Andrea Berman loved to travel with her husband and kids, and not a year went by when plans for a family vacation weren’t in progress. Most years, vacations included a cruise, but visits to Disney World were also favorites for this active and close-knit family. That all came to a sudden halt in 2002, when Ed, Andrea’s husband and dad to 25 year old Allison and 23 year old Andrew, was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins lymphoma of the central nervous system. An architect, sports fan, and avid traveler, Ed ultimately succumbed to the disease after a seven month battle.

As a remembrance to the man with whom she shared over 30 years of marriage, Andrea decided to establish a volunteer organization that could help others in some small way. Using her own start up funds, her love for travel, a post office box, and a do-it-yourself web site, The Travel Angels group was born.

As a passenger on a cruise ship, Andrea one day realized that the housekeeping staff would leave small personal care items for her convenience – shampoo, conditioner, lotion, mending kits, soap. Preferring her own brands, she would never use the complimentary samples. BUT…what about homeless shelters and others who were dedicated to providing assistance to individuals who did not have the means to purchase products like soap and shampoo? Sample-size toiletries could make a difference in someone’s life. From that day forward, Andrea has been collecting these items on her travels, taking them home, and when her “donation boxes” are full, bringing them to local shelters. She hopes that others will pitch in too! In addition, on regular trips to the grocery store, she encourages shoppers to purchase just one travel size product – toothpaste, shaving cream, baby powder to go into the donation box. “Most cost under a dollar”, she says, “but you’ll be surprised how fast that box will fill!”

Andrea’s new web site, www.TheTravelAngels.com provides information on what is needed and where to send the items. (The Travel Angels, PO Box 101, Revere Beach, MA 02151) She publishes a monthly update with news of what’s been donated, who the generous “Angels” are, and who the recipients of the donations will be. This month, all donations are designated for “Project Home Again”, an organization which will be providing Mother’s Day gift bags to clients of a homeless shelter in Lowell, Massachusetts.

Please visit Andrea’s web site, and next time you’re on vacation, on a cruise, checking into a hotel, or just shopping at your local market, remember that you, too, can be a Travel Angel!

Andrea — Revere Beach, MA

You’ve already heard of the amazing case of how Ashley Smith coaxed mass murderer, Brian Nichols, to release her and her daughter while he held them captive in their apartment in Duluth, Georgia.

NICE really took notice of the case (it was hard to avoid the news coverage) after reading about the manner in which Smith handled the situation and counseled Nichols into letting them go. She reportedly talked to him, listened to his problems and offered solutions. They stayed up all night (she was taken hostage at 2 AM Saturday morning and released at 9:30 that same morning). He told her how exhausted he was. She talked to him about God and read to him from the book, “The Purpose Driven Life” by Christian author, Rick Warren. She also talked to him about her daughter and how she was already fatherless, so if he took Smith’s life, her daughter wouldn’t have any parents. And she’s telling this to someone who just murdered four people, including a judge, and was also on trial for rape and false imprisonment. I mean, this was a bad actor who could easily have turned the situation upside down.

Now, all accounts of the case are from Smith’s point-of-view. I’m sure this could all shake out differently in the end, but the fact of the matter is that Smith and her daughter survived. Equally amazing is the fact that Smith somehow calmed Nichols down to the point where he in fact peaceably surrendered to officials by waving a white flag from the window of Smith’s apartment. This while having spent the past several days murdering and assaulting people in an effort to escape the law. Whether she coaxed him down with talk of God or her daughter’s wellbeing are delicious details, for sure. The amazing fact, however, remains that a man on a thunderous rampage was subdued and changed by the words and instincts of a mild mannered single mom in her 20s whose only weapon was her passion for life. She didn’t have a million dollars, a Jag in the garage, fancy degrees or lunch dates at the local tennis club. Smith only had herself and her wits, and it proved to be all she needed.

“Thanks D., your kindness never ceases to amaze me. Woohoo, free subway rides, you’re so NICE. Thanks for being my pal.”

Nice Girl — New York, NY

BY KEVIN FOSTER

Correspondent Kevin Foster provides a Londoner’s viewpoint of China. Kevin was recently travelling through China on his way to Singapore where he will be living for the next two years as a business editor and writer.

“Thanks to everyone for posting your messages. This really is a great thing to witness…

“Thank you to Esmerelda for making my sister and I all those pairs of mittens and socks so many years ago. At the time I was an ungrateful little brat, but now I realize the time and love that went into those gifts.

Also thank you to my dog Sadie, for the 12 years of love and loyalty that you have given to my family.”

Kathy — Chicago, IL

“Thank you for being a positive force in my life and helping support whatever endevors I choose….you rock!”

Christina Dowd — Philadelphia, PA

“Thanks for being here for me!”

Kim — Covington, WA

“I wanted to say thanks to my best friend in the world, Shiva Dhakal. Shiva, you are the greatest…you have always been there for me, you never judge me, and you send me little care packages with awesome stuff that always brighten my day! I saw this website and couldn’t think of a better person to thank. You’re the Breast!”

Marie C. — Long Island, NY

“Thank you to my parents for letting me take the path of my choosing. I love you so much. You’ve done everything.”

Melissa — Chicago, IL