk Lick High School senior is using fundraising efforts with help from local businesses to donate money to the hospital as well as purchase items from the childrens’ three-page wish list.

http://www.dailyamerican.com/news/somerset/da-ot-salisbury-teen-raising-money-to-help-hospitalized-kids-20110211,0,450852.story

Kids raise money for Alzheimer's

HUDSON, N.H. (FOX 25 / MyFoxBoston.com) - What's better than a nice, warm cup of hot chocolate on a cold New England day?

How about when the cocoa benefits a great cause? For the third year in a row, Tyler and Brandon Blanchette, of Hudson, N.H., opened up "Big Papa's Hot Cocoa Stand" in front of their house, selling 20 ounce cups of cocoa for a buck.

With help from mom, Melissa, they raised $500 the first year, then $1,500 last year. All the money goes to the local Alzheimer's association.

http://www.myfoxboston.com/dpp/news/local/kids-raise-money-for-alzheimers-20110214

Ocean View Elementary students raise money for American Heart Association in Whittier

http://www.whittierdailynews.com/news/ci_17395034#ixzz1EAuju0c3

Soccer kids on side

RAISING money for October's 24-Hour Fight Against Cancer Macarthur doesn't have to be about walking.

http://www.macarthuradvertiser.com.au/news/local/news/general/soccer-kids-on-side/2077682.aspx

Polar Bear Dip raises money for kids

CEDAR RAPIDS -- Whether frozen over or 50 degrees, a few hardy souls will be diving into the Cedar River on Feb. 26.

The annual Toma Rutten Memorial Polar Bear Dip at 3 p.m. is just the beginning of a fun day, with a chili cookoff, a game show and a dance that all end up raising money for needy kids.

http://www.theindependent.com/articles/2011/02/13/news/local/12969553.txt

Harlem Ambassadors performance in Mount Dora to raise money for visually impaired

LEESBURG — Departing from the typical golf tournament or banquet fundraiser, the Mount Dora Lions Club hopes a night of basketball tricks, slam dunks and comedy routines will be the trick to raising more than $5,000 for support of the blind and visually impaired.

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2011-02-15/news/os-lk-harlem-ambassadors-perform-20110215_1_harlem-ambassadors-dunking-tricks


WHY are we, the great US of A, relying on kids and others to raise money to help those most in need? We can easily fund wars, bail out huge companies with tons of resources, and yet we have to rely on fund raisers for the most BASIC of things.

It is a damned shame.