【推荐3】A Happy Birthday for All

For her ninth birthday, Mary asked for some unusual birthday gifts such as soap, schoolbags and Towels. But Mary didn’t want these _________ for herself. She wanted to give them to other people.

At school, Mary’s teacher _________ her students, “You can’t always be self-centered. You have to _________ others.” Mary’s classmates had helped to _________ supplies for a school in Africa. But Mary wanted to do more. With help from _________ parents, Mary researched local charities(慈善机构)and _________ a shelter(庇护所)that helps women and children in need.

After finding out what supplies the shelter _________ , Mary included a list with each party invitation. Mary’s friends brought shelter supplies to her _________ party. Those who couldn’t come to her birthday party _________ gave gifts. She had so many gifts that they __________ her family’s truck! “It was like we were going on vacation.” Mary said with a __________ . She said it was fun to watch the pile of donations(捐赠物) __________ . Mary collected $650 in cash donations and more than $1,000 worth of __________ for the shelter in the end. __________ Mary went with her parents to send the supplies to the shelter, people there __________ her with another birthday party. They had __________ a cake for her and gave her a __________ signed(签名)by everyone there.

Mary hopes other children will hear about her __________ birthday and choose their own charity to support. “I felt really __________ when I did it,” she said. “You’re not just giving them something; you’re __________ them with their whole life.”

【推荐1】My beloved grandma, had never left Australia and now never would due to cancer.

Planted _______ in the armchair, she had no alternative but to “travel” via the travel program on TV. I _______ the sadness and thought hard. It finally _______ me that I could ask strangers on the internet for help. I _______ the post:

My Nanny has cancer and she will never see the world. Please send her postcards so she can see the world from her armchair. I can offer nothing but gratitude.

I _______ not to breathe a word of this; should nothing come, I couldn’t bear to carry her _______ along with my own. Days _______ weeks and Nanny’s health declined rapidly, my suffering growing unbearable.

Finally, about six weeks after my post, a dog-eared, _______ postcard from UK wandered into our humble little letterbox. It was to me a ray of light and from that day, our letterbox became the _______ for postcards from all over the world and a hotel, ________ travel-weary cards. My dream of armchair travels became a reality.

In the months that followed, thanks to those cards, my Nanny had a private “flight” to board, travelling far and wide, satisfied and ________ . Cancer could not stop us. Our very last flight ________ on a warm morning. My dearest travel ________ bought a different ticket for this trip and began to explore another world.

I have ________ from great loss, knowing that her journey ahead would be a brilliant one with so many ________ from the strangers.

【推荐3】At 17, I quit school, left home and moved from place to place. Years later, I was________for possessing drugs. I’d never touched drugs, but nobody believed me because my wandering lifestyle failed to defend my________I was sent to prison.

My cellmate was Herbert. We both worked in the electric shop. I wouldn’t let the fact that I was________imprisoned defeat me; so to keep myself________I volunteered for extra work, My attitude and effort earned me Herbert’s confidence and friendship.

Before Herbert was________, he offered me a job at his big company. Never had I expected________would smile on me! Deeply touched by Herbert’s________I was determined that someday I’d help other ex-prisoners this way.

Once out of prison, I went to Herbert’s company, where I was________rapidly through hard work. When I had a________in employment, I began to perform the________I had made to myself. Through the years, we have offered over 300 ex-prisoners________jobs. We believe in them, regardless of their past.

As we know, prison________a man. When his tern ends, society rarely gives him a paid-in-full receipt. He carries the________of “prisoner” wherever he goes. Nobody trusts or wants him. The only________open for him might lead back to crime. I’m glad I’ve________some of them and inspired their passion for a new life.