Today’s Good News

Every day we share stories of hope – joy – Love!  Enjoy some GOOD NEWS each day with LifeSongs.

“..you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.” Philippians 4:8 (The Message)

Monday, August 10, 2026

Located in a rural area along the Sea of Japan coast is an area called Fukui. It’s famous for being the historical home to a clan of samurai, the discovery of dinosaur fossils and a group of Japanese grandmothers known as the Monkey Busters!

When not wrapping freshly caught seafood in perfectly steamed rice, a trio of grandmas arm themselves with airsoft guns and patrol their gardens to ward off invasive monkeys that try to raid their food storage. Their ages range from 74 to 67 – and they can frequently be seen posing like they are Charlie’s Angels.

Monkeys have long been a problem, damaging their crops of onion, eggplants, soybean and potatoes. Scarecrows and netting couldn’t keep them out – but a Granny with an airsoft gun is doing the job just fine. When any of the farmers and gardeners spot monkeys in the area, they send out the alert and soon enough the Monkey Busters appear, armed to the teeth and ready to rock. Sometimes they use firecrackers to scare off the pests as well. Guns, explosives and grannies. Let’s go!

 

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Friday, August 7, 2026

Beverly Thomas spent her career caring for others as a nurse in Ohio. Now nearing 80, she’s experiencing care herself as neighbors and strangers have stepped in to help her in her time of need.

The 79 year old retired nurse was called before a local judge for letting her property fall into disrepair. Anti-blight laws in Beverly’s neighborhood could mean jail time and heavy fines. Beverly has arthritis and increasing tremors which prevent her from taking care of the home and yard. As word of her predicament spread, strangers started showing up at her front door to help.

One day Beverly recalls answering the door to find two strangers who were also strangers to each other. They had both arrived at the same day and time. One was a lawyer offering to represent her for free. The other was a landscaper who offered his company’s assistance for free. Other volunteers showed up and completely renovated the property. Not only will Beverly avoid costly legal problems, but she’s much safer and more comfortable in her home – now surrounded by new friends who look in on her all the time!

Thursday, August 6, 2026

You might get a diagnosis from the world, but when God has other plans – nothing can stop Him! When 14 year old Dylan Mwaniki was diagnosed with Stage 4 kidney cancer, doctors gave him just eight months to live. Today, he is cancer free, graduating from high school, and celebrating a victory that his family says was fueled not only by medicine, but by hope.

God placed Dr. Mary Austin in Dylan’s life to give him hope in a dire battle for his life. She walked hand in hand with the boy through 52 weeks of chemotherapy. Dylan calls her his second mom – she was so involved in the treatment that saved Dylan’s life. Dr. Austin told Dylan – if you make it to your high school graduation, I’ll be there – so he did!

Countless tears, prayers and battles later – Dylan is healthy and thriving. His mom Lucy reminds everyone the power of kindness – it can literally save lives.

Wednesday, August 5, 2026

Wildfires have torn across large portions of Canada, the United States and Europe. It’s a hot dry summer in certain places. Firefighters use all kinds of technology to aid in their battles now, including satellites, AI and drones. But in Spain, about 80 miles south of Barcelona, firefighters are trusting a herd of donkeys.

Tivissa Donkey Firefighters is a Spanish non-profit that helps rehabilitate donkeys who have suffered abuse from previous owners or were simply abandoned. A part of that recovery is giving the herd a job – to fight fires! The herd is brought in to eat the dry grass along the perimeter of areas prone to fires. This cuts off the fuel and helps snuff out the blazes.

Tivissa Donkey Firefighters not only saves lives – it gives these often abused animals a life of dignity and notoriety.

Tuesday, August 4, 2026

Living alone can be scary, isolating and dangerous – especially when you are a senior. For nine arduous days, 82 year old Joan Rivet was alone and trapped after falling in her bathtub. But this isn’t a story of tragedy – it’s good news!

Joan’s fall injured her back and she couldn’t get herself upright. Her phone was just feet away in the other room, but it might as well have been in another country. Joan was able to use her toes to turn on the tub faucet enough to get water – just enough to survive and keep on hoping. Calling out was no help because she and her cat lived alone on a mountain, with no nearby neighbors.

The miracle happened with Joan’s brother, who lives five hours away in another state and couldn’t shake the feeling that his sister needed help. He called her local police – sent neighbors by the house to see if her car was there and eventually convinced the police to conduct a wellness check – which saved Joan’s life!

Joan says she never lost hope as she struggled to survive. She’s continued to regain her strength and heal through physical therapy.

Monday, August 3, 2026

The Open Your Heart to a Senior program serves vulnerable seniors of Westmoreland County PA. These are folks who need basic necessities, including food and clothing. Many people this program helps have no family around. One such dependent is Miss Diana Holcomb. When she heard that the program was ending due to lack of funds, she went into panic mode. She didn’t even know how she would feed herself anymore.

Miss Diana reached out to a local news team to share her story and how Open Your Heart to Seniors had literally saved her life. And her story struck a chord with the community. Just a couple days after her story ran on the local news, an anonymous donor gave the program a gift of $100,000! That’s enough to run the program for an entire year!

Friday, July 31, 2026

Ever pass a restaurant that has a line out the door and down the street? It makes you think “I’ve got to try this!” Every Saturday morning, usually before the sun even rises, in the suburbs of Frisco, Texas – folks start lining up and down the street in front of a regular looking house. Most bring folding chairs and coffee to sip. They chat with their neighbors while they wait for Angela Henson to open up her Little Bit Bakery.

Angela is a 21 year old entrepreneur that has brought her community together over sour dough and other baked goodies. During the COVID-19 pandemic teenage Angela got a baking kit off the internet and found her passion. Now, six years later thanks to a Texas law that allows folks to sell direct to customers out of their own homes, she is running a thriving bakery!

Every Saturday Angela is up before 3 AM preparing dough and firing up her break oven. She churns out dozens of loaves of sour dough, English muffins and sometimes cinnamon rolls, cookies and other treats. Her community is devoted and all routing for her success – and getting together with neighbors every Saturday morning has become a tradition in the neighborhood that hopefully lasts forever!

Thursday, July 30, 2026

During World War 2, the Japanese Empire took over Vietnam. It was a dangerous time in the SE Asian country, costing over one million lives from the ensuing famine. Now, generations later, Japan is sending aid to help care for their neighbors, instead of conquering them.

For the last 30 years a volunteer team of medical professionals – doctors, nurses and surgeons from Japan – have visited Vietnam to provide essential healthcare and surgeries. Their biggest focus is to restore adults and children born with cleft lips and palates. And they do this all free of charge.

They estimate that over 3,000 cleft surgeries have been performed since this team began its work in Vietnam. While that is an impressive number, the volunteer doctors still see it as one life helped, one big smile at a time.

Wednesday, July 29, 2026

Andrew Lunetta worked for a homeless shelter in Syracuse, New York and he kept seeing a repeating pattern. Folks would transition to the cheapest housing they could find – and in just a few weeks or months be right back in the homeless shelter. Finding secure, affordable, permanent housing is a crisis across the country. Everyone longs for a place to call home – and that led Andrew to create A Tiny Home For Good.

A Tiny Home For Good has built over 2 dozen properties for people to live safely and with autonomy. Everyone deserves the dignity of a place to call home! But providing a home is just the beginning for Andrew’s nonprofit, who partner with others to provide mental health care and addiction services.

Tuesday, July 28, 2026

4 year old Roman Butzlaff is a kind kid. He has never met a stranger – he says “Hi!” to everyone. And his outgoing nature has brought an entire neighborhood together. Roman was a lonely preschooler after his parents divorced and his father moved to Florida. He and his mom lived in the suburbs of Concord, North Carolina.

One day Roman dragged his little preschooler Adirondack chair into the front yard and started waving and greeting his neighbors. It was a quiet neighborhood of mostly retirees. People kept to themselves. But Roman’s infectious smile started drawing people in.

Soon folks started stopping and chatting with Roman every day. Friendships were forged. Now half the neighborhood shows up for Roman’s sports games and even cheer him on at swim lessons. Roman’s 5th birthday party became a full on block party because this little boy brought everyone together!

Monday, July 27, 2026

Calandria Robinson has been volunteering with Second Harvest Food Bank since 2024. It’s not just a way to serve her community – it’s selfless work that helps her stay sober. Calandria has been clean for more than 2 years since completing addiction treatment at Avenues Recovery Center. She actually created a volunteer initiative to help others in recovery meet both their court mandated community service hours and also practice one of the most important of the 12 steps: helping others.

Avenues Recovery has clinics in Metairie, Covington and Baton Rouge. They’ve been partnering with Second Harvest for a couple years now and it has been a great source of joy for many as they get their lives back on track. And judging by the smiles on their faces, these hard working volunteers are also learning how to have fun without drugs and alcohol.

Friday, July 24, 2025

You’ve heard the phrase, “Love what you do, and you’ll never work a day in your life.” Lee Jong-yeol understands the truth in that better than most. The 88-year-old is South Korea’s first master piano tuner, affectionately called the “piano doctor,” and he has no plans to retire.

He’s invented his own tools to keep the concert grand pianos in tune, gently turning each of the 200 strings inside to locate the perfect pitch. He doesn’t use computers or anything digital to measure the pitch; he just trusts his ear.

Thursday, July 23, 2026

The World Cup is over – Football is still weeks away. But Major League Baseball just came out of the All-Star break and for America’s pastime, it’s not just about the game – it’s about helping the fans. The New York Yankees celebrated HOPE Week to spotlight good work in their community. One of the non-profits the Yankees partnered with is called I Want To Mow Your Lawn.

I Want To Mow Your Lawn provides lawn-care volunteers to help older adults, veterans and neighbors facing physical or financial hardships. During HOPE week, some of those volunteers were Major League ballplayers! Not only did the Yankees get out and mow some lawns – they presented the non-profit with a check for $20,000 to continue the good work.

Wednesday, July 22, 2026

A father’s love of flying led to his son joining him in the skies. Captain Rob Lustman had a tremendous 40 year career piloting commercial airlines. His son Daniel followed in his footsteps. Rob had dreams of how his final flight would go but life had other plans.

Rob Lustman was diagnosed with ALS and the neurodegenerative disease worked quickly. Instead of being able to take the stick for one last flight, his son stepped in to handle the honors. Daniel flew – Rob kicked back in first class.

Many friends and family made the last flight all the more special – and their story has inspired many through social media. Turns out Captain Lustman’s legacy wasn’t in the cockpit – it was the people he inspired to take to the skies after him.

Tuesday, July 21, 2026

Over 10 million folks from around the world have visited the United States for the World Cup. It was a once in a lifetime experience for most – but also one approached with caution. The news and noise about life in America is apparently not too glamorous. But what folks like Sebastian, a German World Cup fan, discovered is a country filled with kindness and generosity!

When Sebastian booked his trip to see the German National team play in the World Cup, he and his family were worried about all the news reports on gun violence and criminals. While in Boston for a match, Sebastian was overwhelmed with American hospitality. On a late night, walking a long distance to his hotel – a family pulled up and offered him a ride. They could tell he was a bit lost. They didn’t charge him anything, they were just being kind!

Acts like this transformed Sebastian’s thoughts on America. He said he was more bummed about leaving America than he was when Germany was eliminated from the World Cup. And Sebastian’s story is just one of countless others who also have a newfound love and sense of brotherhood with the United States. Good job, America.

Monday, July 20, 2026

The World Cup is over – but the love of the game? Never! Soccer – or futbol as most of the world knows it – is a multigenerational passion. A fan in England grew up watching matches with his grandfather and decided to give him the greatest experience a futbol fan could dream of – a trip to the other side of the world to follow the England national team through the tournament.

Jacob Allmendinger is 21 years old – and he chose to drain his £10,000 savings to give his 80 year old grandfather, Geoff, the trip of a lifetime. The duo travelled to New York, Atlanta and Mexico City, following their beloved team as they managed the upset of the World Cup, defeating Mexico in the Estadio Azteca!

The pair became social media darlings as their country looked on in envy at their adventures. Social media attention attracted a crypto company that pledged to reimburse Jacob his life savings if England managed to beat the Democratic Republic of the Congo – which they did – and MetaWin followed through – restoring thousands of pounds to young Jacob! But even if he had to just save up again, the grandson knows he did right by his best friend and grandfather, Geoff – a once in a lifetime experience for both of them.

Friday, July 17, 2026

Every single Friday since February, Mayor Mike arrives around 4 in the afternoon at Advance Pathways, a homelessness center. The lifelong Aurora resident talks with residents and sleeps overnight on a cot in the shelter. Then he gets up on Saturday morning and serves breakfast.

Mayor Mike, a retired Marine and Army veteran, says it comes down to a principle he learned while in uniform: “Never ask somebody to do something you yourself would not do.” After months of sleeping beside the people who don’t have anywhere else to go, it’s changed the way he thinks about everyone, saying, “ Quite frankly, it’s made me more compassionate.”

And he’s turning that compassion into action by meeting with caseworkers and pushing for changes so that nobody gets stuck or forgotten. Mayor Mike’s goal is to transform a former hotel and conference center into 255 individual rooms of transitional housing reserved for residents who are working full-time and ready for a place of their own.

Thursday, July 16, 2026

Teen buddies Gunner Skidmore and Kohen Chick were cruising on their bikes in rural Fruitland, Iowa when they ended up saving a neighbor’s life! The boys were just enjoying their normal Summer routine – pop tarts, scrolling TikTok and then going for a morning bike ride. While cruising the neighborhood they saw an elderly woman collapsed in her front yard. They were scared to approach but they called out to her to see if she was ok.

The woman weakly asked the passing teens to call 9-1-1. The boys immediately got Gunner’s mom who called emergency responders. The elderly woman had gone out to feed her horse the evening before, when she had fallen. She spent all night outside, with no food, water or her phone to call for help – 16 hours, stranded. She had managed to roll to the front yard in hopes that someone would see her – which thankfully Gunner and Kohen did.

The woman is recovering in the hospital now – and the families nearby are taking care of her horse while she recovers. They even have plans to hand deliver her homemade lasagna when she returns home.

Wednesday, July 15, 2026

There’s a lot of fear and misconceptions about the final season of life. Many Seniors live in fear of losing independence and themselves. But the residents of Adams Place in Murfreesboro, TN discovered the secret to embracing their elder-selves is to behave like a kid again!

Every Summer this senior home partners with the community, local firefighters and college football players for Ride ‘n Slide Day. They build a giant, sloping, slip ‘n slide and the residents glide down the wet slide in inflatable seats.

Kids, teens and adults join them – and the result is pure JOY!

Tuesday, July 14, 2026

Greenway Middle School is a Title 1 public school in inner city Phoenix. They don’t have a lot of resources – but they do have people who love their students! The Administration had a fun end of year celebration planned for the kids – to go to the movie theater and see Toy Story 5. But at the last minute the district pulled funding.

When the school’s resource officer, Sean Reavie, found out – he covered the entire $2000 expense himself. 144 seventh and eighth graders got their own private screening of the movie – complete with popcorn, candy and drinks. For a lot of these kids, it was their first time in a movie theater!

Officer Reavie has served for over two decades in law enforcement. He’s seen these kids and families overcome so much, so it was not a hard decision to help give them a great send-off to the Summer! On top of serving at Greenway Middle, Officer Reavie founded Put on the Cape – a charity created out of his time as a Child Crimes Detective.

Monday, July 13, 2026

Two years ago Melissa Swirski beat cancer. Now she spends her days driving other patients to the very same oncology appointments that once terrified her.

Melissa went through 16 rounds of chemotherapy – so she is uniquely qualified to offer a peaceful presence in the car for every person she provides transport for. She remembers crying like a “preschooler” when they shaved her head. But Melissa came out the other side grateful to be a survivor – and itching to help others.

Here’s something most people don’t know: one of the leading reasons cancer patients stop treatment is that they can’t get a ride. Transportation is a barrier for up to one-third of cancer patients. Melissa partnered with the American Cancer Society’s Road to Recovery program to make sure everyone in her Raleigh, NC community had a ride to these essential appointments.

Now Melissa finds joy and purpose in being a listening ear, a new friend and a free ride to help others be cancer free!

Friday, July 10, 2026

Vincent Serritella is a San Francisco area artist who used to be an animator for Pixar. He went to the doctor for some concerning flashing bright spots in his field of vision – and the diagnosis was grim. Stage 4 glioblastoma. Only 5-7% of people survive this malignant brain cancer. And Vincent is now one of them, thanks to an incredible medical team at Sutter Health, led by Dr. Akanksha Sharma.

Dr. Sharma is Vincent’s neuro-oncologist and she encouraged him all through the process to stay creative and joyful, even while processing the fear. After brain surgery and radiation and chemotherapy, Vincent is cancer free! And to say thanks, he tapped into his creativity to paint portraits of his medical team!

So far he’s finished 30 unique portraits for his doctors, nurses and caregivers. Each portrait is his tribute to compassion, connection and care that literally saved his life.

Thursday, July 9, 2026

27-year-old Molly Selin was jet-lagged after a trip to Spain and didn’t want to talk to anyone, but 81-year-old Maria Alvarez struck up a conversation. Molly almost didn’t engage. But thank God she did. Maria asked Molly if she’d been traveling. Molly took one of her earbuds out to answer the older woman’s question and put it back in. But Maria persisted, asking where she had been traveling. From there the conversation flowed and by the end of the ride, Molly says she didn’t want it to end, so she walked Maria to her bus stop.

When Maria was Molly’s age, she was a widow and a mother of four. Two very different lives, but definitely a connection. Molly posted to social media to remind her friends to take out their ear buds and get to know the stranger next to you. The post went viral as others shared stories of unlikely friendships and connections made when they took time to acknowledge the people around them.

Now every Monday, Maria cooks dinner for Molly: mofongo, lasagna, and chocolate cake, and sends her home with leftovers for the week. A lifelong friendship has been born – and the pair are now travelling buddies, getting a VIP trip to visit Maria’s homeland of Puerto Rico – And now Molly is working on a book to chronicle the whole story!

Wednesday, July 8, 2026

16-year-old Gabby Harper, who grew up in the foster care system, walked into a bridal shop in Galion, Ohio, looking for a prom dress. As shop owners and sisters Michelle and Missy got to know Gabby, they learned about the challenges she faced in foster care, the advocacy work she was doing through her organization, Fostering Love, and her upcoming appearance in the Miss Ohio’s Teen competition.

They offered to donate the formal dress Gabby will wear in the pageant next week, saying, “We need to do something for this girl. This is bigger than the store.” Gabby was in tears from their generosity.

Gabby and her younger brother spent years moving between foster homes and relatives before finding stability with their uncle. Those experiences shaped her. Now Gabby is preparing for her senior year of high school, taking college courses, volunteering in her community, and competing in the Miss Ohio’s Teen program using her platform, Fostering Love, to advocate for foster children.

Michelle and Missy decided they were all-in for Team Gabby and bought tickets for themselves, their mother, and their aunt to cheer her on at the Miss Ohio Teen competition. Sometimes family isn’t who you are born to – but who invests in your life.

Tuesday, July 7, 2026

Sometimes folks just need to know exactly HOW they can help and then they show up in huge ways! When UK magazine Woman’s Weekly asked readers to knit toys for shelter cats, they didn’t expect the results to be quite so… enor-mice.

The magazine shared a free pattern and invited subscribers to stitch tiny wool mice for cats in shelters waiting on forever homes. Then, the mice started flooding their London HQ. By the end, readers had sent in 46,506 handmade mice, enough to set a new world record.

The toys have now been donated to 300+ animal shelters across the UK.

Monday, July 6, 2026

The simple joy of riding a bike is one we often associate with childhood. It’s a feeling of absolute freedom; the wind in your hair, going as fast as you can peddle! A Boise, Idaho senior living director is bringing that feeling back to the lives of the residents of Table Rock Senior Living.

The Blessing Bike Program was created by Wade and Jill Houser, when Jill’s 92 year old mother moved into assisted living. They provide a special three-wheeled trike that has an adult safety seat at the front of the bike, and the peddler rides behind them – kind of like E.T. riding in Elliot’s basket.

When the weather is nice, there’s usually a line of residents waiting for a ride on the bike. Table Rock is located right by a riverfront park, but the joy of moving in the open air on the special bike does something much deeper than just giving residents some fresh air – it’s a reminder of life’s simple pleasures.

Friday, July 3, 2026

Ten years ago, Jaime Lehman learned that a friend who grew up in foster care had never gotten a birthday cake as a child. Jaime started asking questions and found out that this was not uncommon for foster kids. Her response? She baked four cakes and took them to a foster care agency in Los Angeles!

That was the beginning of For Goodness Cakes. The organization serves kids in foster care, homeless shelters, domestic violence programs, and youth who’ve been pushed out of their homes. The mission is beautifully simple: make sure every child feels celebrated, even during the hardest chapter of their life.

Deputy Director Amanda Fierro told us about a teenager named Robert from North Jersey who received his very first birthday cake at age 15. It wasn’t elaborate. Vanilla frosting. Blue icing around the edges. “Happy Birthday, Robert,” was carefully written across the top. “This was such a big deal that this child got their first cake,” Amanda told us. She said she sat at her desk crying after hearing Robert’s story.

What makes this organization extraordinary is who powers it: volunteers. Home bakers volunteer to make cakes based on what each child wants, whether it’s funfetti with rainbows, a favorite TV show, or even Crocs-themed cupcakes, complete with tiny edible Crocs handcrafted on top.

And the volunteers show up fast. Amanda says some cake requests are claimed within minutes. Today, the nonprofit has 27 chapters in 18 states, more than 13,000 volunteer home bakers, and nearly 51,000 cakes delivered to kids facing adversity.

Thursday, July 2, 2026

More than 400 million children live in, or are fleeing conflict zones around the world. We don’t always hear all the news out of Africa, the Middle East, South America and parts of Asia – but it is a scary dangerous world for so many people. People we are called to love in the name of Jesus.

There are a great many programs to send aid and resources to these affected people groups – but an often overlooked group are the youngest children who are not receiving an early childhood education because they are simply trying to survive. This year The LEGO Foundation pledged $97 million to the International Rescue Committee to bring education resources to 5 million preschoolers around the world.

Education, and even something as simple as playing with LEGOs, brings hope for the future.

Wednesday, July 1, 2026

When Joan started working as a stewardess in 1959, her first aircraft carried just 24 passengers. Now, 66 years later, she’s preparing to retire from Delta Air Lines as the industry’s longest-serving flight attendant. Joan’s career began in an era of propeller planes, high heels, and fashionable uniforms.

Joan’s career spans a total transformation in air travel – from tiny prop planes to massive Trans-Pacific jets! Joan also saw major changes for women in the workplace. When she entered the profession, some airlines required stewardesses to leave their jobs if they got married or reached a certain age. By the time her career was winding down, flight attendants could build long-term careers while raising families and planning futures beyond the cabin.

But despite all the changes, Joan says the heart of the job remained the same: keeping passengers safe, and helping connect people with the world. Joan hopes to write a book about her experiences and continue visiting favorite destinations like Paris, Mumbai, and Hong Kong. The only difference is that when the beverage cart comes by, she won’t be asking for a drink order – she’ll be asking for the drink.

Tuesday, June 30, 2026

Have you ever experienced a medical wake-up call? Craig Hunt had a stroke 10 years ago – and that inspired him to help others avoid such a scary experience. Craig is a barber in Des Moines, Iowa. He almost lost it all when he had a major stroke. It was a struggle to relearn his craft – and to care for his family.

Craig founded Blood Pressures in Barbershops – a statewide initiative where local nurses visit barbershops, take blood pressure readings and talk about preventative steps to be heart healthy. Craig wants to be what he calls a “reverse tornado” by building up everyone and everything in his path.

When it comes to signs of a stroke, remember the acronym BE FAST!

B – Balance
E – Eye (vision) changes
F – Face drooping
A – Arm weakness
S – Speech difficulty
T – Time to call 911

Monday, June 29, 2026

The last day of the school year is already a buzzy day of fun at school. Pretty much every assignment is done and graded. It’s a time to clean out lockers, turn in books or ipads or chromebooks. And for Ms. Melody’s class – the “End of Year Awards!”

Melody Munch has created an annual tradition – a fully crafted awards show to showcase the growth and talents of every student she gets the blessing to teach. She created the End of Year Awards while she was teaching second grade – a way to give out prizes and treats, while encouraging her matriculating kids. She has a red carpet to roll out … well red butcher paper. There’s theme music, disco lights and a gift bag for each award winner – which is every single individual in the class. No one gets left out! In fact, she gives each student 3-4 awards for a variety of noted reasons.

The End of Year Awards was such a hit that now other teachers in her district are happily copying the idea. Imagine how encouraged all those students are as they leave for Summer break!

Friday, June 26, 2026

This is totally “rock ‘n roll!” Marie Gauthe-Joseph hand paints designs on palm sized stones – funny animals, mermaids, smiling faces – all kinds of sweet images. Then she loads up plastic bins full of her art into the car and drives around Metairie and New Orleans, leaving her “Kindness Rocks” in places where they can be easily discovered.

The Kindness Rocks are a hobby for Marie, who is a hair stylist at Sola Salon Studios. She leaves the happy art everywhere she goes, knowing that some curious person will find it and smile. Marie averages 20-30 Kindness Rocks a week – she figures she’s left around 1,000 of them around town over the years.

Marie also monitors the Facebook Group 504 Rocks where people post where they find the cute art – and sometimes re-hide them for others. Story after story gets shared of how the Kindness Rocks have brought a smile in a downcast moment – exactly what Marie hopes will happen. The art is traveling too – folks have taken their Kindness Rocks around the world – even showing up as far away as Paris, France!

Thursday, June 25, 2026

A rainy roadside goat stand in rural England has turned into a $15,000+ fundraiser for shelter dogs, thanks to one determined 6-year-old and a wave of helpful strangers. Buddy Braley sat outside his family’s farm near Gloucester beneath an umbrella next to a handmade sign reading: “Stop here! To feed goats for charity!” Buddy’s plan was simple: Visitors could feed his goats, Bella and Bertie, while donating money for local animal rescue centers in memory of his dog Brody, who died unexpectedly from bone cancer last month.

At first, business was slow. Buddy and his goats waited nearly an hour without a single visitor. Then one man stopped by, fed the goats, and handed Buddy about $80. Buddy’s mother Abbie burst into tears at the generosity. Word quickly spread on Facebook. Soon, a steady stream of people were making the drive out to the Braley farm to meet Buddy and feed the goats.

By the end of the first day, Buddy had raised about $155. Then social media stepped in. More than $15,800 poured in from hundreds of donors within just a few days.

Wednesday, June 24, 2026

Dawn first caught the medical bug at age seven while recovering from mono. Her mom gave her a microscope to pass the time, and suddenly mealworms and leaves became must-see entertainment. Watching her daughter spend hours studying tiny worlds under the lens, Dawn’s mother made a prediction: “You’re going to become a doctor someday.”

And 65 years later, she’s making it happen.

Between that fateful day and now, Dawn became a nurse practitioner, raised four children, worked multiple jobs, and spent decades taking care of everyone else first. Somewhere along the way, medical school kept sliding further down the to-do list, tucked behind carpools, diapers, mortgages, and life. Then, in 2020, her husband narrowly survived a brain hemorrhage. Reminded of just how fragile life really is, Dawn revisited a question many people quietly ask themselves: If not now, when?

Dawn dipped into her retirement savings, enrolled in medical school in the Caribbean, and became classmates with students young enough to be her grandchildren. She joined beach yoga sessions, hosted ‘80s movie nights, tutored younger students, and pushed through failed exams and moments of doubt. This Summer, Dawn graduated as her school’s oldest-ever medical student. Next month she begins a three-year residency in Michigan in family medicine.

Tuesday, June 23, 2026

Some people simply don’t WANT to retire. They love what they do. Like 90 year old Lawrence Santucci, who is the oldest TSA officer in the country.

Lawrence works out of John Wayne Airport in Southern California. He didn’t even start this second career until he was in his 70s. Lawrence is an Army veteran and loves a challenge. When he was first offered the job, they told him he had to be able to lift 60 pounds. So Lawrence went to a local Dick’s Sporting Goods and carried two 60-lb weights all over the store to show he could certainly manage.

His coworkers love Lawrence’s upbeat attitude and along with his daughter, threw him a surprise birthday party on his 90th birthday… which of course he was at work for. Lawrence jokes “What am I gonna do if I retire? Sit down?”

Monday, June 22, 2026

Whether it’s pink with sparkles or a sleek blue racer, Krista Richard is on a mission to make sure every child experiences the simple joy of riding their very own bike. The generous Canadian has run her Bikes and Trikes for Everyone program for the past 14 years, collecting donated bicycles and tricycles to repair with the help of a small volunteer team, and giving them away for free to families who otherwise couldn’t afford one.

It’s not just a few bikes here and there. Krista handed out 400+ bikes last year, with her overall total stretching into the thousands. More than 400 kids are currently on the program’s waiting list. One of them was five-year-old Gracie Mae Brown, who recently got to choose her favorite ride. The new bike has helped Gracie Mae reconnect with neighborhood friends after she outgrew her old bike and spent time stuck on the sidelines.

And she isn’t alone: at least 50 kids in her neighborhood have received bikes through the program.

“It helps them relieve stress and makes them behave better,” Gracie Mae’s mother said. “They’re getting fresh air. They’re getting exercise at the same time.”

The program has also expanded to include adult bikes for parents who want to make bike rides a regular family activity. Krista believes that every kid should have a bike during the summer, just like she did growing up. And as long as she’s able, she plans to keep the wheels turning.

Friday, June 19, 2026

Dwayne the Rock Johnson is famous for showing off his oiled up physique. Both as a wrestler and actor it’s pretty common for The Rock to not be rocking a shirt. When asked about becoming a first time father back in 2018 he recommended all dads get shirtless. Turns out holding your newborn “skin-to-skin” helps bond parent and child – and provide warmth and stability that is similar to being in the womb.

Of course when Dwayne The Rock Johnson is shirtless, there is usually a camera around to capture it. The skin-to-skin practice is called kangaroo care and is promoted by many hospitals. According to the Cleveland Clinic: For the baby, it helps regulate body temperature, stabilizes heart rate and breathing, supports early breastfeeding, and reduces stress. For the parent, it triggers hormonal responses that promote bonding and can reduce postpartum anxiety… for both mothers and fathers.” (Happy Father’s Day weekend!)

Thursday, June 18, 2026

Dave Whitlow is a retired local government manager. He’s in his 70s, has two grown kids and three grandchildren that he loves to spoil. He also has one of the coolest volunteer jobs a person can have. He’s a NICU Cuddler.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays Dave reports to Children’s Hospital in Richmond and is handed the tiniest of patients. He holds them and whispers “grow strong, grow smart, grow kind.” This practice is to help track the growth and improvement of premature babies.

Dave holds the babies while watching their vitals on a screen to make sure they are doing well. He can sometimes repeat the process with up to 8 babies a sitting. Dave chats with the nurses to learn about the kiddos as he watches and prays over their little lives.

Wednesday, June 17, 2026

A lot of dads are bad at styling their children’s hair. Most of them won’t even attempt a ponytail! But a group of dads in England are trying, bless them, practicing braids at a social gathering. A British group gathers, fathers chat as they work the hair of a wigged mannequin head set in front of them.

The dads make dad-friends, too, which is sweet, though not as sweet as impressing their daughters with a flawless French braid. It’s actually pretty hard for single and married dads to find resources to help them build friendships and learn essential skills, like caring for their daughter’s hair.

Everyone involved comes with a humble attitude and finds the camaraderie is just as important as how to do a quick pony or a fishtail braid.

Tuesday, June 16, 2026

Looking for a tool to forge a stronger family and deeper friendships? In Atlanta, that just means a trip to the library with your dad! What started as a father-daughter outing and turned into a MOVEMENT called Library Dads.

Khari Arnold has been taking his daughter Araya to the Library since she could crawl. He wanted to give her the gift of a lifelong love for reading and spend some quality time with Araya. Eventually Khari invited other young dads to join in the weekly routine that became known as Library Link-Ups.

The Library Link-Ups fostered friendships between the kids and the dads. They really built a community in a place that has often been the place for community – their local library. The Library Dads are working to not just build up a generation of strong readers – but strong families.

Monday, June 15, 2026

Charles Smith loves to hold his granddaughter and coo happily at baby Isla. He waited a really really long time to become her Poppy. Charles set an Australian record as the oldest first-time grandfather in the world. He was 91 years and 209 days old when Isla was born!

Charles’ son Ashley presented his dad with an official certificate about his record. Ash was born when Charles was 55, so he’s sort of done everything a little later in life.

Now, the only time he ever wants to put little Isla down is when she needs a diaper change. He’s happy to let his son and daughter in law take care of that! Age hasn’t slowed Charles down, who enjoys retired life in Australia by traveling in a camper van and boat. Though those trips are fewer now that he has a granddaughter sized reason to stick close to home.

Friday, June 12, 2026

If Kent Burris could encourage you in one specific way, it would be: don’t wait until you are older to try new things! Kent is 62 and became TikTok-famous for his food reviews. The dad from Texas started Dine With Kent on Instagram and TikTok to spotlight local dives and ethnic food he always turned a nose up to when he was younger. Turns out he missed out on some of life’s most wonderful cuisines!

Kent has millions of followers and hundreds of millions of views as he seeks out new food everywhere he goes. His success really took off when he tried African cuisine at a Nigerian restaurant. He didn’t love it. But his followers encouraged him to try again – recommending dishes that he absolutely loved!

Not only has this adventure opened Kent’s eyes to many new cultures – but it has created new business for a lot of small restaurants and encouraged millions to step out of their comfort zones.

Thursday, June 11, 2026

Stephen and Loretta Rodriguez have an open door to their home in Detroit. Open to kids who have nowhere else to go. The couple have raised dozens of foster kids for decades. They have given their lives to helping children feel loved. At ages 85 and 79, the couple have been mom and dad to nearly 70 children!

When the Rodríguezes fell behind on their rent, they faced eviction from a place called home by dozens over the years. But their community stepped in to not just save a lifestyle, but to elevate it!

Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries moved Stephen and Loretta into a new home – fully furnished – with resources the elderly couple desperately needed. They even get to stay in this home rent free for two whole years!

Wednesday, June 10, 2026

When Jailynn Dickerson thinks about her childhood, one place comes to mind: her grandma’s house. Every holiday, every family gathering, every stretch when life got tough, it all happened there. For a few years, Jailynn and her mom even lived in the 900-square-foot home. And no matter what changed in life, that house didn’t—Jailynn’s grandmother, Susan Rilea went all out for every occasion, cooking and baking enough to fill the house and then some.

Three years ago Susan could no longer keep up with the home’s maintenance and had to sell. Jailynn was crushed, but made herself a promise: one day, she’d get it back. So she got to work! For three years, the now-21-year-old juggled three jobs, often logging 70+ hour weeks between Dunkin’, Aldi, and a tattoo parlor. Nearly every dollar went into savings, with the goal of one day bringing the house back into the family.

Then, one day,while scrolling through listings, her grandma’s old home popped up. Within two days, Jailynn had scheduled a tour, and just a couple weeks later, she was closing on it. She even managed to pull off the entire process without her grandma catching on.bThe surprise came in a now-viral video, where Jailynn drove Susan past what she called her “new place,” only for the realization to slowly set in that it was actually her old home.

Jailynn plans to move in over the next few weeks, tackling fresh paint and small repairs before hosting her first big gathering: a Fourth of July BBQ, just like the ones she grew up with.

Tuesday, June 9, 2026

Some folks hit the gym to lose weight. Others go to socialize or work on getting ripped. Two Taiwanese grandmothers, aged 89 and 91 are in the gym training each day to stay healthy so they can care for themselves and other friends in their golden years.

The pair who live in Taipei City note that 20% of the population is over 65. That presents some real physical challenges. So they are putting in the work every day at their local gym. Chen Yu-Mei is 91. Her husband is in the final stages of his life, but she is still his caretaker, thanks to her trainers.

Chen Pao-Her is nearly 90 and she is crushing squats each day so she can easily manage the stairs at her home and keep osteoporosis at bay. The Taiwanese government is actively helping their aging population maintain active, healthy lifestyles – knowing that preventative healthcare is more effective healthcare.

Monday, June 8, 2026

Ever go to the store to get a birthday card and get sticker shock? How much? For a BIRTHDAY card?! This has led many of us to take the time and art supplies to make our own cards. But to do it well, there’s some real artistic skill needed. And that has bonded an 85 year old widower and his greeting card partner, an 11 year old dancer/artist.

Riley Haughey loves to draw – she even has her own line of colorful animals she calls Riley’s critters. Those critters are the stars of the greeting cards she designs. Her partner in this venture is her 85 year old neighbor Tony. Tony Klain doesn’t have any grandchildren of his own, so he adopted his neighbors for the role. Tony’s late wife was also an artist, so helping Riley reproduce her cards as a fundraiser to pay for her dance team expenses is pure joy and helps him remember his wife well.

Riley does the art, Tony uploads it to Photoshop and has it printed. Then the pair sell their work in local stores. But the real joy isn’t the small business, it’s the hours spent laughing and creating together at Riley’s kitchen table.

Friday, June 5, 2026

One person’s trash is another person’s canvas. Eco-artist Mariah Reading has become a pro at turning trash into treasure. Collecting waste and debris from public lands and state parks, Mariah paints miniature landscapes on each piece, then photographs them back where they were found—so the trash almost disappears into the view.

Her idea is straightforward: get people to look twice, and then think a little longer about what we leave behind. The inherent power of art is that it allows us to engage thoughts and needs and reality in a different way – to experience empathy from that fresh perspective.

Mariah’s trash to art project was something she started with her discarded art supplies, but a road trip from her native Maine, all the way to California where she accepted a new job led to stops at National Parks along the route and the art bloomed from that experience.

Now she can boast at having become a park ranger and served as artist-in-residence at Zion, Acadia, Glacier and Denali National Parks – where she picked up and painted a lot of trash, turning them into works of art.

Thursday, June 4, 2026

P&G is the mega company behind brands like Luvs, Pampers, Bounce, Gain, Tide and many more. They are a multi-billion dollar company. But their products are generally focused on improving the lives of their customers and they have taken dramatic steps to give back to the disadvantaged as well as folks who find themselves in emergency situations.

P&G partners with folks like Matthew 25 Ministries to provide relief for communities hit by disasters. When an ice storm devastated Ripley, MS – P&G was quick to send their fleet of mobile bathrooms, showers and laundry facilities. Local ministries and volunteers packed survival kits for residents when they came for showers and help. Many who received aid now volunteer with the program to help others in their time of need.

Wednesday, June 3, 2026

Rev. Bill Terry was looking for ways for his congregation to make an impact. Mount Olivet Episcopal Church in Algiers Point settled on settling debt. Medical debt. Originally the church had set aside the money to commission a statue of Mary for their church building. But after Rev Terry preached the Beatitudes, church members agreed – a statue could wait, if they could make a big difference in some hurting lives right there in their community.

Inspired by another church in South Carolina, Mt. Olivet is working with Undue Medical Debt – a non-profit that purchases medical debt at a fraction of the cost – providing freedom for families crushed by unpayable bills.

Rev. Bill says this project fits right into Jesus’ Beatitudes – a calling to relieve suffering. This past Easter the church raised $17,000 – and that was able to purchase and forgive $1.7 million in medical debt!

Tuesday, June 2, 2026

Mark Cody is the proud owner of a v10 Lamborghini Huracan.  It’s his pride and joy. And he uses it to bring smiles to the faces of some of the loneliest people in his community.

Mark founded Granborghini – a non-profit project where he whips his ride to senior homes and takes them for the ride of their lives! Mark’s own grandmother lost her life at the end of the COVID pandemic. She had been isolated for a long time and very depressed. Mark wanted to do something to honor her, so now he puts huge grins on the faces of many other grandmothers.

Whenever Mark takes a senior for a spin, they all say the same thing – that they feel 20 years younger! They squeal with delight when the engine revs and they accelerate to the speed limit in just a couple seconds. Mark finds immense joy in cheering up people who remind him of his late grandmother – and helping the most isolated feel seen and loved.

Monday, June 1, 2026

Makaela Muse has some long-term medical issues that requires constant monitoring. She gets help from her service dog, a German Shepherd named Sadie. Sadie goes with Makaela everywhere – including all her classes at Texas Tech. So of course Sadie was included in Makaela’s graduation ceremony!

When Makaela and Sadie walked across the stage to accept her diploma, Texas Tech President Lawrence Schovanec had a surprise for Sadie. After shaking hands with Makaela, President Schovanec bent down to pet Sadie and give her a special “dogploma” which was a big rawhide bone tied with a red ribbon. The crowd went wild! (So much for “hold your applause for the end.”)

Sadie also inspired Makaela’s degree track. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in animal science and is continuing her education to become a veterinarian.

Friday, May 29, 2026

Back in the day, at least in television and movies, doctors and nurses regularly made house calls. Now you can do a virtual appointment because they don’t even want to see you in their offices. New Orleans has become a growing health and medical technology corridor and United Health Foundation says that perhaps the old model was better – particularly for new mothers.

Louisiana is one of the least healthy states for women and children in the country. If you’ve ever had a child, you know those early days are incredibly overwhelming and scary. (How many times do you get up at night just to make sure everyone is breathing?) Family Connects New Orleans started a program to bring help to those new families during this crucial time.

Family Connects New Orleans sends registered nurses on home visits up to three times during the first 12 weeks after giving birth. Not only do they do a full check up on the baby and assure mom that their kid is doing great – they are checking up on the post-partem situation that new mothers often leave undiagnosed. The program has been an immediate success, with North Carolina and more states jumping on board.

Thursday, May 28, 2026

What do you do when you feel afraid or uncertain? Do you have a “safe person” that you know you can go to? Some boys were out cruising their neighborhood on their bikes – just being kids – when they saw something that left them shaken. They saw a creepy stranger spray painting graffiti. They were afraid and unsure what to do next – but they knew exactly where they could go.

The boys made a b-line for their pastors’ house. The Varners co-pastor EQUIP Church in suburban Akron, Ohio. Crystal Varner’s RING doorbell recorded the boys at her door, asking for her help and to pray for them to know what to do. Crystal held the boys close, prayed over them and comforted them. As the boys left, feeling much better, the video picked up one of the kids saying “That’s why I love Pastor!”

Wednesday, May 27, 2026

Ali Riza Dogan loves being a New Yorker. His restaurant Ali Baba Mediterranean Cuisine is in Midtown Manhattan and serves all types of people. But Ali has a heart for serving the unseen and left behind. That’s why he’s been running a meal program for the homeless people in NYC for many years.

Every Wednesday he loads a car with catering pans full of hot food to take to Chinatown to give out to people in need. When it is cold outside, he and his wife Turkan leave the heat on in their restaurant and the front door unlocked – with a sign posted inviting anyone who doesn’t have a place to sleep, to come in and find warmth and peace.

Ali loves to share his immigration story from Turkey many years ago – and how the kindness of strangers helped him when he didn’t know the language or customs of his new home. He says that he would lose sleep at night, worried about people who were lost and cold and hungry – so now his family is doing what they can to help – and inspiring others in their community to help in their own special ways as well.

Tuesday, May 26, 2026

Huskies are a hilarious breed. They are wild when they are young – need constant activity. They are vocal about EVERYTHING. But they are also hard workers with a sensitive side. For example, Sapper.

Sapper works for the Army as a USO Canine Volunteer – in fact he was just named Volunteer of the Year. Sapper supports around 13,000 service members and their families as a supportive presence during deployments and all of life’s big moments.

Michael D’Arcy is Sapper’s owner and says this super dog “can really … sense it,” when someone is having a bad day. He intuitively knows how to put a smile on someone’s face. And it’s hard not to smile at Sapper because he’s usually rocking some cool shades and a doggy beret.

Monday, May 25, 2026 – Happy Memorial Day!

Jeff and Megan are the married owners of The Standard restaurant in Toledo, Ohio. To celebrate an incredible year with their amazing staff, they opted to close the restaurant for a few days in January and took their dozens of employees, a few former staff members and even some loyal customers on a three day Royal Caribbean cruise to the Bahamas! The couple paid for flights and cruise tickets.

The staff bonded over the cruise – visiting the beaches, singing karaoke late into the night and getting together for dinner each night on the ship. Can you even imagine this sort of Christmas bonus? The owners said this “was the best thing we’ve ever done. Our staff is everything. They’re the blood, life and heart of [the] restaurant.”

Friday, May 22, 2026

22 years ago, Alan Kent was a firefighter in Colorado Springs, CO. As a first responder, Alan was early to an emergency 9-1-1 call to a local home, where he found Stacy Huddle screaming in very active labor. They weren’t going to make it to the hospital. Alan ended up delivering her daughter Chloe.

Delivering babies is a part of the gig as a first responder. But the bond between Alan and Chloe has been lifelong. He’s been an active part of the Huddle family ever since. Now retired, Alan recently went on a little road trip to be there for a momentous moment in Chloe’s life – she graduated from college at Grand Canyon University.

Later this Summer he’s got plans to visit with Chloe again – this time at her wedding.

Thursday, May 21, 2026

A lot of the “adoption experience” is done in law offices and courtrooms. But the often sterile proceedings got an infusion of love and affection when 11 year old Cain Coles was officially adopted by Vandria and Tryone Johnson.

When this Texas family became official, it was in a crowded courtroom filled with Cain’s 5th grade class and many teachers from Bell Elementary. The adoption process can be long – Cain’s was 2 years. But when the paperwork was done and the Judge made it official – there were tears and cheers from nearly 100 friends from school and neighbors and family members who had packed out that District Courthouse to celebrate with Cain and his forever family!

Cain left that courtroom with a new last name, a loving mom and dad, and an entire community that loves him and his family so much!

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

When Pauls Valley High Principal Kirk Moore saw a gunman enter the halls of the school – he didn’t hesitate, he threw himself at the assailant.

During the struggle Principal Moore was shot in the leg – still he was able to apprehend the attacker and police took him into custody without any other students or teachers being harmed. Kirk Moore is a hero. And he is also a King. Prom King.

At the school homecoming dance the student body unanimously elected their principal as Homecoming King to honor his quick thinking and sacrifice.

Tuesday, May 19, 2026

Imagine being a kid and your family moves to another country. You leave everything and everyone you know behind and move to a place that is foreign in every way. Sounds really scary. And yet the United States welcomes many thousands of families every year into this melting pot of cultures. Thankfully there are compassionate teachers in schools all across America that can be a safe place for kids thrust into culture shock.

Korynn Patterson is an elementary school counselor and social worker in Maryland. A young girl awkwardly entered her office. She was new to the school and couldn’t really speak or understand English. Korynn could tell this girl was on the verge of an emotional collapse, so she simply opened her arms. The poor girl fell into the embrace and started crying her eyes out.

Korynn found another student who could speak both English and Spanish to be a translator so she could offer comfort and encouragement to the scared new student. Together they offered empathy and tenderness. Korynn stayed with the girl all day, in all her classes – and invited others into conversation, building some new friendships for the little girl. All of this young student’s fears and problems didn’t disappear, but now she knows she is not alone.

Monday, May 18, 2026

Sasja is a very wise mom. She recognized that underneath her daughter’s anger was a baseline of hurt. While tucking her daughter in one night she learned that her best friend was hanging out with another girl at school and she was feeling lonely and isolated. So Sasja shared with her 7 year old daughter the idea of a Kind Can. It was an invention of Sasja’s mom from when she was a kid.

Mom and daughter got a big, empty can and wrote out the names of every kid in her classroom. Each evening they would draw a name out and start thinking of ways to do one kind thing for that person the next day. The shift from thinking about her own hurt to looking out for others was transformational! Now she couldn’t wait to go back to school.

Sasja shared her story on LinkedIn and many others have adopted the Kind Can idea. It won’t solve all the world’s social problems, but we can all agree – the world needs more kindness. The best way to make friends is to be a friend, and the Kind Can turns being a friend into a game!

Friday, May 15, 2026

Books are the best. Whether you have a softback novel, a kindle or audiobook – stories help our imaginations come alive – and that is especially important for kids. Since 2012 the nonprofit called Book Fairies have been dropping books into the arms of underserved residents in New York and Long Island. In the last 13 years they’ve given away 6 million books to schools, educators and local kids.

A fresh batch of 25,000 books are on their way out into the community right now thanks to a partnership with ThriftBooks. While reading can be magical, the Book Fairies don’t actually have wings – they have an army of volunteers that mobilize to get stacks of books into the hands of the children.

Thursday, May 14, 2026

A medical emergency can happen anywhere at any time. Would you be prepared to jump into action if someone needed assistance? A group of 5 Mississippi middle schoolers worked together to save the day when their bus driver lost consciousness behind the wheel.

Leah Taylor is a bus driver for Hancock County, MS. While driving students home one afternoon she suffered a severe asthma attack and passed out while behind the wheel. The attentive kids noticed Ms. Leah slumped over the wheel and they jumped into action. The bus was drifting off the street so Jackson grabbed the steering wheel. At the same time 6th grader Darrius got to the brake pedal. Other students helped the driver and 8th Grader Kayleigh called 9-1-1. Destiny saw Ms. Leah’s inhaler clutched in her hand and administered the medicine.

These hero students responded as a team – and kept things calm on the bus for the younger students. They had everything under control by the time first responders made it to the scene. Now the entire community is celebrating their quick thinking and teamwork.

Wednesday, May 13, 2026

14-year-old Jude Baker is a champion. The Georgia teenager miraculously beat his cancer. To celebrate, Make-A-Wish offered him any wish – but instead of taking a dream vacation or meeting a celebrity, this young man leveraged the opportunity to give back!

When Jude was 12 he was diagnosed with a rare, aggressive bone cancer. Treatment was almost as brutal as the disease. Even though Jude survived and beat the cancer, he’ll never forget that pain. It created a deep well of empathy for others who are suffering – particularly the homeless. Thanks to Jude’s Make-A-Wish – 300 people in his community received backpacks filled with supplies, sleeping bags and clothes – as well as access to hot meals and connection to other services to help.

Jude met every person as they came through the line – and didn’t join them for a meal until everyone else was fed first. This kid inspired his community so much that they banded together to help with medical bills and send the family on an epic vacation. So far they’ve raised over $60,000 for them!

Tuesday, May 12, 2026

On a recent Southwest flight the flight attendant asked for attention to welcome a “very special passenger” to the flight. 2 year old Cruz was on the plane – travelling from NYC back home to California. Cruz had just completed aggressive treatment for childhood cancer and was officially declared CANCER FREE!

Normally you want to keep your plane cabin quiet and peaceful but this time – shouts and cheers went up – tears were cried – everyone celebrated with Cruz and his family! Throughout the flight passengers and airline attendants wrote Cruz notes of encouragement and they were collected and given to the family before the flight ended.

Monday, May 11, 2026

Project Reboot at the University of California, Berkeley is trying to establish a baseline of good manners and face time by organizing student-led “No Phone Parties.” And it’s not just about helping young people develop people skills – it’s also helping them establish a healthier relationship with technology. Most of this upcoming generation have had a phone in their hands since childhood!

Project Reboot says 78% of students report their phone use prevents them from “thinking deeply, being creative, or engaging fully with ideas.” The No-Phone Parties give them a socially controlled space to experience IRL (In the Real World).

Friday, May 8, 2026

Gloria Vargas, alongside her husband and their two sons, have become a source of hope and nourishment for many homeless men and women in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Gloria is a waitress, originally from Barbados. Her family loves Jesus – and following His example, set out to feed people who were hungry.

It all started one weekend back in 2012. Gloria bought a few extra groceries and prepared 40 meals of spaghetti. Her whole family helped. Her sons wrote messages of hope and scriptures on the Styrofoam boxes. The next weekend it became 60 meals. Then 80 and 200! The family estimates they have given out more than 270,000 meals in their community since they first started.

During COVID, the family expanded to serve up to 600 meals each weekend to people in Fort Lauderdale and Miami. The Byers Foundation saw the good work and poured grant money into the family’s work to create a non-profit called Care In Action USA, so now Gloria is no longer a waitress, but still serves breakfast and dinner every day to hungry patrons in need.

Thursday, May 7, 2026

Gloria McIntosh is mom to six kids ranging from 10 years old to just 18 months. Her life for the last 10 years has been mostly sleepless nights and responding to cries. Sure enough she heard stirring around 3:30 one morning and checked her baby monitor. What she found made her heart so happy!

Around 3 AM her 10 year old son Mason heard his littlest brother, 18 month old Greyson, starting to stir. Mason went to his brother’s crib and gave him a hug – and spent the next 30 minutes trying to sooth his brother, read him a book and snuggled with him. Eventually the toddler demanded mommy and Gloria stepped in. When she asked Mason why he didn’t just come get her to begin with, he said he knew she had had a long day and needed rest!

Wednesday, May 6, 2026

They call dogs “Man’s best friend” but in this case, it might truly be “Mom’s best friend.” Barbara Collins is pretty spry for 96. But she is still 96. She loves to spend time in her garden but gone are the days she can spend hours on her hands and knees working the soil. Thankfully she has Chewy.

Chewy is a 150-lb Newfoundland. Barb has trained Chewy to dig perfect holes in her garden wherever she commands – so she can drop seeds and blooms into the ground. With a quick point with her cane and the command “dig” Chewy has turned into the perfect garden assistant for Barbara.

Together Barbara and Chewy have planted marigolds, Superbells, pansies in more – most are pink, her favorite color. Her grown granddaughter and great granddaughter live just next door and often help too. They even started social media accounts to follow Barb and Chewy’s garden tips.

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

On Mother’s Day we celebrate the caregiver – the heart of the home – the center of love in our families. But not all families look alike. For nearly 50 foster kids, it’s a single, immigrant dad that has given them all the love they could ever dream of.

Peter Mutabazi has dedicated his life to helping children in the foster care system – going so far as adopting several kids through the system. Peter grew up in Uganda, and suffered much abuse and instability as a child. He vowed to improve the lives of other kids as much as possible. Every child who walks through his door deserves to know they are safe, valued, and loved.

For all of those kids, Peter gives all the love – filling the whole of both dad and mom. Perhaps God has put men and women in your life to fill the space of a loving mom – celebrate them well this Mother’s Day!

Monday, May 4, 2026

Westlake, Ohio has a senior protection plan called “Are You Okay?” Residents sign up and a city worker calls each day to check up on them. It’s a sweet way to make sure the eldest members of the town never feel abandoned. When a 91 year old woman didn’t answer her scheduled call – and her daughter couldn’t get ahold of her either, dispatch sent police for a house visit.

No one answered the door. Officers got into the house through the garage and started laughing when they found the 91 year old. They radioed back to dispatch that everything was fine. The resident had her gamer headphones on and was busy playing video games – completely oblivious to the outside world that was concerned for her.

Friday, May 1, 2026

Starting at a new school can be super intimidating, especially when you have special needs like seven-year-old Be O’Reilly. The New Hampshire first grader has an assistant to help him navigate school, but up until this year it had always been a very isolating experience. Ben is the only deaf child in his entire school district.

But kids can be incredible examples of God’s grace. A few of Ben’s classmates started learning some sign language so they could interact with him – and ask him to play with them. Ben came alive at the gesture. Soon his whole classroom started daily sign language class so they could speak in Ben’s language. Other teachers and classes did the same.

Soon the entire school was fluent in ASL and Ben suddenly had his own community for the very first time. In fact, it’s not uncommon to see students and teachers instinctively talking in both English and ASL, even when Ben isn’t around

Thursday, April 30, 2026

Friday night is pizza night for many families. Dan was on delivery duty but as he was dispatched, he noticed that their store was out of Diet Coke – which was supposed to be in the Wilson family order. He messaged the family asking if they were ok with a substitute. On the way to the Wilson’s house Dan popped into a convenience store and purchased a 2 liter of Diet Coke for the family.

When he arrived a couple minutes late with the delivery Dan apologized for the delay and told them he wanted to make sure they had the meal they ordered, complete with the drink. The family was stunned by his thoughtfulness. They tipped him well, but wanted to do more. The Wilsons shared the story of Dan online and a GoFundMe took off from there.

Dan had been delivering pizzas as a side hustle for about 14 years, preparing for retirement. The internet was so in love with his generous spirit they raised $31,000 for him in just one week! (Update: Over 8,000 people have raised well over $170,000 for Dan now!)

Wednesday, April 29, 2026

Matthew Shifrin has always loved to play with LEGO but he was born blind. He always needed someone to help him with the instructions. But a family friend and babysitter took time to write out instructions for a big set in braille. She put together a whole binder of instructions so Matthew could work independently! That gift changed his life.

Three years ago Matthew launched Bricks for the Blind. The 28-year-old leads a team of writers and blind testers to put together downloadable instructions for the blind – free to anyone who is visually impaired. Using special braille printers or screen readers has made this tactile toy more accessible than ever! Matthew doesn’t just spend all day playing with toys though. He’s also an actor and opera singer. And he spends a lot of his time making sure the sighted world doesn’t lose sight of the impaired – making the world more inclusive for everyone.

Tuesday, April 28, 2026

In Alexandria, VA – over 400 tenants in public housing were facing eviction. Mayor Gaskin uncovered over $1 million in back rent due to the city. Some folks owed just a few bucks – but others, tens of thousands of dollars that they simply do not have. The Alexandria Housing Authority operates over 1,000 public housing units. The Mayor knew that if everyone was evicted the city would be overrun with need. So she went to the city’s Interfaith Council to ask for prayer and guidance in the situation.

Reverend Howard-John Wesley knew immediately that Alfred Street Baptist Church could help. At the start of the year his congregation had spent time in prayer and fasting – an annual tradition for the historic black church, founded back in 1803. The members of the church took up an offering and gave $1,049,000 to cover the entire cost to keep families housed and newly debt free.

On top of paying the bill, Alfred Street Baptist Church and the Interfaith Council launched an initiative to meet with residents in the public housing to establish access to job training, food banks and many other resources that just changed the lives of hundreds of members of the community of Alexandria. Other members of the Interfaith Council saying “[we] serve Jesus Christ and we have a duty to help our neighbors.”

Monday, April 27, 2026

New York City is a place of hustle and bustle. Are you a slow walker? Prepare to be pushed out of the way in the busy streets of New York. So what could make a bunch of Yankees all in a hurry to get to the next thing suddenly stop and be still? A tiny little bird.

A rare American Woodcock has made Bryant Park its home – or at least a reprieve during the annual migration. The small, round bird is famous for a unique little bob-dance. It’s so cute that New Yorkers are literally bringing chairs and sitting just to watch the little bird do his thing. It’s become just as popular as standing in line for a slice.

Folks hurry after work to hang out in Bryant Park and quietly watch the dancing bird. New friendships have bloomed as passersby pause to admire God’s creation – a sweet little bird doing a happy dance.

Friday, April 24, 2026

Imagine it’s your wedding reception. The music is pumping – you are dancing with your beloved – everyone is laughing and smiling… and then the music stops and is replaced by tornado sirens. That’s what happened during Visha and Ankeet Shah’s wedding celebration in the Oklahoma City Convention Center.

400 guests were hustled downstairs to a safer space – and were joined by spectators and volleyball players. The National Volleyball team was in the middle of a tournament in a separate gym space of the Convention Center.

What do you think happened next? The wedding party invited everyone to join in the fun – the music started up in the tornado shelter and the party got even louder and bigger! Bride Visha said she was crying for sure – but they were all happy tears! “It was these joyful tears of complete strangers encouraging us!”

Visha added “When things look rough and scary, we can come together and make it joyful.”

Thursday, April 23, 2026

In the Netherlands, the national train system held a competition for school kids to design the graphics that go on the daily commuting trains. Kids from all over the country submitted their artwork, but it was 8 year old Phileine who won, with her delightful, smiling “Sweet Monsters.”

Phileine was partnered with a professional illustrator to bring her designs to life and she, along with her whole family, got to be at the ribbon cutting ceremony to debut they fresh look for the train!

Wednesday, April 22, 2026

Running a successful small business is one of the great American dreams. It’s also incredibly difficult. Most businesses simply don’t survive. Sweet 220 is a family run bakery that saw the costs of their ingredients continue to rise – and were struggling to keep the doors open. But one viral video changed EVERYTHING!

Sweet 220 owner Hassan Makki launched his and his wife’s dream back in 2008. They built everything – including the cupcakes – from scratch. But the ups and downs of the economy, a global pandemic and political instability had them thinking maybe it was time to close up shop. They didn’t want to keep raising prices to the point that their neighbors couldn’t afford a sweet treat.

But one day a local food influencer popped in and fell in love with Sweet 220 – saying they had the best cupcakes in the metro area. Now Sweet 220 opens it’s doors each day to a line of waiting customers! For four straight weeks they sold out every day – having to hire new help to keep up with demand. The complete turnaround will keep Sweet 220 going strong.

Tuesday, April 21, 2026

As a parent, what do you do when your adult children make really bad decisions? Tonya Gray did her best to right a wrong done by her son. In Baltimore, a video of a young man stealing from a tip jar at a popular food truck went viral on Twitch. Someone showed it to Tonya and she immediately recognized her son as the culprit.

Tonya went to the hot dog truck and spoke with the owner, Musa, who was busy cooking. She told him that she recognized her son in the video and wanted to make things right – paying with cash from her purse to replace all that was stolen. She told Musa that her son was raised to not steal, but he had started drinking and making poor decisions. Musa hugged this kind woman, in awe of her standing up for what was right, even when it was embarrassing for her.

Local news picked up on the story and interviewed both Musa and Tonya. She encouraged other parents to hold their children accountable – but to also choose forgiveness and grace.

Monday, April 20, 2026

When you run into a fast food restaurant, you are probably focused on getting your order and getting back to the car. But kids … they notice things. While mom-Ashlyn was paying for their McDonalds, 3-year-old Hudson (or Huddy as everyone calls him) was examining the world around him. And he noticed someone sitting all alone.

He asked his mom why the elderly man was eating alone. She told Huddy that probably his kids were all grown up and living their own lives. So Huddy walked over, introduced himself and slid into the seat across from the older gentleman. Ashlyn wasn’t even surprised – she says her son is always looking for ways to light up the world around him.

After a little talking Hudson found out that this man lived just a few miles away and had been good friends with Huddy’s great-grandfather! A new friendship was sparked and now the pair have regular breakfast dates on the calendar.

Friday, April 17, 2026

Once upon a time there was a local Christian radio station called WBSN. It was created late last century – in 1979. It was born from a dream to have modern Christian music broadcast to New Orleans. The founders got a non-commercial license from the FCC, rallied support and started broadcasting in February of 1979. Flash forward nearly half a century and LifeSongs Radio has become so much more than they could have ever dreamed!

Now LifeSongs is broadcast on 4 major FM radio channels across Southeast Louisiana, streamed online, through a free LifeSongs Radio App and on smart devices around the world! And still – 47 years later, LifeSongs exists because of the generous support of listeners like YOU!

THANK YOU for giving – for sharing – for praying – for celebrating! The LifeSongs family is the best. You are today’s good news.

YOU ARE THE GOOD NEWS!

Everyday that you hear an uplifting song, a message of hope or a word from God through LifeSongs Radio is because of the generous support of you – the listening family of LifeSongs! You can still make a difference and GIVE HERE!

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