People Making a Difference

Life gets better when you adopt a gratitude attitude. David Hochman tries it out.

Love doesn’t stop when a parent, spouse, or friend gets sick. Here, remarkable stories of stepping up, sticking around, and finding joy.

Lonnie Ali, boxing legend Muhammad Ali's wife and caregiver, shares what she's learned from caring for her husband.

Muhammad Ali's wife and caregiver shares how she stays grounded and healthy while caring for her husband who has Parkinson's disease.

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The Latest in Inspiring People
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16 Things These Caregivers Wish They’d Known Sooner
Here are some helpful things to remember, from people who know, when caring for a loved one who is sick.
2Second Acts: Recession Success Stories
Laid low by a layoff? Worried about your prospects? Let these four reinvention stories inspire you.
3Recycled Sneakers Fit for Sharing
Used sneakers, a runner learns, will take kids places they’d only dreamed they could go.
4Making a Difference Through Story Time
A fun and fundamental skill opens up a world of possibility for women and their kids.
5Make it Matter: A Playground for Kids With Special Needs
She'd always dreamed of a playground for all children. Thousands helped her make it real.
6Make it Matter: Donating Wigs to Women in Need
The loss of her own hair inspired Mika Hill to make custom wigs.
7Help Us Support Literacy and Education
On Make it Matter Day, Saturday, October 3, 2009, we will rally our communities--and all Americans--behind literacy and education.
8Make it Matter: Helping Firefighters Save Lives
If firefighters had the equipment they needed, they could save even more lives. One man got it for them.
95 Ways You Can Promote Reading
Find out how you can foster a love of reading at home, in school and in your own community.

How to Finish a Basement: Framing and Insulating
How to frame a basement and install insulation.
50 Funniest Jokes
Laugh more, live longer with the funniest jokes ever.
27 Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Surround your perfect turkey with these irresistible sides.
6 Delicious Christmas Cookie Recipes
Bake a batch of any of these easy to follow recipes or just drool over the stunning Christmas cookie pictures.
How To Install a Bow Window
How to frame a rough window opening, install a new window, trim out the interior and exterior around a new window, plus all of the finishing touches.

In April, we asked you to vote for the cause you care about most. Of 10 causes, you chose LITERACY/EDUCATION and the ENVIRONMENT as the top two. Now, we’re asking you to choose the most important cause by voting in our faceoff poll below. Your vote will determine which cause we’ll rally around at Reader's Digest National Make It Matter Day on Saturday, October 3rd!

EMAIL THIS! Invite your friends to help us choose between LITERACY/EDUCATION and ENVIRONMENT. Email up to 10 friends now.

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1 What do you do to encourage your child to read?
Last post 11/19/2009, 11:10 AM EST, 44 posts.
2 Have you ever lied to your spouse?
Last post 11/09/2009, 8:08 AM EST, 7 posts.
3 Which Phrase in the English Language Annoys You the Most?
Last post 11/19/2009, 12:30 PM EST, 42 posts.

At Reader's Digest, we believe in the power of the individual to create change. Read our profiles of people making a difference in their communities and share your own story.