Good News!

Good News! brought to you by The Window Shop and Countryside Living in Mitchell, weekdays at 8:35 pm on KORN Country 92.1.

Monday, July 10, 2023
Teen With A Metal Detector Saves Man’s Beach Proposal

As a Tennessee man prepared to pop the question to his girlfriend on the beach in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, he realized the engagement ring was no longer in his pocket. Distressed, the man asked some nearby police officers for their help. Officers Josh Lively, Sean Owens and Zachary Stashick turned the moment into a “training exercise” for their colleague, Officer Shon McCluskey and his rookie K-9 partner Goggles.

The officers weren’t having much luck in their search and were near giving up when 15-year-old Isaiah Krekeler showed up with his metal detector. Krekeler, on vacation from Ohio and using his metal detector for the first time, only took a few seconds to pinpoint the missing ring’s location, returning it to its grateful owner. “I felt like I saved a marriage,” Krekeler recalls.

In a post to social media, the Myrtle Beach Police Department called the search a community effort. They also shared that the proposal was a success and wished for a happy future for the newly engaged couple.

Friday, July 7, 2023
Stranger Buys New Equipment For Blind Lawn Care Provider

Most residents who live within walking distance of Schenck Street in North Tonawanda, New York, would probably recognize 23-year-old entrepreneur James Porter. For the last eight years, Porter, who is legally blind and can’t operate a motor vehicle, has been operating his one-man lawncare and snow blowing service using a hand-pulled trailer to haul his equipment all around the neighborhood.

Local resident, Paul Koenig had seen Porter many times and recently stopped to inquire about hiring him for some work when he noticed that Porter’s trailer was in need of repair. Knowing that Porter was a hard worker who deserved a break, Koenig made an investment in Porter’s business, giving him a new cart and mower to help the young entrepreneur out.

But Koenig didn’t stop at just giving Porter some new equipment—he also helped spread the word about Porter’s business on social media, helping to drum up some new clients for him. And Porter is grateful for Koenig’s support. “If it wasn’t for Paul, I’d be scrambling to find a way to get transportation to pull my stuff around,” he says. “He has no idea how much I appreciate him.”

Thursday, July 6, 2023
Virginia Gas Station Sells Gas For 76-Cents A Gallon

On July 6th, an Altavista, Virginia, 76 Gas Station celebrated their customers by selling regular gas for a throwback price of just $0.76 a gallon. The event kicked off at 11am, and anyone in line before 1pm was able to get in on the special deal.

Shiv Patel, president of Heas Energy, the fuel distributor for the 76 Gas Stations in central Virginia, hopes the deal will help out folks who are struggling to fill their tank. Patel wishes they could offer the discount every day, but says they can “at least afford to do it every July 6th.” They pick a different station each year for the annual event.

Customers taking advantage of the deal say the money they’re saving will help them pay for other essentials like groceries. Amanda Tascone summed it up perfectly, “Life is so expensive and life is hard, so the little things like cheap gas just mean so much.” The station also donated $10-thousand to Amazement Square, a hands-on children’s museum in Lynchburg.

Wednesday, July 5, 2023
Four Sisters Find Out They’re All Pregnant

It’s special when two sisters find out they’re having babies at the same time, but one family is taking it to a new level. The Thiem sisters… four of them… are pregnant at the same time! Jena, Jessica, Jordan, and Jaden aren’t due, though, at about the same time. The sisters all found out during an Easter gathering and stunned each other at the news. It was definitely not planned.

Jena and Jaden are both due on October 1, Jessica is due on November 17 and Jordan is due August 3. The sisters live in three different states so they keep in touch with a group chat named “Bumpin.” They’re sharing experiences, funny moments and more throughout their journey, plus their similar cravings.

This is the second child for Jena and the first for the other three. Their father Mike is over the moon and mom Nancy was keeping the secrets for each daughter and the girls say she laughed a lot as she kept it all to herself.

Monday, July 3, 2023
Plane Passengers Help Man With Mid-Flight Surprise Proposal

Last week, on a regular Delta flight from Atlanta to Cancún, love literally took off when passenger Darian Brinkley popped the question to his girlfriend, Minita Tanner, mid-flight. The proposal happened with the help of the other passengers, high above the clouds, turning the airplane aisle into a romantic backdrop.

While Tanner was briefly away in the lavatory, Brinkley enlisted the other passengers to hold up handwritten signs asking, “Will you marry me?” Other passengers had their cellphones on the ready to capture the airborne love story.

Tanner came out to find Brinkley on one knee, ring in hand, silently asking her to become his co-pilot for life. She quickly nodded yes, blinking back happy tears while every eye on the airplane was on her. Brinkley sealed the deal with a ring and a hug while their fellow passengers cheered. Tanner later shared the good news on her Facebook page, writing, “Feeling loved 30k feet in the sky🥰.”

Friday, June 30, 2023
Woman Credits “Lifesaver” Dog With Detecting Her Breast Cancer Early

When 50-year-old mother of two, Trisha Allison, settled down on her couch for a Saturday morning of television, she didn’t expect her two-year-old dog, Luna, to nudge her into a life-saving discovery. Allison recalls Luna’s unusual behavior started with her jumping on Allison’s chest and later sniffing and nudging at it persistently.

The pup’s unexpected behavior led Allison to perform a quick self-exam on her breast, where she noticed something “didn’t feel right.” She then booked a biopsy appointment and wasn’t entirely surprised when just two weeks later she received notice that she had breast cancer. Since the diagnosis, Allison has undergone two successful operations to remove the lump. She’s not entirely out of the woods, but she’s calling Luna her “little lifesaver.”

This wouldn’t be the first time a dog has sniffed out cancer, but doctors say regular self-exams and mammograms are vital. Allison agrees, but adds, “If it wasn’t for Luna, I would not have found it that day.” So, next time your pup’s behavior seems a bit odd, it may be worth paying attention – you never know when they might be trying to tell you something paw-fully important.

Thursday, June 29, 2023
Wyoming Community Fights Invasive Plants By Paying Kids To Pick Them

In Lincoln County, Wyoming, the local weed and pest district has found an ingenious and kid-friendly solution to combat an invasive plant species, Dyer’s Woad. For almost two decades, they’ve been running “Dyer’s Woad Week”, a program where kids are paid 50-cents a pound to pick the pesky plants. Between June 26th and 28th, young folks can make a pretty penny simply by plucking these weeds, which can overrun native species and cause significant ecological harm. “It can just pop up so fast and be so prolific that if we don’t stay on it, we’ll lose the ground,” says Travis Osmond, district supervisor for Lincoln County Weed and Pest.

According to the USDA, Dyer’s Woad degrades wildlife habitats, lessens species diversity, and reduces the available forage for livestock. This invasive plant, which can produce anywhere between 6-thousand to 30-thousand seeds, also lowers land value. Last year, the motivated kids managed to haul in a whopping 18 tons of Dyer’s Woad, earning anywhere from $10 to $12-hundred. As Osmond put it, “If a kid is willing to work really hard, there’s no reason he can’t make a lot of money pulling this invasive weed.”

While eradication may not be possible, the unique and community-driven initiative has proven effective in controlling the spread of Dyer’s Woad. So, the next time your kid complains about not having pocket money, you might just want to hand them a pair of gloves and point them towards the nearest Dyer’s Woad.

Wednesday, June 28, 2023
Dads Adopt 6 Siblings Who Were Separated In Foster Care

During their first date, Dustin and Daniel Johnson were relieved to learn that they both wanted to have children one day. Neither of them could have guessed at the time that just a few years later, they’d be the proud fathers of six children. After a couple of years of dating, Dustin and Daniel tied the knot in 2020, and instead of opting for surrogacy to start their family, they enrolled in pre-adoption classes.

More than anything, the Tampa couple wanted to provide a safe and loving home for kids in need in their community. They made it clear to the adoption agency that they were open to adopting older kids and sibling groups, who are sometimes harder to place. “Daniel and I are both close with our siblings,” Dustin explains, “We knew how much it would hurt to be separated from them when we were growing up.”

Earlier this year, the Johnsons got their wish to start a family when they adopted six siblings who had been separated for the last three years and were living in five different foster homes at the time. Now 11-year-old Reid, Amiyah, 10, Izayah, nine, Kaelix, seven, Cade, six, and three-year-old Roslin are all part of their family. Dustin says it’s been a challenge for the children to adjust to their new home, but they’re all doing well in school and, with help from therapy, growing into a tight-knit family.

Tuesday, June 27, 2023
Family “Adopts” Older Neighbor As Honorary Grandpa

When Sharaine and Wilson Caraballo and their six children moved from the East Coast to Texas in March of last year, one of Sharaine’s biggest concerns was who their neighbors were going to be. But soon after their arrival, their 82-year-old neighbor Paul Callahan stopped by to offer a hand to Wilson on some home repairs and Sharaine’s mind was set at ease.

Over the months, Caraballo, a retired Texas Instruments manager whose wife had passed away just a few months before the Caraballos moved into the neighborhood, became a de facto-grandpa for the Caraballo’s children. Now the neighbors see each other several times a week, and Callahan has been spending every holiday with the family.

Sharaine says that Callahan has been one of the best parts of their decision to move and the Caraballo kids have taken to calling him “Uncle Paul.” Plus, it hasn’t just been good for the Caraballo family. Sharaine thinks the busy family life has provided some much-needed company for their elderly neighbor, who grew up in a lively household and is the last of his siblings still alive. The neighbors’ bond is like the Maya Angelou quote: “Family isn’t always blood, it’s the people in your life who want you in theirs.”

Monday, June 26, 2023
Honest Ohio Man Returns $2K He Finds In Walmart Shopping Cart

Robert Sneed was heading into the Walmart in Gallipolis, Ohio, with his daughter when he discovered what he thought was a shopping list in their shopping cart. He went to throw it away and noticed “it felt a little heavy.” Then he realized it was an envelope with $2-thousand in hundred dollar bills and a bank receipt inside.

His first thought was to return it to the bank, but with the bank closed, Sneed found a Walmart manager and turned the envelope over to them. He also made a social media post hoping to find the money’s owner. “For someone who’s living paycheck to paycheck, this may set them back,” he notes, “It can really mess up someone’s summer.”

A spokesperson for Walmart later reported that, thanks to Sneed, the money was returned to its rightful owner later that night.

Friday, June 23, 2023
Ohio Granny Becomes A Lifeguard So Pool Can Stay Open

When Gail Rodgers learned that they would need to close the pool at her condominium complex in Sycamore Township, Ohio, on certain days this summer if they couldn’t find some new lifeguards, she figured she was just the person for the job. The 66-year-old grandmother had been a lifeguard in her teens and so she got recertified and now covers for other lifeguards when they need time off.

Rodgers is a member of the condo board and often walks her dog through the neighborhood, so she knows lots of the residents, but she says the lifeguarding has allowed her to meet some of her younger neighbors. “I’m getting to know all the kids,” she says, “And I think maybe the kids will respond to me as a lifeguard more so because I am older.”

Jeff Blume of Cincinnati Pool Management, who staffs and maintains the pool, is pleased with their newest lifeguard, saying, “We love her enthusiasm, we’re happy she’s here. She brings a new perspective to the lifeguarding world.” In addition to helping the community, Rodgers is also enjoying the flexibility of choosing her shifts and loves getting to spend time with her grandkids at the pool.

Thursday, June 22, 2023
Boy Donates His Make-A-Wish To His Community

After undergoing successful heart transplant surgery, 12-year-old Carter Julson was granted a wish by Make-A-Wish Minnesota. Over the years that he battled his serious heart condition, he’d gotten so much support from his community. Teachers, neighbors, friends, family, and even strangers had helped the family make it through the ordeal, and the Princeton, Minnesota, boy wanted to use his wish to repay them all.

Carter’s older brother Drew had been lifting weights at Princeton High School and had mentioned how old and outdated the gym was. That gave Carter an idea to use his wish to have the gym totally rebuilt. His dad asked him if he was sure about his wish, reminding him that he could use it to go to the Super Bowl or on a family vacation, but Carter had made up his mind. At a school board meeting earlier this year, he got permission for his wish to move forward and when word got out, multiple community members approached the Julsons wanting to help with the project.

After months of planning and building, the gym was opened earlier this month, in time for the summer weight-lifting program, which Carter is now healthy enough to participate in. At the opening ceremony of the new gym, Princeton School Board Chair Sue VanHooser thanked Carter for his wish to give back. “Of all the wishes, you chose to give back to your community,” she said. “Thank you for your generous gift.”

Wednesday, June 21, 2023
Baby Left In Safe Haven Box Adopted By First Responder Who Found Her

A baby girl surrendered to a Florida Safe Haven box has found a home with the first responder who was the one to first discover her. About six months ago, an alarm at the Ocala Fire Rescue signaled that someone had anonymously surrendered a newborn in the building’s safe haven baby box. The responding firefighter found the baby with her umbilical cord tied off with a shoelace.

The firefighter and his wife had been wanting a child for nearly a decade and they were immediately taken with the baby girl and started the process to adopt her right after rushing her to the hospital. The family didn’t want to get their hopes up, but soon got the call that they could visit the baby in the NICU. The baby’s new adoptive mother says that’s when she felt like it was real.

Now the adoption has been finalized and the firefighter and his wife have welcomed baby Zoey into their family. They’re grateful for the brave decision Zoey’s birth mother made in giving her up and want her to know that she’s with a caring family. “I think it’s very respectable, what she did,” Zoey’s adoptive mom says, “We really felt in our hearts that we wanted to let the birth mom know in some way, shape or form that she is safe, she is happy, and she is very loved.”

Tuesday, June 20, 2023
K9 Police Dog Calms Suicidal Woman, Helps Save Her Life

A Marietta, Georgia, police officer and his K9 partner are being praised for helping to stop a woman from committing suicide. Marietta Police Department Officer Paul Hill and his K9 partner Barney normally work at Marietta City Elementary Schools, but with school out, they’ve been responding to help the community at large.

On June 7th, Barney and Hill responded to a call involving a woman who had locked herself in a bathroom and was threatening to harm herself. When they arrived on scene, the woman had come out of the bathroom and was laying on a bed saying she had nothing to live for and that she didn’t want to go back to the hospital. Barney was well trained for the situation and got in the bed and lay down next to the woman, snuggling up to her and helping her to calm down.

Barney stayed by the woman’s side for 45 minutes until an ambulance arrived and she voluntarily agreed to go to the hospital for treatment. In a press release, the Marietta Police Department praised their K9 officer, writing that “Barney’s presence and demeanor gave her the time to calm down and begin to relax.” They noted that there’s been an uptick in calls for help related to mental health and that Officer Barney is just one more way they’re able to be there for the community.

Monday, June 19, 2023
Couple Spends 4 Months Cleaning Up 3K Pounds Of Litter In Rhode Island

Fed up with the fight over whose responsibility it is to clean up a section of shoreline in Gulf Cove near Portsmouth, Rhode Island, local residents Randy and Kathy Matsch decide to take matters into their own hands. Parts of Gulf Cove are the responsibility of the state Department of Transportation and others the Department of Environmental Management. But with no one claiming responsibility to one particular coastal area, the trash was starting to pile up.

Randy became aware of the problem while volunteering for a local cleanup effort and when he realized nothing was going to be done about the area, he and his wife jumped on the task. For four months, the couple painstakingly scoured the coastline, collecting over 3-thousand pounds of trash from a quarter-mile stretch of Gull Cove. They did manage to get some help from the Department of Environmental Management, which agreed to haul away the waste once it was moved into their jurisdiction.

Beyond the months-long cleanup, Randy and Kathy’s work may be moving the needle on preventing the problem from coming back. Randy’s been sharing their work on his Instagram where he’s garnered over 16-hundred followers and after reaching out to the organization Clean Ocean Access, they’re now working with him on a long-term strategy to maintain the area. What Randy would really like to see is the state taking responsibility for the area, but until then, he’ll keep working to make the world a cleaner place for future generations. “We have a granddaughter,” Randy says, “We’re looking at her future, and her kids future.”

Wednesday, June 14, 2023
Woman Scores Half-Court Shot To Win Free Beer For A Year

On Saturday, June 10th, during an Edmonton Stingers Canadian pro basketball game, fan Blyss Ward won a year’s supply of beer by sinking a basket from half-court. Ward, who used to play college basketball before an injury sidelined her career, described it as an “out-of-body experience” that left her wondering if she was dreaming.

The half-court shot contest, a collaboration between the Stingers and Polar Park Brewing, takes place during every home game. Reed Clarke, president and CEO of the Edmonton Stingers, praised Ward, saying her shot got the attention of the players and is now helping to fuel excitement for the team online. “It shows the environment we are building at the Edmonton Stingers,” Clarke says, “That’s what we’re all about, enhancing the fan experience.”

Ward’s prize is 365 tallboys of Polar Park’s Champion Pilsner, delivered quarterly, and has a $1-thousand wholesale value. Polar Park Brewery’s founder, Robert Oeming, was surprised and delighted at the result and says they’re eager for the next winner. Ward plans to share her beer windfall with family and friends, with the first round due to be delivered this week.

Wednesday, June 7, 2023
Officer Bonds With 94-Year-Old With Weekly Trips To Get Cookies

When 94-year-old Detroit resident Gracie Majors took a fall while riding on a city bus on her way to pick up her favorite molasses cookies from Eastern Market, Detroit Transit Police Sergeant Corey Garrison responded to make sure she was okay. She declined being taken to the hospital, so Garrison insisted on driving her home.

At Major’s home, Garrison met her grandson and asked if it was okay if he came back later to check on the nonagenarian. Garrison and Majors struck up a friendship and the sergeant started making weekly visits to his new friend and accompanying her to the market to get those molasses cookies. “She actually turned me on to those cookies, they are good and remind me of ginger cookies,” Garrison says.

Grateful for Garrison’s assistance and their talks, Majors now looks forward to his visits as does the sergeant. And he says their story demonstrates the valuable community connections that his job can lead to.

Tuesday, June 6, 2023
Pit Bull Gets Adopted After Four Years At Shelter

Donatello, the pit bull mix who charmed animal lovers across the U.S. when he was featured in the news as the longest resident of a Kentucky animal shelter, has finally been adopted after spending over four years at the facility. The 5½-year-old dog arrived at the Woodford Humane Society on May 13th, 2019, after being picked up by animal control and not being claimed.

Over the years, Donatello watched as his sheltermates left to go and live better lives with their forever families, but no one came to take him home. Then, last week, a couple with a passion for pit bulls saw Donatello and decided he needed to become part of their family. Marketing Director for the Humane Society, Beth Oleson, reveals that the couple is already working with Donatello on new commands and leash manners, and says, “He’s in very good hands.”

Donatello’s tale reflects common misconceptions about pit bulls. Sara Ondrako, founder of the American Pit Bull Foundation, says that these dogs are individuals, known for their sense of independence and love for human companionship. She dismisses the notion that pit bulls are inherently dangerous, and emphasizes that dogs’ behaviors result from a combination of nature and nurture. She also urges potential adopters to research and understand the dogs’ needs to increase the chance for a successful adoption.

Monday, June 5, 2023
Ohio Man Spreads Kindness By Cleaning Up His Community

A Toledo, Ohio, man is taking neighborhood beautification into his own hands by mowing grass at overgrown abandoned properties and vacant lots. Brett Fry, along with his best friend, has spent the last few weeks providing this free service to uplift his community and spread happiness. “This is all for the joy of making someone else happy,” he says.

Fry estimates that they’ve already spruced up around 10 to 15 properties. His acts of kindness haven’t gone unnoticed, with neighbors taking note and saying how they appreciate his work. He believes that, “One by one we can all make a difference if we just decide to.”

Even though Fry isn’t looking for financial compensation for his acts of kindness, asking nothing for the work he’s doing, he does get the occasional donation from community members who value his work, which Fry says he appreciates “more than anything.” Through his actions, Fry is proving how small acts can transform neighborhoods, one mowed lawn at a time.

Friday, June 2, 2023
Former Teacher Travels Thousands Of Miles To Surprise Students At Graduation

When Tiana Gilbert was teaching middle schoolers at Roberts Academy in Cincinnati, Ohio, she became close with four students in particular. Though she has since moved away from Ohio, she’s remained close with the students. So when the time came for her four former students to graduate from Depaul Cristo Rey High School, Gilbert took a 21-hundred-mile road trip to surprise them on the big day.

She hasn’t just been a cheerleader for the four students, but has actively helped them navigate the unique challenges over the years since she was their teacher. All four of the students will be going to college, a first in their respective families for each of them. And Gilbert was instrumental in that process, helping them apply to schools and writing letters of recommendation.

The special relationship that she has with her former students is held mutually. One of the four, Micah Beiser, will be attending Xavier University in the fall and credits Gilbert with helping him to live authentically, saying, “She told me to be myself and don’t change for anybody.” Gilbert was there for each of them at the most important times in their lives so far and doesn’t plan to stop, promising “to be at the next one with them.”

Thursday, June 1, 2023
Blind Navy Veteran Reaches Top Of Mount Everest

Blind Navy veteran Lonnie Bedwell, with the support of his friend Michael Neal and others, recently scaled Mount Everest, making him the fourth blind person to achieve this feat. Bedwell undertook the endeavor primarily “for his community of blinded veterans,” saying, “I did it for them, and I have no reason to do something like that again.”

But Neal insists that Bedwell’s remarkable feat extends beyond his community, inspiring even those without direct ties to blindness or military service. The pair co-founded Sightless Summits, an initiative that challenges blind veterans to conquer the highest peaks on each continent. Everest, a challenging climb for even the most talented sighted climbers, marks the pair’s second summit that they’ve conquered.

Neal describes the effort as particularly demanding for Bedwell, explaining, “Everything on a mountain is harder. Everything is more challenging and more difficult for him.” Despite setbacks, including having their oxygen stolen by another team, Bedwell remained undeterred, completing the climb and setting his sights on another peak in December. The pair are already starting on raising funds for the upcoming adventure.

Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Wisconsin Boy Sends Bday Cards To Every Kid In His City

Lukas Smith, from Antigo, Wisconsin, has turned a community service project into his full-time hobby. The creative five-year-old has pledged to craft a handmade birthday card for every kid in his small Central Wisconsin town.

Lukas’ mom, Sam Smith, explains, the endeavor began as a means of fulfilling community service hours, but soon turned into an outpouring of Lukas’ love and desire to give back to his community. “He decided that he was going to make birthday cards for every kid in Antigo and that’s what he wanted to do,” she shares. As for what his favorite part is, Lukas explains, “Drawing inside the cards and then outside the cards. Putting stickers on is my favorite.”

For Megan Novak, whose son Eddie received a card from Lukas, it made his birthday that much more special, spotlighting Lukas’ wish “to spread happiness and just share some joy with the other kids.” Needless to say, Lukas’ dedication to spreading kindness has raised the spirits of his whole community, but it’s also brought immense joy and pride to his mother: “I’m so proud of him,” she confesses.

Tuesday, May 30, 2023
Social Media Leads Houston Man To Donate Kidney To A Stranger

For more than a decade, Houston resident Dave Barrett has been battling an autoimmune disease and in 2021, his worsening condition led to kidney failure. His survival required kidney dialysis treatment three times a week, but that was unsustainable and his friends and family started the search for a kidney donor.

Barrett’s wife posted to the neighborhood app Nextdoor to get the word out about their kidney search and the post was seen by their neighbor Benny Hooper. For years, Hooper had been thinking about becoming a living organ donor and was inspired to take the leap after reading Barrett’s story. The two men contacted one another and realized they had a lot in common. They both drove the same make and color car, both had dogs named Lulu, both lived in the same neighborhood, and as it turns out, they were a perfect match for a kidney transplant.

The neighbors underwent successful transplant surgery at Houston Methodist Hospital. Hooper has completely healed and is back to his normal routine, while Barrett is feeling better than he has in many years. And through the process, Barrett and Hooper have become close friends. Barrett hopes other people will hear their story and be inspired to donate, saying, “There’s a lot more need than there are kidneys available.”

Monday, May 29, 2023
California School’s Entire Graduating Class Accepted To 4-Year Universities

Collegiate Charter High School in Boyle Heights, California, celebrates another landmark as it sends its entire graduating class to four-year universities for the fourth time in five years. The school, which serves one of the densest Latino populations living at or below the poverty level, marked this achievement with a special “Senior Signing Day.”

The accomplishment is especially significant because most of the graduates come from low-income, Spanish-speaking immigrant families. Additionally, a majority of the students will be making history as the first in their families to attend college, or even graduate from high school. Principal Hector Alvarado expressed his pride in being part of their journey, saying his students will “help solve some of the biggest, toughest problems our society faces today.”

Collegiate Charter emphasizes the pursuit of higher education as a critical tool to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty. “These 45 Collegiate scholars are proving that, with the right supports, a rigorous curriculum, and dedicated teachers, any student can reach their college dreams in the City of Los Angeles,” Alvarado says. In addition to each and every student getting into a four-year university, the graduating class has also earned a combined total of $630-thousand in scholarships.

Friday, May 26, 2023
WWII Vet Officially Gets Diploma 80 Years After Missing Graduation For War

On Sunday, May 14th, Fred Taylor of La Mesa, California, walked the graduation stage at Cornell College in Iowa, 80 years after missing his graduation because he was called up for duty in World War II. “My only regret is missing my graduation ceremony,” said the vet, who left at the end of his senior year in college to serve in the Army Air Corp Reserve following Pearl Harbor.

Cornell College President Jonathan Brand described the ceremony as “heartwarming” and “emotional.” Taylor’s daughter, Linda Taylor, a professor emeritus at the University of Miami, first contacted Cornell College to see if it was possible for her father to walk across the stage and finish what he started. Brand was onboard with the idea, saying it was important to honor a man who “left college so that he could help literally save the world from the greatest threat.”

The 101-year-old received a standing ovation as he was introduced and walked onto the stage. He then led the graduating class in moving their tassels from right to left. Despite his vast life experience, the vet says he doesn’t have much in the way of advice to offer his fellow graduates. He simply wishes them well in their future endeavors.

Thursday, May 25, 2023
High School Grad Has Perfect Attendance Since Kindergarten

Michigan student Emma Jones is about to graduate from high school having never missed a single day of school since kindergarten. The Taylor High School senior has also never been late to a class and is set to graduate with a 3.8 GPA. “In middle school, I received awards all three years for perfect attendance,” Jones recalls, “So once I moved to the high school, that’s when I kind of made it my goal to do this.”

Notably, Jones’ habit of never missing school started even earlier than kindergarten – she didn’t miss a day of pre-K, although she admits, “they didn’t really keep track of that.” The Detroit area teen even managed to keep her flawless record through the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced a shift to online classes – a period she admits was “a little bit difficult to do.”

Jones plans to study nursing at Henry Ford College in Dearborn, following in the footsteps of her mother and grandmother. While her classmates prepare for senior skip day, she intends to stick to her routine: “The hardest thing right now is senior skip day, but I’ll be in school.” Her mother says she’ll make up for it with a special trip this summer.

Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Tween Rushes To Save Choking Twin Brother’s Life At School

A quick-thinking 12-year-old girl in Massachusetts is being hailed a hero for saving her twin brother from choking. Earlier this month, Amelia Loverme was having lunch with her twin brother Charlie at Leicester Middle School when he choked on a piece of cheese.

Surveillance video caught the moment that the panicking tween gestured to his throat. “I thought I was going to pass out, or like die,” Charlie recalls. As other students back away from him, unsure what to do, his sister rushes toward him and, despite having no formal training, she starts performing the heimlich maneuver on him. After a couple of attempts, Amelia dislodges the obstruction, likely saving his life.

The twins’ mother, Christy Ruth, expressed her gratitude, saying, “Kids need to pay attention and look out for one another, and I’m just grateful that Amelia did.” For her part, the tween says she was just doing what she thought was right, saying, “I just knew that I needed to help him.” Amelia was recognized by her school for her lifesaving effort and local officials plan to give her an award too.

Tuesday, May 23, 2023
Kids Write Impressive Resumes For Shelter Dogs & Get Them Adopted

Students at Polk Middle School in Albuquerque’s South Valley have joined forces with the Bernalillo County Animal Care Center to help long-term shelter dogs find loving homes. The collaboration started last fall when the animal shelter shared photographs and stories of the hard-to-place pets with art and writing students at Polk.

Under the guidance of Ms. McCrady, art students painted portraits of the dogs while writing students in Ms. Arriaga’s class penned first-person appeals on behalf of the dogs. Each kennel then displayed these creative and touching works, making them accessible to all shelter visitors. Then this spring, Mr. Beverly‘s seventh-grade gifted class took the project a step further by creating “resumes” for the dogs, highlighting their individual skills and tricks. The objective was to showcase traits that would make each dog a perfect addition to a family.

The resumes seemed to really help, because by May 17th, six of these dogs have found their ‘fur-ever’ homes. Animal Protection New Mexico Education Director Sherry Mangold praised the students, saying the successful adoptions were due to the students’ “empathy and concern for shelter dogs.”

Monday, May 22, 2023
Engagement Ring Lost Down Toilet Found After 14 Months

A man in Chino Hills, California, has been reunited with an engagement ring that spent over a year in the sewer system. The ring made its way into the depths last March after his soon-to-be stepson accidentally flushed it down the toilet. At that time, he removed the toilet and even hired someone to run a camera down the plumbing. They were able to spot the ring but were afraid they might have pushed it further down the pipes.

The man then enlisted the help of city maintenance workers who scoured the sewer system and city main line using a pipe inspection camera of their own, but even though they came up empty handed, they told the man to not give up hope.

Then last week, during a routine maintenance check, the city crew spotted the ring. After a thorough sterilization, it was returned to the owner, 14 months after it started its journey into the depths. The man posed for a picture with the Chino Hills sanitation crew, who were all clearly excited to have helped the man recover the ring.

Friday, May 19, 2023
Ohio Triplets Become Co-Valedictorians & Salutatorian

Over the weekend, Ohio triplets Sadie, Caydin, and Gage Barker graduated from Sebring McKinley High School as co-valedictorians and salutatorian. All their lives they’ve done everything together, but co-valedictorian Sadie admits that the honor “still feels great.”

In addition to being recognized as the top performers of their graduating class, the Barker triplets have also earned multiple scholarships. After graduation, Caydin and Sadie are headed to the University of Cincinnati where they plan to major in engineering, while Gage plans to enter trade school to become an electrical lineman.

The siblings are quick to credit their success to their support system. “We have really great parents and teachers,” Sadie says. “I don’t know where we would be without some of them. They really pushed us to be the people we are today.”

Thursday, May 18, 2023
Teen Athletes Who Beat The Same Cancer Go To Prom Together

Star high school athletes, Vivian Eagle, a 17-year-old junior from Avon, Indiana, and her friend Cade Thompson, 18, from Indianapolis, both faced an opponent much tougher than any they’d met on the sports fields: osteosarcoma, an aggressive form of bone cancer. The pair connected through their mothers, who recognized that their children needed someone who could relate to their struggle. The two became best friends, with Cade—who was diagnosed eighteen months before Vivian—providing invaluable support and understanding.

Vivian spent 80 nights in the hospital and underwent 32 chemo infusions, but with Cade’s help, she made it through. Both Vivian and Cade are now NED, meaning no evidence of disease, with Vivian celebrating seven months cancer-free at her school’s prom, which she attended with Cade, who‘s been cancer free for two years. Both still undergo regular scans to ensure the cancer hasn’t returned.

Treatment forced both teens to give up sports, but Cade, a high school senior, was able to return to his sports career and is planning a future in modeling and acting, and he wants to create a line of chemo-friendly clothing. Vivian has a longer road to get back to where she was pre-cancer, but her mom says the same stubbornness and determination that helped her in her battle against cancer will carry her through. Despite the hardships, the bond between Vivian and Cade has been a silver lining in their tragic story, a friendship that will “last forever,” according to Vivian.

Wednesday, May 17, 2023
Over 40 Families Of Strangers Go To 12-Year-Old’s Bday Party After Friends Didn’t Show

Dozens of families came out to celebrate a 12-year-old boy’s birthday party in Columbia, South Carolina, after all his school friends were unable to attend. Jamel Nichols had originally invited his entire class to his slime-themed bash, but was disappointed when no one could make it. So his mom, Zenas Jett, turned to a local Facebook group for help.

“So my son is having a slime obstacle course party tomorrow but all of his classmates bailed,” Jett writes on social media, “Would anyone be willing to come show him some support?” Her post sparked quite a reaction, garnering over 100 responses and leading to an unexpected crowd showing up to Jamel’s birthday bash.

Among the attendees was Ashley Berendzen, who jumped at an opportunity for her children to get some valuable social experience, especially given one of her sons has autism. “Everyone at this party was so friendly and warm and inviting,” she says. The grateful birthday boy was overjoyed at the turnout and thanked the attendees, saying, “You could have been somewhere else, you could have been doing what you wanted to do but instead, you came to my party, so thank you.” What could have been a disappointing day for Jamel turned out to be a celebration he’ll never forget.

Tuesday, May 16, 2023
Mom Of 9 Graduates From Medical School On Way To Being Neurosurgeon

Arizona mother of nine, Sarah Merrill, recently graduated from Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine in Phoenix, Arizona, and is set to begin her neurosurgery residency at Indiana University next month. Now 41, Merrill started her journey to medicine when she was a 17-year-old at Dartmouth College as a pre-med major. It was there that she met her husband and they had her first child.

Merrill initially planned to go straight into medical school but decided to put her schooling on hold to become a stay-at-home mom while her first daughter was young. Over the years, she and her husband expanded their family to nine children. Merrill never gave up on wanting to go into medicine and worked part-time in medical research. And then when her youngest child was two, she decided to go back to school.

Her family, including her mother, made the move together from Pennsylvania to Arizona so Merrill could attend medical school. At first, she thought she might just get her master’s degree, but decided to go all-in and follow her original dream of getting a degree in medicine. She encourages other women to not give up on their dreams and to “set the goals that are what you’re really passionate about,” and focus on each step to achieve them.

Monday, May 15, 2023
Mom, Dad & Daughter Graduate From Texas University Together

When Ashley Adams graduated from Texas Lutheran University (TLU), over the weekend, she did so alongside her parents, Robyn and Greg Adams, marking a historic first for the university. Adams was completing her education degree while her mother earned a master’s degree in accounting and her father, a retired Army veteran, graduated with a business major.

The family began their studies separately, with Ashley’s parents initially attending Northeast Lakeview College. However, they transferred to TLU after falling in love with the campus during their daughter’s admission process. Despite the age gap with their peers, Robyn and Greg have embraced campus life. Robyn served as a supplemental instructor for an accounting course and Greg joined the golf team.

Ashley says her parents had put off their own education to start a family but later decided to return to school. “I remember how proud I was when they decided to go back to school at a local community college,” she says. After graduation, Ashley hopes to become a math teacher, while her parents have secured jobs at a CPA firm and Randolph Air Force Base. Greg has encouraging words for anyone thinking of returning to school. “Don’t be afraid; just do it,” he says. “You might have to change your mindset a bit, but just go for it because it’s worth it.”

Friday, May 12, 2023
World’s Oldest Dog Celebrates 31st Birthday

After being declared the oldest dog in the world by Guinness World Records earlier this year Bobi, a purebred Rafeiro do Alentejo, just celebrated his 31st birthday. Bobi’s owner, Leonel Costa, threw the pup a “very traditional” Portuguese birthday party with over 100 guests and a dance troupe performance at their home in Conqueiros, a rural village in southern Portugal.

Since being named the world’s oldest dog, Bobi has been enjoying a lot of attention, with journalists and people from around the world coming to meet him. Despite the frequent visitors, Bobi recently got a clean bill of health from his vet, although he does have a some age-related ailments, like trouble with his vision and difficulty walking. Costa attributes Bobi’s longevity to the “calm, peaceful environment” in which he lives.

Besides being the oldest living dog, Bobi also holds the record for the oldest dog ever. Costa, who was only eight when Bobi was born and says seeing his pup is a nice reminder of family members who have passed away, saying, “looking at him is like remembering the people who were part of our family and unfortunately are no longer here.”

Thursday, May 11, 2023
KFC Honors Employee On The Job For 47 Years

After nearly 47 years working at the KFC in West Memphis, Arkansas, Loretta Neely has decided to finally retire. Over the years, she’s held multiple positions at the establishment, eventually rising to the rank of manager. Her coworkers and customers have grown to love and appreciate Neely and now she’s being recognized for her hard work and commitment.

Before joining up with KFC, Neely worked in the cotton fields, but she says her prayers were answered when she got the job at the restaurant the same year she and her husband got married. She says it’s her dedication to serving others and her passion for the job that have kept her going. Neely has come to enjoy working with people, helping them develop their talents, and ensuring their success.

Upon learning of her retirement plans, her managers and the corporate leadership promptly celebrated her, recognizing her passion and strong work ethic. In her honor, the company has created the Loretta Neely Drive and Passion Award, which they’re calling the Living Legend Award. Neely is looking forward to traveling and spending time with her family and church after she retires.

Wednesday, May 10, 2023
Holocaust Survivor Throws 1st Pitch At Yankees-Rays Game On 100th Bday

Helen Kahan, a 100-year-old Holocaust survivor, threw the first pitch at a Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees game, cheered on by over 25-thousand spectators. The event took place on Kahan’s 100th birthday and served to honor her and the Florida Holocaust Museum. Kahan’s family members, sporting jerseys with the word “Bubbi,” joined her at the game.

The Rays won the game 5-4 and later closed the series with another victory. Proceeds from the game went to the Florida Holocaust Museum, and the Rays Baseball Foundation presented the museum with an additional $10-thousand grant. Kahan has been sharing her life story with museum visitors for years.

Born Hani Sabo in 1923 in Romania, Kahan says she had a happy childhood before the Holocaust. After surviving multiple concentration camps, she married a fellow survivor, and they had two children. In 1967, Kahan immigrated to the U.S. with her family and went on to have five grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Tuesday, May 9, 2023
Woman Beats Breast Cancer To Graduate College With Honors At 55

Last week, 55-year-old Teresa Cox had a full-circle moment when she completed her first clinical rotation as a nurse at the same cancer center where she received treatment for breast cancer. For Cox, being diagnosed with breast cancer was a “wake-up call” to live authentically, and it only strengthened her desire to help others.

Cox’s interest in the medical field grew out of her personal experiences with her family’s health issues, including her twins’ NICU stay, her son’s mental health struggles, and her mother’s heart condition. But it was her first clinical experience that confirmed she’d chosen the right path. She helped a patient who had survived a near-fatal car crash, and she felt her own life experience made her able to relate.

When she was first diagnosed with cancer, Cox wasn’t sure she’d ever be able to finish her schooling, but she overcame all obstacles and was able to rise to the challenge. On Friday, she graduated near the top of her class at Nebraska Methodist College. “I set the goal when I was a fifth grader,” she says, “So to be here now at 55 … I’m feeling very accomplished today.”

Monday, May 8, 2023
Hero Who Saved Baby In Runaway Stroller Scores A New Job

We told you last week about Ron Nessman, a homeless former truck driver in Southern California who saved a baby in a stroller from rolling out onto a busy roadway. Video of the dramatic rescue has gone viral and prompted praise for Nessman from around the world. At the time of the incident, he was attending a job interview at a nearby Applebee’s and we’re happy to report that he got the job.

Nessman was hired as a dishwasher at the Victorville Applebee’s restaurant. The restaurant’s general manager Emily Canady confirms that the hiring decision was not influenced by the video, saying, “He’s a great guy and he was a great candidate.” Nessman, who has struggled with depression, is thankful for the chance: “I’ll earn everything I get so with that in mind, you know, I appreciate the opportunity that Applebee’s has given me.”

It was days after his heroic rescue when Nessman’s niece told him that the video had gone viral. He says he’s just thankful that the baby and the great-grandaunt are safe and although he says he doesn’t want to capitalize on his newfound fame, a GoFundMe has been set up to help Nessman get started with his new life.

Friday, May 5, 2023
Iowa School Superintendent Gets Bus License To Help During Driver Shortage

When the Solon Community School District in Iowa was facing a bus driver shortage, Superintendent Davis Eidahl took decisive action. The superintendent of the district for the last eight years secured a grant to train new bus drivers and then decided to go the extra mile and participate in the training himself.

The district often has to send out several buses and multiple vans for various school activities, which sometimes leads to a shortage of drivers. So, after obtaining his bus license, Eidahl began driving students to and from school, helping to personally address the shortage. District employees were surprised but appreciative of Eidahl’s efforts. “I think it’s a great way for him to lead by example,” says the district’s director of transportation Dave Johnson. “Obviously, we’re short on drivers, so every driver is crucial at this point.”

Eidahl admits that he was initially nervous about the new role but has come to enjoy the challenge. He also appreciates getting the chance to interact with students in a different setting. His efforts have not only filled a need, but have also fostered a stronger connection with the district he serves.

Thursday, May 4, 2023
Girl Receives Replacement Teddy Bear With Late Mom’s Heartbeat

A four-year-old girl received a new teddy bear with her late mother’s heartbeat, thanks to a collaboration between Build-A-Bear, a radio station, and Goodwill. The girl’s original bear was accidentally donated to a Goodwill Store in Tennessee last month. When her father couldn’t find it, a sign was placed in the store, and a local radio station shared the story on social media, where it gained national attention.

Build-A-Bear’s Public Relations Director, Jamie Ludwig, contacted the station for a description of the custom stuffed animal, and said they were heartbroken over the situation. The company was able to locate a matching Rainbow Sparkle Bear and added the original recording provided by the girl’s grandmother. The new bear was then shipped to the radio station and given to Cynthia Dodson, Communications Director of Goodwill in Knoxville, who met with the girl and her father.

The father expressed his gratitude for the tremendous effort in helping his family. Both Build-A-Bear and Goodwill hope the original bear will be found, but they hope the new bear will provide comfort to the child and her family in the meantime.

Wednesday, May 3, 2023
North Carolina Community Pitches In To Send Special Needs Teens To Prom

A group of special-needs students at Washington High School in Washington, North Carolina, experienced a dream come true when the community came together to help send them to prom. Pam Smith, a proud parent of a special-needs son, expressed her gratitude for the support, saying it was “a blessing and a dream come true.” Donations poured in to help fund prom attire, a dinner at the Washington Yacht and Country Club, photos, and a red carpet leading to a stretch limousine.

Special needs teacher Serena Current emphasized the importance of giving the students the same opportunities as their peers, saying, “People don’t realize how important things like this are for them because they don’t always get the same opportunity as all their peers.” Parent Ebony Sneed echoed this sentiment, saying she wants her child to feel included and equal to others.

The students were excited to hit the dance floor and listen to their favorite songs during the prom night. As they left the Washington Yacht and Country Club in a limousine, community members and loved ones cheered them on with signs and sparklers. Parents report that the students spent the entire night dancing, making for an unforgettable experience for everyone involved.

Tuesday, May 2, 2023
Pregnant Wife Of Deployed Marine Treated To $800 Tip

With her first child on the way and her husband, a U.S. Marine, deployed overseas in Okinawa, Japan, Breann Lindholm decided to move back to her home town of Spanish Fork, Utah, to be close to family during the birth. She even got her old job back waiting tables at HuHot Mongolian Grill.

During her first shift at the restaurant since she and her husband were in high school, Breann was sharing with a customer how difficult it’s been with him so far away. Breann also shared that he’d recently broken his cellphone, making staying in touch that much more difficult. After the customer left, she was cleaning up the table and realized the man had left her an $800 tip! On the bottom of the check, he’d written, “Buy your husband a new phone. Thank you for the service!” Breann was brought to tears by the kind gesture.

Since sharing her story, tips have increased for the entire staff at the restaurant, and customers have been leaving supportive notes. Unfortunately, Breann doesn’t know who the generous customer was, but she wants to thank him for his act of kindness. “It meant a lot to both of us. Without it, we’d still be waiting to get that phone and still be struggling to talk with each other,” she says. “I was amazed by the generosity.”

Monday, May 1, 2023
California Diner Feeds Anyone Who’s Hungry For Free

A few years ago, Collin Doran, owner of the Homemade Cafe in Berkeley, California, had a crazy idea: offer free breakfast to anyone in need. Then during the pandemic, food insecurity became a major problem, so Doran made the policy official and created the “Everybody Eats Program.”

The program provides a basic two-eggs breakfast with home fries and toast to anyone who takes a coupon from the diner bulletin board. The only payment that is required is a thank you and paying customers can support the program by adding $5 to their bill, an option that many regulars appreciate. Doran says his customers have reacted positively, either contributing financially or choosing to visit the cafe more often.

The program’s popularity has led Doran to give away around 200 meals a month. Despite his initial concerns about how the program might affect the business, Doran has actually seen a 5% increase in their sales. He hopes that his program will inspire other businesses to adopt similar socially responsible practices.

Friday, April 28, 2023
Michigan 7th Grader Stops School Bus After Driver’s Medical Emergency

On April 26th, students from Carter Middle School in Warren, Michigan, were heading home on the bus when the bus driver became light-headed and lost consciousness while driving down the road. Fortunately, seventh-grader Dillon Reeves recognized what was happening and quickly responded to the emergency, bringing the bus to a safe stop.

The Warren Police and Fire Departments arrived moments later and after attending to the driver, ensured all the students made it home safely on another bus. Warren Consolidated Schools Superintendent Robert D. Livernois later praised Dillon on social media, writing, “The actions of the student who helped stop the bus made all the difference today, and I could not be prouder of his efforts.”

Dillon’s mom, Ireta Reeves, expressed her pride in a Facebook post, calling her son a “Local HERO” and highlighting how he saved the kids, a car, and a house that could have been hit. Dillon is expected to receive an award from the Warren Police Department for his heroic act.

Thursday, April 27, 2023
Crowdfund Helps 91-year-old Grocery Store Worker Finally Retire

Betty Glover, a 91-year-old grocery store worker from Phoenix, Oregon, is set to retire after raising over $80-thousand on GoFundMe to cover her home and medication expenses. The nonagenarian, who turns 92 on May 22nd, has worked for seven decades and spent the last ten years bagging groceries at WinCo Foods in Medford, Oregon.

At the beginning of April, Glover organized a crowdfund so she could finally retire. Her GoFundMe page states that she needs to retire due to her failing eyesight from macular degeneration and needs to pay off the fifth-wheel trailer she calls home. On April 14th, Glover updated the page expressing her gratitude for the support and generosity she’d received, and by April 20th, she announced her retirement date as May 1st. The initial goal was $40-thousand, but she managed to raise more than double that amount.

The funds raised will not only help Glover pay off her home but also ensure she can cover rent, groceries, and medications. Now, she looks forward to spending time with her great-grandchildren during her retirement.

Wednesday, April 26, 2023
Texas Couple Surprises Each Other By Proposing At Same Time

Austin couple, Stevie and Joey, went to play some miniature golf this weekend with Stevie’s sibling and some friends and the outing took a wonderful turn. On one of the holes, Joey gets down on one knee and asks her partner to marry her.

In response, Stevie says, “I have something for you,” and proceeds to pull out a ring and propose back to Joey. Stevie reveals they had intended to propose later that day, “but here we are!” Both parties happily accepted each other’s proposals.

Stevie’s sibling shared a video of the heartwarming moment online. They expressed happiness for the couple, saying, “Stevie has been through a lot in life and I am so happy that they were able to find love, with someone who loves them just as much.”

Source: KXAN

Tuesday, April 25, 2023
Woman Meets Stranger At The Beach Who Becomes Her Kidney Donor

For more than a decade and a half, Lucy Humphrey of Caerphilly, Wales, has been living with lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease that brings with it inflammation and pain. Then in 2019, she learned that her kidneys were failing and she would need a transplant to survive. Just before getting the devastating news, she and her partner Cenydd Owen had bought a campervan and planned on taking weekend trips with their dogs, but Lucy’s medical treatments meant they had to put those plans on hold.

Then in June of 2021, Lucy and Cenydd planned a two-day trip across Wales, but when the day came Lucy wasn’t well enough to make the journey, so they settled for a trip to a Cold Knap beach, which was closer to their home. It was there that they had a chance meeting with local Katie James. They invited Katie to join them for dinner and after talking a bit, shared that Lucy was waiting on a life-saving kidney. As luck would have it, Katie had just signed up to be a living kidney donor.

The women exchanged numbers and contacted a donor coordinator the next day. Tests revealed that they were a perfect match, a one-in-22-million chance. Then in October of last year, they underwent a successful transplant surgery in Cardiff. Lucy says the transplant instantly changed her life. She and Cenydd are grateful for the chance encounter and say it’s a reminder that there are “a lot of good people out there.”

Monday, April 24, 2023
Texas Church Raises $24K To Pay Off Austin School District’s Lunch Debt

Covenant Presbyterian Church in Austin, Texas, has pledged to pay off the lunch debt for all students in the Austin Independent School District for the 2022-23 school year. The $24-thousand donation will take care of all the existing debt and help to prevent any additional debt from accumulating for the rest of the school year.

The church’s mission committee had $200-thousand to fund projects and decided that “feeding kids should never be an issue for a school district or a family to have to worry about,” according to Mission Director Whitney Bell. Covenant Presbyterian Senior Pastor Thomas Daniel emphasized that the students’ debt is a sign of a larger problem and he expressed pride in the church’s decision to address this issue.

Although the Austin school district says they never deny students food, they don’t have the funds to cover courtesy meals. The district currently relies on crowdfunding to feed students who can’t afford to pay for their own meals. Bell hopes the church’s donation will fill a gap that others haven’t been able to address.

Friday, April 21, 2023
Puppy Saves Owner’s Life By Chewing His Toe To The Bone

Retired builder David Lindsay of Cambridge, England, recently woke up to a horrifying discovery when he found his seven-month-old bulldog pup, Harley, had chewed his big toe “to the bone.” His wife’s scream alerted him to the gruesome scene. Although the incident was distressing, it turned out to be a blessing when doctors later found that the father of five and grandfather of 11 had lost feeling in his feet due to two blocked arteries in his legs.

Lindsay, who is a diabetic, was unaware of the numbness in his foot before the incident. The 64-year-old was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he received antibiotics to stop the infection caused by the dog bite from spreading to his bone. During scans for the fractured toe, doctors discovered the blocked arteries, which could have led to amputation if left untreated.

Lindsay is now being assessed for stents to open up the arteries and restore blood flow to his leg. Despite the ordeal, he has no plans to part with the life-saving bulldog, saying, “He’s done me a favor by chewing my toe.” He hopes to return home to his wife and bulldog in a few days.

Thursday, April 20, 2023
Mom & Son Win $100K Lottery 3 Times In Under A Month Using Same Numbers

A Cape Cod family has hit it big three times, winning the Massachusetts State Lottery three times in less than a month playing the same lucky numbers. On March 22nd, 59-year-old waitress and school bus driver Tricia Johnson of East Falmouth played her usual Keno numbers and won $100-thousand, taking home over $70-thousand after taxes. “I thought someone was messing with me,” she recalls thinking when she realized she’d won.

Then on April 10th, Tricia played the same numbers and won again, saying it was like “lightning struck twice.” That time she had to have her husband confirm the win, not believing that she could be that lucky. But apparently luck runs in her family, because on that very same day, Tricia’s son John also played his mom’s lucky Keno numbers and won $100-thousand, too.

Tricia plans to use her winnings to pay some bills and make some much-needed repairs on her home and her son has already bought himself a new jeep with his prize money. And she says she’s probably going to retire her lucky Keno numbers. “So I can probably stop playing them now,” she says, “because I’m SURE it won’t happen again.”

Wednesday, April 19, 2023
Facebook Helps Woman Reunite With Biological Dad After 25 Years

In 2020, Jordyn O’Neil’s maternal grandmother, who’d raised her since she was a baby, passed away. Her mother had died when she was a child and with no other family that she knew of, she set out to see if she could find her father. After taking a DNA test, she connected with her grandmother’s sister, who was able to tell Jordyn her father’s name: Brian Ahern.

With this new information and some old photos she had from her childhood, Jordyn turned to a local Facebook group for an area in Southeast Detroit called “Downriver and Friends.” That’s when her search really picked up steam. “So many people knew him,” she recalls. “They were messaging me with his phone number, his address. Somebody went and knocked on his door to tell him about the post.”

Ahern says he never stopped thinking about his daughter, who he hadn’t seen since she was eight-months-old, when Jordyn’s mom suddenly took her and moved away. He always hoped that they’d reunite one day, so he was excited when his daughter finally called him. Soon after the phone call, they met in person for the first time in 25 years. Now, the two talk everyday and Ahern says he wants to make up for lost time and be there for his daughter, saying, “I’m gonna be with her as much as I can be.”

\Tuesday, April 18, 2023
Make-A-Wish Sends Teen To Veterinary School At Texas A&M

Last month, 13-year-old Gabby Zarate was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor that has significantly impacted her life. Gabby’s father, Michael, says it has affected her emotions and speech but not her intelligence. Despite these challenges, Gabby finds strength in her love for animals and Aggie football.

On April 14th, Make-A-Wish fulfilled Gabby’s dream of becoming an Aggie veterinarian for a day. Make-A-Wish CEO Shelly Millwee revealed that Gabby specifically requested to attend Texas A&M, which is regarded as one of the best veterinary schools in the country. Gabby and her family traveled from their home in Rio Grande City, Texas, to College Station so she could spend a weekend as an official Aggie veterinarian.

Michael shared that Gabby had done extensive research on the school and was determined to attend. Although Gabby struggles to express emotion as a result of her condition, her dad said her excitement was evident through her smile. Make-A-Wish made Gabby’s dream come true and provided her with a special experience she’ll never forget.

Monday, April 17, 2023
Over 55 Cheer Squad Aims To Inspire

There’s a cheer squad in Arizona that’s turning heads. It’s because the members are all over 55! The Sun City Poms have three practices a week for three hours each, so they mean business. The group boasts 30 members and a handful of trainees, who can join after completing a three-month class, learning two routines, and proving they have what it takes.

The ages in the group range from 58 to 90. The president, Peggy Parsons, is 81 and she giggles while saying “Ginger, our 90-year old, always gets the loudest.”

This cheer squad is the real deal and their calendar is booked. The group performs in about 40 to 50 events a year, including at parades, conventions and memory care facilities. On March 25, the group also had a big “Celebrate the Poms” show, which drew a crowd of over 700 people. The Sun City Poms even performed on a huge stage: The Fiesta Bowl. The group says “we aspire to inspire before we expire.”

Friday, April 14, 2023
“Hero” 10-Year-Old Iowa Girl Saves Sister From Burning Home

Earlier this week, 10-year-old Roselin Castro, was alone with her seven-year-old sister when she noticed smoke and fire outside of their West Des Moines, Iowa, home. With her mom out dropping off her youngest siblings at daycare, Roselin was left to save herself and her little sister. She quickly got her sister out of the house and got the attention of a man walking his dog nearby. The man and others called 911.

Roselin’s mother returned to find her house in flames and was initially distraught, unsure if her daughters had escaped, but thanks to Roselin, both girls were safe. West Des Moines Fire Marshal Mike Whitsell praised the girls for their quick actions, stating, “That fire was burning very intensely, and it was spreading rapidly, and so for them to be able to get outside, get everybody outside without any injuries – we are very fortunate.”

Firefighters are still investigating the cause of the fire. They managed to save the family’s dog and were glad the girls didn’t try to themselves. Roselin credits her knowledge of what to do during a fire to her school lessons. The family has lost their home and belongings, but Roselin knows what’s really important, saying, “The thing that is more important is family, not other stuff.”

Thursday, April 13, 2023
Family Survives 138 mph Tornado In Bathroom, Only Room Left Afterwards

As longtime residents of the Midwest, Jake Hill and his family were very familiar with tornado warnings, but when they got one on March 31st, they weren’t worried because they’d never been hit with damage before. But just after 10:30 that night, the 20-year-old arrived home from work and saw power lines sparking near his home and as the winds picked up to dangerous speeds, a transformer exploded and he rushed inside.

Hill realized this twister was rapidly approaching their Spencer, Indiana, home and someone in his family shouted for everyone to get into the bathroom since they don’t have a basement. So Hill, his mom, brother, grandma, grandpa, godmother and dog all piled into the tiny bathroom. Just after they did, the family felt the drywall ceiling falling on them and as they breathed in insulation and dust, they heard windows shattering in their home.

The 138-mile per hour tornado passed quickly and miraculously, none of the family members were hurt, but their house was another story. The only four complete walls left standing in the home were those of the bathroom. The Hills are grateful they’re all okay and for the support of the community, including the 100 volunteers who came out last weekend to help them clean up the property. Jake says, “Whoever said to get in the bathroom, if we didn’t listen to that, probably a few of us wouldn’t have made it.”

Wednesday, April 12, 2023
Honest Stranger Returns Man’s Lost Wallet

When Kevin Smith returned to his York County, Pennsylvania, home last Friday after a trip to the grocery store, he realized something was missing. “I picked up a few items at Weis Markets, drove immediately home, walked in the door, reached in my back pocket. My wallet wasn’t there,” Smith recalls. After not finding the wallet in his car, panic started to set in. He had no idea where he might have dropped it.

He was just about to head back to the grocery store when his doorbell camera alerted him that someone was at his door. Standing at his front door is a young woman holding his wallet, showing that everything was still inside of it.

The woman, who only identified herself as Brooke, had found Smith’s wallet, gotten his address from his ID and decided to return the wallet to him in person. Smith was blown away by the kind gesture and relieved to have his wallet back. He hopes sharing the story will inspire others to be more like Brooke. “Be a good neighbor. Be a good friend. Be a good stranger, like Brooke was to me,” Smith says. “It’s amazing how those random acts of kindness can make such a big difference.”

Tuesday, April 11, 2023
Dad Loses 79 Pounds To Be Organ Donor For Teen Son

When a Canadian dad was told he needed to lose weight to save his son, he didn’t just step up to the challenge – he crushed it. Daniel Kablutsiak, a father from Arviat, Nunavut, lost 79 pounds in order to become an organ donor for his teenage son, Hunter. The 16-year-old was diagnosed with stage 5 kidney disease in 2020, and a new kidney would greatly improve his quality of life.

Daniel wanted to donate his kidney to his son, but at 274 pounds, he would need to lose at least 74 pounds to qualify as a donor. Through “determination, love, and stubbornness,” he focused on diet and exercise, cutting back on sugar and walking at least three miles every day or hitting the gym when it was too cold or when polar bears were on the prowl (a common problem in their village). And with support from his wife, Francine, he reached his goal in 13 months, weighing in at 195 pounds.

In March, Daniel was accepted as an organ donor for Hunter, and the life-saving transplant is scheduled for June. The news has already had a positive effect on Hunter. “His spirit went up, his energy,” Daniel says. “I can see the glow in his face like some kind of relief or something.” Daniel aims to continue his healthier lifestyle and hopes to inspire others facing challenges to make necessary changes in their lives. “Whatever it is, just put your mind into it and go for it,” he says. “If I can do it, anybody else can do it.”

Monday, April 10, 2023
Virginia Man Buys 20 Of Same Lottery Tickets, Wins 20 Times

A Virginia man recently purchased 20 identical lottery tickets for a single Pick 4 drawing in the Virginia Lottery and ended up winning, for a total prize of $100-thousand. Fekru Hirpo, the lucky winner from Alexandria, bought all 20 tickets with the number combination 2-5-2-7 at the Four Mile Run Shell station in Arlington.

Each ticket earned him a $5-thousand top prize, adding up to his impressive six-figure win. Interestingly, Hirpo says he doesn’t typically buy a large number of identical tickets for Pick 4 games. However, he had a strong feeling about the drawing on March 8th and decided to go for it.

The lucky winner hasn’t decided how he plans to spend his newfound wealth yet.

Friday, April 7, 2023
Missouri Firefighters Fix Dinner For Kids After Sending Mom To Hospital

A Missouri mother was sent to the hospital after an accident that happened while she was preparing Sunday dinner, and first responders went the extra mile to make sure her kids were fed. Alicia Watson of St. Charles suffered second-degree burns on her legs and feet from boiling water while making pasta. After the accident, she called for help and firefighters and paramedics arrived at the scene.

Watson was taken to the hospital for evaluation, but her children were left at home, waiting for their father to arrive. In the meantime, Captain Kelly Hunsel from the St. Charles City Fire Department and her crew decided to stay and help make dinner for the hungry kids. Kingston Bond, Watson’s nephew, said the firefighters didn’t know how to cook the meal, but they managed to save the pasta dinner of mostaccioli with a side of potatoes.

Bond praised the firefighters’ efforts, saying the meal turned out “phenomenal.” Not only did the first responders make dinner, but they also helped clean the kitchen afterwards. Watson expressed her gratitude to the firefighters for calming her children down, reassuring them that she would be okay, and making sure they enjoyed their Sunday dinner on time.

Thursday, April 6, 2023
“Hero” Pilot Makes Emergency Landing After Deadly Cobra Found On Plane

Earlier this week, commercial pilot Rudolf Erasmus was flying four passengers from Worcester, South Africa, to Johannesburg, when he felt something against his body. “We were cruising at 11,000 feet in the air when I felt something cold against my hip,” Erasmus recalls. At first he thought it was his water bottle, but when he looked down, he saw the head of a cobra pull back underneath his seat.

Not wanting to alarm the passengers, Erasmus told them they had an “unwelcome passenger” on the plane and that he would have to make an emergency landing. Around 15 tense minutes later, they were on the ground and everyone on the plane made it out unscathed. Local snake wrangler Johan de Klerk was called in, but by the time he made it to the airport the snake had disappeared.

Based upon a picture taken just before the flight, the snake is believed to have been a deadly Cape cobra, one of the most venomous cobras in Africa. But thanks to Erasmus, everyone made it out of the place safely. “The pilot, Rudolf Erasmus, is the hero of the story,” de Klerk says. “He was able to remain calm and perform an emergency landing in Welkom without getting bitten by the snake.” Then adds, “He saved his four passengers’ lives through his own cool headedness.”

Wednesday, April 5, 2023
Teacher Driving Home Pulls Over To Save Choking 100-Year-Old Woman

On March 29th, Ryan Roberts, a 45-year-old ceramics teacher at the Iolani School in Honolulu was headed home from work with his two sons in the car when he spotted a car parked in the middle of the road. Next to the car was an older woman who Roberts says looked panicked and was in danger. He pulled over and ran toward the car to try and help and soon realized there was the woman and her 100-year-old mother, who was choking and gasping for air.

Roberts, who had recently been through retraining for CPR, knew exactly what to do, spun the woman around and performed the Heimlich maneuver on her. At first, he tried to be gentle, afraid he might injure the elderly woman, but when the first attempt didn’t work, he tried a second time a little harder. On his third attempt, the woman coughed up the throat lozenge that she’d been choking on and started to breathe again.

At that moment, an off-duty EMS pulled up on the scene and Robert, satisfied that the woman would be well taken care of, went on his way. But because Roberts was wearing a school t-shirt, the woman’s doctor was able to track him down to give him the praise he deserves. According to Roberts’ boss, this isn’t the first time that the teacher has saved a life, it’s actually his fifth. Like the hero he is, Roberts is taking his moment in the limelight to remind people how important it is to get trained in CPR so you can “become a resource to your community.”

Tuesday, April 4, 2023
Baby Found In Rubble Reunites With Mom 54 Days After Earthquake

More than five days after the February 6th earthquake in Southern Turkey, a baby only weeks old was pulled from the rubble of a damaged building in the province of Hatay. Photos of the baby’s rescue gripped the nation and the world and everyone was amazed that the tiny girl had somehow miraculously survived the destruction relatively unscathed.

The baby was transported to Ankara in Central Turkey to be cared for and medical authorities gave her the name Gizem, which means “mystery” in Turkish. It was initially believed that the child’s mother died in the quake, but results from a DNA test revealed that baby Gizem was actually Vetin Begdas and her mother, Yasemin Begdas, was alive and recovering in a hospital in Adana, Turkey.

On Saturday, Turkey’s Family and Social Services Minister Derya Yanik reunited the now three-and-a-half-month-old baby with her mother. The minister tweeted a video of the heartwarming reunion. “One of the most priceless tasks in the world is reuniting a mother with her child,” Yanik says. “Being a part of that happiness meant a lot to us as well.” “Vetin is now our baby too,” Yanik writes in the tweet and then adds, “Our support will always be with you.”

Monday, April 3, 2023
Group Brings Comfort Dogs To Nashville To Asist In Healing From The School Shooting

Comfort dogs have been brought in to help those that experienced the Nashville School shooting last month. A group of golden retrievers was brought to the memorial set up at the Covenant School. As people continue to flow to the spot to leave memorial items, the dogs have helped comfort them.

The Nashville Fire Department called on the National Crisis Response Canines, a volunteer organization that works with counselors, EMS, and firefighters. The dogs have been helping first responders deal with what they witnessed at the school.

Andy Garmezy with the canine non-profit says “You can see the stress just lift off them when they start to pet the dog, and that’s why we’re involved with counselors and children.”

The group has been involved in high profile tragedies in recent years to help comfort victims’ families and survivors as well as first responders. It’s not known how long they will be in Music City helping out.

Friday, March 31, 2023
Boy Sleeps In A Tent For 3 Years, Raises $860K For Hospice

Back in 2020, Max Woosey’s neighbor, Rick Abbot, lost his battle with cancer, but before he passed, Abbot gave Max a tent and told the then-10-year-old to “have an adventure.” In Abbot’s final days, he was cared for by North Devon Hospice, so to honor his neighbor’s advice and to help an organization that has cared for so many, Max started the “Boy in the Tent” project to raise money for the hospice.

In 2021, we told you about Max making it past the one year mark. Amazingly, in that year, he’d managed to raise almost $700-thousand for North Devon Hospice. Well, earlier this week, on the three-year anniversary of him moving out of his parent’s house into a tent in their backyard, Max, now 13, is giving up tent-life and moving back inside.

In the last three years, Max has raised over $860-thousand for the hospice and he says it’s been the best time of his life. The project led to him being allowed to pitch his tent in amazing locations like the London Zoo and the garden at No. 10 Downing Street, as well as Twickenham Stadium where England’s national rugby team plays. He also earned a Guinness World Record for the most money raised by camping as an individual. Looking back on the time, Max says he wouldn’t change a thing. “It is crazy that it has got so much attention,” he says. “I hope it makes people see that children are capable of a lot more than people think.”

Thursday, March 30, 2023
Amateur Gold Hunter Finds Huge Nugget Worth Over $130K

An Amateur gold digger in Australia has unearthed a 10-pound rock containing gold estimated to be worth over $130-thousand. The man had found the rock in a part of Australia called the “Golden Triangle,” which was the heart of Australia’s 19th-century gold rush.

Darren Kamp, owner of the Lucky Strike Gold prospecting shop in southeastern Australia, says the unnamed man brought the rock into his shop at the end of last year asking for it to be valued. When he dropped off the rock, the prospector asked Kamp if he thought there could be $6-thousand worth of gold inside of it.

But once Kamp cleaned it up, he says, “you could see the gold just come oozing out of the rock everywhere.” The expert estimates that the gold in the 10-pound rock weighs about 5.7-pounds, making it worth over $130-thousand. He calls it an “incredible, once-in-a-lifetime find.”

Wednesday, March 29, 2023
California Women Unite To Build 10 Habitat For Humanity Homes In A Month

Women in Sacramento, California, are working together with other women to build 10 houses for themselves and their families. The month-long Women Build project brings together construction professionals with women who want to learn how to construct a home and the future homeowners to help build a new community.

The project is a collaboration with Habitat for Humanity and made possible by a $40-thousand gift from the Julie Soderlund Memorial Fund. Soderlund was a community leader who died of cancer at the age of 38 in 2016 and some of her friends showed up to help the ten families work on their future homes.

One of the women working on her family’s new home, single mom Monique Lujan, says the project was special because she was working alongside her future neighbors. “We are building real bonds, and we are going to live here for years and know each other,” she says. “Our kids are going to meet each other and grow up together.” Along with the other nine families, Lujan will get to move into her new home later this year.

Tuesday, March 28, 2023
Thrift Store Volunteer Finds Woman’s Lost Wedding Dress

When Tanya Walsh got married in 2018, the Ontario bride wore a wedding dress that her mother had bought for her. Her mother passed away a few months later, so she was happy to have the dress to remind her of her mom and hand down to her own daughters one day. She stored the bridal gown in her late mother’s closet for safe keeping, along with the dress her mom had worn to her wedding.

Earlier this year, she was visiting her dad to celebrate a late Christmas and learned that he had cleaned out her mom’s closet and had accidentally donated the dress to charity. “I was pretty emotional,” she says. “I’m getting emotional just thinking about it.” After not finding the dress at two charities where her dad would most likely have taken donations, she turned to social media hoping that someone might be able to help.

In a post to Facebook, Walsh admits that it’s probably a long shot, but she was desperate to find the dress. Fortunately, the post was shared over a thousand times and caught the eye of Sheila, a volunteer at the St. Vincent de Paul store in Toronto, who found the dress in the charity’s basement. Tanya posted an update thanking everyone who helped in the search for the dress, writing, “I am beyond excited to be reunited with it!”

Monday, March 27, 2023
Nearly Every Cat In Kansas City Shelter Adopted Thanks To TikTok Video

A viral TikTok video posted by an employee at Wayside Waifs no-kill shelter in Kansas City, Missouri, has led to almost every cat in the shelter being adopted. In the video, which has racked up over 1.6-million views, employee Tera goes around to several of the facility’s “feline care techs” asking for their recommendations of cats with certain traits. The lighthearted video has really resonated with cat lovers all over the world.

Tera first approaches Carrie and says, “Recommend me a cat,” and then has her pick a slip of paper out of a bowl which reads, “a cat that loves to cuddle.” Carrie then leads the camera over to Corduroy, a gray cat that the cat tech claims is “quite the cuddler.” Tera then asks other employees for recommendations of a cat with cattitude, one that’s low maintenance, and other cats with “pawsitive” attributes.

Wayside Waifs communications manager Casey Waugh says the idea of the video came from one of their feline care techs and everyone at the shelter was surprised by the global attention the post has gotten. The post has received thousands of comments from cat lovers from all over and a few people who admit that they didn’t like cats too much before the adorable video, but now they’re converts. A couple of days ago, Wayside commented on the post that all but two of the kitties had been adopted. But it wouldn’t be surprising to learn that Treva and Hank had found forever homes since then.

Friday, March 24, 2023
Tampa Strip Club Security Guards Stops Masked Gunman

At 1am on Sunday morning, a masked man approached the entryway to the Mons Venus strip club in Tampa, Florida, wielding a flashlight in one hand and a loaded Glock 9mm handgun in the other. The man walked straight to the door and started to walk in, but security guard Manuel Resto saw him coming and attempted to grab the gun out of his hand.

Surveillance video posted online by the Tampa Police Department, shows the man wrestle the gun out of Resto’s grip and then it goes off, hitting the door, but fortunately not injuring any of the nearly 200 patrons inside the club. The man then strikes the security guard several times in the head with the handgun. In the struggle, the assailant drops the firearm and Resto picks it up and aims it at the man, who lunges at Resto attempting to get the gun back before being overwhelmed by the security guard and two other bystanders.

The three men subdued the 44-year-old assailant until police arrived and arrested him on multiple charges including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The suspect’s motive is unknown, but in a statement, police say he had two fully loaded magazines in his pockets. Tampa Police Interim Chief Lee Bercaw says there’s no question that Resto’s actions saved lives. “Thanks to their heroic actions,” Bercaw says. “Today an armed suspect is in custody and no lives were lost.”

Thursday, March 23, 2023
After Losing Everything In Fire, Stranger Gives Family Car & Home

On March 13th, Lindsay and AJ Rowe woke up to their home quickly filling with smoke. The Hartland, Michigan, couple rushed to get the six of their seven children who were home at the time out of the house and were forced to jump from a second-story window in a dramatic and dangerous exit. All eight of them had to be taken to the hospital and treated for smoke inhalation and other burn-related injuries, but they were going to be okay. Their home, on the other hand, was a complete loss.

Members of their tight-knit Langston County community rallied to help the Rowes, including donating to a crowdfund to help them get back on their feet, but the family would soon be able to leave the hospital and they would be able to go. “We were offered a hotel room, which totally not ungrateful,” Lindsay says. “But it isn’t a great option for a family of our size.” Then news of the family’s situation made it to Brighton Ford owner John Cueter, who knew he needed to do something to help the Rowe family.

A few hours later, Cueter was at the hospital giving the Rowe family the keys to a home and a pickup truck. He has told the Rowes they can use the home and vehicle for as long as they need and they’re beyond grateful that someone they don’t even know could be so kind. “This is a complete stranger who just gave me his home for my family,” Lindsay says. “Not just a home, a beautiful home where we can begin to heal.” She says the kind act is just one more reminder that there are still good people in the world.

Wednesday, March 22, 2023
Colorado Man Climbs 3-Stories To Help Save Neighbor From Fire

When a fire broke out in an adjacent building in his Colorado Springs apartment complex, Dewey Parker noticed that one of his neighbors needed help. Parker could see that his neighbor, who suffers from asthma, couldn’t get away from the smoke entering the building from the fire next door. “He had an inhaler in his hand, couldn’t even stand up,” Parker says. “Somebody else told the EMTs and they went up, but the door was locked.”

With little regard for his own safety, Parker decided to try and help his neighbor. He scaled up the balconies to the man’s third-floor apartment, let himself in, and opened the door so EMTs could get in to render aid.

Firefighters were returning from a nearby call when the fire was reported, so they were on the scene in less than five minutes and had the fire under control in just a few more. Aside from the man having the asthma attack, no injuries were reported. And thanks to Parker, his neighbor is going to be fine. “I just figured if that was me, I would hope someone would have done the same thing,” Parker says and then adds, “I’m glad I was here and was able to help.”

Tuesday, March 21, 2023
Taylor Swift Keeps 5-Year Tour Ticket Promise To Teen Burn Survivor

On St. Patrick’s Day in 2018, then eight-year-old Isabella McCune suffered severe burns over 65% of her body and would spend the next nine months recuperating at the Arizona Burn Center in Phoenix. During the months it took to repair the damage to her body, she missed getting to go see her favorite artist, Taylor Swift on her Reputation Stadium Tour.

Isabella says that Swift’s music helped her get through the most difficult time in her life and she even got a visit from the Multi-Diamond recording artist while she was at the hospital. Swift left the young fan a note that reads, “Isabella, I hope you feel better soon. I’m so honored you’ve been listening to my music. You’re so awesome and I can’t wait to have you at a show. Stay strong, gorgeous. Love, Taylor.”

Last week, the pop star made good on her promise to have Isabella at a future concert. Swift and her team surprised the now-13-year-old with four tickets to the second night of her new Eras Tour in Glendale this past weekend. It’s a surprise Isabella won’t soon forget. “Not only the fact that I’m able to go and I got these tickets gifted to me,” she says. “They’re from Taylor Swift and her team and they remembered me, and thought of me.”

Monday, March 20, 2023
British Columbia Elementary School’s Kindness Project Is Its Biggest Yet

Kindness is contagious and students at a British Columbia elementary school are learning that first hand. Since 2017, Watson Elementary’s Kindness Project had done good deeds for strangers in Chilliwack. Usually, one or two Grade Three classes would handle the project, but this year was different.

In the biggest project yet, all of the Grade Three and some of the Grade Two and Grade Four classes took it on too. First they raised $14-hundred with cupcake sales, then the kids headed out to be kind.

The students handed out flowers, chocolates, dog treats and coffee to strangers. One woman was thrilled and said “Kindness coffee is always the best.” As they continued their good deeds, one man handed them a $20 bill and said “This is for next year’s project.”

The kindness didn’t stop there. Some kids stayed behind to make care packages for the homeless. Each item handed out came with a handmade card containing a quote by Kevin Heath which said “No act of kindness is too small. The gift of kindness may start as a small ripple that over time can turn into a tidal wave affecting the lives of many.”