Return to Transcripts main page

CNN SATURDAY MORNING NEWS

Beijing Earthquake Hits Rural Areas; Black Friday Competition; Athletes' Images Are Threatened By Controversies; Security Concerns May Further Delay Saddam Hussein's Trial; Promoting Literacy in Uganda; Operation Tigers Is Underway; Cindy Sheehan In Crawford; Child Volunteers

Aired November 26, 2005 - 07:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: An earthquake in eastern China kills at least 12 people. The magnitude 5.5 tremor leaves tens of thousands of homes damaged or destroyed. Now, emergency teams are rushing to the scene. We're going to give you a live update on this quake damage in just a minute.
U.S. Marines and Iraqi troops joined forces in Operation Tigers. It is a new offensive against insurgents in Ramadi, which is a flashpoint city in Anbar Province. Operation Tigers is aimed at stabilizing the region ahead of Iraq's December 15th elections.

The main border crossing from southern Gaza into Egypt officially reopens today. It was closed in September, as you recall, as Israeli troops withdrew from Gaza. Control of the crossing is being transferred to the Palestinians. But European Union monitors will remain at the border for the next 12 months.

And just north of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a 12-year-old died hours after he was pulled from an icy pond. Rescuers say the boy was riding an all terrain vehicle when he fell through the ice. Now, this pond is just miles away from where a father and daughter fell through that same ice while skating yesterday. Both died in that accident.

It is 7:00 a.m. at the CNN Center in Atlanta, 6:00 p.m. in Beijing.

This is CNN SATURDAY MORNING, November 26th.

Got that turkey in the belly? Feeling good this morning? Hope so.

We thank you for joining us.

I'm Betty Nguyen.

And Tony Harris will be joining us at 10:00 Eastern. I guess he'll be bringing you the news throughout the afternoon. So thanks for being with us today.

Also ahead in our first hour of CNN SATURDAY MORNING, mall madness. Look at this. Watch out, because holiday shopping can be a real knock down, drag out experience. Those early bird specials might put you in stitches. And what of terrible Terrell? Are corporations rethinking those fat endorsements handed out to superstar athletes? We will go "Beyond The Game" for that.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RACHEAL ADRIKO-SPILLBERG, READ AFRICA: A place to imagine, a place to dream, an opportunity to get lost in a book.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: And we're going to meet a Massachusetts teacher who travels halfway around the world to give the gift of learning.

But first our top story now.

An earthquake shook part of eastern China, killing at least a dozen people. The 5.5 magnitude quake also injured nearly 400 others. It hit just before 9:00 in the morning, and now it is 8:00 at night there, possibly hampering the rescue mission.

Our Beijing bureau chief, Jaime Florcruz, joins us now by phone with more.

Talk to me about the number of killed and injured, because we're getting conflicting reports at this point -- Jaime.

JAMIE FLORCRUZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Betty, the latest reports we're getting here is that at least 12 people, and not 14, as earlier reported, were killed and close to about 400 people wounded.

Now, it probably is because the place where the epicenter hit is about, you know, it's probably not a very densely populated place and that's why we have more reports of houses damaged and houses collapsed, because most of the houses in this rural area are really very prone to earthquakes like that. They're usually not high rise apartments, and therefore it's less populated, more damage in property rather than casualties -- Betty.

NGUYEN: Yes, but this property damage is just pretty tremendous.

I want to about that, because I'm reading some 8,000 homes have collapsed?

FLORCRUZ: Yes. It's probably because most of the houses in China's farms and the countryside are made of bricks or mud packed houses and therefore they really cannot withstand shocks like this. They also typically are one or two story affairs, and therefore, even though they may have collapsed, the casualties may not be as bad as apartment houses collapsing, as you would have seen if it had hit a major city in China -- Betty.

NGUYEN: What's the rescue operation situation right now? Because it is nightfall there, I assume, 8:00 in the evening. And are there people...

FLORCRUZ: That's right. They had...

NGUYEN: ... people still trapped inside buildings?

FLORCRUZ: They've had, yes, they've had 13 hours to cope with it. They have sent teams, emergency teams, to the place. They have sent at least 1,000 tents, obviously to house the people who have been evacuated. Many families have refused to go back to their houses, obviously, for safety reasons.

NGUYEN: Right.

FLORCRUZ: So tents are being prepared -- Betty.

NGUYEN: One last thing I want to ask you about. This is on a different subject, about the river poisoning there.

Give us an update on the situation.

FLORCRUZ: Yes, that's the other disaster China is coping with right now. The latest is that Harbin is expected to its running water in -- tomorrow, our local time, in about 24 hours time. The mayor assured the residents that there will be safe drinking water by then. The Chinese premier even visited the Harbin city to oversee the emergency measures.

But the slick is oozing down the river and it's approaching the Russian city of Khabarovsk. And the Chinese are now telling the Russians to be prepared. They've also met the Chinese -- the foreign minister has met with the ambassador of Russia here in Beijing. Obviously, they promised to give them timely information -- Betty.

NGUYEN: Yes, we're talking about a 100-ton benzene spill. And government officials are looking into this. Also, residents are talking about filing a lawsuit against the petroleum company that could be involved in this.

Jaime, we appreciate your time this morning.

Of course, we'll be checking in.

Thank you.

Back here in the U.S. the holiday rush is on. Things to buy, so many things to buy, places to go, crowds to press through.

In our CNN "Security Watch," a gentle reminder this morning. U.S. law enforcement is reminding all of us to be on guard. Be aware of the unusual, the out of place and any odd behavior you may see. Homeland security officials stress "this is a pro forma thing. It is not based on any intelligence."

Well, it wasn't a terrorist threat that hit crowds on that first day of the holiday shopping season. It was pure frustration. Retailers say discounts were deeper, crowds larger, and, as David Mattingly reports, not everyone was spreading that holiday cheer.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED WAL-MART EMPLOYEES: Good morning to you.

Welcome to Wal-Mart.

Whooo!

DAVID MATTINGLY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: (voice-over): Retail employees trying to set a friendly tone for shoppers who turned out early to snap up day after Thanksgiving bargains. But in some stores, the mood was far from friendly.

Police had to be called in to this Wal-Mart in Renton, Washington. A crowd got out of control in the electronics department, where plasma TVs and laptop computers were on sale at deep discounts. But there were only a handful available.

SERGEI DALAKIAN, SHOPPER: People saw that there is very limited supply and so all of their animal instincts, they came up, and they were behaving like animals.

MATTINGLY: It was even worse at this store in Orlando, Florida, when a fight broke out when one customer allegedly tried to cut in line.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: All of a sudden everybody started pushing and shoving and carrying on, and, I mean, yelling and screaming. We were getting out of there.

MATTINGLY: And the situation wasn't much better elsewhere in the store.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They were throwing these laptops in the air, 20 feet in the air, and people were collapsing on each other to grab them. It was ridiculous.

MATTINGLY: At this Wal-Mart near Grand Rapids, Michigan, two would-be shoppers had to be taken to the hospital. They were among several people who were trampled when the store opened its doors at 5:00 a.m. The demand for some items, especially electronics, is so high this year, some people are resorting to crime.

PATSY SPRINGER, ROBBERY VICTIM: He was going to kill me for that game.

MATTINGLY: This Georgia woman was robbed at gunpoint at her home near Atlanta as she returned with an Xbox she had just bought for her son for Christmas.

SPRINGER: All of a sudden I was pushed back this way and here was this man. And it was like this -- it was right -- a gun. It was, oh, I just remember seeing like the barrel of it.

MATTINGLY: David Mattingly, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEO TAPE) NGUYEN: Oh my goodness. Madness is right. Did you see that one lady? She fell, being pushed down, even lost her wig in the whole thing. Crazy.

All right, so electronics, games, TVs, computers -- they're all big sellers. We know that. But are you confused about the competition?

Well, you'll want to stick around, because during our 10:00 Eastern hour, we're going to bring in an electronics expert to tell us what is hot, what works, and here's the best part of it, how to get the best bargain of all when it comes to buying electronics.

And this leads us to our e-mail question this morning. Is Black Friday, which is the shopping day after Thanksgiving, just a retail gimmick or are the bargains really worth all the hassle, including losing your wig?

Tell us what you think.

We're at weekends@cnn.com and we're going to be reading those replies throughout the morning.

Now to Washington.

This morning, state correction officials are still searching for four jail escapees, including one who was awaiting trial for murder. The escape happened late yesterday afternoon at the Yakima County Jail. Correction officials say a total of nine inmates tried escaping. Five were caught immediately. Twenty-year-old Santos Luera was to be tried next week on the second degree murder charge. You see him there on the left.

Now, the other three escapees were facing death and assault charges. All, though, were last seen in blue jail overalls.

Other "Stories Across America" right now.

Fire heavily damages three buildings in downtown Annapolis, Maryland. Firefighters have been on the scene throughout the night to bring this blaze under control. Look at those flames. The row style building, shops and restaurants in the heart of the shopping district is on fire and crews there are trying to put that out.

Now, thousands of people, a lot of them in tears, streamed into the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans. There's a look at it now. The zoo hosted its grand post-Katrina reopening on Friday. Several animals, as you know, were killed, and some 600 workers were laid off after that hurricane. Zoo officials said the event was no doubt emotional, but most people were glad that the gates were back open again.

And in Ohio, a woman convicted of abandoning 35 kittens in the woods was ordered to spend the night in the woods. That's right. But the judge took heart after temperatures dipped well below freezing. Known for his unusual punishments, the judge modified the sentence to a month of house arrest. It's a mission to promote literacy and one woman is going the extra mile to make a difference.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ADRIKO-SPILLBERG: I have been fortunate where I left Uganda and I got to see what lay beyond Uganda and Kenya. This is my time. This is my time to give back. This is my time to help.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: It is her time. And still to come, we will talk to one Cambridge schoolteacher who travels halfway around the world to deliver books in her homeland.

And here's a Christmas controversy in Boston for you, or should we say holiday controversy? One of the country's most outspoken pastors is not happy about this tree. Find out why.

BONNIE SCHNEIDER, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Plus, we're looking at some chilly conditions in the Northeast. This is the wind chill factor, the way your body interprets the temperature. It's cold out there, especially in New York City. It feels like it's 31 degrees.

Let's show you a live picture this morning. Hey, that's the Empire State Building. Not a bad looking morning.

Good morning, everyone, in New York.

Better weather is in the forecast for you later this weekend.

I'll have a complete look at weather for the entire country, coming up next on CNN SATURDAY MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Well, if you're just tuning in this morning, here are some of the top stories we're covering this hour.

In eastern China, at least 12 people are dead, nearly 400 wounded, after an earthquake struck. That's according to China's state-run media. Now, the quake had a 5.5 magnitude.

From Yakima, Washington, a man awaiting trial for murder is still on the loose. Authorities say nine inmates busted out of the jail, the county jail there, using bed sheets tied together to make a rope. Five were caught right away. But four, including the murder suspect, remain free.

And check this out -- they are off. Black Friday -- yes, listen to that -- marks the first shopping day of the holiday season. Retailers say crowds are bigger. Reports of pushing and shoving and trampling marred the day. We heard about so many of those pushing and shoving situations yesterday.

And, so that leads us to our e-mail question this morning. Is Black Friday the shopping day, which is the shopping day after Thanksgiving, just a retail gimmick or are these bargains really wroth it? Tell us what you think. We're at weekends@cnn.com and we're going to be reading your replies throughout the morning.

Let's go to Tokyo now. We have a problem, Tokyo. Japan's space agency reports the probe it sent into space to sample asteroids is showing signs of trouble. Yes, the aircraft has apparently developed a thruster problem and is shaking after landing on an asteroid. Before developing that problem, the probe briefly landed on an asteroid and collected some samples.

Now, all of this is taking place 180 million miles from Earth. The probe launched two years ago and it is scheduled to return on June, 2007. You know, with this being a holiday weekend, some folks might want to be 180 million miles from their in-laws right about now.

SCHNEIDER: That's true.

NGUYEN: Hey, tomorrow is a travel day. They could be heading back home then.

SCHNEIDER: That's true. And some people are getting a head start and leaving today so they won't have to deal with the crowds at the airport.

NGUYEN: I know a lot of people who are doing that. I don't know if that's smart anymore, because it seems like everybody is onto it now.

SCHNEIDER: I was thinking the same thing on Tuesday, when everybody was heading to the airport.

NGUYEN: Exactly.

SCHNEIDER: Because it's busy on Wednesday. But it is a really busy travel day any way you look at it.

And now we're going to take a look at the big picture of U.S. travel.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

SCHNEIDER (voice-over): Despite high ticket prices, the number of people flying this year is on the increase. This animation shows air traffic for a typical day in September. Each red dot represents one of about 50,000 flights that are in the air each day.

Afternoons tend to be busiest. The very early morning hours usually have the fewest flights. The Bureau of Transportation Statistics says so far this year, U.S. air traffic has been up about 5 percent compared to 2004.

JFK Airport in New York handles the most international flights of any U.S. airport, while Atlanta is the number one in total flights.

And that's the big picture of U.S. air travel. (END VIDEO TAPE)

(WEATHER REPORT)

NGUYEN: It sounds good.

I'm looking forward to that improvement.

All right, tainted athletes -- some call them tainted athletes. Well, we're going to be talking about their endorsements. Are the corporations changing the ways they pour money into those bad boys of sports? Who would know best then our own Rick Horrow?

Oh I thought we were going to take a -- there he is! Yes. We may need that tape for your mouth there, Rick. It looks like you're getting a little sassy on us.

He's going to take us "Beyond The Game."

That's next on CNN SATURDAY MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

NGUYEN (voice-over): Image is everything to a professional athlete and all of the major sports are dealing with cases that threaten the $350 billion plus industry. Terrell Owens in football, steroid use in baseball, auto racing's Kurt Busch in a scuffle with a Phoenix police officer, the brawl in basketball and corporate America is watching. In fact, athlete contracts may never be the same because of it, the topic this morning as we take you "Beyond The Game."

(END VIDEO TAPE)

NGUYEN: All right, so just for a moment imagine, you are the owner of a major corporation and you want to hire a professional athlete to pitch your product. But with all the negative headlines in the last few years, you have a lot to consider, don't you?

Well, to find out what sports sponsors are thinking these days, let's turn to the author of "When the Game Is On the Line," CNN sports business analyst Rick Horrow -- am I in trouble with you, Rick?

RICK HORROW, CNN SPORTS BUSINESS ANALYST: No, but you know what? Happy day after turkey left over day. And congratulations to your Longhorns. Hooking horns, huh?

NGUYEN: I know. Yes.

HORROW: Yes.

NGUYEN: OK, we've got to stay on this topic.

HORROW: Yes, ma'am.

NGUYEN: But I do want to talk to you about that, because we are going to the championship.

HORROW: Well, stay on the topic, all right?

NGUYEN: All right, all right, all right, all right.

OK, so let's talk about Terrell Owens.

What a soap opera this is. Here's what an arbitrator ruled Wednesday in his dispute with the Philadelphia Eagles. The four game suspension was upheld and that the team can, the team can deactivate Owens for the rest of the year.

So, what are potential sponsors saying right now about his ability to sell their products, especially if he could be gone?

HORROW: Well, first of all, he's going to lose about $15 million or $20 million from the seven year deal he signed before just on the field because of what he said. More important, though, he's not going to make Michael Vick money of $7 million a year or Peyton Manning money at $11 million, but he could have had deals at $3 million or $4 million a year if he was able to just keep his mouth shut.

And, by the way, he went from the seventh most popular player going into training camp to a point where his jerseys sell for $5 apiece on eBay...

NGUYEN: Really?

HORROW: ... and they had a Burn Terrell Owens Bobblehead Doll Contest in New Jersey.

NGUYEN: Oh.

HORROW: If I'm his agent, I do two things with his mouth. First, some duct tape...

NGUYEN: There comes the tape.

HORROW: Shut it down. And second of all, you put a sock in it, OK? That's what we would have done.

NGUYEN: Oh, my. You're a little rough. This is the holiday season and we're all supposed to be nice, Rick.

HORROW: He lost $30 million from his contract. I'm not sure it's time to be nice.

NGUYEN: You've got a point there.

All right, OK, so let's talk now about the new professional athlete contract. A few things are changing to help corporations drop those who somehow tarnish the image of the company.

HORROW: Well, listen, here's the deal, $27 billion in sports spending by corporations. So they know it moves product. But you had the Owens stuff. You had the basket brawl a year ago between Indiana and Detroit. You had Kurt Busch, who was suspended after a scuffle, the week his brother won the Phoenix race, by the way. You have the dress code NBA issue and you also have Kobe Bryant coming back.

The bottom line is corporations do protect themselves now by having contracts that are similar and shorter and easier to terminate.

NGUYEN: Oh, so that's key. I see.

OK, there's also been some other, say, lesser headlines to tarnish the image of pro sports.

What are some of those?

HORROW: Well, lesser headlines, but still the same effect.

NGUYEN: Sure.

HORROW: You know, Nike is spending $3.2 billion in endorsements and the numbers are still there. But even your pristine athletes, for example, Tom Brady of the Patriots just settled a $2 million out of court suit against New England Cadillac dealers because they used his name and likeness for an auto charity raffle a couple of months after his contract expired. And Ken Griffey, Jr. who's a real charitable guy for the Cincinnati Reds, his endorsement of a chocolate bar is called into question because he's allergic to what? Chocolate.

NGUYEN: No way.

HORROW: The bottom line is that endorsers, even the good guys, need to be very careful, and so does corporate America.

NGUYEN: Well, you'd think the chocolate company would have done a little research there, right?

HORROW: Hey, they've got marketing people, big staffs. Their fault.

NGUYEN: OK, let's get to your Fair Ball/Foul Ball.

Which one do you want to start with first?

HORROW: Well, the fair ball because it's snowing all over the country.

NGUYEN: Right.

HORROW: Not here in Miami and South Florida...

NGUYEN: Or here in Atlanta.

HORROW: ... but it's 20 degrees everywhere else and now we have less than 100 days until the Olympics in Torino. Sixty percent of the million tickets are sold. Bode Miller, the U.S. skier, has emerged as the endorsement darling. So while it's cold, some of these athletes are now raking in the bucks, as well, endorsement wise.

NGUYEN: That'll keep them warm, yes.

HORROW: Yes.

Now, here's a foul ball, OK?

We're getting more resourceful, these cold weather sports, on how to raise money. The Canadian Cross Country Skiing Association, and others, have set the model, but world champion curlers from Poland, Britain, France, other countries, and Canada, have gotten together for the first annual Nude Curling Calendar.

NGUYEN: No, say it is not so.

HORROW: On the newsstands...

NGUYEN: That's a bad visual. I don't even want to think about that.

HORROW: Yes, the bottom line is, by the way, you tell Tony that it's on sale at Curlingnews.com for $25 apiece, by the way.

NGUYEN: That could be a good holiday gift for Tony. Maybe we should pitch in and get him one. I don't think he'd appreciate it.

HORROW: Yes, now everybody in the country knows that. But, all right, I'll get it. I'll send it to you.

NGUYEN: Oh, you're going to be in big trouble.

But you know what? You stay in trouble, don't you?

Thank you, Rick.

HORROW: Ma'am.

NGUYEN: Have a good one.

HORROW: Talk to you next weekend.

NGUYEN: Sure.

So what is the best -- speaking of gifts -- the best holiday gift for this season? Sometimes the one that's truly priceless is the best one of all. And we are talking about time. We're going to show you one way to give thanks this holiday season without spending a dime.

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Nic Robertson in Baghdad.

Coming up, details on the Iraqi government's conversation with insurgents.

UNIDENTIFIED SOLDIER: Hi.

I'd like to say Happy Thanksgiving and happy holidays to all of my family, my fiance Ashland (ph), my parents and just everybody back at home. Love you guys. Miss you. Bye. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Is it a holiday tree or a Christmas tree? There is more than lights that are causing lots of sparks. We're going to tell you about that. But first, though, we want to welcome you back. Good morning, everybody. I'm Betty Nguyen. We're going to take a look at that story in just a minute. But first, here are the morning headlines.

An earthquake in eastern China. At least 12 people are dead and almost 400 injured, according to Chinese officials and state-run media. There are, though, conflicting reports on the size of this quake. The U.S. Geological Service estimated it at a 5.5, while China says it measured 5.7.

A terror alert as the holiday shopping season goes into full gear. Law enforcement officials are again warning that busy shopping areas could be attractive targets for terrorists. Officials say this warning is routine and ask shoppers to be on the lookout for anything unusual.

An emotional day for anti-war activity Cindy Sheehan. She cried when a small stone monument with the words "Sheehan's Stand" was unveiled at the Crawford Peace House, which is near President Bush's ranch. Her 24-year-old son was killed in Iraq. She staged a 26-day protest outside the ranch back in August.

Now to Iraq. Another roadside bombing to tell you about. A U.S. contractor and four Iraqi civilians are wounded in this latest attack on an American patrol. That as the country prepares for the resumption of the Saddam Hussein trial, which starts on Monday.

CNN's Nic Robertson is in the Iraqi capital -- Nic, there have been a lot of questions concerning security for the defense team after two of them were killed. The lawyers have threatened a boycott.

So as this trial gets underway once again on Monday, has the security issue been resolved?

ROBERTSON: It appears to, and certainly there have been extensive conversations with the defense lawyers, offering them security, both from the Iraqi government and U.S. officials here say they've had an involvement in that.

The level of security that's going to be given to the different lawyers depends on their different needs. And what's not clear is which lawyers are taking up this offer, which aren't, because some of them know that if they have Iraqi government protection or U.S. military protection, then that can draw attention to them. And it may be their families that get targeted and not them.

So it's very difficult for these defense lawyers to know exactly how they can be safe, because it's not just them who could be the targets. But it does seem to be settled now sufficiently, at least to get them back in court on Monday -- Betty.

NGUYEN: Yes, we'll be watching.

Now, the Iraqi president has called for dialogue with insurgent groups. It seems he wants to draw them into the political process.

Has there been a response to this offer?

ROBERTSON: Well, Betty, he said that as long as the insurgents put down their weapons, then he'd be willing to talk to them. And certainly we've seen people close to the government, advisers to the president who say that these conversations have been had. I think you have to temper the productivity of those conversations they claim to have had with similar claims.

Over the past few months, a former electricity minister here have said that he'd managed to get together a group of insurgents who wanted to get involved in the political process. They disowned that publicly. Who knows what was happening behind the scenes.

But there hasn't been a lot of sort of public progress on this issue.

But when talking to U.S. officials here about this and talking to senior generals here, they say look, we also see the insurgents in several different categories -- the foreign fighters, the sort of Saddamists, they call them, and the Iraqi rejectionists. And they say well, look, if these groups -- we look at these different groups and if they're not targeting us in a big way, then we're not going to go after them.

And they seem to single out the so-called Iraqi rejectionists as not targeting the U.S. military so much. So the U.S. military themselves sees these different groupings within the insurgency and sees that some of them are, perhaps, more inclined to get into the political process.

So I think, Betty, it is happening. We just don't see a lot of it publicly. A lot of it happens behind the scenes. But there does seem to be this real effort to get some of the insurgents on board. It's sort of, you know, united the insurgents as a very strong force. But if you can divide them by getting some into politics, then that's the way to beat them -- Betty.

NGUYEN: Very interesting.

Nic Robertson, as always, we thank you, coming to us live from Baghdad today. is it a Christmas tree or a holiday tree? That question has become a bit of a controversy in Boston. Arguably, most people call a tree glowing with lights and other decorations a Christmas tree, right?

But Boston's Web site publicized a holiday tree lighting this year. There it is. That drew the wrath of Evangelist Jerry Falwell, who said calling the a Christmas tree a holiday tree is disenfranchising people of faith.

Now, the city's mayor agrees that it is a Christmas tree, indeed, and he blamed the name change on, of course, the city's Web site. With all this talk about the holiday spending, we often forget that sometimes the best gift of all is our time.

And with that in mind, this week our weekend morning crew spent part of our Thanksgiving at the annual Hosea Williams Feed The Hungry program right here in Atlanta, Georgia. For the past 35 years, Hosea volunteers feed and clothe thousands of homeless and indigent on Thanksgiving Day. They also offer haircuts and employment assistance. Take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We are here to make a declaration to one another.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There are a lot of people who don't have a lot to be thankful for. But I'm blessed and we're blessed as a people. Everybody can give time. I can give a little bit of money, too. From me, both.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: First of all, I like to come and see all the people and get some food and get your hair cut. And these are, if you need some clothing, well, it's there.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'd just like to give thanks to Mr. Hosea. And then just to have the opportunity to come back and give something to the community.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: People that come down here and volunteer are god fearing people. I've noticed a lot of people, they let me know that they are saved and they take this time out because they want to give back because they've had so many blessing. And by doing things like this for the homeless people, they receive a lot of blessings for that, too.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's fulfilling and it's something that you retail just can't explain. You see a lot of people that you can't help financially, but you can give back another way. And I have a gift, and that's with hair, so that's how I like to give back.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're crying to you, almighty god. Father, would you see fit over our city, lord.

ELISABETH WILLIAMS-OMILAMI, DAUGHTER OF HOSEA WILLIAMS: The services get directly to the people. You see them. You can touch them. You can pray with them. You can walk with them. I wouldn't miss it for anything in the world. And my father was Hosea Williams, who used to make me do it, and I didn't want to. And now, I wouldn't have it any other way.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: For a lot of people that don't have that, that money to afford a good Thanksgiving, to, you know, the celebrations, to be a part of the, you know, the giving away food and stuff, that is -- it's a good thing.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Need a drink, sir? ANDRUW JONES, BASEBALL ALL STAR, "HOSEA" VOLUNTEER: I just like to do it, I like to participate, volunteer to help people and make them happy at Thanksgiving and Christmas. And I've been doing it for 18 years and I wouldn't have it no other way.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Anybody else need a plate yet?

NGUYEN: You've done this for many, many years now. As you see the people standing in line on Thanksgiving Day, that feeling of just wanting to help, being a part of this, has to be overwhelming.

WILLIAMS-OMILAMI: Just to know that we can make a difference in their lives with the medical clinic and the barbers and beauticians and all the things they get, Hosea Williams' legacy lives on.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: It does live on.

And we want to give you a look at some of the CNN volunteers who spent part of the their Thanksgiving at the Hosea Feed The Hungry Homeless Dinner, some of the people that you really ever see on camera.

So let's get a look here at Control B. This is an area where all of the people who make this show work takes place. This is where all the good work happens. Our director, Dee. We also have our producer, Kareena (ph), and our A.P. Justin (ph), some of the good folks who helped out on Thanksgiving Day.

And if we can take a look back here in the -- what we call in the back row -- we have our executive producer, Tanisha (ph), who is working hard. She's just doing that up for the cameras, of course. And then we also have some of the many fine folks back here. I could just sit here all day and name them all, but we wouldn't be able to do this without them. And Thanksgiving wouldn't have been as special if it wasn't for them, who donated their time to such a very important cause.

We'll tell you a little bit about Hosea. Volunteers also feed the homeless on Christmas and on Easter. So the work continues throughout the year.

All right, oftentimes people take the simplest thing for granted, like when we come back, we're going to tell you a place where getting a small book can be a reason enough to throw an entire party.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

ADRIKO-SPILLBERG: The ceremony began with the community singing and dancing in...

(END VIDEO TAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) SGT. CHURCH: Hey, I'm Sergeant Church, Baghdad, Iraq. I'd like to say hi to mom and dad. I love you all. I love you, Britney. And I love you, Johnny. I'll be home soon. Happy Thanksgiving.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Education is free in America. We know that. But in most Third World countries it is a privilege to be formally educated beyond the sixth grade. In Africa, many families can't even afford to send their children to school. So one Massachusetts schoolteacher is determined to change those illiteracy statistics.

Twenty-nine-year-old Racheal Adriko travels back to her homeland of Uganda with thousands of books in tow and an effort to promote literacy. She spearheads a mobile book library in several villages and they receive the books open-heartedly.

Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ADRIKO-SPILLBERG: The concept of...

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: Look at that, so excited about getting those books. In their song and dance, villagers express their gratitude when they do get their hands on the books.

And joining me today to talk about all of this and the program which helps promote volunteerism, as well, is Racheal Adriko- Spillberg.

Thanks for being with us today.

Good morning.

ADRIKO-SPILLBERG: Good morning, Betty.

NGUYEN: Before we talk about your passion for helping folks in Uganda, especially schoolchildren, learn to read and get their hands on many more books, which will continue their education, let's talk about your history there, because you are from Uganda. You know what it's like to go through the school system.

Give me a -- just a brief slice of what that is like and how much of a privilege it really is to learn and continue learning with books.

ADRIKO-SPILLBERG: Well, it's a really big difference, Betty. Learning in Africa is really different in terms of a lack of materials. We lack the tools for learning. There is a thirst for learning. All Africans want to learn and they want knowledge. But then we lack proper school systems and we also lack the tools that support education, starting from a textbook to a pencil to good teachers.

And so this is just a beginning, through this library, to inspire literacy and to inspire community of learners.

NGUYEN: Yes, tools that are so very important.

Now, as we mentioned, once you get to the sixth grade, you have to start paying for school in Uganda.

ADRIKO-SPILLBERG: Right. Right.

NGUYEN: So for those who can't afford it, what happens to those children? Because they're still so very young.

ADRIKO-SPILLBERG: Well, for those who cannot afford it, they end up going to the farms and supporting their parents and trying to learn a trade. The trade could be gardening. The trade could be learning to be a blacksmith, being in an apprenticeship through some different types of programs.

So it's really difficult at that age. And children at that age, as you say, are still very young and still need the basic learning.

NGUYEN: So how did you, growing up in Uganda, get the access to quality education?

ADRIKO-SPILLBERG: Well, my education started really with a really big push from my parents. I was born in Uganda, but then we moved to Kenya during the reign of Idi Amin. And while we lived in Kenya, education in Kenya was very different.

You see, Uganda is a country that has gone through 10 years of civil war. And 10 years of civil war really damages the educational system.

So learning in Kenya was very different. There was an abundance of books, of learning, of teachers, of tools. So those were the really big differences. And I think I really give thanks to the wonderful education that I received in Kenya.

NGUYEN: Well, and children are giving thanks to you, because we're looking at video right now of this mobile library that you've created.

Tell us about that and what kind of work it's doing within these communities, these villages.

ADRIKO-SPILLBERG: Sure.

Well, Betty, this is a really, really simple concept. It's taking a thousand books from America to my village of Aruha (ph) and it wasn't only me who participated in this work. When I told Africa that I was coming with books, they were so excited. The village elder raised his hand and said I have a bicycle that can be used to transport these books. And someone else stood up and said well I have a brown box that could transport these books.

And the idea was a village coming together to educate their children. It's a very simple concept. It's a bicycle with books that goes from village to village. The bicyclist will come to a village, will ring a bell. The children will come out and will read books, will have an opportunity to exchange their books. And then the bicyclist will ride to another village and give children that same opportunity of learning.

NGUYEN: Oh, it is just really a unique and wonderful program. So, you started out with 1,000 books. That was last year.

What are you doing this year?

ADRIKO-SPILLBERG: Well, Betty, this year we have 5,000 books and still growing.

NGUYEN: Oh, that's great.

ADRIKO-SPILLBERG: We have managed to reach 1,000 -- thousands and thousands of people with this story, with these words. And those numbers are growing. And we're so excited and we hope that this continues, not only for Uganda and not only for Aruha (ph), but for all of Africa, for all of the Third World that really needs these tools for learning.

NGUYEN: Sure. Knowledge is power and that's what you're doing.

ADRIKO-SPILLBERG: That's it.

NGUYEN: You're empowering children.

ADRIKO-SPILLBERG: Yes.

NGUYEN: We want to give your Web site out so people can help, if they want to donate books.

ADRIKO-SPILLBERG: Yes. It's www.africareads.com.

Betty, we are calling on the CNN audience to come with us, to join this village, to support us, to help us with really trying to institute literacy and really try to get books out and really try to make a change and to leave this world better than we found it.

NGUYEN: Oh, that's a wonderful way of putting it.

And you know what? It is the spirit of giving, so hopefully that Web site will just be filled with people wanting to donate.

Thank you for your time, though.

ADRIKO-SPILLBERG: Thank you, too.

Thank you, Betty.

NGUYEN: The best of luck to you. You're doing a wonderful thing.

ADRIKO-SPILLBERG: Thank you so much.

NGUYEN: And we're going to continue our volunteering theme next hour on CNN SATURDAY MORNING.

Find out why volunteering makes a difference. You know why. But we're going to tell you some more stories. That's at 8:00 a.m. Eastern on CNN.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

GERRI WILLIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Shopping for a house online? Here's what you need to know before you begin.

First, determine your price range and get all financial documents ready and organized. Next, create a reasonable wish list by figuring out what amenities your new home must have and which you'd like to have. Never buy a house you've seen online without seeing it in person, and be sure to check out both local and national realty Web sites.

I'm Gerri Willis and that's your tip of the day. For more, watch "OPEN HOUSE" Saturday mornings, 9:30 Eastern, on CNN.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: All right, the countdown is on. Starting today, there are just, just 28 days left until Christmas. So to get a handle on all of this holiday shopping, Veronica De La Cruz with the Dot-Com Desk joins us with some tips.

Although you do your shopping early.

VERONICA DE LA CRUZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Oh, well, the cards. Not exactly the shopping, but...

NGUYEN: That's all you've done is just the cards?

DE LA CRUZ: Well, OK, I've made the list.

NGUYEN: That's better -- that's better than I've -- I mean I don't even have a list just yet. I'm so behind this year.

DE LA CRUZ: I made the list back in October.

NGUYEN: Oh, goodness.

DE LA CRUZ: And, you know, I'm starting the cards but, come on, you've got to cut me some slack. You haven't even...

NGUYEN: Well, this is the weekend to do it, then, right?

DE LA CRUZ: This is the weekend to do it, you're right. It is that time of the year again. It is time to break out the plastic, deck the malls.

But if you're looking for a little help, and we all are, cnn.com might have your holiday how-to when it comes to shopping. (BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

DE LA CRUZ (voice-over): 'Tis the season to find that perfect holiday gift, right? Well, if the idea of playing St. Nick this year has you feeling a little lost, this holiday gift guide may point you in the right direction.

Just Click on who the gift is for, what type of gift you want to give, and the price range. Once you've found the perfect present, break out the ribbon and the wrapping paper. No need to worry if you've two left thumbs, this guide explores the secrets of gift- wrapping, bow-making and proper package packing.

And even though Thanksgiving is over, there is still time to talk turkey. If you're wondering why it is we pop champagne on New Year's or carve a bird on Thanksgiving, this interactive tells all. (END VIDEO TAPE)

DE LA CRUZ: And it is all online at cnn.com/shopping.

And did you see that interactive, the point and click?

NGUYEN: Yes, that's very cool.

DE LA CRUZ: So if you don't know what to get your boss or something, you just...

NGUYEN: I know what to get my boss, all right. Nothing. Kidding.

DE LA CRUZ: Anyway, it's all online at cnn.com/shopping.

NGUYEN: I'm kind of in trouble now, aren't I? Oh, well.

DE LA CRUZ: No, no.

NGUYEN: It's a good gift, honestly it is.

All right, Veronica, thank you.

And you don't want to forget about our e-mail question this morning. Here it is. Is Black Friday, you know, the shopping day after Thanksgiving, just a retail gimmick or is it made up by all these corporations to make money off of us, or are there real bargains out there and it's for a purpose, because we all have that holiday shopping to do?

Let us know what you think either way.

We're at weekends@cnn.com and we're going to be reading those replies next on CNN SATURDAY MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SCHNEIDER: Well, you're looking at the lights of Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee, getting you ready for the holiday season in Memphis there. It's actually pretty chilly there, but we're looking at it to warm up.

Oh, there they are inside Graceland. I'm sure you recognize those folks in the picture. Graceland had its Christmas tree lighting yesterday and open to the public. Of course, they get a tour of the house completely decorated for the holiday season. Not bad at all.

(WEATHER REPORT)

NGUYEN: But this morning, we are talking about yesterday.

Remember yesterday, the craziness that happened at malls all across the nation? What's called Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, where all the sales are out?

Well, here's our question. Is Black Friday just a retail gimmick?

And we've gotten lots of really funny responses.

Tim says: "As to your question as to whether or not Black Friday is a gimmick, how could it be anything else? Limited supply, hyped for days. I don't believe any retailer ever does anything for the consumer. It is all about tricking and trapping the customer."

And Dale has a similar sentiment. Says: "Except for the few eye-popping deals where you're saving more than $60, Black Friday isn't worth getting hurt." Some people did. "Or up early, for that matter, for a savings of just $10 to $30. Think about it folks," is what Dale says.

Oh, we've got one more. We're going to save that for the next hour. It's a good one, though. It's quite funny. So you've got to stick around for that.

But in the meantime, let us know what you think. We could be reading yours on the air just as well. Send it to weekends@cnn.com.

Black Friday -- is it just a gimmick?

The next hour of CNN SATURDAY MORNING begins right now.

Take a look at this, double trouble in China. A powerful earthquake strikes in the eastern part of the country. Thousands of homes destroyed. So people are staying in emergency tents to survive, this as the country's already dealing with a poisoned water supply that could affect 3 million people.

From the CNN Center, this is CNN SATURDAY MORNING, the 26th day of November. Good morning, everybody. I'm Betty Nguyen. Tony Harris is working a little bit later today, but he is going to join us in a couple of hours.

But in the meantime, let's take a look at some of the other stories in the news this hour.

Police in Yakima, Washington, are searching for four escaped inmates. Nine prisoners escaped from a minimum security jail yesterday afternoon. Five of them are already back in police custody. Now, the Corrections Department chief says the inmates escaped using a rope made of bedsheets.

Just north of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a 12-year-old died hours after he was pulled from an icy pond. Rescuers say the boy was riding an all-terrain vehicle when he fell through the ice. Now, the pond is just miles away from where a father and daughter fell through the ice while skating yesterday. Both died in that accident too.

Bad weather is in tomorrow's busy travel plans for many, not what a lot of us wanted to hear. Snow is forecast through the Northeast and Northwest. Our Bonnie Schneider will have the forecast coming up for the entire nation.

And you'd have thought stores were giving the merchandise away for free. Look at this. It's crazy. This video from a Wal-Mart in Michigan, just a mob scene. But it was pretty much the scene in several cities across the nation, unfortunately. Some overeager shoppers lost their tempers, others lost their heads and their hairpieces, like that lady, if you saw in the few scenes moments ago. She lost her wig, poor thing, and obviously, she got hurt as well. I mean, that's no fun.

The day after Thanksgiving is supposed to be a time of joy, spreading that spirit, but those sales that come by Black Friday, we understand it's one of the biggest shopping days of the year, and it can be a dangerous one, apparently.

Retailers, though, hope that holiday sales will keep them in the black, hence the name Black Friday. All right.

While you slept, rescue crews got to work in China. An earthquake shook the eastern part of the country, killing at least a dozen people. Hundreds others were injured, and thousands lost their homes. People are sleeping in tents, as we mentioned, outside, scared to seek shelter inside, because they fear dangerous aftershocks.

CNN Beijing bureau chief Jaime Florcruz joins us by phone with the latest on the situation.

Bring us up to date, because now it is nightfall. What is happening with rescue operations?

FLORCRUZ (on phone): Betty, rescue operations is continuing. The Chinese are quite prepared for disasters like this. They generally can mobilize thousands of people, especially the army, and army soldiers and police.

A thousand tents have been shipped there, and they're supposed to move the evacuees into these tents through the night.

So far, casualty figures are fairly low, at least 12 people dead and 400 people injured. But most of the damage in the -- is in the properties. Most houses there are one-story or low-story houses, instead of skyscrapers. So there -- we're not aware of any cases of big buildings collapsed and people trapped.

However, Chinese earthquake experts are saying no big worry, because the last earthquake in this area was in 1987, measuring 5.5, and that it's not as strong to earthquakes as in other Chinese cities or towns, Betty.

NGUYEN: But still, you know, 5.5, some reports saying 5.7. This was a pretty significant earthquake. Are you fearful of folks, especially rescue crews, going into these areas looking for people? Are they fearful of aftershocks?

FLORCRUZ: Yes, they are. In fact, it's quite interesting that a lot of the information are being shared in blogs and Web sites. A lot of the Chinese have been posting their stories, their anecdotes of, you know, shaking buildings and shaking chandeliers. It's, though information is flowing through, and we are aware of these anecdotes, but so far, none of them have spoken of any major, major damage or big casualty in terms of death, Betty.

NGUYEN: You mentioned there weren't many high-rises. This is kind of in a rural area, which is good news, but, at the same time, there is a lot of damage. We're hearing some 8,000 homes not damaged, but destroyed.

FLORCRUZ: Yes, because many of these homes are really makeshift houses or brick houses, but very poorly done, so they are very prone to tremors like this. They cannot withstand 5.5, and that is why we're hearing a lot of houses destroyed or even collapsed. But again, that also means that most of these houses were one- or two-story houses, and that is why we're not -- that's probably why we're not hearing very high casualty figures, Betty.

NGUYEN: But we are hearing high numbers of people who were injured in this. Are the hospitals equipped for some 400 coming in already?

FLORCRUZ: Yes, I think the number of people injured is estimated about 400. It could still -- it's still -- the -- you know, the count could still rise. But so far, I think the rescue operations include medical teams from the Chinese Red Cross and also from the suburban city close to the epicenter.

Again, the Chinese are quite organized in dealing with disasters like this. So they had about 13 hours of daylight to deal with this, and that helps, Betty.

NGUYEN: It definitely does. CNN Beijing bureau chief Jaime Florcruz. Jaime, thank you so much. We'll be checking in with you.

In Iraq, Operation Tigers is underway. Is the latest joint military effort of U.S. and Iraqi forces focusing on the insurgency? Now, the military says it is the fourth such mission in a series of disruption operations targeting Ramadi, which is the capital of Iraq's Anbar Province.

Operation Tigers includes 400 coalition forces and 150 Iraqi army soldiers. The aim is to stabilize the area preceding Iraq's December 15 elections.

This holiday weekend, war protesters are once again camping out near President Bush's Texas ranch. Cindy Sheehan, the mother of a fallen soldier, is among them. The weather is bad in Texas, so our own Elaine Quijano has to join us by phone this morning.

Elaine, what is the situation there?

ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on phone): Well, first of all, Cindy Sheehan's name, of course, became very familiar back in August, when she first brought her antiwar protest here to Crawford, a protest that, at its height, drew thousands of people from across the country, but nowhere near those numbers that we've seen so far.

On Friday, Sheehan joined roughly 50 other demonstrators here in Crawford to dedicate a stone memorial to her son, Casey, and more than a dozen other U.S. service members killed in Iraq.

NGUYEN: Elaine, has the president had any kind of response to this on this holiday weekend? I know he's been at his ranch.

QUIJANO: No response from the White House. But I should tell you that there has been a number, just a handful so far, of counterdemonstrators who turned out yesterday, her -- Cindy Sheehan's presence here drawing those counterprotesters. But these are people who support President Bush's policy. They say the actions of Cindy Sheehan and other antiwar activists are hurting the morale of U.S. forces overseas.

But the White House not commenting on her visit or any of these demonstrations. As you know, Betty, the Bush administration continues, though, to strongly oppose the idea, which Sheehan has been calling for, the immediate withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq.

As for President Bush, nothing on his public schedule today, or, in fact, for the rest of the weekend, but we'll see him talk about border security and immigration. He'll be making visits on Monday and Tuesday to Tucson, Arizona, and El Paso here Texas, Betty.

NGUYEN: CNN's Elaine Quijano in Crawford. Elaine, we thank you.

All right.

Day one of the holiday shopping frenzy. It's over, you survived, and initial indications are, it was a big success. The crowds packed the stores yesterday. We saw that all over the news. And the sales, they were deep, saw that in the paper. Shoppers snatched up bargains, and now many are ready to do it all over again today.

CNN's Mary Snow reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARY SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In the black of night, Black Friday begins. It's the day by which retailers are generally out of the red, indicating losses, and finally turning a profit, or in the black.

It's not necessarily the busiest shopping day of the year, but it is a barometer for retailers as they head into the all-important holiday shopping season, which can account for as much as half of annual sales and profits.

Analysts say consumers are going into this season ready to spend, but with a sense of caution.

JOHN SALATA, DELOITTE: About 50 percent of them said they felt that the economy would improve or stay the same this year. That compares to about 75 percent a year ago. At the same time, about 70 percent of consumers said they intended to spend the same, if not more, this holiday season.

SNOW: Shoppers were out in force at Macy's flagship store in Manhattan, with some 1,000 waiting when the doors opened at 6:00 a.m. For some, it was too much.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There were thousands and thousands of people. I don't know how you can shop in there. My wife and my daughter are in there. So we're going to send in a rescue crew pretty soon.

SNOW: Elsewhere, the frenzy got out of control. Several people were trampled when the doors opened at 5:00 a.m. at this Wal-Mart near Grand Rapids, Michigan.

In Florida, a fight broke out among shoppers. And in Renton (ph), Washington, police had to be called out when the crowd at this Wal-Mart got unruly.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: People saw that there is very limited supply, and so all of the animal instincts, they came up, and they were behaving like animals.

SNOW: Some say it's all gotten out of control. A group called Ad Busters has declared this Buy Nothing Day. And the self-titled Church of Stop Shopping is planning what it calls a Shopocalypse Tour, preaching against rabid consumerism. Performance artist Bill Talent (ph), who calls himself Reverend Billy, is the group's leader. He says Americans just spend too much.

BILL TALENT, CHURCH OF STOP SHOPPING: Our leaders tell us that it's driving the economy. I don't think it's creating wealth. There are other kind of economies to consider.

SNOW: Mary Snow, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: You know, animal instincts is a good way of putting it. It was crazy out there in stores, fighting over things like laptops and computers, just wild.

So here's our question this morning. Is Black Friday a retail gimmick, or are the bargains just so good that it's worth it? E-mail us, weekends@cnn.com, and we're going to be reading that on the air. I imagine it's going to be very entertaining to see what you think about it all.

So you don't think a little thing like a snowstorm is going to keep folks away from the mall, do you?

Well, Bonnie could say otherwise.

SCHNEIDER: All right. Well, we're looking at certainly some rain, not snow too much, for much of Texas. It looks like we've got three inches of rain on the ground already in parts of Texas at this hour.

But most folks, luckily, are staying healthy. Here's a look at your colds and flu report. Most of the reports are sporadic in Texas this time, and much of the country is reporting no activity so far. So that means everybody is staying healthy so far this season. We do have some regional reports, but it looks like a lot of that has cleared out.

That's a look at your colds and flu report. Stay tuned. Your complete forecast is coming up next on CNN SATURDAY MORNING.

NGUYEN: Also, is shopping not the only sign of the holiday season? Well, we know that's not the only sign, because thousands find a cause that they love and decide to spend some time as a volunteer, which is so important. But why do they do what they do? The answer may surprise you. That's next on CNN SATURDAY MORNING.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There are a lot of people who don't have a lot to be thankful for. I'm blessed, bless other people. Everybody can give time. I can give a little bit of money too.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Taking a look at top stories right now, in China, an earthquake measuring 5.5 startled residents in two eastern provinces. At least 12 people are known dead, nearly 400 injured.

Yakima, Washington, police there are hunting for four escapees, including a man awaiting trial for murder. Police say nine inmates escaped late Friday using bedsheets tied together as a rope. Five have been caught so far.

And it's a brave new holiday shopping season. Retailers say preliminary numbers are good, more people buying more products than last year. Friday, though, was the first official day of the holiday shopping season. Boy, was it a day to shop.

Now, Japan's space agency says it will take a couple of days to troubleshoot a problem with its asteroid probe. Apparently the thruster isn't working properly. Japan launched the probe back in 2003, and it's designed to bring asteroid samples back to earth in 2007. The probe landed and collected surface samples from the asteroid just fine, but started shaking once it left the surface.

Fly me to the moon, Bonnie. Some people are saying that already, tired of the family, too many close quarters this holiday so far.

SCHNEIDER: I think you're probably right. It's time to head out to the airports.

(WEATHER REPORT)

SCHNEIDER: As we work our way through Sunday, it's going to be a busy travel day, and unfortunately, much of the weather is not going to cooperate, Betty.

NGUYEN: All right. Thank you, Bonnie.

We've got a lot coming up on the show. Our theme today is volunteerism and the importance of that. We're going to be speaking with a gentleman coming up about what it means for young people, because often when it starts when a person is young, it continues through adulthood. So we're going to talk about that.

Also, I have a personal story about volunteering that I'm going to share with you this morning.

And we have so much more to come, so you'll want to stay with us for that.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Welcome back.

Volunteering is a theme we're following CNN SATURDAY MORNING this holiday weekend. Donating your time is an important way to help those in need. And did you know that 75 percent of adult volunteers start volunteering as children?

Here to talk about this critical pipeline to adult volunteering, and some ways to get involved, is Steven Culbertson. He is the president of Youth Service America. He joins us live from Manchester, New Hampshire.

Good morning.

STEVEN CULBERTSON, PRESIDENT, YOUTH SERVICE AMERICA: Good morning, how are you?

NGUYEN: I'm doing well.

And I have to ask you this. When it comes to volunteering, and we know how important it is for children to volunteer, are children born with the need and the desire to volunteer, or is that something that they have to be taught?

CULBERTSON: Well, I think it's something that has to be role- modeled for them. You know, and I think the best thing about service to others is that when people are asked, especially children, most of them respond in a positive way. And I think that's the really exciting part about it.

NGUYEN: Oh, and they're so excited to do it, when you see their little eyes light up. We're showing some video of the Hosea Feed the Hungry event that a lot of us here on the CNN morning show (ph) took part in.

And there were children there, and they were so excited to be there, helping serve the homeless. And so when parents talk to children about doing good in school and in sports, and these kinds of things, do they often forget that volunteering is a way to not only educate them but teach them life skills?

CULBERTSON: Well, of course, you know, young people are volunteering at record rates today in America, more than any generation in history. So the parents today are really doing a spectacular job modeling this behavior, encouraging teachers to connect it, as you say, to schools, and also faith-based organizations, and also community-based groups, like Campfire and the Scouts and YMCAs and Boys and Girls Clubs.

NGUYEN: Does volunteering go more than just helping others? Does it eventually help children learn, what they want to do when they grow up, how to give back?

CULBERTSON: It really does. It's great training for employment skills. And, of course, you know, service learning, where we connect service and academics in the schools, is now in about half of all of the high schools in America, a third of all schools in general. So we're really seeing that service can actually be a pedagogical tool to help kids learn about their communities, to learn about the world.

But also, you know, it's not just in their head, it's also learning about the good things that come out of their hearts.

NGUYEN: Absolutely. And, you know, everybody wants to get on this volunteer wagon during the holidays. But it's really important that children, especially, learn that volunteering is something that needs to be done year round.

CULBERTSON: And that's true. You know, when young people volunteer as children, they'll do it the rest of their lives. And, by the way, they're the same people, as adults, who gave away that $250 billion to charity last year. That came from you and me, but the vast majority of those people who gave that money, they're also volunteers. And, of course, they all -- most of them started as children.

So there's a great pipeline, as you pointed out.

NGUYEN: Yes, you talk about money, but sweat equity, the labor, just spending some time helping others really makes a big impact. So what are the simple ways that parents can teach their children to volunteer? Give us some examples of how they can encourage them. CULBERTSON: Sure. Well, our programs at Youth Service America start at age 5. And so it's -- you're never too young to really start volunteering. But, of course, parents, you know, can model that behavior, and that's the most important thing.

You know, most children don't necessarily listen to what their parents do, but most often they watch what their parents do...

NGUYEN: Right.

CULBERTSON: ... and model that behavior.

NGUYEN: Yes.

CULBERTSON: So following their parents' footsteps. But parents can also put their children in programs, youth development programs, faith-based programs, and be talking to their teachers at school, saying, Hey, I want my child to understand there's a big community out there, and...

NGUYEN: Yes, it's all about awareness out there.

CULBERTSON: That's right.

NGUYEN: Steven Culbertson, president of Youth Service America, we thank you for your time.

CULBERTSON: Thank you. Happy holidays.

NGUYEN: You too.

So we're going to talk about the holidays, because, you know, this is a big holiday weekend for shopping. So is Black Friday just a retail gimmick? We got a very interesting one from D. King, who writes, "Is Black Holiday or Black Friday a retail gimmick? Is the pope Catholic? I think that it's a very sad and tragic event.

I really don't know which is worse, the fact that retail giants like Wal-Mart and Target prey on customers using media hype to boost their sales, or people's greed over material items. These are items that you'll be able to go into the same stores two weeks from now and pick up without any fuss and without getting hurt. So much for the holiday spirit. Ho, ho, ho." That's from D. King in Arkansas.

But let us know what you think this morning. That's our question. Is Black Friday just a retail gimmick? Send it to weekends@cnn.com.

We'll, of course, have much more on what's becoming a barometer of nation's economy coming up throughout the morning. We're going to take you live to a shopping mall at the top of the hour.

First, though, you don't want to miss this. Former President Bill Clinton sits down with our Dr. Sanjay Gupta to talk about fighting childhood obesity. Clinton himself was an overweight child, and he's embarked on his biggest initiative since leaving office. Bill Clinton and Sanjay Gupta, next on "HOUSE CALL."

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com