MORE GOOD NEWS from days gone by…
Friday, August 2, 2024
Coop Cooper is passionate about Pokémon. He goes to conventions and tournaments to engage other Pokémon fans and hopefully inspire a new generation to join in the fun.
Coop has an impressive collection, but he isn’t trying to make a buck – he just wants to share. Coop makes a habit of talking with kids – finding out their favorite Pokémon, and then gifting them rare cards – many of which he could sell for hundreds of dollars.
As Christians we can relate to the joyful feeling of receiving a priceless gift for free, right?
Thursday, August 1, 2024
Christine Jacobson is on a mission to help some lucky veterans relive their favorite memories with the help of a well-balanced meal.
Christine is a dietician who put together a group of 20 taste testers at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown, Iowa. They meet once a month to explore their memories through the smell and taste. The group of foodies also learn about nutritional health.
The veterans also get to help prepare food and even host mock judging panels to critique their delicious meals. Even when the meals harken back to yesteryear, these folks are also building new memories together, over a shared meal.
Wednesday, July 31, 2024
Medical professionals never really go on break. They are trained to recognize medical emergencies and leap into action, no matter where they are or what they are doing. For example – Nurse Claire Cerbie was waiting at the gate for a flight out of Charlotte to Knoxville when she noticed another passenger in medical distress.
Only a trained eye would have noticed the snoring and off rhythm breathing of 57-year-old Ken Jeffries as signs of a heart attack – but thankfully Nurse Cerbie is always on call. She began chest compressions while an ambulance was called. Using a defibrillator and CPR, Nurse Cerbie worked on Jeffries for 10 minutes before he was breathing on his own again.
He was rushed to a local hospital and underwent emergency surgery. Praise God, he’ll be ok. And forever grateful that Nurse Claire Cerbie was on his flight.
Tuesday, July 30, 2024
Designing an easy to source and build tiny home is a great idea for a final project in college. But at Tulane University – designing it is not enough. Students actually got to construct their project – and then give it away as a home!
Benjamin Harris has struggled with drugs and alcohol for most of his life. It led to homelessness – camping out under I-10 in downtown New Orleans. That is until the UrbanBuild program at Tulane presented him with a furnished 440-square-foot tiny home.
Tulane students designed the structure and worked with professional architects and builders to make dreams a reality – not only for a good grade, but in Benjamin’s case, a home.
Monday, July 29, 2024
Postpartum life is hard for every new mom. A woman in Ohio was struggling to feed her newborn baby and was so distraught she actually called 9-1-1. It was 2 AM, she could no longer produce breast milk and her baby had been screaming in hunger for hours as she drove all over town trying to find a store that sold formula.
Thankfully the police officer that took her call was a father of two young daughters and his heart immediately went out to this poor woman. He remembered how his wife felt immediately after her babies were born. Officer Hunter Willoughby dashed to a nearby store, grabbed formula and infant bottles.
He then delivered the goods to the exhausted and panicked mom at her home. Officer Willoughby would not accept her money and quietly departed so she could feed her one week old.
Friday, July 26, 2024
A woman in Ohio was struggling to feed her newborn baby and was so distraught she actually called 9-1-1. It was 2 AM, she could no longer produce breast milk and her baby had been screaming in hunger for hours as she drove all over town trying to find a store that sold formula.
Thankfully the police officer that took her call was a father of two young daughters and his heart immediately went out to this poor woman. He remembered how his wife felt immediately after her babies were born.
Officer Hunter Willoughby dashed to a nearby store, grabbed formula and infant bottles.He then delivered the goods to the exhausted and panicked mom at her home. Officer Willoughby would not accept her money and quietly departed so she could feed her one week old.
Thursday, July 25, 2024
12-year-old Aubrey Sauvie wanted to be like her big sister, who plays percussion – so she started practicing on a snare drum. She attacked the skill like any other of her hobbies – taekwondo, painting and dance. All of this is made even more impressive by the fact that Aubrey is a triple amputee.
From birth Aubrey has attacked life with no arms below her elbows and a partially amputated left foot. She’s had many prosthetics over the years, but her special drumming hands were designed and 3D-printed by some college engineering students at Tennessee Tech.
Aubrey worked closely with the engineering students to develop the perfect prosthetics to help her play the drums at super speed, without fear of slipping, overheating or dropping the drumsticks. The engineering students at Tennessee Tech have the plans backed up to make adjustments and print new prosthetics as the tween drummer grows.
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
Suborno Isaac Bari memorized the Periodic Table by age 2, graduated high school at 12 and is already enrolled at NYU to study physics this Fall! In fact, this brilliant preteen is fast tracking college, planning for a 2026 graduation, followed by grad school.
Suborno grew up on Long Island, but is originally from India, where he often guest lectured when the family visited abroad. Imagine a seven year old teaching a college class … this is Suborno’s real life!
But it’s not all physics lectures and homework – Suborno also loves playing the piano and paints to express his artistic side. The brilliant minded tween even has a letter of commendation from former President Obama for being a glimpse into a hopeful and bright future for us all.
Tuesday, July 23, 2024
Virginia Hislop has achieved an extraordinary milestone by completing her master’s degree in education from Stanford University at the age of 105. Starting her coursework 83 years ago, Hislop’s academic journey was interrupted by significant life commitments, including marriage, family, and World War II. Despite these interruptions, she forged a long and successful career in education.
Finally able to return to her scholastic pursuits, Hislop attended the recent Stanford graduation ceremony and proudly received her diploma. Her story is an inspiring testament to perseverance, proving that it’s never too late to achieve one’s dreams. Virginia’s remarkable achievement is a glowing reminder that patience and dedication never go out of style—although you might need a few extra candles on your graduation cake!
Monday, July 22, 2024
An Australian charity is making waves with its surf lessons designed specifically for autistic youth. Drowning is tragically the leading cause of death for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Ocean Heroes aims to combine ocean safety education with fun, engaging activities to protect and entertain neurodiverse kids.
Ocean Heroes started with this critical issue: many autistic children are prone to elopement, meaning they may wander off when they see the mesmerizing reflection of light on water. This concern is particularly pressing in Australia, where much of the population lives near coastal areas.
Imagine hitting the beach and learning to surf while also boosting your safety skills. That’s exactly what’s happening for autistic youth in Australia thanks to Ocean Heroes promoting ocean safety. Catching waves and saving lives! Hats off to these Aussies for turning the tide in such a fun and vital way!
Friday, July 19, 2024
Vilitha Clay and her family are living out the love of Christ by opening their home to a new found family member. Michael Cloyd is 73 years old. He is a Veteran of the war in Vietnam. And up until recently he was homeless and in need of medical care.
Michael was admitted to the VA hospital in rough shape after 4 months of homelessness. He could not find or afford the care he needed. Somehow he was connected to a family who had decided to live out Ephesians 4: “Be kind and compassionate to one another…”
The Clay family adopted the veteran and moved him into their home. He became a grandpa to the grown children and is fully embraced by this caring family who hope to inspire others to open their homes to care for adults in need.
Thursday, July 18, 2024
A family was shocked and overjoyed to discover their beloved pet was not lost – he was out in the wild world enjoying his best life.
The Drewry’s lost donkey, named Diesel, ran away from his owners five years ago while they were out on a hike near their Sacramento ranch. The sweet tempered donkey was described as a “lover, not a fighter” so they feared the worst. Just this Spring, however, Diesel was spotted in the wild.
Diesel took up with a herd of wild Elk in the California wilderness. He apparently earned the respect of the herd that follow their donkey protector. And while the Drewry family misses their Diesel – they are thrilled that he has found a family and is enjoying the wild burro life.
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
Each year refugees flee war torn Africa and the Middle East, moving to European countries. Many of those refugees are children who just want to play ball. The country of Italy saw all of these young footballers and decided to put together a rich sports program just for them. The Rinascita Refugees is a social program that Italy devised to help naturalize migrant soccer players. Many of the young players are from West Africa just trying to make a new home.
The Italian Ministry of the Interior funds this soccer social program, where many players have thrived and garnered international attention. In April the Rinascita Refugees won the Italian Cup in their division!
Tuesday, July 16, 2024
From the top of the Empire State Building, Sassy Wyatt stood motionless like a statue, taking it all in. She heard the roar of the wind, a helicopter passed by, sirens down below and her fellow tourists shuffling all around her. She could smell the gritty New York air and feel the building rattle and sway under her feet. While she has been blind since she was a teenager, this young woman has a passion for travel, experiencing the world differently than most of us.
Sassy Wyatt is now in her early 30s – over half her life has been in the dark. She grew up in England with her parents who prioritized experiencing the world through travel. While she can no longer see the world around her, she loves to experience new places with the senses she does have.
She’s never stopped exploring the world through sound, feeling, smell and taste. She has paraglided, skied and taken on any number of adventurous sports, thanks to friends who describe the visual world to her as they travel. And she’s shared her adventures with the world through her very popular blog Blind Girl Adventures!
Monday, July 15, 2024
Oorbee Roy is a 43 year old mom of two from Toronto, Canada who decided she no longer cared what people thought – she wanted to have fun skateboarding with her kids. So she did!
Instead of doom scrolling on her phone or falling into midlife crisis drama, Oorbee grabbed a skateboard and practiced each day with her kids and her husband and now, she’s got a social media following as she shreds.
She wants every person – especially moms – to know its never too late to “live your best life.” For her – skateboarding has been like a fountain of youth. While her family is always headed to the skatepark, Oorbee had a skate ramp built in their backyard! Her plans for the future include hosting retreats to help women chase dreams – and she hopes to write a book one day about how grabbing a skateboard helps keep her young and excited about life.
Friday, July 12, 2024
Max the cat is a six year old tabby who lives down the street from Vermont State University. His daily routine is to roam the school campus looking for friends. He greets the Dean of Admissions on his way to the Quad to hang with students.
Max is very friendly and likes to perch on shoulders and backpacks to pose for selfies. Students and staff often let him in the school buildings to keep warm when there’s snow on the ground. Max is more than a mascot for the school – he’s a soothing presence who has put countless smiles on faces burdened by finals and papers and the pressures of the unknown future.
The graduating class of 2024 have been through a lot at VSU. They started college during a global pandemic – and just a year ago, three Vermont schools merged into Vermont State University. Thankfully, all of these students had Max. And to honor the sweet cat, the school presented the cuddly guy with an honorary doctorate in Litter-ature. That’s a terrible pun – but at least Max graduated with zero student loans.
Thursday, July 11, 2024
Troy Sawyer wants to help local girls get more involved in the jazz scene with his non-profit Girls Play Trumpets Too. It’s true – we see incredible girl drummers, guitar players, violins and cellos … but when it comes to the brass section it’s largely been a boys club.
Troy Sawyer was a music teacher at Lafeyette Academy and decided to put together a girls jazz ensemble to fix this problem. The nonprofit is growing and the girls have been featured at Jazz Fest and even on the Kelly Clarkson Show in New York! The future really blows for these girl trumpeters!
Wednesday, July 10, 2024
Isaac Toups and his wife Amanda own and run a Mid City restaurant called Toups Meatery. If there is one thing that lights a fire on their stove, it’s the idea that someone is hungry and they can do something about it. Which is why they launched a non-profit called Toups Family Meal to deliver well balanced meals to feed hundreds of kids in New Orleans this Summer. But this is just the beginning of the outreach the Toups have planned.
The goal is to grow Toups Family Meal to also be a mobile emergency response program responding to disasters in the region with home cooking and love. You can learn more about this awesome family at toupsfamilymeal.com.
Tuesday, July 9, 2024
Zaylin Washington’s life could be used for a reboot of Friday Night Lights. This Texas teenager is a star football player and keeps his grades all A’s as well. In fact, he has a full ride athletic and academic scholarship to Feather River College starting this Fall.
But Zaylin has had to overcome some huge disadvantages in his young life. His parents were in and out of jail – he was shuffled into foster care – and while a sophomore in high school, became homeless. Most of his classmates had no idea. It was his youth pastor at Church that gave him his first stable home.
Zaylin notes that this was the first time someone CHOSE him, instead of having him forced upon them. His new stable home, full of love and support, gave him the foundation to succeed – and that’s exactly what he has done!
Monday, July 8, 2024
The Detroit Lions are pretty excited that they managed a coup and signed Cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. out of the second round of the NFL draft. But Detroit is getting much more than a great defensive football player, they are getting a grateful young man.
Many of us are lucky to have teachers in our lives that pushed us to be our best selves. For Ennis, that was his 4th grade teacher Mr. Gammon. The 4th grade teacher posted to Twitter a picture of a letter young Ennis Rakestraw Jr. had left on his desk on the last day of 4th grade many years ago. In the letter Ennis thanked his teacher for his kindness and told him that one day he would play professional football and let the world know how his 4th grade teacher helped him have confidence.
Friday, July 5, 2024
A group of Michigan fourth graders were assigned active-duty or retired veterans to correspond with. This was a way to both encourage our nation’s warriors – and also teach 9-year-olds how to write proper letters. Brilliant idea!
After months of participating in Operation Save, the school planned a special meet and greet lunch, where the students and their hero pen pals got to hang out together!
One retired Master Sergeant has loved getting the letters so much, he boasted how he doesn’t have room on the front or sides of his fridge anymore, because he hangs each letter there.
Thursday, July 4, 2024
Happy Independence Day! Celebrating the United States’ birthday is great – but celebrating God’s Kingdom is far greater!
CLICK HERE to see the goodness being done at Victory Church for the 35th annual FEED THE MULTITUDES!
Wednesday, July 3, 2024
Brinley Tatsey runs cross country for Heart Butte Junior High School in Montana. And she’s good! (She actually holds her school’s record for fastest mile) Brinley was on her way to a first place finish, when she sacrificed an easy trophy to help a competitor. She noticed another runner clinging to a tree, gasping for air off the course. Brinley sprinted over, offering her inhaler and talked her through breathing exercises until coaches showed up to help.
Then, like she hadn’t done anything out of the ordinary, Brinley went back to the race. When she finished well behind her normal pace, her mom asked if she was ok. Brinley just shrugged it off and said “I was just slow this time.”
No one would have ever known what Brinley did, had a spectator not witnessed the entire thing and written a letter to the Heart Butte Athletic Department praising the heroic act of the sixth grade runner. Brinley was honored at the school’s annual awards assembly. In recognition of her outstanding sportsmanship, sincerity, and humanity, she was presented with a special plaque. The school community applauded her not just for her athletic prowess but for something far more important: her character and empathy.
Tuesday, July 2, 2024
Nicholas Appel was working his ticket booth at Grand Central Station in New York City when he saw a woman who looked panicked and on the verge of tears. She had lost her (very large) diamond engagement ring on the train. Nicholas helped search the entire station and when no ring was found, helped the woman file a police report.
Two MTA officers got the task of tracking down the train and doing a search. They went in with a mission and got off the train with a giant diamond ring – returned to the commuter on the same day she lost it!
Monday, July 1, 2024
Victoria and Justin are not your average run of the mill 17-year-old high school students from Texas. They are scientific geniuses that are trying to save the world.
The Texas teens won the Gordon E. Moore Award from an international science fair for their invention – a device that uses ultrasound technology to filter out microplastics from water! Microplastics are a danger worldwide, infecting water and food supplies, causing untold harm to the environment and the health of people and animals.
Justin and Victoria built a sound machine that cleans water! That’s absolutely amazing. The teens are working with Regeneron labs to upscale their device for large scale work that could literally change the world.
Friday, June 28, 2024
Let’s start with the happy ending: Elijah Hogan graduated high school at the top of his class at Walter L. Cohen Charter High School and will be at Xavier University in the Fall, studying graphic design. The story of how Elijah came out on top, starts at a very low place though.
When Elijah was just 8-years-old, he lost his mother. He lived with his grandmother for a time, but ended up in the Covenant House youth shelter while in high school. He lived in the homeless shelter for more than a year.
Despite a traumatic childhood and housing insecurity, Elijah accepted help graciously – and worked hard, graduating high school with a best in his class 3.93 GPA. He spoke at his graduation, encouraging his peers as they move into the next stage of life, saying, “Take pride in how far you have come. Have faith in how far you can go. But don’t forget to enjoy your journey.”
Thursday, June 27, 2024
A while back we shared the sweet story of school bus driver Larry Farrish Jr. going the extra mile to make one of his students happy. It was “Pajama Day” at school and the young Levi was sad because he didn’t have any pj’s. Larry ran to the store and brought Levi new pajamas so he could join his classmates in the fun.
This story was all over the internet and inspired Patricia Poggi on Long Island New York to take an 800 mile road trip to Farrish and Levi’s Engelhard Elementary. Patricia runs EJ’s PJs – a non profit that partners with Toys for Tots to give kids pajamas.
When she arrived at Engelhard Elementary, she had a supply of brand new pajamas for all 300 students at the school!
Wednesday, June 26, 2024
Brettne Brownson is a single mom and a great employee. She works for the Homebridge Health Care Agency in Norfolk, VA. Brettne is never late for work – always shows up with a smile – but how she gets to work has varied.
Homebridge Health CEO Latavia Bennette found out that her employee, Brettne, was using Uber, Lyft and sometimes walking to work each day because she didn’t have a car. So Latavia went and bought her one – surprising Brettne at work with new wheels!
When the story was leaked to a local news channel, the CEO told them the reason she started her company was because she was frustrated at her old job, always feeling unsupported. At Homebridge, she’s all about caring for her people.
Tuesday, June 25, 2024
An Ohio pizzeria was frustrated by what everyone assumes was a prank. A woman called and ordered 16 pizzas – worth well over $100. Then she didn’t show up to get the pizzas or pay. The shop had to discard the order and bite the cost.
PizzAroma shared the potential scam on social media to let other local businesses know to watch out. The next day they got a call from Travis Truesdell. Travis is a veteran who is also a small business owner – and pizza lover. He offered to pay the outstanding bill for the expensive prank – covering the cost of all 16 pizzas.
In the good times and bad – local businesses back each other up. Check out some incredible local businesses that support LifeSongs!
Monday, June 24, 2024
Daken Kramer is a really great kid. At just 11 years old, his school (Thomas Ultican Elementary) has already named an award after him. The Daken Kramer Legacy Award was created after Daken decided to help take care of his fellow classmates and their families.
Daken set out with a goal to raise $3500 to go towards school meal debt. He ended up raising over double that. Enough to not only erase all the debt for families at his school, but most of the debt at the local high school as well!
How did this kind 5th grader accomplish such a feat? He posted videos online encouraging his community to come together. And they did! Individuals and businesses gave and shared the call and that’s how greatness can happen anywhere! When you support LifeSongs (a non-profit radio ministry), how much more can we show God’s Love to Southeast Louisiana and the world?
Friday, June 21, 2024
More and more, we hear stories of people using Social Media to provide for the needs of strangers. TikToker Jimmy Darts shared a short video of giving food to a disabled homeless woman named Linda. He also gave 75 year old Linda $1000 cash to get her off the streets.
But that wasn’t enough. After sharing Linda’s story online, Darts’ followers raised over $44,000 to completely transform Linda’s life. She now has a place to live and transportation equipped to handle her mobility scooter.
Thursday, June 20, 2024
Captain Theresa Claiborne just hung up her wings. Captain Claiborne was the very first Black woman to fly for the US Air Force. She broke through over 40 years ago and has been flying for both the military and commercial airlines ever since. This past May she took one final flight from Lisbon, Portugal back to the United States (Newark) with a plane full of her friends and family.
Sure, she’ll miss the wide-eyed looks of awe from children as she saunters through airports in her pilot’s uniform – but because of her fearlessness, there are now many more Black women in the cockpit. They just needed to see that it was possible.
As she taxied her last big flight into the Newark gate, two fire engines were lined up to give her a water cannon salute – a mark of respect – as the water arched over the plane. While she won’t be flying professionally anymore, Captain Claiborne is still president of the non profit Sisters of the Sky that funnels the next generation of Black women into aviation careers and plans to write some long gestating books.
Wednesday, June 19, 2024 (Happy Juneteenth!)
As the aftermath of Katrina ravaged New Orleans, Alexandria Wheeler ventured out into unsafe streets to find help for her twin baby boys, A’Mari and J’Mari. The two were starving and dehydrated and their mom feared no one was coming to save them. That’s when she saw Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré — one of the most important figures in Hurricane Katrina’s military relief efforts.
Alexandria remembers the relief at seeing the General, saying, “It was like God just coming in, stepping in out of nowhere.”
Though the encounter was short, the ties between them remained strong over the years. Before A’Mari and J’Mari’s high school graduation this spring, they made a video call to Honoré with some exciting news. A’Mari is joining the Marines, while J’mari is going to college for automotive engineering. Both young men told the retired General how he inspired them.
After expressing his joy at seeing the two infants he once held in his arms all grown up, Honoré offered an even more important acknowledgment to their mother. “They’re here today because of you and your tenacity and your willingness to fight for them.”
Tuesday, June 18, 2024
We’ve mentioned the brilliant minds of two St. Mary’s Academy Math students (Calcea Johnson and Ne’Kiya Jackson) that shocked the world by solving a 2000 year old calculus problem. Those awesome young women are now in college but were recently featured on an episode of 60 minutes.
That’s when they caught the eye of NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley, who was so moved by their accomplishment and poise that he announced he would be donating $1 million to St. Mary’s Academy!
Monday, June 17, 2024
90 year-old Mr. McCormick isn’t one to complain. He works at a grocery store, pushing carts to pay for rent and food. He is kind to everyone he meets. And one of the folks he met recently has changed his life forever. That person was former WWL TV anchor Karen Swensen. When she heard Mr. McCormick’s story, she launched a GoFundMe to help him finally retire.
In just 2 days the GoFundMe blasted past the initial goal of $35,000 – pulling in well over $200,000! The money has been transferred to the now-full-retired hero.
Friday, June 14, 2024
Nobody has your back like your twin — and Georgia and Melissa Laurie are tighter than most. In 2021, while swimming in a river on vacation in Mexico, Melissa noticed a crocodile close by in the water. The two swam for shore, but as Melissa reached the bank, the croc dragged her under the water to certain death — until her twin Georgia dove back in after her, repeatedly fighting off the reptile until it let her sister go.
Now, Georgia is being honored by King Charles III with the King’s Gallantry Medal, given to Brits who demonstrate immense bravery. The humble Georgia said she owed her own life to her sister, who was determined to stay alive throughout the reptile attack: “I don’t think I would be here without her, she really gave me the strength to keep fighting,” she said.
The attack was terrifying and dangerous, though Melissa has since healed from injuries that included puncture wounds to her stomach and intestines and sepsis during her hospital stay. You would think a traumatic event like that would keep the twins out of the water, but nope. Together they are raising money for charity by participating in the Thames Marathon, an 8-mile swim in England.
Thursday, June 13, 2024
Dylan Beard is hoping to make the US Track and Field team for Hurdles. He’s favored to make the team in the upcoming qualifiers. But he had to take some time off from his day job to chase Olympic glory. Normally he’s manning the counter at the deli in his local Walmart!
Dylan Beard is currently the third fastest hurdler in the world – but he’s an unsponsored athlete chasing a dream. Thankfully, he got some help from his coworkers and friends. Walmart presented the future champion with a check for $20,000 to help pay for his training and trip to Paris. He just has to hurdle over the competition at the qualifiers in Oregon later this month.
Wednesday, June 12, 2024
Teachers are heroes. They give their lives investing in the future of not just their students – but the lives their students will impact. Lillian Orlich, known to her students as Ms. O, spent 67 years in the classroom before finally retiring at the age of 89.
It would be impossible to figure out the countless lives impacted by her years of love and service. But you can actually count the impact she left after her passing. One million. Ms. O left $1 million in her will for the Virginia school system she had served most of her life!
Tuesday, June 11, 2024
Elaine and Roland both had crushes on one another in 8th grade, but never told one another. It never became anything more than a teenage dream while in high school. They grew apart and lived full lives.
Both grew up, married other people, had families and lived life! Eventually Roland’s wife passed away and Elaine’s first marriage ended in divorce. When they saw each other at their 50th high school reunion – sparks immediately flew!
They dated for a while and eventually combined families at the age of 88, in a beautiful beach wedding. You never know when life is going to surprise you!
Monday, June 10, 2024
Beth Christensen’s roommates are all much older than her, but she’s cool with it. Beth is a graduate student and concert pianist going to school at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory. Sure, she could have lived in the dorms, but she found accommodations that gave her access to a piano on which she can practice 24/7.
Beth moved into Claridge Court, a senior living facility. In exchange for piano performances, she gets housing AND a community with a wealth of experience and wisdom to share! The relationships she is building with her elders at Claridge Court have given her tremendous joy – and the music she plays fills the senior center with a sense of life and youth.
Friday, June 7, 2024
The Class of 1944 just got together for their 80th high school reunion!
The 98 year olds from Wisconsin took pictures with a vintage 1929 Packard, a car service they rented to take them to lunch – however the car broke down, so they pivoted to an Uber.
The Class of ’44 gals enjoyed lunch with cake and ice cream, and called a few of their classmates who couldn’t make the date. They graduated at the height of World War II and have experienced so much in the last 80 years!
Thursday, June 6, 2024
The Purple Knights have descended upon Normandy for a series of powerful performances to celebrate the 80th anniversary of D-Day. The St. Augustine Marching 100 have been performing all week in Normandy and Paris – they even learned some patriotic standards for this global tour, celebrating the turning point of World War II.
80 years ago today, the Americans, British, Canadians, Australians and others launched an offensive attack to take back the European continent from the Nazis. They landed in force on the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944. While many St. Augustine students have studied D-Day at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, the world famous band has now seen it first hand.
The band has spent an entire year planning fundraising for this trip. For the band and chaperones to go and perform for a week in France, it cost over $700,000. But this once in a lifetime experience just opened the world up to these young men in a way that can’t be measured.
Wednesday, June 5, 2024
A Soldier’s Journey Home had just three weeks and 80 volunteers from 15 different states to build and furnish a home. But they got the job done! On April 27th, they handed the keys to Retired Army SGT Ryan Major and thanked him for his service with the greatest gift possible – a brand new home!
Local businesses helped cover costs – everything about the home was donated, from the land and materials all the way to the food in the pantry and the blankets on the beds. SGT Major’s home was also built with disabilities in mind – Ryan lost his legs to an IED in Iraq.
His new home was provided by the non-profit A Soldier’s Journey Home, which has been building and offering mortgage free homes to our nation’s heroes for almost twenty years.
Tuesday, June 4, 2024
A group of French bakers put together a 461-foot-long baguette to claim the record for longest baguette ever made! That’s almost 1/5 football fields worth of delicious crusty bread! The record was broken as a part of the Suresnes Baguette Show in Paris.
Thankfully this delicious record didn’t go to waste. The crowds got slices, slathered with Nutella and the rest of the giant bread was given to a local youth association who distributed the food to local homeless people that evening.
Monday, June 3, 2024
Mr. T famously pitied the fools all the way through the 80s on his hit TV show The A-Team. He fought off Rocky Balboa in Rocky III. He had a hit Saturday morning cartoon. He was one of the most famous people in the world, decked out in expensive gold and jewelry. But did you ever notice his shoes?
Mr. T still uses his fame today to speak life into kids and share his faith. No matter how richly adorned his neck is, his shoes are torn up, cheap tennis shoes. It’s a constant reminder for the superstar to remain humble, remember his roots and keep perspective in a world that says riches and fame are the end game.
Friday, May 31, 2024
A couple of barbershop owners in East Hartford proved they are looking out for the community, not just with shears and fades, but in other even more heroic ways.
Santana and Lugo were busy chatting with customers when they noticed a little girl outside the shop heading towards a busy intersection. The two men raced out the door to grab the girl before she ran into the roadway. They found her mom at the bus stop around the corner, in a confused panic.
The men then went back to work – but days later the Police department got word of their good deed and presented the men with hero certificates and a public commendation.
Thursday, May 30, 2024
Back in 1964, Gary and Linda Manna eloped. It was all they needed – each other. 60 years later, Gary wanted Linda to have the wedding of her dreams. So they put on a 60th anniversary wedding ceremony. Linda was walked down the aisle by one of her sons – her daughters the bridesmaids. She met a beaming Gary at the front of the church where their eldest son led them through their vows.
Linda says forgiveness, faith and music has kept their marriage strong for six decades. And there is obviously a lot of love in this family.
Wednesday, May 29, 2024
In 1994 the prenatal team at Queen’s Medical in Nottingham, England, hustled, delivering two premature babies. Jack was born at 30 weeks and Bronwyn’s mom delivered at just 26 weeks.
Both families bonded over their miracle babies and kept in touch after finally leaving the hospital months later. Jack and Bronwyn grew up as friends, drifted apart during university, but in their mid 20s realized they were more than just matching miracles for their parents -they were a match for each other!
Now the former preemies are married with their own daughter – who was born in the very same hospital they were both born in!
Tuesday, May 28, 2024
“Ladies and gentlemen, this is your Captain speaking…” If you have ever been on a plane, you’ve likely heard something like that before. Generally it is followed by a greeting and a reminder to keep your seatbelt on. But on a recent LOT Polish Airlines flight, what came next was a romantic comedy in the making…
Captain Konrad Hanc and his longtime girlfriend Paula – a flight attendant – were flying this route together. Captain Hanc had his co-pilot take over so he could step out into the aisle and propose to Paula from 40,000 feet.
He told Paula “You are most precious to me. You are my greatest dream come true.” Their video went viral, of course, as Paula ran down the plane aisle to wrap her arms around her Captain Fiancé!
Monday, May 27, 2024
Ed Bray stormed the beach at Normandy during World War II, earning two purple hearts. And yet, the toughest thing the 90-year-old said he had to face in his life was his illiteracy. For decades, Bray went to extraordinary efforts to keep his inability to read or write a secret. While on the job at an Air Force base, he had a coworker help him with documents. At home, his wife did the same for 62 years until her death in 2009. Finally, the determination to shed the shame and learn how to read broke through.
“I want to read one book,” he said. “I don’t care if it’s about Mickey Mouse. I want to read one book before I die.”
In early 2013, Bray found Professor Tobi Thompson at Oklahoma’s Northeastern University. Her patient and dedicated attitude helped Bray accomplish what he never thought possible. In February the veteran read his first book, a grade-school biography of George Washington. “It just makes me feel good,” Bray said. He’s since gone on to read three books, and has no plan to stop now.
Friday, May 24, 2024
Matt Busbice is a millionaire many times over. The Baton Rouge businessman does not sleep in bougie pajamas though – just shorts and a t-shirt, like a normal person. One early morning the fire alarm started blaring in his condo building so he rushed out the door only to find there was no emergency. Groggy, but awake – Matt decided to walk down the street to get some coffee. Before going into the shop, Matt decided to stop and take a moment to pray. That’s when he saw a large child approaching with a clenched fist.
9-year-old Kelvin Ellis Jr. had recently received $1 from his dad for getting good grades. It was his only dollar. Kelvin decided he wanted to give this blessing away to a homeless person, so when he saw a disheveled man outside the coffee shop, he approached to give him a gift. He lifted his clenched hand up and handed the man a dollar saying “If you’re homeless, here’s a dollar.”
Matt Busbice was shocked at first, but slowly a huge smile spread on his face. He introduced himself to Kelvin, met Kelvin’s father and then bought Kelvin breakfast in the coffee shop. Matt was so touched by the boy’s generous heart, he invited Kelvin and his dad to one of the stores he owns – a sporting goods shop called BuckFeather. He presented Kelvin a brand new bike and then gave him 40 seconds to gather anything he wanted, free of charge!
Thursday, May 23, 2024
So far, the biggest superstar of the Major League Baseball season isn’t a pitcher with a $100 million deal – but rather, unassuming everyman Matt Hilton – a beekeeper in Arizona. With just minutes until game time, a swarm of bees took up residency in the netting behind home plate at the Diamondbacks’ game.
Matt was called in, in full bee suit with a special vacuum to a packed out Arizona’s Chase Field cheering him on. They chanted “MVP” as Matt cleaned up the bee mess. Someone in the broadcast booth put Bonnie Tyler’s “Holding Out for a Hero” on the speakers.
Before Matt left to release the bees, he was given the chance to throw out the ceremonial first pitch – which the crowd went nuts for! The Diamondbacks ended up winning for the home crowd, beating the Dodgers in extra innings that night.
Of course, to become a sports legend, you need a trading card. Topps Trading Cards immediately reached out to the Blue Sky Pest Control worker to release a limited edition MVB – most valuable beekeeper – baseball card and the Diamondbacks offered buy-get-one FREE BEE tickets for the rest of the homestand.
Wednesday, May 22, 2024
It’s like a scene straight off an episode of a police show – a Baton Rouge police officer was flagged down by a car on the side of the road. The driver told Cpl. Jason Lee that her daughter was in labor and they needed a police escort to the hospital. Officer Lee happily obliged, but the cars didn’t get all the way to the hospital.
Labor escalated quickly so Cpl. Lee pulled over and delivered the baby on the side of the road! Both mom and her newborn son Noah were healthy and safe. EMS arrived and took the family to the hospital, but later Cpl. Lee was able to visit and take pictures with baby Noah.
The Baton Rouge Police Department – To serve and protect and ew, is that placenta?!
Tuesday, May 21, 2024
Becky Arbaugh is the manager at Taco Bell in Richboro, PA. She’s also a bonafide hero. This story is crazier than a Cool Ranch Doritos Loco taco. A customer named Natasha pulled up the window to get her order when she noticed her 11 week old son struggling to breathe from the carseat. She screamed for help – and Becky tossed her headset and dashed to the drive-thru while her employees called 9-1-1.
Becky had experience with infant CPR, her own daughter had struggled as a baby. She took the baby and performed CPR until the ambulance arrived. By that time the baby was no longer blue and breathing on his own. The paramedics told Natasha that Becky had saved her son’s life!
Taco Bell is honoring their hero-manager. And Natasha and Becky have become friends, connecting through social media after the ordeal. Now Becky gets daily updates on how the little life she saved is thriving.
Monday, May 20, 2024
If you walked by a burning house, would you leap to action or start filming with your smartphone? Oscar Rivera heard a loud BOOM and saw smoke billowing out of a three-story house in his neighborhood. Without hesitation he leapt into action.
Oscar ran out of his backyard, where he had been playing with his kids, and scaled the outside of the front of the burning house with the help of a neighbor’s ladder. He jumped from the ladder to an awning and pulled himself up to a man screaming for help from the third story window. Oscar grabbed the man by his pants and heaved him out onto the roof, putting out the flames on his clothes.
About that time a fire truck pulled up and helped both Oscar and the man he had rescued off the roof. While the neighbor Oscar rescued suffered burns – he could have lost his life without help.
Friday, May 17, 2024
If you ever get to go to a hockey game – prepare to have a great time! Currently in Baton Rouge we have a hockey team called The Zydeco. Hockey games are super fun – very loud – a little chilly – and also, potentially, DANGEROUS!
At a recent Cleveland Monsters game, mom Asia was spending as much time wrangling her four year old son Nasir as she did watching the game. Thankfully the man sitting next to them, Andrew, was enjoying the chaos of the four year old – and also, thankfully, Andrew has quick reflexes. A stray hockey puck was flipped up over the plexiglass and came hurtling towards the 4-year-old’s head.
Instinctively, Andrew jumped in front of the puck – his mom Asia says this new friend likely saved her son’s life! The act of bravery was posted on social media – and the team invited the trio back for another game, to meet the team and shuffle out to mid-rink so 4-year-old Nasir could drop the ceremonial puck.
Thursday, May 16, 2024
Steve Gleason is a hero in New Orleans. Not just for his time as a New Orleans Saint – but mostly his poise in the midst of the battle for his life. The former footballer has a Congressional Gold Medal for championing the fight against ALS. The degenerative disease has immobilized the athlete – but not yet stopped him from creating a life well lived – inspiration – and even artwork!
Gleason has written memoirs and speaks with the aid of computers. He has done intensive work with Microsoft and Google to develop voice banking technology to allow those who have lost the ability to vocalize, a chance to speak with their own voices again. And now this legend has partnered with A.I. art generating software from Adobe.
Using a new program called Firefly, Steve Gleason has created exclusive artwork. He hopes other artists will join him for a display in New Orleans when the city hosts the next Super Bowl. Gleason has a passion for developing ways for the differently abled to express themselves, despite their limitations.
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Georgia Tech is one of Atlanta’s finest schools. 59-years ago Ronald Yancy was the first Black graduate of the engineering school – and now he’s passing that legacy on to his granddaughter!
Back in 2019 Georgia Tech honored Ronald with a statue on campus and he was invited to hand his granddaughter Deanna Yancey her diploma as she earned her Master’s degree in electrical and computer engineering this Spring.
Back in 1961, Georgia Tech became the first university in the Deep South to integrate – with no court order or violence. Since the 60s, several Yancey family members have become Yellow Jacket alumni.
Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Imagine you’re cruising down the Interstate, and suddenly you see a silver vehicle flipped over in a field. That’s a scene straight out of a blockbuster, right? But for a group of eight men, it was a call to action rather than a spectacle.
These good Samaritans didn’t just stand by; they sprinted towards danger and banded together to overturn the car and rescue a woman trapped inside. It’s the kind of teamwork that would make even the Avengers proud. Just goes to show, not all heroes wear capes—some just have a really good grip and a heart of gold.
In a world where we’re often bombarded with bad news, stories like this remind us of the goodness that surrounds us. It’s a wonderful example to set for our kids: when someone’s in need, you lend a hand (or eight).
Monday, May 13, 2024
Courtney is a barista at Starbucks in Little Rock, Arkansas. She’s the happy, smiling face that many locals see first thing in the morning. When she noticed a customer having a downcast morning, Courtney worked extra hard to smile and be cheerful for them – not knowing how her determination to bring some sunshine into a life might turn into a blessing!
The customer that Courtney had worked so hard to cheer left the barista a note saying “You were the first face I saw this morning and you really brightened my day… you deserve to know that you made a difference… just by being kind.” Along with the note was a $200 tip!
Courtney had to go to her car to compose herself as she wept from the generous and thoughtful gift. No one could have known it was the exact amount she needed to buy an urn for her mother’s ashes, right before her first Mother’s Day after her mom’s passing.
Friday, May 10, 2024
Ever heard of a bad weather friend?
In Fort Worth, Texas, a tale of unexpected friendship sprouts from the unlikeliest of situations. Lyn Story, a retiree with time to spare, became a lifeline for Apryl Goodwin, who was grappling with cancer and a dire need for transportation to medical treatments. Their initial contact, courtesy of a neighborhood app, blossomed into Story driving Goodwin to over 25 radiation sessions and 6 chemotherapy treatments, among other critical appointments.
It’s in the toughest times that the most beautiful friendships can form. What a beautiful testament to the power of community and making a difference in each other’s lives, one ride at a time. Lyn Story’s actions remind us of the importance of reaching out and helping our neighbors. It’s heartwarming, inspiring, and truly embodies the spirit of being a bad weather friend.
Thursday, May 9, 2024
The beautiful notes of Chopin on the piano echoed the full auditorium of Chalmette High. The pianist? 16 year old student Jorge Vargas. His skills are impeccable … you would never know he only began playing piano a few years ago. Jorge plays like a seasoned professional. His music instructor calls him a legitimate prodigy.
When COVID hit, the marching band of Chalmette Middle School was all but disbanded. They couldn’t be in the same room, blowing into their instruments – in fact Jorge was a trombonist and was really bummed he couldn’t make music with his friends. The music teacher was able to get beginner keyboards to any students that were interested in growing musically from home, and that’s when Jorge bloomed.
Though he still plays trombone – proudly marching with Chalmette High – Jorge formed an instant connection with the keyboard, picking up classics from Mozart in record time. While Mr. Vargas plans on studying physics in college, he will always be bringing beauty into the world wherever there is an open piano to play.
Wednesday, May 8, 2024
A high school PE coach was searching for ways to keep his athletes running during Summer break and had an “Ah-ha” moment after a conversation about the local animal shelter.
The coach matched up his athletes with a shelter dog to keep the cross-country team hitting their goals and providing exercise and socialization for the pups as well! NO surprise they also saw a rise in pet adoptions with this program.
Tuesday, May 7, 2024
Grace Cruz of American Heritage Girls Troop LA2013 was recently presented the Stars and Stripes Award! This is a huge deal in the American Heritage Girls program. Grace has proven her leadership skills with over 100 service hours and a host of other accomplishments.
One way Grace served our community was to install and manage two food blessing boxes in Slidell. She partnered with Northside Baptist and Northshore Church to collect non-perishable food and reading materials for people in need.
While accepting her AHG Stars and Stripes Award, Grace humbly spoke of her relationship with God and encouraged the other girls in attendance to lean on Him as they grow and face challenges.
Monday, May 6, 2024
Detective Michael Harton and his family were already beloved in North Haven, CT. He has been described as “a beacon of warmth and kindness.” About five years ago the Detective was in the right place at the right time to save a 3 month old baby named Eimann “Tooka” Rolle.
The infant was choking and had stopped breathing. Detective Harton spoke calmly to Tooka’s panicked mother and performed a variation of the Heimlich maneuver on the baby – not giving up until her airways were clear and she was breathing on her own.
Traumatic events can sometimes bond people forever, and it did for Detective Harton and Tooka. Harton and his wife Susan befriended Tooka’s mom and have been like surrogate grandparents for the little girl for the last five years – celebrating birthdays, milestones and holidays together!
Friday, May 3, 2024
Police forces around the world often rely on the training and skills of K-9 companions – especially when it comes to sniffing out drugs. Unfortunately for a Taiwanese golden lab named Roger – he was just too playful to get through training. While he flunked drug sniffing school – Roger did thrive as a rescue dog that helps find people in emergency situations.
Roger has captured the hearts of Taiwan as one of the search and rescue dogs who served in the aftermath of a recent 7.4 magnitude earthquake. He quickly became a hero to the Taiwanese and even received a special certification by the International Rescue Dog Organization. Soon, Roger will get to live out the rest of his life in retirement. Rescue dogs get to retire at age 9 in Taiwan.
Thursday, May 2, 2024
Whoever built a road through the forests just north of St. Petersburg, Russia, forgot to examine the migratory patterns of the gray toads. They spawn in a nearby reservoir and then move across a well traveled highway. As you can imagine, things get a little messy.
The Russian version of the EPA is busy recruiting volunteers to be crossing guards for the toads this Spring – to protect the gray toads from going SPLAT. The toad-lovers have to be certified by the government on how to handle the endangered animal – and of course – how to direct traffic.
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Russ Cook, AKA The Hardest Geezer, spent a year running across the continent of Africa, all for charity!
Russ is 27 years old and just wrapped a 10,000 mile, 16 country foot race, crossing his finish line in Tunisia. From the Southern coast, through jungles, deserts, kidnappers and rebel armies – Russ kept running and running until he accomplished his goal, raising nearly $1 million for homeless kids and clean water for Africa.
As Russ traversed Africa, other runners were inspired by his grand tour and flew out to run a portion of the race by his side. As the finish line was crossed on the coast of Tunisia, the Hardest Geezer ran straight into the Mediterranean for a well deserved soak.
Tuesday, April 30, 2024
Apryl Goodwin was diagnosed with cancer. She had no way to get to her many doctor’s appointments and shared her situation on the community app, Nextdoor. A stranger messaged Apryl privately offering to help.
Lyn Story recently retired, but at 64 years old, was getting kind of bored. She struck up a friendship with Apryl while shuttling her to her oncology appointments, chemo and rounds of radiation – plus dozens of follow-ups.
Lyn was a God-send for Apryl – and also for another one of their neighbors, Kevin Hoorigan. Kevin is legally blind, so Lyn shuttles him to and from work. And she’s not driving for Uber or Lyft – she’s just taking care of her new forever-friends!
For her part, Lyn is just trying to live right. 45 years ago, when she was very young, she was arrested for shoplifting. Then she was diagnosed with bipolar disease. But she is determined to live a life greater than a diagnosis. On top of ferrying her neighbors to work and the doctor, she is also a bone marrow donor and is fostering a three legged dog.
Monday, April 29, 2024
Brooklyn Nets star forward Mikal Bridges always wanted to play basketball – but he had another dream too; he wanted to teach second grade! Helping kids has always been on his heart. Mikal recalls second grade as one of the best years of his childhood, remembering his teacher Ms. Porter from his elementary school in Philadelphia.
After a road trip to Cleveland (where his Nets destroyed the Cavs), Mikal hurried home to get a few hours of sleep. The next day he had big plans – he was going to be a substitute teacher for second graders at PS 134 in Brooklyn. He started the morning early shooting hoops with students in the gym before heading to the classroom. He jammed on the xylophone during music class, then taught his favorite subject: math!
Mikal knows basketball won’t last forever and has long term plans to teach and maybe even one day become a principal!
Friday, April 26, 2024
Michael was enjoying a Spring day with a ride on his scooter. At 32 years old, it had been a hard year and he was enjoying a joy ride – the wind in his hair. A stranger nearby noticed how much fun Michael was having and asked if he could give the scooter a try. Michael kindly said yes. But that person then took off with the scooter never to be seen again.
Michael reported the theft to Roseville Police but he was devastated. After meeting with Michael, Detective Sergeant Saddler and his partner Detective Coraci were so impressed with the heart of this young man that they decided to go and buy him the exact same scooter as a gift. Their Chief got wind of the plan and covered the expense out of his budget.
The theft victim said “It’s like a guardian angel came down and blessed me,” when the Police Department gave him the gift of a brand new scooter. And coincidentally, it all happened on his birthday!
Thursday, April 25, 2024
A group of teenagers in San Antonio saw a local need and worked together to help.
Teens Give Back San Antonio Texas began crafting sleeping mats using collected and cleaned grocery bags. Each mat takes nearly 1000 bags and hours to craft. So far they’ve completed over 50 sleeping mats and distributed them to unsheltered folks in the community.
Teens Give Back SATX are providing a small comfort, a little security, and re-using plastic for the homeless community in Southern Texas and have inspired many in their community to join in the good work.
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
When a tornado spun through Slidell, more help was needed and this time the neighbors answering the call were actually from a thousand miles away.
Operation Blessing is a non-profit emergency response non-profit out of Virginia Beach, VA. As Slidelians wrestled with low ball insurance offers to help clean up the mess, Operation Blessing started sending trucks and crews to get the work done – free of charge!
O.B. workers said that seeing hopeless faces find their hope again is why they choose to serve. And they are partnering with local churches and volunteers to get the entire area cleaned up.
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
When Mehrad Houman lost his dog Mishka, he grieved. The family lives in San Diego, CA. Last July the dog went missing at her owner’s workplace. But Mishka’s story was not over.
Fast forward 8 months, and 2300 miles away in Harper Woods, Michigan – a resident noticed a stray dog wandering the neighborhood. After a vet checked for a microchip, they discovered it was Mishka! And her owners happened to be on Easter vacation in Minnesota, so they trekked over to Michigan to be reunited with their lost puppy!
Monday, April 22, 2024
If you have vacation plans in the south of Italy, you don’t have to settle for a t-shirt or expensive bottle of olive oil as a momento – you could get your very own Italian goat!
The tiny island of Alicudi off the Southwestern coast of Italy only has about 100 residents and an equal amount of goats that keep the grass trimmed. Recently the goat population exploded to six times the sustainable amount – so the mayor of the island created an adopt-a-goat program for anyone – literally ANYONE to have their very own Italian goat.
There’s an official form and small fee – but then you have to go catch your goat on the cliffs of Alicudi yourself.
Friday, April 19, 2024
Heather Bowers was preparing to leave her family and friends in West Virginia to be with Jesus. The wife and mom to two young kids was losing her battle with cancer, but still in good spirits. She was joking around with her friend Mary about their favorite vacation spot, the Outer Banks – and their tradition of eating at Mama Kwan’s, an OBX institution.
It’s a long six hour drive from West Virginia to Mama Kwan’s, but Mary decided to see if they could deliver food for her dying friend. Within an hour, Mama Kwan’s owner Kevin Cherry was in his car with a trunk full of food.
Heather and her friends and family were overwhelmed by the generous act. He was able to make it just in time. The Mama Kwan’s, trans-state delivery turned out to be Heather’s last meal – she passed away peacefully the next day.
Thursday, April 18, 2024
Tim Tebow and his wife Demi-Leigh are making headlines again, supporting a manufacturing company in Cincinnati. But it’s not the products being made that make it special – it’s the people.
Nehemiah Manufacturing produces products for Tide, Downey and Febreeze – but more importantly, they provide jobs and second chances for former convicts trying to reintegrate into society. And the company is growing and succeeding because of the great work being done by these hard workers.
The Tebows shared their involvement with Nehemiah Manufacturing, saying “Yes, it’s a manufacturing company, and they do an incredible job… But what’s special about it is that people and why we should believe in second chances is because Grace gave us all a second chance first, and we need to believe in giving people a second and a third and a fifth and an eleven-teenth chance. Because that’s what Grace is all about.”
Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Last year, Joy Ryan and Brad, her grandson/traveling companion, checked off the 63rd and final U.S. National Park. Now Joy, who is 94 years old, has a new goal, to visit all 7 continents on the planet.
Joy and Brad just returned from Chile and the Galapagos in South America. This adventure to see and experience the world didn’t even begin until Joy was in her mid 80s. She lived almost her entire life in the small town of Duncan Falls, Ohio – where she and her late husband ran a gift shop and worked in a local grocery store.
It was her grandson Brad, a veterinarian with a longing to explore, who began taking her on road trips to see the United States. They loved traveling together and have now seen much of the known world in just 10 years time. From a shop girl to a woman who has hiked volcanos, floated with sea turtles and stood on glaciers. How inspiring!
Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Larry Farrish Jr. has worn a lot of hats in his career. He was a correctional officer and long haul truck driver. A few years ago he found his calling – bringing kids to school as a bus driver in Louisville, KY! He loves it – getting to know the kids and families and being a friendly face each day.
One morning he noticed a little boy named Levi not having a great start to the day. Normally Levi is a bright, happy child – but that one morning he was pretty sullen. Mr. Larry pressed to see what was up and it turns out Levi was sad because it was Pajama Day at school but he didn’t have any pajamas.
As soon as the kids were dropped at school, Mr. Larry ran to the dollar store and bought a couple sets of pajamas – taking them right to school for Levi. The little boy was so excited he started crying happy tears. The school administrators shared the good deed on Facebook bragging about how thankful they are for him – calling him a “top notch human.”
Monday, April 15, 2024
Zachery Dereniowski (@mdmotivator on Socials) has used his fame to do good for families all over the world. Recently he heard about a young Phillies fan who had fought brain cancer and MD Motivator set out to make his dreams come true.
Seven-year-old Samuel had brain surgery and chemo, ultimately beating brain cancer. He wanted to celebrate by going to opening day for the Philadelphia Phillies, so he set up a lemonade stand to raise money for tickets.
MD Motivator loves baseball too and when Samuel’s mom Lauren shared the story, he surprised the family with tickets to Opening Day – $1000 cash – and worked with the Phillies to give Samuel the most special day ever, getting to hang with the team ON THE FIELD!
(Josh is in the bathroom sobbing 1. Because it is so awesome and sweet. 2. As a Braves fan, he HATES the Phillies.)
Friday, April 12, 2024
Sometimes a simple blunder might turn into the biggest blessing. That’s what happened thanks to an order typo made by Dan Dafydd, who was just trying to get an order of 80 chocolate Easter eggs to put on the shelves at Sinclair General Store – a small local grocer in the community of Sanday, on the Orkney Islands.
But one wrong click ordered 80 CASES of chocolate eggs – 720 total treats on an island with a total population of just 500 people. This was a pretty big whoopsie, but Dan thought up a raffle idea to use the excess for charity. It was an instant hit, paying back the expense and raising £3000 for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, who operate along the British Isles like Sanday – saving lives each day.
Dan became a bit of a local celebrity – inspiring other fundraisers. Nestle got word of what happened and even offered to match bids and donations. So instead of a horde of melting chocolate after an innocent mistake, a community, a chocolate company and one baffled grocery store clerk raised tens of thousands of pounds to save lives!
Thursday, April 11, 2024
As children we learned the art of the deal not in business school, but by selling World’s Finest Chocolate and holiday wrapping paper in hopes of winning the class a pizza party. An elementary school in Ohio decided that instead of making kids and their parents sell things to their neighbors and co-workers, they would focus on serving their community in more practical ways.
Students create greeting cards in art class and then hand them out to their peers before the bell rings the next morning. They visit local nursing homes and listen to stories shared by elders. They pick up trash in the community and do other chores all with the goal of serving instead of selling.
With QR cards for donations along for the ride, the school has raised plenty of money – perhaps more than if the kids were selling buckets of popcorn or cookie dough – and they are making a difference in the lives of their hometown.
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Wolf Cukier landed a coveted 2-month Summer internship at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland. His first assignment was to examine variations in star brightness captured by a satellite. That’s rocket science for menial busy work. But Wolf went all in – this is his dream job, afterall. That data collection busy work led to his discovering a brand new planet!
The newly discovered planet is about 7 times bigger than earth and has been named TOI 1338 b … at least until someone with an English degree gets ahold of the paperwork. It’s in a solar system some 1300 lightyears from Earth – and navigates dual stars – just like Tatooine in Star Wars.
Wolf still has a Star Wars poster up in his bedroom – and will likely take it with him next year to college. He’s just got to pick between offers at Princeton, MIT and Stanford.
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
In Harlem, there are so many sights, sounds, smells and challenges. But nestled in the vibrant neighborhood of Upper Manhattan, New York is a quaint book and toy shop called Grandma’s Place – and for many, it’s the heart of the entire community.
Dawn Harris Martine is known by most as simply “Grandma.” She’s the titular grandma of Grandma’s Place. The book and toy shop has been a dream come true for Grandma Dawn, who always wanted to create a sanctuary of safety and belonging for children in Harlem.
She’s been running Grandma’s Place for over two decades, calling it her “life’s work [and] passion.” For families browsing the store and kids running wild with toys – it’s like going to Grandma’s Place.
Monday, April 8, 2024
Laverne Biser is a 105 year old eclipse chaser. His lifelong passion has taken him across continents and into the company of unique people all wanting to stare at the sun. His first eclipse journey took him to the coast of Maine in 1963. He’s an accomplished photographer who makes prints of his solar exposure captures.
Laverne has traveled as far as Brazil to capture eclipses of the sun – but today, the Texan just has to go into his backyard.
Friday, April 5, 2024
A pair of eight-year-olds at Chelsea Elementary in Maine started a very cool new trend that’s all about being yourself. It’s called “Dapper Wednesdays,” and every week, people who want to join in dress to the nines for a fashion-filled day.
The fashionable young men tell their peers that the important thing is that everyone feels good in what they wear. James Ramage says, “(You can) wear what you want and just say ‘ I don’t care if somebody bullies me. I’m who I can be.'”
The school’s administration loves it and has even started a “dapper closet” so any kid can find something fun to wear.
Thursday, April 4, 2024
Raising a family is hard – especially when you don’t have extended family around to offer support and free babysitting. Nina and her partner felt all alone after welcoming their daughter, Millie. So the new mom, wrestling with postpartum and isolation, asked her online community if anyone would like to become an adoptive grandmother.
Christine Artnott lives just around the corner from Nina’s family and immediately knew it was her calling to be a grandma to little Millie. In just six months since meeting, she is now forever Nanny Christine – who gets weely playdates and strolls in the nearby park with the family.
Christine is pouring out love into this young family, which is incredible. But hats off to Nina who had the courage to simply ask for help.
Wednesday, April 3, 2024
Bob and Kim Gough have been without a permanent home since the middle of 2023. Bob is a Korean War veteran – he and his wife moved from Indianapolis to Cincinnati and have struggled to find a place they can afford.
But Kim is quite crafty. She began making bracelets and selling them in parking lots. Through the heat and the cold – she’s out there, making and selling bracelets, hoping to work their way to a home. Her husband Bob is getting medical care through the VA – which is a lifeline considering he is on 9 different medications.
New friends they’ve made in Cinci have shared their story and keep track of where Bob and Kim are selling bracelets so neighbors can support the couple. Many have banded together to keep them off the streets and in local hotels until they can find a place of their own.
Tuesday, April 2, 2024
It’s easy to be overwhelmed by a world of need – global disasters – the hurt and the hungry. Where do you even start to show you care? Well, volunteers at a Mountain Brook, Alabama church decided to make lunch.
A group of volunteers at Canterbury United Methodist Church wanted to DO something to help the hungry of this world, so they partnered with Rise Against Hunger and packed 200,000 meals in two days for people battling food insecurity.
This was back in 2011. Since then, the congregation has put together meals for over 1.4 million people. If that inspires you – volunteer with your church or through food pantries like Second Harvest. You can make a difference!
Monday, April 1, 2024
Teachers are heroes. Often the families of teachers are heroic too. An eighth grade science teacher has a secret weapon – a gifted daughter who can sew. When he noticed one of his less fortunate students with a tattered coat, he brought it home for his daughter to repair – which she was thrilled to do!
The 17 year old seamstress left a note in the pocket of the repaired coat letting the young 8th grader know that things would get better – and that if he ever needed anything to just let her or her dad know.
Can you imagine how loved that kid feels?! 8th grade may be hard – but life is a little easier with families like this.
Friday, March 29, 2024
It probably felt like an episode of 9-1-1, minus Rob Lowe. A three car accident in Louisville, KY left the front cab of a Sysco truck dangling off the side of a very tall bridge over the Ohio River.
Three dozen heroes from the police, EMT and fire departments frantically worked to rescue the driver of the truck as she dangled 100 feet in the air. Firefighter Bryce Carden repelled off the bridge next to the driver to offer words of calm reassurance during a rescue operation that took nearly an hour.
Carden was able to cut the woman out of her seatbelt, get her in a harness and then the crew above pulled her to safety. As Carden dangled next to the cab for the rescue, he prayed with the driver to help keep her calm. To her credit, the firefighter says that the military veteran driver listened carefully and helped in every way she could.
This weekend around the world – billions will rejoice because God rescued us from a danger far worse than a car accident. He is Risen. Have a wonderful Easter weekend.
Thursday, March 28, 2024
The Worcester Public Library in Massachusetts doesn’t want old fees to keep their clientele from a great new story. Couple that with their love of cats and you get MARCH MEOWNESS!
The Worcester Public Library will forgive any and all fees on your account if you just give them a picture of a cat. Any cat. You could draw it, cut it out of a magazine – doesn’t matter – as long as you appease these crazy cat lady librarians you are off the hook!
They’ve even put together a wall of cat photos from dozens of folks who were all too relieved to get rid of their book debt.
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
The Atlanta airport is basically the size of a city – it’s huge and takes time to navigate. Unfortunately for Cindy Tutko, who had a connecting flight on her way home to Florida, she had to walk the miles of Hartsfield-Jackson International on a torn ACL.
A fellow traveler, Michael Wright of Lafayette, LA, also happened to be on the concourse when he noticed Cindy struggling with a heavy limp and even heavier luggage. Michael introduced himself and then shouldered Cindy’s bag and offered his shoulder as a support.
Michael – a total stranger – spent the next hour getting Cindy to her gate and on early boarding.
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
An Oregon homeless shelter received a pair of very unique shoes in their anonymous drop off chute. The gold Air Jordans were once worn by director Spike Lee to the 2019 Academy Awards – where he won his first Oscar. Of course, the shelter assumed they were knock-offs – but later were confirmed to be legit.
They auctioned off the rare shoes for over $50,000! That’s going to change a lot of lives at Rescue Mission – not to mention the publicity which has led to many more donations.
Monday, March 25, 2024
From March Madness to March Gladness – the 2024 Coach of the Year award goes to 4-year-old Christopher Bess. When Christopher’s pre-k held a career day, he showed up in crisp khakis, a pressed polo and whistle to emulate his dad – a varsity basketball coach in Tarboro, NC.
Christopher idolizes his dad, Coach Reginald. He’s often dressed in matching fits courtside at games with his dad – and is known for giving his 4 year-old version of a pep talk to the high school ballers before their home games.
Lil Coach Bess is gonna be a team leader his entire life
Spring Shareathon 2024
Now it’s your turn to BE the Good News – by supporting LifeSongs Radio with your financial support and prayer! LifeSongs is committed to sharing HOPE with Southeast Louisiana and the world (just like we have been doing since 1979!) but we can only continue with your partnership.
Every gift makes a difference – $10, $20, $100… and monthly gifts have a continual deep impact!
CLICK HERE to give now!
Monday, March 11, 2024
We all know Arby’s has “the meats” and amazing curly fries and that Jamocha shake … oh yeah. Turns out Arby’s also has a big HEART. The roast beefery just wiped out all the lunch debt for four Atlanta area school districts – over $200,000. And that’s just the tip of the curly fry for Arby’s.
A big wig for Arby’s parent company, Stuart Brown says about the $1 million investment in families, “Childhood hunger is something that no one should ever have to face, and school lunch should be a time that kids look forward to without worrying if they’ll have a meal that day.”
Friday, March 8, 2024
Melanie called the Greenville Public Works office in a last ditch effort to recover her precious diamond wedding ring after accidentally dropping it in the trash. She simply asked them if the ring popped up in the recycling process to please give her a call … or give her a ring, we could say.
I’m sure Melanie felt hopeless – but something in her voice triggered the sanitation workers of Greenville – because they volunteered to dump their entire garbage truck and comb through the mess hoping to find the lost ring.
After HOURS of combing through garbage, the ring was found! Melanie was called and she joyfully sped over to recover her lost wedding band and pose for pictures with the crew who went way above and beyond for her!
Thursday, March 7, 2024
Jo Westwood was a lady dealing with grief and illness. It had been a rough season of life. One day on her weekly trip to pick up groceries at her local Aldi’s she accidentally left her bank card at home and didn’t have enough cash on hand to pay for her food.
Before Jo even had time to become overwhelmed, a kind hearted store assistant named Lisa stepped in and offered to cover the difference. Jo was so astounded by the kindness she nearly burst into tears. It all became a haze of kindness – she isn’t even sure she said thank you in the moment!
Ms. Westwood said, “..it honestly meant the world to me. It only takes one act of kindness to help someone in need… I think this lady [just] knew.”
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
On a snowy mountain you might experience the rush of a lifetime, gliding down a mountain on parallel pieces of wood strapped to your feet, but you never know when the world could collapse around you. Loren and Ben were skiing in the Palisades when the world went totally white in an avalanche!
The seasoned skiers knew not to panic and were able to dig themselves out of the snow. Taking stock of their location they looked for other skiers and managed to rescue another two skiers nearby. From vacationers to heroes in the blink of an eye!
You don’t have to dig anyone out of a mountain of snow to be a hero for LifeSongs! Just give for Spring Shareathon – and you might just win a tropical vacation, where there is ZERO chance of an avalanche.
Tuesday, March 5, 2024
Despite retiring from the basketball limelight, Shaq’s acts of kindness — such as paying for others’ purchases when he’s out shopping — continue to endear him to many. Shaq is just trying to model the life of resilience and selflessness lived out by his mother, Dr. Lucille O’Neal.
Shaq shares that his own definition of wealth comes from her example of uncomplaining hard work and dedication to family, which he witnessed throughout his upbringing. His achievements and affluence are rooted in the ethical and compassionate lessons imparted by his mother.
Shaq’s life is Luke 6:38 lived out in size 22 sneakers. “Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap.”
In a world of me-first, it’s uplifting to see a sports icon like Shaq crediting his mother for his spirit of generosity. It’s the sort of family value that makes you want to give mom an extra hug. And live out generosity with LifeSongs – by supporting us during Shareathon!
Monday, March 4, 2024
The Pelicans are good. Like really good – in a tough Western Conference, they are truly contenders this season. A lot of that is due to the leadership of veteran CJ McCollum. And McCollum doesn’t just lead on the court – he wants his adopted home of New Orleans to have a bright future.
The Pelicans star has put up $1 million to form the McCollum Scholarship Program to specifically get New Orleans high schoolers through college. And after that? The McCollum Scholarship keeps going – providing mentorship as the college graduates look for jobs and start their grown-up lives!
CJ McCollum says his time at Lehigh University was formative through struggle – playing ball and balancing academics. He wants to encourage other leaders in New Orleans to invest in the future so that kids in difficult situations can see there is a better life and get the help they need to achieve their goals.
Friday, March 1, 2024
A group of kindergarteners fill the role of enthusiastic spectators as their friend Xavier, self-proclaimed “fastest kid alive,” dashes from the school bus to his home each day.
The children onboard the bus enliven Xavier’s daily sprint with their dedicated chants, rooting for him with heartfelt vigor. Meanwhile, the bus driver understands his contribution to nurturing a joyous space for these children — the impression he leaves on their mornings and afternoons is one of happiness and cheer.
The bus load of kindergartners form a cheer squad for their friend Xavier. Each day after school, these pint-sized fans chant encouragement as Xavier dashes from the bus to his home. Their enthusiastic support is so punctual and spirited, Xavier’s mom knows the bus has arrived by the chorus of her son’s name. It’s a wholesome reminder of the simple joys of childhood and the big impact of a little support—truly a cue for us to cheer on one another in our daily races.
Thursday, February 29, 2024 (Happy Leap Day!)
In November, Michigan couple Adyson and her boyfriend Evan were climbing up into a deer blind when it suddenly collapsed and crashed 15 feet below. While Evan was able to walk away from the accident, Ady had broken her back and was paralyzed.
Ady was rushed to the hospital – after surgeries and months of rehabilitation, Ady has regained much of her mobility. It was her fierce determination that she survived round after round of physical therapy – and her devoted boyfriend Evan was by her side the entire time.
When Ady was able to walk down the hall to check out of her rehabilitation hospital, the doctors and staff lined the hallways to applaud her incredible recovery – and she was greeted at the end of the hall by her boyfriend – on one knee – with a ring.
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
A hiker along the Lanipo Trail in Hawaii saw a dog barking all alone along a steep slope. After rescuing the dog, first responders noticed a bag about 70 feet down the slope – and still further down, after a coordinated manhunt, they discovered the dog’s injured owner at the bottom of the gulch.
The dog’s owner, a 35 year old woman, had fallen during a hike and had significant injuries. She was airlifted to safety and is recovering largely because her faithful puppy companion refused to give up!
Looking for a new family pet? There’s an overflow in local pet shelters. CLICK HERE to learn about the next furry member of our family!
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
Picture this: You’re in the grocery store, your toddler’s about to lose it, and the checkout line seems miles long. That’s exactly where Mary-Ann Byrnes found herself, but instead of descending into chaos, something incredible happened. A supermarket worker saw the meltdown brewing and offered her a lifeline—letting the tot scan groceries!
Yep, she swooped in, picked up the little one, and together they started scanning items, turning tears into giggles. Now there’s a checkout story that didn’t end up with everyone in aisle five needing therapy.
Here’s to the unsung heroes of the checkout line turning a potential nightmare into a dream! Sometimes all it takes is a simple gesture to make everyone’s day. What a beautiful reminder that a small act of kindness, like helping a stressed mom in the grocery store, can make a world of difference.
Monday, February 26, 2024
Weddings are full of emotions, and bride Natalie experienced an especially touching moment thanks to a thoughtful gesture from her mother.
In a moving tribute to Natalie’s late father, her mom arranged to have a piece of his blue t-shirt expertly shaped into a heart and sewn into the wedding dress. But this hidden “something blue” carried even deeper sentimental value. Stitched onto the heart was her father’s handwriting from Natalie’s old yearbook that said, “I Love You Natalie, Daddy.”
When Natalie discovered the heart, it created a powerful moment, where the presence of her father was felt in a unique and touching way on her wedding day. It not only brought Natalie to tears, but there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
Friday, February 23, 2024
A firefighter named Al found himself behind a distressed woman at the local grocery. Al said, “When they rang her up… she didn’t have enough money to cover her essentials. So, she said ‘my cats will eat before I do.'” Al wasn’t having that. He stepped in without hesitation. Al not only paid for her groceries but also recognized a need within the community.
He went home and spoke to his wife and together they established a mobile pet pantry to support those facing financial hardships.
Fast forward to the present, and “Bo Lends A Paw” has become a beacon of hope for pet owners in their town of Salem, New Jersey and beyond. The nonprofit, named after the couple’s dog Bo, travels to various churches, fire departments, and community areas with a trailer loaded with pet supplies.
Al said, “We can help people feed their animals so they can save money and feed themselves.”
The nonprofit’s journey from a grocery store act of kindness to a fully-fledged pet pantry serves as a testament to the power of one person’s compassion to ignite positive change within a community. You never know when you’ll have a chance to “lend a paw.”
Thursday, February 22, 2024
Next time your dog is digging a hole in your yard, it might be more than just a nuisance.
When four-year-old husky Kobe started digging a sizable hole in the front yard, his owner Chanell initially dismissed it as typical dog behavior. But as the hole grew, so did Chanell’s concern. Recognizing that Kobe’s actions were unusual, she trusted the husky’s judgment.
Chanell had recently had a gas leak repaired in her home, so she used her new gas detection device to assess the newly excavated hole. And her instincts were right, gas was detected and she promptly contacted authorities.
Chanel said, “We were told it could’ve caused serious health effects like respiratory issues, brain damage, and even death. They told me that something as simple as a light switch turning on could’ve caused an explosion, too!”
During the repairs, workers discovered three main gas leaks in the neighborhood. They praised Kobe for being a good boy.
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
A professional ice hockey team in Pennsylvania broke a franchise record last week, not for goals scored, but for the number of teddy bears tossed onto the ice by fans to help local kids.
In the second period, the Hershey Bears scored a goal, the announcer screamed, “Let the sweet cuddly mayhem commence!” and the plush pandemonium began.
The annual Teddy Bear Toss collects toys for charity and this year over 74 thousand stuffed toys were thrown by fans in the stands onto the ice. Since its inception in 2001, the tradition has collected nearly a half million cuddly creatures for children in need.
After a 40 minute delay to cart off all the toys, the Hershey Bears went on to an overtime victory.
Tuesday, February 20, 2024
Edgar Rico and Sara Mardanbigi love their community in East Austin, TX. It’s a hard place to live though – with lower incomes and often no access to fresh produce. When they opened up their taco shop, they wanted to do more than just serve up delicious TexMex – they partnered with the city to be a Free Fridge Program spot.
Twenty times a day they would have to refill the free fridge with water, produce and other essentials – just trying to meet the many needs of their community. This past summer – the hottest on record – there was a clerical error with the city that caused the power to be cut off to the shop. But the community wasn’t about to let them close down.
Fundraising efforts have poured in almost $120,000 so far! Strangers and patrons have sent notes to the restaurant owners that it is now their turn to take care of them. The taco shop is back open and even better than the food – is the heart of this community.
Monday, February 19, 2024
Jesse Orsborn is a GOOD boss.
Jesse manages a Costco. It’s not uncommon for an employee to oversleep early morning shifts, so he sometimes has to give Wake Up Calls. He shrugs it off, knowing how hard it is to get up and moving some mornings. But when he called one of his employees and they could barely speak – he knew something was up.
Jesse and his assistant manager kept the employee on the phone and called emergency services. Their friend and employee was having a stroke and they had miraculously called at just the right time. The man is now on a long road to recovery – but he’s alive thanks to his very GOOD boss.
Friday, February 16, 2024
Mario and his son-in-law Nivardo were out cruising the shallows hoping to find a new fishing hole in Northwest Indiana. What they found was a man in need. 27 year old Matthew had run off the road 6 days earlier and was trapped in his truck, paralyzed under the weight of the bent metal cab with his phone out of reach.
It was just the glint of metal in the distance that caused Mario and Nivardo to wander over to where Matthew had crashed. They were able to get help and rescue the man who had survived on rain water. While Matthew sustained severe injuries and had one leg amputated.
But this is a story of miracles. Surviving 6 days with only rainwater – in frigid temperatures – in the middle of nowhere. Matthew is grateful for his rescue and new lease on life. If you are in a situation that feels like the end – hold out hope, always!
Thursday, February 15, 2024
There are so many BIG moments in parenting. It starts early with first words and steps. Then the teeth start to fall out, they take the bus to school and before you know it, they are preparing for adulthood.
One father was happily watching his son at high school football practice. His son came over and told his dad to get some new TSU football shirts, because he just found out he received a full football scholarship!
Both big burly men, father and son, held each other and wept with joy over the accomplishment. A reminder, parents, to celebrate your children – they are a gift from God and show us new depths of love.
Wednesday, February 14, 2024 – Happy Valentine’s Day!
A TikToker shared her story of grief after losing her long loved pet cat. Four months after saying her goodbyes, a stray kitten decided she was moving in. The cat kept sneaking into the home and curling up on the deepest spot of the couch – as if to say, “Hi, I’m your new best friend.”
Maybe a cat or dog has been a healing force in your life – or maybe an unexpected new friendship was a God given gift that lifted you out of a dark place. We’d love to hear about the ordinary angels God has used in your life – whether they are four legged or two. Check out LifeSongs on Facebook and Instagram to share and win movie tickets!
Tuesday, February 13, 2024
Geoffrey Holt was a content man. The recently passed caretaker of a New Hampshire trailer park lived a quiet, humble life. He did not have a car – didn’t want one. He had very little furniture in his trailer – no television or computer. His closet was full of well-worn comfortable work clothes.
Geoffrey used to teach driver’s ed at a local high school, but he preferred to ride his bike or his riding lawn mower. He was a friendly face who enjoyed reading the daily newspaper and watching folks flit about.
When Geoffrey passed away, a well-kept secret was revealed – Mr. Holt was RICH. He left nearly all of his $4 million estate to the town of Hinsdale, NH – earmarked to go towards education, health, recreation and culture.
Monday, February 12, 2024
Pet sitting is a very generous thing to do for anyone – but you wouldn’t expect it to transform a life. Robert is an older man who agreed to pet-sit a family’s two dogs and one cat – Smokey, Oreo and Jennifer. It was just for a weekend, but it turns out, the nurturing presence of the animals helped spark Robert back to the land of the living!
Robert wrote a now viral letter to his neighbors thanking them for the chance to care for their pets. He wrote about losing his dad to cancer, growing old and having no family or meaning in his life. But the life that Smokey, Oreo and Jennifer brought into his home has helped push him out of hiding from the world and into new relationships.
Just by getting out of his house to walk the dogs, he made new friends at a local park. He even adopted a couple of dogs himself with a new lease of life.
Friday, February 9, 2024
Routine is important for many retirees. There are expectations to meet – people to greet – and coffee to drink! US Navy veteran Mr. Lee gets breakfast EVERY SINGLE DAY at the Scenic 90 Cafe in Pensacola, FL. He earned his leisurely mornings of greeting friends and travelers after 30 years in the Navy.
Not used to simply being served, Lee tends to help pick up around the diner – and has become the morning staff’s go-to guy for preparing coffee filters. He’s a part of the team now. And to celebrate his 90th birthday in March, the staff will put out balloons and birthday cards at his regular table.
And you can even send Mr. Lee a birthday card by mailing it to:
The Scenic 90 Cafe
701 Scenic Hwy.
Pensacola, FL, 32503.
And if you are curious, Lee always orders the same breakfast: An over-easy egg, cheese grits, a biscuit and sausage.
Thursday, February 8, 2024
Gary Leung lost his sight as a young adult. That sent him into a deep depression. But he didn’t stay in that deep despair. Through encouragement from family and friends – and a determination from his very soul, Gary became a distance runner.
Now in his 50s, Gary has completed a 62-mil Antarctic Ice Marathon – the first blind person to accomplish such a feat! He’s run the Ultra Gobi, the toughest race in the world AND ran the length of Japan, 2300 km, in 40 days!
Gary shares his stories to inspire others with physical differences, and raises funds for a variety of services to help young people with critical illnesses. Losing his sight turned out to not be the end of his life, but rather what God has used to inspire countless people.
I bet God could use your struggle to change lives too.
Wednesday, February 7, 2024
Willis Gibson is the teenager who beat Tetris. The game doesn’t have a true ending – but Willis pushed up to level 157 and it became too much for the computer to handle, which crashed the game. It’s the first time a human has ever accomplished this feat.
So don’t worry so much about A.I. We still have the power to take down the machines.
Tuesday, February 6, 2024
Retired U.S. Army sergeant major Eugene Peterson recently celebrated 101 years of living at Travis Air Force Base in California. His key to a long life, Peterson says it is Dr. Pepper! But his daughter says more practically, it’s because he “doesn’t let any moss grow under him.” Meaning he just doesn’t stop!
Sergeant Major Peterson was drafted in 1941, serving in the Philippines and Vietnam. After 59 years of protecting freedom around the world, Eugene traded fatigues for the uniform of the US Postal Service, where he worked another 14 years! And he’s spent the last 14 years volunteering at Travis Air Force Base in the Health Information Management office, making sure service men and women get the healthcare they deserve.
Monday, February 5, 2024
Giving gifts is a skill. It’s a love language. And it is something Abigail Oviedo of Grayslake, IL is really good at. She got her parents some really sweet Christmas this year. It wasn’t from their grown-up wish lists though. Abigail surprised them with the gifts they always wanted as children!
She captured the sweet moment and shared it with millions online, when her parents opened their Christmas presents. Her father unwrapped a toy Coca-Cola truck and her mom got a brand new Easy-Bake Oven. They both expressed pure joy before starting to cry in deep emotion.
Abigail told reporters “All I was thinking was that it was their turn to feel that childlike joy.”
Friday, February 2, 2024
The flames, smoke and overwhelming heat scarred and melted many pieces of jewelry on Hawaii’s big island last Summer. But sometimes that isn’t the end for priceless family jewels. A jewelry store owner has restored over 150 pieces, with a backlog of 300 more.
No Ka ‘Oi Jewelers has been restoring recovered jewelry for residents – for free – since the fires wiped out hundreds of homes in 2023. Owner Omi Chambi considers himself lucky to still have a home and a store – and wants to make sure his community rebuilds. For his part, he’s rebuilding the memories damaged by the flames.
Thursday, February 1, 2024
Kevin Ford never missed a day of work at a Las Vegas Burger King – always covered his shifts, and sometimes the shifts of his co-workers. For 27 years! To celebrate his decades of hard work, his manager presented Kevin a gift basket containing movie tickets, candy, a coffee mug and other assorted presents.
Kevin was thankful for the gift basket, but when the internet got wind of his 27 year bonus – they wanted more for the cheerful good worker. His daughter launched a GoFundMe for her dad and strangers around the world rewarded Kevin with over $400,000! With that overwhelming gift, Kevin was able to buy his first home.
Kevin told his supporters thank you, adding “Remember, love yourself, because I love you. God bless you and thank you.”
Wednesday, January 31, 2024
Back in 1987, Ted Friedli was a college football player for Arizona State University. In fact, as a freshman, he was on the squad that beat Michigan in the Rose Bowl that year!
But his time as a student athlete was cut short and he never actually graduated college. Not until 37 years later! Thanks to a Sun Devils For Life scholarship for former student athletes, Ted was able to go back to school and finish his degree in Sociology. He found out about the program from a random Facebook post. His three kids and his 86-year-old mom attended his graduation.
Having a stroke in his 50s led to Ted’s return to school. Again, life is rarely a straight line. But never stop chasing those dreams when opportunity arises!
Tuesday, January 30, 2024
When Lydia and Andy moved from New York City to Honolulu, HI a couple years ago, they didn’t know a soul. But they were pleasantly surprised when they heard a piano being played next door. They didn’t mind the thin walls because the music was a delight. The couple went next door to introduce themselves and ended up making their first friend in their new community.
Next door lived 95 year old Derek Peart. Mr. Peart played music, in part, to grieve the loss of his wife. Meeting this fresh faced couple from New York was something he needed too. The trio began having what they call Dinner and Show nights together. Lydia and Andy provide the food, and Derek the entertainment!
The tradition has brought all of them much joy over the last several years. When Lydia shared their story online, and posted videos of Derek tickling the ivories, their story spread around the globe! And Derek really gets a kick out of the fact that he is playing piano for millions of fans around the world now.
Monday, January 29, 2024
Every neighborhood watch needs not just vigilant homeowners, but at least one dog with a great sniffer. When it was 3 AM and everyone was asleep, one pup’s hyperactive nose saved lives and homes.
It was early morning in Arlington, VA when a doggo named Lucy went on high alert – barking loudly – which was very unusual. The dog owners stumbled awake to see what was the matter and saw smoke and flames at their neighbor’s house. 9-1-1 was called – the flames were put out and there were no injuries!
Friday, January 26, 2024
Teamwork makes the dreamwork. A real life emergency saw the old adage “many hands make light work” come to life in Utah.
A terrible car accident in the parking lot of a Utah high school left a mom and her two children trapped under a car. The police were called immediately but some quick thinking students surrounded the car and lifted together – with their legs, not their backs – and helped the family escape!
Not all heroes wear capes. Some of them wear backpacks!
Thursday, January 25, 2024
Hobby Lobby Corporate purchased a blighted uptown church building on Valence Street in New Orleans back in 2022. But it wasn’t to tear the structure down and put in a parking lot – two years later the company gifted the property to a new church who have been fundraising to renovate and restore the 140 year old church house.
Hobby Lobby – the big decor store based in Oklahoma – bought the crumbling Valence Street Baptist Church in 2022 with the plan to give the property to a new church. Critics were skeptical. But should you ever doubt a business that makes a point to honor the Lord’s day?
Now NOLA Baptist Church is taking on the restoration of the property as a new church in a very old building in an even older community. It’ll take a couple more years and around $2 million to make the property usable. And get this – Hobby Lobby has saved and freely given over 80 other properties around the country.
Wednesday, January 24, 2024
Britni Ricard is on her way to earning the title of Mogul. She owns and runs her own skin care company called COTA, which she began during a global pandemic. She’s expanded her holdings to include her first investment property as well – a 10 unit New Orleans apartment complex.
The apartments are home to mostly single women with children – a story Britni counts as her own, growing up in public housing with her mom. It was especially hard during the holidays – there was just never enough to cover all of the bills and also presents. So Britni decided to be the gift giver to her tenants this holiday season.
Decked to the nines, Britni delivered some Christmas cheer to her apartment tenants – one month of free rent! On top of that, she’s launched training for the women in her building to learn the process of home ownership so that they can grow past their current stages of life.
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
When the heat was on, NYPD’s finest from the 5th Precinct didn’t just get cooking—they dove into the flames. Officers Finan and Dottavio, with backup from two other cops, turned into real-life superheroes, swooping in to save four elderly New Yorkers from an inferno. No capes were needed, just the strength to carry the grateful residents from their fiery apartments to safety. It’s like something out of an action movie!
Officers Willian Finan and William Dottavio, along with two of their colleagues from the NYPD 5th Precinct, bravely entered a burning 6-story apartment building to save four senior citizens. The fast-acting officers embarked on the rescue mission when residents, evacuating the premises, alerted them to the elders trapped inside. Without waiting for firefighters, the police officers shouldered the responsibility quite literally, carrying the individuals to safety. Their selfless act has been captured on film, serving as a dramatic illustration of courage and duty beyond the call.
Monday, January 22,2024
If you’ve ever questioned whether heartfelt holiday moments are a thing of Christmas past, Christine Cross’s story may just warm that icy thought. At 76 years young, Christine found herself sniffling tears of happiness, her hands graced by the sleek feathers of a real live penguin. You see, Christine LOVES penguins. Her daughter Lindsay arranged for her to meet and pet one of these beloved creatures, and Christine was visibly emotional as she came face to beak with the penguin.
Kudos to her daughter Lindsay for swooping in as the ultimate holiday heroine. I wonder what it would be like to hug a penguin?! I’d probably cry, too. This moment proved that dreams really do come true, no matter how old you are. The internet has been touched by Christine’s tearful joy, demonstrating that sometimes, the best gifts come with flippers and feathers. Hallmark, you listening? Let’s get this on next year’s Christmas movie list!
Friday, January 19, 2024
Imagine you’re an Uber driver and you find a cool $8,000 in cash left behind in your car. Do you take your chances on a Caribbean cruise? If you’re Esbon Kamau, an Alabama Uber driver and father of five, you don’t even think about it. Young Alex Tisdale must have been positively sweating bullets over losing such a holiday haul. But thanks to Kamau’s rock-solid integrity and his personal motto to “do something good,” the teen got all that Christmas cash back without any misadventures. It’s a heartwarming tale that’s got more holiday spirit than a peppermint latte!
Thursday, January 18, 2024
There are lots of ways to raise funds for a good cause, but few as delicious as what Emile Myers is doing in Lafayette. Emile, plus Mom and Dad, created a hot cocoa stand in their neighborhood, which is famous in Lafayette for having great Christmas lights. The long line of cars filled with families happily shelled out to get some hot chocolate on the go.
The first year, in 2019 when Emile was just 8 years old, he raised over $2000 for charity by selling hot chocolate in front of his house. Now Emile’s cocoa stand has bloomed into a massive annual tradition – each year picking a new local nonprofit to donate proceeds to!
Emile is 13 now and this past Christmas was able to give over $25,000 to a Teen Suicide Prevention Program – all because of hot chocolate and a generous heart. And Emile expects to pass on his hot chocolate ladle to a new generation when he goes off to college.
Wednesday, January 17, 2024
Picture this: a crew of spirited young Mumbaikars hitting the town, but instead of partying, they’re spending quality time with some pretty cool seniors. It’s like a buddy system, but way better, because these youngsters are signing up to be surrogate grandkids, aiming to tackle the loneliness epidemic one grandpal at a time. Call it a win-win; the elders get to share their sagas and wisdom, while the ‘good fellows’ might just pick up a few life hacks from a bygone era. And let’s be real, who wouldn’t want an extra grandma or grandpa to spoil you with extra love (and maybe some old-school recipes)?
In a world obsessed with chasing newness, these Mumbai youngsters are finding value in old stories and timeless wisdom. It’s refreshing to see young guns slowing down to the pace of storytelling and shared experiences. What a wonderful way to bridge the gap between generations. These young volunteers are getting an education in life outside of the classroom while giving the gift of companionship.
Tuesday, January 16, 2024
More than two dozen shelter dogs on the Northshore are now safe in warm homes thanks to a community that made sure they were taken care of. It all started with a need, before freezing temperatures set in this week.
Holly Marshall at the Slidell Animal Shelter says the kennels there have indoor/outdoor access, making it a challenge when temps get this low. Which means every one of the nearly 30 shelter dogs needed to find a foster home quickly. Word spread, and in just days the shelter was full of people wanting to help.By the end of the day, every dog was gone.
With dangerous temperatures expected, the Louisiana SPCA recommends bringing dogs inside. If they must be outside, make sure they’re guarded from any wind or rain and have plenty of warm blankets. As you protect your pipes and plants, don’t forget those fur babies, too. Keep them warm as they warm our hearts.
Monday, January 15, 2024
The world seems flooded with refugees. Europe, Asia and North America have a constant influx of people who have lost their homes from wars, weather and politics. Building a new life as a foreigner in a strange land is exceptionally hard and frequently terrifying. Thankfully there are many churches and organizations doing great work to live out the love God has commanded.
One such organization is called The Bike Project. This English non-profit takes old bicycles and refurbishes them and gifts them to asylum seekers. Giving folks the ability to get around town quicker – a sense of independence and freedom – has put many smiles on many faces.
In the last 10 years of the Bike Project, over 11,000 bikes have been gifted – hundreds have learned how to ride bikes for the first time and countless new relationships and job opportunities have been provided to refugees. Also, it’s great exercise.
Friday, January 12, 2024
A Houston woman accidentally dropped her brand new Prada wallet (a gift from her husband), filled with cash when she went to pick up dinner at a local restaurant. Back at home, panic began to set in when she realized that she had lost her prized gift and the money inside.
That’s when the doorbell rang. The friendly face of a stranger stood there with the wallet in tow. They had found the nearby address in the wallet and returned the precious gift with all the cash and cards intact.
And that’s the story. No parade was thrown. Just simple goodness in action. Which we can do today too! More in 2024.
Thursday, January 11, 2024
Sometimes life does come full circle—or in this case, the kidney loop! Dave Polen was the generous soul who, as a volunteer hospital driver, traveled miles with a young Krystal in tow for her medical treatments. She faced a tough time with Amniotic Band Syndrome, and the prognosis could have led to an amputation.
Krystal was so thankful for Dave’s service and help. Years down the line, she had a chance to thank him in a profound way – by saving his life with a kidney donation! These forever friends are now linked in a very special way. And they inspire all who hear their story to look for ways to show love every day.
Wednesday, January 10, 2024
In Bangor, Maine, the laundromat is a great place to spend some time during the long cold Winter. First – it’s warm. And secondly, all that snow soaks right through Winter coats and boots, so everyone could use an industrial size dryer. But what do you think gets left behind most in a laundromat? Socks.
Amanda Sidell owns The Laundry Basket – a Bangor laundromat. She collects dozens of left behind socks each month and that inspired her to put some warm fuzzy socks on the feet of the less fortunate of her icy community. She pledged to donate a pair of brand new warm socks to some local shelters for each stray collected.
Back in November, Amanda found 56 lost socks, and promptly donated 56 new pairs of socks to a handful of local non-profits. But her community was so inspired by the idea, they donated an extra 950 pairs – and that got the attention of sock company Bombas who gave another 750 pairs to the community!
Tuesday, January 9, 2024
Sharie and her niece Kendra have a heart for serving their community of Mesa, Arizona. While the Phoenix suburb is usually scorching hot, the desert gets really cold on Winter nights and Sharie wants to help warm hearts AND heads.
Sharie and Kendra collect warm knitted hats and scarves from friends, family, thrift stores and at church. They take the warm Winter wear downtown and put them on a series of statues, where anyone in need can come and grab them for free!
Sharie wants to do more, and encourages everyone she talks with to find a way to volunteer and serve their neighbors – saying, “Find something you can do to help others; I … believe that’s our purpose on Earth.”
Monday, January 8, 2024
Six-year-old Declan Lopez seems like a regular little girl from New Jersey. She loves to sing – wants to be a fashion designer and has a love of unicorns. She is also the smartest person in the room.
She memorized the periodic table, picked up Mandarin before she was two years old and has a genius level IQ of 137. While we were learning how to hold a pencil properly in kindergarten, Declan was joining Mensa – an international organization of super smart people.
But the pint-sized Einstein isn’t just a brainiac. Her father is a PE teacher, so she is well versed in sports, playing soccer and learning karate.
Friday, January 5, 2024
Technically, today is the 12th day of Christmas. So …
Imagine the twinkle in a little girl’s eyes as she chats away with Santa, not with words but with her hands—and Santa communicates right back. That’s exactly what happened for four-year-old Emily Andrews, a deaf little girl who, for the first time, got to relay her Christmas wishes directly to the jolly man himself, all thanks to an elf with a special knack for sign language.
In the role of this unique elf was Melanie Boyeson, who interpreted the whole conversation and made some magic happen. The encounter was beautifully preserved in a candid moment on video, leaving onlookers mesmerized by the seamless chatter in the silent language of gestures. Seeing the wholesome scene of a happy child communicating with Santa thanks to a caring elf truly embodies the spirit of love and kindness that the holiday season is all about.
Thursday, January 4, 2024
Reed Marcum was painfully shy as a child, but now he’s practically Santa Claus for McAlester, Oklahoma. Even though he’s still a teenager, Reed saw a need to be met and collected a toy mountain of 54,000 gifts for local kids in need.
Turns out, you don’t need a loud voice to make a big ruckus in the world of good deeds.
And while Reed helped make sure there were less empty spaces under Christmas trees, he’s filled even more space in people’s hearts. Who knew the shy kid who still remembers the impact of school bullies would be the one decking the halls with bundles of toys? From wallflower to philanthropy powerhouse, Reed Marcum shows us that sometimes the quietest people have the loudest impact on their communities.
Wednesday, January 3, 2024
With rising costs and inflation, food insecurity has only grown in the United States. More and more families depend on the help they get from local food banks. One such generous spot in Auburn, Washington is now able to care for even more people thanks to an incredible gift!
The Auburn Food Bank was struggling to get by and transition to a new, larger facility. Belts were tight and getting tighter until an anonymous giver dropped $800,000 into the account! Now, not only could the Auburn Food Bank make ends meet – they could do it all debt free!
This all went down on Thanksgiving and now the Auburn Food Bank starts 2024 with remarkable abilities to help their community!
Tuesday, January 2, 2024
It’s a risk to leave a bowl of candy on the front porch with a sign that says “Please just take one.” Typically the Waukee, Iowa neighborhood is on its best behavior but last Halloween some kids decided to take every last piece of candy. But before we go down the dark path of complaining about how bad kids are these days … this story takes a really sweet turn.
Two young brothers, Liam and London, saw the Halloween candy robbery happen. They didn’t want any little kids to miss out, so the boys emptied their full candy buckets into the empty bowl so the children coming up behind them could have a happy Halloween.
Of course the entire incident was caught on the Ring doorbell video. The family shared the generous act of Liam and London and the community decided to bless their family by raising thousands of dollars to send them on a family vacation!
Friday, December 22, 2023
Elijah Champion was walking home from a local market, where he had picked up a job application. He detoured by Family Dollar, which took him home down a different street than his normal route home. But that detour turned out to be an answer to prayer for one of his Nederland, Texas neighbors.
Elijah discovered an elderly man along the side of the road. He had fallen and because of his arthritis could not get up, laying half in the street. Elijah ran to find a nearby neighbor to help him get the elderly neighbor to safety. Together they helped the man home.
Elijah’s good deed spread quickly through his town and went viral on Facebook. But the high school freshman wasn’t looking for notoriety. Just a part time job at the grocery store.
Thursday, December 21, 2023
If you get called to the principal’s office in Middle School, it’s not usually to get adopted. Jason Smith is the principal of Campbell County Middle School. He had to break up a food fight after 11 year old Raven threw yogurt at another student.
Raven was in the foster care system and dealing with a lot of past trauma. Jason and his wife Marybeth, who had been unable to have biological children, knew instantly that they could be a real home for Raven. They went through training, brought Raven home as a foster child and within two years had formally adopted her as their own daughter.
Raven is now a junior in college, studying to be a social worker. She lovingly says of her parents Jason and Marybeth, “..they provided me with an atmosphere where I learned how to work through it, believe in myself, and give hope to a hopeless kid.”
Wednesday, December 20, 2023
California girl Elle Gianelli loves her nana. She calls herself a proud “Grandma’s Girl.” The High School Junior has met many other seniors through her Nana and felt like maybe she could bring some joy into their lives.
Elle notes that there are a lot of special programs that provide wishes and toys to kids, but seniors get overlooked. So she is bringing pops of color and warmth to them with Socks 4 Seniors.
Her non-profit venture sends colorful silly socks to nursing home residents around the country – having delivered to 92 facilities in 48 states so far! To date, almost 5,000 seniors have received socks from Elle.
Tuesday, December 19, 2023
Tiffany McGary-Cyprian worked as a registered nurse until she was sidelined by neck surgery. She didn’t stop caring for others though. She pivoted from healthcare to running her own non-profit called “Project Blessings All Year Round.”
Tiffany has devoted her life to helping others because she has been helped by others. She notes that strangers provided school supplies for her son when they evacuated for Katrina. She battled breast cancer while caring for three small children after her first husband left. It was an army of friends, neighbors and strangers that helped them survive.
Now Tiffany watches the news and scours the internet for folks the rest of the world has forgotten – people like Vanessa Marshall who is just trying to provide one last Christmas for her beloved mother in hospice care. And Tiffany also has a soft spot to help veterans find homes, jobs and security. She and her husband even housed homeless veterans in a property they purchased for their own retirement!
Monday, December 18, 2023
If you have a sibling relatively close in age, you probably know a thing or two about being competitive. But one family from India is putting other siblings to shame. The Rameshbabus have not one, but two Chess Grandmasters in the family.
Recently 22-year-old Vaishali became only the third woman in India to earn the title of Chess Grandmaster – but did she really have a choice, when her brother Pragg had already accomplished the feat when he was just 12.
Chess.com says the Rameshbabus are the first brother and sister grandmasters ever!
Friday, December 15, 2023
A positive male role model is a powerful thing in the lives of children. Not every school child has a dad, or even a father figure in their lives. Jefferson County Public Schools in Kentucky decided to try and fix that with a program they call FLASH DADS!
The Flash Dads are a group of volunteer men (many of them fathers and grandfathers to students at the school) who show up before school starts and offer words of encouragement to the kids as they head into class.
It’s like a cheer tunnel of dads, giving high fives and support. The Flash Dads find just as much joy from the program as the students, saying they want to be there for the kids whenever and wherever they are needed, “..it’s not a one day thing, it’s a lifetime thing.”
Thursday, December 14, 2023
One delightful family in Metairie has a father and son tradition that has gone from super cute to outright hilarious.
Thirty-one years ago, firefighter Bobby Pontiff took his baby son to Lakeside Shopping Center to take a picture together with Santa. And the father/son duo has been back EVERY SINGLE YEAR since!
Bobby says it wasn’t always easy to convince his son Bryen to participate, especially during the middle school years. But his now 30 year old son is glad he kept up the tradition – even after Katrina and during COVID. So if you see a couple of grown men sitting on Santa’s lap at the mall – just cheer them on!
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
Buck Buchanon opened Lumpy’s Ice Cream in Wake Forest, NC about twenty years ago. There aren’t many bad days that can’t be made a little better by lovingly made ice cream. But earlier this year the transmission in his ice cream machine was shot and his freezer went kaput. Over 700 gallons of his homemade ice cream melted and poured out the door. His retail losses were around $110,000. For a small business, that’s the end of the line.
But fans of Lumpy’s ice cream would not let it die. They started a GoFundMe page and customers began buying up gift cards in bulk. When folks came in, they would leave huge tips. The customers financially floated the business until insurance provided replacement equipment. To show his gratitude, Buck now has special community appreciation days where he gives out barbecue and free scoops of Lumpy’s ice cream.
Tuesday, December 12, 2023
Kat Von D is a famous tattoo artist. The LA Ink star was covered in occult symbols and showcased a lifestyle as far away from the cross as you could imagine. But recently Kat gave her heart to Jesus.
She’s trashed the witchcraft materials she collected over her lifetime, began covering over the tattoos on her body that represent a life before Christ – and just recently shared a video on her Instagram where she made her public profession of faith in Jesus by being baptized in her home church.
You don’t have to be famous like Kat Von D for your faith to impact lives. Guaranteed, the people that God places in your life will notice the change as you live out the love of Jesus!
Monday, December 11, 2023
Breakfast food is the superior food. Find me something better than bacon and syrup and I’ll invest in whatever you say. I love the idea of a breakfast club – friends who gather periodically to start the day and load up on pancakes! Now imagine you and your friends are loaded…
A group of friends in Massachusetts call themselves the $1000 Breakfast Club – because they like 2 things: pancakes and generosity! They get together a few times a year to break fast and bless their server. Recently they dropped a $1300 tip on Tulio Maldonado at an IHOP.
These ten friends have become known for their random acts of kindness – and have a following on social media to chronicle their fun. The friends love deepening their bond through acts of charity. And also, breakfast food.
Friday, December 8, 2023
The Hormel Foods company is honoring some young activists who have turned their attention to the problem of food insecurity.
Every year almost 40 million Americans live without knowing when or if their next meal will come. Food insecurity impacts children especially. And it is children who might just fix this problem! The 10 Under 20 Food Heroes Awards honored young people who gather and prepare food – as well as rally their communities to feed the hungry!
These young heroes range in age from just nine to 17 – and all have deeply impacted individual lives and entire communities across America!
Thursday, December 7, 2023
The Congressional Gold Medal is an award of the highest appreciation, given out by Congress to true American Heroes.
This year, seven Louisiana Marines received this special honor. The seven Marines all served in World War II and were also the first Black Americans to serve in the US Marine Corps since the American Revolution!
All seven legends have passed, so their Congressional awards were accepted by their families, who spoke fondly of their beloved heroes. They spoke of their generosity and kindness and spirits.
Semper Fi.
Wednesday, December 6, 2023
When our veterans serve, they put their own lives on hold to preserve and protect freedom for the world. Susan Finnegan served in the US Marines and even used her musical talents in the US Marine Drum and Bugle Corps. She especially loved to perform during Christmas – as she volunteered with Toys for Tots, a program founded by the Marines.
Eventually her term of service came to an end and Susan found herself in a difficult situation. She was between jobs with two young children and a third on the way. That year Toys for Tots, the same program she had served for years, provided a Christmas to remember for her family. Susan said their generous gifts were a turning point in her life.
Shortly after, Susan got a job with the Walt Disney company. Disney often hires veterans because both Walt and Roy were veterans – and even designed the logo for Toys for Tots back when it was founded! Even with three little kids and a busy Disney job, Susan still gives back, now as a part of Disney’s SALUTE, a program for employees with ties to the military.
Susan says, “When you give to children like this, you are giving memories. These are the moments you stand back and say, this is what it’s all about.”
Tuesday, December 5, 2023
You know Amazon drivers see some stuff, right? Weaving through neighborhoods, bringing goodies right to your door. Elijah Bryant was delivering packages in Chicago when he couldn’t help but stop and help a struggling teenage boy.
The boy wasn’t dealing with bullies – his car hadn’t broken down – in fact, Luke Breier was excited to be going to his school’s homecoming dance, taking group pictures out in front of his home. The problem was his tie. The simple knot and too long tie was a mess.
Thankfully, Elijah Bryant had tie tying skills from years of going to church. He’s helped many young men learn, including his own sons. So he pulled his Amazon van over and taught Luke a double-Windsor so he’d look sharp for his dance. Luke’s dad found out about the situation later and went online to thank Elijah for coming to the rescue!
Monday, December 4, 2023
Romance looks different depending on geography. In Venice, perhaps a gondola ride. In New York, a proposal at the top of the Empire State Building. In Kansas – 80 acres of sunflowers.
Lee Wilson wanted to do something special for his wife Renee on their 50th wedding anniversary. It took some forethought and preparation but Lee pulled off the sweetest gift for his lovely bride. He planted approximately 1.2 million sunflowers across 80 acres of farmland and timed the blooms with their anniversary.
Renee said it made her feel very special – “It couldn’t have been a more perfect anniversary gift.”
And it might not only be a celebration of Lee and Renee’s 50th anniversary, but the beginning of new romances. People traveled from miles around to see the 80 acres of sunflowers – and surely there were some proposals in there somewhere!
Friday, December 1, 2023
When Hannah was in second grade, she brought her grandmother in for show and tell. Grandma Cynthia was a flight attendant for Southwest Airlines and she dazzled the class with a song and shared stories of flying around the world. That moment stayed with Hannah who eventually decided college wasn’t for her – the friendly skies were calling.
At her graduation from flight attendant school her grandmother had the honor of pinning on her wings. And for her first flight – guess who was on Hannah’s flight crew? Her grandmother wasn’t going to miss that!
Hannah and Cynthia kept the entire plane in stitches, teasing each other as they did their flight checks, demonstrated how to buckle a seatbelt and handed out snacks. Cynthia shared with her granddaughter the secret to being the best flight attendant is compassion for every person who nervously sets foot on their plane.
Thursday, November 30, 2023
Peter Mutabazi has lived a dramatic life. He grew up on the streets of Kampala, Uganda after fleeing his abusive home. It was through the gift of a stranger that he was able to go to high school – and excelled so much he earned a scholarship to an American college. Peter will never forget feeling cold, alone, unwanted and unsure where his next meal would come from.
That’s why Peter is now a model foster parent. Living in Charlotte, NC, the former homeless refugee from Uganda takes on the hardest cases. He’s fostered over three dozen kids since 2016 and even adopted three children as his own. As a single, black, immigrant man – Peter is a rarity in the foster system.
Unlike most bachelor pads, Peter’s is overrun with six kids – his three adopted children and three foster children. Throw in two dogs and endless toys and stuffed animals – it’s a house full of love. These children know what it feels like to be chosen – to be loved no matter what. That kind of love sound familiar?
Wednesday, November 29, 2023
Thank God for incredible doctors and hospitals. An Ohio teenager, Meghan Krafty, was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Her care team had her prepped for surgery in just a few days time – with follow up care from her Children’s Hospital in Cleveland. Their immediate care probably saved her life.
But at 17 years old, the sweet teenage girl was pretty bummed she missed her homecoming dance because of something so trivial like brain surgery. Her care team worked with her mom and Megan’s boyfriend Tommy put together their own homecoming dance in the hospital!
Tommy was all dressed up with a boutonnière in place and Megan even wore her new pink dress, though she had to dance from her wheelchair. The cute couple danced, ate snacks and invited other patients and hospital staff to join in the fun.
Tuesday, November 28, 2023
For almost 45 years, God has used the overflowing, generous hearts and gifts of listeners, families, churches and local businesses to make the radio ministry of LifeSongs possible. Almost HALF A CENTURY of hearing God is Good all the Time on the radio – because of YOU!
Today the world is celebrating generosity with Giving Tuesday – and at LifeSongs, we celebrate your generous heart every single day! Every perfect song – every game, contest, concert, prayer school, uplifting story – all of that happens because of God providing through you. Today, on Giving Tuesday, when you support LifeSongs we will help deck your halls!
For every gift of $100 or more, we’ll send you the exclusive, new LifeSongs Christmas ornament! And every time you look at it on your Christmas tree you’ll remember how God used you to bring light into darkness – hope into hopeless lives – and joy for every person who sings along a song of praise on LifeSongs. Give now!
Monday, November 27, 2023
Do you have a work-mom? You know – the veteran employee who always takes care of everybody – and does it with a smile? That’s Karen Collinsworth through and through. The 65-year old Starbucks supervisor loves her employees like they are her kids. And she has impacted many kids’ lives because her Starbucks is on the campus of Marshall University in Huntington, WV.
When your mom needs help – you jump to it, right? Karen’s 2004 Kia was sputtering its last breaths and one day someone jacked her catalytic converter. Karen’s “kids” at Starbucks decided to secretly rally the many students whose lives she had touched.
The Starbucks crew started a We Love You Karen GoFundMe page and spread the word around the school campus. The lofty goal was $10,000. They hit that in just hours. In a couple of days, they topped $40,000! That included hundreds of gifts from students – and a big $5000 gift from the President of the college.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Wednesday, November 22, 2023
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people took up gardening – including a high school sophomore named Lauren Schroeder. Her family set aside a half-acre of their Iowa homestead to the future farmer Lauren and it turns out she has quite the green thumb.
During the pandemic Lauren noticed that there was a real shortage of healthy fruits and veggies available for people in need at local shelters. With that in mind, Lauren began donating crops from her garden to several nonprofit organizations in her area.
In less than two years Lauren has given away about $15000 worth of produce to help feed her community! She was given a grant from Future Farmers of America to expand her garden to a full acre that now produces over 20 types of produce including potatoes, tomatoes, squash, broccoli and much more. Lauren won’t graduate high school until May of 2025 – and by then she aims to have delivered over 20,000 pounds of healthy food to her community.
Tuesday, November 21, 2023
When Beethoven went deaf, he continued to compose music based on what he knew and what he FELT. Music is vibration. And with that in mind, Chicago’s Lyric Opera and some innovative scientists built SoundShirts to help the deaf and hard of hearing experience music in a very cool new way!
Microphones around the stage feed into a computer which triggers wireless over shirts. The soft moments of the song produce light tapping near the clavicle – while booming bass thumps the lower back sensor in the SoundShirt. Wearers of the SoundShirt can literally FEEL the performance in real time with the hearing audience!
Fully immersive experiences are being born out of technology designed to do something truly lovely – provide a sense of music to the deaf community.
Monday, November 20, 2023
Today is the final day of National Collection Week – although you can always build a shoebox gift online with Operation Christmas Child. Thank you to everyone who has already dropped off gifts at local Operation Christmas Child drop off site – which you can easily find on lifesongs.com/occ.
You have partnered with so many other folks – like Amie Winstead in Tennessee who volunteers year round with OCC. And with Ravina Kumar, who is a discipleship coordinator on the islands of Fiji, where many Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes have been distributed. Children can now go to school because of the flip flops they got in their Christmas present shoebox!
After you drop off your gifts, it’s time to pray that the message of Jesus would fall on hearts ready for His wonderful Grace this Christmas!
Friday, November 17, 2023
Pastor John of the Saramaccan people in Suriname prays diligently as his church passes out shoebox gifts to an ethnic group who have never heard about Jesus. He says, “The shoeboxes are an open door for us to spread the Gospel to the unreachable people, both the children and their parents.”
Meanwhile, in Georgia, Pastor Ken Bevel is having a great time packing gifts with his congregation, excited to ship out a box of light to future brothers and sisters in Jesus. It’s a partnership, even though neither pastors have met.
Operation Christmas Child is growing God’s Kingdom – and many of the stories we won’t get to hear until Heaven. Do you have an eternal perspective on celebrating Christmas?
Thursday, November 16, 2023
Operation Christmas Child is a ministry that is built on service and prayer. And as volunteers pack gifts to go around the world, they are also praying through their own real-life struggles. Rhonda is a year-round Operation Christmas Child volunteer, who had been praying for her daughter Sarah to turn back to Jesus, as she was also praying for the kids who would receive each gift she packed.
One recent Sunday Sarah came to church and rededicated her life to Jesus – and over in the Philippines, another mom, named Mary Joy, celebrated as her daughter Geraldine got her first Christmas gift from Operation Christmas Child. Rhonda’s prayers were both answered! Her daughter returned to her faith and Geraldine experienced a true Christmas for the first time ever!
As you pray through life’s challenges, live out your faith by getting some gifts to an Operation Christmas Child drop-off site near you! National Collection Week is now through Monday.
Wednesday, November 15, 2023
10-year-old Ava has lots of Christmas Spirit – but not because she has a long list of presents she wants. Quite the opposite – she gets fired up to pack shoebox gifts with her family for Operation Christmas Child.
Ava said, “It made me feel happy because we’re spreading God’s Word to people who have never heard of Jesus. It’s important that they know that He loves them.”
And on the other side of the world, a deaf African student named Kavari beams with joy as he opens his shoebox gift, complete with The Greatest Gift storybook that introduced him to a loving Savior.
The shoebox gifts you prayerfully pack this season will be a part of changing lives—both here and around the globe. God will use your generosity and the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to transform children, their families, and their communities!
Tuesday, November 14, 2023
Many of us have faith in Jesus today because of the prayers of our mothers. Just as that’s true in SELA, it is true in Tanzania, Africa. That’s where Kwale grew up, in complete poverty. He often was sent home from school because he did not have any shoes. The shame of being so poor made Kwale angry – but not his mother, who was praying for her family. She alone stood on faith in Jesus for her family.
Kwale attended church with his faithful mother but did not share her trust in God. Until God answered his own angry prayers. One Sunday there was a green and red shoe box with his name on it – a gift from Operation Christmas Child. Inside were new socks and shoes. That’s when Kwale’s heart began to change.
He was so grateful, he went on to attend the 12 lesson discipleship course called The Greatest Journey and ultimately gave his heart to Jesus. When Kwale’s father saw the change in his son, he too joined his wife and child in following Jesus. Samaritan’s Purse offers The Greatest Journey through churches and Christian partners in more than 100 countries. Your gifts and prayers will help reach more than 4 million girls and boys just like Kwale this year.
Monday, November 13, 2023
El Cayo is a densely populated town on the Honduran Bay Island of Guanaja. With winding canals, thousands of people and the sparkling waters of the Caribbean, you would think it was paradise.
But being that remote comes with dangers – like a small fire went wild and left hundreds homeless in 2021. Years before a hurricane ravaged the island. In fact, Samaritan’s Purse has been praying for and searching for ways to impact El Cayo since the 1990s! Finally though – a group was able to go and serve the people of El Cayo, because of your generosity through Operation Christmas Child!
With the Gospel alive in their hearts, the communities on Guanaja now see the fires as a blessing in disguise, because it wiped out a growing drug problem and ultimately brought safety and hope to their children. With the help of the local church, many homes and businesses have already been rebuilt – with more to come.
Friday, November 10, 2023
The Bara people of Madagascar are cattle rustlers and known to be violent thieves who do not welcome outsiders. Years ago they drove all Christians out of their villages and shut the door to the outside. Pastor Soja, a church planter from southern Madagascar felt the Lord leading him to bring the message of Jesus to these dangerous folks, but wasn’t sure how to even start.
Over the years, Pastor Soja built relationships with some village chiefs by sending them needed supplies. The Bara began to ask for help to establish private schools and this led to sharing Christmas presents from Operation Christmas Child to some students at one of the new schools.
Turns out these hard people had soft hearts, because when they heard about the Love of Jesus, along with the special gifts and new education programs – 75% of those present wanted to know Jesus personally. Now three villages are teaming up to plant their first church!
Operation Christmas Child isn’t just about fun presents, but sharing the Gospel and providing education opportunities and needed healthcare as well.
Thursday, November 9, 2023
Amidst the green forests and dense South American jungles of Suriname are vibrant communities loving and serving Jesus. These on-fire churches are being served by Samaritan’s Purse and Operation Christmas Child, not only with great Christmas presents for children – but discipleship programs that are creating the future leaders of the faith in South America.
Charahja is a 15 year old young woman who remembers her first shoebox gift of socks with a warm smile. Now she serves as the National Discipleship Coordinator for Operation Christmas Child in Suriname. And yes – she’s only 15! She’s actually been leading The Greatest Journey discipleship course out of her grandfather’s home since she was 14.
Not too far away is Isha, who at 19 is a worship and dance leader who has been serving her community with OCC since she was 16. If you want to see a community changed by the power of Christ – watch a young generation who love Jesus!
Maybe your shoebox gift will impact the next leader in Suriname!
Wednesday, November 8, 2023
When you hear the words “Operation Christmas Child” you probably imagine some scrappy kids in an orphanage with gap tooth grins ripping into smartly wrapped presents – and that’s a big part of what OCC does around the world. But Samaritan’s Purse also partners with local churches to make a difference even after the presents are all unwrapped.
Following the big shoebox gift distribution parties, local churches are equipped to teach a 12-lesson discipleship program for anyone interested in learning more about Jesus. It’s called The Greatest Journey – and through this Bible study program many folks in Central and South America have given their lives to Jesus.
Of course to them the program is called La Gran Aventura – because OCC is devoted to sharing the Hope of Jesus to people worldwide in their heart’s first language. A little girl named Dayla in Peru, a 12 year old boy named Juan in Colombia and Erneston in Mexico are just a few of hundreds of thousands who not only gave their lives to Christ, but completed the discipleship classes and started bringing friends and family to church!
Tuesday, November 7, 2023
Today, Andy Castillo and his wife Carmen, serve God in a local church in Honduras. They also volunteer as a distribution point for Operation Christmas Child because they’ve seen how that ministry has transformed many lives. In fact, Honduras receives over 300,000 shoebox gifts each year. However, Andy didn’t always want to be in ministry. He intended to run his family business, until he was kidnapped.
One evening at a gas station, Andy and his family were held at gunpoint. His wife and her sister were released, but he was held prisoner for 10 days. For 10 days, Andy called out to God for help. It was blindfolded in a small room, not knowing if he would live for die that Andy fully submitted to God – ready to live or die for the cause of Christ. Less than 24 hours later, his captors vanished and he went home.
Inspired, Andy went to seminary and served at a church in Michigan before God called his family back to Honduras to serve in children’s ministry. And with a partnership with Operation Christmas Child, Andy helps share the Gospel with on average, 350,000 families each Christmas!
Monday, November 6, 2023
The Kazakh people are a minority in remote parts of Mongolia. And yet, even inner Asian shepherds are hearing the Gospel thanks to Operation Christmas Child! There are few churches in the mostly Islamic country – but the Gospel is spreading quickly through families.
Family is incredibly important to the Kazakhs – and hearing how God wants them to be in His family is reshaping their entire world. And for many of those families, it all began with a Christmas present you sent through Operation Christmas Child!
Friday, November 3, 2023
There are still many communities around the world who have not yet heard about Jesus – and wherever Jesus is preached, hearts are transformed!
That’s always been the purpose of Operation Christmas Child – to share Jesus through a Christmas present. In the Philippines, a 13 year old girl named Princess loved her gifts from Operation Christmas Child – but it was the story of Jesus that changed everything! The host church invited her to join the Greatest Journey bible study and Princess began her walk with Jesus right then and there!
Princess declared her faith saying, “I wanted Jesus to save me. Now, I am more confident because He is with me.” It’s a challenge to get the Gospel to the many remote villages in the Philippines, but more and more hear about Jesus each year through Operation Christmas Child.
Thursday, November 2, 2023
Jessica was just 9 years old when she got her first Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift. Along with toys, there was a book called The Greatest Gift – which shared the Gospel with this little Egyptian girl, in her native language. Meeting Jesus changed Jessica’s life forever.
Now, four years later, Jessica has become a little evangelist in Minya, Egypt – where she shares Jesus with other kids and has led more than a dozen to faith in Christ, using that little book she received from Operation Christmas Child!
During the pandemic, Jessica’s church had to shut down – so what did the on-fire-for-the-Lord tween do? She bought a little amplified microphone and shared Jesus outside in her neighborhood!
Wednesday, November 1, 2023
Elena is a fine arts teacher from Ukraine. It’s been a hard couple of years with the ongoing war against the Russian incursion. She and her daughter had to flee to Poland and essentially begin a new life.
That life began in a converted hotel (shout out to the people and government of Poland for being incredible neighbors to the people of Ukraine). Polish churches have been instrumental in providing housing, food, social services and jobs for the Ukrainian refugees. One church next to Elena’s hotel-home was having an Operation Christian Child party.
At this church, Elena’s daughter got a loving Christmas present and then was able to go to a Bible camp called The Greatest Journey where she was able to worship freely and grow in her walk with Jesus! Elena and her daughter are just one family that got Christmas because of your generosity! About 400,000 shoebox gifts were distributed to children from Ukraine last year.
Tuesday, October 31, 2023
Maggie is just seven years old and in first grade. While many of her peers would rather sit in a corner with a Nintendo Switch, Maggie loves two things more – giving warm hugs and reading. Maggie’s mom works at an assisted living community, so after school Maggie began toting in books from her school library and going room to room to read to the residents.
Patti Griggs, a resident at Heritage Grove used to teach first graders and she swears Maggie is the best reader she’s ever seen at that age. Her mom isn’t surprised. She says Maggie usually falls asleep each night with a pile of books on her bed with her stuffed animals.
Monday, October 30, 2023
In 2016, Jeison Aristizábal became the first CNN Hero of the Year from Latin America. Born with cerebral palsy, Jeison never let his circumstances dictate his limitations or his dreams. Now hundreds of young people in Cali, Colombia are enrolled at a University designed for special needs students – named for Jeison – who continues to inspire.
Jeison took his prize money and immediately sewed it back into his community. Thousands of students with special needs have received a free education, specialized job training and more. And their fearless leader has continued to conquer his own personal dreams, graduating from law school – ready to represent the under-served.
This bright and brave young man wants every person to know “Yes, you can. You can dream and you can achieve your dreams.”
Friday, October 27, 2023
When Clinton Blades was dispatched to a wreck on I-55 Monday morning, he didn’t know what to expect. He was one of the first paramedics there, going car to car through heavy fog, looking for people who needed help. In his 19 years as a paramedic, Clinton says he’s never seen anything like it – a crash of that scale. But, he says, something else stood out, too.
“People were offering any assistance they had, even just a set of hands to help people move.” People involved in the crash who were not injured jumped into action, helping each other while first responders were still trying to get there.
Darla Bankston, a nurse at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond, was one of those people wasn’t injured in the crashes. So she immediately stopped her car and ran back toward the jumble of twisted wreckage to help whoever she could.
Thank you to everyone who did what they could to help in Monday’s incident, from first responders to everyday heroes. Even the staff at Middendorf’s jumped into action by opening up to serve water and food to those in need. Please keep those affected by this in your prayers with us, and please be careful on the roads!
Thursday, October 26, 2023
Miss Sparkles teaches kids that “kindness is the cure for everything.” Lori Brooks is a joyful school bus driver, but all of her kids know her as Miss Sparkles.
The 60 year old grandmother hugs each student as they climb on her bus. She knows each one by name – and all of their parents. Miss Sparkles is the kind of dream bus driver parents wish for. Day in and day out, she is a safe place for all of the students she transports to and from school.
And Lori experienced that love right back a couple of years ago when her husband unexpectedly passed away. Lines of students and their families sent cards, provided food and continue to take excellent care of her. Because kindness is the cure for everything.
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
As long as you have breath in your lungs, you can still chase your dreams. That’s what 85-year-old Joann Dehardt of South Carolina is living out. She and her husband ran Frandeena’s restaurant for decades in their home town of Prosperity. When he passed in 2010, Joann turned the restaurant into a thrift store to help her community.
But Joann knew something was missing. Specifically … hot dogs. Frandeena’s was one of only a few restaurants in town. Now that it was a thrift store, it was time to get back to feeding her friends and family. So Joann put a hot dog stand out in front of her old restaurant, launching J’s Hot Diggity Dogs.
Joann says it is a “joy to come to work” because she loves people and slinging hot dogs – specifically she says get one with chili, mustard and onion.
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Kelli Boehle misses her son Nik – but she is also inspired by his short life. When Nik was 17 he was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer. He battled his disease for four hard years, but in the battle he also demonstrated uncommon kindness and generosity.
Nik was blessed with a Make-A-Wish family vacation where his entire family could enjoy Hawaii together and for just a little while, pretend like everything was alright. Many of his peers he met during treatment weren’t as fortunate – having aged out of the Make-A-Wish program. So Nik asked his mom to find a way to make dreams come true for young adults like him, after he was gone.
Flash forward a few years and that’s exactly what Kelli is doing to honor her son’s memory. She built Nik’s Wish – a non-profit that provides blessings for terminally ill young adults between the ages of 18-24. They’ve sent families on vacations, gifted gaming computers, provided celebrity meet and greets, concert tickets and much more.
It’s been 11 years since Nik passed away – but his family is keeping their promise to him, having granted over 300 wishes across more than 30 states.
Monday, October 23, 2023
Did you know that Crayola Crayons is a subsidiary of Hallmark? So it makes sense that the card kings would expand to flowers. Crayola Flowers is selling colorful flower bouquets that you order online to ship around the country.
But Crayola Flowers is much more than a way to capitalize on guys who waited too late to get an anniversary gift. Crayola Flowers is being marketed to non-profits as a fundraising tool – where they can get up to 50% of the sales funneled right into their charity!
Bouquets are priced from $49 to $150 and are shipped directly from farms to customers – with proceeds going to the selected charity. What a beautiful way to spread color, love and hope!
Friday, October 20, 2023
Three generations of one family are currently enrolled at Carthage College in Kenosha, WI. Sisters Samantha and Mia have a dorm room together as they work on their undergrad degrees. Their mom Amy is a graphic designer who enrolled to get her Masters and convinced her mom Christy (Grandmother to Samantha and Mia) to get her Masters as well.
Of course, the youngest of the family have literally grown up on Carthage College’s campus. Their mom has worked there for 20 years. Amy says her daughters drop by her office on campus pretty frequently … for money to go to Starbucks.
And their grandmother Christy is having so much fun being back in school, she’s talking about going for her Ph. D when she’s in her 80s.
Thursday, October 19, 2023
A marathon is a really long distance to run. Honestly, it’s a long drive in traffic. Courtney Rich was on her last mile of a marathon in Salt Lake City, Utah and her body was shutting down on her. But that’s when her 10 year old daughter hopped over a barrier to help.
With her words of support, Avery held her mom’s hand and ran the last mile side by side – in her crocks and jeans – to get Courtney across the finish line.
Think of the people God puts in your life – maybe a daughter, spouse or best friend – that were there to run beside you in life’s big challenges – and give God thanks for them today!
Wednesday, October 18, 2023
Warrick Dunn is a legend – and not just on the football field. The former NFL running back has devoted his life to making a difference for single moms in the South. Warrick Dunn Charities, Habitat for Humanity and Catholic High School in Baton Rouge – where Dunn graduated himself – just handed the keys to a brand new home to a single mom and her daughter. That’s impressive on its own – but to make it even more spectacular – that house was the 218th home Dunn has helped give away!
Oh – and those homes? Fully furnished. When Dominique and Miracle entered their new Baton Rouge house, they found sheets on the beds, a TV in the living room and food in the fridge. Dunn wants to make sure the future of Louisiana is founded on stable homes for families.
In fact, this Louisiana super star did some major work for SELA after Hurricane Katrina – challenging his NFL peers to give and raised over $5 million to rebuild in 2005. That kind of love makes it easy to forgive him for playing for both the Bucs and the falcons during his pro career!
Tuesday, October 17, 2023
Summer is a busy time for Best Cleaners – a dry cleaning shop in Middletown, CT. Not just because their clients have suits and dresses that need to be cleaned and pressed, but it is turtle migration season – and their shop is smack in the middle of the path from the turtles’ spawning pond and the banks of the Connecticut River.
Every employee and customer knows that from May to September, you are going to be recruited to help turtles safely cross the street to the river bank. In fact, helping the tiny turtles has probably increased business, because who wouldn’t want to help baby turtles cross the street!?
The Eastern painted turtle is not endangered – but they are precious to this community. And helping these baby turtles on their commute is something residents believe makes Middletown and Best Cleaners truly special.
Monday, October 16, 2023
The Hapeville Police received a call from a resident complaining about a young black boy in their neighborhood. When Officer Colleran arrived on the scene, he took time to get the full story. This entrepreneurial boy was going door to door advertising his lawn mowing business.
Officer Colleran said, “The young man was polite, respectful, and truthful.” Turns out the kid was saving up to buy a PlayStation – something the police officer was all about, as a gamer himself.
After sharing the story with his fellow officers, they all pitched in $500 to get the child a new PS5 and an annual subscription to the PlayStation gaming service. Officer Colleran also connected with the boy with his gamer tag so they could play together.
Friday, October 13, 2023
22-year-old Patrick Palepoi works as the fishing section manager in Sandy, Utah’s Scheels store. He loves talking about fishing – answering questions about fishing – if it’s about fishing, Patrick is your guy. So when a little boy named Xander showed interest at the store, the pair chatted for nearly half an hour.
Xander’s grandfather was an avid fisherman, but Xander hadn’t gone fishing since his grandfather passed away last year. Touched by his story, Patrick bought Xander a new fishing pole – and then worked with his mom to take the family on a fishing trip to a nearby reservoir. He even wrangled a couple of fishing pros to join the day on the water so they could pass on the legacy and knowledge to young Xander!
Xander got a once in a lifetime personal fishing experience – even snagging a big rainbow trout on the outing. It was an experience and a kindness that his family will never forget.
Thursday, October 12, 2023
Summer Erdel is a military spouse who was traveling with two small children and even well practiced, great kids have their limits. For Summer’s girls, it was the third connecting flight. Thankfully, an angel was on this flight with them.
Jenny Martin was traveling solo, but saw Summer wrestling with her kids and luggage at check-in. As a mom of four, she was well aware of the special kind of stress Summer was dealing with. Jenny introduced herself and offered to help. She held Summer’s baby and helped check the stroller while boarding.
It was a Southwest flight, so Jenny chose to sit in front of the Erdel clan, letting Summer know that the noise and seat kicking wouldn’t bother her. Mid-flight, the baby projectile vomited all over Summer. Four times. Jenny calmly told the struggling mom that it was going to be ok. Then she took the baby (still covered in vomit) and rocked her to sleep so Summer could go to the lavatory and get cleaned off – Jenny even lent Summer a jacket.
After the flight, Jenny walked the family to baggage claim where Summer’s husband was waiting and then went on her way. The moms were able to reconnect over social media when Summer went looking for her guardian angel – sharing the story with the world.
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
The Pick of the Litter Thrift Shop in San Francisco exists to help fund the Peninsula Humane Society. And truly honest, good folks are working there behind the scenes. Oliver Jolis was busy sorting donated clothes for pricing and display – when he picked up a shirt and cash started pouring out on the table. Wrapped up in the clothes was $5000! Also in the bundle was a scrap of paper with car insurance information on it.
Oliver and his coworkers contacted the woman who had dropped off the clothes and were able to return the large sum of money. She was astounded by the honesty and incredibly grateful, as you can imagine.
Tuesday, October 10, 2023
Issy Spurway is a talented 20 year old. She uses her skills with a sewing machine and her savvy with TikTok to not only upcycle old clothes – but help keep memories alive. When Issy’s beloved grandfather passed away, she couldn’t bare the idea of throwing out his old clothes. They were memories. They were a comfort. But they were also taking up a lot of space.
So Issy got designing and began to alter her grandfather’s shirts into fashionable tops for herself. The Fashion School student uploaded her project on TikTok and of course, with her skillful designs and heartfelt purpose, the internet took her viral. This kept her busy during the pandemic and helped her through the grieving process.
Now Issy is helping others in a similar situation with tutorials on how to upcycle their own hand-me-downs.
Monday, October 9, 2023
Coffee is helping develop the economy of Mozambique all while reforesting the continent AND providing a haven for elephants, lions and hundreds of thousands of citizens!
The Gorongosa Coffee Project began in 2013 to reforest a 1500 square mile national park. It’s in central Mozambique, home to 200,000 people and many endangered animals. Combining coffee plant growth and other indigenous plants, the reforesting process is happening quickly – and the job creation of the coffee industry has poured money into central Mozambique!
In 2013 the Gorongosa Coffee Project was started by 10 families – now 1000 families work for the project, sending many children to schools and transforming the economy of Mozambique – and the model is now being used by neighboring countries as well!
Friday, October 6, 2023
We don’t deserve dogs. They provide love, without expecting a thing in return. Maybe they are a kind of angel. Certainly Scout is. Scout is a big black mutt who decided to escape the kennel at the Antrim County Animal Control, climb over multiple fences and cross a highway to take up residence at Meadow Brook Medical Care Facility.
The Sheriff was called multiple times by the old folks home to come pick Scout up. He just kept making his way back. And so the staff and residents decided to make it official and adopt the pup!
Scout fits right into his new home, brightening up the facility with a friendly disposition and a habit of falling asleep on a couch in the main lobby. Scout was even voted “Resident of the Month.”
Thursday, October 5, 2023
The post-pandemic office landscape is a little bit different. While many have returned to regular office hours, many businesses have seen their cultures completely transformed with less office space needed. That means in the BIG cities, there is a lot of unused real estate in great centralized locations.
Arlington, VA sits just outside of Washington D.C. and they have gotten innovative with some of their newly emptied office spaces. Area 2 Farms is transforming old office buildings into vertical indoor farms – which both fills the space and provides fresh local produce to the inner city space of Washington D.C.! They even office a monthly subscription to local residents who get boxes of fresh, organic produce delivered right to their homes.
Wednesday, October 4, 2023
While Southeast Louisiana has been in a drought for months – other parts of the country have experienced other kinds of extreme weather. SoCal got a hurricane and mudslides, and New England saw crazy flooding. This is going to sound wild to us, in our current state of insurance drama – but a 175 year insurance company did some major good in the state of Vermont!
The National Life Insurance Company lives by the moto “Believe in tomorrow. Do good today.” The Montpelier, VT company held their annual benefit concert called Do Good Fest. While it is usually a small affair in a sleepy New England town, this year national attention on New England floods led to record generosity!
With NLIC matching half a million dollars in donations, they raised over $1.5 million to help restore and rebuild flooded communities in Vermont. And that was just one event – The Vermont Flood Response & Recovery Fund has had close to $2.5 million donated this year.
Tuesday, October 3, 2023
No matter how prepared you think you are for an emergency, when one happens and the adrenaline hits, real heroes keep their cool and follow their training. Thankfully Shana Turnage, a school nurse at Franklinton Elementary knew exactly what to do when a scary situation hit the school.
The school custodian, Mr. Richard, was on the floor having a seizure. He was unresponsive, not breathing and had no heartbeat. Nurse Turnage immediately began CPR and instructed other staff members to call 911 and grab the school’s AED (Automated External Defibrillator).
First responders arrived shortly, but by then Nurse Turnage had already saved Mr. Richard’s life. He woke up in a hospital room surrounded by cards from kids at the school and hopes to get back to work soon. His coworkers also can’t wait to see their “ray of sunshine” back in the school halls.
Monday, October 2, 2023
Demario Davis is a beast on the football field. But more importantly, the linebacker is also a Man of God. (He literally got fined for wearing his Man of God headband as a part of his Saints uniform.) After a Saints win a couple weeks back, Demario was in the press booth and took his time sharing about how much God loves each and every one of us.
He also shared how Jesus healed his little 4 year old girl who had suffered an epileptic seizure just days before the game. Davis and his wife prayed in the ambulance and the hospital and their daughter had an immediate and complete recovery – something doctors didn’t understand because the recovery from such a seizure usually takes days.
Demario Davis wrapped up his time with the press promising to talk football in the future, but for that moment, he wanted everyone to “listen for the knock and let the Lord in.”
Friday, September 29, 2023
Mary Ruth is feeling the love at her job in a Kentucky Walmart! 86 year old Mary Ruth always has a smile and a hug if you’re willing for folks browsing at the Carrollton, Kentucky Walmart. But her journey to this calling came from a sad time in her life.
Mary Ruth is grateful for the lifetime of love she had with her husband Jacky. But after a five year battle with Parkinson’s, Jacky went to be with Jesus. Mary Ruth knew that the loneliness would destroy her if she wallowed, so she went to Walmart and got a job.
Turns out, a whole new life was waiting for the outgoing sweet lady. She is a magnet for kindness – pulling smiles out of everyone she greets. She has connected with special needs shoppers and often gets stopped for selfies because she’s become a bit of a celebrity. She shines bright and shares love, even through a time of grief.
Thursday, September 28, 2023
Eric Kilburn Jr. is a gentle giant in the classroom, and a monster on his high school football team. The 15 year old defensive end is already 6 foot 10, with feet even bigger than Shaquille O’Neal. In fact, that was a big problem – his mom was spending thousands of dollars on special-made shoes so her son could play football and even just walk to class without blisters.
A friend set up a fundraiser to help with the cost of shoes and the story went viral. That’s when shoe company Puma and athletic wear company Under Armour stepped in. They measured the giant high schooler and produced 4 pairs of cleats and 2 pairs of tennis shoes as a special gift to the student athlete!
And of course, word got to Shaq that there were some bigger feet than his, so he sent his personal tailor to the Kilburn’s house to fit the teen for custom suits for prom and homecoming! The family felt so blessed they started a Facebook Group called The Big Shoe Network to connect other families with help to get properly fitted shoes to their exceptional teenagers.
Wednesday, September 27, 2023
The mythical phoenix is famous for being reborn through the fire. Phoenix Bigler is no myth, but in many ways his story is far more incredible. The Covington teenager was just casually riding his bike when he had a heart attack that left him dead on the street. He lay there for 20 minutes with no oxygen to his brain. Fire fighters refused to stop resuscitation efforts and miraculously Phoenix responded.
The teenager was in a coma, unresponsive for days. His parents and community believed God would do a miracle and He surely did. Phoenix woke up! He is in rehab and will be for a very long time. Doctors believe Phoenix is 100% still in there, but his body has to relearn how to move and communicate.
Before the heart attack, Phoenix played saxophone at St. Paul High School. The other day his marching bandmates showed up to serenade him, his family and the staff at the hospital. They even paused to spend time thanking God for rescuing their friend and praying for Phoenix and his family. Miracles still happen. They happen all around the world and even around the corner on the northshore.
Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Competitive swimmer Merle Liivand is passionate about two big things: teaching the next generation the joys of swimming, and also, cleaning up the planet’s waterways. The Estonian native holds multiple world records because she swims with a monofin. It’s not uncommon for passersby to think they just saw a mermaid!
Recently Merle set a Guinness Record by swimming the circumference of Biscayne Bay in Miami – over thirty-one miles! It took her 14 hours, but that was because she wasn’t just swimming, she was collecting garbage and filling bags for her team to collect. She pulled 35 pounds of trash out of the bay that day.
Monday, September 25, 2023
Earlier this year Lahaina, Hawaii suffered devastating fires. Homes, cars, entire towns were swallowed whole by the fires. A family in Seattle watched the news, devastated. They had recently been on a family vacation to Hawaii and the destruction was heartbreaking.
Five-year-old Edison took his sadness and turned it into hope with a lemonade stand to send proceeds to the community of Lahaina. He set up on a hot Summer day and was overwhelmed with the community response. Neighbors often paid way more than $1 for their cup of lemonade. On top of generous tips, Edison’s parents’ jobs said they would match Edison’s sales with contributions to the cause.
After one week of selling lemonade, collecting donations, and corporate matches, Edison was able to send $17,000 to Hawaii to help rebuild. That’s some God math there. And some generous hearts, which we know a thing or two about here at LifeSongs.
Monday, September 11, 2023
It’s incredible, considering we live in one of the wealthiest countries in the History of the world – but every day millions of American children are food insecure. They don’t know if or when their next meal is going to come. And for many, the only meals they can count on come at their public school.
14-year-old DeJuan Strickland remembers that feeling of hunger and worry. Back when he was in 4th grade, his family was in a rough place and the food he could count on came from school. Wanting to make sure no other kid in his elementary school had to worry about whether they could have lunch, DeJuan launched a fundraiser to completely pay off the lunch debt for every student.
What started out as a goal to raise $200 has now turned into a positive fund of $6000 to pay for future students! Taking a willing heart and turning it into enough for many sure sounds a lot like what Jesus does. Something we are praying God does with your generous support during the LifeSongs Fall Shareathon, beginning Wednesday!
Friday, September 8, 2023
Jason Aussin was out playing golf with his father, Tony, and grandfather, Jose, on July 24. His grandpa had a great shot onto the green. They thought he was celebrating, but upon closer examination, he collapsed and started turning purple. Checked his breathing, checked for a pulse, nothing.
Without a moment’s hesitation, Jason sprung into action. He learned CPR while training to be a lifeguard just a couple of months ago and put his skills to good use. “Immediately, I knew what to do. I turned to my father and said, ‘Hey I need you on breaths. I’ll do the CPR’,” he told the news station. Jose can’t say enough about his son and grandson. “It’s like they’re professional doctors. They saved my life!” he said.
Jason is now encouraging others to learn CPR. You never know when you could become someone’s hero!
How’d you spend YOUR summer vacation? Maybe it wasn’t through CPR, but you HAVE had a positive impact on the lives of others – just by supporting the ministry of LifeSongs! Thank you!
Thursday, September 7, 2023
It was the hottest Summer on record for the Northern Hemisphere this year. Literally. Sweltering heat all across North America left many in need of air conditioning repair. Peggy Moore of Kansas City thought she was on top of it by getting her AC work done back in February.
Peggy paid an HVAC contractor $5000 in February to make sure her AC was operating for Summer. The 75 year old was being proactive. The problem is, by late May it was 90 degrees in her house. She couldn’t breathe!
Peggy couldn’t get the contractor back to her house, so she contacted a local news team to get her justice. The contractor finally showed up and installed a new air conditioner – but her house was still sweltering. Another contractor, Harry Frame, was following the story on the local news channel and offered to come take a look.
It turns out, the AC unit pushed by the first contractor was way too small for Peggy’s house. In an act of extraordinary generosity – given the super hot Summer and guaranteed sales in the air conditioning business – Harry installed a new, properly sized unit so Ms. Peggy could live in comfort and safety.
Whew! We know just how important a working AC is! And we also know how wonderful it is to have your needs met through the kind generosity of others. It’s how we feel on a daily basis! Thank you for supporting the ministry of LifeSongs!
Wednesday, September 6, 2023
Ronnie was 13-years-old when he lost both of his parents. Dr. James Wittig had given his life to his career, but always wanted a son. Through a God orchestrated series of overlapping friendships, the pair were connected into a new family.
Dr. Wittig had long been praying for a chance to have a family. A former patient of his knew of a boy who had lost both parents in a matter of months. 13-year-old Ronnie was described as “adorable, kind, caring, energetic [and] very loving.” The lifelong bachelor and the orphan bonded immediately and the good doctor went on to raise Ronnie as his son.
We’re grateful God has chosen us and called us His children. And we know how incredible it is to be part of a loving family, even if it’s not by birth. Thank you for being part of the LifeSongs family through your giving, and thank you for inviting even more people to join by sharing God’s love everyday!
Tuesday, September 5, 2023
In rural Ghana, the nearest hospital could be hours away. That means even treatable conditions become a matter of life and death. Osei Boateng (pronounced: Oh-say Boa-tang) grew up in one such rural village and felt a strong call to help. After studying biology at Cornell University and earning a master’s in Healthcare Administration, he started looking for a flexible way to tackle the problem.
Boateng started the nonprofit, OKB Hope Foundation, and in 2021, he converted a van into a mobile doctor’s office to bring health care directly to those in need. A few times a week, the mobile clinic and a medical team travel to remote communities, running basic labs, doing bloodwork and providing medications the rest of the developed world takes for granted.
Since its launch, the Hope Health Van has served more than 4,000 Ghanaians across more than 45 rural communities. Dozens of volunteers now serve as clinicians and the hope is to convert two more vans soon, to reach thousands more – even expanding into other Sub-Saharan countries.
Have you ever felt a strong call to help? We know that to be true, based on the amazing response to the needs of LifeSongs – THANK YOU so much!
Monday, September 4, 2023
It’s a lot easier to cheer on golf when you know it means help for those hurting in Hawaii! Golf champion Collin Morikawa committed $1000 for every birdie he made across three FedEx Cup Playoff events. For Morikawa, it’s about taking care of the people who welcomed his family to America.
Collin Morikawa was born and raised in California, but his family originally immigrated from Japan to Maui. And the golf fans of Hawaii are pleased to note that Morikawa is on a hot streak – having counted six birdies in the first of three events.
The donated funds will be spread between United Way and World Central Kitchen – helping families both rebuild and feeding them at their point of need right now.
We know all too well the struggles that come with rebuilding after a disaster, and we also know the feeling of so many selfless strangers stepping in to help. We’re continuing to pray for the people of Hawaii (Maui), and expressing our gratitude to YOU for your generosity.
Friday, September 1, 2023
Barbara Lakin, a former fashion designer in New York City, spends a lot of time playing with dolls. She sews them tiny new dresses, dyes and styles their hair and generally gives worn-out old Barbies a new life. However, these dolls serve a bigger purpose: Lakin is a volunteer with Team TLC NYC, an organization that meets migrants upon their arrival in the city and provides them with necessities and other forms of aid.
In March, the organization opened the Little Shop of Kindness, where immigrants and refugees can shop for free and young girls can receive the Barbies that Lakin so lovingly refurbishes. Barbara also does her best to source Barbies and dolls besides the stereotypical blondes, so the children from all over the world get dolls that look more like them.
It’s a small gesture, but Barbara says seeing children receive their own little piece of hope in the midst of so much change makes a big difference.
What helps provide hope in the midst of change in your life? LifeSongs is able to anchor you to the hope we have in Jesus every day, and that’s possible because of YOUR support. Thank you so much!
Thursday, August 31, 2023
Zack Conti loves football. He’s a walk-on Offensive Lineman for Eastern Michigan University. Zack has spent years of college going from class, to football practice to odd jobs to pay for it all. He’s worked in landscaping, demo, even selling his blood plasma to be able to stay in school and play ball. Then there’s the added stress of his mom needing a kidney donor back home.
Zack is a hard worker, and quiet. He didn’t raise a fuss, complain or even ask for help – but his friends on the team saw his struggle. Brian Dooley, a fellow lineman went to their coach and asked for help transferring his scholarship to Zack. They worked with the University and got it all sorted out. Now Zack has a full ride for the rest of his undergraduate degree – and for grad school too!
Both lineman will play tomorrow night against Howard University in the season opener for the Eastern Michigan Eagles.
Stories like these remind us of the power of hard work, determination and teamwork. We’re so grateful to those who give to support the ministry of LifeSongs. It helps our team grow and helps us know we can lean on each other when we need that support. Thank you for being part of this team!
Wednesday, August 30, 2023
When Sharaine and Wilson Caraballo moved into their new home, they were nervous about how their family would be received; a big family of seven – also, the only Black family in the Pawtucket, Rhode Island neighborhood. But the very first day in their home, their 82-year-old neighbor from across the street showed up with his ladder to welcome them to the street and help with some minor repairs.
Paul Callahan is the neighborhood handyman, and has become like a grandfather to the Caraballo children. He spends every day at their house, playing with the kids and sharing his life story. He’s at every family cook-out and holiday. He is no longer a neighbor, he’s family.
Turns out the big loving Caraballo family was just what Paul needed, after losing his wife earlier in the year. Now he’s got 5 grandkids to play with each day. Also, since Paul is a handyman, Caraballo dad Wilson can kick back and relax in his new home!
What makes YOU feel like part of a family? We are so grateful we get to call you part of the LifeSongs family – and your support keeps this ministry going, inviting even more people to join in and become part of this community. Thank you!
Tuesday, August 29, 2023
According to the non-profit “No Kid Hungry,” more than 12 million children in the U.S. live in “food insecure” homes and that’s exactly why “Blessings in a Backpack” was born. They first started in 2013 when they gave backpacks full of food to 42 kids in three schools. Along with the food, they also include handwritten notes inside each bag. At one school that is benefitting from the program in Atlanta, they’re seeing a 100% attendance rate.
Melissa Archer, a spokesperson for Blessings in a Backpack said, “From what we’ve heard from the kids, they say that when they get something like this, that it comes from people that don’t even know them, that it shows them that the community out there cares about them, even though they don’t know who we are.”
Thank YOU for showing that our community is cared for, too, through your support for LifeSongs. We’re so grateful for you!
Monday, August 28, 2023
When Gary Benitez was 14, he was nearly killed by a falling tree. He and some friends were playing wiffle ball when the rotted branch knocked him unconscious. He woke up two days later in the hospital with no clue what had happened.
Sixteen years passed. Gary grew up and became a first responder at his local fire department. He wanted to help save lives, just like the fire fighters who saved him as a teenager. With the help of a local news team, Gary was able to finally meet the men who saved his life.
It was a very emotional moment when Gary got to share how he now saves lives because they first saved him.
You may never meet the people whose lives you’ve been a part of, but you are part of the stories of so many in our community. Your support for LifeSongs helps remind SELA of God’s love for them every single day. Thank you!
Friday, August 25, 2023
Alvin Irby is a first grade teacher who stopped by a barbershop in the Bronx to get a fresh cut for school. Before long he saw one of his students come into the shop as well.
Alvin watched as his first grader squirmed in boredom. He couldn’t help but think this would have been a great opportunity to practice his reading … but there were no books around. That moment inspired Alvin’s non-profit Barbershop Books.
Since 2013, Barbershop Books has placed more than 50,000 free children’s books in over 200 barber shops across the country! His hope is that young children (especially kids in underserved, poor communities) will discover that reading isn’t just a school assignment – there’s so much joy and adventure to be found!
Thursday, August 24, 2023
Colby is crazy about his neighborhood mailman, Mike!
We live in a time where so much gets delivered to us from our friendly mail carriers – and Mailman Mike loves getting to smile and chat with Colby every day. For his second birthday, Colby’s mom Jessica organized a parade of mail trucks, sprinkled in with the garbage truck and local police.
At the end of the parade, Mailman Mike pulled up and delivered a special present for Colby – his own toddler-sized custom painted mail carrier truck! Mike even presented Colby a certificate declaring him an honorary mail carrier in the state of Connecticut. And Jessica had a special Postal Worker uniform for her baby boy!
Wednesday, August 23, 2023
8-year-old Lyla Thomas loves growing up in Tulsa, OK. She loves her hometown and wants everyone in the community to be able to have fun. She was at a parade with her family and saw a homeless person. This sparked an idea for the compassionate little girl. Her program is called Fair Share.
Lyla is working to raise thousands of dollars with the help of other kids and social services. The program connects unhoused individuals with a case worker, who takes them out for a night at the state fair, providing food, a bag of hygiene supplies (packed by the kids) and the opportunity to see the various services available to them.
Lyla and her friends not only want to see everyone enjoy the state fair, but to feel loved and reminded that they are not alone – there is hope and help.
Tuesday, August 22, 2023
Chris Lane is a country music super star – but he hopped on Instagram to share a lovely story with his fans, that has nothing to do with honkey or tonk. He just wanted to brag about his sweet wife, Lauren.
Chris and Lauren got married in 2019 and have two young sons. Chris shared that as he was climbing into bed he saw his wife was on her Amazon app. But she wasn’t shopping for herself. Lauren was pulling up teachers’ amazon wishlists and buying their entire lists for them!
Chris said of his wife Lauren, “I’m not surprised because I feel like she’s constantly always trying to help somebody. She just has the sweetest soul, sweetest heart, and I just feel like the luckiest man in the world that I like was able to marry such a sweet soul.”
Monday, August 21, 2023
A 12 year old in North Dakota spent his Summer not chilling by the pool or playing Fortnite with his peers – but working hard to improve the lives of the heroes in his community.
Alex Lattergrass has been mowing lawns to make money for years – but this Summer he launched a 50 Yard Challenge as a way to say thanks to law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical responders and military families. His mowing, hedging and weeding skills are impeccable – as displayed on yards across his community.
Alex’s dad works for the Fargo Police Department, so he knows how busy they are serving and protecting. This was his way of taking care of their families, while they are busy taking care of the whole community.
Friday, August 18, 2023
Being a politician has got to be stressful. Every move you make is criticized. Everything you say can be misconstrued or used against you. Good thing our Louisiana State Representatives can blow off some steam in a healthy, fun way!
About 40 state reps played in a charity basketball game on the hardwoods of LSU’s Pete Maravich Assembly Center. The Senate beat the House of Representatives 32-31. Not exactly a blow out.
After the game, a drawing was held to see which district would get a fully refurbished basketball court, funded by the Pelicans. Keller Center on Magnolia Street in Central City was the big winner! The work was done quickly and kids were able to hoop it up before school started back.
Thursday, August 17, 2023
In 2008 Stacey Buckner had a stroke that left her with traumatic brain injuries. She nearly died. The long road of therapy to get back the ability to talk and her fine motor skills was difficult to say the least. But that work led to a job working for the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Fayetteville, VA.
Stacey’s post recovery job involved connecting with veterans about their medical appointments. She made friends fast. And she also learned about the problems these new veteran friends faced – many of them homeless. This inspired Stacey to launch the Off-Road Outreach program.
Stacey rigged up her Jeep with a mobile shower, laundry machines and a cook station. She takes the off-road full service vehicle to meet up with the homeless veterans and gives them company while they take care of themselves. Because of her connection with the V.A., she’s also able to get these homeless veterans plugged into social services available to them. So far, Stacey’s Off-Road Outreach has helped over 1,000 homeless veterans!
Wednesday, August 16, 2023
Kristi Hadfield’s official title is “paramedic” but she might need to change it to “Guardian Angel.” Six years ago, Kristi was in the ambulance that responded to a heart attack call. John Cunningham’s heart had stopped, but Kristi performed chest compressions all the way to the hospital where he was jolted back to life.
Kristi Facebook-friended John’s family (something she often does with patients), including his daughter Molly Jones. Flash forward six years later and this time Molly was in need of medical care. She was placed on the kidney transplant list.
Kristi messaged Molly, “Listen kid, I saved your dad and I’m going to save you too!” A few months later and a successful surgery later, the families are now forever linked.
Tuesday, August 15, 2023
The power that TikTokers wield is truly impressive – especially when they use it for good. Jerrad posts under the name @internetfamouslol. One day he was out grocery shopping and saw a local author with a table set up to sign his debut novel.
The author is Shawn Warner. The former software engineer and Army veteran had put everything into his adventure book “Leigh Howard and The Ghosts of Simmons-Pierce Manor.” The path to being a successful writer is filled with challenges – like having a book signing in a grocery store.
When Jerrad first saw Shawn Warner, the author looked pretty bummed. But with a little TikTok love, and a few hours of internet magic, Warner’s book shot up to the top of Amazon’s bestseller’s list!
Monday, August 14, 2023
Grandpa Reads the Comics is a YouTube channel for anyone who could use a little more happy grandfather in their lives. During the pandemic, Grandpa Reads the Comics was started to connect with family. Grandpa reads the funnies, and occasionally fiddles with the banjo, ukulele and piano.
Not too long ago, Grandpa Reads the Comics had around 200 subscribers and his videos only got a couple views, mostly his actual grandkids. That’s when Cole Caetano discovered the channel. Cole is a king maker in social media, connecting his large audience to worthy channels. He put the word out about this adorable channel and well … things have changed.
Now Grandpa has half a million subs and is filling the internet with wholesome kindness. Grandpa says he’d put Cole Caetano on the Mt. Rushmore of his life for his kindness. Cole was just happy to help get a little more kindness out in the world.
Friday, August 11, 2023
Mom, Siobhan and daughter-Indie were browsing at the shopping mall. Indie was looking at the Apple store and some make-up. Looking good, helps her feel good – which is imperative because Indie is on her fifth round of chemotherapy.
While at the Apple store a man walked up to the mom and daughter, telling Siobhan his son had cancer and he knows exactly how they feel. His son is now 10 years into remission and he wanted to encourage young Indie as she battles it out. Then he gave the girl a £100 note.
Indie burst out, “Mummy I’m rich!” and the pair cried for joy there in the middle of the Apple store. Indie spent her gift on some make-up which she uses for video tutorials on social media – a way to encourage other girls going through chemotherapy.
Thursday, August 10, 2023
A firefighter and his wife in Ocala, FL had been praying for a decade to have a child. And God answered their prayers.
In Florida, many fire stations are equipped with Safe Haven Baby Boxes. This is a small door on the building where new parents can safely and anonymously surrender their newborns if they are unable to care for them. When the alarm went off in the middle of the night, the firefighter expected it to be a false alarm, but there in the Safe Haven Baby Box was a tiny baby girl, wrapped up in a snuggly blanket.
The firefighter said that when he locked eyes with the infant, it was pure love at first sight. At the hospital, he left a note with social services letting them know about his desire to adopt the little girl – he and his wife were already registered to adopt. Two days later, that baby girl became their daughter, Zoe.
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
Cragun Foulger’s bucket-list ambition was to complete a 45 mile hike along the west coast of Vancouver Island. The West Coast Trail is an iconic backpacking trail for elite hikers. And Cragun was ready to take it on. However when he landed in Vancouver, his luggage did not.
All of his hiking gear – missing. Cragun blitzed through the stages of grief that he would not be able to make the hike and posted about the situation to his friends on social media. His hiking buddies, however, had his back.
Nearly twenty folks donated clothes and equipment, like a backpack, tent and other equipment needed for the long West Coast Trail hike. Not only did Cragun get to check off a major bucket-list dream, he made a bunch of new friends on a once in a lifetime adventure!
Tuesday, August 8, 2023
Labrador Retrievers have been one of the most popular dog breeds in America for YEARS! They are loyal and fun and great with kids. But they need a lot of exercise, which is why Kelly Mason takes her 4 year old golden lab Daisy for a long walk every day in their local park.
One of Daisy’s favorite things to do is sniff out and retrieve long lost frisbees. These discs are often lost and abandoned along the Frisbee Golf course in Grand Vue Park. So far Daisy has retrieved 155 lost discs!
Grand Vue Park is always grateful when Daisy and Kelly drop off the sports equipment and recently launched Daisy’s Discs – a program to sell the recovered frisbees as a fundraiser for park maintenance! Of course, if the disc has someone’s name on it, they return it free of charge, but most end up donating to Daisy’s Discs anyway.
Monday, August 7, 2023
Have you ever locked yourself out of the house? It happens. And it happened to 78 year old Nancy Reburn not too long ago. Nancy is pretty feisty and decided to try and break into her own home by climbing through a window. Unfortunately for Nancy, her two hip replacements weren’t rated for breaking and entering.
Nancy was stuck for five long hours. She cried out in prayer and yelled for help with every breath. Jose Sanchez was delivering newspapers down the road and heard Nancy’s cry for help. He rushed to her side and called 9-1-1 for assistance.
Jose is now considered the neighborhood’s guardian angel!
Friday, August 4, 2023
The numerical expression of the sentence “I love you” is 143. One letter, four letters, three letters. Mr. Rogers popularized using the number 143 to sneak in I love you’s. And Mr. Rogers is a personal hero of Kevin Bonecutter, who is taking 143 to the next level.
Kevin started on June 1st with a mission to do 143 acts of kindness in just 40 days. And his hometown of Cincinnati has been watching in awe. Kevin has cut grass at vacant homes, picked up trash in the community and handed out free food to anyone in need. He’s raised money for pediatric brain cancer research and even helped an elderly man cross the street in a driving rain.
Through all of the acts of kindness, Kevin has made new friends and inspired others to pay it forward. Just one man – saying “I love you” and changing his world!
Thursday, August 3, 2023
Oliver turned 8 this Summer. While he didn’t have many friends to invite over for a birthday party – he had one of the wildest, coolest birthdays a little boy could have. Oliver’s grandfather and uncle are both truck drivers, and he’s been obsessed with big trucks since he was a toddler. He has a subscription to a trucker’s magazine and already knows what he wants to do when he grows up!
Oliver’s mom Katherine took to Facebook to see if any local truck drivers would come give Oliver a ride for his birthday. But the trucking community knew they could do even better than a ride around the block. Local truckers put together a 40 truck convoy! Dozens of truck drivers came in for the parade of trucks – at great expense – to rally around Oliver.
Wednesday, August 2, 2023
James Porter has that all-American entrepreneurial spirit. He runs a small lawn maintenance business in upstate New York. Also, James is legally blind. Since he can’t drive, he pulls his lawn equipment in a hand-pulled trailer to his job sites. Things were going well until his trailer broke.
Paul Koenig so greatly admires James enthusiasm for his work that he stepped in and not only bought James a new hand-pulled trailer, but also a new lawn mower as an investment in the local business. Of course James was incredibly grateful – not only for the gift of equipment, but for Paul’s five-star rating on Facebook where he has been recruiting new business for the blind entrepreneur.
Tuesday, August 1, 2023
11 year-old Zac worked hard to earn his e-bike. He helped launch a clothing business with his mom, building the website, designing the company logo and working the stall at local markets on weekends. Not to mention the little entrepreneur donates 10% of his profits to a local children’s charity. And all the hard work paid off when Zac finally saved enough and got his new bike in January. Then, in June, the family’s apartment was broken into and his bike was stolen.
Knowing how hard Zac worked to buy his bike, a friend of the family started a GoFundMe campaign to help raise funds to replace it. So far, $3,115 has been raised of the $3,300 target. Zac’s mom said she’s been blown away by the “community spirit” and something tells me little Zac will be back on a new bike very soon.
Monday, July 31, 2023
Just a couple of weeks ago, Demario Davis, All-Pro Linebacker and the New Orleans Saints captain held the first graduation ceremony for his Devoted Dreamers Academy mentorship program for 8th through 12th-grade students.
Demario and his wife, Tamela, founded the Devoted Dreamers Academy in 2013 and have provided the next generation of leaders with a decade of tools to be successful spiritually, mentally, and physically. Students receive everything from college prep resources to interacting in sports business labs, ensuring they are well-prepared for life after grade school.
This is the kind of Jesus-behavior we’ve come to expect from the Saints own Man Of God. For more information, check out Devoted Dreamers Academy.
Friday, July 28, 2023
Unfortunately life as a veteran can be quite challenging. 78 year old Navy veteran Judith McElven found herself in dire straits. Her partner had passed, she was dealing with Parkinson’s disease and could no longer make rent.
Diane, who lives across the hall in the apartment complex, went to check on Judith and could see she was overwhelmed. Judith said she could really use some help. So Diane took to social media and soon a group of strangers were taking good care of Ms. Judith.
A local realtor had some donated furniture. Another person paid to have Judith’s busted and ruined furniture hauled off. Others pitched in to clean, get her a new TV and cable, and most importantly let this Navy veteran know that she was not alone anymore.
Thursday, July 27, 2023
A great way to process big emotions is to write it all down – which is what fifteen students at High Achievers Student Enrichment Center in Houma did – and they had the entire collection published as a book.
Fifteen children, ranging from first to fourth grade, wrote about their experiences through Hurricane Ida. They share about being scared, watching their parents’ reactions and worrying about their pets and visiting family out of state.
Pamela Pellegrin, the school’s director, wanted to guide these children in processing their feelings. Many of the younger kids drew pictures for the book which can be read, but not checked out, at the Terrebonne Parish Library. And while the stories talk a lot about fear and sadness, many children shared about how people took good care of their families, building new houses and how the community came together like they had never seen before.
Wednesday, July 26, 2023
Marty and Myriam have a love story that spans over 30 years. And it all started with the rich smell of chocolate. Marty, an American from California, was visiting Brussels, Belgium. He poked his head into a local chocolate shop and fell instantly in love.
Myriam was working the counter that day at the Belgian chocolate shoppe. Marty flirted and bought some chocolate. And did the same the next day. And the day after that. Five days straight! Eventually Marty would return home to California, but the pair wrote letters back and forth for nearly a decade – falling deeply in love.
Finally Myriam moved across the pond and they married. Thirty years later they are more in love than ever. And it all started with a little chocolate shop in Brussels.
Tuesday, July 25, 2023
The police department in Greenville, SC decided to take a new approach in handling the growing homeless issue in their community – they began working with folks who wanted to reconnect with their families.
Mr. Bryant had been living on the streets for two whole years. That’s where Lt. Conroy found Mr. Bryant. With a little legwork, some Facebooking and phone calls – the police were able to find Mr. Bryant’s family, who were living a couple states to the north, in Virginia.
His family was so filled with joy that their prodigal had been found, they jumped in the car and drove down to South Carolina to pick Mr. Bryant up and bring him home.
Monday, July 24, 2023
The Jefferson Parish Library has launched an innovative program, “Beyond Books: Library of Things.” The Library of Things allows library cardholders access to temporary loans of practical and recreational objects, ranging from cookware, such as baking pans, cookie cutters, an Instant Pot and air fryer, to an Instax camera, sewing machine, tape measure and telescope.
The Library of Things concept is a growing trend in public libraries. The process is similar to checking out a book. Patrons are allowed to check out objects for a two-week period. Items must be returned to the same location as checkout. They will not travel between branch locations.
The ultimate goal is to include a collection at all 16 branches of the Jefferson Parish Library. All available objects will be displayed in catalogs at the hosting libraries and online at jplibrary.net.
Friday, July 21, 2023
Dr. Robert Moore of San Jose, CA was celebrating his 100th birthday. Friends, family, former colleagues and students all joined forces to give this doggy-loving retired dean from San Jose State. Over 200 dogs (along with their owners) showed up for an organized parade of pups to honor the centenarian!
Dr. Moore’s daughter Alison was expecting maybe 20 folks to show up. Instead, the parade wrapped around the block and down the street with hundreds in attendance! And Dr. Moore was thrilled – petting every single puppy that came by to wish him a happy 100th birthday.
Thursday, July 20, 2023
Industrial Tech teacher Rob Van Der Hagen runs his Minnesota shop class like a business and the students have risen to the expectations.
During the pandemic, Mr. Van Der Hagen closed his auto parts stores and decided to start a new career as a teacher. His innovation of shop class has students lined up to join. New senior Austin says “I feel like I’m getting prepared for a career!” And that’s sort of the goal of the class – to prepare teenagers to be treated like adults, with expectations on their decisions and performance.
To give some added pressure, Mr. Van Der Hagen’s class is actually serving the community – repairing and rebuilding a variety of vehicles like snowmobiles and four wheelers. Last year the class repaired over 100 vehicles!
Wednesday, July 19, 2023
Thirteen years after losing both his legs in war, Hari Budha Magar, a British Nepali Veteran, became the first double above-the-knee amputee to climb Mount Everest. Hari’s story is a true testimony and one of redemption.
After battling severe alcoholism and depression as a result of his experiences in war, he eventually channeled this pain and decided to climb Mt. Everest instead. Most Napali veterans have been banned from the feat, but Hari overcame this opposition and completed this incredible task with the help of some friends and several pairs of prosthetics.
Hari now says that he wants to return to the spot in Afghanistan where he lost his legs to say “thank you”. He says because if he still had his legs, he would have never climbed Mt. Everest.
Tuesday, July 18, 2023
It’s a pretty big honor to be the valedictorian of a graduating class – but what about national honors? The US Secretary of Education published the 59th Class of US Presidential Scholars. This nationwide list of only 161 graduating high school seniors celebrates great academic accomplishments – and three Louisiana Seniors made the cut!
Daniel Liu out of Baton Rouge, Ananya in Shreveport and closer to home – Khalil McKnight of Hammond High! There are 3.7 million graduating seniors in America this year – only 5000 qualified as Presidential Scholars and only 161 received the honor! Very impressive.
Smart cookies in Louisiana – and don’t forget to sign up your school to be a prayer school of the day for the coming school year.
Monday, July 17, 2023
Mama Shu lost her 2 year old son to a hit and run in 2007. She thought the grief would end her – but she persevered for her family. Then in 2021 she lost another son, who was killed while participating in the neighborhood watch for their community.
Mama Shu said she had to “change grief into glory – pain into power.” But how do you turn that level of pain into something beautiful? For years Mama Shu has run Avalon Village – a nonprofit that is revitalizing her neighborhood by converting abandoned properties and green space into community buildings, parks and playgrounds.
Avalon Village now owns 45 lots across three city blocks. Their biggest success was converting an old home into The Homework House for afterschool resources. Helping kids with school is close to Mama Shu’s heart, because she spent nearly 30 years as an administrator at Highland Park public schools.
The Homework House went from abandoned eyesore to a community library with computers, a 3D printer, music studio kitchen and handicap accessible bathrooms!
Friday, July 14, 2023
Lenita Edge is a traffic control officer in Detroit. One day while on her job, she was interviewed by TikToker Zachery (@MDMotivator). And her interview gained the hearts of millions (like 9 million views worth of hearts). Lenita spoke about why she enjoys her profession directing traffic; she likes making sure that people are able to take care of responsibilities and stay safe while they do them. The recently widowed, single mother is also a huge Detroit Tigers fan.
Zachery asked Lenita if she wanted to attend a game with him, surprising her with $500 along with her tickets. Then the TikToker started a secret fundraising campaign for the single mom who protects so many.
At the Tigers game, Lenita was given a check for $50,000 from Tigers catcher, Jake Rogers!
Thursday, July 13, 2023
The Gift of Adoption is a nonprofit organization just achieved an incredible milestone – placing their 5000th child into a family! 11-year-old Josue from Ecuador was the 5000th child to be placed with a family as a result of the efforts of Gift of Adoption.
Nicole and David, Josue’s new parents were like many families who wanted to adopt but couldn’t due to the financial burden. The Gift of Adoption provides help in the form of grants to families so they can achieve their dream of adoption.
In addition to Josue being placed with a family, he was adopted along with his two biological brothers, Darwin, 9, and Abraham, 6. Their mom Nicole said, “We are so happy that we can provide a permanent home for these brothers, and they can now grow up together in a stable environment.”
Wednesday, July 12, 2023
Rehan Staton was always more into physical activity than school work. His grades were terrible, but he was winning martial arts and boxing competitions left and right. After high school Rehan couldn’t get into any colleges and an injury ended his fighting career. This led to a job as a sanitation worker, so he could provide for his father who had a stroke and was out of work.
It was in this job as a garbage man that Rehan found “his people.” A group of men invested in Rehan, encouraged him and helped him believe in himself. Rehan managed to enroll at Bowie State University and saw his grades hold steady at a perfect 4.0. He then transferred to Maryland State and then on to Harvard!
His story garnered attention at NBC News – and then Tyler Perry stepped in to cover Rehan’s tuition. Wanting to give back, after so much was given to him, Rehan began a nonprofit to encourage other sanitation workers at universities around the country, thanking them for their hard work and giving them the respect they deserve.
Tuesday, July 11, 2023
The crowd shouted in fear – the firefighters tried to wave him off – but a Colombian man was determined to save more than 2 dozen puppies from a fire.
The blaze happened at an apartment building in Lima, Peru. Sebastian Arias scaled the building up to the third floor, busted out a window and rescued 25 puppies who were trapped upstairs. Others from the building used mattresses and sheets below to catch the puppies as Sebastian lowered them down.
The hero said he wasn’t sure how he managed to climb the building – it was just pure adrenaline, but he hoped that someone would rescue his dog in a similar situation.
Monday, July 10, 2023
When Stephanie Peach shopped at her local Pick and Save she was always excited to see a store clerk there, named Dennis Raitan. During one of their encounters, Dennis mentioned that he hoped that the weather would stay warm because he didn’t have a functioning boiler. Dennis’ boiler had been out for over a year and he had no heat or hot water.
After hearing this, Stephanie was propelled into action and decided to start a GoFundMe for Dennis. Stephanie said, “No 65-year old should have to take cold showers and not have heat.” In just a few weeks, Stephanie’s GoFundMe had raised $5,000 for Dennis’ new boiler and even a new A/C too for the summer months.
Dennis said of Stephanie, “I’m just flabbergasted. I guess she’s one of the few people that leaves me speechless. So, she did that.”
Friday, July 7, 2023
When the Perceful family moved to a new town in Oklahoma, their daughter Magnolia had just one big request – to get her swing hung on the tree in front of the house. But the trees at the Perceful’s new place were BIG and they didn’t have a ladder nearly tall enough to accomplish the task. Mom-Meaghan posted on their community Facebook page looking for help – and help soon arrived, in a flashy red truck.
The local fire department was very happy to help hang the swing for Magnolia and welcome the Perceful family to the hood. Meghan said the looks on all of her children’s faces (Magnolia, Marin, Colt and Kinsley) was “priceless.” Each child got their own plastic firefighter helmet as well.
One of the firefighters, Ariel Shepherd, was the department’s first female firefighter and she was excited to show Magnolia, Marin and Kinsley that they could grow up to be one too!
Thursday, July 6, 2023
Shaquille O’Neal is known for a lot of things, and no, one of them is not his 90s Shaq Diesel album. He is a Hall-of-Fame basketball player and a BIG man, with an even bigger heart. Shaq has said, ‘”My favorite thing to do is when I’m in Best Buy, Walmart, if I see a kid, get them something that I see he’s looking at.”
He recently put this generosity on display when he bought a washer and dryer for customers at Home Depot. The ladies were totally shocked by the surprise act of kindness from the athlete while they were on what seemed like a regular shopping day.
This isn’t the first time Shaq has gifted items to his fans. He has bought scooters for kids, vans for families, and even an engagement ring for a stranger!
Wednesday, July 5, 2023
Jamie West has had a hard go of it. Both her parents were addicts and from a very early age, she struggled with bouts of homelessness and eventually in-and-out of the foster care system. Jamie spent a large portion of her adolescence hitchhiking. One day after being hungry for a week, Jamie wandered into a White Castle. Upon seeing Jamie, an employee allowed Jamie to not only wash-up in the bathroom, but also gave her 3 days worth of food.
Eventually, Jamie’s aunt took her in and she no longer had to live on the streets. But she never forgot the kindness of the White Castle employee and every time she saw one it reminded her that it was a safe place. When it was time to get married to her future husband Andrew Schmidt, where else would she choose to get hitched but a White Castle restaurant! And if you get married in any kind of castle (even a White Castle), you have to dress the part. Jamie donned a ballgown and her groom was dressed as a prince.
Although she hasn’t kept in touch with the kind employee who gifted her with grace and grubs, Jamie says if she did see her again, “I would hug her and just say, ‘Thank you for being the reason I exist right now, not knowing what you were doing and just feeding somebody because you’re a good human.'”
Tuesday, July 4, 2023
Finding a safe place to make a life after serving in the armed forces is a challenge both for our veterans here in the US – and for service members fighting in Ukraine. And that’s not just the human vets. Rambo is a 3 year old German shepherd who was a frontline soldier with the Ukrainian defense. He was injured during a rocket attack but was mercifully rescued with life saving surgery.
After eight months of recovery and multiple surgeries, Rambo is now serving as a police dog with the Budapest Metropolitan Police. Rambo has plenty of battle scars and interacts with kids and citizens to help teach them about understanding others who are differently abled.
Monday, July 3, 2023
Sam Kaplan became the first of his seven siblings to earn a bachelor’s degree this year. He got his degree in Cinema and Media Arts from Georgia Gwinnett College. And like most of the graduates, his mom was there to cheer him on as he crossed the stage in his cap and gown. The only difference is that his mom is 99 years old. And Sam is 72.
Sam has had a very full life, having run a cleaning service, a telemarketing company, working as a taxi driver and customer service. During the pandemic, at the age of 68, he decided to enroll in college! He said he was just listening to the radio in his car when he heard an ad to get a degree in script writing.
The father of five had to relearn many study skills, but particularly enjoyed getting to know his fellow students – most of whom are fifty years younger than him. (Sam’s Dad-game is strong) Sam enjoyed showing off pictures of his family and telling stories to his classmates – but more than that, he loved hearing what their dreams for the future were.
Friday, June 30, 2023
Kit Kat has partnered with the Trombone Shorty Foundation to celebrate New Orleans music for Black Music Month. The Trombone Shorty Foundation is a non-profit organization named for home-grown musician Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews. His foundation is focused on inspiring the next generation of musicians through a variety of art-centered opportunities including education and mentorship.
In addition to the special jazz-themed wrapper, Kit Kat has also created “Hear it from Here,” which is a series of documentary shorts where local artists discuss the impact of Black music in their community.
Thursday, June 29, 2023
Brandi Tuck was determined to become a high powered New York lawyer, while studying at the University of Florida 20 years ago. One Spring Break, her entire life trajectory changed. She couldn’t find friends to hit the beach with her, so she decided to rack up some extra credit by volunteering at a homeless shelter.
Brandi had never been in a homeless shelter before. She wasn’t exactly excited to travel to inner city Atlanta but once there, she was astounded. The women they were serving were just normal people. In fact, they reminded her of her own mom. Brandi played with the kids at the shelter and fell in love with each one of them.
Brandi nearly dropped out of college right then and there to devote herself to helping homeless families. Her friends convinced her to finish school first, but fresh out of college Brandi began a non-profit called Path Home in her hometown of Portland. Path Home focuses on helping families dealing with homelessness in a holistic, safe and welcoming facility, built in an old church space. They take up to 17 families at a time for up to six months, helping transition to permanent housing along with job placement.
Last year Path Home helped 360 families. Brandi says, “When I see families succeed, that’s all that I need to continue doing this work.”
Wednesday, June 28, 2023
Missouri 8th grade Xavier Jones chose to walk to his middle-school graduation after he missed couldn’t get a ride to the ceremony. How long and how far did Xavier go? Along with his brother and a friend, he walked 10,000 steps. That’s 6 miles, which took over 2 hours!
When Xavier arrived at the ceremony, his mentor, Darren Seals, who was speaking at the ceremony, had the crowd give Xavier a standing ovation. Not only did the young man get recognized by the entire audience in attendance, he caught the attention of a college president and Miami Dolphins football player Terron Armstead. Ironically, he was offered not only a free ride to college, complete with tuition and books, he also got an electric bike.
When asked what motivated him to walk all the way to his graduation, he recalled what his mentor, Mr. Seals told him, “If I want it, I got to go get it.”
Tuesday, June 27, 2023
Spencer founded SB Mowing company 11 years ago in Wichita, KS. He and his team now maintain about 40 properties each week. His success has provided opportunities to serve his community. For the last couple of years, whenever Spencer or his team are on a job and see a yard that is in obvious need of care – they knock on the door and offer their services for free.
SB Mowing makes cute videos of their helpful services – and currently have over a million subscribers on YouTube. Fans of the good work have sent in thousands of dollars to help fund the good deeds.
It might take a lot of time and effort, but Spencer has seen the gratitude of strangers who feel like they can be proud of their homes again.
Monday, June 26, 2023
It’s America’s pastime – catching a baseball game in the Summer. Whether it’s at a Major League Stadium, the College World Series or a local Little League game – just buy me some peanuts and cracker jacks already!
But what about when parents are not well-behaved at the ballfield? Parents are their kids’ biggest fans, which sometimes leads to confrontation with coaches and umpires with less than holy vocabulary and behavior. In Deptford, New Jersey, if you pick a fight with the Ump, you get stuck with the job!
The new rule this season only allows unruly parents back to the ballfield after they have served a sentence of playing umpire for three games. So maybe have a little compassion for the volunteer Little League umpires.
Friday, June 23, 2023
That Smoothie Place in Montgomery County Maryland is so much more than just a cold drink on a hot day. That Smoothie Place was founded by Monique Sotomarino to provide a safe haven for her sons, both with special needs.
The Sotomarinos offer jobs and internships for high schoolers with special needs. Sure, it might take a few extra minutes to get your smoothie, but you are providing incredible opportunities for these kids. And to make it fun for the whole family, Monique put games out at the waiting tables so you can put your phone away and spend some quality time together.
That Smoothie Place sounds like it isn’t just good for your health, but your heart! And it has been a big success, so much so that the family is looking to create franchise opportunities around the country to help other families provide special needs jobs in their communities.
Thursday, June 22, 2023
It all started with a Kindness Week Challenge from Brennan’s 8th grade teacher. Brennan’s way to embrace this challenge started by sending little gifts (especially chocolate) to an elder of his community, Ms. Ann. These tiny acts of kindness sparked a now almost 6 year friendship between the teen and 84 year old Ms. Ann.
They love to share stories of what’s going on in each other’s lives– Brennan talks with Ms. Ann about the day-to-day life of a teenager, while Ms. Ann loves to recount stories from when she grew up. Brennan’s mom says “The best thing a teenager can do is befriend someone elderly. I’m so glad our son has added more sunshine to her life.”
Wednesday, June 21, 2023
Jane Pearson is a hero. For 38 years Jane was a kindergarten teacher. Same school. Same classroom. Generations of students passing through her care. This year was her last, finally taking her retirement after a job well done.
I’m sure there was cake and a moment to honor her at the end of the school year commencement, but what might possibly mean even more to a 38 year kindergarten veteran?
One of her students reached out to Ms. Pearson’s daughter and they contacted some of her past students to surprise the retiring teacher. Jane’s daughter caught the reunion on camera. As you can imagine there were lots of happy tears.
Tuesday, June 20, 2023
Wildfires are raging across multiple portions of Canada. The East coast of the United States turned into an orange haze – erasing the iconic New York skyline as the smoke blew south. The fires are so out of control that other countries are sending in firefighters to help the Canadians.
One group of firefighters, from the South African organization Working on Fire just sent 200 troops into battle so to speak. South Africa understands the danger of wildfires and is one of the few countries that keeps a government funded full time firefighting force. They also have a longstanding relationship with Canada – the countries often support one another in times of crisis.
That’s beautiful. The US, Australia and New Zealand have also sent hundreds of firefighters to help Canada as well.
Monday, June 19, 2023
The legend of Dolly Parton continues to grow. The 12 time GRAMMY winning country singer is one of America’s greatest showpeople – and was recently inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame. She has a viral cake mix in grocery stores and a constantly out of stock custom strawberry pretzel pie ice cream from Jeni’s. But if you ask the country crooner what she wants to be known for, without hesitation she’ll point to her Imagination Library.
For decades Dolly Parton has sent HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS of books to kids for free to honor her father, who she says was so very smart, but never learned to read and it cost him dearly. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library was founded in 1995 to inspire children to love reading. Recently the Imagination Library got a boost in funding from California who qualified every child in the state to receive a free book in the mail every month – with options in both English and Spanish.
Friday, June 16, 2023
When you write your essay for a college application, it’s important to really grab the readers’ attention. 18-year-old Aurora Sky Castner did just that with her application to Harvard. She wrote, “I was born in prison.”
And it’s true. Aurora’s mom gave birth to her in the Galveston County Jail. Her father picked her up from the medical ward and raised her as a single father. While her mom has not been a part of her life, many other men and women have raised her well. A mentorship program connected Aurora to Mona Hamby who in many ways has been her surrogate mom.
Aurora’s life maybe didn’t start out glamorous, but her future is bright! She’ll be starting at Harvard this fall with a full ride scholarship! She is planning on becoming a lawyer someday.
Thursday, June 15, 2023
Sand is used to stop flood waters and rebuild wetlands and make family friendly beaches. And what is sand but very fine pieces of glass! Thus was born the Glass Half Full recycling program – the brainchild of Franziska Trautman while she was studying at Tulane for chemical engineering.
In just three years Trautman’s Glass Half Full organization has diverted 4 million pounds of glass from landfills and put the sand to good work protecting the coast. It’s been so successful that Glass Half Full has expanded to picking up not just in New Orleans, but Baton Rouge, commercial waste and soon will be expanding to the Mississippi coast as well!
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
Some are born heroes – others are forged in the fire. Jonathan McCray might be both. He was driving down Reverend Richard Wilson Dr. in Kenner when he noticed smoke pouring out of a home that also serves as a local in-home daycare.
Jonathan ran to the door and started banging. Once they were alerted to the flames, Jonathan helped evacuate the building – 15 people in total fled the flames with this local hero, including 10 children. Jonathan also managed to rescue three dogs in the dramatic events.
The Red Cross and community are helping the family as the damage is assessed and investigated.
Tuesday, June 13, 2023
The Hittle family took a trip to the Louisville Zoo – a much needed outing with their 3 month old baby, Judah. When Judah’s big brother and Dad were checking out the orangutan enclosure, they saw one of the orange great apes pointing at Mom Dakota who was holding baby Judah at the moment. The orangutan (named Amber) wanted to see the baby closer!
The family posted a video of Dakota holding Judah down so the orangutan could coo and the newborn through the glass. That video has been liked over half a million times! The Louisville Zoo staff says Amber the Orangutan often taps on the glass to get folks attention when she wants to see them up close.
Monday, June 12, 2023
Joy Ryan and her grandson Brad have spent the last half decade racking up mileage on their quest to visit every US National Park. Grandma Joy’s Road Trip took six years to complete because there was that pesky COVID pandemic, but this year 93 year old Joy became the oldest person to accomplish the feat.
The Grandma and Grandson wrapped up their quest at the 63rd national park in American Samoa. Brad just loved the time he got with his grandma, saying “It was the greatest privilege of my life to be in the driver’s seat for Grandma Joy’s Road Trip.”
Friday, June 9, 2023
You might notice a hustle and bustle of work being done around New Orleans this weekend. That’s thanks to more than 1000 volunteers in partnership with the Send Relief Tour. New Orleans is the 5th of 8 stops around the world with the volunteer program aiming to clean, beautify and spread the Gospel. Work is not only happening in the states, but also in Thailand, Kenya and Greece!
In the GNO area, Send Relief will host a block party for the NOPD – as well as parties and service events in underserved neighborhoods with healthcare services, a mobile dental unit and meals from Second Harvest.
Send Relief is an outreach of the Southern Baptist Convention – which has been in town all week. Alex Brian, Pastor of Vieux Carre Baptist Church and Community Ministries Strategist for the New Orleans Baptist Association says “Actions often speak louder than words, and there’s no better way for local churches to express their love for the people of New Orleans than to help the community in a tangible way like this.”
Thursday, June 8, 2023
The Lost Voices program uses music and songwriting workshops in juvenile detention centers and treatment facilities to help young men and women process trauma and find their true voices.
Mike Ball founded Lost Voices to help children process hurt in a safe and productive way. Mike says, “Words can be so powerful. Expressing yourself is so powerful.” And through songwriting these troubled kids find fun and beautiful ways to process their trauma.
The weeklong program begins with songwriting and ends with individual and group performances. Over 2500 kids have been through the program and learned positive ways to express themselves.
Wednesday, June 7, 2023
Playing on a sports team can really bond two people. It’s like having a friend who sticks closer than a brother. And that played out at the finish line of the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon in England – a fundraiser to battle Motor Neuron Disease.
Kevin Sinfield is a famous rugby player, current Defensive coach for the England Rugby Team and ultramarathon runner. Rugby is a sport kind of like football but infinitely more violent (and New Orleans has our very own professional Rugby team called the NOLA Gold). It’s a hardcore sport played by hardcore athletes. Kevin didn’t just run the 26.2 mile long marathon, he pushed his friend in a wheelchair all the way to the finish line.
His former teammate Rob Burrow, the namesake of the race, was riding in the wheelchair. At the finish line, Kevin paused and hoisted up his brother, Rob and literally carried him across the finish line in a show of love and pure strength.
Tuesday, June 6, 2023
American cuisine is a melting pot of the many cultures that have built our communities. From Taco Tuesday to Chinese take-out, meal planning is a global adventure. But maybe Nigerian food doesn’t make your regular rotation. Nigerian Chef Hilda Effiong Bassey (Hilda Baci on socials) wants to change that!
Chef Hilda Baci just completed a bid to set a Guinness World Record (unconfirmed) by cooking nonstop for 100 hours. Hilda wants the world to fall in love with the comforting nature of Nigerian cuisine. Over the 100 hours she prepared more than 55 recipes and 100 meals.
Hilda said the first six hours were the hardest – but the support got her over the hump. Does this story have you craving Nigerian cuisine? What are the best African restaurants in Southeast Louisiana?
Monday, June 5, 2023
It costs $100 just to go outside these days. Life is expensive. But going to a Taylor Swift concert goes beyond expense. It’s nearly impossible, since her Eras tour essentially sold out nationwide in a matter of hours. What’s a loving husband to do, when all his wife wants is to see the mega-pop star, but tickets are long gone?
Well Zander White leveraged all he had. Zander runs Zee’s Pizzeria and posted online that he would give away free pizza for a year if anyone would part with a couple of Swifty tickets. Jeannine Davidson responded and now everyone is happy!
Zander and his wife get to see Taylor at the Houston stop and Jeannine gets to grab a slice anytime she wants! Which sounds better to you? Seeing Taylor Swift live or getting pizza EVERY DAY FOR A YEAR!?
Friday, June 2, 2023
In 2011 Jennifer Maggio was a single mom of two young kids who was tired. Tired of EVERYTHING. But especially of feeling like she had to do it all on her own. She founded The Life of a Single Mom with the mission statement that “No single mom walks alone.” In just 12 years The Life of a Single Mom has grown to serve over 1 million moms worldwide! 12,000 of those single moms are right here in Louisiana.
The Life of a Single Mom has formed over 1700 support groups in the United States, creating community support, resources and friendships. Jennifer also created Single Mom University – an online training program that covers everything from parenting help, financial literacy courses, trauma counseling and so much more!
The success of the Life of a Single Mom is uniquely tied to churches partnering to create safe spaces for moms in crisis. Wanna get involved? Check out thelifeofasinglemom.com!
Thursday, June 1, 2023
Willow School figured out a way to make perfect attendance much more alluring – you could win a brand new car!
Willow graduating Seniors with perfect attendance were entered into a drawing to win a brand new, donated 2023 Toyota Corolla to take to college.
Premier Automotive donated the car. And Mcailen Davis won it! Hopefully Troy Dun had the radio preset to LifeSongs! Congratulations Mcailen!
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Throughout History there have been people groups who had to flee their homes or were run out from persecution. This sadly holds true today all across the globe. While we are safe from that persecution in the United States, many Churches are on the frontlines when it comes to helping refugees from the Middle East.
Cooperative Baptist Church congregations in the States are working with resettlement agencies specifically to aid refugees from Afghanistan. Old buildings, youth rooms, and old parsonages have been retrofitted to housing. They are careful to work with the government and keep costs down for all parties, while connecting the refugees to social services to help acclimate.
Not only are the congregations providing affordable, safe housing, but the church members are also serving the families with food and cleaning the new homes for these refugees. What a beautiful example of the Body of Christ doing the work of Jesus.
Tuesday, May 30, 2023
Bryce Newman was a 15 year old baseball star. He was good. Really good. In fact, he was practicing for the Under 15 World Series in Japan. But something was wrong. Bryce started dropping the ball. He was suffering major headaches. And it didn’t take long for the doctor to sort out the problem.
Bryce had a large, malignant brain tumor. Instead of getting on a plane for Japan, Bryce got prepped for surgery. Four brain surgeries and years of radiation and chemotherapy later – Bryce is now seven years cancer free!
While his playing days are over, Bryce is still very involved in sports. He is currently getting a graduate degree in sports management at Texas A&M, but his family who lives in Mandeville continue to celebrate the miracle that is Bryce’s health. Every year they donate laptops and iPads to pediatric cancer patients to help fight what Bryce said was one of the hardest parts of being a kid with cancer – keeping the boredom at bay!
Monday, May 29, 2023
Are you a runner? 5ks, 10ks, half-marathons or a whole marathon – you’re doing great. Keep it up. But you can’t compete with Russell Cook. This 26 year old English runner is running the length of Africa. Yes. The entire CONTINENT of Africa!
The equivalent of 360 marathons in just 240 days – the Southern tip of South Africa to Northern Tunisia! By Christmas of this year. Why is Russell running the full length of an entire continent? To raise money for The Running Charity and Water Aid – and also to draw attention to the mental health crisis of young people and how physical activity can help!
Russell struggled with self acceptance and purpose as a teenager. Distance running was not on his radar, but once he started, the sense of accomplishment and control helped him establish healthier rhythms in his entire life.
Friday, May 26, 2023
Cookie sales are an essential part of providing for Girl Scout activities across the country, but even more so for Troop 6000. This specific troop is made up entirely of girls who are experiencing homelessness or living in shelters in the Greater New York area. Providing hope, encouragement and inspiration to these girls is something the Girl Scouts take very seriously. Providing adventures and resources to these families in their time of need is straight up joyous.
Troop 6000’s cookie sale covers all fees for the girls including trips, summer camps and other activities. The troop has sold more than $1.6 million worth of cookies since 2017, benefiting about 2,500 women and girls across more than 20 shelters. Troop 6000 is also inspiring other communities across the country to form similar troops for their communities.
Thursday, May 25, 2023
Seagulls can be quite aggressive when they see food. It’s become a problem at the Blackpool Zoo, so much so, that they have hired seagull deterrents to protect zoo visitors while they enjoy lunch.
The seagull deterrents are visitor service team members dressed up as giant birds, who swoop around the eating zones to keep the REAL birds at bay. Plus they take pictures with kids, which is sweet.
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Is it Family Game Night?
Hasbro is re-releasing new versions of many of their games, including Scrabble, the Game of Life and Trivial Pursuit. The differences? larger game pieces, bigger fonts and other little changes to make it easier for seniors to enjoy the games.
One spectacular tweak they are making to the new Trivial Pursuit is some blank cards where you can add your own personal trivia! No matter your age or physical abilities, we should all get to enjoy playing board games together.
Tuesday, May 23, 2023
Kenyatta Coleman and her husband Derek, of Baton Rouge, learned late in her pregnancy that their baby had a rare and dangerous brain condition known as vein of Galen malformation. When the couple learned of a clinical trial run by a trio of Boston-area hospitals to address such a condition, they were in.
Despite serious potential risks for mom and baby, surgeons were able to successfully perform the ultrasound-guided procedure in March. In utero surgery has been used for other issues before, but this was among the first for such a rare and delicate condition. Two days later, Denver Coleman was born, weighing 4 pounds and 1 ounce. Doctors say she’s doing very well, and there’s no sign she needs any further intervention.
“She’s shown us from the very beginning that she was a fighter,” Kenyatta said. “She’s demonstrated … ‘Hey, I wanna be here.’ It was just… the most beautiful moment being able to hold her, gaze up on her and then hear her cry.”
Monday, May 22, 2023
St. Mary’s Academy is on a roll! Earlier this year a couple of their students made national headlines for uncovering a way to use trigonometry to prove the Pythagorean theorem. But smart kids is sort of St. Mary’s thing.
In fact for the last 17 years they have a 100% college acceptance rate for their graduating seniors. This year was no different – however it was even MORE spectacular. They set a school record for most scholarship offers in school history!
St. Mary’s have just 24 girls in their graduating class this year. 2 dozen young women. Not only were they all accepted into college, collectively they were offered almost $12 million in scholarships! WOW! I hope they walk with confidence into their grown-up lives. They all walked the stage to get their diplomas last Thursday.
Friday, May 19, 2023
As beach season really kicks off, one big concern stretching from the Caribbean to the Florida coast, on around to Mexico, is the massive amount of sargassum seaweed washing up on shores. The stinky suffocating mass is making a mess, but where some see a nuisance, Omar Sanchez sees the building blocks to a better life.
Omar was hired to clean up piles of sargassum off the beaches along Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Instead of just burning it off or adding to a landfill, Omar combines the seaweed with clay to make a super affordable, highly sustainable brick through his company SargaBlock.
To prove how great his building blocks are, rated for 150 years of solid building material, he uses the bricks to build affordable housing for single moms.
Thursday, May 18, 2023
Protecting the environment has a new superhero … well at least he’s dressed like one. Jonathan Olanlokun swiftly moves through the streets of Osogbo in Nigeria picking up garbage off the streets. And he does it all in a very form-fitting Spider-Man costume!
Why the tights? To draw attention to the work! Cleaning up the environment can be fun and funny. No one bats an eye when a regular citizen picks up some garbage to clean the streets, but when kids see Spider-Man raking up garbage in their neighborhoods, they are more likely to pick up some too on their way home.
Wednesday, May 17, 2023
The Run For Good program was started by Saucony shoes to encourage kids to get active and express themselves with fun, youthful design. They invested $25,000 in the design program and partnered with Children’s Hospitals to find their designers.
Five of those kids were right here in New Orleans. KK Roots, Brenna Roberts, Zachary Cression, An-Nour Shakov and the late Colt Wolfe were a part of the pilot program and they turned out some stunning designs.
Tuesday, May 16, 2023
Perry Schaffer is a Ravens fan – born and raised in Glen Burnie, MD. He’s been rockin’ purple, gold and black since he was a little kid. Perry is especially a fan of quarterback Lamar Jackson, who has been open about his faith and giving God glory for any success he’s found.
That inspired Perry to help raise up the next generation of Ravens fans by personally purchasing 20 (pretty expensive) Lamar Jackson jerseys to give to kids who can’t afford them. Perry set up at a local run/walk family event and just started handing out the free jerseys to kids as they crossed the finish line!
Monday, May 15, 2023
Ginny Schrappen was at church when a minister friend handed her a letter. It was from an inmate serving decades for murder, who simply wanted someone to talk to. Ginny wrote back and thus began a pen-pal friendship that spans decades.
Lamar Johnson never gave up hope that his wrongful conviction would be overturned. He served 28 years of the sentence before the evidence overturned his conviction. Shortly after his release, how do you think Lamar celebrated? He got together with pen-pal, Ms. Ginny!
Friday, May 12, 2023
Chivalry is alive and well – lived out by 6 year-old Kaiden Montague. While on a field trip to the zoo, a downpour interrupted the fun. Kaiden saw some classmates, a couple of little girls, getting cold and wet, so he quickly took off his jacket and held it over them to keep them dry.
For real? What a gentleman! A teacher saw the gracious act and snapped a picture for Kaiden’s mom to see the kindness her son did not hesitate to show. Just a few days later, the school presented Kaiden with a certificate celebrating his chivalrous act.
Thursday, May 11, 2023
Austin, TX Fire Department Engine 6 saw a 95-year old resident struggling to mow his lawn and immediately pulled over, hopped off the truck and made quick work of all the yard work, while joking and talking with their neighbor/new friend. In the Texas heat, that’s quite a gift, but these civil servants didn’t think twice about it. Do you have servant’s heart like that?
Wednesday, May 10, 2023
When Russia invaded Ukraine, hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians were forced to abandon their homes and, in many cases, their beloved pets. When days of abandonment turned into weeks, Odesa-based veterinarians Valentina and Leonid Stoyanov, decided to stay put and care for the animals left behind.
Within a week of Russia’s invasion, the Stoyanovs had around 400 animals in their care. They take in pets and wild animals alike, treating them and adopting them out or returning them to their natural home. They’ve even wound up keeping some of their patients, including a blind husky named Casper whose owner died during the conflict.
Despite the challenges of their work, including a health scare for Leonid, the Stoyanovs told CNN Heroes that they remain committed to their work. “We just hold on and continue to do what we do because we see how it is important for animals, for all these lives around us,” Valentina said.
Tuesday, May 9, 2023
This Summer we’ll see a bunch of Barbies take over the silver screen – but in stores there is already a genre defying Barbie Doll waiting in the toy aisle, wearing a stunning puffy-sleeved floral dress with pink accessories and a winning smile. She’s also the first-ever Barbie to represent a woman with Down syndrome!
Created in collaboration with the National Down Syndrome Society, the new Barbie was sensitively designed to share several of the same physical characteristics as people with Down syndrome. She wears hot-pink shoes, which match her necklace with three upward chevrons, a symbol of the three copies of the 21st chromosome, which cause the characteristics associated with Down syndrome.
She’s the latest doll to join the Barbie Fashionista collection, a line that features dolls of several races, skin tones and body types, as well as dolls that use wheelchairs or have a prosthetic leg. Lisa McKnight, Mattel executive vice president and global head of Barbie & dolls, said the doll was made to “counter social stigma through play” — and look good doin’ it!
Monday, May 8, 2023
A North Carolina church radically changed the lives of thousands of local families – and for pennies on the dollar. Trinity Moravian Church in Winston-Salem bought $3.3 million of medical debt belonging to over 3,300 area families, and the parishioners made it happen with just over $15,000 in donations.
The church partnered with the nonprofit RIP Medical Debt, which buys bundles of debt “at a fraction of the original cost” and typically purchases large amounts from low-income families whose debt is debilitating. Debt forgiveness has Biblical roots, AJ writes: In the Old Testament’s Book of Leviticus, “jubilees” during which debts were forgiven were held every 49-50 years.
Trinity Moravian Church Rev. John Jackson said that while he hopes the medical system is eventually “fixed” to prevent medical debt from weighing so heavily on people, “what we can do is what we’re doing now, buy some of the debt and forgive it.”
Friday, May 5, 2023
Not only is it Cinco de Mayo, it’s also nearly National Nurses Week! To celebrate, Chipotle is giving away over $1 million in free fresh-Mex lunches for healthcare professionals. I love living in a world with “Burrito Care Packages.”
2,000 healthcare workers will win Burrito Care Packages that include 50 free entrees for their team. Over 100,000 nurses and their support staff will be swimming in burritos, chips and guac by next weekend.
But this isn’t a one time deal for Chipotle – they’ve donated over $4 million in food to medical workers since the pandemic began back in 2020.
Thursday, May 4, 2023
Dillon Reeves was presented an award for “an extraordinary act of courage and maturity” by the school Superintendent at Lois E. Carter Middle School. Dillon happened to be seated near the front of his school bus when his bus driver got on her walkie to alert the bus hub she was feeling dizzy.
Before she could pull the bus over, the driver passed out and the loaded school bus began to drift into oncoming traffic. Dillon threw his bag to the ground and leapt up front, steering the bus to a stop in the middle of the road. He got the school bus into park and yelled for another student to call 9-1-1.
Within minutes first responders were on the scene and treating the driver. No students, property or the bus suffered any damage. While the driver was treated, other buses came to take the kids home. But no one will be forgetting Dillon Reeves anytime soon! The hero 7th grader!
Wednesday, May 3, 2023
Dennis Barnes is a graduating senior at International High School in New Orleans – and his future is still up in the air. He’s definitely going to college, he’s just got to figure out which one.
He applied to 200 schools – so far he has offers from 125 colleges and universities and over $9 million in scholarship offers. If that sounds like a lot – you are not wrong – it’s a US record, far more than any other college-bound high school senior has ever achieved.
And Dennis has EARNED these offers – he has a 4.98 GPA, is a leader in the National Honor Society and fully fluent in Spanish to the point he’s received accolades from the Consul of Spain. Technically Dennis is already a college student, having been dually enrolled in high school at and SUNO for the last 2 years.
Tuesday, May 2, 2023
Covenant Presbyterian Church committed to pay off over $20,000 in lunch debt for the Austin Independent School District. For many of those students, the food they get at school is the most secure meal they know. But it wasn’t enough to just cover the overdue bill, Covenant Church is also covering the cost for lunches through the rest of the school year!
This isn’t the first time this Church has demonstrated God’s love in Austin, either. In previous years they paid off medical debt and provided services for the homeless population of Central Texas.
Pastor Thomas Daniel said, “[T]his is a gift given to every student who qualifies – no strings attached – [it] embodies the free and unmerited grace we have all received and is the foundation of our Christian faith.”
Monday, May 1, 2023
When faced with lost luggage, you could rightfully get angry, but out of such a situation, one woman became a beacon of hope!
While her husband waited in line at Southwest customer service, Brittany waded through the sea of luggage searching for their bags; a needle in a haystack scenario. But Brittany is a problem solver and didn’t want her search to go to waste. She began snapping pictures of luggage that had tags and texting the number with the bag to the owner letting them know exactly where their bag was.
Brittany sent nearly 80 texts, connecting folks to their bags before she found her own. Some were so appreciative they sent her gift cards in gratitude!
Friday, April 28, 2023
Sixteen year-old Sammy Berko was rock climbing at the gym. He reached the top, rang the bell and then had a life ending heart attack. Gym workers and paramedics spent two hours doing CPR and trying to revive the young, vibrant boy, but to no avail. Finally paramedics called his time of death.
Sammy’s parents sat with him in shock. They spoke with him, apologizing that they couldn’t save him; praying and crying over their son’s body. And then Sammy Berko came back to life!
The parents started screaming for the doctors again. How could this be? It had been nearly two hours since his heart stopped! There was simply no way. And yet, Sammy is alive. He is in physical therapy now, and despite his brain being without oxygen for so long, has only suffered minor short term memory issues. A certified miracle!
Thursday, April 27, 2023
Brittany Thompson was all set to walk down the aisle – she had her something “old” – a family heirloom, her late grandmother’s bracelet, featured heavily in her pre-wedding pictures. But somehow the clasp had given out and it fell into a pile of hay at the venue.
PANIC. What could they do? It was a last ditch effort, but they begged the garbage truck operators to search the garbage they had picked up after the photo shoot. After getting permission, Waste Pro worker Jeff began the search and sure enough – nestled in a bag of decorative hay was grandma’s bracelet!
Wednesday, April 26, 2023
The Boston Marathon is one of America’s premier sporting events. Runners not only get to brag that they did it (and marathoners LOVE to brag) but they get to tour one of the nation’s oldest cities. And for years, one of the sites included a happy golden retriever holding a Boston Strong flag. That was Spencer.
Recently Spencer passed away at the age of 13. But he had become sort of a mascot for the Boston Marathon over the years – and a superstar in the New England Golden Retriever community. This year, to honor Spencer, more than 100 golden retrievers and their families walked together to the Boston Marathon finish line in bright yellow Golden Strong bandanas.
Not only did 100 golden retrievers make exhausted marathon runners grin at the finish line, but the families raised $1000 for the Morris Animal Foundation in honor of Spencer.
Tuesday, April 25, 2023
When he’s not starring in an action movie, encouraging people to reach their health goals or speaking out against hate, Arnold Schwarzenegger is … fixing potholes, apparently! The former governor of California posted a video showing him and his team patching up a hole on a street that had worsened after bad weather delayed attempts to fill in a temporary paving job.
In the video, a man even stops by and exclaims that he’d been waiting a long time for the hole to be fixed. Yeah, we’ve all been there.
You know we often refer to our elected officials as “public servants” but here’s 75 year old Arnold actually being a servant for the public!
Monday, April 24, 2023
A woman in Maine heard about a local little boy who had his bike stolen and she felt led to help. She purchased a new Spiderman bike, complete with helmet, bike lock and training wheels for the 3-year-old and then dropped the new bike off at a police station so they could connect with the family.
The police were so impressed with her kindness – and gave her some cash for the toll roads home. Then they found out she was currently living out of her car.
Now there is a fundraiser to help this bike delivering angel and she even inspired others to donate bikes to the police department to give to other kids in need.
Friday, April 21, 2023
Libby the cat has been a comfort to patrons of the Ashville Free Library for a long time. Libby is 19 years old! Generations of kids have come in to borrow The Hobbit or Where the Red Fern Grows or a Judy Blume book, and enjoyed a cuddle with the beautiful gray cat.
But as Libby gets older, her vet bills get higher. As you can imagine, a little free community library doesn’t have a lot of extra cash to take care of a 19 year old cat. The staff decided to start a fundraiser to help care for Libby in her later years and to say there was an outpouring of love would be an understatement.
Families smashed the $1500 goal, more than doubling the need, in order to provide the best life for Libby, who has been the perfect reading companion for so many.
Thursday, April 20, 2023
William was born with quadriplegic spastic cerebral palsy. The brave young boy is all smiles from his wheelchair, but like most little boys he wants to be running! His parents Mark and Jessica did some research on how to build parallel bars so William could practice walking at home. The family went to their local Lowes to try and figure out just how to make this dream come true.
At Lowes the family met an employee, Dave Urban. Dave was inspired by their idea – grabbed their online plans and began hunting down materials and getting them cut just right. Together Mark, Jessica and new friend Dave watched William test the rig out.
As this brave kid pulled himself up and began to shuffle forward, all three of the adults were fighting back tears of joy and pride.
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
Daniel Kablutsiak’s son Hunter was diagnosed with Stage-5 Kidney Disease at the age of 16. Daniel was a blood type match, but because of his weight, he wasn’t allowed to be a kidney donor. That was all he needed to know to make some major life changes.
Over the course of one year, Daniel worked with doctors to manage his food, increase his exercise and he was able to drop 85 lbs. Surgery is scheduled and both Daniel and Hunter are enjoying a new lease on life.
Tuesday, April 18, 2023
Forget the Easter bunny, it’s six-year old Luke Flerlage of O’Fallon, MO delivering pastel candy. Luke has volunteered with Alleluia Baskets over half his life, since he was just 3!
Alleluia Baskets delivers easter baskets to senior citizens and kids whose families are in need. His mom inspired him to be a volunteer, but the first time he saw someone smile because he brought them an Easter basket, it became his passion!
Last year Luke set out to collect 100 items for Alleluia Baskets. He recruited friends and family and eventually put together over 1000 items! This year, he needed a moving truck for the over 12,000 items he and his Easter crew put together.
Monday, April 17, 2023
Getting lost in a good book can be like therapy for your soul. You make friends, go on adventures and see the world all on the pages of a good story. Emily, a 19 year old woman from Maryland, spent a lot of her childhood with her nose in a book, and now uses her love of reading to bring hope to children and families all over.
While Emily was in high school her father (Mike) battled stage 4 thyroid cancer. As Emily worked at her family’s restaurant and cared for her father all while trying to graduate high school, she dealt with severe depression. She found a lot of hope in books and decided to be proactive about life instead of wallowing in self-pity.
Emily founded For Love and Buttercup, a book collection and donation non-profit to get used books to children’s hospitals for kids fighting cancer. She says “I thought about how buttercup flowers represent everything pure and innocent and happy in the world.” And she knows how a good book can provide hope.
As Emily prepares for college next year, she’s still actively distributing books through For Love and Buttercup – so far she’s donated over 15,000 books! And she gets help moving those big boxes from her now cancer-free dad.
Friday, April 14, 2023
Watson Elementary School in Chilliwack, British Columbia has spent the last seven years teaching their students the joy and benefits of KINDNESS. Their annual Kindness Project has only grown in scope and impact each year. It used to be just one or two classes of third graders participating, but this year, multiple classes from 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade wanted to make a difference!
Step One: Raise money by selling cupcakes. The classes managed a net profit of $1400.
Step Two: Go to local parts and hand out flowers, chocolates, dog treats and coffee to strangers.
Step Three: Put together care packages for homeless people.
The community was so touched that many strangers found the teachers and gave them some cash saying, “This is for next year’s Kindness Project!”
Thursday, April 13, 2023
Something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue – the four things every bride is supposed to have on her big day. When Tanya Walsh walked the aisle, her beautiful wedding dress was her “something new” and it held a very special place in her heart.
Tanya’s dress was a gift from her mother, who was already in palliative care and passed away just weeks after the family-centered nuptials. Tanya put the dress in storage at her father’s house and always planned on making it a “something borrowed” for her two daughters. But in a comedy of errors her father accidentally donated it to Goodwill while cleaning out closets!
Tanya took to Facebook in a last-ditch effort to recover the heirloom. Friends and strangers helped by sharing her story over 1500 times and just a few days later, an employee at a nearby Goodwill contacted Tanya with the good news – her dress was found and waiting for her!
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
Damar Hamlin is making sure his near death experience helps prevent others’. Last season in the middle of a game, Damar Hamlin went down and didn’t get up from the field. The Buffalo Bills safety suffered a heart attack and his life was saved from well trained medical personnel using an automated field defibrillator to restart his heart.
Now the pro football player is using his platform to push Congress on the Access to AEDs Act that would get life saving equipment to schools around the country and provide training to make sure student athletes are given every chance of success and safety on and off the field. More than 7000 kids a year in the United States suffer from a sudden cardiac event and this bi-partisan program will go a long way to ensure their recovery.
Tuesday, April 11, 2023
Make-A-Wish was able to grant a dream for a young Oakland Athletics fan. Gabriel De La Cruz is battling cancer – and staying active is a key part of that battle. So he was thrilled to throw out the ceremonial pitch for his A’s on opening day!
Not only was the pitch a solid strike, he was greeted by his favorite player, Tony Kemp, who let Gabriel know he’s got summer plans this year. The Oakland A’s and Make-A-Wish also secured Gabriel an invite to attend the Major League Baseball All-Star game later this Summer in Seattle!
Monday, April 10, 2023
Arizona resident Coral Amayi lost her precious digital camera 12 years ago when her tube flipped over while on a river tubing trip. It had pictures from her wedding and bridal shower. She thought it was lost forever.
But just a couple of weeks ago, Spencer Greiner was walking along the Animus River and spotted a rusted old camera on the banks. He rescued the SD card and sure enough, the computer recovered all of the picture files! He posted his find on social media and it didn’t take long for the internet to do its thing.
Coral said she literally got up and was dancing for joy when she saw her pictures.
Friday, April 7, 2023
Katrina Mullen is a 23 year veteran of the neonatal intensive care unit at Community Hospital North in Indianapolis. She’s also a mom of five. But her heart just made room for an even bigger family.
Katrina grew close to one of her patients – a 14 year old teen mom who had triplets at just 26 weeks. As the very young new mom waited with her babies in the NICU, Katrina and Shariya formed a special bond.
When the Indiana Department of Child Services became concerned for the living conditions of this 14 year old mom and her preemie triplets, Katrina stepped up and adopted all four of them. The teen mom and her babies!
Now the babies are doing great, growing strong – and their mom is back in school and on track to graduate this Summer!
Thursday, April 6, 2023
Some folks can look at equations and numbers and see the hidden patterns and ancient truths – while I have to download an app that tells me if I can afford to get lunch out today. Two New Orleans East students have that special mathematic minded vision and are making waves in the global math world!
St. Mary Academy’s Calcea Johnson and Ne’Kiya Jackson gave a presentation at the American Mathematical Society’s Annual Southeastern Conference showing how they proved the Pythagorean Theorem using trigonometry without using circular logic – which was thought to be impossible for THOUSANDS of years! The math geniuses say their school motto “No excellence without hard labor” is what drove them to do the impossible.
Wednesday, April 5, 2023
John Watson has always been a fitness enthusiast. He’s also an advocate for people with disabilities, inspired by his daughter Emma, who has cerebral palsy. When he was looking for ways to help adults with intellectual disabilities find employment, he hit upon a great idea to combine his passions.
His nonprofit, Bloom Fitness, brings the life-affirming benefits of movement to people with intellectual disabilities. Bloom Fitness partners with programs like adult daycare centers or residential homes, where Watson’s trained volunteer instructors lead classes like cycling, yoga, Pilates and dance. Classes are free to the athletes, many of whom are low-income, and they’re designed to be accessible to anyone.
“Wellness and movement – for this population, that’s critical,” John says. “We create a sense of pride, belonging and love.”
Tuesday, April 4, 2023
Kevin Pearce’s life was changed forever in 2009 when a snowboarding accident left him with a traumatic brain injury. He had to relearn how to do almost everything — how to walk, how to talk — and he says he couldn’t have done it without the help of his older brother Adam.
From their hard work together was born the Love Your Brain Foundation! Founded in 2014, the Love Your Brain Foundation offers weeklong retreats and community-based yoga classes across the US for people who have a traumatic brain injury as well as their caregivers.
Recovering from a TBI can be very isolating – and community is essential to recovery! Adam says, Adam said. “At these retreats, people are given the space to lean into those deep challenges and express them and talk about them.” The organization also trains yoga teachers on how to incorporate their rehabilitation techniques into their own classes.
Monday, April 3, 2023
On March 21st, the World celebrated Down Syndrome Day. 3/21 represents the 3 copies of the 21st chromosome in the DNA of people with Down Syndrome. LifeSongs is honored to have friends at GiGi’s Playhouse who share a passion for loving some wonderful families who have members with Down Syndrome.
20 years ago, Nancy Gianni was inspired by her newborn daughter GiGi to change the way the world views Down syndrome and send a global message of acceptance for all. She established the first GiGi’s Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Center in the suburbs of Chicago in 2003. Since then, the GiGi’s Playhouse network has grown to over 55 Down Syndrome Achievement Centers in the US and Mexico, and even a Virtual Playhouse that serves people in over 80 countries around the world!
Each location provides free educational and therapeutic-based programs to individuals with Down syndrome and their families, from prenatal diagnosis to adulthood through the loving work of many volunteers. A committed group of parents and friends in our community established GiGi’s Playhouse New Orleans in October 2020 and they are spreading the message of acceptance and kindness in our community every day.
Friday, March 31, 2023
When Sterling Heights police responded to a car accident, they didn’t plan on becoming delivery drivers for the night, but “to serve and protect” is what they do!
Bryanna Fantozzi was delivering dinner and groceries for DoorDash when she hit a patch of ice that rendered her car undriveable. The six-month pregnant mom and her daughter who was also in the car were ok, but in desperation to get her job done she asked if the cops could help her finish the delivery.
Officer Allen quickly took on the job, making sure the groceries were still cold and the Texas Roadhouse meals were hot when they arrived on time at the customer’s home. Turns out the order was for another mom who was stuck home caring for four sick kids, so it was pretty essential!
Officer Allen simply jokes it was a miracle the hot yeast rolls made it to the delivery site because they made the police cruiser smell way too good.
Thursday, March 30, 2023
A South Carolina family felt an abundance of compassion and concern for their Dominos delivery driver, Barbara Gillespie. At 72, Barbara is beloved by her Dominos family, in fact she was elected Team Member of the Year in 2022. But the job was becoming taxing for this sweet lady who always has a smile on her face.
While making a delivery to the Keighrons, she tripped and dropped the food. She was ok, but embarrassed. The family, however, wanted to show her some love – so they started a fundraiser to help her retire in comfort. A quarter million dollars later and Barbara turned in her two weeks notice!
Wednesday, March 29, 2023
Katrina Kohel has got SPIRIT – even if the rest of her cheer squad doesn’t. The high school cheerleader found out just weeks before the big state cheer competition that her fellow squad members quit the team. Her coach told her not to worry, they would still go to the event as spectators, but Katrina had other plans.
She performed on her own.
Katrina whooped and hollered and jumped and flipped and had the entire arena going nuts! Just a single determined cheerleader who wanted to make her school proud. In fact, she finished in 8th place for their division – the highest ranking her school had received in years!
Tuesday, March 28, 2023
8 year-old Kayzen Hunter LOVES going to Waffle House! It’s his favorite restaurant which he and his grandpa frequent. Kayzen even has a favorite waiter named Devonte.
Over MANY trips to get pecan waffles and hash browns, the Hunter family got to know and love Devonte, his wife Aissa and his young daughters Jade and Amoura. One day Kayzen found out his friends were struggling to find a home and living out of a motel. Plus Devonte’s car was falling apart which kept him from making all of his shifts at Waffle House.
Kayzen worked with his mom to create a GoFundMe page for his favorite Waffle slinger. What started with a lofty $5,000 goal ended up six figures – over $100,000 for the family to get a new car and move into a much better apartment!
Monday, March 27, 2023
When disaster strikes – help floods in. We see it time and again, around the world. Earlier this year when terrible earthquakes struck Turkey and Syria the world reacted with incredible generosity. Teresa Gray and her nonprofit Mobile Medics International were on the scene in mere hours. Her team treated hundreds in that first week and a half. They befriended locals and interpreters which allowed them to communicate with many injured and bring peace and calm to a crazy and devastating situation.
Around the block other groups worked in response to the earthquake thanks to funds pouring in from sports stars around the world – especially beloved soccer players who did a telethon the day after the earthquake and brought in over $44 million dollars!
Bad things happen every day. But good people respond with hope and love every day too. Be encouraged! And thank you for being one of those good people making a difference in the world!
Monday, March 13, 2023
Aaron Cabrera is a real life hero, but it has cost him dearly. Born in Cuba, Aaron and his family sought political asylum in the United States. He grew up in Texas and the day after 9/11, at twenty years old, he joined the Army.
Aaron Cabrera served his country with valor for nearly a decade – doing two ours in Iraq. He earned a Purple Heart, a Combat Action Badge, a 2-starred Iraq Campaign Medal, five Army Commendation Medals and many other awards and accolades. But these were hard fought awards. Aaron took shrapnel to the back and nearly lost his life. To this day he is dealing with PTSD and traumatic brain injuries.
But this is a GOOD NEWS story. Aaron continues his journey of recovery through counseling and music and teaching yoga to other veterans. After losing a son to suicide he founded Diego’s Wish to help other families going through loss. Instead of all of his medals, he wears his heart on his sleeves and that is why he was honored by Operation Finally Home with a newly built house, fully furnished and the mortgage paid in full!
Overwhelmed by the life changing gift, Aaron Cabrera said, “Moving forward, tomorrow is a new day, thanks to all of you. A new life begins on the other side of that door; a new life that hopefully makes my sons proud.”
Friday, March 10, 2023
Jason was in line getting groceries and struck up a conversation with Kevin, who was waiting just behind him. Then that awful stomach squeezing thing happened where the cashier told Jason he had “insufficient funds” to get his groceries. Jason had just deposited his check and apparently it hadn’t hit the bank yet.
Kevin stepped up and quickly flashed a card saying “I got you.” And groceries are NOT cheap. The newly cemented grocery buddies went viral on social media not just because of Kevin’s generosity to a stranger, but because now the two are inseparable, even going to each other’s family gatherings!
Thursday, March 9, 2023
Delayne Ivanowski loves her dad. And she got to honor and DISobey him in the most amazing way. Her father, John Ivanowski, suffers from a kidney disease. The chronic illness put him in complete kidney failure and the doctors didn’t give him much time to live without a kidney donor.
The problem was, John had outright forbidden Delayne from donating her kidney. Years before, John had lost a son, Delayne’s brother, to cancer. He couldn’t bare the thought of kidney donation complications for his daughter. But Delayne worked with the doctors and donated her kidney in secret.
After the successful surgery, Delayne in a matching hospital gown and portable IV, visited her dad’s hospital room. He was shocked and a little angry … but that faded pretty fast at the enormity of the gift given by his loving daughter.
And to top things off, after going viral on social media with the story, financial donors helped cover the cost of both surgeries.
Wednesday, March 8, 2023
Chris Sweeney was a missionary for 12 years in Africa. Now back home as a Brother of Sacred Heart, he’s finding ways to continue living out the mission. His plan and hope is to build a cafe on the Northshore that employs people with special needs. It’s a cause close to his heart because his nephew Reid has Down Syndrome.
After having knee surgery last year, Chris found biking to be great exercise and physical therapy. So he’s going to go on an epic 6,000 mile bike quest from New Orleans to Washington D.C., Seattle and San Francisco. He’ll sleep at campgrounds and travel light as he shines Jesus from the bike lane and raises funds to open that cafe!
The bike trip began on March 1st and will end this summer in July, hopefully fully funding the Reid Rocks Cafe.
Tuesday, March 7, 2023
Pastor Corey Brooks was led by the Holy Spirit to build a transformational community center in the heart of Chicago. But that’s crazy expensive! How would he raise the $35 million needed? Corey says God told him to pitch a tent on the roof and wait. So he did.
Pastor Corey Brooks camped each night in a tent on the roof of a building in Chicago. The building is in a rough part of town – O Block. Gang violence runs rampant. The need for the Gospel and hope is evident everywhere. And the community has heard about Jesus from the Rooftop Pastor – as Corey Brooks has come to be known.
After nearly a year in often freezing Chicago temperatures, the community and donors from around the world have already raised over $28 MILLION to make this new community center happen. Wow! (We can’t tent camp on the roof of LifeSongs, but we will be fundraising soon – Shareathon starts next week!)
Monday, March 6, 2023
Belle Irvin-Partridge regaled her children for years with stories from her time in the Women’s Army Corps during World War II. But there was an important detail she left out, one that her daughter Brenda didn’t uncover until after Belle’s death: She was an integral member of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the only all-women, predominantly Black unit to serve in Europe during the war.
Brenda did some digging on the internet and stumbled upon a black-and-white photo of her mother in uniform alongside the other women of her battalion. Though the women didn’t see combat, their time in Europe wasn’t short on danger: They dodged German U-boats in the North Atlantic and survived a rocket explosion upon their arrival in England. The women worked tirelessly to sort and send mail to US service members stationed overseas.
It took decades for their work to be recognized but last year, President Joe Biden awarded the surviving members of the battalion the Congressional Gold Medal, and Tyler Perry is directing a film about the women. To Brenda, though, Belle Irvin-Partridge was just her mom — a quiet hero whose humble work made history.
Friday, March 3, 2023
Gloria and Victoria Guerrier are brilliant twin sisters! They spent all of high school competing for the best GPA – neither ever scored under 100% on any test in all four years. They also compete in three varsity sports, earning county and state honors in track. But there can be only one BEST.
Gloria ultimately was named Valedictorian, with her twin Victoria as second place Salutatorian. But Victoria is itching for a rematch, in college! Both girls are headed to Yale University to keep egging each other on to greatness!
The overachieving twins plan to study computer science. “It’s like the saying, ‘How iron sharpens iron,’” Gloria said. “We really use each other to improve upon ourselves.
Thursday, March 2, 2023
Diane Gordon was walking to work. It’s a 2.7 mile trek in the brutal cold of Detroit. Her car broke down last February and she’s had to choose groceries over transportation ever since.
As Diane walked to work she saw an abandoned sack outside of a convenience store. Inside was nearly $15,000 in cash and gift cards. That amount of money could have really helped Diane, but she did the right thing. She took the cash inside the store and called the local police.
It turns out the money belonged to a newly married couple – it was from their wedding earlier that very day. They were beyond grateful to have it returned. And that would be the end of this story were it not for a wife of one of the police officers who responded to the call. She was so touched by Diane’s determination to do the right thing even though she was in great need.
The police department said “the world could use a few more Dianes” as they posted a GoFundMe page for the good Samaritan. In less than 24 hours they had raised more than $40,000 for Diane! They are also working with a local auto dealer to secure her a new ride to and from work. (Ultimately over $80,000 was raised!)
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
Local Jewish Chef Alon Shaya has won many awards for his Israeli cuisine. Now he is doing his part to rescue and restore what was lost during the Holocaust nearly a century ago.
Chef Shaya is working with Holocaust survivor Steven Fenves who managed to secure his grandmother’s cookbook while fleeing the former Yugoslavia. Afterall – nothing makes History and Culture come alive – nothing can bring people together – quite like a home cooked meal.
Fluffy potato circles stuffed with beef, garlic and sour cream with a touch of paprika sounds more than a little mouth watering – but the History of the dish comes from war-torn former Yugoslavia.
Tuesday, February 28, 2023
Rev. Farrell Duncombe was very grateful for those who inspired and challenged him.
Growing up Rev. Duncombe was known as “Little Farrell ” and was your quintessential pastor’s kid, always getting into trouble. He grew up in 1950s and 60s Montgomery, AL at the epicenter of the Civil Rights movement. Along with his father, pastor of St. Paul Church, his Sunday School Teacher Miss Rosalie never gave up on Little Farrell.
And because of their love and patience, Farrell would become a public school band teacher, then a principal and finally pastor of the church he grew up in. And by the way, Miss Rosalie, Little Farrell’s Sunday School teacher, was pretty famous.
Most folks knew her as Rosa Parks.
Monday, February 27, 2023
Many different styles of music were honored at the GRAMMY awards a few weeks back and yet so many of them owe their existence to little buildings in New Orleans where jazz was born. One of those little spots was called Perseverance Hall. In the early 20th century, along the river, jazz musicians cut their teeth looking for work just blocks away in the French Quarter.
Then the building became a church. And just a year and a half ago, the structure was demolished by age and Hurricane Ida. But good news – the Holy Aid and Comfort Spiritual Church of Eternal Life – AKA Perseverance Hall – is making a comeback. A federal grant, the dedication of Rev. Herald Lewis, his congregation and others pitching in are working to restore the space along Villere St.
Friday, February 24, 2023
Heroic acts throughout History inspire us to be the better versions of ourselves. That’s an idea that cardboard-artist Luanga Nuwame took to heart when he created a special mirror for Black History month. The mirror is surrounded by 14 other faces – the faces of legendary Black heroes throughout History.
The artist wants kids who are facing so much in the world today to look at themselves surrounded by the visionaries that came before them. Faces include Dr. King, Bessie Coleman, Rosa Parks, Jackie Robinson and others. Nuwame wants children to know that these great heroes were also once young and scared and uncertain.
What heroes would you want by your side in the mirror?
Thursday, February 23, 2023
Martha and Lehman Tucker were happily married in 1952. They would enjoy a romance for the ages, raise a family and see their world change. The world they lived in as young adults was filled with anger and hate. Segregated Alabama was a painful place to live and love for the Black couple. When Martha and Lehman married, it wasn’t in the beautiful white lace gown she had always dreamt of. Because of Jim Crow laws she couldn’t even go into the store to purchase such a thing.
Flash forward 70 years and Martha’s granddaughter Angela wanted to make some beautiful memories for her 94 year old grandmother. Angela, Martha and other family and friends went out to brunch, got their make-up done and waltzed into David’s Bridal to find Martha the perfect wedding dress! Full lace sleeves, matching veil, it was like a fairy tale for the family.
With happy tears in her eyes, Angela said, “Happy doesn’t really paint the picture of how this made me feel. My grandma has always been a giver, so to be able to finally give her an experience so dear to her was priceless. Happy is an understatement.”
While Lehman passed some years back, Martha fondly remembers the love of her life and she promised him that she would one day get the wedding dress they were denied so many years ago. A dress worthy of the sacred vows they shared.
Wednesday, February 22, 2023 Ash Wednesday
Amy and Erik are Believers from North Dakota. Amy says, “We might not be able to change the whole world, but we can change the world for one person.” And she and Erik have lived this out in spectacular fashion.
While visiting Rapid City, South Dakota during the holidays, Amy and Erik saw a man struggling in his wheelchair. It was a cold icy day. The homeless man’s name was Wayne, the couple found out as they stopped to help. Amy and Erik helped Wayne to a motel he was living in. Someone had paid for a couple nights for him to stay warm from the cold Winter. Amy and Erik paid for Wayne’s room for another week.
Later Amy shared Wayne’s needs online and her friends raised enough to keep Wayne housed through April and got him a brand new wheelchair! Amy and Erik’s fundraiser provided new clothes and other essential items for Wayne as well.
That helping hand is getting Wayne off the streets and into a brand new life, with his own apartment. And he knows there are Jesus-people in his corner. Wayne told Amy and Erik he had prayed for help just two days before God brought them into his life.
Tuesday, February 21, 2023 Happy Mardi Gras!
In many cultures around the world there is still a stigma attached to mental health. Despite all that we’ve learned about caring for our thought life just like we care for our physical well-being, it can be extremely vulnerable to trust and speak with a mental health professional. And in some cases, the cost is so high that people don’t even try. But what if getting help was as simple as sitting on a park bench with a grandmother?
Dixon Chibanda is a psychiatrist in Zimbabwe. He and a group of grandmothers have created a program they call the Friendship Bench, so no one in their community goes without a listening ear. Dr. Chibanda trains the group in basic therapy techniques and they are assigned a park bench to be present at and talk with anyone who needs some help.
The concept has been a HUGE success. 60,000 people in Zimbabwe and over half a million people worldwide have now benefited from sessions at a Friendship Bench and the rates of depression, suicide and undiagnosed mental health issues is declining. All thanks to some well-trained grandmothers who offer no judgment, just friendship.
Monday, February 20, 2023
Adolfo Burgos was driving a snowy Interstate 93 headed to pick up friends at the airport in Boston. Adolfo saw a small blue car swerving across the road and it became obvious that the driver was unconscious. Adolfo pulled his truck over and sprinted across traffic to keep pace with the car. The passenger door was locked so he and another helpful driver began pushing the car into the guardrail to get it to a complete stop.
First responders then showed up and whisked the driver to the hospital. Exhausted, Adolfo went home to bed. When we woke up from his nap, he found out his heroic deeds had gone viral on TikTok as other drivers on the Interstate filmed the whole incident. When asked if he ever considered the danger he was in, Adolfo said confidently, “I didn’t even see any of the other cars during that time. I think God really watched over me.”
Friday, February 17, 2023
Vernon Jackson has a lot of patience and love for special needs children and it started with little 7 year old Ellison.
Ellison has Down syndrome and some physical disabilities that led to several open heart surgeries. Getting a haircut was a scary event for young Ellison, until the very patient Vernon turned it into a game! Ellison is in the driver seat demanding when to start, stop and go! It might take a little longer to give Ellison a haircut but now it ends in giggle fits instead of tears.
Vernon created the GIFTED program that offers special haircut experiences for kids like Ellison who need the extra care and love. Not only do the kids get a nice cut, the parents get to see others invest in their kids with patience and love.
Thursday, February 16, 2023
A mystery man in the United States was so moved by the catastrophic disaster in Turkey (Turkiye) & Syria that he walked into the Turkish Embassy in Washington DC and donated to help the earthquake victims. And it was a very big gift.
$30 million.
What a tremendous gift! And hopefully it will inspire many others as every humanitarian program in the world tends to the disaster. Some of those include ministry partners with LifeSongs, including: Mercy Chefs, Samaritan’s Purse and Send Relief.
Wednesday, February 15, 2023
The athletes in the Single Leg Amputee Sports Association in Sierra Leone are an incredible embodiment of strength. Their creed is “Strength through injury, through war and through division”. The organization was started by pastor Mambud Samai in 2001 after he returned home toward the end of Sierra Leone’s deadly civil war.
During those dark years, 50,000 people were killed and thousands lost limbs during brutal terror campaigns. When Samai met other amputees and was introduced to adaptive soccer, he saw an opportunity for those like him who were struggling to find purpose and passion after their injuries. Players have represented their country in international tournaments, and give back to their communities.
In addition to all the good they do, Samai says SLASA athletes are also ambassadors for peace.
Tuesday, February 14, 2023 – Happy Valentine’s Day
It was 1982 and Vickie was 22 years old, a recent graduate of the University of Tennessee, and going on her first overseas flight. She was nervous, but London was calling, where she was to join a work-study program with her best friend Sandra. After some Lifetime movie level drama of being on standby for the flight, both young women boarded the plane and were seated next to a curly-haired ginger from England named Graham.
Graham was returning home after a post college road trip around the United States. And he started sharing the ins and outs of England with his row-mates. The trio became fast friends. And soon, after exploring London together, Graham and Vickie became much more. By Summer they were engaged and married on December 28th.
After over 40 years, the couple still loves sharing their story, especially when it embarrasses their two children that they brought up in the States with plenty of trips to see family in England.
Monday, February 13, 2023
There were literal tons of extra food still in the kitchens of State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ after the last fan left and the clean-up process began. But that Super Bowl food isn’t going to waste!
As soon as the gates were closed, the Food Recovery Network moved in with their refrigerated vans moved in. This is the third Super Bowl that FRN has battled food insecurity by preventing food waste at the massive sporting event.
They collected thousands of pounds of extra food from the Players’ Pregame Tailgate Party, which will provide thousands of meals for families in need in Arizona. Food staples and treats are great – but the big win is all the leftover protein like seafood and meats. The food is being distributed to various pantries and non-profits like the Phoenix Rescue Mission.
Friday, February 10, 2023
A few weeks ago Bryanne and her son Mason were making a quick stop at the grocery to get snacks for the Eagles-Giants NFC division game. The Philly fans ran into a man who asked for a dollar to grab the bus. Bryanne kindly fished out a dollar from her purse before realizing she was being filmed.
Turns out the random stranger was Zachery “MD Motivator” Dereniowski, who runs a popular social media channel that rewards everyday folks for their acts of kindness. Instead of accepting the outstretched dollar, Zachery handed Bryanne and Mason two tickets to the Eagles game and $500 cash to spend on snacks at the stadium!
At the game Mason even got to meet some of his favorite Eagles players on the field!
Thursday, February 9, 2023
Peter Davies is a World War II veteran of the Royal British Armed Forces. He’s lived a very full life that included 72 years married to his sweet wife. When she passed away Peter said he felt like a lost soul, but this 100 year old British Empire Medal winner knew exactly how his wife would want him to continue on.
Peter began volunteering as a reader to young children at Dean Valley Community Primary School in the village of Bollington. Now when one of his young students says “Hello Mr. Davies” Peter says he feels 10 feet tall!
He was a hero in a global conflict some 80 years ago, but perhaps more importantly, he’s a friend to these kids he is investing his time in. And Peter jokes it is giving him lots of “street cred” in his village.
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
Bessie Coleman was born in 1892 to Texas sharecroppers. Later she decided she wanted to fly while watching planes come into bustling Chicago in the early 1900s. Both Black and Native American, Bessie had the world against her. But she traveled to Paris to attend aviation school and in 1921 became the first Black woman to earn a pilot’s license!
Bessie Coleman became a global superstar in the 1920s as a stunt pilot touring the states performing flips and tricks to delight the crowds below.
Bessie was an exceptional pilot that broke a lot of barriers as a black and native American female aviator. This year Matel is celebrating the American hero with her own Barbie doll! Even better – portions of the sales will go to Bessie Coleman Aviation All Stars, a non-profit started by Bessie Colman’s granddaughter that introduces students to careers in aviation!
Tuesday, February 7, 2023
Ronald is a clumsy, sweet BIG 64-lb puppy with a cheerful disposition that many families thought would be perfect for them. 14 families actually. 14 times Ronald was adopted and returned to the Wake County SPCA.
He’s a mixed breed and so huge and sheds everywhere. But Ronald is smart! He’s learned several commands and never gave up hope he’d find his forever home. His story was shared on social media and soon there was a waitlist 800 families deep wanting to bring Ronald home.
The Davis family were the lucky krewe stationed at Fort Bragg who became Ronald’s forever home. Now, along with millions of fans on social media, Ronald has a mom, dad, two little boys and a 3 year old Australian Shepherd big sister!
Monday, February 6, 2023
Rema Kabore was born with cerebral palsy. This made her extremely fragile. In fact, doctors did not expect her to see her first birthday. Flash forward half a century and Rema is still celebrating birthdays! It took a lot of work, multiple surgeries, great care and support but Rema is thriving.
A friend threw her a 50th birthday party at a local restaurant. She was so surprised to see friends and family gather for her. One of the young men working at the restaurant grabbed his saxophone and serenaded the party as they sang happy birthday to a beaming woman who means so much to so many.
Then – the cherry on top – another customer was so touched by the birthday party for Rema that they secretly paid for the entire bill!
Friday, February 3, 2023
Maria Andrejczyk is an Olympic silver medalist for Poland. She won the silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in the sport of javelin. Her journey to the winner’s podium was filled with struggle and triumph. She didn’t quite make the cut in 2016. Then she had shoulder surgery. THEN she fought bone cancer. But she persevered and brought great honor to her country.
At 25 years-old, Maria is still looking for ways to bless her native Poland. She found out about a little 8 month-old Polish boy named Milo who was born with a serious heart defect. There was a life saving surgery available in Spain, but it cost $380,000! The family had raised about half of the cost but the baby was running out of time.
That’s when our Olympian Maria stepped in. She didn’t hesitate to auction off her Silver medal to raise the remainder of the cost to help save baby Milo. The winning bid came from a popular Polish supermarket chain called Zabka. They told Maria that her sacrifice inspired them and that she should keep her medal. The real prize was helping Milo’s family.
Thursday, February 2, 2023
Not only does Grace work hard as an asset specialist for UPS in Michigan, she’s an inventor and world changer for premature babies! In college as a part of a material science project, Grace created the Warmilu. It’s a special blanket that requires no electricity to provide and maintain heat.
Around the world neonatal hypothermia is still a great risk to premature and underweight babies. The Warmilu has been embedded in over 19 countries at this point and tens of thousands of babies have been saved because of Grace’s invention.
She also credits her work with UPS to show her how to run a small business and get her product to the parts of the world where it is needed most. Perhaps sweeter still is the name Warmilu, which is a shortened version of “Warm, I love you.” A message every mother and child could use.
Wednesday, February 1, 2023
A Delta flight attendant is going viral for being a kind and gentle person.
It was a bumpy flight from Charlotte Douglas International into JFK in New York. For one passenger the turbulence was terrifying. Flight Attendant Floyd Dean-Shannon saw the woman clenching her seat and turning green, so he calmly sat down in the aisle and held her hand to reassure her.
Other passengers watched the kindness unfold and shared the story on social media. Others have begun sharing stories of kindness they’ve also received from flight attendants who went the extra mile for them.
Tuesday, January 31, 2023
Last April, 19-year-old Seren Jones got very sick and lost both of her kidneys. She spent every night hooked up to a dialysis machine until a kidney donor was found. Since her dad Arfon wasn’t a match for his daughter, he went ahead and put his information into the national kidney donation registration in hopes to be a help to another family.
Soon Arfon got the call that there was someone in need and he was a match. The 70-year-old joyfully went under the knife to pass along the blessing his family had received with his daughter. While he wasn’t informed about who received his kidney, the hospital did tell him that it was a successful transplant and that their health is improving every day!
Monday, January 30, 2023
Quiana “Q” Rowe knows that single moms often go without to ensure their kids have what they need. Rowe, herself a single mother of five, oversees eight Walmart stores in New Orleans, and one day at work came up with an idea: What if she could connect with other single moms and brighten their day with a special present?
Q knows that these moms are so used to putting their kids first they never think about themselves. She went on her Facebook page and invited friends to nominate single moms for some special gifts. Soon, Rowe was purchasing presents for women in Louisiana, Kansas, and Texas, which they picked up from their local Walmarts.
“Being able to do this is not something I would have thought of 15 years ago,” Rowe said. “Being able to gift the mothers, it’s tears from me and tears of gratitude from them.”
Friday, January 27, 2023
There are many wonderful ways to keep your muscles and bones healthy along the journey and for one 101-year-old lady in England, the secret to staying young is to cut a rug!
Dinkie Flowers is one of the oldest women in the United Kingdom but is more mobile than many who are decades younger. Her secret? Dancing! She began her dancing career at just 3 years old and each week can still be found teaching future generations the art of dance at Dinkie Flowers Stage School.
“I just love dancing, I always have and I always will. I’d advise anyone—and everyone—to start dancing to keep your body and mind young.”
Thursday, January 26, 2023
Gary McKee spent 2022 pounding the pavement. He ran 26.2 miles every single day to raise $1 million for charity!
A father of three, Gary McKee lives in Cumbria, England. He turned his 26 mile commute to work a daily run. Sure, he showed up to the office very sweaty and too tired to accomplish much else, but he did manage to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support and West Cumbria Hospice at Home. When 2022 came to an end, Gary had raised £1 million ($1.2 million) from supporters.
On his final run, a crowd cheered him on, and fireworks went off when he was finished. “It was raining, but everybody was out clapping and shouting,” he said. “It was fantastic seeing everybody there. It’s something I’ll always remember.”
Wednesday, January 25, 2023
Warren Marion of Cumberland, MD is an 82 year old Navy Veteran working full time at Walmart to make ends meet. And he serves with a smile. Rory McCarty wanted to do something special for this beacon of light at his local Walmart, so he got on social media and started to fundraise.
The goal was to raise enough cash for Warren to fully retire and spend more time in Florida with his grandkids. Rory said he just got the ball rolling and the Lord took over. Over 5000 donors put together nearly $120,000 so Mr. Marion could start living that retired life!
The veteran says, “All I can tell you is the good Lord has blessed me…”
Tuesday, January 24, 2023
An Arkansas Mexican restaurant extended some kindness to a homeless person and the act of Love has gone viral. A person came off the streets to the front counter at El Sur Street Food Co. in Little Rock. He asked the guy behind the counter if they had any food they could spare.
Without hesitation the employee offered to buy the guy a meal – walked him through the menu and made recommendations and prepared a table for his guest. He didn’t cheap out either. It wasn’t the value menu options he bought for the guy – but a full spread of delicious food. More importantly the homeless man was shown compassion and treated like the valuable human being that he is.
Sitting at a table nearby was a patron of El Sur named Ronda Chung. She watched the whole thing unfold and shared the story on Facebook – which took off with the caption “Amazing food, amazing folks. This is the Arkansas I want.”
Monday, January 23, 2023
For about a decade, Mr. Childress, who has now moved into Heaven, kept his generosity a secret. Hody lived in Geraldine, AL – a small, poor town. One day while at his local pharmacy he found the owner/manager and slipped them $100, saying “This is for anyone who can’t afford their medicine.”
Hody began donating $100 each month to help pay for other folks’ medicine. It was a secret between him, the owner of the pharmacy and Jesus. This started in 2012. Just recently as Hody Childress’ health began to deteriorate, he asked his daughter Tania to deliver $100 to the drug store. She had no idea why – but soon found out he had given thousands over the last decade to care for his community!
At Hody’s funeral the family shared the story and the community has responded by taking up the mantle and partnering to continue helping cover the cost of medicine for their little town.
Friday, January 20, 2023
The Phoenix Fire Department motto is “our family helping your family” and recently they did some big time helping one of their own families. Abel Parra works in administration for the PFD. Abel uses a wheelchair ever since an accident many years ago damaged his spinal cord. And for the past few years, his daily commute using public transportation in the hot Phoenix sun took a couple hours each way.
His co-workers decided enough was enough for their friend and began fundraising and researching how to get the Parra family a wheelchair accessible van. It took some time to get the money and secure the specially modified van – but just a couple of weeks ago the keys were handed to Abel. Now his daily commute is in style – and just 30 minutes instead of hours!
Thursday, January 19, 2023
Jeanette Stevens was an avid cyclist, but after an accident took her eyesight at just 34 years old, she grieved the loss of her favorite pastime.
But before long she was connected to a charity called Charlotte’s Tandems. The specialty biking non-profit builds, teaches and connects folks to tandem cycle together. Soon Jeanette and her riding partner were feeling the wind whip the sides of their helmets, exploring the bike paths of England together.
Tandem bikes can be expensive and rare – but when Jeanette’s one year loaner came due, Charlotte’s Tandems and a local bike shop got her a rebuilt tandem bike for just £50!
Wednesday, January 18, 2023
A driver for DoorDash was so astounded by a generous tip on Christmas Eve that they took a moment to write a Thank You letter and left it on the door of the customer.
Vivica tipped the DoorDash driver $100 on a $60 dinner order. It was Christmas Eve and she was grateful for the service. But Vivica had no idea just what a blessing she was. The driver wrote about losing their job months earlier. They took a few DoorDash orders on Christmas Eve just to pay for a tank of gas in the family car. The generous tip that Vivica gave left the driver in tears of joy all the way home.
Tuesday, January 17, 2023
The owner of Modell Sporting Goods went undercover in his store and met one of his associates named Angel. Angel is rey of sunshine – a bundle of joy – in spite of difficult circumstances.
Angel is a mother of three – a hard worker – but her family was homeless and living in a shelter. Still she came into work each day with a smile for every customer. Angel was assigned to show a new employee the ropes – but that trainee was actually the owner of the store. She so impressed him and touched his heart that he set out to radically change Angel’s life.
Shortly after shadowing Angel, her boss met with her and promoted her to assistant manager, gave her a $14,000 annual raise AND THEN gave her a check for $250,000 to buy a home for her family!
Monday, January 16, 2023
The best way to prevent History from repeating itself is to learn from History. Knowing is half the battle! Have you seen the commercials recently for the Civil Rights Trail in Montgomery, AL?
The capital of Alabama was a hot seat for the Civil Rights movement in the 60s. There are many historical sites and museums to experience – from Dr. King’s church to the site of Rosa Park’s arrest.
Perhaps in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, it’s time to plan a little day trip to learn the lessons of the past and find hope for the future! There are many sites in many cities, including New Orleans that are a part of the Civil Rights Trail. Learn more at civilrightstrail.com.
Friday, January 13, 2023
Back in early December, the Parrett family flew from their home in Fargo, ND to visit grandparents and family in Texas. They had a marvelous time – and even befriended a stray dog they named Country. The pup had wandered on the family property and bonded immediately with the two young Parrett kids.
But they couldn’t take Country home with them. As you can imagine, it was devastating to the kids who cried all the way to the airport.
Flash forward a few weeks to Christmas morning, when Grandpa Mike arrived in Fargo, ND – having driven over 1,200 miles from Texas to Fargo to deliver his grandchildren the ultimate Christmas present – the newly adopted Country.
Thursday, January 12, 2023
It was 2 PM on a Friday in Buffalo, NY when the snow started coming down too fast to see through. Since they had power and food at McDonalds, they started pulling customers and stranded motorists inside to stay warm. They tweeted that they had hot coffee, working heat and that they’d put the Bills game on the TV.
Soon the local police department started dropping off stranded motorists at the fast food joint. More than 50 folks ended up spending time surviving the Christmas blizzard at that Buffalo McDonalds throughout the weekend. There was hot coffee and hot chocolate and plenty of food for everyone.
Wednesday, January 11, 2023
A little boy named Jude found a keyboard in the basement and his father was blown away by his son’s natural talent. Jude has autism and turns out – he’s a musical prodigy!
Jude’s story was shared on the local news in Denver and a professional piano tuner named Bill Magnusson happened to see the uplifting piece. He connected with the family through the news station and donated a grand piano to the family saying “This kid is Mozart level!”
Tuesday, January 10, 2023
A blizzard blew through upstate New York and a bus carrying 10 tourists outside of Buffalo got stuck in the snow. The folks from Korea were traveling from DC to Niagara Falls when the weather hemmed them in.
Two of the men decided to knock on a nearby door and ask to borrow snow shovels so they could dig the bus out and try to make their way through white-out conditions, but they knocked on the Alexander Campagna’s door and he wasn’t about to let these visitors from another land get trapped in a Polar Vortex!
Alexander and his wife made up couches, sleeping bags, air mattresses and their spare bedroom for all ten Korean tourists. It became an incredible holiday celebration, sharing food and stories and making new friends.
Monday, January 9, 2023
Callie Blue got a text at 4:50 AM Christmas morning from her boss – she was needed at Gus’s Diner. So Callie put on her Rudolph sweater and her smile and was at Gus’s in less than an hour.
A short time later she got her very own Christmas blessing!
Her second guest of the morning was Michael Johnson. Callie says he was kind, ordered breakfast and headed out – after leaving Callie a $1000 tip! Michael is the President and CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Dane County and went to Gus’s Diner in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin on Christmas morning specifically to bless someone.
Friday, January 6, 2023
Norwegian Cruise Line hosted a Teacher Appreciation contest where deserving educators got nominated for going above and beyond – and 100 teachers from across North America were awarded with a free cruise for two, featuring an exclusive concert by Kelly Clarkson while sailing to Mexico.
Plus the top three Grand Prize winners scored tens of thousands of dollars for their schools. Whether you won a cruise or not – thank you to all of the amazing teachers daily giving their best for our students and communities.
CLICK HERE to sign up local schools to be the LifeSongs Prayer School of the day!
Thursday, January 5, 2023
Congratulations to great-grandma and graduate Joyce DeFauw, who just earned a bachelor’s degree from Northern Illinois University more than 70 years after she first enrolled!
Joyce was months away from earning a degree in home economics when she fell in love with a man from her church. She decided to pause her studies to start a family with him. Today, she’s got dozens of grandkids and great-grandkids.
In 2019, she mentioned to them that she came close to completing her degree, and her ever-supportive family encouraged her to follow through. And so she did! This time, though, she opted to study from her retirement home.
She took one online class per semester — her first time using a computer! — which kept her busy during the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, when the virus kept her family from visiting. And now, three years after she picked her studies back up, she received her degree in general studies. Why’d she go through all the studying and cramming of college again? Well, why not?
“It’s nice to finish something you started,” Joyce says — whether it’s a lengthy book, an art project or even a long-paused college education.
Wednesday, January 4, 2023
Joseph Cook took up metal detecting to occupy his idle hands at Hammock Beach in St. Augustine, FL. No one was more surprised than he was to stumble across a massive diamond ring!
Through the power of social media, the owner was found and the ring returned. In fact, that has sort of become Joseph’s hobby – returning lost and found jewelry that he digs up with his metal detector. He even wears a necklace that has nearly two dozen found rings on it, just in case he runs into someone who lost their ring while hitting the beach.
View this post on Instagram
Tuesday, January 3, 2023
To serve and protect; that’s the motto for the police force. And it is perhaps harder than ever to accomplish that mission. But officer Clarence Carr of the Kenner PD is giving his best. And that has many folks calling him a hero, though he shrugs off the label. Officer Carr says he’s just doing his job. But his job has put him in some incredibly dangerous situations.
Thanksgiving weekend Clarence got a call that a car had crashed into the water along I-10 near Loyola. He thought it must have been a mistake because there isn’t a lake or canal there but when Officer Carr arrived he saw just how dire the situation was. A construction pit from the ongoing airport exit work had filled with rainwater and mud. A car had spun out into the hole and was sinking fast, with three adults and a small child trapped inside.
The driver managed to get out, but Officer Carr slogged into the quicksand and rescued the other three passengers. Then firefighters had to pull Clarence out from the mud. A few months earlier this brave Kenner Police officer had rescued a man out of a canal on West Metairie Rd. So if you meet Officer Carr, buy him a coffee and thank him for being the hero we need.
Monday, January 2, 2023
Adam was working his shift at Home Depot when he found an envelope with $700 cash inside. Being an upstanding young man, Adam immediately took the money to his manager.
Home Depot manager Alissa turned to social media to see if they could track down the person missing the cash. Very quickly the right person was found and the money was returned. Which was good, because it turns out the envelope was full of money for Christmas presents!
Friday, December 23, 2022
It seems like prices just keep rising. Groceries seem to cost more every week!
But what if you didn’t have to worry about the cost of groceries for an entire month? During the month of December, when you have so many other expenses?
A digital marketing company in the Netherlands, gave their employees – all 100 of them – free groceries for an entire month as a Christmas gift. The owner of the company said that he trusts his employees not to take advantage of his gift, so there is no limit on how much they buy.
Thursday, December 22, 2022
Cities in Canada are allowing citizens to pay their parking fines with TOYS. With the “Toys for Tickets” campaign, people can donate toys, in lieu of money, to pay for any parking ticket this holiday season.
In fact, they’d prefer you to donate a toy instead of paying in cash! The toys are delivered to a local toy drive and distributed to children over the holidays.
Wednesday, December 21, 2022
Back in 2009, Patricia Gallagher was an empty nester and she was lonely. So she and her mother decided to go to nursing homes to read Twas the Night Before Christmas to the residents. They brought along some of her kids stuffed animals for the seniors to hold while they read. But when it was time to gather up those stuffed animals and take them to the next nursing home, none of the residents wanted to give up their teddy bears!
On that day, Patricia saw the power of a simple Christmas gift. So she put an ad on Craigslist asking for gently used stuffed animals. Thanks to churches and local schools and many others donating, in her first two years of collecting, she received more than 11,000 donations! And she takes all of those donated stuffed animals to senior living facilities and homes for retired nuns and veterans.
Tuesday, December 20, 2022
For the last 10 years an anonymous donor has played Santa Claus by giving a big Christmas gift to Children’s Hospital to take a shopping spree at Learning Express Toys of Metairie – the toy store also matches a portion of the gift to make the gifts go even further.
Hospital staff fill bags with Christmas toys for kids in the hospital. Most of the toys are selected with specific developmental skills and rehabilitation uses in mind. The healthcare professionals say having toys to play with helps settle nerves and actually improves recovery times for kids in the hospital! But just putting a smile on the face of those children and their parents is more than enough.
View this post on Instagram
Monday, December 19, 2022
Twelve years ago a stranger paid for Krista and Jeff’s three young sons’ haircuts. It was just a random act of kindness. The family was so overjoyed by the kind act that they wanted to immediately pay it forward.
Krista took her boys to Walmart, purchased three gift cards and had her sons randomly pick strangers in the store to bless. The practice in generosity became an annual tradition for the family to spend December 1-25 doing random acts of kindness in their community.
Friday, December 16, 2022
Bryan started his 30th birthday outreach by writing a long list of all the things he is grateful for in life. He was so overwhelmed by thankfulness for the many ways others had supported him throughout his life – all of his blessings – that he was inspired to try and be a blessing to others.
And Bryan’s 30 Acts of Kindness by 30 are pretty huge. He made dessert for 400 firefighters, put together 150 supply kits for middle schools in Oakland, arranged for $12,000 worth of supplies from various sponsors to flow into local schools and most recently packaged 118 care boxes for animal shelter workers, which he hand delivered!
I can’t wait to see what he does next on Instagram @30actsby30! You don’t need a major milestone birthday to do good in your community. Maybe start by monthly supporting LifeSongs
Thursday, December 15, 2022
Since its founding a quarter century ago, the Highway Angels Program has recognized over 1300 truck drivers for the kindness, courage and courtesy shown while on the job. Recently the award went to Tony Doughty – who was a real action hero!
Tony was driving his truck on I-40 near Albuquerque, NM when he witnessed a horrifying accident going the other direction. A red car slammed into a Jeep, both going 70 miles per hour. The Jeep flipped over and the car slammed into a cement barrier.
Tony carefully pulled his semi-truck over, called 9-1-1 and grabbed his EMT bag. Not only is Tony a truck driver, he’s been a volunteer firefighter for 12 years. A cop who happened to be passing by saw that Tony was trained and they worked together to secure the two injured drivers.
The pair were able to keep both injured parties stable and patched up for the ambulance who whisked them away to the hospital. Because of his training, Tony says he’s always ready to lend a helping hand – an opportunity he’s had countless times while logging in over 2 million miles of safe driving of his rig.
Wednesday, December 14, 2022
Christmas came a little early for five music and child-related nonprofits in New Orleans, courtesy of none other than Lauren Daigle.
During her two Christmas concerts at the Saenger Theatre last weekend, she announced that her foundation, The Price Fund, had donated $100,000 apiece to the Ellis Marsalis Center, the Roots of Music, the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, KidSmart and Young Audiences of Louisiana.
Lauren says, “I’m truly moved and inspired by the passion and commitment that I’ve seen from every single person involved with all of these organizations, not to mention the tireless and seemingly endless work done by their volunteers. The thousands whose lives they touch each and every day, not only provides light and hope for so many in need, it sets an example for all of us to follow and shows us what we do mean to each other.”
View this post on Instagram
Tuesday, December 13, 2022
Adam Armstrong grew up in a neighborhood where Christmas was just another day of survival. Parents struggled to keep food on the table, so presents were just something on TV. Fifteen years after moving away, Adam has done well for himself and wanted to play Santa Claus for his old hood.
He showed up to the Harris Gardens Apartments with a moving truck loaded up with $12,000 worth of toys for all the families living on the edge of poverty. Kids lined up to get brand new bikes and toys galore! Making it a very merry Christmas.
Monday, December 12, 2022
Leisa Duckwall works in food services for Nansemond Parkway Elementary School. And Mrs. Leisa happens to be deaf. A fourth grade teacher, Kari, noticed the kids in her class would just point to the food they wanted and wave hello to Mrs. Leisa, but they didn’t know any sign language. Since Kari grew up with deaf family and knows ASL, she decided to teach her students some of the basics.
But word (or signs ?) spread and everyone at the school wanted to learn how to better communicate with Mrs. Leisa! The school started daily ASL lessons during Disability Awareness Month in October – but everyone loved it so much it has become a daily feature for all classes in the school all year long now.
The children love being able to better communicate with Mrs. Leisa – like learning any new language, it has opened up everyone’s world!
Friday, December 9, 2022
Romello Early (who goes by “Mello”) is one awesome 7th grader. He might be shorter than his classmates but he’s got a bright smile that he’ll share with anyone. When Mello’s best friend Melvin was getting picked on for having worn out tennis shoes, Mello had an idea.
He had been saving his allowance and chores money for a while, so he asked his mom to take him shopping – and got his bestie a brand new pair or Nike’s. He didn’t make a big deal out of it – he just wanted his friend to feel loved.
Mello had dealt with bullying at his old school and wasn’t going to let his best friend Melvin feel that hurt any longer. Shout out to all the Middle Schoolers out there looking out for one another and being true friends.
Thursday, December 8, 2022
The Good Dog Foundation in Hudson, New York trains about 300 dogs a year – every kind of pup – to become therapy dogs. With special training, dogs can go to public spaces like offices, hospitals, elderly care facilities and schools – bringing their comforting presence to cold corners of the modern world.
The Good Dog Foundation estimates that 300 trained dogs can impact over 100,000 a year! Martha Gold, a teacher in Manhattan, took her dog Oliver through training and has spent the last 4 years bringing peace to her classroom. The kids love to read to Oliver – and have much more confidence because of him!
One student said, “When I read to Oliver, he’s somebody that actually listens to me.”
Emily Kaye got her husky Laska volunteer certified and brings cheer to her local nursing home each week. Residents say that Laska is as important as the medicine they take.
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Wednesday, December 7, 2022
Nina Archuleta is a single mom to a 10-month old baby. She’s working full-time and a recovering addict. It’s a full life that has been especially difficult without reliable transportation. That is until God’s Garage stepped in.
Nina was gifted a 2012 Toyota RAV4 from the non-profit called God’s Garage – who specialize in getting wheels to people in need. When Nina saw her new car with a big red bow on it she couldn’t stop crying in gratitude.
Tuesday, December 6, 2022
A Georgia woman glided into the gas station on fumes and was on the verge of tears as her card was declined. Officer Harrison of the McDonough Police Department happened to be close by filling up his cruiser and noticed her frustration. She started getting her things together to try and walk the rest of the way to work in the rain, hoping to come back for her car later.
Officer Harrison stepped in and paid for her to have a full tank of gas. It wasn’t a special promotion by the police department – just a neighbor being a neighbor. But what a great example of serving and protecting!
Monday, December 5, 2022
Devan Bonagura is one of those guys at Walmart with a display table trying to convince you to switch your cellular service. But he’s also a rising star on TikTok as he shares life inside a Big Box store. He posted a video of an older Walmart Employee named Nola who was just catching her breath in the break room.
Nola shared with Devan how she wants to retire but her mortgage is what is keeping her at work. With the caption, “Life shouldn’t be this hard…” Devan and over 13,000 TikTok followers set out to change Nola’s life.
The video was shared MILLIONS of times and in less than a week over $170,000 was raised on GoFundMe so that Nola could turn in her two weeks notice and embrace the retired life with her family.
@dbon973_ :/ I feel bad. #fyp #blowthisup #sad #walmart ♬ Jocelyn Flores – XXXTENTACION
Friday, December 2, 2022
Michael McGuire might be the University of Kentucky basketball team’s most dedicated fan! At least, he is an incredibly dedicated Dad. Michael is a Kentucky coal miner – and he had a choice when his shift ended last weekend: Drive 45 minutes to the Wildcats’ charity scrimmage game and arrive on time, or drive back home and clean up but miss half the game.
The decision was easy, though – McGuire wanted to be there when his young son Easton went wild for the home team at his first-ever basketball tourney.
So McGuire arrived straight from work, still coated in black dust in his work clothes. Michael and his son Easton had a great time together – and the soot covered coal miner caught the attention of the Wildcats coach. Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari invited the family to attend a home game at the school’s stadium (VIP treatment included).
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Thursday, December 1, 2022
There are countless untold stories of heroism coming out of Ukraine and Eastern Europe defending against the Russian invasion. One hero is Roman Dobryak. This Ukrainian soldier lost one of his legs in an attack this past May.
Maybe not all in one piece, but Roman’s family and friends were relieved to have him back after his medical discharge. And it wasn’t long before Roman proposed to his girlfriend – now fiance – Julia. Getting down on one knee took a little help but Julia was quick to swoop in for a kiss and that ring.
The video was super sweet and has been shared many times to encourage other Ukrainian soldiers still on the frontlines – there is a life worth fighting for!
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*That’s a lot of road flares right? Like maybe too many?
Wednesday, November 30, 2022
Ashley Garner lives near Fort Myers, FL. A few days before Hurricane Ian arrived, she lost her wedding ring. She searched for it relentlessly but didn’t have any luck. After the storm, she had all but given up on recovering the precious ring.
Following the storm, Ashley and her husband were cleaning the yard. About 10 minutes into cleaning, her husband was cleaning up the brush and the trees right next to the garage door and low and behold – the ring!
Ashley says she just sat on the curb, and I prayed to God and thanked him for providing and giving us a sign that there’s hope for the community.
Tuesday, November 29, 2022
Someone walked up to an officer and handed him a white envelope. Inside was a stack of 8 $1 bills. The donation came from the homeless community of Richmond. The homeless residents of Richmond were grieving the loss of a friend on the force and wanted to give what they could to her family.
The Police Lieutenant said, “This gift was in a wrinkled dirty well-used envelope. They handed the envelope to the information officer and on the envelope was written these four words: people from the street. There have been many valuable gifts given. However, none, and I mean none, are more valuable than the gift of 8 $1 bills in a dirty white envelope.”
As this story broke, the community came together and filled a local firehouse with donations of clothes, food and blankets for the homeless community who gave what little they had.
Monday, November 28, 2022
When you experience incredible kindness – you want to pay it forward right? Sarah Pulley spent four months practically living inside the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit with her premature daughter Amelia. It was a stressful, scary time – made survivable by kind hospital staff and Ronald McDonald House.
The hospital wanted to expand their offerings in caring for parents as they wait and pray for their children in the NICU. Sarah knew this was her chance to give back. She owns a hair salon called Three Seventeen Hair Design. Sarah donated a chair from her salon, doing shampoo, blow-outs and scalp massages every month.
Sarah also shares her story of hope and encourages the new moms who get a moment of peace in a hydro massage chair while getting pampered and treated like a queen.
Friday, November 25, 2022:
Gretchen Caiazzo was out to eat with her 14-year-old grandson Cole in Chandler, Arizona. When it came time to pay the bill, their server informed them that it had been paid for already. The waiter then handed them a note from the couple who paid for their meal.
Then note read: “We enjoyed watching your special date. It got us talking about how much we miss those times with our own grandmothers. This time is so precious. Love that you’re living memories together. Enjoy each other. God bless – Vernon and Christine.”
A photo of note got posted on social media with the caption: “Random acts of kindness amaze me!!! I’m so grateful there is still beauty and kindness in this world especially when it seems so far to find some days!”
Thursday, November 24, 2022:
Elizabeth Groff received an Operation Christmas Child years ago in Ukraine. Now she’s helping to pack the 200 millionth gift on a tour across the United States.
Elizabeth wants people to know that God is using these gifts to demonstrate His love to children who are in desperate need. “There are so many children out there just like me who have never heard of Jesus or experienced His everlasting love,” she said. “I know the impact a single shoebox can make. It absolutely changed my life. There’s no greater reward than being able to serve through this ministry.”
Wednesday, November 23, 2022:
Several gifts in Manar’s Operation Christmas Child shoebox have become decades-long reminders of God’s love.
Mana was born to Christian parents in a Middle Eastern country who’s majority are not followers of Jesus. His name means “beacon,” and he is certainly shining the light of Jesus to others. When he was 13, he received an Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift that seemed to radiate with God’s love. He says, “I thought there would be only one item in the box but was astonished to see that it was full of gifts. The toy store came to me!” The first thing he saw in the box was a stuffed animal—a bear wearing a red sweater. There also was a football, an Etch A Sketch, crayons, a monkey-shaped keychain, and a note from the sender that said, “Jesus loves you and I’m praying for you.”
Mana says, “I felt the love of Jesus through the shoebox. It taught me how God is great, that God thought about me and sent me that gift.” That thought stuck with him. Wanting other children to experience the joy that he had through this gift, at age 18, Manar decided to make his own version of shoebox gifts for his neighbors’ four children. He is now an Operation Christmas Child project leader at his church, encouraging others to pack shoebox gifts, too. He says, “The light of God’s love that I felt at age 13 when I received a shoebox gift continues decades later each time I look at one of the items from my box.”
Tuesday, November 22, 2022
Why are there cars and trucks parked all along the road leading to a classic rough-hewn timber barn in Wadsworth, Ohio? For Christmas Magic. Inside the beautiful classic barn there are tables set up – strands of lights wrapped around the beams for ambience – and a stack of red and green Operation Christmas Child boxes ready to be packed!
Matt and Kristel Stone run the Styx and Stones Farm – and host 40 shoeboxing events a year, with over 1,000 friends and family members pitching in. This year they put together 5,000 gifts for children and families around the world.
For two hours nearly every Saturday the community turns out to assemble cardboard boxes, write notes to boys and girls around the world and pack those shoeboxes with Christmas presents. Then the group prays over the gifts that will also carry the Gospel to those who haven’t yet heard about Jesus!
It’s probably too far to drive to Wadsworth, Ohio to pack up a gift – but you can still put an online order together here.
Monday, November 21, 2022
If you have a nine year old – or remember what it was like being nine – you know that kids around that age can become OBSESSED. It could be the sport they are playing or a YouTuber’s channel – but thankfully, for Ava Smith’s parents, she is obsessed with Operation Christmas Child.
Ava learned about Operation Christmas Child through her Christian school, when her class packed shoebox gifts for other young children around the world. She was so excited to tell her little brother Jack all about it – and her parents Justin and Danielle. Pretty soon the whole family was volunteering with Operation Christmas Child!
It became a year-long passion for Ava. She held a yard sale in the Spring and began designing and selling custom t-shirts, all so her family could fill even more shoebox gifts this Fall.
In each box, well over 100 gifts, Ava includes a note saying, “Hi, I’m Ava and this is my brother Jack. We hope you like your gift and know that Jesus loves you!”
Friday, November 18, 2022
The room was noisy with boxes opening and packages being unwrapped – it was a room full of excited, grateful children getting their first Operation Christmas Child gifts. But there weren’t many cheers or loud whoops of joy – because it was a classroom full of deaf students.
These boys and girls of the Himba people in Namibia – all deaf – were smiling ear to ear as they read books about Jesus and played with their new toys. Most of these children come from farming families and live in mud huts in isolated villages. Their time in school was sporadic before Klaudia started the class for deaf students. The only other option was to travel 10 hours away to the capital city to receive any specialized education for the deaf.
Ms. Klaudia was called by God to serve these children. She is not deaf – doesn’t have deaf parents or any deaf friends – but God put this marginalized group of special needs kids on her heart – so she learned sign language, got a teaching degree and set out to change her world. Operation Christmas Child has helped equip her to impact many lives.
Thursday, November 17, 2022
Yuri Lopez had a hard start to this life. She was separated from her family at the age of 2 in Honduras, and spent years hopping between 14 different orphanages in Central America. When she was six years old, Yuri got her very first Christmas present from Operation Christmas Child. And at six years old, she experienced her first taste of Hope.
“Everything in my shoebox was special,” Yuri said. “But the most important thing was the picture and note from the little girl who sent that shoebox to me. Her note said, ‘Jesus loves you and I love you too.’ At that moment it made a big impact on me, and it continued to for many years.”
Now an adult who loves and serves Jesus, Yuri has packed hundreds of shoebox gifts herself, including a special letter in each with the hope that some child around the world will experience the same Hope she did as a child.
Wednesday, November 16, 2022
Ken Postema is a craftsman. He lives on 10 wooded acres in Western Michigan, in a house he built himself with the poplar wood growing on his land. He’s been tending the land and forest for over 50 years.
One of his skills is making little toy wooden cars in his workshop. The custom toys started out as a project to do with his elderly dad, making gifts for their community, but once he connected with Operation Christmas Child he started mass producing the toys – he built 20,000 of them this year!
Ken’s grandkids call his workshop “Papa’s Christmas Car Show” as they help share Christmas and Jesus through Operation Christmas Child.
Tuesday, November 15, 2022
The Baka people are from Central Africa – mostly Gabon and Cameroon. They live on the fringes of society, with little access to the modern world and certainly no access to the Gospel. God put the Baka people on the heart of Aristide, a volunteer coordinator for Operation Christmas Child in Gabon. In 2020 Aristide began leading others in prayer for the Baka and asking God for direction on how to reach them with His Good News.
The very next year an outreach was launched and over 350 Baka came to the very first Operation Christian Child event! They were able to share Jesus in the Baka’s native language of Fang. The village was so amazed by Jesus and hungry for the truth that the newly converted Chief founded a dedicated church space at the center of the village.
Now the Gabon outreach to the Baka is growing to reach seven more nearby villages!
Monday, November 14, 2022
Operation Christmas Child is a partnership of millions of people working to spread the Gospel. There’s folks like us who put together gifts and drop them off. Then there is an army of volunteers that organize the gifts, packaging them for global travel.
And then – there are the Operation Christmas Child missionaries that are on delivery duty – and they go to extreme lengths to get the Gospel and these Christmas presents into the hands of families and children in the hardest to reach corners of the globe!
Gifts are delivered by canoe in Fiji – fighting monsoons in the Philippines – via private sailboats in the depths of the Pacific Ocean – four-wheel drive trucks barreling through Madagascar – a caravan of camels in the desert of Namibia – Farm trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, horse and even by foot!
Both the prophet Isaiah and the Apostle Paul say in God’s Word, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
It’s National Collection Week – so get those gifts in today!
Friday, November 11, 2022
Christians around the world face persecution for expressing faith in Jesus Christ – who has called us to love, perhaps especially, our enemies. A small group of Christians live in a village in Central Asia, where they are treated like filth.
When one woman’s mother died the community denied her a burial site and threatened to stone her to death for being a Christian. Still she forgives and loves. The Christian woman reached out to Operation Christmas Child on behalf of the children in her community – and volunteers traveled 10 hours off road to bring 1000 gifts to people who were very much opposed to Jesus.
They were not, however, opposed to getting presents – and welcomed the visitors with surprising warmth. Seeds of hope have been planted because folks like you and me have sent those shoebox gifts! Want to volunteer for National Collection Week? Email Lauren Bernard!
Thursday, November 10, 2022
A boat loaded with Christmas presents docked at the forgotten island of Vridi Ako. It’s a small, lonely place off of the Ivory Coast – accessible only by boat. Vridi Ako is a place of poverty and desperation; a den for pirates and criminals.
A church on the mainland has tried three times to plant a new church on Vridi Ako – with no success. But the believers never quit trying to reach their neighbors. It was through Operation Christmas Child that they were able to share their faith – and Christmas – with the residents of the troubled little island. 150 children received their first Christmas gifts ever!
And a year later, a small congregation has formed as Jesus has transformed lives!
Wednesday, November 9, 2022
A volunteer with Operation Christmas Child, who we’ll call Yusif to protect his identity, felt God prompting him to slow down when he spotted two young shepherds tending their flock by the side of a rural highway.
The boys were just 5 and 7, yet they sat proudly on their donkeys, managing the family’s flock. Yusif cautiously approached the boys and told them God wanted them to have these gifts – giving them each a green and red Operation Christmas Child present, along with a copy of a booklet called The Greatest Gift.
No one had ever given these young shepherds a gift before. Their life had been hard work from the start. We pray with Yusif that the seed of the Gospel will grow in their lives. And Yusif also prays for reminders to slow down on the highway so he doesn’t miss an opportunity to show God’s love in China.
Tuesday, November 8, 2022
Romario grew up unaware of Jesus in a small village deep in the jungles of South America. But Romario says, “I always had a hungry heart, looking for something special. I knew there was something missing in my life.”
As a teenager, Romario met Jesus in a church near the capital of Suriname. He also got really sick – near death – before a miraculous healing through prayer. As a young man, he shares the Gospel with his village by explaining life without Christ is like being sick to the point of death.
Romario and his pastor share the Gospel of a healed heart and soul through Jesus Christ, by bringing Operation Christmas Child gifts to villages throughout the jungle. People groups who have never before heard about Jesus are being saved because you are building shoebox gifts!
Monday, November 7, 2022
Simply by living in the developed world – we are blessed. We don’t know poverty the way many around the world do. Edouard grew up in the West African nation of Senegal, where his family experienced real poverty.
One meal a day. Candles for light. A bare floor for a bed. The family home was scrap pieces of tarp tied to scrap wood. And yet Eduoard says his family was happy, because they were all together. His father, a pastor, would pray over the family each morning, “God You are good, and I’m giving you the day.”
At the age of 14 Eduoard was given a shoebox gift from Operation Christmas Child. Inside he found a pack of two toothbrushes – which he was excited to share with his sister – their very first toothbrushes. Also inside was a green Yo-Yo. No one in their community had ever seen such a toy – and it was passed around to everyone to try and figure out the skill.
Years later Eduoard was in the United States training as a track and field athlete. His church recruited him to help move some boxes – but when he saw the red and green OCC boxes he broke down in joyful tears, exclaiming, “I received one of those!”
Friday, November 4, 2022
Seven missionaries set sail on a 57-foot boat through rough weather, finally making anchor in the lagoon of an island in a hard to reach part of the Marshall Islands. This cluster of islands is home to about 11,000 people – situated deep in the Pacific Ocean between Hawaii and Indonesia.
Why take such a risky journey? To share Jesus through Operation Christmas Child! Once the ship made anchor off the island of Mejatto, smaller boats came by to help ferry the gifts and missionaries to shore. There, children opened nearly 100 shoeboxes filled with toys and supplies. 87 of those children also prayed to welcome Jesus as King of their hearts!
The next day, the crew of the Cloud 9 made harbor at The Forgotten Island of Ebadon. This tiny South Pacific island is home to only 74 people – and over half of them began their journey with Jesus that day. By packing a shoebox gift you can impact the farthest reaches of the world!
Thursday, November 3, 2022
In the West African country of Benin, on a lake near the largest city of Cotonou, is a village built on stilts. Ganvie is a community of fishermen. Adults and kids alike have their own boats to get around their town.
During Christmas time, a long dugout canoe filled with red and green shoeboxes makes its way to the dock. It is quickly unloaded and someone puts music on the community building’s sound system. Soon families swarm the area with kids joyfully unwrapping Operation Christmas Child presents while singing along to the radio.
Dozens of families heard about Jesus. And while children were excited for the toys, the parents were grateful for the blankets given to every family for the cold nights. The Gospel is alive and thriving in Benin thanks to every person who helps put together an Operation Christmas Child gift!
Wednesday, November 2, 2022
One day, on a long walk in Latvia with her foster mother to get food assistance, a stranger presented a 10 year old Elizabeth with a shoebox filled with Christmas presents – and that gift changed her entire world.
Elizabeth and her two siblings were removed from her parents’ home when she was only 7. They were abusing drugs and alcohol and neglecting their children. After a short time in an orphanage, the girls went to a foster home with five other foster children. They experienced poverty and ridicule. Elizabeth, being the oldest of the foster kids, stayed busy cooking, cleaning and shouldering responsibility for the makeshift family.
When Elizabeth returned home with unexpected Christmas presents, she witnessed pure joy on her siblings’ faces – and she got her very first toy. A little purple mouse stuffed animal that was just hers. Included with the gifts was a little pamphlet about Jesus. Elizabeth began to pray to Jesus and then she and her sisters were adopted by a family in the United States.
Their new family was very loving – and took the girls to church, where she discovered more shoebox gifts just like she had received years before. Now she and her sisters and her new family pack Operation Christmas Child gifts every year with the hope that other sisters will hear about Jesus and experience the joy of their very own Christmas present.
Tuesday, November 1, 2022
The Himba people were scared. Endless drought, deep poverty and failed ancestral worship had left them without hope. The Himba live a nomadic life, without running water or electricity. They have no written language and live in temporary mud huts. The Himba live deep inside Namibia – four hours off the beaten path.
But where the world largely forgot these people, God did not forget. God sent his Son Jesus for them. And he sent Pastor Rizera Hipakua to tell them about Jesus and invite them into His Kingdom.
It was Operation Christmas Child that enabled Pastor Rizera and his church to open communications with the Himba. By handing out Christmas gifts and medical care, conversations quickly turned to the reason for all of the generosity. And the gift of hearing about Jesus trumped all of the other presents.
Multiple Himba communities have been introduced to Jesus through these outreaches and many have had their lives forever changed by the Spirit of the Living God. We’re inviting you to make a difference with Operation Christmas Child today!
Monday, October 31, 2022
The loss of a child is a pain no one should ever have to experience. And it impacts many more than mom and dad. 8 year-old Greyson still misses his baby brother, who passed away in 2017. He carries a framed picture of his brother Wyatt with him to school every day.
Greyson wanted to honor his brother by taking care of other little kids entering kindergarten. He went to his parents with the idea of doing a fundraiser for school supplies in Wyatt’s memory. With some hard work and a loving heart, Greyson raised $350, went shopping for the supplies and delivered them himself to Estes Elementary School.
Friday, October 28, 2022
A stack of pizzas is the go-to for a child’s birthday. A Dominos store in Australia went the extra mile to make it a memorable birthday for a little girl. A mom had to call her local Dominos to change her initial order. A group of kids invited to her daughter’s birthday party canceled at the last minute, so instead of a stack of party pizzas, they only needed one.
Shift supervisor Miles could tell the woman was pretty upset that the friends had canceled, so when she showed up to pick up dinner, Miles had a special chocolate dessert pizza and a happy birthday pizza box waiting for the family.
Miles turned their frowns upside down. And when the story got shared on social media, the community started hounding the local Dominos to collect birthday presents for the little girl – everyone wanted to get in on the blessing!
Thursday, October 27, 2022
Isaac is a sweet, special needs, 11-year-old boy who decided to invest his birthday card money to launch a home-grown food bank, which he runs from the shed in his backyard! It’s a simple but proven method. Isaac collects food donations and then packages them into grocery bags before handing them out to folks in need in his hometown of Redditch.
The project has become known as Friends of Isaac Food Bank – and it is growing FAST! The family put a logo wrap on their minivan for distribution days, but they can’t keep up with the generosity pouring in from the community. A local charity is sponsoring Friends of Isaac Food Bank to open a full service food bank in town – which is needed because that shed in the backyard is overflowing with donated goods!
Wednesday, October 26, 2022
Ryan Carney says “I’m not a doctor, but I know that music is known to be the universal language.” Ryan has seen first hand the power of a good song. His father, who recently passed from brain cancer, couldn’t speak from all the chemo. But one day at his care center, the song “Stand By Me” came on the speakers and the quiet frail man began to sing!
Now Ryan, to honor his father, visits nursing homes and performs with his cello for residents. The sound of music fills the hallways and without fail, people shuffle in for the free concert every single time.
Ryan is a realtor by profession. But for the nursing home residents, he is their own musical angel.
Tuesday, October 25, 2022
A professor at UC Berkeley has created a program to celebrate the ordinary goodness happening every single day.
Professor Alan Ross created the Chris Kindness Award – named after a beloved preschool teacher who recently passed away. Anyone in the Berkeley area can nominate a person who they believe exemplifies kindness and service. Once a month, a winner is selected and awarded $1000!
Professor Ross hopes the idea catches on in other communities as well – because “kindness can change the world around us!”
Monday, October 24, 2022
When Francesco was born, doctors told his mom and dad that he would only live for 30 minutes. That was three years ago. Francesco has a rare form of skeletal dysplasia that makes it especially challenging to breathe and for his lungs to grow. He has spent his entire life so far in the hospital on ventilators, with feeding tubes for nutrition.
1,000 days. That’s how long the Brunos essentially have lived with their son at the hospital. Until a couple of weeks ago when they finally got to take their toddler boy home. Miraculous and beautiful.
No matter what you face, God is bigger than your circumstances. And there is great growth in the waiting.
Friday, October 21, 2022
Dustin LaFont knows hardship can be a way of life in Louisiana. The former history teacher also knows that hardship breeds a special kind of resilience. That’s why LaFont founded Front Yard Bikes, a nonprofit that serves hundreds of students in Baton Rouge.
At Front Yard Bikes, students work to build their own bicycle, learning skills like mechanics, welding and cycling safety, while receiving mentoring, academic support, and job training opportunities. The project started in 2010 when LaFont was inspired by the neighborhood kids who gathered in his yard for tips, tools, and bike parts.
Students involved with Front Yard Bikes even helped renovate a community park near the non-profit’s headquarters which now serves as a safe place for kids to learn, play and ride.
Thursday, October 20, 2022
Many writers in the Bible compare the Christian life to running a race. And running races is … well, really hard! Young Andrew crossed the finish line of his first ever cross-country race in Liverpool, New York and collapsed from exhaustion.
Andrew couldn’t move – he just struggled to catch his breath and sobbed from exhaustion. One of his competitors, Cooper, who had finished just ahead of Andrew came over to comfort his competition. After a moment of encouraging Andrew and talking him through some deep breaths, the new friends fist bumped and moved off from the finish line.
Andrew’s mom watched the whole interaction from the sidelines and said it “just really fed [her] soul.” Let this be a reminder to all of us to always be good sports. It might just lead to new friendships.
After our Modified Boys XC race, a Bville runner was winded. A Liverpool modified runner came to check on him to make sure he was ok! What a great act of kindness by this athlete! #KindnessMatters @Bville_Bees @LCSDAthletics pic.twitter.com/nE7ZYGXZNf
— Liverpool TF/XC (@LiverpoolTrack) September 29, 2022
Wednesday, October 19, 2022
Chick-Fil-A is known for its delicious food but maybe even more so for its awesome employees. Customer service is priority number one. That goes for everything from refilling your sweet tea while you dine, to keeping a spotless dining room, to even fighting off carjackers.
A woman was getting her child out of her car in the parking lot of a Fort Walton Beach Chick-Fil-A when she was approached by a man wielding a big stick demanding her keys, pushing her and the child out of the way and hopping into the car.
Mykel Gordon was working inside when he heard the cries for help, rushing outside to see what was going on. The Chick-Fil-A team member got between the woman and the car, and managed to wrestle the thief out of the driver’s seat. After a few punches were thrown, the man was apprehended by police. Mykel was a hero and the woman and her child were unharmed.
*Bonus Good News: Chick-fil-a’s Avocado Lime Ranch dressing is coming to grocery stores!
Tuesday, October 18, 2022
Several of the young women on the homecoming court at Crossville High School hatched a plan to make it a very special homecoming for a very special friend. When Juleydi Ramos won homecoming queen, she gave a nod to Principal Peppers and walked the crown over to the runner-up – Lilliana Roque.
Lilliana is a ray of sunshine with a permanent smile in place, even though she spends most of her time in a wheelchair. Lilliana suffers from Cerebral Palsy, but doesn’t let her diagnosis keep her from being her joyful self. Her friends wanted Lilliana to know just how special she is to them, so they made sure the crown could ultimately go to her.
Principal Peppers said , “I am so proud of these students. They exemplify outstanding character, generosity and kindness. Juleydi is always thinking of others and Lilliana is a bright spot in our lives every day through the smile on her face. We are so blessed to have these types of students in our school.”
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Monday, October 17, 2022
A year ago, Hurricane Ida destroyed all the musical instruments at Marrero Middle School Band in Jefferson Parish. The response to this great loss was immediate – and generous! Three different organizations came to answer the call: Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, Save the Music Foundation, and Guitar Center Music Foundation (GCMF).
GCMF is providing a brand-new drum line, various brass instruments, and much-needed storage components; Music Rising and Save the Music Foundation are providing several dozen additional instruments.
The instruments were presented to the school a couple of weeks ago in a spectacular celebration that featured a performance by the legendary Preservation Hall Jazz Band. The next generation of jazz musicians are being crafted in love.
Friday, October 14, 2022
Caroline Rollins took a break from picking up debris after Hurricane Ian hit her home town of Fort Myers, FL. She went to her local Publix grocery store with high hopes but low expectations. It was her daughter Anna’s 3rd birthday and she was in search of a birthday cake. Given the state of the roads after Ian, she didn’t expect the grocery store to be in cake-baking mode, but she had to ask. Sure enough, there were no cakes in the display case, but a Publix employee (Natasha) was about to give Anna a very happy birthday.
Natasha tapped Caroline on the shoulder and told her she found some buttercream vanilla cakes in the freezer and wanted to know what Anna was into, so they could get it decorated for her. Caroline was ecstatic, saying Anna is her 100% girly girl, so anything pink and princessy would be perfect.
The Publix bakery got to present a tiara decked birthday cake to little Anna who was so grateful and excited – and that video of course went viral – as life returns even during a hurricane recovery.
Thursday, October 13, 2022
Nearly a decade ago, in 2016, a group of Louisiana boat owners responded to flooding in St. James Parish – and thus began the Cajun Navy. Ever since the organization of volunteers has grown as they respond to natural disasters across the South. When Hurricane Ian hit Florida, there was already a long convoy of snorkeled pickup trucks and fishing boats headed down I-10 to help.
The Cajun Navy has become such a staple in emergency response that they get called in by many states, much like the National Guard. Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis welcomed them with open arms. Mostly veterans who are used to dangerous conditions, these heroes staged from a closed truck stop outside of Fort Myers and were already conducting rescue operations before the storm’s winds had passed.
Wednesday, October 12, 2022
Stories of compassion and courage have poured in after Hurricane Ian disrupted Florida and the Carolinas. One outstanding hero is WESH Channel 2 reporter Tony Atkins out of Orlando.
Atkins was broadcasting live from a flooded intersection when he noticed a sedan behind him had stalled in the floodwaters. He paused his report and waded in waist-high water over to its driver. Hanging off the side of her car door, nurse Tonya McCullough handed Atkins her purse, which he dutifully held above the water, and climbed on Atkins’ back. When they reached a safe spot, he carefully set nurse McCullough on her feet and she quickly headed off to work.
Nurse McCullough is a hero herself – reporting for her hospital shift in the middle of a storm. With the driver saved from a flooded car, Tony Atkins calmly returned to his report. McCullough caught up with Atkins later on and dropped off thank-you letters from her grandchildren for saving her from the storm.
Oh, and all of this happened during Atkins’ first time covering a hurricane!
Tuesday, October 11, 2022
7 year-old Dominic D’Andrea took his piggy bank to his mom and asked her help to give his savings to people in Florida suffering after Hurricane Ian. His mom chronicled her son’s generosity on TikTok.
Dominic said “I was really saving up for a Corvette or an electric shooter, but people need this.”
Dom’s $200 gift for relief has gone viral and inspired many others to give as well. And his family is going the distance, organizing donation and supply drives for the Fort Myers area.
Monday, October 10, 2022
Chef Andres is the founder of World Central Kitchen, a non-profit that jumps right in providing food and supplies.
Over the pandemic World Central Kitchen battled food insecurity. They have been on the front lines for Ukrainian refugees. More recently WCK has been helping flooding victims in the Dominican Republic and now they are set up in Florida.
During their first day in Tampa Bay, they prepared and distributed over 20,000 meals. Continue to pray for Florida and Carolinas and the islands impacted by hurricanes this season – and if you want to do more, check out THIS LIST of great organizations on the ground.
Friday, October 7, 2022
High School English teacher Larry Abrams was genuinely surprised to see how many of his students struggled with reading. Mr. Abrams teaches in an under-resourced community in New Jersey. Some of his students are also teen-parents and they weren’t reading to their toddlers either. This lit a fire in the teacher to spread the joy of reading to his struggling charges.
Larry founded BookSmiles, which provides children’s books to young mothers. In just a few short years BookSmiles has collected, sorted and distributed hundreds of thousands of books throughout the Mid-Atlantic – and are pushing for that 1 millionth book given!
Mr. Abrams says, “There are millions of kids in America who’ve never owned a book in their lives. I want to change that.”
Thursday, October 6, 2022
Twenty-four hours, 116.5 rounds, 14,664 strokes, and almost 20 miles of walking: that’s what it took to set a new Guinness World Record … playing putt-putt. But for a good cause!
Father-son duo Chris and Cole Hetzel, Tony Centers, and Bob Schoettinger powered through 2,097 holes on their beloved 18-hole local putt-putt course in northern Kentucky to set the record for the most holes of miniature golf in 24 hours by a foursome. But it wasn’t just about making the record book – the friends wanted to help their neighbors in Western Kentucky after devastating floods earlier this year.
Kevin Shea, the owner of the course, went all out to make the attempt a community event, complete with food trucks and a DJ. When every putt was putted, the team raised about $3,000 in relief – and inspired even more giving from amazed onlookers.
Wednesday, October 5, 2022
Mike Huss attended Ione Elementary school as a boy. As an adult he became the janitor for the school while putting his wife through college. At the encouragement of his coworkers and family, Mike then went to school and as soon as he graduated with his teaching degree Mike was hired as a teacher at his school.
Now years later he has stepped up to become the new Principal! He is a champion of committed teachers saying “there are really good teachers out there doing really amazing jobs – It’s just about growing a world, making it a better place.”
Tuesday, October 4, 2022
You’ve heard about emotional support animals visiting hospitals to cheer up patients fighting cancer – but a nursing home in Japan has secured an even better surprise for residents – BABIES!
The nursing home provides families with generous compensation: baby formula, diapers and a tea time for the moms – while their babies get passed around to residents who coo and cuddle and fawn over them.
The head of the facility was paying attention to how her residents would cheer up for days after a visit with their own grandkids and wanted to see if she could give everyone that kind of bonus joy with the new baby program. The hope is that these families connect in meaningful ways and continue the relationships even once the toddlers grow up.
Monday, October 3, 2022
Julio Castro teaches for an all boys high school in Santa Clarita, CA. His morning starts very early – at 4:30 AM, so he can scooter to the bus stop and get to class on time. After a long day at work, he makes his way back home, arriving well after his own 3 young children have gone to bed.
Julio is the kind of teacher that goes the extra mile, even if it means taking public transportation. The math teacher inspired so many of his students and impressed his faculty peers, so they banded together and gifted the teacher a new-used car!
The school raised $30,000 to get Julio a 2019 Mazda – PLUS a year’s worth of gas cards and car insurance. Julio was so surprised – but tearfully realized he could now spend mornings with his kids, taking them to school before heading to work each day.
Friday, September 30, 2022
Isabella Payne and her father Matthew share a passion for space. Since the 8-year-old was just a toddler on her father’s knee, she has watched him operate a licensed amateur radio station from their home in Kent, England. Sometimes, when things align, amateur radio operators can speak to astronauts on the International Space Station when they pass overhead. The astronauts use the radio connection to contact schools, and occasionally make “call-outs” to radio station operators in their path.
Matthew Payne has helped organize some radio chats before, but Isabella had never gotten to experience one until one night, American astronaut Kjell Lindgren made contact. Even though it was the middle of the night on Earth, her dad woke up the 8 year old to have an out-of-this-world chat.
“His voice instantly changed from normal to joyful,” Isabella said. “You could hear his smile.” It’s good practice for when she becomes a NASA communications specialist, her dream job.
Thursday, September 29, 2022
Treyvon Adams, 16, Antwion Carey, 16, Tyson Brown, 17, Alto Moore, 16, and Cesar Parker, 16, were heading to school one morning when they came across an awful crash. The teens jumped into action and were able to free a woman trapped inside the car, who was in pain and yelling for help.
Treyvon admitted that, though he and his teammates are strong – all football stars at their Rome, GA high school, and likely future Georgia Bulldogs. But it still took everything they had to pry open one door and pull the woman out.
Their heroic actions have rightfully earned them a lot of praise and love from Rome High School and the community. And while the crew of teens appreciate the praise, they shrug off the label of hero saying, “..we just did the right thing.”
Wednesday, September 28, 2022
Carlsey and Caden are getting married this October in their small hometown in rural Tennessee. They’ve gone with a Mediterranean/Italian countryside theme for the nuptials – which is super romantic, but a challenge to recreate in Tennessee.
The engaged couple’s photographer, Shea, wanted to capture their love for Tuscany in their engagement photos so she mapped out the perfect shots that would not require an expensive trip abroad. She took the soon to be newlyweds to Olive Garden!
You would swear these pictures were taken at Lake Como or outside of Sorrento. Carefully selecting angles outside the Olive Garden, a parking lot became rustic Italian romance! The lesson here is when planning your wedding, don’t skimp on the photographer. (And Vance wanted me to add, invest in a good DJ)
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Tuesday, September 27, 2022
Win or lose – it’s important how we play the game. Because if life is a game, we’re all on the same team!
When a pitcher accidentally hit a batter at the Little League Southwest Region Championship, it could have been an ugly scene. Kaiden Shelton was clearly upset that his pitch had hit 12-year-old batter Isaiah Jarvis in the head, knocking off his helmet and leaving him lying near home plate.
Luckily, Isaiah was unharmed and came over to comfort the shaken Shelton and give him a hug. That video went massively viral, but Isaiah said the reason for his act of kindness was simple.
“I wanted to go over there and spread God’s love and make sure that he’s OK, and make sure that he knows that I’m OK and that I’ll be OK.”
Kaiden said when asked about Isaiah’s hug. “I also cared about him, and that just showed that baseball is sportsmanship .” (Major Leaguers, take note: Baseball needs more hugs! Also … I watched the video and cried like a baby. I love Baseball so much…)
Monday, September 26, 2022
Our police serve and protect. It’s a hard job. It’s a job under a lot of scrutiny. But they perservere. And they aren’t just serving people…
Neighbors were worried when they noticed a dog locked inside a parked vehicle on 88th St near Third Avenue in New York. They paced and waited for someone to show up. And after a while they called the police for help.
When the police showed up, they wasted no time busting open the window and rescuing the pup. Then officers brought the literal “hot” dog to a vet to get checked out. Once given the all clear the dog was placed in the care of the ASPCA, but not for long – because Officer Aruna Maharaj, who had been on that call, could not stop thinking of the sweet fluffy dog and decided his forever home was in her home!
Monday, September 12, 2022
Devon Linden was having a bad day. She was wrangling her two kids to swim practice and the littles were both throwing tantrums. Devon was about to lose it when a stranger walked up and slipped her a note.
The Bentonville mom managed to get her kids into the car and then looked to see what the note said. The small blue sticky read, “Your life and purpose is HUGE! Everyday is a gift, so make it count.”
Wadded up in the note was a $100 bill.
Devon immediately started bawling her eyes out in the car. Not only was she not being judged as a struggling mom, but she was encouraged and blessed! Devon now tries to pay it forward by being mindful of how a stranger can make a bad day much better.
Ever get just what you need in the moment you needed it? God uses the ministry of LifeSongs to do just that every day! Thank you for your support, which makes that possible!
Friday, September 9, 2022
In January 2021, Gean LeVar of Glendale, AZ had the worst day of her life. Her husband of 58 years passed away in their home. When police arrived they found Gean living in such squalor that the house had to be condemned. Without her husband and her home, Gean didn’t know what to do.
Across the street, her neighbors the Silvas did not hesitate to step in to help the grieving, homeless widow. Carmen Silva said “Don’t worry Gean, we’re going to fix it.”
The Silvas live in a small 3 bedroom home and have 8 children – but without a moment’s notice took their neighbor in. The boys moved to the living room so Gean could have her own room. Soon after Operation Enduring Gratitude – a nonprofit that helps veterans and their families – showed up with an army of volunteers to completely renovate Gean’s home across the street.
It took a year and a half to fix the house during a pandemic – and Gean is now back in her own home. But during a time of devastation she ended up with a whole new family – a new support system – and something far greater than a practically new home – she has a life filled with love.
Thursday, September 8, 2022
Service in the armed forces is a part of the legacy for many families in Olivia, Minn. 17 year-old Dominique Claseman’s father, grandfather and great-grandfather all served. For his Eagle Scout project, Dom decided to honor not only his family’s past but the others in his community.
Olivia did not have a veterans memorial, so Dom decided to build one. It was a major project – not just the art – the construction – but gathering city approval and a location. From start to finish this young man put in the work. Since his dad Mark is both a veteran and his Eagle Scout troop leader, it was a go big or go home size project.
The Scouts don’t allow social media or online fundraising for these kind of projects so Dom sent out fliers around the community. He estimated the memorial installation would cost around $15,000 to build. Checks started coming in the mail and pretty soon he had $77,777 to work with. Seems his community was also excited to honor the service men and women in their families.
The finished memorial was unveiled to the public on Memorial Day. It features 280 engraved pavers leading to flag poles and places to sit, surrounded by landscaped plants.
Wednesday, September 7, 2022
About a dozen neighborhood kids in Peoria, IL got together for a fundraiser lemonade stand and ended up giving $3500 to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital! The annual Summer tradition of a neighborhood lemonade fundraiser began a decade ago – when they raised $220.
The parents of these young entrepreneurs loved that this connected the dots for their kids to realize that they could actually do something to help others. That’s what YOU are doing when you support LifeSongs, too! Thank you so much!
Tuesday, September 6, 2022
At the next Tigers game you might want to get some LipSmack’n Lemonade to refresh yourself – and the community.
In 2012, 6-year-old Leroy Hayward III founded Leroy’s LipSmack’n Lemonade as a part of Lemonade Day Louisiana. Leroy had just been diagnosed with autism, so some of the profits went to Children’s Hospital in New Orleans, where doctors had been helping his parents Sherilyn and Leroy Jr. equip for some new parenting challenges.
1 part hustle, 2 parts lemonade – the family venture did the festival circuit for a while before getting some major distribution through Rouses and other local stores. LSU got on board with Leroy’s LipSmack’n Lemonade with stands at the Pete Maravich Center and Alex Box Stadium. This football season you’ll be able to find the delicious lemonade at Tiger Stadium as well!
A portion of proceeds are still being funneled straight to Children’s Hospital! The business has grown and the impact for other families navigating autism is immeasurable.
We love to see and celebrate those who make a difference in our community – which means we love to celebrate YOU! Thank you so much for giving to this ministry so we can share God’s love together!
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Monday, September 5, 2022
Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Michael Langley of Louisiana was confirmed to be a four-star general in the U.S. Marine Corps. He is the first Black four-star general in the history of the Marines.
Lt. Langley has been a Marine for 35 years.
Governor John Bel Edwards said in a statement, “Congratulations to Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Michael Langley for his historic confirmation. He represents the best of Louisiana and our country, and we could not be more proud of all that he has accomplished and the path he has created for others to follow.”
Congratulations! That’s a wonderful accomplishment after so many years of service. Local pride is something we’re all about at LifeSongs, and we’ve been serving this community together for 43 years now! Thank you so much for being part of that legacy of sharing God’s love with SELA!
Friday, September 2, 2022
When you were an unruly child, you were much less likely to act out when your dad was around, right? Just the very presence of a father-figure can keep the peace. At least that’s the hope for the Dads in Schools program.
Troy Martinez watched his kids deal with school violence in Los Angeles during the 90s. Now his grandkids see more acts of violence in their Las Vegas high school. Troy hopes to be a calming presence in the hallways. He’s joined the program Dads in Schools. Student fathers and other local volunteers get trained in de-escalation tactics by the school principal and then simply – hang out at school.
Their presence in the hallways between classes, the lunchroom and bus stops make a huge impact in keeping the peace.
(Volunteers helping to make a difference in their community, hmmm. Sounds familiar! Thank YOU for making a difference every day as part of our LifeSongs family!)
Thursday, September 1, 2022
Seven-year-old Arabella of Old Town, Maine decided she wanted to share her love of flowers and make a difference at the same time.
A few years ago she asked her dad if she could convert their garage into a flower shop. He laughed it off, but soon Arabella was set up on the front lawn selling flowers to folks driving by. Every dollar she made was donated to a non-profit, Ending Hunger in Maine. The next summer her profits went to the Maine Parkinson’s Society.
Arabella’s flower shop has continued to grow by word of mouth, so this year her parents got her a storefront on Main Street: A Touch of Grace Flowers. Proceeds are going to the Northern Light NICU this year. For Arabella, it’s simply not about the money – it’s about sharing a smile with a stranger, through the beauty of flowers.
Wednesday, August 31, 2022
Felix knows how awesome that crack of the bat can be. He hit two home runs in one game as his entire family cheered him on. After the game, his parents said he should sign his homerun baseballs. On the first ball, Felix wrote “best feeling ever!”, but on the other he wrote a very special message.
Felix presented the baseball to his grandfather, who he calls Papa. Written on the homerun ball was “Papa I Love You.” Papa burst into tears asking “Why did you do that?” To which Felix said “Because you taught me everything about baseball.”
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Tuesday, August 30, 2022
Jimmy Amisial was on break from Texas State University, visiting his mom in their native Haiti. He brought presents for the children at an orphanage next door to his mom Elicie’s house. On his way to deliver the gifts, Jimmy noticed a group of people gathered around a garbage bin. Lying inside was a four-month-old baby boy.
No one was helping and Jimmy knew immediately he was meant to care for this child. He brought the baby home to his mom, where they fed and clothed the child and met with authorities to track down the parents. They were never found. A judge asked Jimmy if he would become the child’s legal guardian – and despite college tuition to pay, he knew it was not just the right thing to do – it was his purpose.
Jimmy named the child Emilio and is still working towards officially adopting the child. He has split time between the US and Haiti, where he and his mom have been raising Emilio for five years now. Emilio just started school and is a joyful little boy who wants to be a musician when he grows up. Jimmy never had a father – so he is grateful that God gave him the opportunity to be Daddy for Emilio.
Monday, August 29, 2022
Sydney McLaughlin is a gold medal winning US Olympian who knows the real source of her record setting speed – that’s her relationship with Jesus.
When the 22 year old crossed the finish line of the 400-meter hurdles at the World Athletics Championship this Summer, she knew she had first place – then she saw she had broken her own world record time!
She posted to Instagram “Praise. His. Name,” along with a passage of scripture from Hebrews: “So let us come BOLDLY to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”
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Sydney has always been outspoken about her faith – using her platform to not only break world records but show the world Jesus. LifeSongs hopes to always use this platform to tell our world about Jesus – and hopefully set some records too. Shareathon in just a week and a half away. Give now!
Friday, August 26, 2022
How can soccer positively impact climate change? A teenaged football star from Kenya is issuing a challenge to FIFA and professional soccer stars with his Trees4Goals program.
Every time amateur footballer Lesein Mutunkei scores a goal in his African league, he plants 11 trees – one tree to represent each player on his team. He hopes to score a lot of goals and plant a lot of trees – and secure some endorsements from professional soccer players willing to do the same.
Mutunkei says “Football is a universal game and climate change is a universal problem.”
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Thursday, August 25, 2022
You know that sinking feeling of dread you get when a police officer flashes his lights and siren for you to pull over? It’s the worst. But remember, the motto for police is to SERVE and Protect. When Chy-Niece Thacker got pulled over she had no idea what kind of full service Officer Jenkins of the Henrico County Virginia Police was going to offer.
When Officer Jenkins informed Chy-Niece that her brake lights were out and she was just getting a warning, but needed to get them fixed, Chy-Niece breathed a sigh of relief and then began to vent about how she had just had them replaced and couldn’t afford another trip to the mechanic.
Thankfully Officer Jenkins is a bit of a mechanic. He had her pop her hood, started investigating the problem and a few minutes later, when Chy-Niece merged back into traffic, she did not have a written warning and she DID have working brake lights. And a new friend.
Wednesday, August 24, 2022
Sid Edwards noticed his 17-year-old son staring at a young man stocking the orange juice display while out at Rouses in Baton Rouge. It is not uncommon for Jack Ryan to fixate on things as a part of how his brain is wired with autism. When Jordan Taylor, the grocery worker noticed Jack Ryan’s interest he asked the boy if he’d like to help.
For the next THIRTY MINUTES, Jordan patiently taught Jack Ryan how to stock the wall of orange juice. Sid caught some of it on his cell phone – he can be heard nearly in tears saying “I’m watching a miracle in action.”
Because Jordan invested just 30 minutes of his day in Jack Ryan, an entire family was able to experience relief and love. The video has been shared nearly half a million times. Others were so inspired by Jordan’s patience with Jack Ryan that they raised over $135,000 for the young man’s education and Neighbors Federal Credit Union bought him a new car to reward him for his kindness.
And Jack Ryan has come back multiple times to stock shelves with Jordan. He has become such a permanent fixture that Rouses offered the young autistic man a full-time job.
Tuesday, August 23, 2022
Jeff and Susan Grant were forced to evacuate their home in Shasta, CA during one of the largest forest fires in California history.
The couple feared the worst as they spent a week and half in a hotel, waiting for the all clear to return and pick up the pieces of their life. A friend snuck back to their neighborhood and was able to confirm their home still stood. When the couple returned home they found not only their house in pristine condition, but their garden and yard were green – their pen of baby turkeys were thriving. And they found a note on the door.
Red Bluff Fire Chief Ray Barber had saved the family’s home, watered their garden, checked on the livestock every day the firefighters were in the area. He even left a kind note to encourage Jeff and Susan. The grateful, relieved couple were able to track down Ray and thank him in person, as well as share the story of kindness on social media.
Monday, August 22, 2022
Sometimes your intuition might just be God’s Spirit putting you in the right place at the right time.
That’s what happened with Jessica Higgs. She was delivering groceries for Instacart. The groceries were for an elderly man, ordered by his daughter on his behalf. When Jessica got to the home, something inside of her let her know something was wrong.
Once she dropped off the groceries, she noticed the older gentleman looked very sick. When she stepped inside the home she also immediately began feeling dizzy. She helped evacuate the older man and his grandson who was at the house. Turns out there was a propane leak in the house and Jessica likely saved two lives by listening to her gut.
Friday, August 19, 2022
Larry is a retired veteran of the United States military. He’s a proud man who does his best to take care of his wife and family. In 2020 he suffered a stroke but pushed hard to relearn how to walk and get around. Still, it is a struggle. His roof needed expensive repair work, so Larry took a job delivering groceries in the Ogden, Utah area.
Jen Weiss ordered groceries for delivery – but when she later saw the doorbell cam footage of Larry struggling up the steps, carefully delivering her food, her heart broke for the man. She wanted to know his story, so she got on social media and was eventually connected to Larry’s family and learned his story. Together they set up Venmo to get Larry’s roof repaired – and help flooded in!
Larry and his wife were overwhelmed by the kindness but have since asked folks to give to Toys for Tots or other worthy organizations (like LifeSongs!) now that they are provided for.
Thursday, August 18, 2022
Metairie store NOLA Forever by K is featuring the work of a young artist with a purpose.
16 year old Brent Normand II spent the pandemic expressing his creative side by working with his parents to upcycle his collection of bottle caps. The stylish art is now being showcased at NOLA Forever and bringing awareness to the struggles and talents of kids with autism.
Brent has Asperger’s Syndrome, so the pandemic shutdown was very difficult for him. He was cut off from friends in his Boy Scout troop. Brent is working towards Eagle Scout status, but instead sitting and waiting for COVID to run its course, he got to work creating art which is generating enough money to help pay for future Scout trips. Plus, this should totally earn him an Entrepreneur badge!
Not only is NOLA Forever by K selling the young artist’s work, but anyone who brings in extra bottle caps for his continuing work gets 10% off any purchase in the store.
Wednesday, August 17, 2022
Alena Analeigh Wicker is 13, and she has already got her life together.
Last year she graduated high school at the age of 12. Now Alena is going to medical school to become a real life Doogie Howser. This Spring she was accepted to the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Heersink School of Medicine.
Alena shared her exciting life news with her 20,000 Instagram followers – because she is also a social media influencer, of course! She claims to be a normal 13 year old, but I don’t know any other teens who are working on two undergraduate degrees from two separate Universities in preparation for medical school all before she can even take her driver’s test.
Plus Alana created the Brown STEM Girl Foundation to encourage other young women of color to pursue education in the sciences.
Tuesday, August 16, 2022
Some guys grow their hair out to hide a bald spot. Or maybe they were really into the Pirates of the Caribbean. But 27 year-old Matt Shaha grew his strawberry blonde locks out for his mom.
Matt’s mom Melanie lost her hair while battling cancer. The brain tumor was successfully removed not once – or even twice – but three times. After the third return, doctors prescribed radiation treatment and with that, her hair was gone. Melanie continued to fight, but said “I don’t mind being sick… I mind looking sick.”
That’s when Matt decided to grow out his hair for a wig for his mom. She would joke as it grew longer and longer, “I love your hair.” To which, Matt quickly responded “Coming soon to a head near you!”
Compassionate Creations fashioned the wig out of Matt’s hair for Melanie. Now they both look lovely whenever they go out.
Monday, August 15, 2022
The Tytovas had to flee their home in Hostomel, Ukraine because the Russians were targeting it as a strategically located town. Kateryna, Olexandr and their two kids literally ran from the shelling near an airport. They not only left their home behind, but they could not bring their beloved pet husky with them. They prayed and hoped to one day be reunited with their home, their neighbors and their dog.
Months passed. Hope diminished. Finally the family was able to return home and dig through the rubble of their town. And sitting on the doorstep was a Siberian husky, happy to greet the family as if they had just come back from the grocery store! The pup had scrounged for food and managed to stay safe from Russian attacks, but never gave up on his family.
Friday, August 12, 2022
Every Ukranian is doing their part to help battle against the Russian invasion, even 10 year-old Valeria Yezhova, the European Checkers Champion.
Valeria sits outside a shopping center challenging shoppers and passers-by to a friendly game of Checkers. They usually drop some money in the bucket for the Ukrainian Army. And then get demolished by this 10 year old Checkers wiz.
She has raised hundreds of dollars to donate to a foundation that secures humanitarian aid and equipment for Ukraine’s military. Which takes the sting out of getting destroyed in checkers by a 10 year old girl.
Thursday, August 11, 2022
Marksteen Adamson found a bride stranded in downtown London and offered her a ride to the church. Anastasia had multiple ride shares cancel but was fortunate enough to hitch a ride with Marksteen as he was on his way to a reunion.
Though she was 45 minutes late to her own wedding, her fiance was still there waiting for her – and they got married without further delay.
So if you are planning your wedding, either rent a limo or have at least one bridesmaid with a car.
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Wednesday, August 10, 2022
Eric Akers’ car broke down. It took all of his savings just to tow the car to a shop. He couldn’t afford to get it fixed, so he began walking to work – 33 miles!. That is determination! Once he made it to town, he couch surfed with friends so he could work his shifts – and would then walk home for the weekend. A local news station shared this story and Chris Arsenault was so inspired by Eric’s work ethic, he and his wife gave Eric a car!
Chris had a primary vehicle, so his beloved ‘97 Honda Civic wasn’t getting much use, just taking up space in the driveway. He says, “we need to help our neighbors. It’s a rough time. People are divided, and so I wanted to help him.”
Now Eric can work his job that he loves – and be home with his family every day!
Tuesday, August 9, 2022
Chelsea Bell Lantrip is a single mom working as a bartender in Texas. One REALLY good night just changed her life and her son’s.
A couple of girls she had never met before came into the Charles Dance Hall to enjoy an evening out. They befriended Chelsea and were generous tippers. They initially gave her a $1000 tip on a $179 tab. That was overwhelming. But then they said ‘ double it! That left Chelsea in tears.
But wait … there’s more. When the customers finally paid, they tipped Chelsea $4000! Her son is enrolled in Texas A&M as a freshman this Fall – and one generous tip is going a long way to help pay for that education!
Monday, August 8, 2022
Nelly Cheboi grew up in a level of poverty we can barely imagine. Her single mother worked tirelessly so Nelly and her three sisters could attend school in rural Kenya. Often they went to bed hungry or were sent home because the family couldn’t afford tuition. Still, Nelly worked hard and ended up with a scholarship to attend University at Augustana College in Illinois.
Not only was it a massive cultural exchange, but Nelly was introduced to computer sciences and her entire life was transformed. Everything just clicked. She worked hard to improve her typing skills and learned coding. She ended up double majoring in Mathematics and Computer Science.
Wanting to give back to children still growing up in poverty back home in Kenya, Nelly created Technology Literate Africa (TechLit Africa for short!) – a nonprofit organization that recycles used laptops and supplies the machines to individuals and schools in Kenya.
To date, more than 4,000 computers have been provided for kids ages 4-12, providing education that will propel a generation of Kenyans to new heights!
Friday, August 5, 2022
Alexis Burns of Omaha, NE believes in her 17 year-old son A’Ron so much that she quit her job, cashed out her 401k and went all in on this high schooler’s business idea.
A’Ron can be found after school rollin’ ice cream at Roll-N-Sweetz in North Omaha. It’s the store his mom funded. The family didn’t just want to create a successful ice cream parlor, but a safe place in their community. A’Ron and Alexis are providing jobs, safety and ice cream because Alexis believes in her son’s dreams and work ethic.
The young entrepreneur dreams of taking his business around the country with franchising opportunities. He’s a dreamer AND a doer.
Thursday, August 4, 2022
When Tony Philiou started working at McDonald’s in 1962, he was paid 90 cents an hour to slice cheese. He slowly took on more responsibility and became a supervisor, then manager — until he bought the franchise.
He knows restaurants are a challenging business, and to him, ensuring employees are properly paid is a key to success. That’s why, earlier this year when his restaurant closed for renovations for over three months, Mr. Tony continued paying all 90 employees their regular wages.
And it’s that kind of generosity that has dozens of staff members dedicating several decades of their lives working at Mr. Tony’s McDonald’s, many of them rising through the ranks from maintenance to management positions.
Ms. Mary, who is 78, started out at the restaurant in 1977 as a crew person. She is now a manager and has no plans to leave. She says, “He is very thoughtful. He takes everybody individually under his wing. He treats us like family. That’s the main thing.”
Wednesday, August 3, 2022
Kevin Cate was having breakfast at a Florida Waffle House with his family. He noticed a man eating by himself and struck up a conversation. The man was friendly. He was also flipping through a large wad of cash and pinning little printed notes on individual $5 bills.
Kevin asked what the man was doing with so much cash – and he shared a story. The man said the last words his mom spoke as she passed on into eternity was “Love Every Body.” And that message deeply challenged him. So for years he has printed little “Love Every Body” notes – sticks them on the cash and hands them to random people he comes across – often at his favorite breakfast spot, Waffle House.
Since 2014 the generous stranger estimates he has given away around $13,000. What words do you live your life by? Are they words of hope and generosity?
Tuesday, August 2, 2022
A stranger – passing by a house – saw flickering flames in the garage and went to the door to alert the family of 10! And it was all captured by their Ring doorbell.
Homeowners Josh and Brittany had no idea the house was on fire – they were watching Stranger Things on Netflix – their 8 kids sound asleep in their rooms. The passing stranger was Moss Strong. It was dark – so she spotted the flames blocks away and followed them to the home. There were no cops or firefighters – no movement at all. So Moss immediately banged on the door to alert the family.
Brittany and Josh grabbed the kids and rushed out of the house. Neighbors and friends have been pouring out support to get the family through as the house is repaired.
Monday, August 1, 2022
Farm-To-Table is all the rage in the upscale dining community – but Bobby Wilson has literally brought the farm to inner city tables. Bobby founded Metro Atlanta Urban Farm – a five-acre farm smack in the middle of Atlanta that provides freshly grown fruits and veggies to low-income housing complexes and schools.
And Metro Atlanta Urban Farm has been quite … fruitful! During the pandemic, Bobby fed 25,000 families who live near the farm and helped keep farmers of color afloat by purchasing the food they’d grown outside of the city. Now, he offers free produce to families weekly and teaches them how to start their own gardens.
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Friday, July 29, 2022
Firefighters were called to help save a kitten trapped inside a vending machine at Walmart in Morristown, TN. Lindsay Russell was on her lunch break when she heard meowing coming from the vending machine and spent her entire break trying to rescue the kitten. None of her co-workers could get her out either, so they called in the hero brigade.
The firefighters made short work of it, rescuing the distressed creature. Lindsay, at the epicenter of the kitten rescue decided to adopt the little kitten – naming her Pepsi.
Thursday, July 28, 2022
The first time the fire siren sounded it was to celebrate the graduating seniors of Port Jefferson High School. Caps flew in the air – families cheered – it was a beautiful moment. But then the siren went off again as six of the graduates knew it was GO TIME!
Shane, Ryan, Andrew, Hunter, Keter and Kasumi aren’t just new high school graduates – the six seniors are volunteer firefighters with the Port Jefferson Fire Department. When the alarm sounded at the end of their graduation ceremony the team raced across the street in their caps and gowns – quickly suited up and responded to a garage fire down the street.
The fire was actually next door to one of their teacher’s houses – and Ms. Filippi was immensely grateful for her fearless former students. Thankfully there were no injuries and only the garage suffered damage. The six graduating seniors also reported that their diplomas were safely put away in lockers at the fire station.
Wednesday, July 27, 2022
Social media was furious on behalf of Kevin Ford, a food service employee, who recently posted an Instagram video, unwrapping a thank you gift he received for 27 years of perfect attendance on the job. Seeing how it contained a reusable Starbucks cup, a bunch of candy, a pen, and a single movie ticket, people decided to give Ford their own gift for his exemplary service—$270,000 in personal donations for the man so near to retirement.
The original unwrapping video was viewed 2 million times, though not everyone was as happy and understanding as Kevin, who said thank you for every item he received. In just over a week, this call for mutual appreciation of a good man who works at the Burger King at Las Vegas McCarren International Airport amassed a quarter-million dollars.
Tuesday, July 26, 2022
Corion Evans and his friend KJ are just 16 years old they’ve already saved four lives! The friends were nearby when a car of three teenage girls plummeted into a river at a boat launch in Pascagoula Mississippi.
Without hesitation, Corion swam out to the girls and helped them escape through the windows. KJ pulled them on top of the sinking car and then Corion swam them back to shore.
Corion jumped back in the water to rescue a police officer who was trying to help the girls, but ended up in distress himself.
Moss Point Police Chief Brandon Ashley said “The police department and I commend Mr. Evans’s bravery and selflessness he displayed by risking his own safety to help people in danger. If Mr. Evans had not assisted, it could have possibly turned out tragically instead of all occupants rescued safely.”
Monday, July 25, 2022
Mrs. Brenda’s day job is at the McDonalds in Ocean Springs, MS – but her CALLING is to be a prayer warrior. She is well known for mixing McNuggets and Fries with a personal prayer.
Dylan Brooke shared on social media that she was grabbing some breakfast at McDonalds when Ms. Brenda came up to her and said “God told me to pray with you.” Turns out Dylan was going through some things and the tears flowed as Ms. Brenda got on her knees and prayed with her in the middle of McD’s.
Ms. Brenda spends only about 15 seconds with each person she serves at work – but guaranteed each one is being prayed for. Dylan now comes in at least once a week to pray with Ms. Brenda.
Friday, July 22, 2022
From somewhere in a bustling warehouse in Warsaw, Poland – a volunteer calls out “God is good!” and a chorus response from dozens of others echoes “All the time!” A simple truth turned into a tearful chant as workers organize and distribute essential items to millions of Ukrainian refugees.
A pastor out of Ukraine told his wife on the phone, “We’ve gotten too used to comfortable Christianity.” That’s no longer an option for the Church in Europe. And the response has been beautiful and miraculous. Small congregations housing hundreds. Millions of meals and beds provided across a continent where faith had been quiet and cultural – now loud and roaring like a Lion!
Poland has been ground zero for the response to fleeing Ukrainians. Churches mobilized food and housing faster than the government could – and now many countries and Christian organizations are working hand in hand to manage the growing crisis.
As people who know what it feels like to flee home because of natural disasters, let our hearts be tender to the needs of those evacuated due to man made disasters.
Thursday, July 21, 2022
Linda Taylor has spent most of the last 20 years working in the Minneapolis area, helping the homeless and assisting her neighbors with their gardens. At 70 years old, the retiree was about to lose the home she had rented for 19 years – but her loving neighbors could not fathom their community without her.
The neighbors on 10th Avenue in Powderhorn Park banded together and raised $250,000 to buy the house Ms. Taylor was living in – and gifting it to her free and clear!
The community held fund-drives, bake sales, an art show and in just a matter of months had all the cash needed to buy the property for Ms. Taylor.
Wednesday, July 20, 2022
Scotsman David Flucker just celebrated his centennial birthday with a boat tour in his beloved Scotland. But it was the next day that he shared a delicious birthday cake with raspberries with his co-workers and co-volunteers.
Three times a week, David takes 2 buses, plus a 20 minute walk to the St. Columbus Hospice Shop in Edinburgh. It’s a 4 hour round trip. The retired widower volunteers at the shop to help fund the hospice facility after he himself received weeks of treatment there for prostate cancer.
The shop receives many donations of toys, books and puzzles. David’s job is to inspect them for quality control – and to chat with patrons of the shop. As a grandfather of seven, David easily chats up visiting children and their families.
When David isn’t working at the hospice shop, he likes to build model railways, which he auctions off to help raise money for the hospice care of others.
Tuesday, July 19, 2022
A trio of organizations in San Diego has teamed up to provide food and employment to those who need it most, and in the process they’ve reached a milestone.
Here’s how it works. With funding from the Lucky Duck Foundation, The Salvation Army hires residents of its homeless shelter and trains them to be food rescue route drivers for Feeding San Diego. These drivers pick up perfectly-viable food from places like Costco, Starbucks, and Amazon warehouses, that would’ve otherwise ended up in a landfill. The food is then distributed to those in need—often to the residents back at The Salvation Army shelter.
This heartwarming partnership hit a milestone in June, by saving more than half a million pounds of food so far, and every one of The Salvation Army residents who has participated in the program has secured full-time employment and is still housed.
Monday, July 18, 2022
What started as a free power washing job turned into a complete home makeover. A father and son duo who run the YouTube channel “Cabin on the Hill” spend their free time helping their community with free yard work and home improvements. The whole channel is very heartwarming.
They recently painted the entire outside of a woman’s house who couldn’t afford the work. The home was in desperate need of a paint job. It took them six full days of work. They funded the project on their own, which included dozens of gallons of paint and primer. And to top it all off? They even bought flowers to spruce up the yard to go along with the newly painted home.
So, they’re not just restoring houses, they’re restoring faith in humanity.
Friday, July 15, 2022
Madison and her husband just moved to the country. They must have lived in the city their whole lives, because when she sent her husband to the store to buy his first lawnmower, he came back with a small push-mower for their new (very large – we’re talking country acreage here) yard. It would have taken him days to mow their lawn. When Madison peeked out the window, she saw a team of people on yard duty. Neighbors who they had not even met yet noticed him out in the lawn and decided to help out. Madison says she was so moved by the gesture and that it serves as a reminder that “there is still good in this world.”
Thursday, July 14, 2022
Ever get a feeling you can’t shake? Maybe you can relate to today’s good news story.
David and Candace recently welcomed their baby girl, Luna. Prior to their daughter being born, the couple, who currently lives in California, had been preparing for the baby shower and sent out evites via text message.
In error, a message was sent to Angela White’s phone, who lives in Camby, Indiana.
Angles just couldn’t shake it. “Every time I thought about it, I was like I didn’t get that text just randomly,” she said. “I don’t know why, but there was a reason why I got that text and evite to that shower.”
Those thoughts nudged her to send the couple a gift through her small business, Brayve Blanket Co. In her special delivery to the couple, she included a typed letter explaining the error and why she felt compelled to send it over.
The couple was blown away by her act of kindness and how someone they never met could be so generous to them from thousands of miles away.
Candace’s mom put it best: “Luna is so blessed.”
The new parents reached out to their local news station to “pay it forward” after the kind gesture.
Respond to the nudges! Can’t shake something? Act on it! You never know the lasting impact your kindness can have.
Wednesday, July 13, 2022
Construction has begun on a new café in Pearl City, Oahu. But it’s not just the menu items causing a buzz. There’s coffee, baked goods and snacks, sure, but the goal here isn’t Michelin stars – it’s a combination of animal rescue, skills training, and wellness.
Dr. Karen Tyson, a neuropsychologist and family therapist, teamed up with KAT Charities, a nonprofit that unites children with disabilities and animals with loving people, to launch Toe Beans & Dreams.
The café will hire young adults with developmental disabilities to serve coffee, snacks and baked goods while also connecting Oahu with furry friends that need homes.
The café will also include space for community groups specializing in behavioral therapy and skills training for children and young adults with disabilities.
“When individuals with disabilities connect with animals, an incredible relationship is formed,” said Dr. Tyson. “Animals are unconditionally accepting and place no judgment or social expectations on people. This breaks down common barriers for individuals with social, attention, learning or physical disabilities and fosters a therapeutic relationship built on love and mutual trust.”
The coffee is just a bonus. Sounds like purrrrrr-fection to us!
Tuesday, July 12, 2022
Flint, MI is usually in the news for some sort of disaster – like their well documented struggle providing safe water. It’s a poor community and COVID hit them very hard. Good Church, led by Pastor Leo Robinson didn’t balk at the need in the community – they just got to doing what Jesus said to do: love God and love people.
People were out of work and school and families needed food – so Good Church provided groceries and hot meals. One day someone mentioned needing a place to do laundry and that set Pastor Robinson down a new path. Many folks in Flint rely on public transportation – and the nearest laundromat is miles away. That meant it was a full day of work to get laundry done. Teachers mentioned that kids were missing school because they didn’t have clean clothes to wear.
So Good Church transformed their basement into a free community laundromat. Thanks to some donations, the church set up 4 washers and 4 dryers – with hopes to expand to help at least 100 families each week.
Love God, love people. A simple message, and a powerful one.
Monday, July 11, 2022
Myles Copeland plays minor league basketball on the side, but his day job is being a hero. He’s a firefighter. But recently the 25 year old saw his lives overlap.
While playing a game in New York, one of the referees suffered a major heart attack. Myles checked for a pulse – not there. He checked for breath – nothing. He immediately began CPR and continued chest compressions for 10 minutes waiting on EMS. His swift action saved the man’s life.
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Friday, July 8, 2022
If you saw someone in trouble, would you help – or pull out your phone and start recording? 18 year old Mia was parked by the bay in Suffolk. She accidentally hit the gas instead of the break and launched her car over the barrier and into the water.
She was screaming and trying to escape as water came pouring in. All the while, folks along the water’s edge just watched – or pulled out their phones to stream the video. But not 17 year old Anthony Zhongor. The young man dove into the water and managed to force open the driver’s side door to help Mia escape to safety.
The wild rescue happened in just seconds. But Mia is safe because one young man didn’t hesitate to help a stranger in danger – while the world around him acted like it was their chance to go viral with a video.
Thursday, July 7, 2022
The joy of reading opens up worlds of imagination, understanding, empathy and knowledge. Kaila and Raymond Sykes love books so much that they opened the Hidden Gems Literary Emporium – a donation-based bookstore in their hometown of New Brunswick.
Some folks give a dollar – others hundreds – and book donations have poured in – over 40,000 books for Hidden Gems. With such a surplus, the family took the show on the road, taking books out to communities in their minivan. The couple described it as a life changing experience as they recalled the smiles they encountered after giving away free books, games, and educational tools to families.
Since the minivan broke down, they are now fundraising to get an RV which they’ll convert into a mobile book experience as they grow their non-profit.
Wednesday, July 6, 2022
You know that flip flop your stomach does anytime you see flashing police lights behind your car? Ashlye Wilkerson was sure she had been doing the speed limit but then realized the limit had changed and she had not. Her father Tony was in the passenger seat, ready to protest as Trooper Jaret Doty walked up and asked for her license and registration.
Tony explained to Trooper Doty that his daughter Ashlye was driving him home after a round of chemotherapy at nearby Duke University Medical Center. The officer let Ashlye off with just a warning, but went a step further, asking if Tony would mind if he prayed with him.
No longer a passenger and a state trooper – now just Tony and Jaret – held hands and prayed together right there on the side of the road. Jaret slipped a small silver cross into Tony’s hand and assured him that he would continue to pray for him.
Two months later, Tony passed into eternity. But Ashlye will never forget the kindness of Trooper Doty. She now keeps that little silver cross on her dresser where she sees it each morning.
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Tuesday, July 5, 2022
Hurricane Ida did widespread damage, but the loss of life associated with the storm was largely due to the loss of power. It was dangerously hot, folks couldn’t charge their phones and essential home medical equipment couldn’t be powered. A program called Project Lighthouse aims to make sure that never happens again.
The plan is to install solar panels and backup batteries at a network of dozens of public buildings, mostly church buildings across New Orleans and Southern Louisiana. Imagine churches once again being a beacon of hope in a darkened world… These solar powered resilience hubs would be a safe place to get cleaned up, grab a meal, charge devices – including essential medical equipment.
The current models predict once completed, nearly all residents in the New Orleans metro would be within a 15 minute walk of electricity, even in another catastrophic event like Ida.
Monday, July 4, 2022 – Happy Independence Day!
For four years, Lucas and his Boston Terrier Bailey spent the Fourth of July at his frozen lemonade stand in Middlebury, Connecticut. In 2019, he made just over $300 in a day, but the following year, the coronavirus scuttled his plan. Lucas couldn’t physically serve his community refreshing frozen lemonade, but this preteen was still determined to do something good for his community.
“We are in this together,” he wrote on his GoFundMe page that aimed to raise $1,000 for the Middlebury Volunteer Fire Department. “Dear Friends, I’m sorry I’m not able to provide you with my frozen lemonade this year due to the pandemic. This year I’m donating every penny raised to help the Middlebury Volunteer Fire Department. These heroes are on the front line every day, so I hope I can help them during this very difficult time.”
The community responded, surpassing the goal, and proving they are, in fact, in it together to make a difference. I hope Lucas is back with the frozen lemonade this year. I could really go for some frozen lemonade…
Friday, July 1, 2022
Great news for aspiring mermaids: There’s a career for you! Ariel might have believed you won’t get too far by flippin’ your fins – but Merle Liivand is disproving that.
Marine conservationist Merle Liivand is so at home in the water that she doesn’t even need to use her arms to swim – just give the girl a mermaid tail, and she’ll travel a whopping 26.2 miles off the coast of Miami. It took more than 11 hours and earned Merle a Guinness World Record (and a jellyfish sting, but that hardly stopped her).
And though she couldn’t use her arms to complete the swim, she did pick up floating debris she found on her way, adding it to a kayak that paddled next to her. “At the end of the day this isn’t just about a record, it’s about helping the community and the world,” she said – even that pesky jellyfish.
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Thursday, June 30, 2022
In 2021, Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov won the Nobel Peace Prize for his work fighting for freedoms of speech and press. He did so from his home country of Russia, which was and is extremely risky. Muratov was so grieved by Russia’s war in Ukraine that he recently decided to auction his Nobel prize off to give the proceeds to UNICEF’s work caring for Ukrainian children who are now refugees.
Previous such auctions had brought in a couple of million dollars – but this World Refugee Day auction just became one for the record books. The Nobel prize auctioned off for $103.5 million!
Within hours of the concluded auction, UNICEF confirmed the money had already been given to help Ukrainian refugees.
Wednesday, June 29, 2022
Are you or someone you know an “overachiever”? The world needs people like you and Ashley Adirika.
Ashley is the student council president, leader of the debate team and founder of a program called Our Story, Our Worth – which works to empower and mentor girls and young women of color. Her dream is to expand this local program into a nationwide non-profit.
And Ashley should have no trouble doing just that because she is going to have one exceptional pedigree. She was accepted into every single Ivy League School (plus seven other elite schools) for college!
Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Penn, Princeton and Yale all want Ashley enrolled this Fall. Various scholarships were offered as well. In the end, only one school gets the honor of claiming Ashley Adirika – and that school is Harvard, where she will major in government for her undergrad starting in September.
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Tuesday, June 28, 2022
In Massachusetts, State Representative Orlando Ramos is careful to listen to even his youngest constituents.
During a career day at a Springfield City school, 5th grader Xavier got to talking with the State Representative about tacos. Xavier’s complaint was that the school lunches never included lettuce on their tacos. A small thing, sure. But the issue of fresh vegetables in school lunches is an important one.
That conversation with a 5th grader led to Representative Ramos’ Home Grown legislation, which now guarantees lettuce will be on the menu for Xavier’s tacos – and for every student district wide.
The State Rep says “I hope this serves as a message to all young people in the city that their voices are important, and they are heard when they speak up, and we’re here to listen.”
Monday, June 27, 2022
An animal shelter in Utah is partnering with an addiction rehab center to provide short-term housing for pets whose people are going through a difficult time. The Ruff Haven Crisis Center already serves as a place where people in other kinds of crises like hospitalization or homelessness can bring their pets for a bit.
Through the center’s partnership with Odyssey House, Utah’s largest addiction program, furry loved ones don’t have to be a barrier to getting addiction help. That could mean 60 to 90 days without being able to care for a pet — but the Crisis Center has their back. The shelter has served around 510 animals through their crisis sheltering program and more than 1,500 through other programming, like their free vaccination and microchip projects.
Clients get videos and pictures while their pets are in Ruff Haven’s care, so they can make sure they’re thriving. What a beautiful way to show support and care for both people and pets!
Friday, June 24, 2022
Have you seen the video of a man finding a kitten on the side of the road — only to be overrun by a dozen more hiding in the grass? Understandably, people are a little obsessed. The man is Robert Brantley, a professional shooter from Louisiana, and he simply couldn’t contain his surprise as the adorable ambush overtook him.
Somehow, he managed to herd all 13 cats into his car and take them home. After going viral, folks from around the country have been calling to offer supplies and adopt the assertive little kittens. Brantley said almost all have been spoken for, and he’s been posting updates about the kittens on his Instagram page.
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Thursday, June 23, 2022
It was a terrifying scene at the Chicago Red Line train station. A man had fallen onto the electrified tracks and was convulsing while unconscious. People shouted from the safety of the platform while others pulled out their cell phones to stream the incident. When 20 year old Anthony Perry saw what was happening, he didn’t hesitate – he leapt down to help the man, pulling him to safety. Another person helped Anthony with CPR until EMS arrived.
That act of selfless heroism got Anthony lots of local and national attention, but he wasn’t trying to be a viral internet success, he was just trying to save a stranger’s life.
An anti-violence group leader named Early Walker was so impressed with Anthony, he wanted to pay it forward. Turns out Anthony’s car had died recently which was why he was on the train that day. So Mr. Walker gave him a free car – a lightly used 2009 Audi A8! Now Anthony’s commute time has been cut in half! And each time he starts the car it is a reminder to always look for ways to help people in need.
Wednesday, June 22, 2022
The average cost of gasoline is around $5 a gallon in the United States. In Louisiana, we are fortunate – our gas is hovering around $4.50 a gallon. But out West – gas prices are MUCH higher. In Phoenix, AZ, gas costs around $6 a gallon. The profit margin for gas stations is razor thin already – but one gas station owner in Phoenix decided that he would skip making a profit – in fact, he’s taking a loss – just so he can help his community survive this costly Summer.
Jaswinder Singh is losing $500 a day by charging less for gasoline than he pays to keep the pumps on. Jess and his wife just say they are doing their part to help their neighbors get by.
Tuesday, June 21, 2022
Three police officers near Boston, Mass. responded to a call where a man had climbed out onto the side of a bridge and was threatening to jump. Sergeant Peter Sennott, Trooper Randy Roach and Trooper Paul O’Connor remained calm and had a conversation with the man.
After a few minutes, Trooper O’Connor helped the distressed man back over the guard rails and sat on the corner holding him as he cried.
EMS arrived and took the man to the hospital. This day could have ended in tragedy. But thanks to patient and wise police officers, a man is getting the help he needs.
Monday, June 20, 2022
31-year-old Abdul Hamideh is a budding restaurateur. He owns a series of IHOP diners across five states and most recently opened one in Thibodaux. To celebrate, Abdul got dinner Uptown at Hoshun Asian restaurant. He was graciously served by Ava Guan, who he blessed with a huge $777 tip.
So far, this is a good story. Now here is where it gets GREAT. Ava had been praying for days for God’s help to replace the air conditioners at her church, The Olive C. Church in Kenner. Ava joyfully donated her windfall to the church and the story was shared by local media. When Abdul Hamideh saw the story and realized his connection, he wanted to do more – so he showed up at the Chinese church with a check for $1300 to help cover the rest of the air conditioner repairs.
And since Abdul owns the local IHOP, he sent pancakes to the church on Sunday morning so they could enjoy breakfast as they worshiped.
Friday, June 17, 2022
When baby Evie-Mae was just a few months old, she was blind. Complicating matters, she suffered from hydrocephalus, a buildup of fluid in her brain – causing what the doctors said was irreversible brain damage.
But this is not a tragedy. This is a GOOD NEWS story. Hydrocephalus typically means a short lifetime of tubes and surgeries, but miraculously, by the time Evie-Mae was a toddler, her sight returned. She learned to walk and talk. AND the build up of fluid and pressure DISAPPEARED!
Evie-Mae is now thriving as a seven year old. She lives without shunts, is top of the class, and can see perfectly without any glasses.
Thursday, June 16, 2022
What do Birmingham, Alabama and Pakistan have in common? The answer is Shahzeb Anwer—a 31-year-old man who left his home country for an important surgery in the U.S. But he got so much more than medical help; he found his own ‘home away from home’ in the southern city, and now considers it and all its 211,000 residents part of his family.
When Shahzeb came to Birmingham for surgery to stop his chronic kidney stones, he found out what Southern Hospitality looks like. He made friends everywhere he went. These new friends made sure he had transportation when he needed it – took him out to eat the best food he’d ever had – were so very welcoming that when it was time to return to Pakistan, there were tears of sorrow from Shahzeb and his many new friends.
So when he was getting ready to be married, he did what anyone would do; he invited his new family—all of Birmingham—to his special day in Pakistan!
Wednesday, June 15, 2022
In the mid 70s, Nissa Michael and her family fled their home country of Cyprus. They ended up in London and were able to build a new life. Nissa was a seamstress and her husband a chef.
Years later the family moved to Southwest Great Britain to run the Seaward Hotel along the coast. They raised four children – one of whom (Michelle) still runs the hotel on the sea. When millions of Ukrainians came pouring from the East after Russia launched their invasion, the Michael family knew just what to do: they closed the inn to visitors and turned it into housing for refugees!
Nissa (now in her 80s) greets each Ukrainian family and sits with them, listening to their stories. She says she loves seeing children running around the hotel, just like her kids used to.
Tuesday, June 14, 2022
When Vicki Umodu found a lump in the cushion of a chair she had received for free on Craigslist, she thought it was a heating pad someone with a bad back had stuffed into it. The chair was from furniture being given away after a loved one passed.
But when she unzipped the cover on the chair, Vicki pulled out a dozen envelopes of cold, hard cash. She yelled “we’ve got to call the guy” to her son, and quickly returned every cent—saying it never once occurred to her to keep even a dollar.
The money totaled $36,000, which the family believes was hidden away by the deceased as part of a saving strategy. Mrs. Umodu was given $2,200 as a reward for her good deed, money she’ll use to buy a new refrigerator.
“God has been kind to me and my children,” Vicki said. “They are all alive and well, I have three beautiful grandchildren, so what can I ever ask of God?”
Monday, June 13, 2022
Kenichi Horie set a record as the world’s oldest solo yachtsman to sail non-stop across the Pacific Ocean. Mr. Horie set sail on his 19-foot-long sailboat, the Suntory Mermaid III, from San Francisco on March 27. It took him 69 days to cross the vast Pacific Ocean and arrive at the shores of his home in Japan.
This isn’t the first time Kenichi Horie’s made maritime history. In 1962, at 23 years old, he became the first person to successfully make a non-stop journey across the Pacific Ocean – from Japan to California.
“Don’t let your dreams just stay as dreams.” Horie says. “Have a goal and work towards achieving this and a beautiful life awaits.”
Friday, June 10, 2022
Mississippi native Aaron Welborn was on vacation at Gulf Shores. Aaron was snorkeling, hoping to spot sea life or maybe buried treasure. Imagine his shock when he found a half set of dentures near the coast!
The owner’s name was imprinted on the dentures – so using the power of social media, Randy Williams was hunted down – back home and toothless in Wisconsin. Aaron and his wife Blaire overnighted the dentures back to Randy saying “He’ll be eating steak again by Wednesday!”
Of course, before Randy was found, Aaron had some fun on Instagram posting pictures of the found-false teeth enjoying a beach vacation. He included some of the pictures in the box with the teeth when they were mailed to Randy in Wisconsin.
Thursday, June 9, 2022
Betty Sandison just celebrated her 84th birthday with kids and grandkids. And then the following week the family cheered her on as she walked across the stage to receive her Bachelor’s degree!
Betty began working on her college education 67 years earlier. Life got busy – she got married and had children and moved into new adventures with her family. But the drive to get that degree was always there. Now, over half a century later – mission accomplished!
Betty learned new technology to continue working towards her degree during the COVID shut-down. She says, “Don’t let anybody stop you” from chasing your goals.
Wednesday, June 8, 2022
When long-time school custodian Kerry Laing retired at the end of this school year, he didn’t expect a lot of attention. But it turns out that twenty years of investing in teenagers and serving his school had caught the eyes and hearts of many.
Oak Park High Principal Troy Scott calls Mr. Kerry the “..gold standard custodian, incredible human being, Raider legend.” The students built Mr. Kerry a throne to sit on as they cheered and thanked him at a big school assembly before Summer vacation.
Tuesday, June 7, 2022
No matter how attentive a parent you are, kids seem to find a way to danger. Laura Forrester did all the work to make having a backyard pool safe for her littles.
Safety fence? CHECK.
Electronic door security? CHECK.
Teach the kids never to go out to the pool without an adult? CHECK.
You can imagine the panic when her sopping wet 2 year old daughter (Andie) with 4 year old son (Gray) found her in the house and said “I falled in the pool!”
2-year-old Andie snuck out to the pool and fell in, struggling to stay afloat. Her brother Gray jumped in and got his baby sister to safety. Their mom says it is a miracle that Andie survived and Gray was able to save her – calling it “a God thing.”
The very next week Laura enrolled Andie in swim lessons.
Monday, June 6, 2022
Jada Sayles had a very good reason for missing her graduation ceremony at Dillard University: she went into labor that morning.
21 year old Jada Sayles was studying criminal justice at Dillard University in New Orleans when she discovered she was pregnant. Although her May 14 due date was the same day as her college graduation ceremony, Sayles wasn’t troubled — due dates are just an estimation – and doctors figured she had a bit more time.
But the night before her graduation ceremony, Sayles felt contractions. She headed to the hospital saying, “I brought my cap and gown because I thought they would just send me home.” However, Sayles’ labor advanced and within hours she welcomed her first child, a son named Easton M’Kale Fuller.
Although Sayles had missed her 8:00 a.m. graduation ceremony that morning, she texted Dillard University President Walter Kimbrough with the update. He showed up the next day wearing a suit and carrying his presidential regalia, ready to re-create a proper graduation ceremony in the new mom’s hospital room.
Sayles was shocked. The improvised ceremony acknowledged years of hard work.
“This is memorable for all of us — I have been president for 18 years and this is the coolest thing I have ever done,” Dillard President Kimbrough said. “Jada persevered over a lot and she is a phenomenal person.”
Sayles is warmed by the love. “When people say how strong I am, it’s so encouraging,” says the new mom. “But I am also very sleepy.”
Friday, June 3, 2022
Women make up less than 4% of all construction workers, even though wages earned at construction jobs are often double that of restaurant and hospitality work, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nora Spencer taught herself the trade and became a licensed general contractor while renovating a home. She discovered that women she worked with at homeless shelters wanted to learn, too.
So Nora created Hope Renovations – a free 10-week program to teach women everything they need to know to break into the contracting business and find well paying construction gigs.
“We have folks from all walks of life that come to us… single moms, women in recovery, women who are just re-careering,” Spencer said. “If we really want to get women into this industry, we need to take out all the barriers that we can.”
Hope Renovations graduates even build for their community, often at no cost. It’s the gig that keeps on giving.
Thursday, June 2, 2022
Max is a black Labrador retriever who just saved his person’s life. Sherry Noppe was recently diagnosed with dementia. Sherry took Max out for a walk and then the pair disappeared for three days. But thanks to Max, both are now safely recovered.
Sherry got disoriented and led her and Max to a marshy area three miles away from their normal walking spot. Max never left her side and barked non-stop – for THREE DAYS – to alert anyone that Sherry needed help. As volunteers searched for Sherry, they finally got close enough to hear Max’s barks.
Both were recovered and treated and safely back at home – thanks to Max.
Wednesday, June 1, 2022
Dr. Akaki Lekiachvili is a physician with the CDC in Atlanta, but he grew up in another Georgia – the country that was ruled by the former Soviet Union. After the fall of communism, Akaki was introduced to Star Wars and immediately fell in love with the galactic battle between Good and Evil.
Dr. Lekiachvili calls himself a “tinkerer” with a passion for space. Starting back in 2016, the good nerdy doctor started building a life sized replica of an X-wing fighter from Star Wars. The project got so big he had to build a 30 foot extension on his garage – and then later a full X-wing hangar in the backyard. His wife was less than thrilled.
Finally, after 6 years of tinkering, the 2/3 to scale X-Wing was complete – with articulating wings, inflatable R2-D2 droid, auto cockpit and a 4 mph ground taxi engine, controlled via remote control. Akaki put in buttons that light up, a targeting computer just like Luke Skywalker used to take on the Death Star and plenty of sound effects.
Six years – $100,000 in supplies – endless hours building – but for what? Well Dr. Lekiachvili has taken his build on tour, as a fundraiser for Ukraine, who is currently battling another evil empire. Lekiachvili and his wife, who is from Poland, both have family in countries neighboring Ukraine. So they set up the X-wing and take donations as kids climb into the cockpit and play.
When it comes to spreading hope, the good doctor quotes Master Yoda, “Do or do not. There is no try.”
Tuesday, May 31, 2022
Sadly people of faith have a bad reputation amongst wait staff – often rude, demanding and cheap. We can be better.
Maybe we can even be like a friendly couple who ate at The Big Cheese, where Jennifer Vernancio is a waitress. Jennifer was having a rough day – ran late to work because her sitter wasn’t available – it was just one of those days. But her first table of the day was going to change all of that.
A couple had sandwiches and drinks – were very kind to Jennifer – paid their bill and headed out. But they left Jennifer a tip that left her shook. An $810 tip on a meal that cost less than $50! Jennifer was sure it was a mistake and took it to her manager. But it was no mistake – it was just a HUGE blessing!
Jennifer was able to get her teenage daughter some new shoes, a toy for her toddler and pay off some pressing bills because of the generosity of one couple. Imagine if all of God’s people lived lives of extreme generosity!
Monday, May 30, 2022
Everyone wants to feel wanted. Imagine being wanted by every single branch of the US military! Graduating High School senior Noble Rasmussen plans to devote his life to serving his country – he just has to decide which military branch to join. The teen from Nebraska was accepted to all five military academies!
In the end, Noble decided to go with the Air Force – having already served as a cadet in the Civil Air Patrol. Who knows, he might be able to join the Space Force down the road.
If you have served in the Coast Guard, Navy, Air Force, Army or Marines – thank you. I know it isn’t Veterans day, but we can still appreciate you and your families sacrifices, right?
I am thrilled for Noble Rasmussen who was offered an appointment to EVERY Academy…something very rare! I’m even more thrilled he picked the Air force Academy. #AimHigh! pic.twitter.com/uRbUxmZDM9
— Rep. Don Bacon 🇺🇸🇺🇦 (@RepDonBacon) April 26, 2022
Friday, May 27, 2022
Elizabeth Bonker has a type of autism that severely affects communication abilities. And yet, when she gave the commencement speech at Rollins College in Florida as one of five graduating valedictorians, Elizabeth was heard loud and clear.
Using a text-to-speech program, this brilliant young woman urged her fellow graduates to live a life of service, just like Rollins’ most famous graduate, Mister Rogers. Elizabeth Bonker said because she cannot talk, she is often dismissed or minimized. Technology has opened up new opportunities for her to share her amazing brain, and she dreams of living a life in service to others like her.
By her estimate, there are approximately 31 million people with non speaking autism around the world, just waiting to share their voice. Using text to speech, Elizabeth says “We are all called to serve as an everyday act of humility; as a habit of mind; to see the worth in every person we serve.”
Thursday, May 26, 2022
Flavio Dantas is a proud new papa in Brazil who was so excited to meet his baby daughter. He spent the months leading up to the due date casually chatting with his wife’s growing womb – telling his not-yet born daughter Antonella how much he loved her and how much fun they would have once she was born.
Thankfully someone had a camera going when Antonella was born, because as soon as her daddy started talking to her, she beamed the biggest newborn smile ever! And that magical moment has been shared thousands of times online.
Flavio said, “It’s a lot of love in one photo. A love that doesn’t fit inside the chest.”
The beautiful Antonella even has her own Instagram account where she flashes quite a few epic smiles.
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Wednesday, May 25, 2022
It’s a sad but true fact that the celebration and sense of accomplishment that comes with graduating college also often means the looming realization that student loans and debt have not, in fact, magically gone away. But for the Wiley College Class of 2022, it looks like that’s exactly what happened when an anonymous donor cleared the balances of the graduating class.
The historically black college in Marshall, Texas, hosted its 133rd Commencement Convocation over the weekend, where more than 100 students were set to walk the stage and earn their diplomas. Hermon J. Felton, president and CEO of Wiley College, told graduates in a surprise announcement during the ceremony: “If you have a balance, you had a balance. You no longer have a balance.”
The students’ balances were cleared by an anonymous donor. Typical tuition, including room and board, costs $17,500 per student at Wiley.
Tuesday, May 24, 2022
A dramatic rescue happened just off the coast of Grand Isle. Sgt. Stephen Rhodes was issuing a boating ticket when he noticed a boat capsize just off shore – The passengers crawled on top of their capsized boat and began screaming for help. Without hesitation, the Wildlife and Fisheries officer, with the help of some good Samaritans in the area, launched an emergency rescue operation.
Many of the boaters couldn’t swim and few spoke English. They were able to communicate that a young girl was missing. Sgt. Rhodes dove under the capsized boat and recovered the unconscious 7 year old who was not breathing. Rhodes performed CPR and she began to breathe again – after a short stay in the hospital, the girl is expected to make a full recovery.
Monday, May 23, 2022
Twenty-three years ago, Tracy slipped a $100 bill and note to a couple of young sisters headed to America as refugees. And it forever changed their lives.
In 1999, 12-year-old Ayda Zugay and her older sister boarded a plane to America, fleeing the former Yugoslavia with barely anything to their name. On board, a fellow passenger slipped the young refugees an envelope with $100, a pair of earrings, and a note. “I am so sorry that the bombing of your country has caused your family any problems” it read. “I hope your stay in America will be a safe and happy one for you — Welcome to America — please use this to help you here. A friend from the plane — TRACY ”
For years, Ayda has been trying to find the woman who she says brought an immeasurable amount of comfort and hope with her gesture – comfort and hope that neither sister has ever forgotten.
Recently CNN wrote a story about the sisters, and within days, the mysterious Tracy was found! Tracy Peck says she clearly remembers seeing the two girls on the plane, scared and unsure, surviving violence and displacement that Peck couldn’t imagine.
Peck and the sisters had an emotional reunion over video call. “You both are remarkable young women,” Tracy told them. “I’m so thankful I was sitting next to you on that airplane…and so proud of you both for what you’ve become.”
Friday, May 20, 2022
12 year old Gabriel Clark likes to do woodwork – specifically making beautiful wood bowls and cutting boards. Gabriel started selling his wares in order to buy a dream mountain bike – but internet fame has led to so much more.
Gabriel’s dad Richard was bragging about his son’s skill when the pictures of the woodwork went viral. Suddenly there were 20,000 requests for hand hewn bowls in his DM’s! That was a bit overwhelming, so Gabe decided to make one special bowl.
Richard and Gabriel invited fans to buy into a lottery to win the Clarkie Woodwork bowl – with all proceeds going to Save The Children Ukraine non-profit. The internet did its thing – famous people shared the raffle – and the Clarks raised over $300,000 with just the one bowl!
The winner was Renuka Chapman who declared, “This bowl will be one of my most treasured possessions. It represents hope, compassion, and kindness… It will have pride of place in my home.”
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Thursday, May 19, 2022
46% of formerly incarcerated people return to prison after their release. But one program called Education Wins, or Edwins for short, is boasting a far better stat of less than 1% of the more than 500 people that have now gone through their program in nearly a decade!
The program is actually a Cleveland, Ohio restaurant that specializes in French cuisine with a mission to educate, support and employ those who were previously incarcerated. The employees learn about leadership, life and fine dining skills that they can apply in and out of the kitchen. And all of the employees also have access to classes and housing through donations.
“You give someone a great chance and you support them. This is what happens,” Brandon Chrostowski says. He runs Edwins and he knows first hand. He said, “I received a break when I was 18 going on 19 and the judge gave me probation instead of a long sentence.” He later found a chef who mentored him and he went on to work in Michelin-starred kitchens in Paris and New York.
He says, “We’re not asking about what you did. We’re not looking at your experience, we’re not looking at your past. Whatever it may be, we’re looking at taking you to where you want to go.”
Wednesday, May 18, 2022
Traditionally, adults with intellectual disabilities who might not thrive at typical colleges don’t have a lot of higher education options after high school. But at the College of Adaptive Arts in San Jose, California, adults with special needs can have a college experience full of intellectual inquiry and discovery.
CAA co-founder DeAnna Pursai watched her sister Angel, who has Down syndrome, deal with frustrating higher education limitations. So the College of Adaptive Arts offers 10 unique Majors – everything from business to theater and health and wellness – so her sister and others like her can get excited about their future and realize their potential.
“There are adults out there everywhere who are languishing because they’ve been sidelined because traditional college is not for them,” Pursai said. “But when you give them a safe space, it’s an unbelievable transformation.”
Tuesday, May 17, 2022
What if ordering a pizza saved your life? That’s Caryn Sullivan’s story. She ordered a pizza late one night and while waiting for the DoorDash delivery, she fell suffering severe brain trauma. When Sophia Furtado arrived with Caryn’s pizza, the DoorDash driver knew exactly what to do!
Sophia had taken EMT training. She called out for help, waking Caryn’s husband Robert who had been asleep in the house (I mean, she ordered a pizza at 10 PM so go easy on Mr. Sullivan). They called 911. While the ambulance was on the way, the 911 operator worked with Sophia over the phone to secure and stabilize Caryn, who was unresponsive.
Caryn spent weeks in the hospital recovering from two severe brain bleeds caused by her fall. She’s had to relearn how to walk, drive and write. But despite a terrifying experience, her life was saved and she made a new friend – her guardian angel, Sophia from DoorDash.
Monday, May 16, 2022
Henry DeHart was filling up his car with gas in Chattanooga, TN. He says he wasn’t really paying attention to the price – knowing it was going to be high. What choice did he have? But when his tank hit full, he noticed his total was only $5.64! That was for 12 gallons of gasoline! Obviously there was an error at the pump.
Now, Henry could have decided this was someone else’s problem and tore out of there with some super cheap premium unleaded. But Henry has honor. He understands that this gas station is someone’s livelihood. So he went in and reported the error to the clerk. Would you have done the right thing?
Friday, May 13, 2022
To quote Dr. Ian Malcom, “Life, uh, finds a way.” Even in war torn Ukraine, babies are being born. Sometimes in evacuation sites and bomb shelters. This presents many healthcare problems – but problems that can be solved when we work together.
Incubators are vital technology that have saved countless newborn lives in the past decades. They are expensive though – costing around $20,000 a unit. And they can be clunky so they aren’t exactly portable in a warzone. Jane Chen of Embrace Global got to sciencing and developed an ultra portable baby-bag incubator that uses hot wax to maintain warmth for a newborn preemie.
The low-cost incubator costs only a couple hundred dollars to make, doesn’t require stable electricity, is light-weight and reusable – it is a miracle product. And Embrace Global is providing THOUSANDS of them to Ukraine.
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Thursday, May 12, 2022
I like to imagine the faces on the staff at the Idaho Human Society when nine-year-old Ben Miller recently stopped in and dropped off a plastic bag filled with $1,150 in cash. For three years, the young man has been raising money through a lemonade stand after he visited the shelter in 2019 and noticed that some cats didn’t have toys.
According to Ben’s mother, Amy Miller, Ben has spent hours selling lemonade – even offering lavender flavor – alongside treats like cookies. In total, he’s raised about $2,000, and his mom says she’s blown away by the support. Some people have traveled nearly an hour to get some refreshments and make a donation, and others have sent money virtually.
A representative from the shelter said they’re in the middle of kitten season, and every dollar they can get helps pay for medical care, food, and yes, toys.
Wednesday, May 11, 2022
David Rush is from Idaho, father to two boys, and has a love for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math – also known as STEM. He has an electrical engineering degree from MIT and has worked in the tech sector his entire career. But success for David isn’t just in his career accomplishments or educational achievements – he wants to INSPIRE!
So David set out to beat or create 52 Guinness World Records in 52 weeks. One year – one record a week. And he’s very close to achieving the goal! 49 records have been verified with 4 more being verified. In fact, David has over 200 world records to his name – everything from “Fastest 100-meter dash while juggling blindfolded” to “Popping 10 balloons between 2 people in 15.25 seconds.”
David’s hope is to use these fantastical feats to inspire his sons and other students to pursue education in STEM.
Tuesday, May 10, 2022
Police departments often have special pushes to fight drugs, stop human trafficking or even a sting on parking without feeding the meter – how often do you hear about a police department with a Random Acts of Kindness Project?
The Oceanside Police Department in SoCal is showing some California Love by taking time each month to help in their community. In March they handed out cash at local gas stations when gas topped $6 a gallon. Now they are helping shoppers pay for their groceries!
High gas, inflation and market instability means that the cost of food has skyrocketed across the globe. The OPD has been surprising shoppers with Random Acts of Kindness cast to pay for their groceries.
Monday, May 9, 2022
Retired Maj. Ray Ferman served in the U.S. Army and later U.S. Air Force for two decades. But he didn’t stop there.
When he returned to Sherman, Texas, after fighting for his country, Ray volunteered with the senior center to help deliver food for Meals on Wheels. And at age 96, Ray still continues to deliver meals to elderly people in need across Texoma.
Hometown Heroes founder Rayce Guess says of the retired major, “Servant’s heart, like it says, Jesus was a King, but he came to serve, and so Ray epitomizes that, and he’s serving even now. What more can you say about that?”
But Ray Ferman doesn’t see himself as a hero. He says, “I just enjoy the opportunity to be helpful.”
Friday, May 6, 2022
It’s Teacher Appreciation Week, and one teacher in Louisville, Kentucky is teaching students the importance of kindness — and providing creative outlets for them to practice it daily.
Stefany Bibb is a teacher at John F. Kennedy Montessori Elementary School.
She also leads the school’s “Kindness Crew”. Students in the Kindness Crew often hold doors for others, greet students and teachers each morning with posters that have positive messages, focus on being helpful and respectful, and help others to remember to be kind.
Fourth-grade member Aniyah Cox said her favorite act of kindness is giving hugs. “I like to make people smile and I like to make them smile because it lights up my world and I know it makes them feel warm inside, too.”
5th grader John Johnson says, “My favorite act of kindness is being able to hold the door for other people, because it shows that you care about them.”
Ms. Bibb hopes these students take the foundation of kindness they’ve started at Kennedy Montessori and continue to build upon it in the future. I hope so, too! Sounds like they’re off to a great start. What’s your favorite way to show kindness to others?
Thursday, May 5, 2022
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Food is a love language.
Lasagna Love is a non-profit program that connects community members through gestures of kindness, goodwill, and support.
In 2020, prompted by the COVID-related struggles of families in her community and her own feeling of helplessness, Rhiannon Menn launched the platform to deliver home-cooked meals to neighbors in need.
The San Diego mom says, “There were so many moms that I knew who had lost childcare, who had lost jobs. They were just feeling stressed out,. And so literally one day, I was just like, I’m gonna make extra meals.”
Before long, her effort to comfort members of her community had grown into something much larger.
In just two years, Lasagna Love has successfully united participation of more than 30,000 men and women from around the world. More than 200,000 meals have been delivered through the platform, feeding over 850,000 people. As more meals are delivered, the ripple effect has become more profound, as recipients said they were inspired to pay it forward.
Rhiannon shares, “When we launched Lasagna Love, our mission was to provide comfort during a time of uncertainty. As we move into our third year of operation, we recognize that our true power is so much greater. We are inspiring pay it forward acts of kindness across communities and increasing feelings of connectedness and support among neighbors.”
It turns out a little lasagna goes a long way.
Wednesday, May 4, 2022
Tom Perri is about to hit a major milestone: 600 marathons. The avid runner from Maple Grove, Minnesota averages 36 races a year. He’s run marathons in all 50 states – 5 times each!! Believe it or not, that’s the least of Perri’s achievements.
He has stage 4 prostate cancer and has continued running marathons since the diagnosis, saying he didn’t want to sit and watch on the sidelines. He’s also continued to help other runners reach their goals, motivating them when the going gets tough.
Tom says, “I just love to help people do that stuff. It’s all about helping another runner.” and that he’d rather be remembered not for his accomplishments in running (although they are impressive!). He wants his legacy to be that of helping others.
Tuesday, May 3, 2022
It was Shawen Christenson-Bueckers’ first year of college when she was offered the opportunity to save a stranger’s life.
Shawen is a registered bone marrow donor for Be The Match, a nonprofit organization that helps patients who need bone marrow transplants. When they matched her with a little girl on their list, she didn’t think twice about donating.
One-year-old Amelia Bellmore was the child in line to receive Shawen’s marrow, and naturally, her parents were thrilled! Amelia was only seven months old when she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia.
So, at two years old, Amelia received Shawen’s life-saving bone marrow. The rules of the organization require the identity of the donor and recipient to be kept secret from each other for a year. However, Shawen and the Bellmore family were allowed to exchange anonymous letters.
Amelia’s mom says, ”I remember getting the letters from her that she sent anonymously and crying and just praying that we could meet her someday and that she could be part of Amelia’s life.”
When the year was finally up, it was time for the big reveal. And Shawen and the Bellmore’s decided to meet during a special Be The Match event at Brigham Young University, where Shawen is a student. When they first laid eyes on each other, the moment was magical.
Shawen was able to get to know the Bellmore family and bond with little Amelia. Thanks to Shawen, Amelia is now living her life as a free-spirited toddler, attending preschool, and making friends.
Monday, May 2, 2022
When she’s not working as an ER nurse at Southern Hills Hospital in Las Vegas, Brooke Johns is often still at the hospital, serving as a volunteer instead. She spends some of her free time offering hair care for patients, going from room to room to see who would like to have their hair brushed or braided or receive a head massage. She enjoys being a soothing presence for patients who are recovering from surgery or have been in the hospital for months, and likes that she’s not rushed as she would be during regular work hours. “If somebody needs me for an hour, I can give them an hour. If somebody needs me for 15 minutes, I can give them 15 minutes. There’s freedom in that,” she says. In the last year, Nurse Johns estimates she’s provided this extra care to more than 100 grateful patients.
Friday, April 29, 2022
Ben Miller loves animals and is a burgeoning entrepreneur – combining his loves by using his lemonade stand to fund his local Humane Society.
Over the last couple of years of running a lemonade stand has allowed third-grader Ben to give $2000 to the Idaho Humane Society – which he did in style. He put the cash in a large plastic bag and walked it into the Humane Society office.
If you are ever in Boise, Idaho – look for Ben Miller’s lemonade stand. He’s got classic lemonade, lavender lemonade, cookies and even dog treats on sale!
Thursday, April 28, 2022
When Omar Hegazy lost his leg in a car accident he was very angry. But he channeled that energy into swimming – and now he holds 2 Guinness World Records!
31 year old Omar Hegazy just broke the records for longest distance swam underwater with one breath AND longest distance swam underwater with one breath with fins. Not only is he accomplishing unprecedented feats under water, but the athlete has become a motivational speaker to teach kids to not be overwhelmed by negative circumstances.
Omar has done other notable things since his accident. He swam across the Gulf of Aqaba in 2017 and cycled 700 kilometers! He says, “I found a way to let out my anger and frustration, but it was also where I felt really free and capable.”
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Wednesday, April 27, 2022
Mobile Medics International is in the danger zone, helping Ukrainians as they escape the war with Russia. Teresa Gray began her career as a paramedic, then became a nurse and then founded Mobile Medics International out of her hometown of Anchorage, Alaska.
When Russia attacked Ukraine, MMI set up on the Ukrainian/Romania border to provide medical care to refugees by the hundreds. It’s the most dangerous mission Mobile Medics International has taken on to date.
Normally MMI teams of 5-10 medical professionals are on site for a couple of weeks, but this time they are staying put to continue to help – since over a quarter of the population of Ukraine has had to flee their homeland. Lots of lives to help – so Teresa Gray holds the line.
Tuesday, April 26, 2022
During the pandemic food insecurity grew at unprecedented rates. Unemployment was up – the cost of food was up – healthy meals became more difficult for many families to provide. And with that need, community fridges began to appear. Think of it as a micro-food bank, the food version of a little free library.
Refrigerators began appearing in safe to access spots. Residents with extra food from their grocery run and local restaurants keep them full of fresh produce and other grocery staples. And it is free for anyone to come and grab something to cook for dinner.
Need food? Or just want to be involved? CLICK HERE to find community fridges in New Orleans!
Monday, April 25, 2022
Students in Mr. Julian’s class often gave him a hard time about his well-worn 4 years-old shoes. Students at Tech Freire Charter School in North Philadelphia started a GoFundMe page to raise money for some cooler shoes for Mr. Julian – specifically the Nike Blazer 77s.
But generosity bloomed inside the gag and the GoFundMe page raised over $3000! So Mr. Julian took the class on a field trip to the mall to buy him new tennis shoes and grab lunch at Chick Fil A. The rest of the funds were donated back into the school.
Friday, April 22, 2022
Millions of refugees have fled Ukraine – most into neighboring Poland. The Polish people have been pouring out resources, opening their homes and being incredible hosts during this scary time for the Ukrainian people. But even in such a stressful situation, the refugees have proven to be the very best house guests.
There is a tradition in Ukraine called “subotnik.” Basically every Saturday it is tradition to clean up your house and public spaces. So the Ukrainians in Poland are continuing that tradition in their temporary homes in Poland.
Many refugees have taken to cleaning up the parks, forests and public spaces in Poland on Saturdays as a way to thank their host country.
Thursday, April 21, 2022
What was your job during college? For Maria Balboa, it’s working at a local H-E-B grocery store near her school in Corpus Christi, TX. Not too long ago she was bagging groceries for a woman who found out at the register that her SNAP card was down to just $19 – about $140 short of the grocery bill. The woman began to pull things aside to return to the shelves when Maria felt a prompting in her heart to take care of the bill.
$137 is no small bill for Maria either. But she knew she could help and so she did. The woman was very grateful and trying to hold back tears in front of her two grandsons. She later wrote the store manager to share her difficult circumstances and the life changing good deed that Maria had done for her.
The store’s manager paid Maria back in full and gave her a gift basket as a reward for her kindness
Wednesday, April 20, 2022
The cost for adoption within the United States runs between $20,000 – $45,000. In comparison, the cost for having a baby runs on average around $11,000 before insurance. But still Joel and Kendra Paris knew they wanted to adopt a child. So they got creative in their fundraising.
After living abroad, the couple had become used to high quality baked goods – the types of bread that were missing in their new home of Abilene, TX. But Joel has a knack for bread-making and decided to bake their way to adoption.
Fundraising is a long hard road, but the couple is walking it out, with each artisanal loaf of bread. Their efforts are also going viral as people share their beautiful work and bring light to the rising cost of domestic adoption.
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Tuesday, April 19, 2022
Betty Reid Soskin is the National Park Service’s oldest active ranger, and she just retired a few months after her 100th birthday. Soskin worked at the Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park in Richmond, California, which highlights the work of American civilians on the World War II home front.
As one of those civilians herself, Soskin shared her own World War II experiences with visitors, illuminating the largely untold stories of African Americans and other people of color during the war.
Ms. Soskins says, “Being a primary source in the sharing of that history — my history — and giving shape to a new national park has been exciting and fulfilling.”Monday, April 18, 2022
Generations of the Johnson family called the house on Adams St. in Lake Charles “home.” Linton Johnson Sr.’s father was a sharecropper. He sold 30 bales of cotton and used the money to build the house. It stood the test of time and weathered many storms. But the one-two punch of Hurricanes Laura and Delta took out the remaining structure.
The Johnson family has countless memories in that house – on that street. Kids playing football out front – the garden full of okra in the back – the smell of pies coming from the kitchen. In the wake of Hurricane Laura, Linton Johnson got connected with Samaritan’s Purse – an army of volunteers in the region to help clear debris and help families.
After the debris fields were cleaned, all that was left of the Johnson family home was a plot of land. But with the help of Samaritan’s Purse, a foundation was poured. Walls were built. A roof. Electrical. Drywall. Soon total devastation gave way to a brand new home!
Through the Samaritan’s Purse rebuild project in Lake Charles, God began to write a new chapter for this close-knit family. When the home was complete, the Johnsons, their church family and Samaritan’s Purse prayed over and dedicated the home to the Lord – and then the bill was handed over to Linton Sr. Stamped in bright red letters were the words PAID IN FULL.
Friday, April 15, 2022 – Good Friday
Our friend Greg in Brentwood, England shared with us about a music program his daughters Lissy and Maddie are in – and how these kids are helping Ukrainian refugees.
The Brentwood Youth Band was formed in 1990 as a way to teach children how to play instruments and read music. It’s inexpensive (about $1.50 a week) to participate and kids don’t need to know anything about music prior to joining. They simply need to commit to two practices a week.
In early March The Brentwood Youth Band was given the chance to help Ukrainian refugees with a fundraising concert. The kids learned the Ukrainian national anthem and worked it into their Spring recital. The performance was 2 hours of music and fun – and the children’s band raised about $20,000 to support the British Red Cross work for Ukrainian refugees!
Thursday, April 14, 2022
Merrill Pittman Cooper is Harpers Ferry, West Virginia’s newest high school graduate – at 101 years old. Mr. Cooper attended Storer College in the mid 30s, one of the few education opportunities for Black Americans back in the day. When his family moved to Philadelphia during his senior year, he had to drop out of school and work to support the family.
Mr. Cooper went on to have a very full life. On a recent trip with his family to visit Harpers Ferry – now a part of the National Parks system – he told his family how he regretted never getting his high school diploma. The family reached out to the park staff, worked with the department of education and on March 19th, they threw a graduation ceremony and presented the 101 year old with his diploma!
Wednesday, April 13, 2022
Bismack Biyombo is honoring his father with a grand gesture. Biyombo is an NBA player for the Phoenix Suns. His father passed away just last year in their native homeland of the Democratic Republic of Congo. To celebrate his father’s legacy and give back to his home country, Biyombo has dedicated his entire annual salary to building a hospital in the Congo.
The NBA player says, “This year, to give my father a gift that will continue to service people, my salary for this season will be going towards the construction of a hospital that will be named after my dad back home to give hope to the hopeless and for those individuals that cannot take their family out. The idea is to give them better conditions so that they can somewhat have hope that their loved ones could potentially be able to leave and see another day.”Tuesday, April 12, 2022
The 2022 version of a “Gone Fishin'” sign is apparently, “Took my son to Legoland!”
Genji Sato owns and runs Sushi Sasabune in Glendale, CA. It’s a hopping joint – and the sushi chef has confessed he doesn’t feel like he spends enough time with his young family. So one day last month, he decided to close the restaurant for a day of fun with his son at Legoland. He left a note on the door and headed out.
Fans of the restaurant shared the note online – cheering on their favorite sushi chef for his priorities. Hundreds of thousands of internet likes and shares later – it feels like the entire world was more excited to see a dad play with his son than to get a tuna and crunchy roll for lunch!
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Monday, April 11, 2022
A Citgo gas station in North Carolina decided to throw their community a gas sale out of gratitude for their hard work and perseverance. The Burnsville Citgo listed gas for $2.25 a gallon for a few hours and word got out fast.
HUNDREDS of cars lined up down the street to take advantage of the gift of cheaper gasoline. Usually idling in your car in a long line leads to outbursts of anger – but the crowd was so thankful and thrilled for the break at the pump, that it was all smiles for miles.
Friday, April 8, 2022
We all have parts of our jobs that we love and parts that we dread. Does anyone enjoy those job review meetings with management? Absolutely not! Some police officers in Southern California recently got the PRIZE assignment – to hand out money!
Police near San Diego received a $20,000 grant to help their community deal with absurdly high gas prices. Officers took envelopes of $50 gift cards to local gas stations and started handing out the gifts to help fill up residents’ cars!
Thursday, April 7, 2022
Back in the 1940s, during WWII, mail was a primary source of communication between the battle front and the home front. And many letters were backlogged. That’s where heroes of the Six-Triple-Eight come in.
In 1945, the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, nicknamed the “Six-Triple-Eight,” traveled to England to wade through 6 months of backlogged mail from the war in Europe. This all-Black women group in the Army Corps sorted MILLIONS of pieces of mail in just a couple of months, while working in dangerous post-war conditions. They dealt with rampant racism – the military was still segregated at the time – no heat in their warehouse – and even tangled with a German U-boat and rocket explosions.
You’ve likely never even heard of the Six-Triple-Eight before – but perhaps Hollywood will pay attention. They were just recently awarded the highest Congressional honor in America – the Congressional Gold Medal – for their effort to restore communication lines through mail.
To quote the son of the late Army Major Charity Earley, who led the Six-Triple-Eight, “It’s wonderful. And it’s time.”
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Wednesday, April 6, 2022
Allison’s dad Bill Collins was a firefighter in Des Moines, Iowa for almost 40 years before retiring last year. Allison wanted to make this birthday special, so she took to TikTok to share her idea to get t-shirts from fire departments in all 50 states. A quarter million views later, t-shirts began pouring in from all over the country!
Some of the fire department shirts came with notes from other firefighters telling stories of harrowing adventures and wishing Bill a very happy birthday. One handwritten note came from a widow of a firefighter who lost his life on 9/11.
Allison was overcome by the generosity of so many people helping make her dad’s birthday special, saying “Being a firefighter, you’re part of a family.”
Tuesday, April 5, 2022
Move over, Clark Kent – Kayden Reid of Mobile, AL is the new Superman. Kayden is only six years old, but he leapt into action to save his 2 year old sister, Kaycee. The toddler darted into the street in front of their home and was in the path of an oncoming car when Superman came to her rescue.
Kayden saw the car coming and jumped in front of his sister, throwing her out of the way. But that meant that Kayden got clipped by the car in the process.
The driver immediately stopped to make sure the children were alright – Kayden and Kaycee’s mom is not pressing charges saying it was not the driver’s fault. Kayden went to the hospital to get a few stitches, but was mostly just a little scuffed up.
Kayden was rocking a Superman costume a few days later when the Mobile Fire and Rescue truck came for a visit, letting the pint-sized hero explore the truck and tell his hero origin story.
Monday, April 4, 2022
Students at West Side Elementary School in Healdsburg, California, have recorded a series of bilingual “pep talks” to help anyone who needs a little encouragement (and frankly, who doesn’t?). Dubbed the “Peptoc Hotline,” the public art project was concocted by Jessica Martin, a local artist who doubles as the art teacher for the small school.
“The adults among us have been holding everything up for so long, it’s amazing to see what comfort children can bring. I was moved by the incredible collection of advice and encouragement they gleaned, and how easily and distinctly they were able to communicate it.”
In less than a week, the project went viral, receiving between 300 and 500 calls an hour, and up to as many as 5,000 calls a day.
The advice is refreshingly kid-like: Get some ice cream. Think of groundhogs. Punch a pillow and cry.
It’s incredibly precious. Call and hear for yourself: 707-998-8410.
Thank you to everyone who has given to support recovery efforts – to everyone who has served a hot meal, provided shelter and prayed for Arabi. And also, thank you for your generosity lived out loud by supporting LifeSongs during Shareathon!
Friday, April 1, 2022
A group of elementary school students found a thoughtful way to comfort their creative art teacher who is mourning the war in Ukraine. Arina McAllister is a Ukrainian native, and says her heart is broken witnessing what’s happening around her family and friends, and to the country she loves.
An idea was cooked up by a cafeteria lady at Pevely Elementary, who suggested McAllister’s students surprise her with a colorful display of flowers along the school’s hallways.
“A lot of our students don’t know what’s going on but they know their teacher, their favorite teacher, was in need of extra love this week,” Principal Katie Dunlap said.
When Arina McAllister came into school Monday, she was greeted with dozens of colored-in blooms, many of them sunflowers — a symbol of Ukraine.
“I never expected to grow a garden of love,” Arina said. “I think every single sunflower represents love and support and I have hope.”
Thursday, March 31, 2022
Nearly 4 million Ukrainians have fled their invaded country – and strangers from all over Eastern Europe are leaving strollers, car seats, winter coats and toys at the Polish border for the refugees.
To help alleviate some of the stress and emotions attached to fleeing Ukraine, Polish communities are helping strangers get settled with basic necessities in a place that may not feel anything like home. That compassion greets the refugees the moment they step off their train onto the platform. Strollers, carriers, jackets, toys, stuffed animals, diapers, even walkers for the elderly, have filled the area alongside the railway.
The generosity appears to be spread largely by word of mouth. And help isn’t just available in the form of physical supplies – some people have been holding up signs, offering rides to different places across Europe and volunteers are helping refugees find a place to stay – be it a school gymnasium or families who have offered to take in women and children.
Wednesday, March 30, 2022
Liam Moore is a passionate kindergartner from Ontario, Canada. He doesn’t completely understand what’s happening in Ukraine, but he knows that help is needed, so he is ALL IN to offer help. Liam emptied his piggy bank to send to Ukrainian refugees.
His $20 came from weeks of doing chores around the house. He had been saving for quite some time, but suddenly the need in Ukraine was more important than anything else he could put it towards.
Liam was participating in a school wide fundraiser at St. Paul’s Catholic School. Those Kindergarteners through 7th graders had a goal to raise $500 – but thanks to the excitement of Liam and other kids – they smashed that goal and raised over $2000.
Tuesday, March 29, 2022
One of the great challenges with the Russian invasion of Ukraine is how it impacts adoptions. A couple from San Antonio, TX has been waiting since 2020 to bring home their adopted son. Now 4-year-old Ruslan – who suffers from cerebral palsy – is home in Texas with his new family.
Special needs children rarely get adopted out of the Ukraine. They live short lives in underfunded medical facilities. But God opened doors through Reece’s Rainbow for Kelci and Theron to find their son Ruslan. In December the couple flew to Ukraine. But then Ruslan got sick and they had to figure out the complicated visa situation. It was on February 16th, just ahead of the invasion that the family was able to escape back home to the United States.
It was a whirlwind of miracles and kind acts from strangers that allowed the three travelers to escape before Russia invaded Ukraine. Some of those strangers have since lost their lives, fighting for their country. But Ruslan lives on – receiving medical care and the love of his new family in San Antonio.
Monday, March 28, 2022
Chef Jose Andres owns and operates World Central Kitchen. Over the years, he’s responded to several humanitarian crises such as hurricanes and tornado aftermath and now, he’s on the ground at the Polish border with Ukraine making sure no one goes hungry. It’s estimated that around a million Ukrainians have fled their home country for the safety of Poland or Belarus.
Last year, Chef Andres was the recipient of Amazon’s Jeff Bezos’ Courage and Civility Award, which came with a reward of $100 million. (Yeah you read that right – big prize money) He’s using that award money to help the people of Ukraine.
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Monday, March 14, 2022
31-year-old Tom Littledyke is a former Royal Marine in Great Britain. He’s trained to help in crisis, so he knew exactly what to do when Ukrainian refugees began pouring into neighboring European countries.
Tom loaded up a 16 seater bus with sleeping bags, pillows and toys for scared children and drove 1,000 miles to Poland to distribute the goods and help with boots on the ground. His friends and family helped – they raised over $5000 worth of support to pay for the supplies and trip in less than half a day.
After dropping off the goods, Tom plans to use his van to help move refugees to homes throughout Europe, saying “It doesn’t matter what we do as long as it’s something in the right direction.”
Friday, March 11, 2022
Justice Smith and his 5 year old son Justus Mateo were driving home from a dentist appointment when they noticed a homeless man on the corner. The elder Justice felt led to give to the man, but was out of cash. That’s when his 5 year old son spoke up, insisting they give the man the 30 cents he had in his pocket.
Justice was proud of his son, but hesitant to hand the homeless man 30 cents for fear that he would think it a useless gift. But he shook his head and rolled the window down saying to the man “I’m sorry man, I don’t have any cash on me, but my son back here wants to give you everything he has right now. He just turned 5.”
The man’s eyes lit up and looked at Justus Mateo saying “God bless you little man! Thank you so much!”
Justus Mateo’s dad recognized he almost missed an opportunity to live out kindness, writing “I almost told our son by my inaction that what he had wasn’t enough. I almost showed him that what he sees as a good thing, and is in fact a good thing, isn’t good enough to make a difference in someone’s life. I almost taught him that pride was more important than helping another human.”
He says his son reminded him “It doesn’t matter how much you have or how little; giving in love and sincerity will often bless others more than we think.”
Thursday, March 10, 2022
The New Orleans Saints were looking for a new coach. One thing the Saints never expected was for a child to apply for the head coaching spot… but Izzy did!
She’s a Saints fan who lives in Tennessee. When Saints owner Gayle Benson received Izzy’s application, she sent back a heartwarming reply that explained why they hired Dennis Allen instead. Mrs. Benson added, “Keep up the good work on your grades. I am so proud of you for 100% on your math report card. Stay well, continue to work hard in school and always remember you can do anything you work for and set your mind to.”
In addition to the personal letter from Ms. Benson explaining the organization’s decision to hire Allen, Izzy also received a team photo & an official Saints football signed by the team.
Wednesday, March 9, 2022
Linda Durrence is a foster parent in Georgia who started the Blossom boutique to help foster kids with clothing & hygiene needs.
Fostering children is a special kind of love. Many of these kids come into a home with just the clothes on their back – so Blossom will provide foster kids with seven full sets of clothes and shoes for FREE! And they’ll do it again as the seasons change and the children grow!
Linda told news outlets, “We just want to be able to be just be the hands and feet of Jesus.”
Tuesday, March 8, 2022
When Jared Veldheer retired from his 11-year NFL career as an offensive tackle, he had one thing on his mind – being present for his kids. So the ex-NFL-er took a $15-per-hour part time job as a lunch worker at his children’s elementary school. The 34 year old traded in 2-a-day practices for a 7:45 AM start time, preparing pizza, corn and chicken nuggets for 250 children at St. Paul The Apostle School.
Not only does he get to take his kids to and from school every day, he gets to see them at lunch and in the hallways. Plus he has a background involving nutrition and is able to shape the food offerings to a more healthy, balanced diet for the kids. He says the kids are less interested in his NFL past and more excited to see what’s for lunch.
Monday, March 7, 2022
Disheartened and lonely after losing her best friend to a sudden heart attack, Cynthia posted on Nextdoor to see if anyone would be open to building a new friendship. She suggested starting a women’s group and over 200 ladies around Houston, TX responded with interest in joining.
Cynthia invited her neighbors to meet up and the group was born. They have now been meeting for nearly five years! The group even set up a friendship fund where the women chip in just $25 a year to put away in case any of the members fall on hard times, are battling an illness, or need a bit of extra support.
Due to the incredible response, Cynthia now helps other women in Houston create their own friendship groups to form new connections.
Friday, March 4, 2022
Before the pandemic, in 2018, Naoki opened a miniature railway model-train themed ramen restaurant in Osaka, Japan. It’s a VERY niche market. And when the pandemic shut Japan down, times were tough for the family. But in their distress, God sent a miracle in the form of a helpless kitten.
Despite having very little, Naoki fed the kitten. The next day its mamma showed up and he fed her too. After that the whole family of cats descended on the closed ramen restaurant looking for food.
Not only did caring for the cats soothe Naoki’s heart, but the cats loved to explore the model train displays. That led to some great pictures. And if there is one thing the internet loves, it is cute cat pictures.
The Instagram posts went viral and now the restaurant is thriving as fans from all over the world come to see the cats and trains! Plus visitors can adopt the stray cats – more than 60 have found forever homes through the work of Naoki and his family.
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Thursday, March 3, 2022
Steve Robinson and his family were on a trip to Detroit when they got the chance to have dinner with Steve’s old college roommate, Richard Koonce. The families enjoyed eating and reminiscing, but Steve couldn’t help but notice Richard looked thin and unwell.
Turns out Mr. Koonce was battling a rare liver disease. Treatment wasn’t going well and he was looking for a living donor for a liver transplant. Steve didn’t even hesitate – offering to share his liver. After a blood test confirmed he was a match, the pair went under the knife on Valentine’s Day.
There’s a couple of months of recovery involved but so far, everything looks good. Instead of a heart on Valentine’s – these friends shared a liver of love.
LifeSongs has been part of this community for over 40 years now, and that’s because of YOU and your DONATIONS! Grateful we haven’t been in need of a liver, but we sure are appreciative of all you give to support LifeSongs!
Wednesday, March 2, 2022 – Ash Wednesday!
In Wisconsin, during the Winter, nobody wants to bundle up, brave the cold and snow, simply to bring the garbage cans back up to the house after the trucks have run. To many neighbors’ surprise, their garbage cans started magically moving back to the house on their own. Of course it wasn’t magic – just a very kind neighbor.
75-year-old retiree Dick Pontzloff was tired of being trapped inside and decided to use his time helping neighbors by returning their garbage cans from the street. He rides his bike around the neighborhood and helps every family with a garbage can on the street.
One of Dick’s neighbors, Melody, said, “You know the kindness that strangers give is an unexplainable feeling. And he doesn’t even realize how nice of a gesture it is and how much we appreciate it.”
Tuesday, March 1, 2022 – Happy MARDI GRAS!
Los Angeles Rams star Andrew Whitworth has had quite a month. Not only did his Rams win the Super Bowl, Whitworth was also honored with the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. Considered one of the biggest honors in football, the award recognizes a player’s “outstanding community service actions off the field, as well as excellence on it.”
Whitworth has committed to helping families in both the LA area and his home state of Louisiana through various programs, including his newly-launched “Big Whit Homes for LA Families” program. Through the program, Whitworth donates money to repair homes in Louisiana and help low-income families in LA move into affordable housing. He’s also donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to provide scholarships and school supplies for Louisiana schoolchildren, wishes for terminally ill children, and to the NFL players’ social justice fund.
Whitworth told CNN helping people feels just like making a winning play on the field. “When I can make them appreciate that someone cares about them, when I can just let them feel more confident in themselves because of something I’m able to do, I feel that same feeling.”
“Helping people feels like a winning play.” Thank you for helping our community hold on to hope through your support for LifeSongs!
Monday, February 28, 2022 – Happy Lundi Gras!
One thing that is glaringly obvious is that we have all gotten a little weirder after a 2 year long global pandemic. That was the complaint from Curtis Kimball’s wife. He says, she said he’s getting weirder and needs to make some friends.
Curtis didn’t disagree – he got to work on fixing his loneliness – with the help of some pancakes. Curtis set up a pancake making station in front of his San Francisco home on a Saturday morning. He had taped invitations to telephone poles around the neighborhood inviting his neighbors.
Curtis didn’t expect anyone to show up, but at the very first pancake Saturday there were 100 people hanging outside his home. Turns out, he wasn’t the only one feeling lonely. The joyful community event has continued and grown each time – over 300 people attended the second pancake breakfast and helped prepare and serve food for their neighbors.
We are so grateful that YOU make it easy for us to be friends by being part of our LifeSongs family! Thank you for your support!
Friday, February 25, 2022
16 year olds Ryan and Dominic have almost 80 merit badges between them. Swimming, first aid leadership, service, community engagement and all the skills of being lifelong scouts. They’ve done it all! But just a couple of weekends ago the pair were elevated to the elite Eagle Scout classification.
They were Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and now the highest rank you can climb. The teens say it took a lot of work and discipline but it was well worth it. Not everyone who joins a boy scout troop makes it this far. According to Boy Scouts of America, from 1912 to 2019, about 2.5 million boys have earned the rank of Eagle Scout.
Thursday, February 24, 2022
Jackie Dean loved picking up a couple of Caramel Macchiatos while out with her mom, Millie Burnham. When her mom passed away during the pandemic, planning the funeral became an impossible task – they have had to reschedule three times. One morning, on the way to the funeral planners office she pulled into the drive thru and instinctively ordered two drinks before pausing and changing the order to just one.
She had been crying all morning already and the tears began to flow again as she explained her mistake to the barista. When Jackie pulled up embarrassed and ready to pay, Starbucks gave her the coffee on the house – and even drew a little heart on the lid for Jackie.
Just a small thing – a free coffee and kindness. But it meant the world to a grieving daughter.
Wednesday, February 23, 2022
A blizzard hit Regina, Saskatchewan – super high winds and whiteout conditions on the road. Shannon St. Onge and others found themselves stranded on a rural road. 911 was jammed. Emergency responders could not get through. In a last ditch effort for help, Shannon posted on Facebook letting friends and family at least know where she was trapped.
Andre Bouvier Sr. (an 80 year old retired man on a nearby farm) saw the message and bundled up to brave the storm – armed with mittens and a flashlight. It was no short walk from his farm to the road. He found Shannon and others drifting towards oncoming traffic in the white out conditions – many running low on gas, trying to keep warm.
The retiree helped them off the road to safety and perhaps made some lifelong friends. He says:
“Life is what you make it. When you can help somebody out, that’s the joy of it.”
Tuesday, February 22, 2022
Dolly Parton is a national treasure. Decades of music, film and a love of literacy for children. She even funded one of the premier COVID vaccines. Now she is making sure her employees have hope for their future.
Dollywood – yeah, she even has her own theme park in TN – will pay for their employees to go to college! Full time and part time employees will have their college tuition paid in full – plus cash to cover books and fees.
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Monday, February 21, 2022
Warrick Dunn was born in New Orleans – was a high school football star in Baton Rouge – shattered college records with Florida State and then was a first round draft pick into the NFL – snagging a lucrative deal with Tampa Bay in the 90s. He would go on to play 12 years in the NFL. That’s a really successful career. But it’s Dunn’s off-the-field work that is even more impressive.
When Dunn was drafted by the Bucs, his coach was Tony Dungy. Coach Dungy is a very outspoken Christian and encouraged his players to invest in their communities, not just in the weight room. Warrick Dunn took that to heart and started the Warrick Dunn Charities with a focus to help single parents purchase their own homes – a dream his mother never got to accomplish before her passing.
Just before this year’s Super Bowl Dunn’s charity helped a single parent close on their new fully furnished home in Los Angeles – the 200th home provided by the charity! He partners with Habitat for Humanity and helps provide grants for down payments as well.
Friday, February 18, 2022
The Adventures of Dillon Helbig’s Crismis by Dillon Helbig is handwritten in a leather bound red gator skin journal. 8 year old Dillon and his grandmother slipped it onto the bookshelf at Ada Community Library’s children’s section. When Dillon’s mom found out what they had done, she went back to the library to find the book was missing. Turns out the librarians had stumbled upon the 88 page original work and LOVED IT.
The library got permission from Dillon’s parents to put a barcode on it and made it an official library book. Word spread and now The Adventures of Dillon Helbig’s Crismis has a 55-person waitlist!
Dillon is already working on his sophomore book, The Jacket Eating Closet.
Thursday, February 17, 2022
A Chicago non-profit is equipping and enabling some young moms to pursue higher education by providing money for childcare and coaching.
25 moms are getting financial help from New Moms and City Colleges of Chicago to finish their degrees after dropping out to care for their families. Only about 8% of single moms in Illinois complete an associates degree within 6 years – New Moms hopes to help change that trend.
And it’s not just the money – it’s coaching and tutoring and all kinds of support for these awesome women. Not only will these degree tracks help encourage these women, but provide new job opportunities moving forward.
Wednesday, February 16, 2022
Imagine getting an email from your dream school – yes you have been accepted – AND you have won a prestigious full ride scholarship with room and board! Only one such Centralis Scholar Award exists for Central Michigan University. However, 58 students got the congratulatory email.
Chaos ensued. That’s a pretty big “oopsie.” And the school is doing their best to make it right. The 57 students who didn’t actually land the scholarship are still being given a full tuition scholarship to make up for their mistake.
Tuesday, February 15, 2022
From fighting for his life against cancer to a Winter Olympian, Max Parrot has had quite the journey. He was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in December of 2018 and underwent 12 rounds of chemotherapy. 7 months later, Max rang the bell declaring that he had beaten cancer. Then it was right to the weight room to begin training for the Olympics.
Max is a snowboarder for team Canada and a 7 time X-Games champion. After fighting and beating cancer, his next task was to beat the rest of the world in the slopestyle snowboard contest in Beijing. And that’s exactly what Max Parrot did – winning Gold last week at the Olympics!
Monday, February 14, 2022 – Happy Valentine’s Day!
A little kindness and some pasta can go a long way. A customer put in an order for fettuccine shortly before closing time for a restaurant. He realized his faux pas and wrote a note with his order saying he was stuck at home, sick in bed and had just woken up hungry. He understood if they couldn’t make his order.
The restaurant was touched by the customer’s thoughtfulness – and not only did they make him some delicious fettuccine carbonara – they included free garlic bread and a note of their own, thanking the customer for his thoughtfulness and wishing him well.
That landed the restaurant a 5 star Google review and viral goodwill on social media.
Friday, February 11, 2022
The Buffalo Bills won’t be in the Super Bowl … again. But their quarterback Josh Allen is inspiring fans of every team to do good. He started the Patricia Allen Fund to honor his grandmother. The money goes to the Oishei Children’s Hospital in Buffalo.
When Josh Allen made a game of it against the Chiefs – sending the game to overtime with only 13 seconds on the clock – that inspired a Facebook group of Chiefs fans to donate $13 each to the special fund out of respect. In less than 24 hours Chiefs fans had given over $178,000 to Josh Allen’s charity. That number nearly doubled as the week rolled on – over $306,000 was given – and that number continues to climb!
So even though the Bills (and eventually the Chiefs) didn’t get to the big game – they did make a BIG difference in the world. And that is even more Super.
Thursday, February 10, 2022
Imagine being the parent of an aspiring Olympian. Constant gear to replace – uniforms to purchase – practices to drive to and from all the time. No Olympian gets to the Games on their own. So Anna Hoffman knew the first person she had to tell when she made the USA ski jump team.
Anna recorded herself calling her mom and posted the entire thing on TikTok. She says telling her mom that she made the Olympics was one of the best highlights of [her] life. But what did her mom have to say to the incredible news?
“Oh, Anna Banana!”
Which is kind of perfect. Thanks to all the parents that shuttle their kids and encourage them to chase their dreams.
@hoffmann__anna Getting to tell my mom I’m going to the Olympics is probably one of the best highlights of my life @Team USA #skijumping ♬ original sound – anna
Wednesday, February 9, 2022
Mikaela Shiffrin has plenty of Olympic jewelry – 2 Gold medals and 1 Silver from the Sochi and Pyeongchang games in 2014 and 2018. But she’s back in the Olympics this time, racing for a more emotional reason than victory for the United States.
In 2019, her father died in a tragic accident. It left her entire family stunned and overwhelmed. Mikaela’s dad was her biggest fan – and an avid photographer who would spend his days capturing her and her brother as they skied the mountains of Colorado.
Losing her dad led Mikaela to a dark depression. At the encouragement of her brother, she decided to put her skis back on to honor her father’s memory – and she has done just that! She has since set a record for the most World Cup wins in History in women’s slalom. And while it has been a difficult start for the skier – quickly faltering in her first 2 races, she is competing in 5 different disciplines at the Beijing games with 3 more to go.
Tuesday, February 8, 2022
A real friend sticks closer than a brother … or sister. Brittany Bowe and Erin Jackson are both Olympic speed skaters for Team USA at the Winter Olympics in Beijing – and they are besties that push each other to greatness. Weirdly enough, the speed skaters are from Ocala, FL – which has become the epicenter of speed skating for Team USA.
Erin had a mishap in a qualifying round that bumped her from the 500-meter team race. That would not stand for Brittany who stepped down from the race and had Erin replace her. Both speed skaters are currently participating in the Olympics this week!
Would you give up the spotlight for a friend? Jesus said there is no greater love than to lay your life down for a friend.
Monday, February 7, 2022
Lafourche Parish was beaten down by Hurricane Ida last year. But wherever there is great need – there is great opportunity to do good! Ms. Andi Sonnier had an idea to provide many necessities for the Nicholls State community and it didn’t take much to get others onboard.
Andi is a licensed social worker and Nichols Case Manager of Student Affairs. With just a couple days of hard work, she opened The Colonel Closet – a thrift store on the Nicholls State campus – but a store with a twist. The Colonel Closet has nice clothes, food and household items – and everything there is free for students, faculty and their families.
Hundreds of folks donated money and resources to make it possible – and as much of the community is being rebuilt, it is deeply impacting lives. Pallets of supplies and donations have poured in from around the country.
Friday, February 4, 2022
When you are in charge – the buck stops here. No matter what the need is, it’s on the leaders to take on the challenge. And sometimes that means grabbing a mop.
There’s a shortage of teachers, custodians and lunchroom workers all over the country. An elementary school principal in Las Vegas still got the job(s) done. Principal Joseph Uy of Gwendolyn Woolley Elementary has been vacuuming classrooms, preparing food in the lunchroom and substitute teaching, in addition to his administration duties. Just one example of all our hard working administrators and teachers going above and beyond to serve our kids!
Principal Uy (His name is pronounced, “Ooh-eey”) pitches in wherever the needs are. When his staff took pictures and his story went public, the Las Vegas Raiders heard about it and decided to send him to the Superbowl! It would be awesome if every great teacher and principal and frontline worker could be recognized with Super Bowl tickets – but SOFI Stadium is only so big.
Thursday, February 3, 2022
Tampa Bay resident Patrick Rhodes began the Lunch for Healthcare Heroes program back in April of 2020 – it was the early days of the pandemic. Patrick bought and delivered more than 600 pizzas and sandwiches to local hospitals. It was a way he could do good.
Word got out and Dwayne The Rock Johnson thought what Rhodes was doing was awesome, so he personally paid for 200 more meals. In 2021 Patrick Rhodes partnered with the Inspire Foundation and together they delivered 2,021 meals to frontline heroes.
As the program grows, food and school supplies are being delivered to teachers too. Patrick says, “I strongly believe that small acts of kindness will change the world.” And he is proving that motto true.
Wednesday, February 2, 2022 – Happy Groundhog Day! (Phil saw his shadow, so 6 more weeks of Winter)
A supermarket in the Netherlands wants to help combat loneliness for their elderly customers with what they call “chat checkouts.” Unlike streamlined self-checkout counters designed to get you out in a hurry, the Kletskassas (chat check-outs) are specifically designed to slow things down and create opportunities for conversations.
The head of Jumbo Supermarkets says, “Many people, the elderly in particular, can feel lonely. As a family business and supermarket chain we have a central role in society. Our shops are a meeting place and that means we can do something to combat loneliness.”
Tuesday, February 1, 2022
A team from Seytons Electrical in Hull England did wiring work for 6 weeks at the Anderson family’s home. Theo Anderson, the five your old who lives in the house, quickly befriended the electricians and was so interested in all the work they were doing.
Theo would follow the workers around with endless questions and help whenever he could safely help. Theo basically became their mascot during the rewiring project. Once the job was done, Theo’s mom got the bill and Theo got a paycheck!
Seytons Electrical wrote out a check for £15 (about $25 US), listing Theo’s jobs of measuring items, counting sockets, delivering cookies and “Quality Assurance” – defined as asking lots of questions!
Monday, January 31, 2022
Nate Armstrong runs Big Oak Tavern. Like everyone else, he struggles to care for his staff and keep the business afloat – once again switching to a take-out only model for safety. It’s exhausting, but nothing compared to local hospital employees.
To make sure those medical workers are getting fed, Nate has relaunched the Hero Meals program in Roswell – with the hope to inspire other restaurateurs to do this statewide. Through fundraising efforts Nate’s restaurant is providing free meals to hospital workers, COVID testing site employees and keeping his own employees on the payroll.
The goal is 20,000 to 30,000 meals given in the next six months. It’s all about touching the people that really saved our lives,” Armstrong said. “It’s a simple thank you that we need to deliver.”
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Friday, January 28, 2022
A Southwest Airline employee found a stack of handwritten letters dated from the 1940s to the 1970s left on a flight. They belonged to the family of Rachel DeGolia. They were a collection of letters from her mother Lois, written to family members – a glimpse into her mom’s heart – Lois had passed away from cancer many years back. Rachel’s brother had flown with the irreplaceable letters with the intent of scanning them for digital copies – but he got off the plane without the priceless documents.
Sarah Haffner with Southwest Airlines poured over the letters and Googled every name she could find, hoping to connect with the family – and eventually she found Rachel DeGolia. She called immediately and before Sarah even finished saying “Southwest Airlines” Rachel KNEW they had found the priceless letters from her mom. They have since been digitally backed up.
Thursday, January 27, 2022
23 year old Dusti Talavera was smiling as she watched three kids from her apartment complex slipping and sliding on the frozen over pond. As Dusti continued doing her dishes she saw a terrible accident happen – the ice gave way and the three children fell into the deep frozen pond.
Dusti raced out her door and pulled two kids to safety. When she went back for the third, a six year old girl, Dusti also fell through the ice into the 16 foot deep pond. Thankfully another neighbor brought rope and they were pulled to safety.
Emergency responders began CPR on the unresponsive little girl and secured a pulse before she was rushed to Children’s Hospital. Thanks to Dusti and others, all three children will be ok.
Wednesday, January 26, 2022
A boy named Fallon loves to visit the local JB Hart Music Co store in his hometown of Grand Junction, CO. Fallon was born with Williams Syndrome, a developmental disorder that can cause a lot of medical problems. But Fallon has a talent on the guitar and he loves to play a specific axe – what he calls the Pantera guitar – and Fallon can shred.
One day another customer watched in awe as Fallon played on his dream guitar with so much passion. The shopper later asked the store if he could buy the guitar and gift it to the boy anonymously the next time he came in. Unbeknownst to the shopper and store, Fallon’s family moved to Texas – but 8 months later, while in town visiting family – the boy showed up to play on the guitar and was so excited when the store told him it was his to keep!
Tuesday, January 25, 2022
Melanie and her grandfather Rene Neira shared a lot of the college experience. Back in the 1950s Neira dropped out of school to get married and start a family. Over the years he picked up credits. And when his granddaughter Melanie started college – he enrolled too!
This past December Melanie graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in communications and her grandfather got a degree of recognition in economics. Mr. Neira’s studies are still a little incomplete because he suffered a stroke shortly before the coronavirus sent classes online – a challenge he hasn’t quite conquered. But since he was just a few hours shy of his degree the school honored both granddaughter and grandfather together at the graduation ceremony. Melanie even got to push her grandfather’s wheelchair across the stage to receive his diploma!
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Monday, January 24, 2022
DaVante Williams was an Uber driver who got stuck on the frozen I-95 a few weeks back. Thousands of motorists were trapped for nearly a day on the shutdown interstate outside of Washington DC. His passenger was a young teenage girl trying to get from the train station to her parent’s house. It should have been a 2 and a half hour trip – but it turned into much more.
DaVante was trapped with a scared young woman just trying to get home. He didn’t have blankets in the car and was running low on gas – so he communicated with his passenger and her parents via phone and was able to book the girl a hotel room, using his own money. While he offered to complete the journey when the roads opened up the next day, a family friend was able to come and pick up the teenage girl.
Hours later DaVante heard from the family who were so grateful for his hard work and for caring for their daughter. Uber reimbursed the young man for his expenses – but as the story spread, DaVante was offered a new job making much more money.
Alto is an upscale rideshare company that operates in just a few select areas – including DC, where DaVante lives. His new job has him teaching other drivers customer service and maintaining their elite vehicles.
Friday, January 21, 2022
Just a couple of weeks ago, snow and ice shutdown I-95 in Virginia just outside Washington DC. Motorists were stranded. No one could escape for 16 long, cold hours. And before long, folks started getting hungry.
Casey and John Holihan were stuck in that wintry mess. But their car wasn’t far from a beacon of hope on the frozen interstate – a Schmidt’s Baking Co. truck. Casey was quick to call the local bakery and coordinate with the owners to distribute the fresh baked bread to other stranded motorists.
The driver opened the back of his truck, and the Holihans started delivering loaves of bread to cars along a two-mile stretch of road. The couple gave out bread until there was none left – and expressed to local news crews how grateful they were to Schmidt’s Baking Co. to choose caring for people over the loss of profits that day.
Thursday, January 20, 2022
Jennifer Smith is a nurse at the adult day health care program at the Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Rome, New York. Right before Thanksgiving, one of her favorite patients called her, distraught. John Burley had been hospitalized for pneumonia and lung problems, and no one was available to take care of his 12-year-old dog, Boomer. The dog had been picked up by animal services, and John was desperate.
Jennifer didn’t hesitate to help care for Boomer while John was in recovery. She tracked the pup to a local animal shelter and adopted him on behalf of her patient. Jennifer and Boomer go visit John at his recovery center so the two can spend some time together each week.
Wednesday, January 19, 2022
Dayvon Johnson is only 11 years-old, but he is a legit superhero. Back in December, Dayvon saw one of his classmates choking. Having watched a YouTube video on the Heimlich maneuver, he successfully saved his friend who had tried to swallow a water bottle cap.
Later that afternoon while walking home he saw a house on fire and an elderly woman trying to flee. She was using a walker and Dayvon knew she needed help, so he sprinted across the street and helped her to safety.
The young man says he wants to become an EMT when he grows up – but he’s already been made an honorary deputy thanks to his courageous acts!
Tuesday, January 18, 2022
The employees of Sanipac, the local waste management company in Springfield, OR, have really gotten to know their community. They are forever going up and down the streets of neighborhoods, getting to know everyone as they pick up the trash.
For the last 10 years, Sanipac has provided bikes for kids in their community. For some, it’s the only way they can get to school every day. At the Sanipac family Christmas party, while eating and laughing and dancing – families put together over 150 bikes that were then given to families from the school district that were in need.
Monday, January 17, 2022
Shortly before Christmas, a beloved former teacher, Irma Vitrano and her husband, John, who is currently principal at Fontainebleau High, saw their home damaged by a fire. Thankfully no one was hurt, but the damage was severe.
Together, the Vitrano’s have impacted so many lives. Before becoming a principal, John was Coach Vitrano – raising up high school basketball players for decades. Many of their former students have joined together to help the Vitrano’s rebuild their home. A GoFundMe account was created with a goal of raising $15,000. That goal has been more than doubled already.
Friday, January 14, 2022
Olivia Jennings of Memphis was about to pump gas into her car, joking with a couple of young men who were headed out of the convenience store with a bag of orange juice. As Olivia went to put her card in the gas pump, one of the young men said, “Oh it’s ok, I got it.” He handed her $20 to fill her car up.
Olivia was stunned by his generosity and took a picture with the young man and shared it on Facebook – bragging about the quality of the youth in Memphis. That post has been shared hundreds of times on social media.
Thursday, January 13, 2022
Shaq wants every child to be able to unwrap presents on Christmas morning. And while he can’t do it all (yet) he was able to make dreams come true for some kids south of Atlanta, but handing out 1000 Nintendo Switches – another 1000 PS5’s. And he bought out a Walmart of every bike they had.
Imagine rolling into an elementary school and just watching kids scream for joy with tears in their parents eyes? The former NBA star has been hosting Shaq-a-Claus events in communities since 1997!
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Wednesday, January 12, 2022
Proverbs 3 says “If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say, ‘Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.'” If you get the chance to do good – just do it!
That’s the mindset that a friend in San Angelo, TX had when he saw a family sitting together on the street corner shortly before Christmas. They had a sign asking for any help of any kind. While this stranger didn’t have any cash on hand, he felt led to feed the family.
So he went to a nearby restaurant and bought a family-sized meal – and brought it over to the mother, father and their young daughter outside. The family was incredibly grateful and joyful over the gift of food for Christmas.
Tuesday, January 11, 2022
Sydney Raley spent last Summer – just 15 years old and on the autism spectrum – working at McDonalds in her hometown of Eden Prairie, MN. Between fixing the ice cream machine and frying the fries, Sydney managed to become a hero.
One Saturday while working the drive-thru, Sydney noticed a customer looked in pain. The woman was coughing and choking – her young daughter in the car was terrified. Sydney had learned first aid as a babysitter and knew she had to act fast.
15 year old Sydney leaped through the drive-thru window, got the choking woman out of the car and performed the Heimlich maneuver – but she wasn’t strong enough. So she coached another customer standing nearby and he was able to clear the woman’s esophagus. Then Sydney instructed the girl in the car to call 911.
When local police arrived they hailed young Sydney as a hero – and even gave her $100 as a cash reward!
Monday, January 10, 2022
North Philadelphia has been on a downward trend for decades. Generations live together in households, struggling to get by and stay safe. In Philly, 1 in 23 people are on parole. And the best way to keep out of trouble is to get a job. But former prisoners often struggle to find employment. Michael Carter knows. He spent 12 years in prison. But today he’s the executive chef at Down North Pizza.
Down North Pizza was created by Muhammed Abdul-Hadi to help save his grandmother’s neighborhood. The pizza shop exclusively hires ex-cons to help provide a legitimate way forward. And delicious pizza of course.
Down North Pizza is one of many local businesses aimed at both revitalizing Philly and humanizing a massive part of the American population. The key word here is “Redemption.” And that’s something Jesus people can really understand.
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Friday, January 7, 2022
Kenneth Allen is an attorney in Indiana. For years he has purchased Christmas presents to distribute in local schools. This year, he thought why not let everyone pick out their presents. So Kenneth purchased 300 $100 gift cards (That’s $30,000 worth of gift cards) and handed them out through school officials and at the store itself.
The store – Meijer – did a quick 10% sale for everyone who had the gift cards to help out even more. The attorney told the local paper, “I’m doing what God put me on the planet to do… help people.”
Thursday, January 6, 2022
Dusty Hudgins was digging through his late mother’s belongings when he happened across some old cookbooks. His mom had once worked in a school cafeteria in Abilene, TX – back in the 60s and 70s. Dusty wondered if anyone would remember those favorite recipes.
So Dusty shared his find on a Abilene Facebook Group and discovered that a LOT of people remembered his mom’s food and were excited to get the recipes. Dusty decided to have the old recipes republished in a cookbook – the proceeds going to charity.
The newly published cookbook features recipes from generations of school cooks with Southern classics like cornbread and barbeque chicken and some very vintage feeling options like Chicken loaf with fruit. To order a copy of Our Favorite Recipes, email Dusty at [email protected].
Wednesday, January 5, 2022
Carol Mack has lived a life of service to Jesus and to children. She was a teacher for 45 years – leading 1st and 2nd graders at Christ Lutheran School in Big Bend, WI. For years Carol has battled cancer and now, her battle is drawing to a close.
Carol’s condition is worsening and she had to step down from teaching and begin hospice care. Though Carol has no children of her own, she has helped raise countless children for nearly half a century. A couple dozen of her students gathered at her hospital room and sang worship songs for Ms. Mack.
Not only was it a beautiful display of Christ’s love for Carol Mack, but it touched the hearts of the many nurses at Aurora St. Luke’s Hospital as well.
Tuesday, January 4, 2022
Ebony works for Dunkin Donuts and Suzanne frequents the store. Smiles and greetings became a full fledged friendship over the years.
Suzanne got worried when Ebony wasn’t at work for several weeks in a row. She did some digging and found out that Ebony and her children had been evicted from their home. So Suzanne stepped in to help her friend in her time of crisis.
Suzanne contacted many local organizations that help with housing. Working closely with several non-profits, Ebony was given a fully furnished home for her family! Ebony and her children had Christmas in their new home thanks to Suzanne.
Monday, January 3, 2022
When disaster strikes, one of the first needs everyone has is simple – food. So when tornados devastated Mayfield, Kentucky a few weeks ago, Jim Finch put his grill and a truckload of food in the pickup and drove over to serve.
Over 40 tornadoes touched the ground, devastating many communities in December. Jim knew that folks need to eat as they dig through the rubble and decided to help in every way he could.
Jim knew folks had no power – had no restaurants – nothing – and he knew he could cook simple meals for many. So he did. Be like Jim.
Friday, December 24, 2021
Serving his community is something Wilmar, an Amazon delivery driver from New Jersey, takes very seriously. And that worked out well for a grandma named Gigi when she wandered away from home.
Wilmar was working in her area when he spotted the 92-year-old, who has Alzheimer’s, and stopped his van to check on her. He read her medical alert bracelet and saw that she lived nearby, so he got the number on the bracelet, called her granddaughter Karen, and drove her home.
He says, “I think it’s very important that the community looks out for one another. If something happens, see something, say something. You just wanna make sure that your neighbors are safe, everybody’s happy. It benefits all as long as we’re all contributing.“
Thursday, December 23, 2021
Thousands of kids around the world are born with mouth problems that keep them from the simple act of smiling. One plastic surgeon has devoted his life to helping these kids to smile again.
Dr. Subodh Kumar Singh has performed over 32,000 surgeries for free to restore a beautiful smile to kids all over the world the past few decades. Dr. Singh said, “My father Gyan Singh and mother Giriraj Kumari (she died last year) taught me to serve the poor and live ethically. I feel God made me a plastic surgeon to serve a divine cause.”
Perhaps you can’t surgically repair a broken smile – but you can be the source of a smile wherever you go this holiday season.
Wednesday, December 22, 2021
The Make-A-Wish foundation grants thousands of wishes for sick children each year. A lot of kids wish for a trip to Disney World or a new gaming console, but 13-year-old Abraham of Jackson, Mississippi wished for something different. He wished to feed the homeless.
In September, Make-A-Wish organized a one-day event to hand out free food to Jackson’s homeless population, but that’s not all they’re doing. Once a month for the next year, Make-A-Wish is going to partner up with Abraham to do the same thing.
Abe hopes and prays this can turn into a nonprofit someday. He plans to call it, “Abraham’s Table.” Don’t let Make-A-Wish have all the fun this Christmas – partner with your church or LifeSongs to be a difference maker in your community!
Tuesday, December 21, 2021
In 2014, John Russo said that if and when he beat throat cancer, he’d celebrate with a grand Christmas display for his New Jersey neighborhood to enjoy. So when he beat the disease the following year, he started a decorating tradition that has brought joy every year since.
John’s tricked-out lawn celebration includes inflatable décor and lights set to a computerized, 40-minute, 15-song holiday playlist in an award-winning display that adds $200 to his monthly electric bill. All just to make kids smile!
The local police department has even gotten involved to help this year. For the first time, visitors can donate to the department’s annual holiday toy drive via a drop box placed outside Russo’s home.
Monday, December 20, 2021
Texas businessman and philanthropist Mattress Mack of Houston surprised a family from Houma with … everything.
The Thomisees lost everything in Ida, so they decided to start over in Houston. They found jobs, scraped by and were living in a hotel for nearly two months before they could afford a deposit on an apartment. Even after securing an apartment, they had no furniture or home supplies.
Until one Wednesday morning when a moving truck showed up outside their door. Inside the truck was a home full of free furniture, dishes and home supplies – all a Christmas present from Mattress Mack and Gallery Furniture.
Friday, December 17, 2021
There’s no I in TEAM. One football team in California has proven that to be true with the incredible way they work together. The varsity football team out of Riverside went undefeated, 12-0 until losing in the championship game. That’s a miraculous season, especially after losing every single game the last seven seasons. But despite their incredible turn around the team hasn’t heard a single cheer from the stands. Because all 23 players on the team and their coach are deaf!
The Cubs don’t play in a special league – they dominated teams with many more players without disabilities – and they crushed the competition. The team has inspired not only their community, but NFL coaches have reached out to the Cubs to congratulate them and share how they’ve inspired the pros! Whatever you may struggle with, God can still do amazing things with your willing heart and use you to inspire others.
Thursday, December 16, 2021
Jenni immigrated to the U.S. from Ethiopia 20 years ago. She used to work for a technology company and she drove Uber on the side, but all that changed the day she met 88-year-old Paul Webb. Paul is isolated because his wife passed a few years ago and his memories are nearly gone because of dementia.
Jenni knew that this was a sign from God to care for someone on a deeper level so she quit her main job at the tech company to care for Paul full time. Jenni and Paul simply spend quality time together each day.
Jenni said, “A lot of people with a lot of wisdom, they are dying at home alone so the rewarding part is changing his life. Changing his last days. He’s 88. You don’t deserve to be alone.”
Wednesday, December 15, 2021
8 year old Summer Linn believes everyone needs a little Christmas. She wants kids in foster care to not feel forgotten, but “wanted and loved.” So Summer hit the kitchen and whipped up some delicious cupcakes to inspire her community to generosity.
Summer is selling cupcakes to raise funds to buy Christmas presents for foster children in her home town of Pearland, TX. The 8 year-old has a full baker’s dozen of kids she’s already bought presents for – and with each cupcake sold, more children will be able to unwrap something special next weekend.
Tuesday, December 14, 2021
For over 10 years Chad Turns has been the UPS driver that delivers packages in Dauphin, AL – a little town with fewer than 800 residents. You could say he’s one of the most popular people in town – because he delivers all the goods. And he goes the extra mile.
It’s the small attention to details that makes Chad a superstar. He delays delivery of presents til after the kids are in bed, so as not to ruin the surprise. Since everyone knows everyone, Chad has learned the living rhythms and tries to meet people where they are. He’ll track folks to relatives’ houses so they can sign for anticipated packages.
During the pandemic, Chad regularly worked 60-80 hour weeks. Folks depended on deliveries more than ever. And Chad always showed up. The town wanted to treat their hero to a big tip, so they started a secret Facebook page to organize donations. They collected over $1000 and surprised the UPS driver on his last pickup of the day with the entire community holding up signs of thanks for Chad. As you can imagine, there were plenty of tears of gratitude all around!
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Monday, December 13, 2021
Kitty is the coolest Great Grandmother. At 80 years old she decided to put in a fancy in-ground pool for her 29 grandkids and great grandkids to enjoy. She invested her life savings in the new home with a backyard that dreams are made of. But those dreams turned into a nightmare.
A strong winter storm destroyed the pool, causing the concrete to crumble and fiberglass shatter. There was nothing she could do about it. Insurance wouldn’t pay out the $80,000 repair bill. Kitty’s trouble was shared with a local news team who wanted to draw attention to how poorly her insurance company treated her. But the story also caught the eyes and hearts of several local construction companies.
They teamed up to put in a brand new pool for Kitty and her family at no cost to them! Eight companies and dozens of employees donated time and resources – some of these companies are actually rivals, working together to help restore Kitty’s dream.
Friday, December 10, 2021
Kindness beats accomplishment every day of the week. The world might remember you for great accomplishments – but the people who matter will remember your character.
When Wichita State University whooped Tarleton State 65-51 on the basketball court, Wichita star Dexter Dennis had every right to party it up with his team in the locker room. Dex, however, threw on his workout hoodie and headed to the stands of the arena to help pick up trash.
A local newsman snapped a video of the basketball star on clean-up duty and asked around. Dexter wasn’t being punished, he just wanted to lend a helping hand to the cleaning crew who make their home games clean and comfy.
Thursday, December 9, 2021
Boy Scouts are always prepared. They are literally trained to help anyone in need. That training came in real handy for 12-year-old Scout David King while he and his mom were hiking the hills of Kailua, Hawaii.
David and his mom found a couple lost in the wilderness with no water and an injured 100-pound dog. After sharing water with the wanderers, David fashioned a stretcher out of some branches and a t-shirt so he could carry the dog to safety.
Give David ALL the badges!
Wednesday, December 8, 2021
There are a lot of blue roofs across SELA as Winter approaches. Many are living in rough conditions as the post-Ida rebuilding continues. This puts some in danger as colder temperatures eventually make their way South. That’s where Janice Hamilton is making a difference.
Janice created the Blankets for the Bayous Facebook page to make and deliver warm blankets to people in need. Janice started out making blankets for the homeless community of Montegut. But the need has grown and now she is recruiting others via Facebook to give and participate in making blankets for the devastated bayou parishes.
So far she has given out over 400 blankets and pillowcases. Many more are being made. And many more lives will be warmed both inside and out by this hometown hero!
Tuesday, December 7, 2021
Eddie Morgan owns Harbor Docks in Destin, FL. The family owned marina and restaurant is also Eddie’s pulpit for sharing a love for fishing and teaching kids how to bait their hook. Each November, he treats 300 children to Take-a-Kid-Fishing Day, a tradition that his own father started 27 years ago. The group heads off on about 50 fishing boats for a day of sunshine, fishing, and local history. The trip is free, and kids get a fresh fish lunch and a fishing rod to take home. So far Eddie’s family has taught more than 7,000 children how to fish!
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Monday, December 6, 2021
You know those neighborhoods where people go all out with the Christmas decorations? We’re talking, slow-down-the-car, is that Al Copeland, don’t-look-at-the-electric bill kind of stuff. That’s the kind of neighborhood where Dale and Julie Marks live, in Des Moines, Iowa.
Dale and Julie had a hard year. They both caught Covid-19, and Dale survived two strokes and a heart attack while battling the disease. After all of that, putting up Christmas decorations seemed like an impossible task until a group of volunteers stepped in with kindness and muscle to spare.
Local contractor Bob Coffey heard about the Marks’ situation, so he and four of his employees came out to do the work for free. With some direction from Dale, who observed safely from the porch, they strung light after festive light until the house looked like they all knew it should: Full of holiday cheer.
Friday, December 3, 2021
Kelly and Anthony had quite the meet-cute. They were hanging with some mutual friends on the Jersey Shore. Anthony is blind. He didn’t have a cane with him, so Kelly grabbed him by the arm to guide him around for the day. In some ways, she never let go.
Their first date was to a film premier. That film was a documentary about Anthony – who wrestled in high school against sighted opponents, and practiced Judo – going so far as training for the Paralympics. Kelly needed a dress for the premier, but thoughtfully considered her sightless date by picking a dress made of velvet, so he could touch it to “see” she had dressed up special for him.
Anthony swoons over his now-wife about how his life changed when they fell in love. Kelly became his eyes for the world – describing the sights on their many adventures together. For her wedding dress, Kelly was intentional to pick a dress that had many tactile embellishments like embossed flowers and velvet tassels with a mix of fabrics so her husband could “see” how beautiful she was on their special day.
When Kelly met Anthony at the altar and she placed his hands on her dress he immediately began crying for joy.
*I imagine the dress looked like this:
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Thursday, December 2, 2021
One of the most dangerous parts of a natural disaster is dealing with power generators. They can cause fires and put off enormous amounts of carbon monoxide.
Thankfully a quick to act 9 year old in Brockton, Massachusetts knew about the dangers of carbon monoxide. Jayline heard her father call for help and saw him pass out as she approached. Her mom was also overcome by the invisible carbon monoxide. Jayline held her father’s locked iPhone to his face to open the phone with Face ID, and called 9-1-1.
In the end, emergency responders treated 5 people in the home for carbon monoxide poisoning – but all made a full recovery – all thanks to the quick reaction of 9 year old Jayline.
Tuesday, November 30 – Wednesday, December 1, 2021
The LifeSongs family came together for the SPIRIT OF GIVING and provide over $20,000 for this radio ministry! Factor in the special matching and you brought in $40,000 for the ministry of LifeSongs in just a couple of day! That’s some real GOOD NEWS!
Monday, November 29, 2021
Retired FBI boss steps up to help community with school bus driver shortage
After retiring from the FBI, Michael Mason wasn’t quite ready to completely stop working, and when he heard there was a bus driver shortage in Chesterfield County, Virginia, Mason knew he found his calling.
“As far as I’m concerned, I’m transporting the future of America, and that’s what I really love about the job,” he said. While at the FBI, he was executive assistant director, making him “fourth on the FBI’s food chain,” Mason told WTVR. “I’ve done some important things, but guess what? This is important, too.”
Driving the bus gives him a routine, and allows Mason to do his part assisting others amid the pandemic. He would love for people to hear his story and consider doing something to help in their own backyards. “I believe if all of us gave a little something, wow, how we could impact the world,” Mason said. “How we could change the world.”
Friday, November 26, 2021
There’s a tragic lack of fatherhood in the world today. One group of about 40 dads is trying to fill that void in their Shreveport neighborhood.
Michael LaFitte started Dads on Duty to help curb violence that was breaking out at Southwood High School. Kids were getting in fights, some had been arrested. A few dozen active fathers decided they could help, so they take turns hanging out at the school campus, providing protection and being a loving presence to help the many kids who don’t have any positive male role models in their lives.
How do you get high schoolers to trust you? Turns out just being there, and always having a dad-joke ready to role is all it takes!
Since Dads on Duty stepped up, there have been zero fights on campus and the students say you can really feel the happiness in the hallways.
Thursday, November 25, 2021 – Happy Thanksgiving!
Dottie is 95 years old and gets around in her wheelchair pretty well. She went with her family for a week-long vacation to Orange Beach, Alabama. Her wheelchair was not made for sand, so that’s where God sent Shane.
Shane was the lifeguard on duty the very first day of Dottie’s vacation. He saw the family coming to the beach and offered to take Dottie to their spot at the waterfront. He put her in his 4×4 and drove her as close as he could. Then the lifeguard picked up Dottie and carried her to her beach chair by the water.
Shane made sure that every day that followed during Dottie’s beach week, a lifeguard was there to collect and deliver her to her spot – and bring her back whenever she was ready to return to her condo. Dottie’s family was overwhelmed with gratitude and tried to tip the lifeguards multiple times a day – of course they declined the gesture saying, “All the pay we need is watching [Dottie] smile.”
Wednesday, November 24, 2021
Sometimes creation really reflects the Love of our Creator. Luna was a black leopard cub that was rejected by her mother, who was a part of a traveling zoo. A woman volunteered to adopt and care for the leopard cub and took her into her home.
That’s where Luna would meet her big brother, a Rottweiler named Venza. These two big, dangerous animals have become snuggly, adventurous pet siblings over the last year – and star in a series of Tik Tok videos posted by their adopted mom.
Sometimes family is the people and puppies that choose you. Thank you for being a part of the LifeSongs family. As you celebrate the holidays, know that you are truly loved. The same God that provided a home for a little leopard is watching over you too.
Tuesday, November 23, 2021
Two middle school students are being praised for their brave actions that helped save their school bus driver. Conner Doss and Kane Daugherty, both students at East Paulding Middle School outside Atlanta, were on a crowded bus when their driver, Miss Julie, pulled over and yelled for help.
When Kane ran up to her, the driver was bright red and shaking. He managed to pick up the dispatch radio and ask for help. The dispatch called 911 and helped the boys set the emergency brake, flashing lights and emergency stop arm. The boys knew Miss Julie had diabetes, and got her to eat and drink something as they waited for help. Together with their classmates, they waved down cars from bus windows and caught the attention of a pastor, who prayed with the worried students.
The driver is now recovering, and school leaders recognized the pair’s bravery at a recent school board meeting.
Monday, November 22, 2021
Do you enjoy working with your hands? Ken Postema has always been a builder. The Western Michigan native built go karts and bikes as a teenager and got into wood work after purchasing 10 wooded acres in rural Michigan – where he built his family a dream home with his bare hands and lumber from the property.
Ken has honed his skills over the decade. Now retired, he’s putting his building skills to work for the cause of Christ. Working with his friends from church, his grandkids and his 91 year old father, Ken processes trees from his forest and produced 10,000 toy wooden cars to go into Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes!
Sounds like Ken is quite the overachiever. You don’t have to make 10,000 toys to make a difference. Today is the last day for collection week with Operation Christmas Child – so you still have time to help!
Friday, November 19, 2021
Barbara and Margarita are just two grandmas, retired in Miami, FL who love to sew and share Jesus with children. For years the duo made stuffed animals and donated them to orphanages and hospitals in south Florida – but they wanted to do more to directly share Jesus along with their custom-made toys. Then someone connected these talented grandmas with Operation Christmas Child.
Prayer answered!
Barb and Marg met in Sunday School nearly 20 years earlier. Now their nimble fingers turn out hundreds of stuffed animals made from donated fabrics and even gently used t-shirts. Each stuffed animal tells a story and comes with a handwritten note from one of the ladies, sharing about Jesus.
“We make them, God places them,” Margarita said. “One box is going to reach a child—that’s a soul that is going to be touched by Jesus. One child at a time, it’s going to make a difference.”
Thursday, November 18, 2021
On board the 57 foot long sailboat christened Cloud 9, a small group of missionaries and hundreds of shoebox gifts sail a 40 mile stretch in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. The destination is Ennibur Island. It’s one of the most remote places on earth, between Hawaii and the Philippines. But dozens of children are about to celebrate the real reason for Christmas thanks to Operation Christmas Child!
Four missionaries bring the Gospel and a ton of presents to the nearly 300 children on the island. Everyone is sweating through their clothes. Christmas in the South Pacific is a balmy 85 degrees. Songs are sung and the Christmas story is acted out in their native language. Then the kids start tearing into gifts sent to them from families just like ours!
The joyful sound of hundreds of children playing and shouting echo across this remote island with no electricity or even a landing strip for small planes. At the end of the day, over 130 children, not including many adults, prayed to make Jesus King of their lives. The small churches on the island are given many resources to continue growing this new faith.
Wednesday, November 17, 2021
25 years ago, Sallie Simmons retired from a lifelong career as a nurse. She had a new car – and an exciting new season in front of her. But she felt in her heart that a life of leisure was NOT what God was calling her to. So she doubled down in her commitments at church and was soon introduced to Operation Christmas Child. That’s where Sallie found her second life calling.
This was over a quarter century ago! Now Sallie is 93 years old and leading her church’s Operation Christmas Child ministry. She packs shoebox gifts, praying for the children and families that will receive them.
“A box may go to a child who has never had a gift. It shows them that someone in the world loves them. That can change a life… Those boxes go to the ends of the earth to tell others about Jesus.”
Tuesday, November 16, 2021
“Amor a la Vida” means “Love for Life” – it’s also the name of a church congregation hidden in the mountains of Pichincha, Ecuador. Pastor Segundo Santacruz leads his excited and growing congregation as they meet needs and share Love with the native community.
Amor a la Vida provides food for their community – as well as virtual education through their one shared laptop computer. But every year at Christmas – that’s when the real magic happens! Kids and families get shoebox gifts from Operation Christmas Child when Amor a la Vida hosts the gift distribution each December.
It was at such a Christmas party that 12-year-old Romina heard the Gospel, saw the Gospel lived out, and decided to commit her life to Jesus! Romina is a talented pre-teen who loves to sing and do artwork. She prayed that God would provide some art supplies and sure enough – when she opened up her Operation Christmas Child shoebox there was a brand new pack of fine-tipped, colored markers front and center!
Now she sings her gratitude to God for providing for her needs and wants. Imagine what dreams God can use you to fulfill this Christmas!
Monday, November 15, 2021
16-year-old Jane Marie Franks is just a small town girl in Tennessee, making a difference around the world through Operation Christmas Child!
“We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone.” That’s the heart of Jane Marie’s message when the teenager toured elementary, middle and high schools in Linden, TN. She rallied students and teachers to pack over 1,000 shoebox gifts – which is pretty impressive considering the entire town only has about 2,000 residents.
Where does Jane Marie’s excitement for spreading the Gospel through Operation Christmas Child come from? Jane was adopted by her Tennessee based parents when she was just 6 months old. She was born in Guatemala – a place she and her family have returned to for mission trips. She’s seen first hand the difference that can be made with a simple gift at Christmas.
CLICK HERE to read more!
Friday, November 12, 2021
Four years ago, a heartbreaking assignment changed Lt. Brian Zach’s life for good — and for the better. Zach responded to a welfare check in Kingman, Arizona, where he met 2-year-old Kaila. The little girl was covered in bruises and other injuries. As they waited for social workers to help get Kaila out of her abusive home, Zach made friends with his small charge.
In fact, they got on so well that authorities later contacted him when they were searching for a foster family. Zach, along with his wife and two children, immediately said yes. They were only supposed to have a short time together, but before they knew it, the family was making memories with Kaila. They were seeing her off to school and taking fun trips. Now, they’re her real, adoptive family.
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Thursday, November 11, 2021
Andrew, who is on the autism spectrum, was really struggling to make friends at his new school. But lonely lunches are now a field of dreams with new friends. A football coach at the school saw Andrew’s struggle and encouraged his team to befriend the teenager. Soon his table was full of football players who became fast friends.
The footballers invited Andrew to hang with them after practice and ultimately he became the team manager. He got more than just a friend to eat lunch with – he found his place with a new family at school.
Wednesday, November 10, 2021
The Love In Action food bank is not just about the food; it’s really about showing and spreading the love of Jesus. It takes nearly 50 volunteers to handle the volume of food that gets distributed one Saturday every month. Along with hundreds of dollars in free food, the Gospel gets passed along to each family.
Love In Action began 20 years ago when husband and wife team The Campbells felt called to step up and help their community in Alabama. They organized support from several local churches that helped make this dream a reality.
We all know there aren’t many expressions of love more well received than the gift of food! Locally, our friends at Second Harvest Food Bank supply many other regional food pantries. You can learn more about volunteering or supporting Second Harvest at no-hunger.org.
Tuesday, November 9, 2021
Over the years, there have been several studies showing the physical effects that being kind can have, but there hasn’t been much research into how university-aged students respond to treating others with kindness.
Dr. John-Tyler Binfet and Dr. Sally Stewart from the University of British Columbia just completed one such study. Participants in the study completed 353 acts of kindness ranging from helping others to demonstrating appreciation.
Dr. Binfet said, “We know being kind yields a number of wellbeing benefits, such as stress reduction, happiness and peer acceptance, and we know mental health impacts learning. The post-secondary environment is often the last training ground to prepare students for life, so we want to understand how we can prepare students for optimal mental health as adults.”
So there you have it, college kids; scientific proof that being kind will help you do better in school AND be happier in life.
Monday, November 8, 2021
At one time in our lives, we all need second or third or fourth chances and Peter Mutabazi knows all about second chances. He was born in Uganda to an abusive father and ran away when he was 10 years old. After graduating college, he moved to the U.S. and began serving as a foster parent so he could give kids what he didn’t have – a safe, loving home.
Since then, Peter has fostered more than a dozen children, one of which is now his legally adopted son. In March 2020 when the pandemic was beginning, the father-son duo took in another one and another one. He now has four kids at his home.
Peter says, “My goal is to lift up those who have been forgotten and to say you’re special, you matter.”
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Friday, November 5, 2021
Sophie took her children to a restaurant last weekend last week. While her children were playing in the play area, she was trying to win a pink and purple teddy bear for her little girl on one of those claw machines. After three attempts, she gave up and proceeded back to her table for the meal. Little did she know, a 10 yr. old boy was watching her quest to win that bear, so he tried his hand at the claw game – and won! He walked over to her table with the same stuffed animal she was trying to win in his hand and said, “I’ve just won it for your little girl.” Sophie said, “I was nearly in tears it was such a nice thing to do.”
Thursday, November 4, 2021
Today’s story shows the power of kindness and reminds us it’s never too late for gratitude.
When’s the last time you got a thank you card? One letter that a police department in Kentucky received last week really stuck out. The letter was thanking the department for a random act of kindness one of their officers performed 71 years ago!
The letter read: “Back in 1950 my bride and I stopped in your city for lunch & when we left, this little card was under my wiper. For two 17 yr. old’s we didn’t have extra money for a parking ticket. My wife carried this card in all her wallets since then & we often talked about how kind your city is. I have lost her recently & just wanted to send this. Thank you.”
The department doesn’t give out those little cards anymore, but Police Chief Darrel Kilburn said small acts of kindness will always be a part of their culture.
Wednesday, November 3, 2021
For medical reasons we have to say this – laughter is not actually medicine. But sometimes it is the best medicine! When Neiva Fett of Madison, WI was recovering from back surgery, it was laughter that kept her inspired in the long road to recovery.
Laughter specifically brought on from cheesy “dad jokes.” Neiva’s neighbors, Tom and Jennifer Hanser, would post a dad-joke on a sign in front of their house. Neiva’s doctors told her the best recovery exercise for her was to walk around her neighborhood. It was the dad jokes that pushed her to go that extra block each day.
The Hanser’s jokes started as a way to bring joy to their neighbors during the pandemic shut-down. Wisconsin gets real cold for like 6 months out of the year, but every day Neiva would suit and boot up so she could get her prescribed exercise and joke of the day.
Would this joke (taken from the Hanser’s yard) inspire you to brave the Wisconsin Winter?
“I canceled my subscription to the Scrabble club. Now they’re sending me threatening letters.” 😂
Tuesday, November 2, 2021
The newly reopened Country Diner in Hegins, Pennsylvania was packed during a lunch rush when a diner asked manager Lorrie Renninger if she could pay for everyone’s bill. The diner went on to pay for all of the customers’ meals AND she also tipped the two servers a total of $100.
It was an act of kindness not only for the customers at Country Diner but also for the employees, especially during a difficult time. Lorrie the manager said, “Business has been up and down. Even though we’re opening, we still can’t get the help, you know. We had to do reduced hours.”
The generous patron wanted to remain anonymous, but employees want her to know how many people she touched by her generosity.
Monday, November 1, 2021
Portsmouth West High School and visiting Waverly High School were ready to begin their basketball game in Ohio when the sound system went out and their anthem couldn’t be played. After just a moment of awkward silence, a clear, strong voice burst forth from the stands.
Trenton Brown, father to one of the basketball players, sang the anthem a Capella to a stunned gymnasium. Trenton was used to singing with his church choir and band but he had never performed like this. Thankfully a friend captured the moment and put it on Facebook!
Later Trenton revealed he wasn’t planning on singing but his wife nudged him and said “Just sing!” The anthem is special to his family, whose oldest daughter Grace is currently serving in the US Air Force. After his impromptu performance he got to watch his song Zeke play in his very first varsity basketball game – but no word on the final score.
Wednesday, October 27, 2021
Hattie Craft is a living legend. The Lower 9th Ward mother to all has spent half a century dolling out frozen cups and plates of food through a slot in her front door to generations of children. She fought for and won federal help in the 9th ward after Hurricane Betsy in 1965. She’s spent every year since as an advocate for her community.
In the late 70s she organized a petition to have Mayor Dutch Morial pave the neighborhood roads of her community. Hattie is known for her kindness and generosity.
That’s why a couple of weeks ago for her 99th birthday, cars lined up for blocks to drive by and celebrate her loving spirit from the drive-way of her daughter Alice.
Tuesday, October 26, 2021
How do we combat violence and hate in our country? It might be as simple as popping open a lawn chair.
21 Days of Peace took a look at the homicide numbers in the suburbs of Minneapolis and the local churches and community simply set up their lawn chairs and sat there. The idea was to be “violence interrupters” with just their presence. And guess what… It worked!
Violent crime bottomed out in the areas where folks were sitting in their lawn chairs. Inspired by their success, groups in Nashville and Baltimore did the same thing – and they saw a 40% drop in violent crime and far fewer arrests.
The organizers of the first 21 Days of Peace credit local churches saying, “We draw on the power of congregation—of family, of friends, and of community to try to interrupt the violence. And our faith gives us the courage to put ourselves in harm’s way.”
Monday, October 25, 2021
School pictures are usually terrible for everyone. The student has anxiety – the photographer is exhausted and the parents are dropping a lot of money on a terrible picture that may or may not end up in a wallet.
North Farmington High School decided that the Seniors deserved to have more fun with their school pictures – so ever since 2014 they’ve been allowed to wear costumes for their school ID pictures. And if you were worried about the imagination of today’s youth, you need not be – these kids had a ball with their costumes.
Forrest Gump? That’s an easy costume to put together. A couple of friends synced their pictures up to be a scene from Disney’s Tangled – one posed as Rapunzel, the other as Mother Gothel.
we aren’t next to each other in the alphabet for nothing #NFID22 pic.twitter.com/3EbBVPBCp1
— hannah schryer (@hannahschryer) September 14, 2021
Disney makes a bunch of costume appearances, one of the best being the angry tea lady from Mulan.
“You may look like a bride, but you will never bring your family honor!” #NFID22 pic.twitter.com/lNC3yLiHUQ
— Teresa (@Tere3n) September 14, 2021
CLICK HERE to see even more awesome student ID photos!
Friday, October 22, 2021
It’s amazing how near-strangers can somehow become deeply connected to our lives. In 2013, Jacqui Webb spent three weeks at Tufts Medical Center in Boston after suffering life-threatening wounds in the Boston Marathon Bombing. Jacqui says she was deeply grateful for the caring staff there, and the thought crossed her mind that if she ever had a baby, she would want to be back at the same hospital.
Sure enough, this past August, Jacqui returned to the same hospital to deliver her first child. Nichole Casper, one of the nurses, recognized Ms. Webb and her fiancé, Paul Norden, on the list of incoming patients. (Norden and his brother, J.P., each lost their right legs in the bombing.) Casper had cared for them in the aftermath of the attack.
The nurse made sure she was there to greet the new parents, and they shared a touching reunion. Jacqui said it was comforting to be treated by someone who knew what she had been through. And for Nurse Casper, it was a rare and precious moment to be able to see two people, whom she had helped through the worst moments of their life, find a new happiness.
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Thursday, October 21, 2021
A nice hairstyle can mean so much more than fashion. For kids, it can give them the confidence to take on the challenges of a new school year. That’s why Brittany Starks, a single mom in Nashville, Tennessee, started offering free hair braiding services.
Despite knowing plenty of struggles herself, Brittany was moved to share her skills with struggling families in her community so their children could go back to school looking their best. She didn’t think she’d receive a big response, but was shocked at how many people were in need of such care.
This school year, Brittany has braided the hair of more than 35 children, and has enlisted the help of fellow hairstylists. She’s also launched a GoFundMe for supplies, and it’s smashed her initial goals. “As a single parent who has gone through so much of the same struggles they did, I know what these parents are feeling,” Starks said. “And if I can help in any way, even if it’s just putting a smile on their faces and easing this burden, I’m going to do it.”
Wednesday, October 20, 2021
Marie Robinson just turned 100 and she says, “serving the Lord and not hating anyone is the secret…” to a long and happy life. Marie Robinson celebrated her 100th birthday with friends and family at a local community center – because they needed room for all of the people who love her!
When asked to share her wisdom to younger generations, Ms. Marie warns everyone to raise their children right, “..tell them how to love one another.”
Family is very important to Marie. She and her late husband Moses raised nine children and were blessed with 35 grandchildren, 101 great-grandchildren and 18 great-great grandchildren… so far.
Tuesday, October 19, 2021
Josh and Cassie Sutton are realtors from Virginia. Their preschooler Harvey has boundless energy, so the family loves to go on hikes together. This past spring/summer the family took off of work and hiked the entire 2100 miles of the Appalachian Trail, stretching from Georgia to Maine.
The family spent 209 days on the Trail, camping most of the way. Harvey loved climbing rocks, finding tree frogs and other wildlife – and making his world famous Peanut Butter and Skittles tortillas for snacking.
Harvey was just 4 years old when the family started their hike, turning 5 along the way. His parents said keeping his imagination engaged over the months of hiking was a real challenge but his enthusiasm was contagious, especially as they met and travelled with other Trail hikers.
Just a couple of days after finishing their journey on Mount Katahdin in Maine, Harvey started Kindergarten. They survived a snow storm and camping as a family for over half a year. I think it’s safe to say that Harvey can handle Kindergarten, no matter what challenges that may bring!
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Monday, October 18, 2021
It was super exciting when The Magnolia Network launched this Summer, bringing Chip and Joanna Gaines back into our living rooms … but fans were pretty split on the return of Fixer Upper – not for the show – it’s great. No, the problem was Chip Gaines’ hair. It just kept getting longer and longer …
But the reason Chip Gaines grew his long hair during the pandemic was to spark others to generosity. Chip cut his hair and donated the locks to Children with Hairloss, while asking fans to donate to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. The hope was to raise $100,000. They ended up raising over half a million dollars!
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Friday, October 15, 2021
Three years ago, at age 8, Eleanore Lowe decided to sell lemonade in her Metairie neighborhood to help provide entertainment for children at local hospitals.
Her second lemonade stand was for the Order of the Sister Servants of Mary, a nonprofit organization that cares for the sick and terminally ill. And more recently, Eleanore held a third lemonade fundraiser. This time, social media users decided where the money went, with people voting for their favorite nonprofit.
In all, Eleanore has raised $800!
Eleanore is now a veteran do-gooder at 11 years old. While the pandemic has put many of her extracurricular activities and fundraising events on hold, she encourages everyone to try something new and practice, practice, practice.
Thursday, October 14, 2021
Imagine getting all the way to the Olympics, only to take a bus to the wrong venue for your event. It’s enough to make you sweat, right?
That’s exactly what happened to Jamaican runner Hansle Parchment when he accidentally ended up at the aquatics arena instead of Tokyo’s Olympic Stadium on the day of his semifinal in the 110m hurdles. Luckily, a kindhearted volunteer helped Parchment get there just in time. The Japanese Olympic volunteer gave the runner some money to take a taxi to the stadium.
Here’s the best part: Hansle Parchment went on to qualify for the final, and then won gold! Afterward, he tracked down the volunteer to thank her and show off the gold medal she helped him win! That attitude of gratitude is expected of Jamaican olympians, according to Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, who praised both the athlete and volunteer, saying “Every Jamaican knows gratitude is a must.”
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Wednesday, October 13, 2021
Officer Thomas noticed a man walking in the rain without shoes on and asked him if he needed socks and shoes. He bashfully replied, “Yes.” So she ran to go get him some shoes, but when Officer Thomas returned, the man was gone. She continued to carry around the shoes in the trunk of her car just in case she happened upon him later.
Later, while working an extra security job at a grocery store, Officer Thomas noticed the shoeless man outside. Since still had the shoes in her car, she was finally able to give them to the homeless man.
This kind police officer was not aware that she was being filmed during her act of kindness. She simply saw a person with a need that she could fill and did so.
Tuesday, October 12, 2021
Orion Jean is a young man on a mission – to share the gift of reading with hundreds of thousands of kids.
In 2020, Orion won a student kindness contest where he displayed his own campaign of compassion. He says, “Kindness is a virtue we can all possess. If we are willing to. So why not start today. Because right now, it’s what we need more than ever.”
For Orion, winning that contest “was really just the catalyst to something so much bigger.” With his $500 prize, he donated toys to a Dallas Children’s hospital. Next, through food drives and partnering with a relief group, he helped collect 100,000 meals for Texas families. Now, his focus is books for children who may not have them at home.
“I hope that the impact that I have had is enough to keep people continuing to race to kindness and continuing to join me in this marathon because it’s not a sprint,” Orion said. “It’s not a one-time thing, it’s not a three-time thing. It’s something that can hopefully be continued on for years and years to come.”
Monday, October 11, 2021
Anyone who says that miracles no longer exist have never heard Brittney Bedwell’s story. Years ago, she was in an ATV accident that left her paralyzed and unable to have future kids. Several doctors told her that she’d never be able to walk again, but her determination said otherwise.
But Brittany WAS able to walk. In fact, she walked down the aisle at her wedding! And, despite what doctors said about her never being able to have kids, she’s now four months pregnant!
Brittney’s sister said, “She leaves me speechless. So, I’ll just say – Brittney Bedwell inspires me to never give up. To believe in miracles. To stay strong. To defy the odds. To love deeply and freely. Happy wedding day, baby sister. You are STUNNING and STRONG!”
Friday, October 8, 2021
Student debt is at an incredible all time high in the United States – an estimated $1.7 trillion. That might as well be a fictional number, it is so much debt. But in the face of despair comes hope.
South Carolina State University announced they will use federal stimulus money from the pandemic to forgive almost $10 million in student debt – impacting 2,500 students!
Imagine the joy and relief of these students! If you want to learn how to manage your finances in a Godly way – don’t miss Money Wise every weekday at 10 AM on LifeSongs.
Thursday, October 7, 2021
Six-year-old Blake asked his mom to make him a shirt that simply said, I WILL BE YOUR FRIEND. He just wanted to be welcoming to new kids at his school in Fayetteville, GA.
Blake’s Mom, Nikki shared the story in USA TODAY. She said, “Blake… wants to meet people right where they are, just like Jesus does.”
What would your custom back-to-school t-shirt say? (Might I recommend: God is Good All The Time)
Wednesday, October 6, 2021
A group of high school students have designed and built a wheelchair stroller attachment so that people with disabilities can walk their babies.
The idea was born when one of their teachers was expecting a baby and they learned how nervous her wheelchair bound husband was. It was going to be tough for him to get in on some precious parenting moments. These high schoolers put an intense amount of thought into the project, working for months, taking into account the terrain around the dad-to-be’s house and making sure the design was something he could operate independently.
The result is the “WheeStroll,” a simple wheelchair attachment that allows parents to place their baby safely in front of them as they wheel around.
The students won two international awards by the Make:able 3D Printing Challenge for their wheelchair project: “Best Inspirational Story” and “Best Showcase of Iterative Design.” And they aren’t looking to get rich off of their innovation, either. The school shared the 3D printable plans and necessary tools for free to the internet.
Tuesday, October 5, 2021
Most people who become nurses do the job because they want to help people. Over the last 18 months that has been a next to impossible task. Sadly these titans of healthcare often put their own needs on the backburner. How can you give back to the nurses who have given so much? Well we can start with a mani-pedi.
The Marco Pelusi Hair Studio in West Hollywood, CA has been doing free makeovers for some of the local nurses. Marco said, “They have worked so hard, so diligently, so ferociously… We wanted to make them feel good so when they get in the mirror in the morning, they’ve got some pretty color to look at and they’re energized to go back out on the front lines.”
We can make a difference for our local nurses too. For starters, take precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. But also check with your church about ways to care for healthcare professionals.
Monday, October 4, 2021
A good parent wants a hope filled future for their children. Parents of children with special needs face even more challenges as their kids become young men and women. There are simply not as many education and job opportunities for folks with learning disabilities – but all hope is not lost.
Joel Wegener has two adult children with Down syndrome. Josh and Mary Kate wanted to work, but finding a job proved challenging. So dad Joel made them a job. He purchased an ice cream truck and started the family business. And business is booming!
The Special Neat Treats ice cream truck rolls throughout town, frequently selling out – the Sponge-Bob popsicle is the best seller. Joel, Josh and Mary Kate have connected with their community in many special ways – and encourage other families with special needs kids each day.
Dad Joel says, “No matter what your abilities are, there’s something you can do and you can spread joy and interact with people.”
Monday, September 27, 2021
Liz Cooke is better known as LionheartLiz – her Instagram handle. She’s an influential designer and owner of Lionheart Prints on Magazine Street in New Orleans. While she survived Hurricane Ida with minimal damages, she wanted to help Terrebonne Parish in the aftermath.
LionheartLiz encouraged her Instagram followers to join her in making a difference. Together they raised thousands of dollars and were able to deliver cleaning supplies, essential personal items for women and children, plus a generator and solar lights to be distributed at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center.
Cooke and her followers literally filled up a uHaul trailer with as much as they could fit and delivered it to the scene of so much devastation. Her act of goodwill is a great reminder that you don’t need to be some huge organization like the Red Cross or the Cajun Navy to make an impact.
Friday, September 24, 2021
Lucille Fortin usually relied on her husband Waldo to take the lead when it came to hurricane preparation. But Waldo passed away last year and 70 year old Lucille was left to fend for herself during Hurricane Ida.
Lucille was able to evacuate safely with family to Texas during the storm. While there, she called to pay her PosiGen energy bill, and found herself sharing about how overwhelmed she was about cleaning up her home to account manager Elizabeth Newell. The phone conversation turned into a therapy session.
Lucille said, “I was kind of upset, and [Elizabeth] nurtured me.”
Elizabeth was inspired to help Lucille, a customer she’d never met in person, clean up her house after the storm, so she enlisted the help of her colleague Manuel. They met at Lucille’s house in New Orleans East a few weeks after the storm. They cleaned the refrigerator and freezer, which was jam-packed with spoiled food. They hauled debris, soiled rugs, and spent hours battling a yard of knee-high weeds.
Elizabeth and Manuel took care of it all. They were angels for Ms. Lucille.
Thursday, September 23, 2021
LifeSongs has long supported and worked with Second Harvest Food Bank (remember all of those awesome Strike Out Hunger bowling days at Rock ‘n Bowl?). Second Harvest meets food needs for 23 parishes across Southern Louisiana. Ever since Hurricane Ida, Second Harvest has been a non-stop buzz of activity. Not only are the loading docks of their Elmwood facility rolling out supplies to trucks all day everyday, but on the other side of the building, their chef run kitchen is cranking out tens of thousands of hot meals.
Executive chef Matthew Taylor leads a team of cooks and volunteers cooking and packaging hot meals to be delivered across the region every day. With dueling assembly lines and constantly refreshed hot pans of delicious and nutritious food – it’s a well-oiled machine of goodness that puts out around 7,000 meals a day. Since Ida, Second Harvest has delivered nearly 2 million pounds of food.
Second Harvest is always looking for volunteers – and now the need is greater than ever. You can learn more about serving and supporting Second Harvest at no-hunger.org.
Wednesday, September 22, 2021
Our Daily Bread is a local food bank that has faithfully served the disadvantaged of Tangipahoa Parish since 1999. Their mission is to alleviate hunger and make an eternal impact by sharing kindness and compassion with everyone who is in need. And they have been VERY busy these past few weeks.
Ms. Joy in Ponchatoula recently retired from her job of 24 years to commit her time and focus to serving at Our Daily Bread Food Bank in Hammond. [CLIPS] She told us, “We have been serving 2,500 meals a day since Wednesday after the storm. It is heartbreaking to see so many still in need, but I am thankful I am part of the team that gets to serve.”
Tuesday, September 21, 2021
Individuals, families, church groups – so many folks have come to SELA to help pick up after Ida. One group of landscapers from Houston visited St. John the Baptist Parish and helped clear out properties, cut down trees and clean up neighborhoods.
Lorena Mercado-Hunter was a part of this team of Houston landscapers. She was floored by the devastation, telling WWLTV, “Every single house… everyone just lost everything.” Adding, “..it’s heartbreaking but I’m glad I was able to come out here, make a little difference, help people out.”
And Lorena did help. Her whole team from Don A Cut Above the Rest Landscaping worked hard all weekend long. And so did many many others. And we cannot thank everyone enough for their willingness to serve. Long months of hard work lay ahead for many communities stretching from Terrebonne through the river parishes, on up to Tangipahoa.
Monday, September 20, 2021
10th Ward Buck and Lucky Johnson got together to turn an abandoned McDonald’s parking lot on the corner of Downman and Morrison into a place where locals could pick up free food and resources as they rebuild and restore after Ida. Many volunteers have joined the cause and bring food – boil seafood on the spot – and help load water and ice into cars.
The bounce rapper and local actor hope to eventually turn the site into a food truck hotspot, but right now they are just glad they can help their neighbors during this trying time.
Friday, September 17, 2021
In the middle of a community in shambles, First Baptist Church Golden Meadow is meeting needs by becoming a one-stop, drive-thru needs meeting beacon of hope. No AC, roof damage and downed trees are a lot to deal with. The needs are great, so FBC Golden Meadow is doing what they can to meet as many needs as possible.
Pastor Matthew Chouest decided to make the church building a drive-thru makeshift shop to distribute resources. Anyone can pull up and hand over their list of needs – and then volunteers gather everything they can for that person and load it in their car. Food, clothes, cleaning supplies – whatever they have is going to anyone in need.
The Cajun Navy set up in the parking lot to cook and hand out meals. In between distributions, volunteers work on cleaning up the debris at the church house, which also took heavy damage during Hurricane Ida. Now that’s what I call Bayou Hospitality!
Thursday, September 16, 2021
Just a couple of days after Hurricane Ida devastated Southern Louisiana, the Virginia-based non-profit Mercy Chefs was on the scene, utilizing volunteers and churches to provide hot meals to the hardest hit places.
Thirteen sites were set up; from Celebration in Metairie and Church of the King in Kenner – out to Violet in St. Bernard parish, LaPlace in the River Parishes, on down to Houma and Golden Meadow. And Mercy Chefs knows how to get it done – they learned in Lake Charles just last year after Hurricane Laura.
Mercy Chefs may be based in Virginia, but their roots are right here in Southeast Louisiana. Founder Gary LeBlanc is from Gonzalez and lived in New Orleans for 20 years. He went through Katrina – he knows the devastation and decided he would spend the rest of his life on the frontlines, helping people recover.
While Mercy Chefs is faith-based, they are not pushing religion on folks who are hungry – they are just meeting needs, like Jesus demonstrated. Many people who received meals immediately signed up to be volunteers for days afterwards.
Wednesday, September 15, 2021
Breeze Airways made New Orleans one of their four main hubs – connecting other Southern cities like Little Rock, Louisville, San Antonio and Tampa. The new airline is offering $1 million in free flights to get New Orleans residents home, first responders to the worst hit areas and volunteers into town to help with the Ida recovery.
Anyone can apply for the free flights at flybreeze.com. What a beautiful gift to Southeast Louisiana?! The deadline to apply is next Wednesday, the 22nd.
Tuesday, September 14, 2021
The video game industry is helping Louisiana (and others impacted by Hurricane Ida) with a bundle of games. These games don’t teach you how to shingle a roof or run power lines – but their proceeds are supplying the Cajun Navy, Bucket Brigade, food banks and more!
A bundle of 15 video games put together by local developers aimed to raise $5000 by packaging their games for a suggested $10 donation. The bundle sale ended last Friday.
They did not raise their target of $5000.
They raised nearly $30,000!
Monday, September 13, 2021
One of the first “heroes” many children meet are firefighters. Fire departments do a great job of being involved in the community – letting kids climb around on the big red fire engines – and teach fire safety at local schools. This they do when they are not busy being superheroes.
Like the name says, firefighters fight fires – something they have been called to do frequently with much of Southern Louisiana depending on generators for power. But they are also usually the first on the scene at accidents, as emergency medical responders. For the last couple of weeks Bridge City Firefighters have also become ice delivery people – checking in on an elderly community slow to get power back.
The ice helps, for sure, but a friendly face full of concern might mean even more. Especially after a weekend where as Americans we remember the impact thousands of firefighters made responding to the September 11th attacks 20 years ago. The famous Mr. Rogers’ quote about looking for the helpers still holds true,”.. you can always find people who are helping.”
Friday, August 27, 2021
College is very expensive. There are all kinds of grants and scholarships you can apply for, but millions of Americans still end up drowning in student loan debt. Now the largest private employer in the country is declaring NO MORE to student debt.
Walmart announced a program to pay college tuition and the cost of books for its full time AND part time associates! That’s over 1.5 million people that essentially just got a full-ride scholarship because of their generous employer.
Not to be outdone, Big Box rival Target says they’ll pay for college for their employees too – and even help cover the cost for grad school! So if you were worried about your future after high school, two of the world’s largest employers will give you a job and a free college education … it’s gonna be ok, friends.
Thursday, August 26, 2021
18 year old Sebbie Hall of Great Britain is making the most out of pandemic life.. Sebbie suffers from a rare Chromosomal issue, which creates learning disabilities. His mom Ashley asked him to think about what skills he could use to raise money for charities.
Without missing a beat, Sebbie responded, “I can be kind.”
Every day Sebbie performs at least one act of kindness. So far he’s done over 1,600 good deeds in his community. And with that “wonderful determination” (according to Prime Minister Boris Johnson) Sebbie has raised tens of thousands of dollars for charity.
Sebbie has walked neighborhood pets, watered gardens, washed cars and baked cakes. He’s handed out PPE for medical personnel and even given warm coats to the homeless. A bit of a Lothario as well, Sebbie has handed out 100 roses to 100 women just to make them smile, on his way to serve at a local food bank.
Wednesday, August 25, 2021
The Baltimore Museum of Art is arranging an exhibition called “Guarding the Art,” which will feature a selection of works chosen by unsung giants in the art community: Museum security officers.
One officer chose a series of pre-Columbian sculptures because they made him feel connected to his Puerto Rican ancestry. Another officer with a classical music background chose a piece by German painter Max Beckmann that depicts the artist’s second wife, a violinist.
Whether it was a personal connection to the artwork or a more indescribable one, the 17 officers involved are changing ideas of what it means to “know” art.
Tuesday, August 24, 2021
Lisa Radcliffe’s son Buster was born with a neuromuscular condition that requires him to wear adaptive braces. The medical wear scared other children in Buster’s preschool and that led to a world changing business.
Lisa thought, “if the orthotics looked like superhero gear, every kid would want to wear them!”
So Lisa started PunkinFutz, which produces super cool looking orthotics for kids. The name PunkinFutz was a loving childhood nickname from Lisa’s dad. The product line, which includes bags for wheelchairs, compression vests for children with sensory issues and fidget toys for the ADHD crowd has been so successful that Lisa was able to quit her full time job and focus on the business.
In fact, it was such a big deal that Sesame Street and JCPenney have joined PunkinFutz to develop an exclusive line for their stores!
About 75 percent of the company’s staff has special needs and Lisa hopes to build an entire product line factory that is built to be manned by people with all manners of disabilities.
Monday, August 23, 2021
Pianist Tonee “Valentine” Carter received the biggest tip of his life last Wednesday, courtesy of strangers who heard him play virtually. Carlos Whittaker was dazzled by Carter when he spotted him playing the piano at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and shared videos of the performance with his 200,000 Instagram followers.
Carlos asked them to help him deliver Carter his biggest tip ever, and within 30 minutes, $10,000 had been sent via Venmo and Cash App. When Whittaker told Carter about the tip, he was stunned. “I love giving and donating and helping people, but I never expected someone to do it for me!” Carter said.
The money kept coming in, and that $10,000 grew to $70,000 by Saturday. Carter has kidney disease and receives dialysis treatment nightly, but that doesn’t stop him from going to the airport nearly every day, because when he plays the piano, “I feel like the happiest man in the world.”
Friday, August 20, 2021
A cute kitty wearing glasses would make anybody smile. This is a story about how a bespectacled cat is helping children regain their confidence.
Danielle Crull runs a pediatric optometrist office in Mechanicsburg, PA. She specializes in helping young children with severe ocular problems. Many of her patients have had surgery and are keyed up when it comes to anyone touching their eyes.
That is until a glasses-wearing rescue cat named Truffles hops up into their lap. Dr. Crull says Truffles loves to accessorize with glasses and loves to snuggle with the kids, helping ease their anxiety when getting their own glasses.
Thursday, August 19, 2021
Brayden Morton grew up in rural Canada and became hooked on drugs at a young age. He became a dealer – was involved in gangs and violence. He nearly died multiple times and even tried to take his own life. After 15 failed attempts to get off drugs, the 16th time was the charm.
When a drug addicted young woman stole his dog Darla for some quick cash, Brayden was crushed. But he was able to find the young woman, retrieve his Shar-pei Darla and instead of pressing charges, has offered to help the young woman get clean.
Braydon told her that he recognizes the struggle – he truly has been there before. Westminster House is a drug addiction treatment facility with a bed now waiting on this girl, whenever she is ready to do the work.
Wednesday, August 18, 2021
Tripp Hughes is a winner. The 7 year old has spent the last three years battling cancer – and recently rang a Fire Truck bell to celebrate his final chemo treatment. When you feel like a winner – you want others to feel like winners too. And so Tripp got to work.
For his seventh birthday this young fighter collected cash and new toys to donate to other kids in the hospital still in the middle of their own fight. Thanks to some generous friends, Tripp was able to donate over 2500 toys and $6000 to the children’s hospital he had just left.
Tuesday, August 17, 2021
Have an old clunker lying around? Eliot Middleton will cut you a deal. The restaurant owner/mechanic fixes up old cars and donates them to people in need throughout rural South Carolina. To get the vehicles, he trades people a plate of ribs from his restaurant, Middleton’s Village BBQ.
“You don’t have a car, you don’t have a career,” Middleton says simply. “I want to help everybody looking to better themselves when transportation is what’s holding them back.”
So far, he’s collected 100 cars and surprised 33 people with a repaired ride. Middleton says he is committed to using his time and skills to help hard-working community members. It’s also a way to help himself heal: He learned how to fix cars from his father, who passed away in 2020. Every car he fixes, every life he changes, is carrying on that beloved legacy.
Monday, August 16, 2021
Joan Cather runs a Martial Arts training school in Bridgeton, Missouri and this Summer, she and her class were invited to ride on a float in the town’s 4th of July parade.
Halfway through the parade, a fellow karate instructor stopped the parade when he noticed a man in need of medical attention. The other instructor – an off-duty cop – began chest compressions. At first there was no pulse – but the CPR worked and the man was breathing on his own when the ambulance arrived.
A few minutes later, after re-starting the parade, Joan and her co-instructor stopped everything once again to help someone in distress from the heat. CPR and emergency response is a skillset taught and required at Joan’s dojo – and the parade put that need on full display.
After the parade was over, Joan and her team took home 1st place trophy for the performance category – which was just icing on the cake!
Friday, August 13, 2021
The fire started at the entrance to the apartment building and quickly shot up the stairwell to apartments above. Firefighters and first responders came as fast as they could – but it wouldn’t have been quick enough to save everyone from the burning building.
But neighbors and strangers alike saw the flames and began to work together to save everyone. Some scaled the outside of the building to help residents escape through windows. Three people had to go to the hospital but dozens of others were saved because of the swift action of their neighbors.
The chief fire warden praised his community saying, “It’s amazing to see this kind of involvement and to act when other people are in danger, I am proud to see that the residents acted the way they did.”
Thursday, August 12, 2021
Over the last five years, Rodney Smith Jr. has inspired thousands of young people to mow dozens of yards in their communities for free. Smith, 33, is the founder of Raising Men & Women Lawn Care Service in Huntsville, Alabama. In 2017, he took his lawn care service on the road, traveling to all 50 states to help out veterans, cancer survivors, senior citizens, and people just trying to get by. He’s also started a program called the 50 Yard Challenge, which challenges young people to mow 50 yards in their communities.
More than 2,000 people have signed up, and they get t-shirts and other perks along the way — including new lawn care tools if they finish. Why mow so much? Smith says it builds character, and helps people feel connected to their communities.
“My mission in life is to give back,” he says. “Especially to those who need it the most.”
Wednesday, August 11, 2021
THANK YOU to our amazing superheroes in the medical field. We couldn’t be more grateful for you and the hard work you’re doing.
Florence “SeeSee” Rigney, is said to be America’s oldest working nurse. After more than 70 years caring for patients, 96-year-old Rigney is officially hanging up her scrubs for a well-earned retirement. Rigney’s career in nursing started when penicillin had just been introduced to the medical field, and she ended it as a beloved operation room nurse in Washington state.
Imagine the the thousands and thousands of lives she’s cared for in 70 years! Nurse SeeSee may get to put her feet up now, but her legacy is far from over. The hospital system has established the SeeSee Rigney Nursing Endowed Scholarship Fund to inspire future generations of nurses.
Tuesday, August 10, 2021
Officer Rose Cauthron’s home in Bridge City was severely damaged in a storm last month. The roof began collapsing and needed to be replaced. Officer Rose works with Causeway Police and formerly worked with the New Orleans Police Department. The collapsing roof isn’t even the biggest trial she’s currently facing. About a month ago, she lost her stepson to an accidental gunshot. The grief, the roof, and her brother’s mental health have all been overwhelming.
Seeking help for PTSD, Rose reached out to Michael Parker, who volunteers with Project Refit. Project Refit is an organization that helps first responders, active duty military, and veterans dealing with isolation or PTSD. Parker said, “I knew we couldn’t do anything about her stepson or her brother, but I was like we can raise this money, we can help her out [with the roof].”
The group raised $8,500 to fund repairs and NOLA church volunteers helped out along with volunteers from all over including New Jersey, Arkansas, and Northern Louisiana, who camped outside in tents so Rose would not feel alone or afraid while construction was underway.
Monday, August 9, 2021
They go by the nickname, The Shathi Sisters – which means “togetherness” in Bangladeshi. The Shathi Sisters get together once a month to cook up a storm at the St. George’s Anglican Church for a multifaith food kitchen in downtown Montreal.
One Saturday a month, the Shathi sisters produce 100 meals for the homeless and less fortunate of their hometown. They noticed the increase in homelessness due to the pandemic and wanted to make a difference. The plan is to do even more than a once a month cook day.
Friday, August 6, 2021
Hidilyn Diaz did something for her home country of the Philippines that no other Fillipino Olympian has ever done – brought home the Gold!
Diaz is a two time Olympian – and at 30 years of age she was able to deadlift 127 kg (around 280 lbs) – setting a new world record and for the first time since The Philippines began sending athletes to the Olympics in 1924, Diaz is bringing home a Gold medal!
But how she got to the Olympics is the real story. Like many athletes, Hidilyn spent the last year on COVID lockdown. She wasn’t able to see her family after getting stuck in Malaysia due to a travel ban. Stranded without proper training equipment, the innovative Olympian used water jugs to weight train!
Diaz thanks God for opportunities and encourages young Filipinos to “..dream high… That’s how I started. I dreamed high and finally, I was able to do it.”
Thursday, August 5, 2021
When Rayssa Leal was 7 she went viral for skateboarding in a fairy costume. But now Rayssa is trending on Twitter because she’s an Olympic champion!
Rayssa became internet famous back in 2015 when Tony Hawk shared a video of the costumed little girl nailing a heelflip at her home in Brazil. Now she’s rocking a Silver medal on the Olympic podium as one of the first Olympic Skateboarding champions in history – at just 13 years old!
The teenager now has over 6 million Instagram followers, but doesn’t want to be bogged down by fame. She said, “I want to go on with being a little girl that I am, having fun with my friends. I don’t want to have too many responsibilities right now. I just want to be a lovely, lively little girl that I am for the whole [of] Brazil.”
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Wednesday, August 4, 2021
There is a lot of expectation heaped on Olympians. South African swimmer Tatjana Schoenmaker was feeling the pressure so the devout Christian took to her Instagram to pray for peace.
The swimmer wrote: “Father God, may Your will be done, may Your peace fill us up, may we praise You no matter what the outcome. May we be empowered by Your strength to give our all and may we forever be in awe of Your goodness! Thank You for bringing us to this very moment.”
But that “outcome” was going to be better than Tatjana could have possibly anticipated. She started destroying records – setting an Olympic record in the prelims for the 200-meter breaststroke, then setting a new world record and winning the Gold medal in the finals! She also took Silver in the 100-meter breaststroke.
Tatjana became a Christian in 2016 and has used her social media presence as a way to give God glory as she competes on the international stage. At the Olympics, she wears two swim caps – one for South Africa, and another with the phrase “Soli Deo Gloria” written on it. Glory to God Alone.
Tuesday, August 3, 2021
From fleeing the Syrian Civil War to saving refugees all the way to swimming in the Olympics – this is the story of young Yusra Mardini.
The Mardini family lived a relatively comfortable life in the suburbs of Damascus, the effects of the Civil War were minimal for them. But steadily the violence grew. One day their father, a member of the national swimming team, was arrested and beaten. Their world began to collapse. It was decided that Yusra and her sister Sarah would have to flee the country.
The pair of teenagers went to Turkey and were then crammed on a boat built for 7, but had 20 refugees trying to get to the Greek Island of Lesbos – which has become a waystation for refugees. Just 15 minutes into the voyage, the little boat’s engine sputtered out. Yusra and Sarah got into the cold water, along with a couple of other refugees and used ropes to literally pull the boat through the Aegean Sea to port at Lesbos. They weren’t just swimming for their own lives, but the others on the boat.
Once on dry land, the sisters traveled to Berlin, Germany – often by foot – to live in a refugee camp. While living in a foreign land, Yusra and Sarah connected with a local swimming club for young athletes. With help of their new friends, the sisters were able to get papers and officially immigrate into Germany.
Yusra then went on to become the youngest ever UN Refugee Agency Goodwill Ambassador. And just a week ago in Tokyo, the young woman proudly carried the flag for the Refugee Olympic Team during the Opening Ceremonies.
Monday, August 2, 2021
First Lieutenant Amber English draped herself in the American flag, with her skeet shotgun resting on her shoulder and a gold medal between her teeth! She won top marks and even set an Olympic record by hitting 56 out of 60 targets.
Lt. English’s journey to the Olympics has been a long and difficult path. She went out for the Olympics in 2012 but came up short. Then just before trials in 2016 her father passed away. Again, a missed opportunity. But after 4 years in the Army, at the age of 31, she’s an Olympic champion.
Amber is one of nine US soldiers representing America in the Olympics this year.
Friday, July 30, 2021
An Argentinian fencer lost her Olympic match but still won something even better than Olympic Gold. After losing 15-12 against a Hungarian fencer, Argentina’s Maria Maurice was giving an interview when her coach and boyfriend handed her a large handwritten note saying “Do you want to marry me??? Please!”
Maria turned around to find Perez on one knee for the proposal. After screaming in glee she said “YES!!” Maria’s fiancé is a gold medalist fencer himself. Soon the pair will return home to Argentina to celebrate with their friends and family.
Thursday, July 29, 2021
Olympic sprinter Allyson Felix is making sure mothers of young children, like herself, have the resources necessary for childcare. She and her sponsor Athleta have created The Power of She Fund: a $200,000 childcare fund for athletes competing this year.
The grant program helps fund child care costs for mothers who are also athletes while they travel to competitions. Ahead of the Tokyo games, The Power of She Fund gave nine mom/athletes $10,000 grants to help cover childcare while they win medals for Team USA.
Tokyo will be Allyson’s 5th Olympic Games. She’s won nine medals, six gold and three silver. She’ll once again be running the 400m dash.
Wednesday, July 28, 2021
When Sydney McLaughlin qualified for the Tokyo Olympics for track and field, she also set a new world record. She was the quickest woman ever to compete in the 400-meter hurdles.
As soon as a microphone was put in her face what came rushing out was “All the glory to God!”
The outspoken Christian went on to praise God and thank him for her coaching team. This is her second trip to the Olympics. The hurdle competition begins on Saturday in Tokyo.
The Olympian wrote on her Instagram, “by grace, through faith, Jesus has given me everything. Records come and go. The glory of God is eternal. Thank you Father.”
Tuesday, July 27, 2021
It’s been a really challenging few years for track star Quanesha Burks. She excelled in high school and went to the University of Alabama on scholarship. In 2019 her grandfather (who helped raise her) passed away, causing her performance to drop off. Then 2020 hit and the pandemic impacted every athlete. While training for an Olympic run, Burks was sidelined with a bone injury for three months. Her coaches didn’t think she would be ready for trials, but hard work and determination prevailed.
At the trials for the Tokyo Olympics Quanesha Burks landed a personal best long-jump of 6.96 meters, and took third place overall, securing her spot on the Team USA roster.
Quanesha said, “I didn’t have everything laid out for me. I didn’t have all the eyes on me. I feel like still to this day I get overlooked. That’s okay. I just know it all starts with your confidence within. Everything I’ve become is because of my mindset and my determination. It’s been a journey and it all started with a little girl working at McDonald’s and here I am.”
Monday, July 26, 2021
18 year old Kieran Moise just graduated high school and is preparing to enter the Air Force Academy – but first, he was going to need a very important haircut. Six years earlier Kieran lost a friend to cancer. Inspired to help children recovering from chemotherapy, Kieran decided to grow out his afro to donate hair to be turned into free wigs through Children with Hair Loss.
By the time school was over, Kieran had grown an impressive 19-inch afro. He then organized a hair cut event to raise $1000 per inch that got chopped ($20,000) before signing up for life in the Air Force.
Kieran noted, “There’s nothing special about helping others, you just have to want to do it.”
Friday, July 23, 2021
Danielle Gletow is the founder of One Simple Wish, an organization that helps donors grant wishes from foster kids, foster parents and young adults who have aged out of the system. It’s emotional work, and one night last month, Gletow was feeling the full weight of it. Her friend had just passed away from ALS, and she was overwhelmed with anxiety over whether she could support all of the people counting on her.
In fact, she had made a special birthday wish days earlier, asking the public for donations on One Simple Wish‘s page. Little did she know that at the same time, a Reddit user was writing a post on the message board site that would change everything. The Redditor, who goes by dartdoug, answered the question “What is something you’ve done purely out of the goodness of your heart but have not told anyone?” by mentioning the One Simple Wish site.
Within hours, the Reddit community had donated sneakers, books, toys, electronics and more, fulfilling dozens of wishes. By last count, donations after the post have totaled more than $185,000. Danielle was blown away.
Danielle Gletow expressed her gratitude by sharing about the young people who would be helped by the outpouring of support: “I want them to feel valued and seen and not for what they’ve been through, not for their trauma, but just for who they are. For their sense of humor. For their intelligence. For their quirkiness. For their interest in writing or art. I want all of them to have some sense of wonder and hope and childhood. And this is what Reddit did.”
Thursday, July 22, 2021
Some kids as young as 2 or 3 are getting ticketed by police in Bogalusa – but not for breaking the law, rather, for being upstanding young people. And by tickets, I mean coupons for free snowballs and ice cream!
The Bogalusa police force are pumping up their numbers by issuing over 200 tickets for local treats to kids of all ages, hoping to build a better relationship with young people and stop crime before it starts.
Wednesday, July 21, 2021
Jonathan Bright is a police officer in Tennessee and last week, he and six of his fellow officers just finished a 12-hour shift and stopped by Waffle House to get something to eat, but it was closed. The reason was that several employees walked off the job mid shift leaving them so short-handed that they were forced to close the restaurant.
After working their 12-hour police shift, the officers jumped in and started helping out at the Waffle House by cleaning, taking orders, and getting the restaurant running again.
Tuesday, July 20, 2021
Retired Judge Keith Davison decided that grief would not get the best of him. A few years ago he lost his wife to cancer after 66 years of marriage. His grown children have yet to provide grandkids, so Keith became the unofficial grandpa to all the kids in his neighborhood. And he became their favorite grandpa by putting in a HUGE pool.
There is no community pool in Morris, MN – but Judge Davison has extended the invite to his new, huge, 32 feet long, 9-feet deep backyard swimming pool for everyone in the community. Parents are required to be present with the kids. Keith’s backyard has become the Summer hangout spot for dozens of kids and families.
The 94 year old former judge stays fit by swimming laps before and after the children descend on the pool – and then enjoys talking with the families as they live up some Summer fun.
Monday, July 19, 2021
When someone is in trouble – heroes act fast. 16 year old Joseph and his friend 15 year old Dominic are absolutely heroes. The two boy scouts were riding their bikes surveying the damage after flood waters moved through their hometown of Columbia, Missouri when they heard cries coming from a flooded basketball court.
The two young men saw a young woman fighting to keep her head above water. She had tried to swim through the flooded playground but was caught in a current and cramping up. Joseph and Dominic did not hesitate – jumping into the deep and dangerous waters to rescue the flailing woman. She was later taken to the hospital and is expected to be ok.
For their part in the rescue, Joe and Dom were awarded the Citizen Life Safety Award by the local fire department.
Friday, July 16, 2021
We’ve heard so many stories about how during the pandemic, there has been a surge in generosity. Those with the means, blessing those in need. Stumble Inn Bar & Grill in Londonderry, New Hampshire is a local dive known for their chili dogs. A new customer must have really enjoyed his meal because he left a whopper of a tip.
The bill was for $37 – the tip was for $16,000! The diner told the staff to not spend it all in one place as he walked out the door. That is a baller move!
Thursday, July 15, 2021
Chicago police officers were patrolling the 6th district and saw some kids having fun playing basketball. But the milk crate they were using as a hoop had seen better days. So the officers hatched a plan. They collected cash from their coworkers and surprised the neighborhood kids with a brand new basketball goal and some fresh basketballs.
The kids were so excited it was high fives all around. It took 9 officers a few hours to put the goal together, but afterwards they stuck around to shoot some hoops with the kids. This is a gift these families will never forget – and maybe some of these kids will grow up to become cops because they experienced the difference that can be made.
Wednesday, July 14, 2021
Captain Jennifer Dowker was busy cleaning her glass bottomed boat, docked on the Cheboygan River in Michigan, when she saw something glimmer in the sunlight. It was an old timey glass bottle … and inside was a piece of rolled up parchment.
Jennifer fished the bottle out of the river and read the note inside. Dated November 1926, the note said, “Will the person who finds this bottle return this paper to George Morrow and tell where it was found.”
Jennifer’s crew shared the message in the bottle on Facebook and folks tracked down Michele Primeau – the daughter of George Morrow, who wrote the message nearly 100 years ago. George passed away back in 1995 – but this past Father’s Day Michele got to reminisce about her dad with this special glimpse into his past.
Tuesday, July 13, 2021
When Richard Scott William Hutchinson came into the world last year, doctors at Children’s Minnesota Hospital in Minneapolis gave him a zero percent chance of survival. The infant was born five months premature – recognized by Guinness as the world’s most premature baby. Richard weighed just 11.9 ounces and was so tiny, he could fit in the palm of his parents’ hands.
But inside his little body beat the heart of a fighter.
After six months in the hospital, Richard was discharged from the NICU. This June, he celebrated his first birthday as a thriving, smiling little boy.
Monday, July 12, 2021
For your average 8 year old boy – a Pokémon card collection is the equivalent of your grandmother’s fine china or those Beanie Babies you “invested” in back in the 90s. It’s a priceless possession. Bryson started collecting Pokémon cards when he was just 4. But at age 8 he put up a sign, “Pokémon 4 Sale” in his front lawn.
Bryson’s best friend is his puppy Woodruff, a black lab mix. Woodruff got sick with a virus and Bryson overheard his parents talking with the veterinarian that it would cost hundreds of dollars to save the dog. Bryson wanted to help so he put his Pokémon collection up for sale. When neighbors got wind of what Bryson was up to, the donations started pouring in. Most didn’t want the cards – just to help Woodruff.
While Bryson did sell a few cards – a lot of neighbors made donations of both cash and their own Pokémon cards to the cause. The family quickly had enough to treat Woodruff, who is now back to his healthy happy self. Someone told the Pokémon Company what Bryson did for his pup, and they sent him a ton of new Pokémon cards to make up for the few he sold.
Friday, July 9, 2021
A young man named Jabari Richardson – a student at Texas A&M – was in the process of moving when he saw a man on the side of the road. The man was homeless, holding a sign that simply said “Anything helps, God Bless.”
Jabari pulled some clothes and shoes out of his trunk and gave them to the grateful man. What Jabari didn’t know was the person behind him in traffic filmed the entire thing and posted it to TikTok.
That kind of generous act quickly went viral – set to the country song “The Good Ones” by Gabby Barrett. It’s been viewed well over 6 million times. Jabari was identified and interviewed by local news. He told reporters that his mom raised him to understand not everyone is as blessed as he is and to never take that for granted.
@amburandlex##DADMOVES ##summerschool ##goodpoint ##viral ##helpingthehomeless ##tallahasseeflorida ##foodtiktok ##intothethickofit ##blackmusic ##blacklivesmatter♬ The Good Ones – Gabby Barrett
Thursday, July 8, 2021
A dad wanted to inspire his kids to never give up in pursuing their dreams – and in the process raised a ton of money and got super jacked. Over the course of 12 months, Nate Carroll completed 1,500,231 pushups. He averaged 4,100 pushups a day – often doing many more.
Not only is he the toughest dad on the block, Nate raised money for Tunnels to Towers Foundation – a nonprofit that pays housing bills for families of fallen police and firefighters.
For Nate it was never about breaking records – which of course he did – it was always about showing his children that the key to tackling incredible challenges in life is to take it a little bit at a time.
Wednesday, July 7, 2021
Michael is 18 years old and is on the autism spectrum, experiencing extreme emotional outbursts. He’s mostly non-verbal but has found a handful of ways to express himself – like editing short videos with special effects, trying to make his dad Mike laugh and playing video games.
Michael was with his dad in Walmart one day and spotted a full-sized old school arcade cabinet. The young man was so enamored by the expensive hardware, his dad, Mike (who was laid off from his job during the pandemic) decided to put his engineering skills to work and built an even better arcade system just for his son.
Mike wired together a stereo with a computer system loaded with games and put it all into a custom built wood frame, tricked out with paint and lights. Michael LOVED his new arcade cabinet. Since completing the project and sharing it online, another family with an autistic child has hired Mike to build one for them.
Tuesday, July 6, 2021
Cancer patients look for inspiration and hope everywhere. Faith, family, friends, art and music give strength in the fight. Juan Lopez of Marrero spent a year battling cancer. The 13 year old found peace in listening to classical music.
Now that the hardest part of Juan’s battle against Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is over, the teen is living his best life – and learning to play the piano. While in the hospital, Clair de Lune became his anthem – a challenging piece on the piano. And Juan now gets to practice the piece in style.
Make A Wish, Chick-Fil-A and Larargue Piano banded together to gift the survivor a Yamaha Baby Grand Piano! Juan is now cancer-free and getting better at the piano every single day.
Monday, July 5, 2021
Stefani Shamrowicz really hates litter. It’s her pet peeve. The Colorado native had to take a month off of work in May, so she decided to travel and see family and friends – and along the way, she collected 126 bags of litter.
Steff used GoFundMe to pay for gas and lodging as she travelled and collected litter into garbage bags, chronicling the entire thing on Instagram. She picked up waste in 12 states – the biggest offender being Ohio – Arizona and Florida rounding out the top 3 littered states visited.
Friday, July 2, 2021
Timothy Harrison spent a lot of his senior year working part time at a local Waffle House in Alabama. Timothy had taken a Saturday morning shift off to attend his high school graduation – but the morning of – he showed up to work.
His manager, Cedric Hampton asked him what was going on and it turned out Timothy couldn’t get a ride to the graduation venue, about a half hour drive away, nor could he afford his cap and gown – so he just decided to come into work.
The staff and patrons of the Waffle House quickly put together the cash to pay for the cap and gown, and manager Cedric grabbed his keys to take Timothy to his graduation ceremony. After a local news channel did a story about Timothy and his Waffle House family, a local State college offered the young man a full scholarship.
Just recently the soon to be college freshman took a tour of the school campus – with Cedric, his manager and mentor from Waffle House right by his side.
Thursday, July 1, 2021
Thank you to the men and women in local police forces that are out to serve and protect everyone – everyday. It’s a hard – sometimes impossible job. We’re praying for you – and thankful for your service. Usually when police make the news, it is for all the wrong reasons – but the unsung acts of good public servants will not go unnoticed.
Recently police in Pasco, FL were called to a gas station in response to someone loitering behind the building. When they pulled up, deputies noticed the man looked hungry and had no shoes. They talked with the man, bought him a sandwich and some flip flops to protect his feet and then he went on his way with some basic needs met.
That type of story happens in communities all over the country every day. Let’s be like these cops, today.
Wednesday, June 30, 2021
Last year, 8-year-old Desiree Mohammadi wanted to help care for the healthcare heroes in New York City. She emptied her piggy bank – a grand total of $52.65 – and donated it all to Northwell Health to buy snacks for front-line workers. Desiree dreams to one day be a doctor on the front-lines as well.
One day came on her 9th birthday.
As a way to say “thank you” to the thoughtful little girl, LIJ Medical Center invited Desiree to shadow some doctors on her 9th birthday. She got a white coat, a stethoscope and jumped right in at the Labor and Delivery Unit. Throughout the day Desiree learned how to dress wounds, use various health instruments and experience a day as a doctor.
The staff at LIJ Med Center all said you didn’t need a stethoscope to experience Desiree’s big heart – she showed compassion to every person she met.
It might be a few years before Dr. Desiree is treating patients at the hospital, but she knows the path before her and is walking it with lots of hope and a group of healthcare professionals already cheering her on.
Tuesday, June 29, 2021
Hats off to Verda Tetteh, a graduating high school senior from Massachusetts who graciously accepted a $40,000 scholarship from her school — and then asked that it be donated to a student attending a community college instead.
Verda was inspired by her mom Rosemary – who works two jobs to provide for the family. Verda’s mom immigrated from Ghana and graduated from Community College, so that’s where Verda wants to invest her $40,000 scholarship – in the lives of others like her mom.
Meanwhile Verda is off to Harvard to study biochemistry. She has other scholarships and financial aid so tuition won’t be a burden on her family. Verda said matter of factly, “We’re blessed to be a blessing. I thought that I was in the position where God has blessed me so much, and I thought it was the right thing to do to bless somebody else.”
Monday, June 28,2021
7 year-old Lawson Haas is a really cool kid. He loves fishing, hunting, martial arts – and especially baseball. Back in May he helped his Northshore team to a nearly undefeated season. But after one game he wasn’t feeling very well. He had a fever, headaches and bruises. Two days later Lawson was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia.
The brave 7 year-old has already begun chemotherapy. His family says he is a fighter and will beat this. But Lawson will eventually need a bone marrow transplant. But he will not be walking this journey alone.
Next time you are on the Northshore you might see someone wearing a Lawson Strong bracelet or t-shirt. The community is rallying around the family with blood drives, online fundraisers for medical expenses and a huge baseball tournament to help raise money for the family as they focus on the fight ahead.
Twenty-four local teams signed up to play in a fundraising baseball tournament for Lawson. Of course his team is fired up to win it all for their friend and teammate.
Friday, June 25, 2021
A mega church in Ohio – Crossroad Church – has multiple campuses and boasted a weekly attendance of over 35,000 people pre-pandemic. This year marks the 25th anniversary for the church and to celebrate, they are spreading their considerable resources to a host of other non-profits and ministry organizations.
To celebrate 25 years the church will dole out $2.5 million in grants over the next several months, starting with a $100,000 gift to City Gospel Mission, which cares for the homeless in Cincinnati. They also plan to help fund organizations in Haiti and India.
The generous spending spree was actually inspired by the federal government. In the middle of a global shutdown, Crossroad Church was fortunate to make their operating budget with the help of the Payment Protection Program loans. Grateful for the help in their time of need, the church now wants to give until it hurts to help as many other organizations as they can.
Thursday, June 24, 2021
One new mamma was trying to balance her new family with completing a graduate degree at MIT. Can you say overachiever? Her supervising professor of neuroscience, Dr. Troy Littleton wanted to help ease his student’s burden so he bought a pack ‘n play for his office, so he could watch the 9 month old while her mom got some research work done.
Dr. Littleton calls it a win-win because while mamma gets to finish her graduate studies, he gets to play with a baby!
Wednesday, June 23, 2021
Tia’s husband Rodney and Susan’s husband Lance were both on dialysis. Tia and Susan are both nurses at Children’s hospital in Atlanta and connected so they could encourage each other on the difficult journey. Both women had been tested and were not a match for their own husbands – but a chance conversation in the hospital bathroom led to the discovery that the ladies were a match for each other’s husbands!
Instead of waiting forever on the kidney donor list, the wives immediately went into surgery to give kidneys to both Rodney and Lance. Now the families are forever linked – they literally share body parts!
Interested in learning more about kidney donation? kidneyregistry.org
Tuesday, June 22, 2021
Tom Stevens was working hard to get the Majestic Ventura Theater open for business now that COVID restrictions have eased in California. While wiggling through a crawl space to do some electric work, Tom discovered a long-forgotten wallet. There was no cash – just some old photos, a Grateful Dead ticket stub and an expired California driver’s license for Colleen Distin.
Tom shared his find on Facebook hoping to get the wallet back to Colleen. In just a couple hours – with over a 1,000 shares of the post, Colleen responded to Tom – excited to see the 40 year old photos again. Colleen had lost her wallet when it fell out of her purse while on a date in 1975. The old family photos immediately brought tears to her eyes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67nNO-n0qHo
Monday, June 21, 2021
Yeva crossed the finish line of the 4×1 relay – arm in arm with three of her teammates. They didn’t win the race – but they brought everyone to tears. Yeva Klingbeil was a senior at Shenendehowa High School this year. She’s also been battling an aggressive cancer since 2019. Her friends from the school’s track and field team have gone every step of the journey with Yeva. They’ve done fundraisers to help pay for treatment and included Yeva in every way they could at school.
Yeva has never given up hope for a full recovery, largely because of the support of her friends. She’s undergone chemo and radiation and the tumor has shrunk by half – praise God! At the last track and field race of the year, her teammates half-carried Yeva across the finish line where she was met by all of the competitors cheering her on – a celebration of her won’t quit spirit.
Friday, June 18, 2021
In America it can be hard to fathom the type of poverty experienced in the developing world. A family in Paraguay was living in literal garbage until strangers from all over the world heard their story – and bought them a house.
A mom and her three children were left homeless when the children’s stepfather burned their home to the ground and was sent to prison. They scrapped for building material and were living behind the city dump. One little boy would collect recycling to make money for the family to get food.
Their story was told via TikTok by Aaron Murphy – an American who went to South America to learn Spanish. Raising over $30,000, Aaron was able to purchase this family a house, clothing and furniture. These children had never been in a shower before. The mom is now operating a small restaurant out of the house and the children are all back in school. They have hope and a future thanks to the generosity of strangers from around the world.
View this post on Instagram
Thursday, June 17, 2021
Chef Q. Ibraheem runs an upscale catering business and underground supper club in Evanston, Illinois. It took her years to grow her dreams, and she was finally tasting the fruits of all her labor when the pandemic hit.
Chef Ibraheem watched as schools shut down and families were plunged into food insecurity. Putting aside her own fears for her business, the chef started a program called Kids with Coworkers (referring to children who were home with their parents). Kids With Coworkers prepares and delivers healthy meals to struggling families.
The work came naturally to Chef Ibraheem, since she had volunteered for years with youth programs in the Chicago area, teaching young people how to grow and prepare vegetables from local community gardens. Word of her efforts quickly spread, and donations started arriving, which enabled her to expand. Since March 2020, Ibraheem says she has provided more than 60,000 meals to more than 600 people.
Wednesday, June 16, 2021
Since 2015, Virginia Rose has been helping mobility-challenged people like herself participate in her favorite pastime: birding. Rose says there’s something deeply satisfying about being engrossed in nature, appreciating the present moment and searching out feathered beauties that leads her to pick up her binoculars time after time. But navigating trails with a manual wheelchair can be nearly impossible. So she founded Birdability, a non-profit group that helps people find birding locations that fit their needs.
So far, the group has mapped out more than 500 birding sites along with their accessibility scores, both in the US and a few internationally. Anyone can access their interactive trail map, and Birdability members can even become captains to help lead inclusive excursions. That’s the other beautiful part of Birdability: connecting people so they can nerd out about birds, together.
Tuesday, June 15, 2021
Devarius Peters showed up excited to graduate from Hahnville high school this past Spring – he even got some brand new black and white leather Alexander McQueen shoes for the ceremony. But as he was walking in, a school employee informed Devarius that the shoes broke the dress code and he could not wear them if he wanted to walk across the stage.
Devarius was heartbroken and embarrassed. That’s when his former teacher, Mr. John Butler stepped in to help. Mr. Butler quickly slipped his own shoes off and had Devarius put them on so he could walk the stage with his peers. John’s own daughter was also graduating with Devarius, so he took his seat in the auditorium with no shoes, just socks. The folks around him chuckled – they had no idea that the teacher’s shoes were on the feet of his former student on stage.
Devarius, whose feet were a little too small for his borrowed shoes, proudly slid across stage and accepted his diploma with a special grin for his former teacher’s kindness. And the St. Charles School Board is working to change their graduation dress code rules to be more inclusive.
Monday, June 14, 2021
A father and his two children were out fishing on the St. Johns River in Jacksonville, FL. It was a hot day, so while anchored, the kids were swimming by the boat. That’s when the current suddenly kicked up and swept them away. Thanks to a cool minded dad and a strong swimming 7 year old, everyone survived the scary ordeal.
When the current became too much for 7 year old Chase and his 4 year old sister Abigail, their father Steven jumped into the water to help. He was able to reach 4 year old Abigail, who was in a life vest, but could not get back to shore. His 7 year old son Chase, who was not in a life vest, battled the rough water for an hour, inching towards shore. Thankfully Chase is an incredible swimmer. As soon as his feet hit dry land he ran to the nearest house to get help.
Rescuers arrived and were able to save Steven and Abigail, who had drifted almost 2 miles further down river. Chase is the hero of Jacksonville for never giving up in the face of great danger.
Friday, June 11, 2021
When California couple Krystal Duhaney and her husband Patrick had their first baby, they struggled to make ends meet. Now Krystal owns a successful business and they wanted to help out other struggling new parents. Krystal & Patrick decided to spread some kindness by leaving $1,000 worth of cash inside baby products at various Target stores in Southern California. They slipped dollar bills into diaper boxes and under unopened formula lids at the Target stores.
Krystal posted about her Target adventure on Instagram at the end of April and in the weeks that followed, Krystal’s post went viral and has since earned nearly 96,000 likes and hundreds of comments from people commending the couple for their generous actions.
Though the couple was praised on social media, Krystal said she just hopes their gesture will inspire their children, and people raising kids all over the world, to be kind to others.
“As parents raising two young children, it’s really important for us to let our children know… kindness matters and that you never know what somebody’s going through.”
View this post on Instagram
Thursday, June 10, 2021
Charter boat captains Mark Pisano and Paul Strasser have a whopper of a story to tell! Thirty-five years ago, Mark & Paul were piloting a charter back from Catalina Island off the California coast, when they came across a capsized boat and an orange life vest bobbing in the waves. Mark jumped in and pulled out 9-year-old Desiree Rodriguez — the only survivor. Her mother, father, sister, aunt, and uncle all perished in the incident. Desiree had been in the water for 20 hours when they found her.
Thirty-five years passed. Mark & Paul always wondered what happened to Desiree. Then a podcaster invited both men on his show, along with a surprise guest. On the show, Mark & Paul were reintroduced to Desiree Rodriguez and they could not hide their joy.
Now Captains Mark and Paul keep in touch with Desiree, who said the podcast recording really gave her a sense of closure about the tragedy in her past. Desiree and her aunt, who raised her after the incident, were invited to join Mark & Paul on their boat. It was the first time Desiree had been back on the ocean since she was rescued at age 9.
The journey was their first memorial — a commemoration of the family she lost — but also a celebration of guardian angels she gained.
Wednesday, June 9, 2021
Zohaib Begg is one incredible 8 year-old. He fought and beat cancer at age 4. When the pandemic hit last year, the then 7 year-old self-proclaimed “Chief Kindness Officer” collected more than 6,000 pieces of Personal Protection Equipment for the doctors who helped heal him as a preschooler. Now Zohaib has turned his big heart to helping the homeless in his hometown of Washington DC.
Zohaib gave himself a lofty goal of helping 1,000 homeless people on Global Youth Service Day. He got some help from Sharon Wise, who was once homeless and now advocates for the homeless in the D.C. metro. The pair passed out food, toiletry kits and other supplies to people in need at an underpass off New Jersey Avenue in the shadow of our nation’s Capital.
Each supply pack was filled with donations from local companies that 8 year-old Zohaib personally reached out to, including socks from Bombas, food from Chickfila and groceries from Trader Joe’s.
Zohaib says, “I believe in spreading kindness, and all my donors and partners for this event share this vision and also believe that no one is too young to make a difference.”
Tuesday, June 8, 2021
Meredith Crane watched with frustration as her children (born deaf) struggled to find jobs. With that in mind, she started a company called Keepsake. She produces T-shirt quilts and blankets out of Columbus, OH. Over the last twenty years, Meredith has employed around 125 deaf and hard-of-hearing people at her company.
Keepsake takes old t-shirts and turns them into quilts for their clients. It’s pure comfort – and for many of the deaf employees at Keepsake, each blanket is a vote of confidence in their abilities and achievements.
Monday, June 7, 2021
It was March 29, 2011. Michael Shannon was off for a drive on the Pacific Coast Highway near Dana Point, about an hour’s drive south of Los Angeles. But this joyride wasn’t going to end well. A tractor-trailer crashed into Michael’s SUV.
Michael was alive – but trapped – and he could feel a fire starting to move towards him. He had no way of calling for help. Michael probably shouldn’t have survived. But that’s when the heroes showed up.
A team of two county firefighters and two paramedics were on their way back from another call. Two minutes after the crash they were on the scene of the accident and helping free Michael from the wreck. The paramedics broke out the Jaws of Life and extracted him from the vehicle while other firefighters worked to put out the fire. Michael was air-lifted to a hospital, where he spent the next 45 days undergoing treatment. The crash cost him two toes, which had to be amputated, but he otherwise — miraculously — survived and recovered.
And in a strange way, he had himself to thank.
Orange County paramedic Chris Trokey was one of the heroes of the day, helping rescue Michael from the fiery crash. And while Chris didn’t know it until he arrived at the hospital, it turned out that they had met before – 25 years earlier.
Chris Trokey was just 3.2 pounds at birth, and doctors had initially given him a 50/50 chance at surviving, but the attending pediatrician monitored his health around the clock and made sure he was stable. That pediatrician? Dr. Michael Shannon.
Trokey’s family long credited Dr. Shannon for saving the future paramedic’s life, and as coincidence would have it, the once-premature baby was able to repay the favor. They’ve made a habit of keeping in touch since. The pair get together for dinner every year on the anniversary of the car accident. And Chris recently became a father. Can you guess who his son’s pediatrician is? Dr. Shannon.
Friday, June 4, 2021
The owner of a car dealership in Opelousas, LA says it isn’t unusual for his staff to find homeless folks sleeping on his lot every morning. Some find a way into the cars – others on boats or simply under awnings to get out of the weather. They try to help out whenever they can. Al and his team found Jamie outside one morning and the friendly homeless guy hit it off with the car sales team.
They took Jamie to a local hotel, fed him a hot meal, shopped at Walmart for some of his needs and while the men took care of him, Jamie shared his story. He had recently become homeless when his grandparents had passed away. Sean, one of the guys from the car dealership, shared the entire day on TikTok and before they knew it – donations and care packages came pouring in!
They set up a GoFundMe page to manage the gifts, which have surpassed $23,000 to keep Jamie off the streets and help him get his life straight. This group of men are determined to hold Jamie accountable and walk this journey with him.
Thursday, June 3, 2021
A girl named Monyay from Bradenton, FL had just about given up hope of ever having parents. She grew up in foster care and had resigned herself to doing life on her own. But at age 19, everything changed.
Monyay met Leah through the Safe Children Coalition – a non-profit in Florida that helps with the foster care system. Leah was assigned Monyay’s case and they hit it off. She became a mentor to Monyay while she was in high school. But the 32 year old Leah really loved Monyay like a daughter – and decided to make it official if Monyay would have her.
On April 27th the pair, 32 year old Leah and 19 year old Monyay, sat before a judge and he proclaimed them officially mother and daughter.
“I still can’t really describe the way I felt in that moment. It was beyond words,” Monyay said. “That’s the one thing I’ve wanted my entire life, to have a mom.”
Wednesday, June 2, 2021
Ashley Fox was shopping with her 3 year old son Norris in tow. Norris is non-verbal and was recently diagnosed with autism. At the checkout, a stuffed animal puppy they had picked up turned out to be too expensive, so Ashley put it back.
Cue meltdown.
Ashley said it must have looked like she was kidnapping her own child as she rushed the toddler to the car as he screamed and cried over the stuffed animal. As Ashley was trying to buckle Norris into his car seat, she felt a tap on her shoulder.
A woman from the store held out the stuffed animal and offered it to Ashley to give to Norris. He immediately calmed down and before Ashley could even fully process the gift, the lady walked away with a knowing smile.
Thousands have now heard the story because Ashley shared the encounter on social media. A random act of kindness changed the world for that mom and her son. Miracles can happen – even in a Walmart parking lot.
Tuesday, June 1, 2021
A lot of retirees head for Florida. The state has invested in a lot of senior care facilities, medical care and of course they are famous for tax breaks. A dozen former circus performers recently made the move to the sunshine state and they are loving it.
Oh, by the way, the retirees are elephants. The former Ringling Bros circus performers are making a new life at a wildlife refuge outside of Jacksonville, FL.
The White Oak Conservation staff was concerned the circus elephants might have a hard time adjusting to a wilder lifestyle after a career spent with acrobats and applause, but so far the dozen elephants, ranging from 8 to 38 years old, have all enjoyed exploring the North Florida woods – living their best lives for the rest of their lives.
Monday, May 31, 2021
Earlier this year in Toledo, OH, Jimmy Preston was driving to work and saw a young man trudging through a snowstorm on foot, headed to work at his job at a Kroger supermarket. Jimmy stopped and offered John Brandeberry a ride, taking him to work and learning his story.
After dropping his new friend off at work, Jimmy connected with a non-profit called Blessings in Disguise and started a journey of helping the young man. They paid for John to take driver’s ed and get his license. Then Jimmy and a local Toyota dealership raised funds to buy the young man a used car!
So now John drives to work in his 2013 Toyota Rav4 that was given to him – complete with a new bike and bike rack plus 6 months of car insurance!
Friday, May 28, 2021
Najee Harris was drafted in the first round (24th overall) this Spring by the Pittsburgh Steelers. In college, the Running Back played for Alabama – but before that, he was just a kid from California whose family received a helping hand.
In 2010, Najee’s family (two parents with four kids) lived in a small room at the Greater Richmond Interfaith Program Homeless Shelter. Instead of sweeping a sad and scary part of his life under the rug, Najee is using his newfound fame to educate others about homelessness.
When Najee Harris got the call that he would be a Pittsburgh Steeler – he was celebrating with his family at the very homeless shelter he spent time in as a child. The now-NFL star threw a pizza party for the shelter workers and families that are currently living there.
Thursday, May 27, 2021
Joshua Nelson got a scholarship worth nearly $50,000 – which will cover tuition and boarding for four full years. That’s some serious good news. But Joshua had been preparing for college for a while – saving up his money in case he didn’t get a scholarship. Now that he doesn’t have to worry about school costs – he is using his college savings to bless another student in need.
As the president of his High School’s Multicultural Achievement Council, Joshua is putting up $1000 and asking other individuals and local businesses to match his investment to create a scholarship for a deserving minority student. And he hopes that the newly created Joshua Nelson Leaders in Action Scholarship will take off for years to come.
Wednesday, May 26, 2021
Students from Valley Christian School spent two days packing 10,000 meals for families in need – and not just for their community. About 1500 of the meals were sent to churches and food banks near the school. The rest were shipped to Haiti to be distributed in schools and orphanages.
Haiti is in a constant state of emergency and need. From natural disasters to failed governments – it is a dangerous place. But a handful of students using their free time are going to share meals and the gospel with the people of the island nation.
Every student at Valley Christian – no matter their age or grade – took part in this food project. Some decorated the shipping boxes, others wrote messages of hope, while older high school students prepared the food and loaded boxes.
Tuesday, May 25, 2021
Ronnie Kass has been driving a school bus for St. Tammany Parish since August 2020. The kids love him and say he is sweet and loves to laugh and joke. But one Monday morning earlier this year, no one was laughing.
Ronnie has been undergoing chemo and radiation for esophageal cancer. On a recent Monday, his body just gave out. He started shaking – he was having a seizure. Ronnie still – somehow – managed to pull the bus over and put it in park before passing out – keeping all of his students safe. The kids noticed the danger and called 9-1-1 immediately.
Doctors discovered the cancer has spread to Ronnie’s brain. But the community is rallying around the Kass family – starting a GoFundMe to provide for their needs while Ronnie gets treatment.
The fundraiser hit $7000 in less than six hours. Now it is up over $35,000 with a goal of $50,000 to help the family.
Monday, May 24, 2021
Singer Tabitha Haly has some serious pipes, and her strong singing voice is precious to her in more ways than one. Tabi has spinal muscular atrophy, also known as SMA, which is a degenerative condition that affects muscle movement and respiration. She has never been able to walk, but her father introduced her to music when she was three years old, setting off a lifelong healthy singing practice.
Some physical tasks have become difficult for her over the years, but being able to maintain strong lungs and vocal cords has kept her voice ringing loud and clear. Tabi released her first album, “I Wrote Life,” in 2019.
At her live shows, she advocates for disability rights. Her first single, “I Am Able,” is Tabi’s personal reminder that if, “I can help someone. I can be someone. I can be generous to someone. And most importantly, I can be loved like anyone else.”
Friday, May 21, 2021
You never know when your love story will begin. Some couples meet online – or at church – or a cursed Prince kidnaps a girl who grows fond of his talking teacups and singing candlesticks and then one day there’s just something there that wasn’t there before…
For Evan and Sydney, a chance encounter and mountain rescue led to their one-year anniversary all during a pandemic.
Evan is in the Air Force – stationed in Colorado Springs. But he was visiting his mom and step-father in Sedona, AZ to help around the house as his step-father was battling cancer. An avid mountain-biker, Evan set out to get some exercise and came across a damsel in distress.
Sydney is a massage therapist, going to school to be a social worker. She was enjoying a run along a hiking trail in Sedona – but took a tumble and broke her leg. She was waiting on a friend to come help her when Evan found her. Even carried Sydney the last half-mile of the trail to get her help.
In all the excitement the pair failed to exchange numbers. Months of recovery passed – and Sydney couldn’t find Evan on social media. She and her mother reached out to their local newspaper to get help searching for her Knight in Shining Biking Shorts. Eventually news made its way to Colorado and found Evan.
Sydney and Even just celebrated their one-year anniversary of their fateful meet-cute and are madly in love.
Thursday, May 20, 2021
If you knew your time was limited, how would you spend your remaining days and dollars? A man in Tennessee decided he would use his remaining time and resources to be a blessing.
The man, who wishes to remain anonymous, went to Gatlinburg, TN to enjoy the serenity of the mountains, while preparing for his step into eternity. He and his daughter enjoyed lunch and dinner at the always-busy Burg Steakhouse. After dinner, the man left a hefty tip – and then some.
Wanting to bless the staff of the steakhouse, the terminally ill customer left a $1000 tip for the waitstaff. Then he went on to pay for two other tables’ meals anonymously.
Hopefully it doesn’t take a diagnosis for us to live so generously. Thank you to everyone who supports LifeSongs – in the good times and the difficult times.
Wednesday, May 19, 2021
Walker Smallwood grew up playing baseball. He was good too. He dreamed of going to college and then playing professional ball. But life can be messy.
The 17-year-old Kentucky boy was diagnosed with cancer. Instead of taking the mound – he was taking chemotherapy. He had a rare bone cancer in his leg that required six surgeries and 18 lengthy hospital stays. The result was Walker went into remission! Praise God! But his leg is permanently weakened, making it too dangerous to play ball.
Walker would still play catch with his friends and cheer on his teammates. Before his senior season was over, his coaches and parents decided to let Walker take the mound one last time. They figured he could pitch for an inning without risking too much. Walker agreed to pitch until he gave up a hit.
But then a Disney sports movie happened. Walker never gave up a hit. He struck out all but two batters and ended the game with a no-hitter! The game ended and both teams were in tears, celebrating the incredible story of a young man who defeated cancer and still played the game of his life!
Tuesday, May 18, 2021
Leticia Flores-Gonzalez was having some Christmas fun with her 4-year-old twins Luna and Gianella. They wrote out their Christmas wish lists to Santa and tied them to a couple of balloons – releasing them into the wind from their home in Liberal, Kansas.
The winds did not blow the balloons to the North Pole. In fact – they went the opposite way. Luna’s balloon made it all the way to Grand Cane, Louisiana before getting snagged by a tree. It was there that Alvin Bamburg spotted the debris while out deer hunting. Alvin was so excited to see Luna’s Christmas wish list. She asked for Candy, Spiderman and Frozen dolls, My Little Pony – and of course, a puppy!
Finally this Spring – Alvin and Lee Ann got to top off the Christmas wish list in person – making the 600 mile trip to meet the family and drop off the most important item on Luna’s list – a new dachshund puppy!
The girls’ named their pup Max – the families are now forever bonded in friendship – and many have been inspired by their story.
Monday, May 17, 2021
He’s only been painting for five months, and already, Jake Garcia’s art is a collector’s item. The Boston resident is a nursing student, but he recently discovered a love for painting.
“I just thought it would be really nice if you’re walking down the street and you see this scene you really like and you look down and there was an oil painting of it,” Garcia said.
He ran with the idea, and has left several of his original paintings in spots around Boston. “I’ll see something I like, I’ll set up, I’ll do a painting of it, and I’ll do my best to leave it somewhere in the vicinity.”
Jake hopes this inspires others to pick up their own paintbrushes. “We’ve all been inside and a beautiful thing to do is to just go outside and just enjoy the sounds and the sights and the smells and just paint what you see.”
Plein Air #2 on 4/9. Left this little guy on a bench on the boardwalk. Enjoy ☺️ pic.twitter.com/KgQq4rGgtQ
— JakeScapes (@JakeScapes) April 13, 2021
Friday, May 14, 2021
8 year old Jaxson and his almost-2 year old sister Leila were in the backseat of the car munching on chicken nuggies. Suddenly Leila began to choke – a chicken nugget was lodged in her esophagus. Jaxson didn’t panic, though – he knew exactly what to do thanks to Nickelodeon and wrestler turned actor John Cena.
Jaxson calmly alerted their dad and asked him to pull over. Then Jaxson used the heel of his hand to strike Leila’s back – dislodging the food and allowing her to breath again. The hero 8 year old did all of this before Dad could even pull the car over and get to the backseat.
Where did the 8 year old learn this life saving maneuver?
John Cena taught it to him on the Nickelodeon show The Substitute. Local news shared the story – which eventually made its way to John Cena. The former wrestler immediately reached out to Jaxson to congratulate him on his heroic, brave action.
Thursday, May 13, 2021
Asking for help can be a real hit to our self esteem. Thankfully the world has girls like Andi Musser in it.
Andi is in 5th grade. When one of her friends at Shreve Elementary mentioned needing new clothes – Andi didn’t hesitate. She went home and rummaged through her closet, grabbing everything she had outgrown. The next day her friend was thrilled to have some cute clothes from a great friend.
Andi was so overwhelmed by the good feeling of helping others, she asked her mom Jessica if they could help even more people. Andi and Jessica pitched the idea of a Kindness Closet at the school to the principal. It would be a safe, private space where students could pick up needed gently used or new donated clothes.
Principal Adam Stein was all about the idea – so Andi gathered clothing donations from a bunch of local stores and the school opened up the student organized Kindness Closet.
Wednesday, May 12, 2021
The Olympics are just 72 days away (hopefully). After a year delay – a global pandemic – and miraculous vaccine distributions, the world is ready to compete and celebrate incredible stories of incredible athletes.
One of those stories belongs to a Japanese swimmer named Rikako Ikee. Miss Ikee first competed in the Olympics back in 2016 when she was only 16 years old. In February 2019 she announced she had been diagnosed with leukemia. Rikako fought the cancer with the same tenacity she showed training for the Olympics. After chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant, she returned to the pool and began to train once again.
Rikako was discouraged by how weak her body had become from the leukemia, but continued to push herself. She hoped she might be able to contend in the Paris games of 2024, but expected to sit out the Olympics being held in her home country of Japan. But at qualifiers, Rikako became fired up – wanting to represent her country at Tokyo – and won the 100-meter butterfly qualifier!
This Summer we will all get to cheer Rikako Ikee on when she competes for Japan in the 4×100 medley relay.
Tuesday, May 11, 2021
A couple of pageant princesses are spreading friendship in a variety of ways! 7-year-old Skylar Catron makes and hands out friendship bracelets everywhere she goes. She loves the smiles and thank yous she gets from each person.
This spunky 7-year-old earned the crown she’s wearing – Skylar is a USA National Miss South Carolina Princess. Her sister Sloan is a Junior Princess who also spreads kindness with crayons, through the Coloring Kindness program.
The sisters also collect bottle caps to be recycled into Buddy Benches – a spot on playgrounds where friends can be made. The idea is any lonely child can visit a Buddy Bench and other kids will immediately invite them to play.
Monday, May 10, 2021
He’s the mayor of FlavorTown – host of the Triple D – Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives – Guy Fieri is one of the most recognizable food personalities on TV – with his killer Camaro and bleached spiked hair. He felt the sting of the pandemic at his restaurants around the country – and personally, not getting to spend Christmas with his elderly parents.
He’s also watched many of his peers in the restaurant industry struggle to make ends meet – so he used his fame to help – by raising over $25 million to support the restaurant employee relief fund.
Friday, May 7, 2021
Dustin Vitale cooks his mom breakfast every morning and thanks to her for the privilege. When his mom, Gloria, was diagnosed with terminal cancer last year, he decided he would try to take her on one last trip — the trip she always dreamed of — to see the pyramids in Egypt. He also wanted to bring along all 14 family members.
Never mind that Dustin works as a middle school teacher in Philadelphia and could never afford the $10,000 to bring everyone. Dustin decided to raise the cash by selling cheesesteak sandwiches. He told neighbors and spread the word on social media. Before long cars were double parked outside his house to buy cheesesteaks. A local food truck offered to peddle the sandwiches at another location to help.
In less than six weeks the family had brought in almost double what they needed for the family trip to Eqypt – over $18,000! The trip is booked for later this year.
Thursday, May 6, 2021
Jessie Hamilton worked as the house cook at the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity house at LSU in the 80s and 90s. She would start her days at 4am – serving her boys breakfast, lunch and dinner. She was basically the Phi Gamma Delta momma – giving rides to the grocery store and the doctor to baby-faced college boys.
Andrew, a Phi Gamma Delta brother back in the 80s, has kept in touch with Jessie over the past 30 years, and called her at the start of the pandemic just to check on her. He found out she was still working two jobs because she couldn’t afford to retire.
So Andrew and nearly 100 other fraternity brothers pulled the greatest Animal House prank of all time – they raised over $50,000 to pay off Jessie’s mortgage! On her 74th birthday the fraternity gave Jessie two checks – one to pay off her house, the other to spend however she wants.
Andrew said, “[Jessie] is the type of person that inspires me, people that don’t have a lot, but give a lot. She’s the most giving person you’ve ever met.”
Jessie Hamilton said she plans to enjoy retirement from the comfort of her paid-off home, adding, “This has been a blessing to me. I am grateful for what God has done. Andrew answered my prayers. He’s my guardian angel.”
Wednesday, May 5, 2021
Garett Talcott teaches kindergarten at Ella Baker Elementary. During the pandemic, Mr. Talcott would go on field trips by himself – and film them for his kids. It was like each video was a virtual field trip. Of course Garett Talcott went viral for his awesome teaching – and has only expanded his virtual curriculum.
From hiking wildlife parks to doing kitchen science experiments and dance parties – this kindergarten teacher has done everything he could think of to engage his students who were stuck at home doing virtual learning.
@vividmichaelField trip with the class to the zoo! ##woodlandparkzoo ##zoo ##penguin ##zookeeper ##antarctic ##arctic ##seattle ##fieldtrip ##onlineclass ##remoteteaching♬ original sound – Mr. Talcott
Tuesday, May 4, 2021
Tik Tok dances are all the rage. If you are coordinated. Not a single person on staff at LifeSongs has the moves. Or if they do, they are keeping their skillz secret. Thankfully the world is full of dancers.
Back before the pandemic, David Jamison, a 5th grade teacher out of Memphis, went viral with his personalized hand shakes and fist bumps for each of his 75 fifth-grade students. Just look up the hashtag #thedopeeducator.
But Mr. Jamison says now – in the world of facemasks and social distancing – that “you don’t have to physically touch a child to actually ‘touch’ a child.” He’s crafted personalized tik tok style dance moves to greet each of his students into the classroom. And the dope educator has some moves worth being jealous of.
I remember being asked in an interview last year, “would I still welcome my students with customized greetings once they return?” My response remains the same, you don’t have to physically touch a child to actually “touch” a child. #thedopeeducator pic.twitter.com/91TT19fros
— The Dope Educator (@thedopeeducator) March 17, 2021
Monday, May 3, 2021
Katie Booser is a 3rd grade teacher in Santa Barbara. Not only does she teach her kids math & science, she teaches them to believe in themselves with affirmations each morning such as “I believe in myself”, “I am strong”, and “I am smart.” She’s made words of affirmation a key part of her teaching strategy.
For the last 10 years, Katie Booser has led third graders in daily affirmations – that’s nearly an entire generation of kids who have had love spoken into their lives! Katie says that words of affirmation are “how we change the conversation… that’s how our world becomes a better place.
Katie recalls being an anxious kid in school herself – and the teachers who taught her to believe in herself were inspirational. She says “I am” statements trick your brain into believing what you are telling it.
Friday, April 30, 2021
Arlyne Radford is a helper to many and a hero to her daughter Kelly. Kelly nominated Miss Arlyne to be a LifeSongs Helper & Hero – winning her mom some free Chickfila and a parking spot at the Drive-In Theater Tour (with Zach, Mac & Cain)! Here’s Miss Arlyne’s story of bringing smiles (and hashbrowns) to her community:
“My mom’s name is Arlyne Radford. She’ll be 81 yrs old next month. She works full time at the St Rose Waffle House. She’s been there for 10 yrs and with the company over 20 yrs. She worked through the pandemic. When COVID first started, it was usually just her & one cook & the manager. Oftentimes the cook & the manager were the same person.
She’s loyal to her customers and to Waffle House. Over the years, instead of donating items to Goodwill, we’ve given them to my mom to bring to her Waffle House family. She will report back to us on who got what and how much the kids and mothers appreciated the items.
I believe she’s doing the Lord’s work right there serving people the best she can at the Saint Rose Waffle House.”
Thursday, April 29, 2021
Recently a man walked into a Dunkin Donuts determined to do something good for his community. The year was rough – but he was blessed and free food is always a great way to bless others. He told the cashier he wanted to pay for the next $1000 worth of food any customer ordered. The cashier was stunned and asked the man to repeat that order…
He thought about it a second and said – nope, make that the next $4000 in food orders. He proceeded to buy $4000 worth of Dunkin Donut gift cards that the store handed out as folks came in all day. Over 300 people got fed – and not just donuts, but full meals!
Wednesday, April 28, 2021
The Appalachian Trail is considered the longest hiking footpath in the world, spanning 14 states and nearly 2,200 miles from Georgia to Maine. It’s a tall order for anyone, but Dan Schoenthal is bound and determined to do it. Dan, 56, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2015. Despite the challenges of the disease, he took to heart his doctor’s advice that staying active was just as important as any other part of his health regimen.
Dan did the first 300 miles of the journey last year, and started back up again this April. While he’s excited to work toward a yearslong dream, and keep his body moving, Dan is also raising awareness of the disease and funds for the Parkinson’s Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to improving care for those with Parkinson’s and finding a cure.
Tuesday, April 27, 2021
Griffin Baron was 21 years old at the time – working as a shift supervisor at Starbucks in Wilmette, IL when he heard screaming coming from the bathroom. A customer had gone into early labor and everyone in the building could hear her surprise. Jonathan Celner was going to be born – fast – like as fast as you can order a grande coffee.
Griffin helped deliver the baby boy just moments before EMS arrived on the scene. Flash forward 18 years. Griffin is now married and a father of two – but he never forgot the little boy he helped deliver. Someone sent him a Go Fund Me link – and that’s how Griffin reconnected with Jonathon. The young man’s mom had passed away years ago – and he and his brother had just lost their father too.
Griffin met up with Jonathan at the very Starbucks where the former barista helped deliver Jonathan to hear about his life – and find out how he can once again help this young man in his time of need.
Monday, April 26, 2021
It’s more than 2,500 miles from Disneyland in Southern California to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, and Don Muchow ran them all.
Don Muchow, 59, has been long distance running for years to raise awareness for Type 1 diabetes, which he has lived with since 1972. Originally, he was just planning to run across the country, but decided the two iconic spots would make good goal posts. He started in February 2020, and had planned to finish by May. But the pandemic hit, and he had to make some starts and stops to stay safe.
Finally, on April 5 this year, he made it to Disney World where he was greeted by cheering park staff who loaded him up with balloons, souvenirs and a very well-deserved Mickey ice cream cone. He kept going after that, running two more days to reach the Atlantic Ocean and truly complete his coast-to-coast mission.
Friday, April 23, 2021
Amy Harper has nominated kindergarten teacher Jennifer Falgout as the LifeSongs Helper & Hero – winning her delicious Chick Fil A and a parking spot at the Drive-In Theater Tour on May 6th featuring GRAMMY winner Zach Williams, Mac Powell & new-comers CAIN! Here’s what Amy has to say about Jennifer:
“Jennifer Falgout is a superhero because she has been safely teaching our kindergarteners full-time, in person, since August. Her super hero power is gracefully implementing all the new COVID restrictions/guidelines with a class of 24 kindergarteners and at the same time successfully teaching them to read, do math, and spur on their love for Jesus! Thanks to her our kids have had some sense of normal during this crazy time, and they are thriving in her classroom!”
Jennifer – congratulations on becoming a LifeSongs Helper & Hero! And thanks for breathing life into those little learners this school year.
Thursday, April 22, 2021
Politicians are people too. While I don’t know many people who are thrilled by their congress people, we should actively pray for them. It’s been a rough time – with the attack on the Capitol building just a few months ago. To provide some comfort and relief, Clarence – a 160-pound St. Bernard spent last week roaming the halls of Congress offering snuggles.
Clarence is the first official Police Comfort dog in the United States. Clarence and his handler have done tours of duty not only in DC, but at Sandy Hook, Las Vegas and at the Boston Marathon bombing aftermath. He’s our nation’s goodest boy.
Wednesday, April 21, 2021
A groomer and animal control officer in Omaha, Nebraska, helped save a pet owner’s life, thanks to their instincts and basic human concern. When a regular customer didn’t show to pick their dog Lola up from an appointment, the PetSmart employee sensed something was wrong. The groomer attempted to contact him, but had no luck.
PetSmart called Animal Control Officer Kisha Witherspoon, who also felt uneasy about the situation. She contacted an investigator, who went to the owner’s house and got no response. Police were finally able to enter the home, and found the man lying in distress, suffering a medical episode.
The man is now getting medical care, and Lola is freshly groomed and safe with family members. The Nebraska Humane Society thanked the people involved for their quick thinking. It’s also a great reminder that just a little extra care could save someone’s life.
Tuesday, April 20, 2021
Recently in Atlanta, Shaq was visiting a friend who works at a Zales Jewelers. While there he overheard a customer shopping for an engagement ring. The ring he had picked out was on sale – but he didn’t have enough of the down payment to lock in the sales price.
That’s when Shaq walked up, slid his credit card across the glass and said “Don’t worry about it, I’ll take care of it.” Shaq is always looking for ways to bless others – saying he tries to do a good deed every day.
Monday, April 19, 2021
Finn Lanning is a middle school math teacher – the good kind. The kind that makes class fun and takes the time to get to know his students. One day after class his student Damien told his teacher that he would be leaving school.
Damien was in foster care and in need of a kidney transplant. Since no family could care for him and cover his medical needs, Damien was moving into a children’s hospital for care until a kidney match could be found.
Mr. Lanning couldn’t take it – he quickly got certified as a foster parent and took Damien into his home. Up until this point Finn Lanning was a happy bachelor, with no desire for a family. Flash forward a couple years and he has officially adopted Damien as his son – plus Damien also received his kidney transplant!
Most kids wouldn’t call moving in with your math teacher a fairytale ending – but for Damien and Mr. Lanning – it is a real happily ever after!
Friday, April 16, 2021
Talley Boykin has faithfully driven his school bus in Southern Louisiana all throughout the coronavirus pandemic. He has kept his kids safe – been considerate of every family – and been a light to everyone who knows him.
Talley’s wife Tammie nominated him as a Helper & Hero on LifeSongs – winning him $25 in Chick-Fil-A gift cards and a parking spot at the upcoming Drive In Theater Tour featuring Zach Williams! But more importantly, Tammie got to brag about how God uses her husband Talley.
Several of the kids on the bus call him Paw Paw Talley following the lead of their grandson who rides the bus to school each day. When he missed driving for a few days, concerned calls came flooding in wanting to see Mr. Talley return. He’s a friend and light to these kids each day.
Thursday, April 15, 2021
Great teachers might retire after a long fruitful career … but they never actually stop teaching. Vernetta Price has gone from wrangling students to helping neighbors get access to the COVID-19 vaccine.
Ms. Vernetta lives in rural Mississippi. She’s so concerned for her elderly neighbors, she has started a carpool to get the entire community of Sardis, MS to the doctor. She has signed up over 80 people for the vaccine and helps drive anyone in need to their appointment.
Vernetta says she wants everyone to be protected so life can return to normal and she can go back to church.
The COVID battle is personal for Vernetta. Her daughter-in-law is still dealing with COVID’s long term effects after contracting the virus last summer. A dear friend and local minister just passed away from the virus. Friends have lost loved ones. So Vernetta won’t stop until she can help protect the most vulnerable in her community.
Wednesday, April 14, 2021
Brandon Jones’ mother in law is in her 70s and has terminal lung cancer. She lives in Vermont while Brandon and his family reside in Baltimore. Since she can no longer travel down to visit, Brandon and his wife Rina make the six hour drive to Vermont regularly.
Rina’s mother has a favorite restaurant in Baltimore called Ekiben. The Japanese restaurant features a tempura fried broccoli dish that is her absolute favorite. On the last trip up to Vermont she jokingly asked Brandon to bring her some take-out. Fried broccoli doesn’t travel well, so Brandon reached out to the chef at Ekiben – Steven Chu – and asked for the recipe so he could fix the dish for his dying mother in law.
Chef Chu did him one better. The Chef and a couple of his cooks loaded up the ingredients and drove all the way to Vermont to fix the favorite dish (along with several other dishes) from the back of a truck so they could deliver it hot and fresh to this sweet lady.
Chef Steven Chu said, “..it was a huge honor to be able to help fulfill the family’s wishes. This is about her, not us.”
Tuesday, April 13, 2021
A Canadian couple named Beverly and Dick Perrin wanted to make sure the hard working truckers felt appreciated during this difficult year so they began delivering stacks of hand-written thank-you cards to truck stops.
Each card reads:
“Thank you so much for bringing supplies to our stores. Even though it is sometimes under harsh circumstances. Take care. Stay safe. God’s blessing on you always. Love Beverly Perrin, a very grateful senior.”
Beverly and Dick recognize the essential work of truckers during the pandemic – and the unique challenges they face. Many of the services they depend on – even just clean bathrooms – have been shut down but they kept on … well, truckin. So far the trucker lovin’ Perrins have delivered over 1,000 letters of appreciation.
Monday, April 12, 2021
Last year the global COVID-19 pandemic cost hundreds of thousands of people their livelihood. But when great struggles come – great love abounds. Sometimes in the form of free hot dogs.
Perfectly Frank is a hot dog joint in Norfolk, VA. Early on in the pandemic they put up a bulletin board where anyone in need could grab a ticket for a free meal, no questions asked. Other customers would pre-pay for the extra meals to benefit those who lost their jobs or were trying to feed a neighbor.
The Franks for Friends program started when a single patron gave $2000 to the local restaurant to help the staff and community. Generosity begets generosity and others pitched in to make sure there was always a hot meal for everyone.
In fact, the Franks for Friends program was so huge the store was able to package and deliver free after-school meals for students – all free of charge. And even though the pandemic seems to be waning – Perfectly Frank hopes to continue this free food program permanently.
Friday, April 9, 2021
Sharon Allen of Houma is an amazing home-health nurse who served long hours and sleepless nights for the past year, treating every patient with kindness and grace. Nurse Sharon pushed through 2020 not just for her patients – but as a patient as well. She is battling cancer, but still working and still making a difference!! She is a warrior!
Sharon’s friend Patricia shared about this Hero on lifesongs.com – winning some Chickfila for Nurse Sharon, plus a ticket for the outdoor Drive-In Theater Tour this May featuring Zach Williams, Mac Powell and Cain!
Maybe the Helpers and Heroes in your life were also nurses. Or perhaps first responders – teachers – parents – grocery workers – the list is endless! Who has made a difference in your life? Tell us about your Helpers and Heroes for a chance to tell their story and win them great prizes!
Thursday, April 8, 2021
A year ago, Tyrone John, a high school math teacher in New York City, became the first patient to be intubated with COVID-19 at his local hospital in Queens. At the time, the city was just starting to experience the country’s first coronavirus surge. Tyrone, who is just 39 years old, was the hospital’s first critically ill COVID-19 patient. After being intubated, he was in a coma for almost three weeks.
But Tyrone went from there to become the hospital’s first COVID-19 patient to recover, an “incredibly powerful” moment for the staff. Tyrone recently returned to the facility to thank the intensive care unit staff who saved him. When he walked into the hospital courtyard, he was met with cries of, “Oh my God, he looks so good!”
“You were one of our first, sickest patients,” nurse Michelle Parcels said. “And so you gave us hope by your recovery in those dark moments where we were having so many losses. You gave us hope that what we were doing made a difference.”
The vaccinated hospital staff proclaimed that “hugs are back” and immediately wrapped their arms around Tyrone.
Wednesday, April 7, 2021
A good handyman can fix just about anything. What makes a great one? Listen to this…
Tony Antonelli, husband, father, and grandfather to 13 grandchildren, was in need of a new kidney after his first transplant failed.
Dan Reynolds, an army veteran and jack of all trades, who knows a thing or two about tough times, was in Tony’s neighborhood doing yard work and noticed Tony looked a bit pale. He asked what was going on, and Tony shared his health condition with Dan. Dan’s immediate response? “I’d be happy to give you a kidney.”
The two were a match, and, just over a month ago, underwent successful surgery. Hero? Yes. Though the two have another name for each other: Blood Brothers.
“It doesn’t take much to help another human being. You just have to have some compassion,” Dan humbly says.
Tuesday, April 6, 2021
When Carver St Pierre grows up, he wants to be a police officer. He’s ready to serve and protect. But it might be a few years yet … Carver is only seven years old. Much of his childhood has now been marked by a global pandemic – and that is pretty rough.
Officer Rob Ekross of the Hopkinton Police department heard about this child’s dream to become a cop, so Officer Rob wanted to make this year special for Carver. Carver was unable to celebrate his last two birthdays with friends and family because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, however, Officer Rob Ekross was going to make it the coolest seventh birthday ever!
The local cop purchased a couple of gifts for this future police officer and delivered them to Carver in his squad car on his seventh birthday.
The whole department wished Carver a happy birthday and said they look forward to serving with him as an officer… in 2035.
Monday, April 5, 2021
Jose Villarruel left an impression when he was Steven Nava’s substitute teacher in high school. “Mr. V,” as students called him, made an effort to get to know the kids he subbed for. He’d ask them about their days and what they’d eaten for lunch, and he’d crack jokes while taking attendance. Kind gestures made his classes fun and memorable.
Steven Nava didn’t know back then that Mr. V lived in his car, something he’s done for the last eight years to save money to send to his family in Mexico. Steven, now 21, recently spotted Mr. V sleeping in his car early one morning and decided then to raise enough money to get his beloved substitute a more permanent place to stay. So far, he’s raised more than $27,000 for the 77-year-old, due in part to Mr. V’s new fans on TikTok.
Mr. V was stunned by the donation, telling CNN he accepted the gift “with an open heart.” He plans to use some of the funds to visit his wife and children, but in California, he no longer feels alone — Nava and his other former students have become like family themselves.
@stvnna7Im so thankful.. SURPRISE MR.V! HAPPY BIRTHDAY 🥳❤️😩 ily ##foryoupage ##fyp ##thankyou ##viral♬ original sound – Steven Nava
Friday, April 2, 2021
When artist Jayashree Krishnan paints yet another portrait of a brave pandemic first responder, she pays special attention to the eyes.
“Each person’s set of eyes that I have painted so far, they tell their own story,” she says.
Krishnan has painted more than 150 such portraits — some of the eyes laughing, others hopeful, others luminous despite seeing such heavy and haunting loss.
The Seattle-based artist began the project to show appreciation for two cousins who worked 13-hour shifts, seven days a week, at a Michigan hospital. Now, she takes requests and suggestions from social media.
Do you know of a Helper or Hero whose story needs to be shared? CLICK HERE and tell us all about them.
Thursday, April 1, 2021
A young man in 8th grade was sent to the principal’s office for refusing to take his hat off in class. Like most schools today, hats are not allowed. But his fresh cut was a lopsided mess. Principal Jason Smith actually knows his way with the clippers and offered to fix the boy’s hairline. Both the student and his parents were incredibly grateful.
After rushing home for his clippers and tightening up the boy’s cut – all was well. No punishment was needed – just a helping hand from a real hero. Principal Smith is always looking for ways to help his students (he’s even bought at least one student some new shoes). He’s not just trying to push kids through a grade, he’s trying to inspire them to learn and grow.
And it sounds like it is working.
Wednesday, March 31, 2021
Something delicious is growing in southeast Atlanta. It’s the nation’s largest free food forest, spanning 7.1 acres of land ripe with 2,500 pesticide-free edible and medicinal plants.
In 2016, the Conservation Fund bought a foreclosed plot of land and with the help of a US Forest Service grant and a partnership with the city of Atlanta, the forest began to take shape. Now it is tended by volunteers, and is part of Atlanta’s larger mission to bring healthy food within half a mile of 85% of the city’s 500,000 residents by 2022.
One in 6 Georgians face food insecurity, and 1 in 4 Atlantans live in extremely isolated food deserts, so access to fresh produce in the area is more critical than ever. While New Orleans is known for delicious food – large portions of our population also don’t have easy access to fresh fruits and veggies. Where can we build our own free food forest?
Tuesday, March 30, 2021
Calvin Tyler may have one of the greatest comeback stories of all time. Almost 40 years ago, Tyler had to drop out of Morgan State College in Maryland because he couldn’t afford it. Now, he and his wife Tina just committed $20 million to the school for need-based scholarships.
You see, after Calvin Tyler dropped out, he took a job as a UPS driver in Baltimore, and over the years, worked his way up to senior vice president of operations. He retired in 1998 and joined UPS’s board of directors. The Tylers already have a scholarship fund in their name at the school, and their donations over the years have helped more than 200 deserving students get an education at Morgan State.
Maybe your story isn’t going the way you planned. God still has incredible things in store for you!
Monday, March 29, 2021
Kids offer sincere insight into genuine care and love. For example, 4th grader Lex Thompson decided to take his birthday money and use it to encourage the heroes of the pandemic.
The nurses working at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center were astounded when the LaSalle Elementary fourth grader began delivering coffee gift cards to the ICU nurses that had been battling to save lives in the COVID-19 ward.
Lex didn’t bat an eye using his birthday money and savings, saying “..they probably just needed something to tell them they were doing the right thing and that they were supported.”
Friday, March 26, 2021
Before the sun was even up restaurant owner Robert Magiet was out in the frigid cold buying and delivering 15 dozen tamales to freezing, hungry homeless people on the streets of Chicago. But the tamales aren’t a product of his restaurant – he’s trying to help local street vendors get out of the frigid cold of Chicago.
Robert buys out the entire stock of tamales from street vendors so they can get out of the cold and go home for the day. Then, he hands the food out to the homeless. Robert takes tamales to homeless shelters and tent camps under train tracks.
The restaurant owner paid out of pocket until he posted pictures on social media. The public thought it was a great idea and donations poured in. Buying the tamales does a lot more than get vendors out of the cold. It gives hope to those who need it most.
Thursday, March 25, 2021
Yes, Chickfila employees really are that awesome. Not only is it their pleasure to serve us, their customers – they love each other too!
17 year old Haley Bridges was the lucky winner of a car at their Chickfila Christmas party – WOW! I usually just get a candle or something from our office Christmas present exchange.
The team at this Wisconsin Chickfila are a tight knit family. Haley met her best friend, a Hawaiian transplant to Appleton, WI named Hoku. Hoku was riding her bike to work each day. Imagine being from Hawaii, to the frozen tundra of Wisconsin! So Haley and some other coworkers had a secret plan to give Hoku the car if any of them won.
Merry Christmas indeed! Hoku was overwhelmed by the generosity of her friends – and of course the teenagers now all cruise the town on their off days in Hoku’s new ride.
Wednesday, March 24, 2021
It was a Winter storm that took Texas by surprise. Drivers were stranded – stuck in ditches – scattered all around the Austin, TX area. That’s where the hero of our story shows up. Ryan Sivley took his 4-wheel drive vehicles to the aid of those stranded motorists – rescuing nearly 150 cars from the snowpocalypse in just two days.
Ryan himself is recovering from substantial injuries from an automobile accident. And while he couldn’t do any heavy lifting, he knew he could use his truck to help others who were stranded. Not only did he help tow vehicles out of ditches, he offered rides to stranded motorists – including getting some local nurses to the hospital so they could treat the injured.
A reminder that heroes shine when others despair. Ryan inspires us all to look for ways to help – no one can do everything, but everyone can do something.
Tuesday, March 23, 2021
Today’s story is about a woman who literally gave the coat off her back to keep a stranger warm.
Tina Powell was in the Giant Eagle Supermarket in her Pennsylvania hometown and gave the customer in front of her in line a compliment on her jacket. Tina was hoping to find out where she got the coat so she could go get one herself. The customer kindly explained she got it in Spain and that was that.
But when Tina walked outside, the customer had taken off the jacket to give it to her. Tina told her it wasn’t necessary but the customer insisted, saying she had a feeling… God told her she was a wonderful person. Tina began to cry.
Have you ever had one of those moments where God reminds you that He sees you and He has got you in his arms? Tina does for sure. And she’s got a warm coat as a daily reminder.
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Monday, March 22, 2021
Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek’s positive impact will be felt forever, and his family just added one more piece to his legacy. Trebek’s family donated a significant portion of his natty wardrobe to The Doe Fund, an organization that provides support and paid work to underserved Americans with histories of addiction, homelessness and incarceration.
In all, the family donated four suits, 58 dress shirts, 300 neckties, 25 polo shirts, 14 sweaters, nine sports coats, nine pairs of dress shoes, 15 belts, two parkas and three pairs of dress slacks. Doe Fund participants will use the items in their reentry program for job interviews.
“During his last day on set, Alex extolled the virtues of everyone opening up their hands and their hearts to those who are suffering,” said Mike Richards, the game show’s executive producer. “Donating his wardrobe to those who are working to rebuild their lives is the perfect way to begin to honor that last request.”
Friday, March 19, 2021
College is hard work – and paying for it can be equally challenging.
When Dee Mitchell started at Oklahoma State University, he was also working a full time job at Wal-Mart after his mom lost her job. He was working to provide for his family and to keep from drowning in student debt. Dee is also a student athlete, who tried out for the OSU basketball team and made the cut! You gotta be able to really hustle to keep all of these irons in the fire. But Dee was getting it done.
OSU Coach Mike Boyton, showed up one day at the Wal-Mart where Dee worked and surprised the young man with a full-ride scholarship for the rest of his time at school. Dee’s teammates Zoomed in to see Dee break down in tears of joy.
Thursday, March 18, 2021
The Olympics officially start on July 23rd, but before that, the Olympic flame travels via torch from Athens, Greece to Japan, where runners take the flame on a tour of the host country. The relay will start later this month and include 10,000 relay runners.
Kane Tanaka, the world’s oldest living person, who at the tender age of 118 is planning to carry the Olympic torch this May in Japan. Ms. Tanaka, who has twice survived cancer and lived through two global pandemics, will take the flame as it passes through Shime in her home prefecture of Fukuoka.
She’ll get a push from her family while in her wheelchair, but she’s determined to walk at least a few steps at the end. Tanaka is almost as old as the games themselves. She was born in 1903, just a few years after the modern Olympic Games began in 1896.
Wednesday, March 17, 2021 – Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
It’s Girl Scout Cookie season, and one troop in Iowa is absolutely crushing it. Troop 64224 of Council Bluffs, Iowa, have sold more than 5,000 boxes of cookies, shattering its sales goal for the 2021 cookie selling stretch. And they’ve done it all while living in an emergency shelter.
The girls, who are between the ages of 5 and 8, live in the Micah House shelter. They’ve reached great cookie heights by using social media, and have even fulfilled another goal of selling to customers in all 50 states, and Washington, DC. Now, they’re looking for their next big win.
“Like any smart businesswomen, they’re going to be taking a look at those goals and reassessing,” Beth Shelton, CEO of Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa said. “They’ve got it figured out.”
Tuesday, March 16, 2021
Jamie Freeman is a champion. He isn’t a football player or coach – Jamie is the janitor at Greenwood High School. But Jamie, who has cerebral palsy, has always offered words of encouragement to the student athletes all season long.
When the Greenwood Bulldogs became state champions this year, they presented a championship ring to Jamie – as an essential part of the team.
As Jamie’s impact on the team went viral, stories poured in from his community about his outstanding character. A follower of Jesus, Jamie uses his cerebral palsy as an opportunity to share the Gospel whenever he can.
Monday, March 15, 2021
Hunter Kahn, a mechanical engineering student at Cornell University, donated multiple Nintendo Switch consoles and games to Children’s Minnesota Hospital in Minneapolis after cashing in big on the recent GameStop stock madness.
Hunter made about $30,000 in the wild push to buy up stock of the mall retailer, and used a portion of it to purchase a bundle of Nintendo Switch Lites, multiple games and e-shop gift cards, and screen protectors and cases. The hospital says patients are already using his gifts.
Hunter is also encouraging others who have profited from the movement to use their good fortunes to pay it forward. Plus, he’s putting the rest of his money toward another good cause for himself — his college tuition.
Monday, March 1, 2021
An elementary teacher in Mexico named Ms. Nay converted her pickup truck into a portable classroom to go visit her autistic students during the COVID shutdown!
The school was shut down because of the pandemic, but Ms. Nay refused to let her kids fall behind. She would drive two hours every day to visit the kids who did not have access to books or the internet to keep on top of their school work. Ms. Nay put a small table in the bed of her truck with a couple of chairs – one for her and one for a student.
Teacher and students all wore masks and sanitized each time. A picture taken by a grateful mother went viral and drew attention to many other teachers who have gone above and beyond any expectation or hope to help kids during this scary time.
Do your kids have a special teacher like Ms. Nay? Tell us about them when you nominate your school to be a LifeSongs Prayer School of the Day!
Friday, February 26, 2021
Matthew Walzer (16 years old), who has Cerebral Palsy, wrote to Nike in 2012 saying he was disappointed no athletic brand had thought to create sneakers adapted for people with disabilities like him.
Part of the letter reads:
“Out of all the challenges I have overcome in my life, there is one that I am still trying to master, tying my shoes. Cerebral palsy stiffens the muscles in the body. As a result I have flexibility in only one of my hands which makes it impossible for me to tie my shoes. My dream is to go to the college of my choice without having to worry about someone coming to tie my shoes everyday.”
Nike brought the teen visionary on to create a hinged sneaker that closes upon pressing one’s heel down and is therefore hands-free. The first completely hands-free Nike FlyEase will hit shelves this year and run around $120.
Way to go, Matthew! You’re a pioneer!
Thursday, February 25, 2021
It’s so isolating in the hospital with all the COVID protections! Terry Martinez is 86 years old. She was admitted to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital with COVID, but 5 days later, she heard her husband Frank was admitted too! He’s 93 years old, but they were in separate areas of the hospital.
The nurses heard that Terry & Frank have been married for 63 years and decided to surprise them with a romantic dinner date! They transported Frank to Terry’s room, and they were able to eat together and hold hands. The picture is so cute.
Pray for Terry & Frank, they are still in the hospital with COVID, but their doctors say they are stable.
Wednesday, February 24, 2021
BBQ can save lives! Jonathan Jones started Smokin’ Hope to help beat food insecurity in Phoenix, AZ. Jonathan loves to smoke meat, so the self-taught cook turned his passion into a nonprofit organization. Smokin’ Hope was born from Jonathan’s desire to feed people experiencing food insecurity. And like many local caterers here in SELA, it all started with a party at his house!
After throwing a backyard barbeque at his home in 2018, Jonathan had the idea to give the leftover barbecue to those in need. And from that first generous delivery, a movement was born!
The first Smokin’ Hope bbq was meant to feed maybe 30 people – but he ended up providing for nearly 100 folks! Now with financial backing from a GoFundMe page and local business support – plus a small army of volunteers – Smokin’ Hope feeds over 1,000 people every quarterly event in downtown Phoenix!
Tuesday, February 23, 2021
Did you notice your energy bill spiked last month? Just wait until February’s bills hit. Running that heater, plus rising costs for energy is being passed on to the consumers and one local church is stepping in to help their community!
Household of Faith Family Worship Church International, near New Orleans, has raised $125,000 to help people pay their huge energy bills. The first lady of the church, Dale Barriere says they were inspired by God to help as many people as they could with an extra $100 towards the high energy bills.
The church put up $50,000 – then Entergy MATCHED that contribution to help – and then the church got even more fired up and raised another $25,000 to help aid those most vulnerable.
Monday, February 22, 2021
A woman in Detroit is creating much-needed warmth for the homeless using potato chip bags.
Environmental activist Eradajere Oleita got the idea from an activist in the UK, and it’s brilliantly simple: By cutting, attaching and ironing used chip bags, and then lining them with plastic, Oleita creates sleeping bags that have a foil lining that helps reflect body heat.
The sleeping bags are durable, waterproof and extremely lightweight. It takes about 150 used snack bags to make a single sleeping bag, and Oleita says she’s trying to make 60 complete bags by the end of February.
Friday, February 19, 2021
When Shonda Lemon, a mail carrier in Chicago, noticed a senior citizen on her route hadn’t picked up her mail in a few days, her gut told her something was wrong.
Shonda Lemon has a soft spot for the elderly, and she often greeted Helen Iwanski, 89, during her day. Helen would even sometimes attach candy to outgoing mail to thank Shonda for her work. When Shonda noticed Helen’s absence, she called the police to ask for a well-being check. When police entered the house, they found Ms. Iwanski on the floor, where she had fallen and been unable to move for several days.
Luckily, after a hospital stay, Helen is on the mend, and her family says she calls the postal worker her angel.
Shonda says she’s relieved her older friend is going to be OK – saying, “Each person has an intricate part of your life and you never know how important they may be.”
Thursday, February 18, 2021
Tunesha Griffith is one of the coolest people you will ever hear about. She’s African American – an Army Wife – a video game designer – a drone engineer – AND a kidney donor! In fact, Tunesha says that once you donate a kidney, the rest of life’s challenges don’t seem so big anymore.
When she donated her kidney to her sister back in 2013, it meant months being out of work – so she and some other gamers hosted fundraising gaming events to help cover the costs – and they were so successful it actually paid for others too.
Her outstanding work snagged her a Google Generation Scholarship to study drone engineering, which landed her in a special Unmanned Systems Application program at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. And Tunesha accomplished all of this while dealing with a severe obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Tunesha has accomplished everything she has set her mind to so far – now she aims to join NASA’s Artemis program to explore Mars and engineer life-sustaining settlements on new worlds. Dream BIG. Like Tunesha.
Wednesday, February 17, 2021
Dr. JoeAnn Ballard was given a future by her foster parents, so she is paying it forward. For over 40 years, Dr. JoeAnn has fostered over 70 children in Memphis, TN. (Not seven – I said SEVENTY) She and her husband have always opened their home to folks in need – founding the Neighborhood Christian Center to feed everyone.
After a week of work, she would cook all Saturday to provide Sunday dinners at the Center. The Ballards learned that there is never a shortage of love when you open your heart to children in need.
Dr. Ballard’s pastor says that the entire Memphis community is blessed by God because he put the Ballards in their lives.
Tuesday, February 16, 2021 (Mardi Gras)
Most of us started to struggle with our New Years’ Resolutions after just a few days. 5 year-old Jase Black knows more about finishing strong than we can ever dream of.
The little boy just rang the bell at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital celebrating that he beat cancer – after 60 weeks of chemotherapy. Over 20% of his entire life has been spent fighting cancer but Jase did it!
His entire family and oncology team danced as he rang that bell in celebration! Now that’s a Second Line we can all join in on! Let Jase inspire you – no matter what you face. Whether it is a diagnosis, relationships or whatever – God has got you – you CAN do this!
Monday, February 15, 2021
Kids of all skin colors can now more accurately draw pictures of themselves and families with Madi Wilson’s line of inclusive crayons. The spunky, artistic 8-year-old felt left out when there wasn’t a color that matched her skin in the crayon box.
Madi’s World Changer crayons have 16 skin colors, 4 hair colors and 4 eye colors. Madison says she wants kids to have more options for skin colors than just peach and brown.
To make this dream come true, Madi’s mom Vashti created an online fundraiser called Madi’s Treasure Box. But the idea took flight, raising tens of thousands of dollars. Now the family has turned Madi’s Treasure Box into a non-profit organization that is creating multicultural tools for schools to foster a more inclusive environment.
Friday, February 12, 2021
Just a couple of weeks ago, a young black girl was able to return home after MONTHS in the hospital. It wasn’t COVID that put her there, but gun violence in her neighborhood. Her life would have been lost had it not been for a brave NOPD officer.
Officer Daniel McCreary responded to the shooting back in November. His training kicked in when he saw Chlo’ee Williams scared and bleeding. McCreary immediately began treating the serious wound while whispering calm soothing words to the little girl. Then an ambulance came and rushed her to the hospital.
More than three months later, after a stay in Critical care and weeks of rehab, Chlo’ee was released from Children’s Hospital in her new wheelchair. And waiting just outside the door with balloons and gifts was her doctors and Officer McCreary.
The forever bonded pair high-fived as the cop handed her a pink unicorn stuffed animal and she gave him a trophy for being a “number one” officer.
Thursday, February 11, 2021
Dr. Joia Crear-Perry has committed her life to serving Black women in America – who are incredibly underserved in the healthcare system. Dr. Crear-Perry had a scary third pregnancy and realized that there were social stresses that were creating the complications.
As a doctor she has led the way in researching how racism and socio-economic issues cause many health issues in Black women, specifically. Dr. Crear-Perry has put together an incredible team of minority healthcare providers to normalize medical care for women who had previously felt cut-off from the system.
The doctor believes that in order to conquer racism in America, we need to embrace JOY – show grace to one another instead of dwelling in despair. She has made it her life’s goal that no other woman of color would feel as broken as she once did.
Wednesday, February 10, 2021
One of the long term effects of severe COVID-19 infections is shortness of breath and breathlessness. We are a long way away from doctors getting a handle on the lifelong effects of this virus. The good news is that there are exercises you can do to increase your lung capacity – and that’s where the opera steps in!
The English National Opera has created a singing, breathing and wellbeing program to help recovering coronavirus patients. They call the program ENO Breathe – created in “concert” with national healthcare providers. Opera singers lead patients through the same breathing and singing exercises they use to maintain lung capacity.
ENO Breathe does so much more than help with shortness of breath. The act of singing is scientifically proven to improve mental functions and reduce anxiety with endorphins!
Tuesday, February 9, 2021
Sy Newson Green was a high school freshman when his world pretty much fell apart. His dad suffered a heart attack and needed a transplant. His mom was in an accident that impaired her vision. Both parents lost their jobs. Without their income, his future at the Palma School, the private all-boys Catholic high school he attended, was in trouble.
But Green was about to get a helping hand from an unlikely source.
A group of inmates at California’s Soledad Prison pooled their income from working jobs as prisoners, and with a little outside help, raised most of Green’s tuition to get him all the way through his sophomore year to graduation. All told, the sum was $32,000.
And it was all inspired by a book club!
Jim Micheletti, an English and theology teacher at Palma School launched a reading program at Soledad Prison seven years ago. In the program, students and teachers met regularly inside the prison to discuss books with inmates. It became an opportunity to change students’ opinions about inmates—and offered prisoners a chance to break those stereotypes.
Jim, the English teacher who created the program says, “[The students] go in thinking ‘monster,’ and they come out thinking ‘a man, a human being.’ They’ve done bad things, but there are no throwaway people here.”
It was one of the books, Miracle on the River Kwai, that inspired two inmates to create the scholarship fund for Sy Green. The inmates worked for three years to gather enough money to help the student through school. Sy graduated last year and is now a student at San Francisco’s Academy of Art University.
Monday, February 8, 2021
Dani LaBriola hasn’t perfected parenting, but she has decided to change her focus when it comes to her twin 11-year-old kids. So much of society tells us to think of ourselves first – to chase happiness and success. Dani, instead, is teaching her kids to serve others.
Step One: Teach your kids about character.
Step Two: Help them create serving habits that will shine through their entire lives.
The Crafting Character systems that Dani created for kids aged 4-10 aims to complete this two-step process using a storybook with corresponding stuffed animals, like a turkey, eagle, ladybug and duck.
Dani’s books are already winning awards and helping parents who are suddenly spending a lot more time with their young kids during a global pandemic!
Friday, February 5, 2021
Six year old Nico lost his favorite stuffed deer, named Rudolph. Nico’s toddler brother grabbed the stuffed animal and tossed it into a frozen canal while out for a snow covered walk in their hometown in Ottawa, Canada.
Each day the family would walk by and see the stuffed animal, just out of reach, slowly being buried in snow. Mom put the word out on Twitter asking for help and the city responded by sending an ice skating team to retrieve the frozen Rudolph for young Nico!
After thawing and washing the stuffie, Nico and Rudolph were reunited and frozen folks in lockdown had something to cheer about on social media!
Thursday, February 4, 2021
Farming technology continues to innovate in ways that can renew entire communities with job opportunities and fresh fruits and veggies! A Kentucky-based company called AppHarvest has built three indoor farms in the rolling hills of Kentucky. These were former coal towns, now producing tomatoes for the entire Eastern United States!
Using pesticide-free, sustainable methods, the company is delivering produce to grocery stores across America. AppHarvest has raised over $1 billion in financing to expand into other communities. They even have Martha Stewart on their board of directors. She says she is already using the tomatoes in her recipes at home.
AppHarvest doesn’t just want to feed people today – they are investing in tomorrow. They have partnered with eastern Kentucky High Schools to develop agricultural curriculum for students, providing practical hands-on teaching in their indoor farms.
Wednesday, February 3, 2021
You may not think of yourself as a hero, either, but you are having an impact in the lives of others everyday through your support for LifeSongs! Helping others hear encouragement and the reminder of God’s goodness everyday to find hope in Him?
Sounds pretty heroic to us…
Seventeen-year-old Bianca Rivera doesn’t count herself as a hero. But her family may think differently. All of them lost their sense of smell after contracting Covid-19, except for Bianca, who didn’t catch the disease. So when the family’s home in Waco, Texas, caught fire last week, she was the only one to smell the signs.
Bianca says she woke up in the early morning to the smell of burning plastic, and immediately encountered a wall of smoke. She managed to get all three of her family members out in time, and then went back in and grabbed their four dogs. Everyone was OK, but the house was a total loss. The local fire department said the family is lucky to be alive.
Bianca says she didn’t worry about herself, or getting hurt in the process. “I just did what anyone else would do for their own family,” she said. “I just wanted to get everyone out safe and alive.”
Sounds like a hero to us.
Tuesday, February 2, 2021
Having something stolen is a terrible violation. Robbie Pruitt’s bike was stolen and at first, he was angry. But after letting go of his frustration, he turned that anger into compassion. Bikes are hard to come by during the pandemic. Robbie started thinking: What if the person who stole his bike truly needed transportation to get to work?
So Robbie Pruitt, an assistant pastor at the Church of the Holy Spirit in Leesburg, Virginia, posted it to a local Facebook group. He offered to fix bikes for free for anyone who needed it. Also put out a call for unwanted bikes, which he would repair—again for free—and then donate to folks who could use them but didn’t have the money.
On the first day, Robbie collected 30 used bicycles. That was followed by more than 500 responses.
By the end of last year, Pastor Pruitt had refurbished more than 140 for donation or to return to their owners all fixed up.
Monday, February 1, 2021
Brent Rushton, affectionately known as Papa, has been hard at work for 15 years making quilts to donate to others in need. These are masterpiece quilts – one actually auctioned off for $3,000. But mostly they are given to veterans, road home shelters and most recently immigrants and refugees with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
Papa jokes that he spent the first 75 years of life being mean so he wants to make the most out of the time he has left. At 80 years old, he spends at least 6 hours a day quilting. He’s produced 200-300 quilts over the years. While he has gotten a few fabric donations and even a grant from a local bank, mostly Papa pays for the supplies himself.
“I’d go nuts if I didn’t have something to do,” he said. “I feel pretty good about helping somebody get a smile on their face.”
Friday, January 29, 2021
Allie Shroyer is a Girl Scout. As you know, Girl Scout cookies are on sale now, but this is a very different year. It’s almost impossible to sell door-to-door or set up outside popular stores. So her parents challenged her to get creative.
They recorded a video of Allie with her sales pitch on a Ring doorbell camera. She then sent the video to friends and family.
She says: “Hello, I’m Allie. Would you like to buy some Girl Scout cookies? Well you can buy them $5 each so would you like one, or two or three or four or five? Or six or seven or eight or nine or 10? I don’t know. Maybe 11 or 12?”
After Allie’s video was shared online she smashed her sales goal. She quickly sold 600 boxes. Her mom said her one goal is to make the world smile.
Did she ever.
Thursday, January 28, 2021
Five-year-old Aryana Chopra rang in the new year in the most productive, positive way possible: She designed and handmade 200 cards to send to every resident at a senior living home in Vestal, New York.
Aryana’s father is a doctor on the front lines of the pandemic, so she knows how serious coronavirus is. Aryana knew folks were feeling lonely so she started making cards for the people in the nursing home who cannot go out and meet their friends and family.
When her mother noticed Aryana hard at work making the cards, she called the local nursing home and asked how many residents were there. Two hundred is a tall order, but Aryana worked for almost two weeks to make them all, decorating each one with a unique combination of rainbows, snowmen, kids holding gifts and special New Year’s messages.
Even then, that wasn’t enough for the little girl. She broke open her piggy bank and bought the resident a few more gifts to make Christmas even more special.
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
It’s a special kind of selfless when someone chooses to help others even when they’re struggling, too. And there is no shortage of heroes who have stepped up this past year to stand in the gap for others!
Take Carolyn Alonzo, who owns a Fetch! Pet Care franchise in Chicago. She’s seen her business take a huge hit during the pandemic, and to make matters worse, two of her dogs died. But out of her grief, she created the non-profit Obi’s Pet Pantry to help people who are having a hard time financially providing for their pets. Carolyn used some of her stimulus money and some donations to keep it stocked with food, blankets, collars, shampoo and other pet supplies.
Others are using their stimulus money to pay it forward, too. Jeff Suchon of Highland Park, New Jersey, has purchased more than 30,000 masks with his economic relief payments, even though he lives on a fixed income and can’t work due to health concerns. Matthew Pierce, a teacher at Milton Hershey School in Hershey, Pennsylvania, used his stimulus payments to buy UberEats gift cards for many students and their families.
Mr. Pierce challenges his community saying, “We have to model good civics. It’s not something we’re born with. We need to give back in times of need.”
Thank you to every person who has given to LifeSongs during all of the challenges we have faced together. Because of you, the message of Hope continues to be heard all across SELA and the world!
Tuesday, January 26, 2021
10-year-old Ethan Hill knows that the best way to show your gratitude is to pay it forward. He learned this lesson by befriending a homeless man who lived under a bridge near Ethan’s school.
The man’s name is Mr. Marcus. Ethan was worried for Mr. Marcus when the weather started getting colder and wanted to do something to help. So with the help of family and teachers, the 10 year old founded Ethan’s Heart. His non-profit collects and distributes essential items for people living on the streets.
Ethan shares, “It feels like it’s not all about you, it’s not a you story.” This world changing young man wants everyone to know you can do something – it doesn’t have to cost a lot of time or money – just care for the people God puts in your path.
To every church, every ministry and institution that cares for the most vulnerable in our community – Thank you.
Monday, January 25, 2021
The world continues to seek better ways to treat drug addiction and the cycle of destruction it causes. Nelson Mendonca was in and out of prison due to drugs for 20 years, until someone showed him how to channel his energies into helping others around him.
It all started by learning how to knit using a loom hook. Nelson started knitting hats for the homeless while in prison and when he was released, he began teaching knitting skills through a local recovery program. After completing the recovery program, Nelson stuck around for a 2 year internship, and has continued to build a community of men who knit.
The Phoenix Society is what they guys have named their knitting group – and they provide knitted hats for homeless, single moms and others in need all while growing and holding each other accountable in the continual struggle against addiction.
Friday, January 22, 2021
A teenager has won Petco’s $50,000 essay contest and is donating all of her first-place prize money to the animal shelter.
13-year old Sydney Hertzberg volunteers at the shelter and is the place she adopted her cat. She says the cat actually rescued her. In her essay, she wrote about how the kitten has been her best friend.
Sydney has an illness called POTS. Some of the symptoms are dizziness, fatigue, and muscle aches. She said her cat (named Mr. Mittens) weighed just 4 ounces when she got him. He had to be bottle-fed. Sydney thought she was going to help save his life, but it turned out that Mr. Mittens helped save hers.
Every week we spotlight a pair of adoptable pets with the LASPCA. Your next pet is waiting on you.
Thursday, January 21, 2021
Neil Heritage lost both legs in an attack by a suicide bomber in Iraq in 2004. After recovering from his injuries, he completed triathlons, learned to ski and even joined a team to row across the Atlantic Ocean! Now, 39, the former soldier from the United Kingdom has notched another achievement: becoming the first above-the-knee double amputee to scale the Matterhorn.
It was Neil’s third attempt in three years to reach the peak. Co-climber Mark Hooks said it was “just so special, managing to achieve something we’ve worked so hard on over the years.”
The former soldier uses his incredible accomplishments to make a bigger difference. He raised over 6,500 euros for his veterans’ charity during his Matterhorn climb.
Hooks said his friend’s specially designed prosthetic limb fell off near the summit and took more than 20 minutes to reattach. Neil Heritage won’t be resting on his laurels, though. His next challenge is to kayak the Amazon river.
Wednesday, January 20, 2021
Illusionist Rick Lax was just five years old when he began practicing and performing magic tricks. His parents bought him a Toys-R-Us magic set, and he loved it. Throughout his childhood, he never stopped practicing and his illusions grew ever more sophisticated and successful.
Rick has since gone on to become an illusion consultant for David Copperfield. He’s helped create and produce magic tv shows. But today the magician focuses on using his skills to help people who are feeling down because of the pandemic.
The illusionist heard about an upset young boy who couldn’t celebrate his birthday with friends because of the pandemic. So Rick Lax sprang into action. Working with the boy’s Mom, the magician slid food, clothes and other gifts “magically” into a McDonald’s bag for his Mom to give to the birthday boy.
It’s a classic “bottomless bag” trick. The gifts just kept coming – baseball equipment, gift cards, a stuffed baby Yoda and a new iPhone. The boy was thrilled and beyond grateful.
Tuesday, January 19, 2021
Today’s Good News is a bit of a modern history lesson. Bobby Greunewald is a business savvy guy. He created and sold two tech companies before he even graduated college. He had money, vision and passion. He also loved Jesus fiercely. So instead of staying in the business world he joined the staff at Life.Church in his mid-20s.
The thing is, being a pastor wasn’t as easy for Bobby as running tech businesses. Each day was a struggle and he felt like he was on the wrong path. He debated quitting his church job because he wasn’t sure he was making a difference for Christ. After much prayer and counsel with his pastors and friends, Bobby decided to stay the course and continue working for the Church.
And thank God he stayed the course – because shortly after his decision, Bobby Gruenewald thought up and developed the YouVersion Bible App. This free bible app has taken the Gospel to every corner of the world and has done more for spreading the Bible in native languages than anything since the invention of the printing press!
Friday, January 15, 2021
Patrick Brady was serving at a US military base in the former soviet nation of Georgia when one day while hard at work, a little fluff ball of a puppy wandered her way onto the base. She was smaller than Patrick’s boot, but very friendly. Patrick named her Marshmallow and over the next few months she became a source of great joy for the entire barracks – especially when they were on lockdown from COVID.
Marshmallow was pretty easygoing, but she has a fondness for mud, so Patrick and his comrades had to bathe her frequently. When it was time to return home, Patrick contacted the International SPCA and Operation Baghdad Pups Worldwide to navigate the tricky rules to get his puppy home with him. It took some work and wasn’t without drama, but ultimately when he boarded his plane home, Marshmallow was right by his side.
Maybe your next pet will simply wander into your yard, but it’s a little bit easier to adopt a pet here than in Eastern Europe! Simply check out the LifeSongs Pets of the Week.
Thursday, January 14, 2021
Over 350,000 Louisiana residents have experienced that awful moment that the nurse says “Yep, you tested positive.” COVID-19 is running rampant – and whether it is a severe case or mild symptoms, every person in your household has to go into quarantine with a single positive test. And this creates a logistical nightmare!
Thankfully the United States Postal Service are experts on logistics. Lisette LeJeune coordinated with her mail carrier to drop off her mail in a bucket instead of the mailbox, that way they wouldn’t be touching the same things and reduced the risk of her mail carrier getting sick. Lisette and her 2 sons were in quarantine and trying to follow all of the rules.
This touched the heart of their mail carrier, who put together a package of canned soup, cookies and gummy snacks for the family and dropped it off with their mail, along with a “Get Well Soon” card. Once this pandemic is over, that mail carrier is going to get the biggest hug in the world.
Wednesday, January 13, 2021
Erin Durga is a teacher. She loves being a teacher because her dad was a teacher. When she first began her educator’s journey her dad offered this word of advice, “Befriend the school custodians because they are the heart of the school.” That’s exactly what Erin did – she made friends with Pat Mertens – the school custodian.
While Pat is certainly the heart of their elementary school, he needed another organ – a kidney. When Erin heard about the need, she didn’t hesitate – immediately offering hers!
Pat received the kidney transplant in July, which was a success. Both he and Erin were healthy enough to return to work in August, for one of the most challenging school years in American History. I guess you could say the pair are closer than ever!
Tuesday, January 12, 2021
It’s a regular segment on the nightly news now – an update on what kind of business support the federal government is working on. Holding together the global economy during a pandemic has been a challenging task. Most businesses in America are small, local businesses. And while federal support has helped – shopping local does even more!
Many local businesses also support non-profits and relief organizations with their proceeds. Many of these local businesses have been featured on national news programs – like Fisher Space Pen in Nevada who sells craft made pens and supports first responders. When Metal Art of Wisconsin was featured on World News Tonight, they got over 3,000 new orders the next morning. That led to new hires and a booming business.
In St. Louis a father and son donate a face shield for every one that is purchased – over 20,000 shields have been donated since last year! Even here at home in Southeast Louisiana local businesses sew profit into things like Second Harvest Food Bank and support for LifeSongs! If you want to shop local, visit the LifeSongs Business Partner Directory and find local people doing good work!
Monday, January 11, 2021
Sometimes all you need is a hug – but the global pandemic has isolated so many people. None are more affected than the elderly. In order to protect residents, many assisted living centers and nursing homes have been closed off to all visitors during the pandemic. The sense of isolation and loneliness can be overwhelming.
Becky Hudson, the lifestyle director for Heartis Clear Lake assisted living in Webster, TX, reached out to a local Boy Scout troop to find a creative way to let family and friends reach out and touch their loved ones, without risking viral spread. 17 year old Boy Scout McCain Penrod took point on the project and built hug booths.
The three structures are made of wood, plexiglass and long-sleeved rubber gloves that let you literally reach out and hug grandma! The residents and families love the hug booths so much that the construction plans are being shared around to other facilities. Even if you can’t reach out and touch those you love right now – you can still show them love with an encouraging text, phone call or leave a King Cake at their front door!
Friday, January 8, 2021
Alvin Kamara is a joy to watch on the football field. His Christmas Day, record-shattering performance and 6 touchdowns helped the Saints beat the Vikings, led in points for any individual player in Fantasy Football this season and ended up blessing a charity as well.
Kamara took to the field in Christmas cleats – rocking red and green shoes that broke the NFL rules on uniforms. He knew he was going to get fined (he can afford it as one of the best paid players in the league) and smiled when asked about it – saying he would just pay the fine and match it towards charity.
True to his word, when the NFL fined him $5,000, Kamara donated a matching check to Son of a Saint – a charity that mentors boys who have lost their fathers. And the cherry on top – some of those Fantasy Football players showed their gratitude for all of Kamara’s points by making donations to Son of a Saint as well! Thanks to some Christmas cleats, Son of a Saint has received over $30,000 in donations!
Thursday, January 7, 2021
If you are new to Southeast Louisiana – bienvenue! Prepare to re-learn how to spell. For example, we spell go with all the wrong vowels – it is “g-e-a-u-x” down here. KC Kilpatrick founded Geaux 4 Kids to provide Geaux Bags for minors in need.
The Geaux Bags have pajamas, toiletries, a backpack, pillow food, water and much more. These special Geaux Bags are given to kids rescued out of dangerous home lives. When these kids are pulled out of dangerous living conditions, they often have nothing but the clothes on their backs.
KC has adopted children out of the foster system in Louisiana but uses Geaux Bags to help thousands of children that she can’t bring home. Want to join in the mission to help these children? Visit GeauxBags.org!
Wednesday, January 6, 2021
What if you were in a position to give a gift that would radically change the New Year for hundreds of families? That’s what one doctor in Arkansas has done.
Dr. Omar Atiq of the Arkansas Cancer Clinic (who is also a professor at the University of Arkansas) hatched a Christmas plan to change lives. The clinic opted to completely forgive all outstanding bills for all of their patients – to the tune of over $650,000.
Dr. Atiq decided to close the oncology practice during the pandemic and wanted to help his community in whatever way he could. By forgiving the outstanding bills – most of which were co-pays and deductibles that insurance would not cover – he freed over 200 families of heavy burdens, just in time for Christmas.
Tuesday, January 5, 2021
When Bethany Moultry turned 6 in August of last year, she had something particularly special on her birthday list. She wanted to help homeless people through this difficult time, and care packages seemed like the perfect idea.
Bethany and her mother Colleen launched “Bethany’s Happy Bags for the Homeless” on Facebook, created an Amazon wishlist and partnered with local homeless shelters in Georgia. Each bag contained a handwritten note from Bethany as well as essential items homeless people need like beef sticks, first aid, toiletries, masks, Gatorade and more.
The initiative went Facebook viral in October, and now students across the country are volunteering their time to make the bags. Bethany’s family says the bags are a great way to get people involved in their community during a time when more traditional forms of volunteering have been put on hold.
Monday, January 4, 2021
Two kids miss their daddy. He’s currently serving overseas in the military, so they don’t get to talk directly with him often. But kids are great with technology and they figured out they could send their dad video messages through their front doorbell.
The family has a RING doorbell that takes videos. Their father can access the videos from anywhere. So the kids send him messages every day – chronicling their days, their haircuts, learning to ride their bikes without training wheels. It is beyond cute and yes, I’m crying now.
Friday, December 25, 2020
There are so many families in need this Christmas. But we can’t be overwhelmed by statistics – we must simply do what we can. And everyone can do something to help.
Still it is great to hear stories like this – the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Atlanta partnered with Cricket Wireless to provide some much needed income for one Atlanta family. Neighbors nominated the Cook family and they were the fortunate ones who received $2500!
The gift became even more of an event when the Cook kids’ favorite WWE wrestler, Kofi Kingston sent a video with a message of hope!
Thursday, December 24, 2020
It was really something to see folks learning to sew just to provide Personal Protection Equipment for at risk workers back when the pandemic began. Now, as Winter fast approaches and the pandemic stretches into another season – there’s another need to be met. And that’s where Suzette Aposhian comes in.
Suzette runs Scarves in the Park out of Salt Lake City, Utah. Through donations and her own sewing prowess, Suzette collects hats and scarves to hand out at her local park when the holiday season rolls around.
She’s given out thousands of winter-wear to folks – and distribution involves hanging the clothes out in the park and letting folks come claim what they need – that way there isn’t any hangups with pride. Suzette thinks the need will be greater than ever this year – and she got some help to meet demand from a local Credit Union, who donated $500 to Scarves in the Park.
I can’t sew, but I know my church gives me ways to help others in need during the holidays. And if you don’t have a church to check with – we can connect you to a local body of worship on the Church Guide on lifesongs.com!
Wednesday, December 23, 2020
In April, two dads in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, decided to have a bake-off — mostly out of boredom. They had no idea it would turn into a movement! When Scott McKenzie was furloughed from his job, he vowed to acquire an untapped skill every week. Baking homemade chocolate chip cookies was at the top of his list. The 58-year-old man had never made them from scratch; he decided it was time. Despite making quite a mess in the kitchen, the cookies turned out pretty good!
Proud of his small achievement, Scott shared a photo of his homemade creation on Facebook. That’s when Jeremy Uhrich, 42, a fellow Huntingdon dad and a longtime friend of Scott’s, challenged him to a cookie competition. And as they say, “It was on like Donkey Kong.”
After the mayor chose the winner, they delivered the remaining dozens of cookies to essential workers, who were touched and delighted by the sweet gesture. It gave the dads an idea. They created a Facebook group called “Cookies for Caregivers,” thinking maybe a handful of people in the Huntingdon community might volunteer to bake treats for essential workers on a regular basis. Within a few days, the group had over 100 members, all eager to participate.
Over the past eight months, the pair — now known around the small town as “the cookie guys” — and their 100 volunteer bakers have made more than 15,500 cookies. And new chapters of Cookies for Caregivers are popping up in communities across America.
Tuesday, December 22, 2020
A small restaurant in Cleveland received a holiday surprise. The restaurant, Nighttown was voluntarily closing until January due to the increase of Covid-19 cases in Ohio. Brendan Ring, who owns the restaurant, said that he was having lunch at his restaurant when a regular customer came over and left his check at his table that included a huge tip.
At first Brendan thought it was a $300 tip, but after he put on his glasses he realized he missed a zero. It was a $3,000 tip on a $7 bill. He ran out to the customer to make sure he hadn’t made a mistake. “He said, “No, that’s what I intended. Share it with the staff, good luck to you guys, Merry Christmas and we’ll see you when you come back.”‘
There were four servers working on Sunday, and each of them got $750 from the tip. Brendan cannot believe the generosity of this customer or the outpouring of love for the simple story. When his sister, who still lives in his native Ireland, saw the story in her newspaper she immediately contacter her brother to share the joy.
“We’re all so desperate for uplifting news, if this was a normal year, yeah, this would be a good story, but it’s a great story because of the year we’re in.”
Monday, December 21, 2020
A third-grade student at Fairview Elementary has been collecting new or gently used blankets to give out to the homeless in Fort Smith, Arkansas because she wants to make sure those in need are able to stay warm this winter. Chloe Durham is 8-years-old, and she is making a big difference in her community with “Chloe’s Cozy Drive.” And her genuine concern for others is inspiring all those around her.
Blanket donations have been pouring in since Chloe started her drive on World Kindness Day, and she has collected over 250 blankets & sleeping bags to be donated to The Next Step homeless Services. Chloe’s parents, Aaron and Emily Durham, both teachers at Fort Smith Public Schools, said Chloe has a huge heart and is always wanting to help others.
The outpouring of love from friends and family has been such a positive light during an otherwise dark time with this pandemic,” said Emily.
“Chloe is overjoyed every time she checks the front door and finds another blanket or Amazon delivery with her name on it. She just really wants to help the homeless and prays for them at night.”
Emily said she is grateful for the friends and family who have donated because they are truly empowering Chloe to do big things.
Friday, December 18, 2020
Aubrey is a Fedex driver in Ohio and would often see a boy named Eli playing basketball in his driveway with his parents or friends. She noticed his basketball hoop was a bit beat up, so she decided to change that.
Aubrey purchased and delivered a brand new basketball and hoop to Eli’s house with a note that said, “I just wanted you and your son to have the best hoop that’ll grow with him and all his friends! It’s wonderful that you guys shoot hoops with him.”
When his parents showed him the new basketball goal and told him who it came from, he knew exactly who Aubrey was. He started crying and, of course, he instantly was ready to play some basketball.
Thursday, December 17, 2020
Mystery surrounds Idaho Secret Santa, giving out $500,000 to families! A Secret Santa in Idaho is taking things to a whole new level. A teacher was gifted a new car. A blind man was given thousands of dollars in gift cards. Many others have also received special and timely gifts.
This “secret Santa” has been giving out gifts to people in the East Idaho community for the last six years. The generous donor wants to remain a mystery, but this year, he will give more than $500,000 to area families in need, some of which are nominated by friends and families.
This is generosity lived out in spectacular fashion! We can do the same, by paying attention to the needs we can meet in our own bubbles. While we can’t afford to give out new cars and hundreds of thousands of dollars – each person can do something! And we want to say thanks and acknowledge the incredible generosity of the listeners who support LifeSongs each month!
Wednesday, December 16, 2020
We cannot thank the front line responders enough for their work through this pandemic, but Starbucks is at least keeping them caffeinated. Front-line responders will receive an iced or hot brewed coffee for free at Starbucks for all of the month of December.
The Starbucks vice president for Global Social Impact said the company decided to announce the offer because “it has been an extraordinarily difficult year, especially for the front-line responders who are serving our communities.”
Of course, the question remains – who is considered a “frontline” worker? Doctors, nurses, public health workers, pharmacists, dispatchers, firefighters, paramedics, police officers, dentists, dental hygienists, mental health workers (therapist, psychologist, social worker, counselor, etc.), hospital staff such as janitor/housekeeping/security and active-duty military.
If someone you think should be on the list but isn’t is in your life, you know you can always treat them to a cup of coffee.
Tuesday, December 15, 2020
Remember Homeward Bound? The tale of a couple of dogs and one mischievous cat crossing dangerous forests to find their family. It was a tearjerker for every 90s kid. And it has happened in real life! 11 months ago a pitbull went charging out an open door and disappeared.
The family searched, posted signs, offered rewards … nothing. Nearby a human began feeding a stray who was scared by every person who approached. By offering food this kind human was able to reunite the pup with her family after getting her microchip scanned by a local vet.
Does this story leave you wanting to adopt a pet for Christmas? Check out the LifeSongs Pets of the week on lifesongs.com!
Monday, December 14, 2020
The Whitleys — like thousands of other smart families who forwent their usual Thanksgiving crowd to help stop the spread of the coronavirus — are the kind of people who need to feed. They are that house, the one always full of people, buzzing with activity. And the thought of a quiet, small Thanksgiving was agonizing for them.
So the Whitleys decided to cook the same amount of food as always and take at least 50 Thanksgiving dinners to the people they see living under bridges, in parks and in tents throughout the nation’s capital.
Across the country, families like the Whitleys have had the same idea — a beautiful and synchronous gesture by the kinds of humans who insist on feeding and nurturing people, whether strangers or friends, despite the constrictions of the coronavirus pandemic.
Friday, December 11, 2020
When the pandemic upended their wedding plans, Emily Bugg and Billy Lewis tied the knot at Chicago’s city hall last month instead. But there was still one piece of unfinished business: What to do about their $5,000 nonrefundable catering deposit?
The newlyweds decided to turn it into 200 Thanksgiving dinners for people with severe mental illness. “This just seemed like a good way to make the best of a bad situation,” said Emily, who is an outreach worker at Thresholds, a nonprofit dedicated to helping people with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and other psychiatric conditions. In the week leading up to Thanksgiving, dozens of Thresholds clients received a boxed dinner of turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, green beans and other fixings from a high-end Chicago-based caterer, (Big Delicious Planet). This was especially important because Thresholds’ usual communal dinners were canceled because of COVID-19. Emily said, “We hope they can still feel the warmth of knowing that we care about them. These small moments of connection are what’s keeping us going during these difficult months.”
The planned venue for the wedding (Salvage One), also agreed to put the couple’s deposit toward a future event for the Epilepsy Foundation, another cause Emily has a connection to.
Thursday, December 10, 2020
Last Christmas, NOPD Daniel McCreary’s wife gave him an unusual gift, a little black bag of first aid supplies. And just last month, the New Orleans police officer used it to save the life of a 7-year-old girl, shot in crossfire of gun violence.
Officer McCreary’s combat training kicked in, using that first aid kit from his wife. What lasted for a few minutes felt like hours. “I’ve got four kids, and one’s 7 years old as well, so I don’t think you can really prepare for that,” McCreary said.
While waiting for the ambulance, McCreary kept the girl motivated to hang on by exchanging names and birthdates. Later, he heard that she made it out of surgery and into the hospital recovery room. He hopes the family will one day let him meet her. “I hope that she’s flooded with support and love and everything that she deserves,” McCreary said.
Wednesday, December 9, 2020
There are still remnants of downed trees littering SELA after a crazy hurricane season. Storms all across the country and knocked down some mighty trees – even up in Mount Vernon, Iowa.
That’s where 12-year-old Tommy Rhomberg lives. Like most 12 year olds, Tommy has been trying to stay busy during this unique school year of shutdowns and pandemics. When a storm knocked down a lot of limbs around his town, Tommy grabbed his grandfather’s whittling tools, some sandpaper and got to work.
This crafty kid made baseball bats from the many limbs he collected after the big storm. He sells them and uses a portion of the proceeds to provide for neighbors whose homes took damage. While these bats aren’t strong enough to play baseball with – each one on display from a thoughtful buyer means another family gets help repairing their roof! Sounds like a home run to us.
Tuesday, December 8, 2020
Many will celebrate this Christmas with empty chairs at the table. It has been a year of great loss around the world. Life in the Bible is described as like a blade of grass or a flower in the field – beautiful but short lived. One family knows this all too well.
The Cheek family in Vestavia Hills, AL have had all too short a time with twin daughters Ally and Bailey Grace. The girls suffered from a rare genetic issue that already claimed the life of six year old Ally last year and will soon take Bailey Grace.
With time slipping away, the entire neighborhood joined together to give Bailey Grace one last spectacular Christmas – decorating every house to the nines. Mom Morgan Cheek knows that sorrow is just around the corner – but each Christmas light means so much to the family – and to Bailey Grace.
What kindness can you show to someone who is grieving this Christmas?
Monday, December 7, 2020
Saints star linebacker Damario Davis’ family is back with him in New Orleans. His wife and kids had been in Nashville, where the Davis’ 1-year-old daughter, Carly-Faith, was undergoing monthly tests after being treated for retinoblastoma, an eye cancer that most commonly affects young children.
But Carly-Faith is doing well and the doctors no longer have to see her every month – and that means the family can be reunited. In fact, the latest report is that there is NO SIGN of cancer! Not all victories are on the field.
Friday, December 4, 2020
There’s a silver lining to those months spent at home — longer hair means more wigs for people who want them. Nonprofit hair stylists who make free wigs for cancer patients say they’ve received a boon of donations from people who’ve grown their hair out in the last several months.
Waiting longer between cuts has led to longer donations — something especially exciting for nonprofits who cater to kids, since many younger girls and teens want long-haired wigs. More men and boys are donating their hair to charity than before, too.
If you’re ready to chop off all the hair you’ve grown out, many nonprofits will gladly accept them. They all have different requirements for donations in terms of length, but keeping the hair clean, dry and secure is key since loose or wet hair can’t be donated. It’s also a good idea to trim loose ends before donating — healthy hair makes for better wigs and happier recipients.
Thursday, December 3, 2020
To complete a triathlon is a Herculean feat — there’s the exhaustive 2.4-mile swim, the grueling 112-mile bike ride and a 26.2-mile marathon that turns legs to jelly.
Chris Nikic did it all at just 21 years old — and became the first person with Down syndrome to complete an Ironman triathlon. With the help of a guide, Chris crossed the finish line in under 17 hours, which is the cutoff time to complete the Ironman. The race wasn’t without hiccups, though — at one point, Chris fell off his bike and was attacked by ants during a rest stop. But neither insects nor a bloody scrape could stop him.
Now Chris has got his sights set on the 2022 Special Olympics! But in the meantime, he’ll continue to fundraise for Down syndrome research, saying, “I achieved my goal and now I want to help others like me.”
Wednesday, December 2, 2020
When Jericha Palmer’s car died, there was no money to fix or replace it. Jericha’s family of 8 did their best to get by, taking Uber when there was cash and walking almost everywhere – including all the way to work.
Some neighbors noticed Jericha’s trouble and secretly began collecting donations from friends to buy the family a new vehicle. In a matter of days they had scraped together about $5000 and bought the Palmers a used Honda Odyssey minivan with room for all 8 of them!
As you can imagine there were lots of tears of joy from everyone involved. Pay attention to everyone around you this Christmas. Ask God each day how you can be a help – how you can be salt and light.
Tuesday, December 1, 2020
At the Veterans Healing Farm, former service members have the opportunity to grow plants and flowers while cultivating friendships. John Mahshie says he felt “alone and isolated” after leaving the Air Force in 2008, yet “sucked it up and pressed on.” He knew other veterans were struggling with their own issues but might not know how to reach out for help, and in 2013 he decided to plant fruit trees, berry bushes, herbs, and flowers on nine acres of land he owned in Hendersonville, North Carolina.
With that, the Veterans Healing Farm was born. There are bunkhouses on the property for vets to stay in, and John says they not only learn new skills, but also “that they can trust people and they are valued.”
Over the last six years, the farm has donated more than 35,000 pounds of produce and flowers to veterans.
Monday, November 30, 2020
Medical workers on the front lines of the pandemic deserve the world — or at least a really, really good break once in a while. Enter the Hero Recharge program, which provides free outdoor adventures, like surfing, rock climbing and mountain biking, to hundreds of frontline health care workers in major cities across the United States.
Hero Recharge is run by First Descents, a non-profit that organizes adventure retreats for young adults with cancer and multiple sclerosis. As the pandemic overwhelmed health care workers, bringing with it risks of burnout, illness, PTSD and depression, the organization’s founders saw another way to help.
“These health care workers have been stuck for days, weeks, months inside, without seeing the light of day,” said Brad Ludden,founder of First Descents. “The outdoors is a tremendously powerful place for healing and connection … (and) one of the most powerful things we can provide them.”
Friday, November 27, 2020
As a society, we collect weird stuff, right? POGs and Beanie Babies – any of those ring a bell? But baseball cards are an American tradition – it’s basically how I learned statistical math. A nine-year old young lady named Reese Osterberg loves to play baseball and collects cards. But one of the fires in California destroyed her home and her substantial collection of baseball cards.
The California Department of Forestry shared her story on local radio and that’s where Kevin Ashford got his chance to shine. Kevin, like Reese, loves baseball and collects cards. In fact, his lifetime collection is valued around $50,000! His plan had been to sell his baseball card collection on Ebay, but once he heard about Reese, he knew where his collection belonged.
Reese and her mom, Amy, were so overwhelmed by the generous gift, that they wanted to pay it forward. So the pair are sharing their new collection of cards with kids at Children’s Hospital in Central California. Reese was quick to give away most of the Dodgers cards – because she’s a Giants fan.
Not only has Kevin given Reese an immeasurable gift, the families have connected and look forward to watching some baseball together as soon as the pandemic is over.
Thursday, November 26, 2020
Happy Thanksgiving! As you enjoy your thanksgiving 2020 meal today, here’s something to be thankful for:
125 million meals and counting! At the start of the pandemic, Convoy of Hope set a staggering goal of collecting and distributing 10 million meals – knowing the long term effects of a global shutdown were going to be incredible. What they didn’t expect was for God to do one of those “multiply the meal” miracles.
The ten million goal was for the end of 2020 – but it took about 2 weeks to blow past that. So far over 125 million meals have been collected and distributed through Convoy of Hope.
Wednesday, November 25, 2020
A 5th grader in north Texas has a habit of setting very lofty goals for himself… he also has a habit of exceeding them. So, it isn’t surprising that Orion Jean wants to continue his mission to do good for others into the holiday season.
Earlier this fall, Orion collected and donated hundreds of toys for hospitalized children in Dallas through his Race to 500 Toys drive. Now, he’s started another drive with the goal of donating thousands of meals to people in need by Thanksgiving.
Orion says, “This has been a rough year for everybody, and now it’s more important than ever to show support and love to anyone who needs it.”
The Race to 100,000 Meals food drive continues through today! You can get involved at racetokindness.com. And while you’re there, check out Orion’s Kindness Can Change a Nation video which won him the Think Kindness National Speech contest!
Tuesday, November 24, 2020
Jennie Kelley-Crosby has become well-versed in coronavirus self-care measures having worked throughout the global health crisis as a nurse at MetroHealth Medical Center in Strongsville, Ohio. As much time as she has spent finding ways to break away from the daily stress of her work, as encouraged by her employer since the pandemic started, Jennie has a heart for all of the educators that also bear the brunt of pandemic stress every single day.
So Jennie and some other parents arranged for Greg Esterburg’s Off The GRIDdle food truck to park at Strongsville Middle School to provide lunch for teachers and staff members as a way to show love and community support for other essential workers that have been called upon for extra duty. While the lunch delivery provided support to teachers and staff at the middle school, it also was meant to support local businesses, which continue to be hit hard by pandemic-related restrictions.
Jennie says, “There is so much negativity, and unrest in our community right now that is unsettling. We cannot change how other people are dealing with stress, but we can choose not to participate in spreading negativity, misinformation or hatred on social media.”
Monday, November 23, 2020
“I see a child that may have been forgotten by man, but is known, seen and LOVED fiercely by their Creator.” Those are the words of shoebox packer Natalie Kubosh.
What a year. Though it’s been filled with challenges and obstacles, it’s also been filled with opportunities. Natalie says, “I see an opportunity to share with them the greatest gift through a shoebox gift. This LOVE has the power to turn lives around by bringing ultimate healing, perfect peace, and never ending JOY to their young hearts.”
Thank you for generously sharing HOPE, LOVE and JOY this season with children around the world, too. If you didn’t have a chance to pack a shoebox gift before the drop-off deadline, it’s okay – You can still pack one online!
Friday, November 20, 2020
Both Alison in Utah and Amie in Tennessee are encouraging their churches to Build a Shoebox Online this year. In a few clicks from a computer or handheld device, the page allows people to choose items to include in a shoebox with a letter and photo. Samaritan’s Purse will pack and ship the shoebox for a donation of $25.
“This is a great opportunity—especially for those who are not getting out because of the pandemic or those who like to shop online,” Alison said. She plans to encourage members of her church to use Build a Shoebox Online for Christmas gifts—filling one on behalf of someone else or sending the link to friends and family when they ask for gift ideas. Alison finds the price makes it perfect for this use.
So, whether you pack a traditional shoebox, build one online, or give to the project in some way, it all gives a child the opportunity to experience God’s Greatest Gift—Jesus Christ.
“It’s the body of Christ working together to share the Gospel,” Alison said. Amie said, “We know that the world needs Jesus more than everything. Don’t let what’s happening with COVID-19 in 2020 cause you to neglect that calling. Just pack a shoebox!”
Thursday, November 19, 2020
Even if you’re primarily remaining in your home, you can still pack shoebox gifts. You can build a box online! And people are getting creative with other ways to fill shoeboxes with joy, including sharing online shopping wish lists.
Or for those who aren’t as savvy with online shopping, Amie Winstead invited church members who are stuck at home to fill pencil pouches with writing utensils to be ready to be packed into shoebox gifts by the families at their church. Others are knitting hats to pack in shoeboxes.
Crystal Daggett of Topeka, Kansas, shared her journey of packing shoeboxes at home: “Each year after National Collection week, I begin praying for the following year. This year it was clear to pack 2,020 shoeboxes. Then the virus hit: no job, no church in person, no collection from church members, weakened immune system.”
Crystal wondered if the goal was even reasonable, but she sensed that “with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). She continued: “From using curbside pick-up, to taking advantage of stores going out of business, I have been using this time of isolation to party with God all year…which means 2,020 children will have the opportunity to hear the Gospel after a hard year of this virus.”
Wednesday, November 18, 2020
Katie Engjurjan, a chiropractor from West Chester, Ohio, plans to encourage shoebox packing at her office. Last year, she set up a Christmas tree in her lobby and patients dropped off items for shoeboxes, or picked up boxes to take home and fill on their own.
The plan this year involves lots of plexiglass to keep everyone safe during the pandemic but it won’t stop the gift giving – not by a longshot! Katie started the project in full force in October, but tells her clients about Operation Christmas Child all year long. Her patients often send donations and gifts, including hand-sewn crossbody bags, school supplies, and toothbrushes to include in shoebox gifts.
While Buddy the Elf says that the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear – I think having a heart for the lost and showing love with shoebox gifts might be even more effective! CLICK HERE to build a shoebox gift online!
Tuesday, November 17, 2020
Since mid-March, Milan Baptist Church of Maynardville, Tennessee, has met for Sunday worship in their parking lot. The audio for their service airs over an FM radio station in their area so their congregation and other townspeople can tune in from their cars. Yet even though they are unable to gather in their sanctuary, they are opening their building up for shoebox packing.
The church is filling their fellowship hall with various items members have collected throughout the year, and inviting individual families to sign up for a specific time to come and pack shoeboxes. Parents and their children will fill shoeboxes with the stuffed animals, school supplies, and bars of soap and washcloths provided as well as visit the letter-writing station and photo booth to be sure to include these personal elements the child will love. Volunteers at the church disinfect each of these stations in between each family.
Last year, Milan Baptist aimed to pack 1,100 shoebox gifts and ended up filling 1,379. After praying about it, two people in the church independently felt God was leading them to pack 1,500 shoeboxes in 2020. Little did they realize what challenges would come.
But they pray – they pack – and they expect God to multiply their efforts!
Monday, November 16, 2020
Calvary Salt Lake, a church of 2,200 in Salt Lake City, Utah, collects Operation Christmas Child shoebox filler items from local businesses and individuals year-round. They store these gifts-in-kind—ranging from shoes and clothes to flashlights and school supplies—in two shipping containers in their parking lot until it’s time to pack them into shoeboxes for boys and girls ages 10 to 14.
This year, the church is preparing shoebox bundles—complete with empty boxes, all the quality gifts necessary to pack them full, and instructions—that can be picked up at designated times in October by small groups of all kinds. Families, neighborhoods, and groups of coworkers and friends are all welcome to pick up a pack to assemble with proper social distancing and deliver back to the church in time for National Collection Week, Nov. 16-23.
Alison Long, the Operation Christmas Child project leader for Calvary Salt Lake, has been involved in this ministry since 1996. She encourages church members to use the project as an outreach to their friends who may not know the Lord. She asks people to show an Operation Christmas Child video so packers understand what the project is all about and also to “write a letter, take a picture, and put it in the box” to encourage the child.
“We’re really trying to get people to see that God is calling us to be light in the darkness. Operation Christmas Child is a project God uses to bring kids to Jesus. It’s evangelism, discipleship and multiplication,” Alison said. “We need to be bold, we need to be brave, and we need to be a light. Operation Christmas Child gives people something to focus on that’s good.”
Friday, November 13, 2020
In a word, why do YOU pack a shoebox?
“’Go and make disciples,’ are power-filled action words in the Great Commission,” said volunteers Dave and Lauren Sebring. “For us, ‘obedient’ is the one word that describes why we love to pack shoeboxes. God does His part and we are humbled and overjoyed to do our part to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to a hurting world that needs hope. And to give great joy to children who receive small reminders that Jesus is the Greatest Gift and He loves them.”
OCC Gift suggestions: Colorful adhesive bandages, toy dinosaurs, watercolor set with paintbrushes
Thursday, November 12, 2020
In a word, why do YOU pack a shoebox?
Serena Butler sees her one word—“renewal”—working in a variety of ways through shoeboxes.
As a staff member, she witnesses a “renewal of hope” when a community suffering from violence, hatred, crime, and loss receives permission from local authorities for children to receive shoebox gifts and as a result, “people begin to give their lives to Christ.”
For her, Operation Christmas Child also means a “renewal of life”—especially for a bus driver named Fusani whom she met in Togo. He was raised by a family who adhered to another religion. He spent a day shuttling a team to shoebox outreach events, and after a long conversation with Serena on the way back to the hotel for the evening, he gave his life to Christ.
She also believes shoebox packing provides a “renewal of calling for pastors and ministry partners in both sending countries and receiving countries as they hear the Holy Spirit calling them to share the Gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth.”
It leads to a “renewal of vision as the Lord opens our eyes to the souls still waiting to hear the Name of Jesus. They live in deep jungles, on high mountains, across vast oceans, or maybe in the house next door,” Serena said.
Through all these examples, she encourages people to pack shoeboxes, because it brings a “renewal of perspective as we watch the impossible become possible.”
Wednesday, November 11, 2020
In a word, why do YOU pack a shoebox?
Volunteers Josh and Nicole Kingsbury chose “seeds” as their one word because of the powerful, life-giving force that a shoebox brings into the lives of those who pack them as well as those who receive them.
“We started packing shoeboxes as a way for the children in the church to be actively involved in the Great Commission,” Josh and Nicole said.
“We love that each shoebox is an opportunity to share the Gospel with children around the world. Each shoebox gift acts as a seed both at home and overseas.”
Need some gift ideas for your Operation Christmas Child shoebox? How about: Hat, scarf, mittens, small puzzles!
Tuesday, November 10, 2020
Sue Alice Sauthoff says, “Operation Christmas Child exists for and by the local church.” On her first Vision Trip with Samaritan’s Purse to Paraguay, she brought U.S. church leaders to meet a South Korean pastor who had moved to the South American nation two years earlier seeking to plant a church.
“For two years he had been there unable to penetrate into this community that was so closed off,” Sue Alice said, “And the day that he showed up with cartons full of Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes, people came out of that community that he had never seen before.”
Parents began welcoming the pastor into their homes. He soon offered the shoebox recipients the follow-up discipleship program, The Greatest Journey and the locals who were trained to teach the course received tools that equipped them to disciple their community for a lifetime.
Today “that church is growing and thriving.” This new congregation was started, in part, because local churches in other countries packed shoeboxes to help build Christ’s Kingdom.
Even if your worship services are hampered by the ongoing global pandemic – here’s a chance to be the Capital-C CHURCH! Through OCC!
Monday, November 9, 2020
In a word, why do YOU pack a shoebox?
For Nathan Jansen, his one-word answer is GOSPEL. “That one word encompasses so much: Good News, the Great Commission, the hope of the world.”
Nathan served as a missionary in Southeast Asia for nine years before joining the staff of Operation Christmas Child. “One of the most difficult things that we struggled with on the mission field was finding bridges into the lives and hearts of those we were working to reach,” Nathan said. “When I heard about Operation Christmas Child, I was amazed how these simple shoebox gifts were used by the Lord to bring the Gospel to some of the most difficult places in the world.”
Nathan sees that shoebox gifts open hearts to God’s Greatest Gift—the Lord Jesus Christ. He hopes the word Gospel will prompt others to pack shoeboxes. He said, “I pray you’ll be encouraged, too, just with that word and knowing that God is bringing Good News and great joy to people all around the world.”
Friday, November 6, 2020
Nancy Osborn is a prayer coordinator for the Maine West team of year-round Operation Christmas Child volunteers in the Portland area – but she wasn’t always so confidant in her prayer life.
About seven years ago, Nancy felt burdened to learn how to pray more effectively. At the same time, one of her friends had contacted Operation Christmas Child about getting involved. She was encouraged to start a prayer group focused on the project and invited Nancy to join her.
“I wanted to grow in prayer,” Nancy said. “How perfect is God.” Two years later when Nancy’s friend was asked to serve in an area leadership role, she asked Nancy to be her prayer coordinator.
“I’d never seen myself leading any kind of prayer group,” she said. “Why would someone who doesn’t know how to pray lead a prayer group? It certainly didn’t make sense to me. Apparently, it made sense to God, so here I am following.”
Reflecting on her five years in the role, Nancy said, “It’s been a great growing experience for me, both learning how to pray and watching other people pray. Every year has been better and better.”
Although she never imagined herself in the role, Nancy said she’s found serving as prayer coordinator fulfilling: “It helped me become a prayer warrior.”
You can be a prayer warrior, too! Would you join us in praying for all the boys and girls on the receiving end of these OCC Shoebox gifts? And if you want to pack or send one of those gifts, CLICK HERE!
Thursday, November 5, 2020
In remote, bush regions of Liberia, less than 3 percent of the population consider themselves evangelical Christians. Pastor Bobby, Dian and Sandee set out into this area down a path that was overgrown with trees. Stopping along the way to remove branches that had fallen into the trail, the trio eventually arrived in a small village consisting of 300 people.
40 children from the area came to receive shoebox gifts. At this outreach event, 70 residents of Vanyanpa accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior! Less than a week later, Bobby returned and hosted the first church service in this Mano village. A new generation is being transformed by gift-filled shoeboxes.
Amazingly, the first churches ever were started in each of these villages last year, soon after Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts were delivered to their children. These gifts and the message of the Gospel reach people even where there is no road! Praise God!
Please pray for church planting efforts among the unreached peoples of Liberia through Operation Christmas Child.
Wednesday, November 4, 2020
When people tell Karabo Maretlane he’s lucky, he says, “I’m chosen.”
Karabo grew up in a village in the southern African nation of Lesotho. When he was 5 years old, his father died and his mother left him with his grandmother. As this elderly woman raised him, she taught him how to read, write, and follow God. But Karabo’s grandmother died when he was still young and, shortly afterward, his mother died as well. Loneliness set in like never before as he realized he was an orphan.
Karabo’s uncle soon invited him to come live with him in the city. It was there that a friend invited him to an Operation Christmas Child outreach event where he received a box full of gifts just for him.
“That shoebox filled one of the holes in my heart,” he said.
Today Karabo is part of a family again and he encourages others to pack shoebox gifts for other kids around the world: “If you hear the voice of God, do not harden your heart” (paraphrasing Hebrews 3:15).
Now more than ever, children need hope. You can bless a child like Karabo with great joy and the Good News of Jesus Christ by packing a shoebox or building one online.
Tuesday, November 3, 2020
The little boy in Central Africa with the big name was called Marvellous because his mother wanted to praise God for how He had already helped her family through many struggles. When he was just 6 years old, he was separated from his family. Thankfully, the family’s prayers for his safe return were answered the following month. They praised God for His faithfulness when they reunited with Marvellous.
Just a couple of years later, at age 8, Marvellous received an Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift at church. He was elated to receive school supplies in his shoebox, calling it an answer to prayer to help him start school. He loved to write and draw, so he was especially thankful for the notebooks, pens, and pencils.
“God hears the cries of His children,” said Marvellous, who is now a 22-year-old college student in Charlotte, North Carolina. “My shoebox gave me hope. Still today, I think that it was a message, a gift from God. These precious shoeboxes share the love of Christ with children around the world.”
A special letter packed in his shoebox gift continues to remind Marvellous of God’s faithful care, even now many years later. It read: “No matter where you are, just know that God loves you no matter what you are going through in life.”
Wherever God leads him, Marvellous plans to continue to cling to the Lord’s promises for His children. You can impact a child’s life, too. Find out how RIGHT HERE.
Monday, November 2, 2020
Andy Loos and his wife Jennifer moved to Guam in September 2019, after pastoring for 22 years in the U.S. and planting churches in Ohio and Florida. Wherever they ministered, they were always actively involved with Operation Christmas Child. They packed boxes with their kids, and they also collected shoeboxes at their churches. But when they moved to Guam, they had no idea they would soon be distributing boxes and not just packing them.
The first shoebox distribution on Guam occurred in January 2020 at Guam Bible Fellowship. Andy and Jennifer were overwhelmed by what they saw. “A little girl at the distribution had asked her dad for some art supplies, but they couldn’t afford any,” Andy said. “She opened her box, and it was filled with art supplies. She was so excited and so were her parents. They were wiping tears away as they saw the joy on their little girl’s face. And only Jesus knew how to get that box to that little girl.”
There also was a boy at the event who was having trouble with his socks. “The socks were all stretched out, and he would continually have to pull them up,” Andy said. “When he opened his shoebox, a brand new pair of socks were inside. He immediately took off his shoes and socks and put the new socks on. His mom was watching and said, ‘Look! This is exactly what you needed.’ Something as simple as socks and art supplies, these things that many people take for granted, were the gifts that these children needed. It was so awesome to see how the Lord knows how to give good gifts to His children.”
Andy sums up the goal of this shoebox project in clear terms: “The boxes allow us to minister to these kids and their families, and to share with them the Greatest Gift of all, who is Jesus Christ.”
Please pray for the children on Guam and for Andy and Jennifer as they resume distributions and begin teaching The Greatest Journey.
You can get involved, too! CLICK HERE!
Friday, October 30, 2020
Dads everywhere are waxing on and off, thanks to Cobra Kai’s popularity. But dojo skills aren’t all there is to martial arts. Jeffrey Wall, 15, is as compassionate as he is fierce. The accomplished Tang Soo Do Korean martial artist is helping his community stay fit while sharing his love of the sport with everyone — especially senior citizens.
Before the pandemic, Jeffrey Wall taught karate at a local nursing home. He named his program Golden Age Karate and refers to his students as “Super Nanas” and “Super Grandpas.” However, with social distancing, Sensei Jeff had to get creative. He started posting classes on Youtube and Instagram, and with the help of his fans, sends love notes to help his students feel less lonely.
His slick moves and big heart have earned him kudos from around the globe, but he says he’s counting down the days until he can see his super seniors again. “To see their faces light up is the best feeling in the world.”
Thursday, October 29, 2020
When’s the last time you got mail that wasn’t electronic OR some sort of junk or spam? And when’s the last time you WROTE correspondence and sent it to someone via “snail mail?” Dust off your stationary and practice your penmanship – Victorian Senior Care, an assisted living community with 14 facilities in North Carolina, is looking for pen pals!
After months of strict no-visitors rules, the facility wants to connect its residents to people from all over the world. It only took one question for their mission to go viral on Facebook: Will you be my pen pal? Residents posed with cards telling potential pen pals a little bit about themselves and man, who could say no to these fine individuals?!
Say hi to Ms. Edna, who loves Family Feud. Spare a stamp for Macy, the checkers champion and church choir star. There are literally dozens more wonderful people at the facility looking for some snail mail kindness.
Wednesday, October 28, 2020
When your nickname is “The Dogfather of Harlem,” you know you’re doing something right. Brian Taylor owns the Harlem Doggie Day Spa in New York City, and he’s living up to his (nick)name by offering free services to pet parents financially impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Taylor says he’s lost about 80% of his business because of coronavirus restrictions, but his regulars are extremely loyal — and extremely kind.
When Brian posted about a pup relief fund online, plenty of customers pitched in. With their help, he raised $2,000 and has helped about 12 pet owners so far.
Here’s a fun fact: The Dogfather started his career in finance, but decided to get certified as a groomer in 2010 after noticing there weren’t a lot of grooming facilities in Harlem. A decade later, he’s groomed more than 6,000 dogs.
Maybe you’re ready to become a “Dog Father” too. If you’re considering adopting a furry friend, check out our adoptable pets this week!
Tuesday, October 27, 2020
Alex Johnson is 14-year-old and wants to help people understand what it’s like to live life on wheels. The eighth grader has used a wheelchair for years, and when he was in 5th grade, he had an idea to start a “Spend a Day in My Wheels” challenge to help his classmates understand things from his perspective.
Recently, the idea went all the way to the top of the Tennessee government. A group of bipartisan lawmakers met with Alex and spent a workday in loaned wheelchairs to get an idea of the freedom and frustrations — like opening refrigerator doors — that wheelchair mobility brings. The group agreed the experience was eye-opening, and Alex hopes it will help leaders see the world with an eye toward accessibility.
“I could talk to you for hours and hours about the difficulties people in wheelchairs face on a daily basis,” Alex said in a speech. “Until you actually sit in a chair, you’ll never fully understand.”
Monday, October 26, 2020
Carol Rosenstein has been helping people with dementia through the power of music since 2014. Her non-profit, Music Mends Minds, has created 20 bands that have improved the quality of life for more than 200 people.
There’s plenty of evidence that shows that listening and playing music is beneficial for people with neurodegenerative diseases, and that’s more important than ever during a pandemic. Isolation takes a huge toll on seniors, and raises their risk of dementia. Rosenstein moved her organization’s programming online. Dozens of participants now meet virtually several times a week to play music together and enjoy a little bit of normalcy.
“What the world needs now is music. Music is medicine for the mind,” she says. “We can bring such happiness and hope in this moment of relative despair.”
Friday, October 23, 2020
A Virginia mom and her daughter are working to spread art and positivity throughout their community, and it rocks! Katie and Abby Mallory are a part of the Kindness Rocks Project.
It is a trend on social media where people paint rocks and leave them for others to find and collect. Photos of the painted rocks and hints of where to find them are shared on Facebook groups.
Katie said she enjoys spreading this time with her daughter and spreading a little joy with others.
Northshore peeps have been rockin’ the rocks for a while – CLICK HERE to join their group!
Thursday, October 22, 2020
Brittany had just picked up her four-year-old and her seven-year-old kids from soccer practice and decided to get something quick for them to eat and McD’s. She didn’t have her wallet on her so Wyatt paid for the meal. When she went back later that night to pay him back Wyatt insisted the meal was on him.
Brittany took her story to Facebook, sharing about how much she appreciated Wyatt’s kind gesture. She wrote, “I just want his parents to know how KIND & COMPASSIONATE your son was tonight! He made this stressed out momma pause for a moment and realize this is exactly what we parents are trying to do, raise great humans,” she explained. “Wyatt, do not let this world change your kind heart young man for its people like YOU that will change this world for the better!”
Brittany heard that Wyatt was saving up for a car, she created a GoFundMe for him and was able to raise $32,000 for him to buy a new automobile. Wow – that is what I call a Happy Meal!
Wednesday, October 21, 2020
Dogs are a gift from God. They are man’s best friend – largely because they are so incredibly loyal! That loyalty paid off once again in a heartwarming story out of St. Louis where a missing child was kept safe by a new four-legged friend until he could be found.
Kh’amorion Taylor, who’s just a toddler, wandered away from his St. Louis home one morning wearing only his pajamas. But Kh-amorion wasn’t alone for long – he quickly found a friend in the form of a stray pit bull who stayed by the boy’s side for the entire ordeal.
A concerned neighbor found the lost child along with his doggo-companion. Kh’amorion was soon reunited with his father, with whom he was anxious to share about his adventure with his new puppy friend.
The stray dog’s heroic actions may have even earned it the best possible reward: The police department is considering adopting the pup.
Maybe you’re considering adopting a furry friend, too? Check out our adoptable pets this week!
Tuesday, October 20, 2020
Missouri art teacher Misty Byrd is made of some strong stuff. When she learned one of her student’s mothers needed a kidney, she immediately offered one of hers. Ms. Byrd had taught Shannon Croney’s fifth-grade son, Fischer, since he was in kindergarten, and says it just felt right to be a lifeline to the family.
Sure enough, the two women were a match. The surgeries went off without a hitch over the summer, and Shannon is adjusting to her new organ. But now, the two women are turning their attention to another member of their community: Jason Eagleston, a single father of three who also needs a transplant.
It’s hard to imagine the incredible strength of someone who is moved to give up a part of their body — with tangible risks — but Ms. Byrd says it’s worth it.
“You’re saving somebody’s life. It’s an amazing gift to give to somebody … There are hundreds of thousands of people out there waiting.”
Monday, October 19, 2020
What do you do when you’re laid off during a pandemic? Panic, probably. Job hunt. Maybe feel sorry for yourself. And if you’re Brian Schwartz of Wayne, New Jersey, you rev up the lawnmower.
The 39-year-old digital advertising executive was shocked when he was laid off in June. As he contemplated his next move, he realized that senior citizens in his neighborhood were staring down an even bigger danger in the form of Covid-19. He started mowing the lawns of elderly veterans in his community, free of charge. The service grew, and became I Want to Mow Your Lawn. He now offers his service in four New Jersey counties, and two other friends who have lost their jobs during the pandemic have joined his efforts.
Brian says, “With all going on in the world, it’s the least I could do for our elderly neighbors.”
Friday, October 16, 2020
For three years, Shirley Raines and her volunteer team of licensed hair stylists, barbers and makeup artists have been providing free beauty services to homeless people living in Los Angeles’ Skid Row, one of the largest homeless communities in the country. She started her nonprofit Beauty 2 The Streetz because she believes everyone deserves to look and feel better. Plus, Raines points out, being homeless doesn’t mean you don’t have a life.
“We’re talking about people who go to work five days a week,” she says. “They want to get beautiful for their spouse. They want to get cleaned up and beautiful to go to work. The little kids who are still going to school need a fresh haircut.”
There’s also healing in giving back: Raines lost her 3-year-old son in an accident about 30 years ago. In the depths of her sorrow, her sister urged her to “find a purpose for the pain.” She began working with homeless communities, and soon, Beauty 2 The Streetz was born.
Thursday, October 15, 2020
So why does Suttie want his coffin to look like a pack of gum? His longtime friend Sammy Oakey (who also happens to run a funeral service) says Suttie is known famously throughout his community for handing out Juicy Fruit gum to everyone he meets.
That began during World War II, when Wrigley took Spearmint, Doublemint and Juicy Fruit gums off the civilian market to make sure all of the supply went to the US military. He’s been giving it away to friends and strangers alike ever since.
Suttie’s brother John explains further, “[Handing out gum] served as a symbol for his mission to talk to people about the World War II memorial and to honor the deceased veterans that died for our freedom.”
Suttie is currently at the Virginia Veterans Care Clinic recovering from a heart condition, but whenever the time comes, he will certainly have a send-off worthy of his sweet deeds.
Wednesday, October 14, 2020
What do you do to help your community after a devastating hurricane? For Rikesh Patel, the owner of 25 McDonald’s franchises in Louisiana, the answer was one phone call away. After Hurricane Laura hit his town, he called the corporate office, and within a day, a restaurant on wheels dubbed the “McRig” arrived in Lake Charles to help feed families in need.
Over the next six days, Mr. Patel says they served more than 10,000 free brown bag meals of cheeseburgers, fries and bottled water. “It was just really neat to see the whole family aspect, of how we’ve always said we’re like a family and it just really came to life during such a tragedy,” he said. Some of Mr. Patel’s restaurants are still closed due to damage and power outages, and for those employees who can work, he’s offered them time-and-a-half and housing if they need it.
We know just how it feels to be on the receiving end of love and support, especially after a storm. Thank you for loving others and being such a beacon of light to our neighbors in need.
Tuesday, October 13, 2020
The pandemic has backed up food supply chains, which has led farmers to throw away ton after ton of excess product that can’t reach restaurants or grocery store shelves in time. In Washington state, a unique non-profit is helping re-route all of that great produce to people who really need it.
A few months ago, George Ahearn, who grew up in the farming town of Othello, Washington, got the idea to connect farmers in the eastern part of the state with food banks and meal programs in the west. Except, there was a problem: You can’t just drop off bunches of dirty potatoes and onions. Instead, George linked up with Nancy Balin and Zsofia Pasztor, who organized convoys to drive across the state to pick up the produce, and assembled volunteers to clean and bag the food.
To date, EastWest Food Rescue has helped deliver EIGHT MILLION POUNDS of fresh produce to help people in need. The founders of EastWest Food Rescue say everyone should, “..Just figure out what you are passionate about and what you could get involved in.”
Words of wisdom. What are you passionate about? Loving God and loving people? Us too. Thank you for joining us in bringing the message of HOPE to our community every day on LifeSongs.
Monday, October 12, 2020
Cancer has affected most of us one way or the other. We’ve either battled it, walked through it with a friend or family member, or grieved a loss become of it. Tim Gjoraas, a 45-year-old teacher from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, knew he may not have long to live. After battling colon cancer for several years, doctors told him it was terminal. So Tim started working on his bucket list.
The brave man didn’t want to go skydiving or ride a bull named Foo Manchu – rather, he decided it was finally time to repaint the outside of his house. It was something his wife had always wanted, and if ever there was a time for fulfilling wishes, it would be now. Word got out to his community, and more than a dozen people showed up to get the job done while he could still enjoy it.
The family and friends got to work while telling stories, and within half a day the house was a beautiful new shade of blue. It’s just one way, Tim says, that his friends and neighbors have stepped up during this difficult time.
Thank YOU for stepping in during these challenging times, too. You’re making a difference sharing God’s love and the hope we have in him with our community every day. We’re grateful you’re part of our LifeSongs family!
Friday, October 9, 2020
No animal is as brave as a Chihuahua. The little dogs think they are 100x’s bigger than any problem they face. Kismet is a 13-year-old toothless Chihuahua who is sharing his brave attitude with patients at a dentist office in California.
No one LIKES going to the dentist – but for many it is a very scary place to be. So Kismet snuggles up to patience in the waiting room acting as an emotional support animal for anyone who is especially nervous about getting their cavity filled – he’ll even sit in their laps while they get dental work done.
Kismet was a coronavirus adoption back in July – and he has fit into the family dental practice far better than anyone could have imagined. Especially considering he has no teeth. Looking to adopt a new pet for your family? Every week LifeSongs partners with the LASPCA to highlight some great adoptable dogs and cats (and more)!
Thursday, October 8, 2020
Dads don’t need capes to be superheroes – just power tools. A group of fathers in Gaithersburg, MD have been spending their weekends building school desks for local students doing distance learning from home.
Desks by Dads was founded by Al and Jessica Berrellez this past summer when their daughters’ school mentioned many students were going to have a real challenge with distance learning. The couple created a simple blueprint that makes a classic wooden desk for about $40 in a little under an hour. They shared the plans and now they have a movement on their hands.
Al and Jessica were on Good Morning America talking about the exciting work – connecting the community and highlighting the impact of Black and brown dads in particular.
Want to see the desk plans – and even join in the movement? CLICK HERE!
Wednesday, October 7, 2020
Food supply is essential. We’ve seen that lived out all year with the coronavirus pandemic. From farm to grocer to table – every link in that chain is needed.
Lane Unhjem is a farmer in North Dakota – where he grows and harvest wheat and canola. While harvesting his crops, Lane suffered a heart attack. The good news is that he is going to be fine. But what about the farm?
That’s when 50 of his neighbors, also farmers, showed up with heavy equipment and took care of his 1,000 acres of crops in a single afternoon. Now Lane can simply recover and regain his strength, without worrying about his livelihood.
So how can you help your neighbor? Maybe they don’t need 1,000 acres of wheat harvested – but could you mow their yard or clean their gutters? LifeSongs knows what it feels like to have neighbors care for you in your time of need – thank you for giving during Shareathon!
Tuesday, October 6, 2020
Having a good repairman is worth its weight in gold. Someone trustworthy to help with those projects that require more than a phillips head and a youtube video – that is a gift from God. And Gloria Scott got a true gift in her electrician, John Kinney.
Mr. Kinney came to repair a light fixture and saw that 72 year old Gloria’s home needed a lot more than a little light electric work. Pipes were busted, the sink was broken, there were holes in the roof and evidence of rodents. Ms. Gloria said she just couldn’t afford to keep up with the house.
So Mr. Kinney did his job – and then came back a few days later with a full force of friends who began working on Gloria’s home – all for free. Word got out on social media and the neighborhood raised $100,000 and donated meals and materials while the projects were being finished.
The community rallied to help Ms. Gloria – calling themselves Gloria’s Gladiators on Facebook.
LifeSongs has many wonderful business partners – from plumbers and electricians to lawyers and doctors and car dealerships. If you want to support local businesses and Christian businesses – be sure to check out the LifeSongs Business Partner!
Monday, October 5, 2020
89 year-old Derlin Newey found out real fast that his social security check wasn’t enough to live on – plus he was bored. So he started a new career delivering pizza for Papa Johns. And that’s how this octogenarian became a TikTok star.
The Valdez family has over 53,000 followers on TikTok – and they like pizza. They also really like Derlin and request he delivers their frequent pizzas. Every time he rings the bell, Derlin has a catchphrase “Hello, are you looking for some pizza?” – which the Valdez family frequently feature on their TikTok feed.
Derlin has become a smash hit for his kindness and sincerity. The Valdez family wanted to give Derlin a really big tip, so they recruited their TikTok followers to raise $12,000 for the 89 year old pizza delivery driver, which they presented him with, along with a t-shirt that reads “Hello, are you looking for some pizza?”
Derlin was overwhelmed by the kind gesture – though he confessed, he doesn’t really know what TikTok is.
Friday, October 2, 2020
With our busy schedules and reliance on technology for entertainment, it’s hard for little ones to get enough of the outdoor physical activity that’s crucial for healthy development. And during a pandemic when parents are especially crunched for time, it’s even harder to ensure that happens.
But one solution could be lying right at your feet, according to a new study: owning, walking and playing with a family dog could encourage your toddler’s social and emotional development.
In fact, there’s an interesting side effect of the COVID-19 pandemic: There has been a surge in pet adoptions. New Orleans area animal shelters have seen a dramatic spike in the number of pets being fostered or adopted — in some cases almost double the rate in 2019 — and in good news, they’re seeing those cats and dogs staying put in their new homes.
Dog ownership has been linked to responsibility, positive identity, empathy and trust. This was a nice example of how, even in the youngest kids, a dog can be a positive influence on their behavior. Ready to consider moving past the cat videos on YouTube and add a furry member to your family? Check out our adoptable pets of the week here!
Thursday, October 1, 2020
“Rhonemus.” That was the only clue on the dog tag 12-year-old Kolton Conrad found glimmering under the water of Ohio’s Hocking River. Kolton and his father and brother were on a July Fourth trip picking up trash in the area and Kolton, who wants to serve in the armed forces someday, knew he wanted to return this small bit of treasure to its rightful owner.
With a single Facebook post, the Conrad family had their answer: The dog tag belonged to Steven Rhonemus, a Marine veteran who sadly died in a 1974 motorcycle crash at the age of 24. However, the Conrads were able to track down his sister, Kimberly Greenlee, and arrange an emotional reunion. Kimberly was amazed that this young man really seemed to understand the deep meaning of those dog tags and knew what it would mean to the family.
Another meaningful coincidence: Kolton’s mother suggested Greenlee meet them at a spot where Kolton loves to fish. Greenlee was shocked because it was also one of Rhonemus’s favorite places to ride motorcycles. Now, the long-lost tag is with Rhonemus’ 46-year-old daughter, who never got to meet her father.
Wednesday, September 30, 2020
Do you know CPR? After today’s story, you are going to want to learn. Sonja Frazier is the night shift manager of Taco Bell in Clarksville, TN. I don’t know if Taco Bell in Clarksville is the same as it is here in Gentilly – but the line is longest AFTER 10 PM. So Sonja is used to cars wrapping around the building. Still this one evening in August, nobody was moving in the line.
Sonja went out to see what was holding up the line and found a man passed out at the driver’s seat. She found the man’s pulse – which was weak – had her employees call 9-1-1 and began CPR. After 11 minutes, first responders joined the scene and took over. Sonja says the man started to come to as they loaded him into the ambulance. It was only then that she stopped and cried in relief.
When interviewed, Sonja deflected all of the hero talk and encouraged everyone to learn CPR. She also said, “I believe I was there for a reason.”
Tuesday, September 29, 2020
Matthew 6:3 says “when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.”
Nine women in Tennessee did just that, giving secretly for THIRTY YEARS! A group of nine women (they call themselves the 9 Nanas) kept a secret for decades that not even their husbands knew about.
For three decades, they met at 4:00 AM, anonymously paying bills and buying clothes for people in need, and sending them care packages, each of which contained a homemade pound cake and a note that read “Somebody loves you.”
Thanks to their elusive work, these women — all over the age of 50 — contributed more than $900,000 to their community.
Talk about making a difference! You know, you make a difference in our community, too, through YOUR giving. No 4am baking required! We’re so grateful for and encouraged by your support for LifeSongs. Thank you!
Monday, September 28, 2020
In New Orleans, we’re surrounded by water. So it might be hard to imagine what it’s like for Californians in a dry climate having to fight blazing wildfires. But we DO know how to help our neighbors in need, and so does a California restaurant.
Mo’s River Road Grill in Salinas is giving first responders free meals as they work hard to battle the fires in their communities. It started with free water and snacks, but by the first night, 10 firefighters turned into more than 70 coming in for a meal.
Restaurant owner Terry Moshin says, “It feels joyful. It feels like that’s what we should do. The whole community has really come together and it’s’ awesome – everyone wants to help, and it’s kept their mind off the fires.”
The response from first responders has been humbling, too. Terry adds, “They are so kind, they love their job. To see them work so hard for us, we can do something for them,” and this is it.
We know what it’s like to be humbled by an overflow of support from the community, too. Thank you so much for your support and for being part of the LifeSongs giving family!
Friday, September 11, 2020
Even as Hurricane Laura bore down on a hospital in Lake Charles, Louisiana, someone had to watch the babies. NICU staff at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital worked through the Category 4 storm that damaged the hospital (despite some having damage to their own homes and a mandatory evacuation order).
The staff had their hands full! Two teams took shifts caring for the little angels, who have since been able to be safely transferred to other hospitals across the state to continue receiving care.
Over a dozen nurses and respiratory specialists are being hailed as heroes for protecting the babies through the storm. Dr. Juan Bossano said, “In a small town like this, people have to pull together. I’m proud of them. And the babies are doing better than all of us!”
Thursday, September 10, 2020
Just a couple weeks ago was the 15th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. The storm changed many of our lives forever. Though painful, we also experienced an incredible outpouring of love and care from family, friends and complete strangers.
Now New Orleans is uniquely positioned to return the favor by caring for our neighbors from Southwest Louisiana. Hurricane Laura was the second strongest storm to ever hit the United States – and it demolished Lake Charles. Tens of thousands are displaced and in need of help to rebuild their lives.
Facebook groups, nonprofits and even the New Orleans Jeep club have joined the Cajun Navy, National Guard and Red Cross on the ground to help with clean-up. Here in SELA, folks are providing places to stay, food to eat and even laundry service – free of charge through Imagine Waterworks.
Instead of waiting for the local, state and federal government to step in, the people of Louisiana are just doing the work and helping the people. It’s beautiful. Good job, y’all.
Wednesday, September 9, 2020
Mr. Russell Ledet was used to walking the long, sterile hallways of the hospital. As a security guard he would check the dark corners and offer assistance to patients and employees in need of help.
Now, Dr. Russell Ledet walks the hospital corridors with even more purpose. Dr. Ledet went from security guard at Baton Rouge General Hospital to medical student at the same hospital, saying, “I’m here now, and every moment walking these halls with that white coat on is a blessing, and I am grateful.”
While he was a security guard he was also an undergraduate student at Southern University and A&M College in Chemistry and Biology. He then went to NYU School of Medicine to obtain his PhD in molecular oncology and tumor immunology and then accepted a full ride scholarship to Tulane University School of Medicine to obtain his Medical degree and my MBA simultaneously.
Tuesday, September 8, 2020
Before the global pandemic, Will Burch used to hold house parties at his New Orleans home on Bartholomew St. The band would set up on the porch and folks would start grilling and it was just a party.
Now, Will uses his house to meet more immediate needs, like diapers and food for families hurting with job losses and other concerns. His house is a part of the NOLA Community Fridges, which uses social media to communicate on a small scale where anyone can get help, without standing in some big line for federal aid.
In the bins in front of Will’s house are diapers, baby food, toys and other supplies. The community drops off their extra to give away – and anyone is welcome to take what they need. As of this week, there are at least seven locations around town for the NOLA Community Fridges.
Monday, September 7, 2020
Paying it forward has never been more delicious! Inspired by other restaurants in town, customers at Slice Pizzeria NOLA began buying extra slices and entire pizzas and leaving the order for anyone in need.
Here’s how the Pay It Forward Slice Program works: Any customer can buy extra food and put the order receipt on the wall. Then, anyone in need can come and grab the order – no questions asked – and the food will be freshly made for them – for FREE!
It might be the only meal someone gets all day. So many hospitality jobs have halted in New Orleans. On top of the Pay It Forward Slice program, Slice Pizzeria started offering free slices on Friday nights.
Friday, September 4, 2020
Here’s the tale (tail?) of a pup named Tucson Prime. He was a stray dog that frequently visited a Hyundai dealership for petting and free food. The crew at the dealership grew so fond of the stray that they adopted him as a group and gave him a job as the mascot for their business!
The staff gave Tucson Prime his own laminated ID badge and the manager says that sales have definitely increased with their new salesdog. In fact many customers return to visit the pup and bring him gifts, long after they bought their new Hyundai.
You have a positive impact every day, too, you know. It may not be through wagging tails and selling cars, but your continued support for LifeSongs helps provide hope and encouragement, which is so needed these days.
Thank you for giving to LifeSongs!
Thursday, September 3, 2020
Social distancing rules are presenting all kinds of challenges for in-school learning. But one teacher took the new safety measures as an opportunity to make the classroom more fun.
Texas Kindergarten teacher Jennifer Birch Pierson realized the social distancing measures were going to be difficult for children, so she wanted to cheer them up by turning desks into trucks—- even making the required desk shields look like windshields! What a thoughtful and amazing teacher!
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Talk about going above and beyond! We’re so grateful for our amazing teachers who are making a difference every day. You’re making a difference, too, you know. Thank you for covering our teachers, students and families in prayer every day with us through the LifeSongs Prayer Schools. And thank you for sharing hope and encouragement with us every day, too, through your support for LifeSongs!
Wednesday, September 2, 2020
For 85 years, Ellis Marsalis Jr. was a jazz icon in New Orleans. He was also the backbone of a musical family and beloved in the local community. Sadly, Marsalis passed away from complications of Covid-19. The NOLA music scene mourned his passing, and now his son, Delfeayo Marsalis, is determined to carry on his father’s legacy.
The younger Marsalis founded KNOMA, Keep New Orleans Music Alive, to financially support local musicians now, when they need it most. Marsalis knows that music can bring people together, and the only way to do that now is to help those who create it.
“Happiness, joy, and celebration — ideals that are very much needed today.” .- Delfeayo Marsalis
Tuesday, September 1, 2020
Mask making is turning into a popular do-good hobby. For one couple in Arvada, Colorado, it was also a good justification for breaking out their old 1922 Singer Model 66 “Red Eye” treadle sewing machine.
The beautiful black iron contraption originally belonged to Giselle Williams’ great-great grandmother. When Giselle’s hairstyling and knitting businesses came to a standstill during the pandemic, she asked her husband Darin to help her restore it. Well, he did her one better. He fully rehabilitated the machine, and then taught his wife how to use it.
Giselle Williams had never sewn a thing, but her husband’s grandmother was a seamstress and taught him how to sew during his childhood summers. Now, the couple has made and distributed nearly 500 masks to first responders across the globe. The Veterans of Foreign Wars even recognized Darin Williams for his contribution to the community.
Monday, August 31, 2020
Isabella is a living miracle. At only six years old, Isabella has undergone five surgeries – and she has the scars on her little body to prove it.
Isabella was born premature, with a blood clot in her right arm. Now her arm shows the signs of her multiple surgeries. The staff at Children’s Hospital New Orleans wanted her to feel strong, as she continues to heal – so they performed a special operation… on Isabella’s American Girl doll.
The doll, named Bells, now has matching scars on her arm – just like Isabella. The hospital re-enacted the surgery too – gave the doll matching clothes and Isabella’s haircut – the two are basically twins! And both Bells (the doll) and little Isabella are strong!
Friday, August 28, 2020
What’s the best part about a baby shower? The snack food, right? Second best part? The great games – like guess how many toilet paper squares it will take to wrap around the pregnant lady! Classic.
(The answer is always less than you think and no one feels good about this afterwards.)
A neighborhood recently celebrated an inbound baby for their beloved mail carrier, Ms. Nanh. The community had watched her expanding belly as she waddled her way to the mailboxes each day. So the homeowners decorated their yards with baby shower decor and left presents for Nahn one day during the pandemic as she dropped off mail – she ended up picking up just as many gifts for herself and baby number 4!
Thursday, August 27, 2020
We lean on the dependability of mail carriers now more than ever! Do you get a little thrill whenever the mail, FedEx, Amazon or UPS truck pulls up out front? A little boy in Los Feliz, CA also gets excited every time the brown UPS truck pulls up. He runs out to greet the driver, Hector, and to see if someone sent him something.
But usually there is nothing in the truck for this little boy. That never diminished his enthusiasm. So much so that Hector put together a box filled with toys and made a special delivery just for this gracious, excited child.
Hector had a bit of a toy collection going for the day in the future when he might have a son of his own, but decided that his friend on the UPS route needed the joy a bit more.
Wednesday, August 26, 2020
For 18 years, Jeison Aristizábal has been working to give young people with disabilities in Cali, Colombia, a brighter future.
Aristizábal has cerebral palsy, and his non-profit, ASODISVALLE — an acronym that translates to Association of Disabled People of the Valley — has helped transform the lives of more than 1,100 young people and their families.
Now that coronavirus is tearing through Latin America, Aristizábal and his organization have had to switch gears. They’ve shuttered their therapy, education and medical facilities for a while, but are offering in-home and virtual medical treatment and physiotherapy to make sure the children they would normally serve don’t get left behind during this critical time.
“It’s important to give the best of ourselves in these moments,” Jeison says. “If we set our hope and we set our will, we can rise above all the adversities.”
Friday, August 21, 2020
A few weeks ago a bomb-like blast rocked the Lebanese city of Beirut. It destroyed a large chunk of the ancient city, injuring thousands and was the cause of a tremendous loss of life. Within hours of the terrifying blast, emergency responders around the world began to mobilize. The Lebanese military were first on the scene, followed by aid from France and Egypt.
Within a couple of days the emergency response division of Samaritan’s Purse had loaded up a massive supply jet with medical gear, food, water and a team of disaster specialists and medical workers. The 15-member response team flew out of North Carolina, landed in Lebanon and got to work distributing 26 tons of relief supplies, while building temporary shelters for people who just lost their homes.
Samaritan’s Purse are the same people behind Operation Christmas child. The emergency response comes in the name of Jesus – to a nation that is largely Muslim.
Thursday, August 20, 2020
There may be no activity as perfectly 90s as rollerblading! And with the pandemic bike boom – roller blades might be the only exercise equipment you can find…
A couple of hockey players for the University of Massachusetts were bored during the Summer – their sports season cut short by the pandemic. But Andrew Walker and Jacob Adkins wanted to stay in shape AND make a difference so they laced up their roller blades to make a cancer research fundraising 900 mile trip from Boston to Mason, Michigan.
They call themselves the Men in Blades – and together raised over $30,000 with their 10 day rollerblading journey. Both young men have been affected by cancer and wanted to use their time to make an impact for other families facing the battle.
Wednesday, August 19, 2020
You’ve heard of a room with a view – well now you can get a room with a ZOO! The Pairi Daiza Resort has been awarded Best Zoo in Europe three years in a row – and you can book one of 100 rooms with 8 different views of the wildlife – right in the thick of the habitats.
Not only does your hotel stay come with complimentary breakfast and wifi – but 24 hour park access! And it is a bargain, with rooms starting around $150 per person. Plus the cost of a flight to Belgium – which is where the zootel is.
So what room would you want? Wolves? Bears? Sea lions, Tigers, Polar Bears?
Much like our own Audubon Institute, the Pairi Daiza Resort & Zoo fight to protect natural habitats and preserve endangered species.
Tuesday, August 18, 2020
Though we haven’t had a new superhero movie to watch in sometime – during the global pandemic we have had a chance to better appreciate the heroes that actually live among us. Heroes like our veterans. Thank you for your service.
Due to the coronavirus many aging Veterans have had to spend an enormous amount of time alone. And you know what they say about “idle hands.” However, an organization called Help Heal Veterans (which has been kicking around since 1971) sends special crafting kits to Veterans in the United States to occupy the time and develop new skills. Some of the crafts actually aid in recovery from injuries.
In the last couple of months Help Heal Veterans have sent over 150,000 crafting kits to Veterans around the country. Some of the kits include building a wall clock, making wallets – or even a full leather messenger bag!
One Marine veteran with MS says the project did way more than just help pass the time – “It relieved a bunch of stress, anxiety – helping us mentally, spiritually and physically!”
Monday, August 17, 2020
Months ago we shared with you the story of Captain Tom Moore, who raised millions of pounds (like dollars, but English) for the British healthcare response to COVID-19. The 100 year old World War II vet raised the funds by walking laps in his garden.
Captain Moore has become a bit of a rallying point for the British people and has fans around the world. Some of his biggest fans are the royal family – in fact, recently in a beautiful outdoor ceremony at Windsor Castle, the Queen of England knighted Captain Moore.
Normally you have to kneel before the Queen for such an honor, but the Royals opted to let Tom Moore simply bow, because he was worried he might not be able to get back up if he took a knee. I mean – he is 100 years old. Along with his knighthood, Moore was also promoted to Honorary Colonel in the British Army.
Friday, August 14, 2020
Have you grabbed the art supplies during the pandemic? There is something peaceful about crayons and a coloring book that can’t be put into words. But it can be put to good use.
Four high school students out of Long Beach, CA created a kid-focused Covid Coloring Book for their economics class project. But unlike Zach Morris at Bayside High who would try and use this assignment to get rich – these four fifteen-year-olds (Lauryn, Ella, Sofia and Erin) created a non-profit called Be The Change Coloring Co. to use their coloring book to raise money for charity.
The 28-page coloring book features characters Al E. Gator, Wally the Narwhal and Sam the Snail. The characters explain the do’s and don’ts for staying safe during the pandemic, including how to properly wash your hands. The book even comes with a face mask.
40% of the sale goes to charity – which the buyer gets to pick! So far the Be The Change Coloring Co has sold over 2,000 coloring books. The four friends are now working on a second book, “Stand Up for Your-Shell-ves,” which tackles teaching children about racism and discrimination with the help of Sam the Snail.
Thursday, August 13, 2020
Lydia Denton is just 12 years old, but is already an accomplished inventor. She developed a device that could save the lives of kids in the backseat of hot cars called the Beat The Heat Car Seat. The safety seat measures the temperature inside a car, sending an alert when it reaches 102 degrees.
Lydia designed the portable device after learning about children who were accidentally left inside hot cars. The North Carolina elementary student won the CITGO Fueling Education Student Challenge with the Beat The Heat Car Seat – which scored her a sweet prize of $20,000. Being entrepreneurial by nature, Lydia is using the grand prize cash to get her device into production and the marketplace.
Each safety seat will likely cost $50. The Beat The Heat Car Seat is a family project – Lydia’s siblings worked with her on it — her brother did some coding, while her sister helped with the design — all with the help of their mom, science teacher Covey Denton.
The proud mom points out that “Kids don’t know what impossible is … They dream so big.”
Wednesday, August 12, 2020
Making clothes out of duct tape went from a fun trend a decade ago to prestigious haute couture in 2020.
The Duck Brand now hosts an annual Prom Gown and Tuxedo competition where students design and build their formal wear out of nothing but Duct Tape! This year’s $10,000 scholarship winner in the dress category was high schooler Peyton Manker who not only created a beautiful gown – but offered it up as a tribute to frontline workers fighting COVID-19.
The blue duct tape gown features beautiful images of frontline workers. Peyton also designed a COVID virus handbag and matching facemask to go with her ensemble. What a great example of taking the mixed bag of last Spring and turning into art – fashion – and inspiration!
Tuesday, August 11, 2020
One family in Encinitas, CA missed their church so much, they rebuilt it out of Lego. The LaClair family created a large, incredibly detailed replica of Bethlehem Lutheran Church. The Lego Church has Pastors Laura and Sam at the pulpit – a Lego pipe organ and even stained glass windows!
The Lego Bethlehem Lutheran Church went viral, so the family started doing stop motion videos to portions of the church’s online worship services! So how badly do you miss being together with your church? Bad enough to build them out of Lego? Don’t miss a single time of worship with MANY LOCAL CHURCHES offering online services during the coronavirus.
Monday, August 10, 2020
Drew and Brittany Brees have donated $5 million to build healthcare centers in underserved communities around the state through a partnership with Ochsner – the state’s biggest healthcare provider. The couple says the first of these healthcare centers will open in New Orleans East before the end of the year.
This isn’t the first time the Brees have made a generous contribution to the people of Louisiana this year. At the start of the pandemic the power couple dropped $5 million to provide delivered meals for the elderly and others most impacted by COVID-19.
Friday, August 7, 2020
Six year-old Bridger ended up with 90 stitches after getting between his 4 year-old sister and an attacking German Shepherd. Bridger spent 2 hours in surgery to repair his face and body. After the accident the young man told his dad, he would never hesitate to protect his baby sister.
Cue the waterworks.
Bridger’s story quickly went viral and attracted some super-fans from Bridger’s favorite superheroes. Chris Evans, who played Captain America in the Avengers films, reached out to the boy in his family after sharing the story on social media. Chris even sent Bridger his very own Captain America shield prop – from the Avengers! Bridger has received well wishes from Spiderman (Tom Holland), Star Lord (Chris Pratt), the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) and Queen of Genovia, Anne Hathaway.
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Thursday, August 6, 2020
There’s an unassuming mediterranean spot called Shawarma On-The-Go, which is inside a gas station on Magazine Street, where neighbors are treating folks to free, delicious food.
Shawarma On-The-Go owner Abbas Alsherees makes a habit of offering food to anyone in need. His customers wanted to join in on the blessing by paying for folks who can’t afford a meal. Many customers will buy an extra meal when ordering – to help the neighborhood favorite survive the coronavirus – and to give food to neighbors who are hungry.
Most customers paying it forward leave a note to encourage whomever receives the blessing of free food. The extra meal tickets are taped up by the ordering counter – where anyone can claim free food, no questions asked.
What a beautiful way to both preserve a local restaurant AND take care of struggling neighbors.
Wednesday, August 5, 2020
One New Orleans jazz musician is fighting gun violence with the power of music. Shamarr Allen has issued a call to his community after a violent weekend in the 7th Ward – if you bring him a gun – no questions asked – he’ll give you a trumpet.
Shamarr says that music was his way out of a world of violence – growing up in the Lower 9th Ward – and wants to extend the opportunity to his children’s generation. Shamarr got his start at 13 years old with just a trumpet and a tip box at his feet in the French Quarter. Now he travels the world playing music for a living.
The trumpeter is working with New Orleans police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson to safely collect the guns and hand them over to NOPD. He’s already exchanged four trumpets for guns and he’ll purchase dozens more thanks to overwhelming support on a Go Fund Me account and sales from new ‘Trumpet is my weapon’ shirts.
Plus several of his musician friends are offering free virtual music lessons to the kids who participate in the program!
Tuesday, August 4, 2020
Cam Jordan is a team leader – an all-pro defensive end – and awesome mustache* grower. He sees the challenges faced by low income families this school year in New Orleans and is doing more than his fair share to help. Cam gave $25,000 to buy laptops for students who will need computers for distance learning this semester.
United Healthcare has matched Cam Jordan’s gift – for a total of $50,000 to help families in New Orleans get the laptops and school supplies they will need!
Monday, August 3, 2020
Times of struggle – like the ongoing pandemic – are also times of opportunity. When New Orleans native Kathryn Conyers kept finding empty bread shelves at her grocery store – she decided to learn how to make bread herself. And it turns out homemade bread is way more delicious!
Kathryn teamed up with her friend Carla Briggs, who is a real baker and they started a bread company called Viola’s Heritage Breads. They make more than just sandwich bread – with brioche, sweet potato rosemary bread, cornbread and more. They churn out about 200 loaves a week. But Viola’s Heritage Breads is more than just a burgeoning example of American ingenuity.
The company is proudly founded by two African American women who want to reclaim a proud heritage in food art – teaching other minority women the skills to both bake bread and run a business.
Friday, July 31, 2020
Over the last several months, half a dozen fully stocked refrigerators have been set up around Los Angeles, frequently restocked and the food inside is free for whoever needs it. Local businesses supply the electricity and local restaurants supply the food. Volunteers keep the refrigerators clean.
The LA Community Fridge Project is just one way Los Angeles is tackling the growing problem of food insecurity in their sprawling metropolis.
One of the smartest things about the Fridge Project is that it removes the humiliation of asking for help – it just gives help.
Thursday, July 30, 2020
Soon school will be back in session. What that will look like is anybody’s guess, but learning will commence. And teachers will inspire students and students will change the world. Of course we’ll be praying for our local schools with the LifeSongs Prayer School of the Day – coming back soon!
Clayton Ward was a high school bus driver who loved talking to the students all about History. They had lively discussions to and from school every day. Many of the kids encouraged him to go back to school so he could be their History teacher.
So he did.
Clayton kept driving his bus, but also enrolled at his local Community College. He got his Associates degree in Liberal Arts with a 4.0 GPA. Now he’s working on a Bachelor’s in History with a minor in secondary education.
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
High speed internet has become even more essential to life during the coronavirus. Many people are working from home – telecommuting is the new normal. Schools utilized online-distance learning to end last school year and are preparing to start this school year with more internet based learning. Imagine how much more challenging this is for the developing world?
That’s a problem that Google set out to solve with balloons. They call it Project Loon. The Alphabet company partnered with telecommunications companies in Africa to fly giant balloons – a fleet over 3 dozen of them – up into the stratosphere in order to provide 4G LTE internet to the African nation of Kenya.
Each internet balloon is made up of sheets of polyethylene that are about the size of a tennis court. These are like hot air balloon sized weather balloons with cellular transmitters built in. Google launched the balloons from the United states and the wind currents are carrying them into place across the ocean!
Tuesday, July 28, 2020
Maggie Sillero is Wonder Woman. Maybe not in the movies – but in real life. Maggie, pregnant with triplets, went for a doctor’s visit that involved a routine coronavirus test. She tested positive and immediately was placed in isolated observation for the rest of her pregnancy. Her husband also tested positive for the virus and wasn’t allowed to be in the same room with his very pregnant wife.
Maggie was only able to talk to her family through Facetime… for a solid month!
Then Maggie had an emergency c-section to deliver her triplets, a girl and two boys, several weeks before her due date. None of the babies had the coronavirus, but all weighed under 3.5 lbs.
Now the babies are thriving and momma has recovered from the virus. Everyone is safe at home.
Monday, July 27, 2020
With the ongoing pandemic, the most vulnerable to the virus, the older generations, are living in seclusion. No one can visit for fear of spreading the disease. The Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs has launched Project LOVE!
L-O-V-E stands for Love Our Veterans Every day. The objective is for all of us to write letters and correspond with the over 600 veterans living in Louisiana care homes.
What a sweet idea! Learn more at vetaffairs.la.gov.
Friday, July 24, 2020
10-year-old Chelsea Phaire has done more in a decade than most. She started her own non-profit called Chelsea’s Charity, through which she sends art kits to children who are at homeless shelters or in the foster system. So far Chelsea has distributed art kits to more than 1,500 children. Not bad for a soon to be 6th grader!
Chelsea used her birthday last year to start her charity – asking not for gifts – but art supplies to help kick off the project. Before the pandemic, Chelsea and her mom were able to deliver the art supplies in person, where Chelsea would hang out with the kids and show them her favorite tips for making art.
Chelsea knows well how therapeutic art can be — it became her hobby and release two years ago when she lost someone very close to her. Now, hundreds of children can process their emotions with some markers or watercolors. But Chelsea is a big dreamer. She says she wants to meet every kid in the entire world and give them art! She believes it could be the key to world peace.
Thursday, July 23, 2020
A Georgia 6th grader wanted to find a way to show his appreciation for medical workers amidst the pandemic. So, Jason Zgonc decided to use music to show his appreciation for the health-care workers saving lives at Emory Decatur Hospital in Georgia.
Every night, the 12-year-old trumpet player stands outside the hospital during shift change and puts on a mini-concert, performing songs like “Danny Boy” and “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” He was inspired by a New York Philharmonic trumpeter who stands on his balcony and plays in honor of health-care workers.
Danny, who has been performing outside the hospital for more than two months, says he appreciates the doctors, nurses, and other staffers for “working so hard every day trying to save people’s lives,” and they can count on him to “be out here playing for them.”
The first time nurse Natalie Schmidts heard the sounds of Zgonc’s trumpet, she was coming off a rough shift, and he helped change her perspective. “It gives you a sense of community,” she said. With a hectic work schedule, workers are happy Jason is now a positive part of their routine.
Jason agrees, saying, “It’s really fun, makes people happy and if you like doing it, it makes you happy too.”
Wednesday, July 22, 2020
This Spring Minneapolis, MN became the epicenter of a national movement towards racial justice and equity. Imagine growing up in a community that feels like a powder keg ready to explode – watching protestors in the streets – businesses looted and burned in riots.
How do you process those emotions?
9 year old Kamryn made friendship bracelets.
Kamryn and her friends decided to sell friendship bracelets for Unity and Justice to inspire conversations and peace in their home near Minneapolis. Her dad, former NFL player Ron Johnson, said the girls thought they could maybe raise $50. Since the end of May when they started braiding their bracelets, Kamryn and Friends have raised about $100,000 for local businesses and food banks.
Tuesday, July 21, 2020
Ever since Pastor Bill Losasso was a child, he had dreamt of becoming an ice cream truck driver. In fact, back when he was 17 he got to spend a day behind the wheel of an ice cream truck. It’s a story he’s shared with his family countless times – and it always makes him smile.
So for Pastor Bill’s 73rd birthday, his daughter got together with the family to rent an ice cream truck for the day. The 73 year old pastor wore gloves and a mask, while driving around his hometown handing out hundreds of pre-packaged ice cream treats to children and adults alike!
The only problem with this incredibly thoughtful birthday gift is that no one will ever be able to top it. At 73, Bill will never have a better birthday present!
Monday, July 20, 2020
Jim Bachor has proven that anything can be turned into art — even potholes. Since 2013, Bachor has filled almost 90 potholes in Chicago, then topped them off with mosaic art. Using glass and marble, he has crafted mosaics depicting everything from roses to ice cream sandwiches, but his focus now is on items that are more topical…
Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, he has made mosaics showing toilet paper and hand sanitizer. Bachor says the mosaics can be considered “a souvenir of these times to look back on,” and he is “trying to pull out the positive out of a negative.”
He knows his mosaics won’t last forever, but Bachor still keeps going. “You know, when you love what you do and a lot of people like what you do,” he said, “how could you not continue to do that as long as possible as an artist?”
Friday, July 17, 2020
This upcoming school year is going to be a challenge. It will take every part of the educational team – parents, students, teachers, administrators and staff working together to provide a safe and wonderful environment for students to learn in. One key component – is keeping schools clean. Cleaner than ever! And that’s where the janitorial staff steps up to bat.
The cleaning hero at Farmington Elementary is 60 year old Robert Reed. He began his job last year and quickly became a friend to every student and teacher. His hard work and winning smile added “a little sunshine” to the school each day. That cheery attitude is made all the more impressive when his coworkers learned that Mr. Robert didn’t own a car and was taking 3 buses and walking 2 miles to get to school every day. A nearly 4 hour commute.
The school wanted to bless Reed, so in just a couple of days, they raised $10,000 so he could buy a new truck. When they broke the news to Mr. Reed he fell to his knees in tears of gratitude.
This year our schools are going to face unprecedented challenges – and it will be people just like Robert Reed who make it a safe space for our kids. Together, let’s pray for our schools as they prepare for the coming school year.
CLICK HERE to nominate your school to be the LifeSongs Prayer School of the Day!
Thursday, July 16, 2020
Mary W. Jackson was the first Black female engineer to be hired by NASA in 1958, and one of the historical characters the film Hidden Figures featured to bring attention to the work Black women did in the U.S. “Space Race.” Jackson first started working at NASA in the segregated West Area Computing Unit as a research mathematician – known as a “human computer.”
Ms. Jackson was part of a group of very important women who helped get the first American astronauts into space. Mary never accepted the status quo, she helped break barriers and open opportunities for African Americans and women in the field of engineering and technology. And now her legacy grows because NASA is renaming their headquarters after the legend.
The Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building means that Mary Jackson is no longer a “hidden figure!” NASA says they will continue to recognize the contributions of women, African Americans, and people of all backgrounds who have made NASA’s successful history of exploration possible.
Wednesday, July 15, 2020
COVID has changed so much for us, including summer vacations. Maybe you’re reminiscing about a past trip. One Scottish woman re-lived a previous trip in her own home – and helped others in the process.
A 90-year-old Scottish woman just finished climbing the equivalent of 2,398 feet, scaling her staircase daily to raise money for the National Health Service (NHS). Seeking to entertain herself and stay healthy while in quarantine at home in Sutherland, Scotland, Margaret Payne set out to relive her experience as a 15-year-old girl climbing Scotland’s Suilven mountain. She calculated that the peak of Suilven is equivalent to 282 trips up the stairs in her home.
Margaret was inspired to climb for a cause after seeing Captain Tom Moore on TV. The WWII vet circled his garden with his walker and ended up raising tens of millions of pounds for the healthcare system in Great Britain. Margaret’s daughter, Nicky, told her, “Look at what Tom is doing. We should turn your stair climbing into something.”
The epic stair climb has been met with widespread praise. Fans kept her telephone line busy, calling to cheer her on! Even Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla wrote a letter to praise her efforts.
“There could hardly be a better example of this indomitable spirit than your own magnificent efforts in raising money for vital charities,” Charles wrote her a letter. “It is people like yourself who show that, for every hardship there has been a hero – or, of course, a heroine.’’
Tuesday, July 14, 2020
Lemonade is a classic summertime staple. Plus, it’s a booming business (and summertime rite of passage) for kiddos across the country.
A five-year-old Missouri boy wanted to raise money for a local firefighter who was injured in a shooting, so he started a lemonade stand—and the industrious kiddo ended up raising over $1,300.
Initially, Cooper and his big sister Olivia were selling lemonade to get money for new shoes, but they opted instead to donate the money to Fireman Bufford’s family.
They intended to sell lemonade for two hours, but the demand was so high that they ended up staying for six hours.
Monday, July 13, 2020
What started out as a grand gesture has turned into a labor of love.
The house of J and Sonja Jackson is a burst of color in the middle of a residential neighborhood, a homage to what Pacific Grove, CA is most famous for — the monarch butterfly. Painted in a variety of bright colors, the home at 309 Ninth St. is covered in the winged creatures — each one meticulously painted, constructed or customized by J Jackson for his wife, Sonja.
Living with a degenerative eye disease that has slowly impaired her sight, she is now legally blind. As her sight degenerated in the early ’90s, Sonja and J learned she could still see bright colors. So J created his first butterfly, brought it to his wife and discovered that she could indeed see it.
And so began a 20 year labor of love.
Now the Butterfly House has become a local landmark – and a place where many loving couples go to see another marriage exemplified by the romantic gesture of painted butterflies.
Fridays, July 10, 2020
There is very little that a good lasagna can’t fix. That’s what Michelle Brenner lives out as she preps another pan of delicious cheese, sauce and noodles. Since the pandemic began, Michelle has fixed over 1,300 pans of her famous lasagna for friends in the community who need food – for first responders – and for complete strangers that others have requested on their behalf.
Michelle got the idea while working for the food delivery app Instacart. She noticed so many people ordering frozen lasagna and that did not sit well for this Italian cook! Now she spends up to 14 hours a day in her kitchen making sure anyone who is hungry gets something worth eating.
While Michelle has been furloughed from her job, she’s still never charged for her lasagna – however her friends and the community have raised over $23,000 to keep her elbows deep in lasagna until the pandemic ends.
Thursday, July 9, 2020
Jason Denney was prepared to die. He said goodbye to his family. A priest administered last rites. He accepted his fate from his hospital room where COVID-19 was going to take his life.
Only one person remained at Jason’s side. Rosaura Quinteros. Rosaura had only just met Jason. Her job was to clean his hospital room. The pair became friends and talked about the families and their faith – which was a little bit of a challenge because English is not Rosaura’s first language.
Rosaura told Jason that God was not done with him. And that little bit of hope inspired Jason to fight harder. And with great medical treatment and hours of prayer – Jason started to get better. Eventually he was able to leave the hospital with a new lease on life – and a great new lifelong friend in Rosaura, who Jason says saved his life with her faith.
Wednesday, July 8, 2020
Innovators. That is how the class of 2020 will be remembered. When faced with a world of trouble – they figured out a way to thrive. Schools have been tasked with finding ways to show the graduating class of 2020 appreciation with unique graduation ceremonies – but none are quite as rad as what went down at Somerset Island Prep.
Somerset Island Prep in Key West, FL had their graduating class ride jet skis in their caps, gowns and face masks to snag their diploma from their principal, using an extender to maintain social distancing. This is like the best Mountain Dew commercial never made.
The students all received jet ski lessons prior to graduation day. Which again – has got to look great on a college application, right? Honors Math, Dean’s list AND they can work a Sea-Doo? Give them a scholarship right now!
Tuesday, July 7, 2020
If you grew up in the 80s, finding treasure seemed like it was going to be a way bigger deal in adulthood, right? From The Goonies to Indiana Jones, we were convinced that there was buried treasure in our backyards. But most of those holes we dug just ended up in twisted ankles – never gold doubloons.
Back in 2010 a dying millionaire filled a chest with gold coins, rubies and other precious jewels – about $1 million worth of treasure. And then he hid it in the Rocky Mountains and published a poem with clues on how to find it. This is not a movie – it’s not National Treasure 3. It was real life. In fact, a lot of people quit their jobs to become treasure hunters out West.
Forrest Fenn was nearing 80 and battling cancer. The millionaire wanted his legacy to be one of adventure. Flash forward 10 years – Forrest is still alive, having survived his cancer – And someone finally cracked his riddles and found the treasure! So maybe we gave up too soon. Anybody got a metal detector I could borrow?
Monday, July 6, 2020
A mom and her daughter both just graduated from medical school – and now they will become the first mother/daughter doctor duo to do their residency training at the same hospital – right here in New Orleans! Cynthia and Jasmine Kudji will do their residencies at LSU Health in New Orleans. Mom-Cynthia is focusing on internal medicine while her hot-shot daughter Jasmine is a surgeon.
Their journey is one of sacrifice and hard work – in fact they both went to medical school in different countries, but somehow, miraculously scored LSU Health to do their residencies.
They started their own blog to share their stories. Seriously – this HAS to become a TV show!
Thursday, July 2, 2020
Paige Layle, a 19 year old eyelash technician is using TikTok to educate!
You see, Paige is on the autism spectrum, but many of her friends had no idea what she was living with. To spread more awareness about autism, Paige started posting educational videos on TikTok after observing hurtful videos making fun of people on the spectrum. Instead of lashing out at the hate, she decided to teach the unknowing public more about life with autism. Paige posted a four-part series explaining how autism works and how the condition presents differently in women than in men. She also went into the broad spectrum of autism traits in girls.
Paige was diagnosed with autism at 15 years old. She says, “The diagnosis has changed my life for the better. I can understand myself so much better, which is so beneficial for social situations, school/work life, and most importantly being alone. I can now function alone and understand my emotions better.”
At just 19, this young woman has more wisdom than most. Great job taking lemons and making a social media empire, Paige!
Wednesday, July 1, 2020
Crayola created the beautiful “Colors of the World” collection, which features crayon shades that more accurately reflect the diversity of young doodlers across the country. Before now, most basic crayon packs didn’t include more than one beige and one brown crayon. But the new colors range from very light rose to deepest almond, with 22 shades in between.
Better save a spot on the fridge when they debut — these self-portraits are going to be good.
Tuesday, June 30, 2020
Officer Michael Rivers listened to a still small voice to show some kindness. And because he did, he was treated to an eye-opening meal on a roadside in North Carolina. Officer Rivers was patrolling his route when he noticed a homeless woman he had never seen before. She was wearing a shirt that read: “Homeless. The fastest way of becoming a nobody.”
The officer drove on, but Holy Spirit moved him to turn around, drive back and ask if the woman had eaten yet. She said no, so he grabbed a few pizzas, came back again and took a seat next to her to break bread and share some conversation. They talked for 45 minutes straight.
The woman said her name was Michelle, and the pair talked about her family and her 12-year-old daughter, who is battling liver disease. Someone took a photo of the moment and shared it on social media, where thousands of people offered support and well-wishes to Officer Rivers for his kindness, and Michelle for her powerful message about the realities of homelessness.
Monday, June 29, 2020
For the past decade, Sheldon Smith has been dedicated to helping young African American fathers live their best lives, for themselves and their children. Through his non-profit in Chicago, the Dovetail Project, he has taught hundreds of young fathers like himself parenting and life skills to become positive, responsible role models.
When Covid-19 hit, and then was complicated even more by painful race-related police events, it became clear Black fathers would need a different kind of help. Smith and his team started what they call the Fatherhood Relief Fund, which provides necessities like diapers, baby formula, wipes and boxes of food.
Since April, Sheldon says they’ve helped more than 2,500 dads and their families. “Black fathers are important,” he says. “We have to continue to believe and work together.”
But this sort of community service is to be expected from Sheldon Smith. Afterall he was a 2016 CNN Hero!
Wednesday, June 24, 2020
Acia Williams has known her friend and mentor Chet Bennett for 20 years. He owns the Washington, D.C. beauty shop where she started her career and worked as a manager. Well, at least, he used to own it.
Back in 2018, Chet Bennett found out he needed a kidney, and Acia was moved to apply as a donor. When she came back as a match, she didn’t hesitate, and the pair went through a successful transplant procedure the following April.
That’s the kind of gift that’s hard to top, but Chet managed: He gave Williams the salon, which she had always dreamed of owning. “I can’t begin to thank you enough for you giving me life,” Chet said in a message to his friend. “But we can start with you making your dream a reality by having your own salon.”
Tuesday, June 23, 2020
A little girl named Ryleigh noticed abandoned shopping carts piling up outside her Walmart and it totally irked her. There was only one employee out on the hot asphalt collecting the buggies. His name was CJ. So Ryleigh asked if she could help – and the pair worked side by side for about 30 minutes, clearing up the entire parking lot and finishing the job with a high five!
When CJ asked why she wanted to help, Ryleigh replied “We are supposed to be kind!”
A few days later Ryleigh and her mom were back at Walmart when CJ spotted her and gave her a thank you card and $20 for her hard work! That of course earned CJ squeals of joy and a big hug.
Monday, June 22, 2020
Like many Americans, Greg Dailey lost his main source of income in the recent wave of coronavirus restrictions. But he has turned his second job delivering the paper, which he’s held for 25 years, into a bustling lifeline for senior citizens.
Greg realized that if some of his elderly customers had trouble getting the paper in the morning, they most likely were having even more trouble getting groceries. He sent a note to more than 450 of them offering his help in picking up supplies.
Since then, Greg Dailey, with the help of his family, has made more than 500 trips to the grocery store. The family hopes they can open up their frame shop again now that restrictions are being lifted, but he knows there will still be a need for his services. To make sure his older friends stay fed and connected, Greg is working with the organization Love-A-Senior to establish a local chapter of the group.
Friday, June 19, 2020
A 9 year-old Kenyan boy named Stephen Wamukota earned a presidential award for inventing a hands-free hand-washing station! Stephen was watching the news on TV and learned about how the coronavirus spreads. The clever, science-minded builder got some wood from his dad, a water cooler and whipped up a custom hand washing station.
The foot pedal lets you control water flow so you don’t have to touch anything but soap and water with your hands. This kid is NINE! In fact he is the youngest recipient of the Kenyan Presidential Order of Service Patriotic Award. Stephen hopes to become an engineer when he grows up. (Sounds like he already is an engineer!)
Thursday, June 18, 2020
During quarantine, the opportunity to put on anything other than sweatpants didn’t present itself very often. So, one dad and his daughter took things into their own hands.
Three-year-old Mara and her father Jaime live in Spain, and they have taken dress-up to a whole new level while staying home. Since the father-daughter duo’s only daily outing is to take their trash bags and bin to the curb, they’ve begin making the most of their driveway trek by wearing different costumes every day.
So far, they’ve taken the trash out dressed as everyone from Disney characters to Marvel Superheroes; bugs, robots, dinosaurs and more. Dad Jaime has been sharing photos and videos of their costumed adventures on his Instagram page, and neighbors and fans around the globe are loving it – and wondering how big their costume closet must be?!
Wednesday, June 17, 2020
Terrance Newton believes that 90 percent of what he knows in life, he learned in the barbershop. Growing up, it’s where he learned how to listen to others and respect his elders. “Of course we would have barbershop talk like sports and politics, but as far as life-wise, when I would go to the barbershop, the conversations with me and my barber were about me staying out of trouble, my grades, and what’s happening in the community,” he says.
When Mr. Newton became principal of Warner Elementary School in Delaware last year and saw the high rate of suspensions and behavioral problems, he decided to bring the barbershop to the school.
Literally. He set up an area with clippers, combs, and grooming capes, and sees kids throughout the day, doling out haircuts along with advice.
He wanted to do something that wouldn’t only change students’ behavior, but that would also create a bond between him and them. “This is not just a barbershop for me,” he said. “This is my mentoring sanctuary.”
And it’s working. Progress is seen not only in the behavioral department, but the students are also progressing with their classmates, talking and connecting with one another for the first time. Parents have noticed, too, saying they’re seeing their kids motivated to make positive changes. Noticing a need and stepping in with love in action. That’s what leads the charge for real change.
Tuesday, June 16, 2020
The G.I. Joes always told kids that “Knowing is half the battle.” The more we educate ourselves on any topic, the better chance we have to invoke change. Whether that is social justice issues, racism, inequality or even drug abuse.
The battle against opioid addiction in SELA got international attention thanks to a documentary on Netflix called The Pharmacist. With all eyes on The Parish – the St. Bernard Sheriff’s office announced a partnership in the fight against drug abuse. They’ve teamed up with New Orleans Mission for “Operation Angel ” – which takes addicts to the Giving Hope Retreat Center in Lacombe to get clean through a faith based program.
At Giving Hope Retreat Center, small groups of 20 go through a year long process of getting clean and focusing their lives around God. Dan Schneider, who produced The Pharmacist for Netflix praises this program as a “huge step for his home parish.” The St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s office says they want to see more people in recovery instead of behind bars.
Monday, June 15, 2020
As graduation day came for Nathaniel Moore, a physician’s assistant at the University of Vermont, Burlington, he wondered why his graduation gown couldn’t be repurposed as a piece of personal protective equipment for his colleagues at the hospital where he worked. Attempting to help other frontline health workers, Moore started Gowns 4 Good, a charity which has been donating gowns to hospital facilities that lack the necessary PPE to safely operate during the coronavirus outbreaks.
Graduation gowns seem more effective than other PPE alternatives given their length, sleeves, and easy zippered access, So class of 2020 – wear the cap then donate the gown.
Friday, June 12, 2020
A big question that has been frequently asked ever since the tragic killing of George Floyd is “What can I do?” Not everyone can or would march in a protest against racial injustice – but everyone CAN make a difference in their community.
18-year-old Antonio took to the streets of Buffalo at 2 in the morning – not with a bull horn or picket sign, but with a broom in hand to clean up the trash left from the protests. And after 10 straight hours of sweeping up the debris, Antonio’s neighborhood was back to tip top shape.
And this kind gesture was noticed! Other members of the community have rallied to reward Antonio with a new car, a year’s worth of auto insurance and full scholarship to a Buffalo-area college!
Thursday, June 11, 2020
Well-known local jeweler Jose Balli creates sterling silver jewelry showcasing Louisiana’s beauty. Now Balli is commemorating the pandemic by launching the “Quarantine Kit” bracelet It includes charms like the “stay at home house, the mask…and the toilet paper.”
Fifty percent of the proceeds go to Hands on New Orleans, which brings meals to the homebound, low-income seniors and the chronically ill. Balli also created an “Angel of Hope” charm. 50 percent of those proceeds will go to the Northshore Food Bank in Covington. That charm has already sold enough to feed 2,700 families.
Wednesday, June 10, 2020
Many landlords around the country have been doing everything they can to help their tenants out during this season, but one landlord in Michigan named Alan took that one step further. One occupant in his building, Christina, is a mom of four who hasn’t been able to work during the pandemic. She was struggling bad so Alan took the liberty to not only suspend her rent payment for April, he surprised his tenant with bags and bags of groceries.
Christina said, “I get a text saying go to your front porch please. And I see this I couldn’t tell you how I feel right now. Milk, potatoes, fresh and dry goods and diapers: He covered it all. GOD BLESS YOU.”
Tuesday, June 9, 2020
Loneliness was already a national pandemic before the Coronavirus pandemic hit, but now loneliness is running rampant and a group of Canadian high schoolers are hoping to break this trend of loneliness amongst older adults by forming a hotline that anyone can call into.
They’re calling it the, “Joy4All Project.” Anyone can call the number at 1-877-JOY-4ALL to play pre-recorded jokes, stories, guided meditation and educational messages. Young people are encouraged to submit their own messages and recordings at joy4all.ca!
Monday, June 8, 2020
Protests erupted around the world after the brutal killing of George Floyd in the suburbs of Minneapolis two weeks ago. Anger boiled over into riots and looting, which caused a lot of damage. Some of the damage happened at grocery stores – essential to providing food to the communities still battling the coronavirus.
To help feed the community, Sanford Middle School hosted a food drive, hoping for 100 grocery bags to feed 100 families. But love poured out and the entire parking lot was piled high with donated food. The line of cars to drop off food stretched for blocks in every direction!
They were able to collect literal TONS of food, sort and distribute to the community and then donate even more to a local food-support nonprofit to meet even more needs. This gift of love happened exactly where hurt and violence had broken out only days before.
Love conquers Hate. Love conquers Hurt.
Friday, June 5, 2020
Our world is broken and in desperate need of healing. This is so evident through the many demonstrations happening across our nation. A video of one such event in Shreveport has gone viral.
One of the protesters, feeling the emotional weight of it all, was approached by a police officer, who told him, “I feel your pain. We’re here with you, and we’re here to help you. We’re all here together.”
The young protester broke down in tears and the two hugged, sharing a powerful, emotional moment. Love is the only thing that can drive out hate. Let our love for one another be evident for all, as we share the hope we have in Jesus with our hurting community.
#ShreveportProtest Confederate statue supporters were also at the protest.
After speaking with them, this protester & a SHREVEPORT officer had an emotional connection with everything happening in America.
A moment between two strangers ❤️ pic.twitter.com/NWUmnaNAUh
— Jade Jackson (@IAMJADEJACKSON) June 1, 2020
Thursday, June 4, 2020
The people of New Orleans remained peaceful over the weekend as they came together in getting out their message against the unnecessary death of George Floyd. In Jackson Square on Sunday afternoon, several New Orleans pastors led members of their congregations and others in worship after coming together in prayer as they kneeled for half an hour.
“We want to show unity by falling on our knees. We pray and call out to God, asking him for his spirit of unity, spirit of love, the opposite of the spirit that’s infecting our nation.”
It’s about showing love over hate while taking a stand against prejudice, violence, and abuse of power. Only light can make the darkness leave. Only love can drive out hate.
Let’s always look for ways to show God’s love to others, and share the hope we have in Him.
Wednesday, June 3, 2020
Burnell Colton was born and raised in the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans. His community was wiped out by Katrina 15 years ago. But Burnell was determined to help bring his home back to life. He devoted his life and savings to helping.
With his wife’s help, the power-couple opened up Burnell’s Lower Ninth Ward Market – a grocery store with an attached laundromat. When the coronavirus deeply impacted the jobs of people in his community, Burnell has continued to provide food and help for them. He’s been accepting IOU’s and running tabs for folks who couldn’t pay.
When he caught a woman trying to steal food, he didn’t call the police – he gave her a broom and the chance to earn her keep. Reports of the Colton family’s generosity have been reported in national news and financial help has poured in so that he can continue his good work. And while humbled, Burnell and his wife Keasha are honored to have the chance to serve their community.
Tuesday, June 2, 2020
Social distancing rules have prevented those cookie peddling girl scouts from cornering us the exit of the grocery store – but you can still get your fix, now more easily than ever, thanks to online sales!
You can purchase cookies for yourself – or buy them and ship them to loved ones in quarantine all from girlscouts.org. I honestly can’t think of a more loving gesture than someone sending me boxes of Samoas and Thin Mints in the mail!
Cookie sales are one of the major ways the Girl Scouts fund their investment in the young women of America. During this time of social distancing the organization has created Girl Scouts at Home to offer self-guided activities for girls stuck at home. Girls can search by age group or topic to keep themselves engaged and growing instead of melting away in front of the TV.
Monday, June 1, 2020
This wedding season has not at all been what brides and wedding planners have meticulously calculated for. The world shut down in a global pandemic. But some still chose to walk down the aisle, even if loved ones could not gather to celebrate the moment.
Clare walked down the empty aisle, her father wearing a face mask as he handed her to fiancee Mel. It was a quiet ceremony – pictures of loved ones taped to their spots in the pews of the little chapel. The entire event was live streamed so their friends and family could be there, without being there. But Clare and Mel’s friends had a secret.
When the newly married couple exited the chapel, they found a PACKED parking lot of cars honking and cheering – filled with the online attendees, who had secretly arrived during the ceremony. The couple was able to have their first dance as their parked friends snapped pictures from their cars.
This power couple didn’t leave for their honeymoon – that’s on hold. Instead they both went back to work as nurses on the frontline, battling COVID-19 in Louisiana hospitals.
Wednesday, May 27, 2020
Katie Ricca teaches at North Bay Haven Charter Academy. She had been holding lessons online with Zoom, in addition to an evening storytime for her students. During one of the storytime sessions, she noticed one of her students, 7-year-old Hannah, was down and depressed.
Wanting to check on he student, Mrs. Ricca paid a visit to Hannah’s home and sat in her driveway while reading and talking with the seven year old. They obeyed social distancing guidelines and stayed six feet apart the entire time. But still, the pair chatted, read books and just talked. Just that little bit of normal meant the world to Hannah.
Mrs. Ricca has FIVE kids at home and still managed to make time and sit in a driveway for an hour to make sure Hannah was okay. Thank you to every teacher who has gone above and beyond this pandemic, showing care and love to our children!
Tuesday, May 26, 2020
Jasmine Oliver is a domestic violence survivor. She grew up in foster homes and has lost two relatives to substance abuse. Now a social work student and entrepreneur, Jasmine used her personal savings and her life experiences to open a transitional home for women. Her experience inspired her to buy a house at an auction and has been raising money for renovations.
But why stop there? After opening her transitional home, Jasmine used her $1200 coronavirus stimulus check to help feed Louisville’s homeless population. Her community couldn’t believe Jasmine was using her stimulus check for others, but her philosophy is: always be willing to help others.
Jasmine Oliver handed out food to people near Wayside Mission last Friday afternoon, using her food truck to find new and creative ways to feed more homeless people in her community throughout the pandemic.
Monday, May 25, 2020
Cavanaugh Bell of Gaithersburg, Maryland is one busy 7 year old. He spent $600 of his own money, saved up from past birthdays and Christmases, to buy and put together 65 COVID-19 Carepacks. He was also able to provide 31 hot meals from a local restaurant to serve the seniors in his community, as well as help local businesses impacted by shutdowns.
The 7 year old says he was inspired by his grandmother, who is his best friend. Cavanaugh’s grandmother had been walking to the grocery store every day, and he thought she shouldn’t be doing that during the coronavirus pandemic. So the young man decided to make care packages for the senior citizens that live in his community, to make them feel safe. Cavanaugh says he likes seeing the reactions of his grandmother’s friends, because it makes him feel beautiful inside.
The packages include toiletries and other household essentials for the pandemic, including cleaning supplies. This is not the first time Bell has taken the initiative to help others. In addition to aiding his local seniors, he helped feed 90 students in need through his nonprofit Cool and Dope, which focuses on eradicating bullying around the world and providing for senior citizens in need.
Friday, May 22, 2020
A little longer than a month ago, Tonie Williams thought she had a sinus or upper respiratory infection. Then her doctor told her she needed to be admitted to Tulane Medical Center, suspecting she may have had COVID-19.
Tonie tested positive, and she got sicker. Her breathing got tougher. Williams feared the worst. One of the toughest parts for her was the isolation. She lost hope – but then in walks this little nurse named Stephanie. Nurse Stephanie showed compassion in big and small ways – whether it was positive words or a touch on Toni’s forehead – it meant everything.
After 11 days in the hospital, Tonie was able to go home. But she didn’t forget the kindness of her Nurse Stephanie. Thanks to a local TV station and Zoom, the two have managed to stay connected. And most importantly Tonie was able to share with her nurse that she knew she was alive because of the Hope that her nurse had given her.
Thursday, May 21, 2020
Captain Tom Moore is 99 years old and a veteran of WWII. His daughter was concerned that he wouldn’t get needed exercise during the pandemic lockdown, so she developed a fundraiser for the British healthcare system to inspire her very patriotic father to work out. She told Captain Moore that for every lap along his garden track he completed, she would donate a pound (about $1.50) to the National Healthcare Service. His goal was to do 100 laps before his 100th birthday.
Each day, aided by his walker, Captain Moore hit the track. His daughter was so impressed she created a JustGiving fundraiser page so that others could root for her dad as well, while making a difference for the British healthcare system.
Flash forward a few weeks – the fundraiser spread by word of mouth – got picked up by local news and trended online. Now over 1 million people have donated, raising over 40 MILLION POUNDS! Captain Moore even caught the eye of Prince William, who called him a “one-man fundraising machine.” And after a huge push by the very proud British public, Captain Moore is to be knighted by the Queen of England!
Wednesday, May 20, 2020
The Greater New Orleans Science and Engineering Fair Grand Sweepstakes recipient and Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair 2020 (ISEF) competitor, Grayson Barron, should be getting ready for ISEF. Sadly, due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the event was cancelled. Grayson, along with two other John Curtis Christian students, Rachel Pizzolato and Collin Guggenheim, will not get to attend – and it was a phenomenal year for JCCS who received three of the four slots to attend ISEF!
Is Grayson staying home and doing nothing? Absolutely not! Instead, Grayson and Trey Curtis, members of the John Curtis Christian STEM club, are busy printing 3-D face mask fasteners for healthcare workers. His high school adviser posted what the boys were doing on FACEBOOK and they were overwhelmed with the requests.
Almost 400 fasteners have been printed and delivered to Ochsner Respiratory department, Children’s Hospital NO, Fresenius Kidney Care Center NO, Poydras Home NO, Hammond First Responder’s volunteer group, Ochsner ER Marrero, Lakeview Regional Medical Center Covington, 9th Ward Baptist Health Clinic, EMT’s from New Orleans, Ochsner Hospital Baton Rouge, Ochsner Baptist ER NO, ICU at Lake Charles Memorial Lake Charles, Our Lady of the Lake Baton Rouge, OB/GYN clinic in Slidell, New Orleans morgue, Touro Hospital, Fresenius Kidney Care Center NO, and also former John Curtis Christian students in nursing schools from LSU, Southeastern, and Holy Cross. Orders are still coming in!
Georgana Salas at Children’s Hospital said, “We received [the mask fasteners] and they were much appreciated and a huge hit. They are a lifesaver!” The gratitude is pouring in from hospitals faster than the boys can deliver the next batch!
Tuesday, May 19, 2020
Tennessee Williams wrote that “time is the longest distance between two places.”
That’s a thought that students are too familiar with now, weeks after they have been removed from their daily routines. Gov. John Bel Edwards has said all schools will remain closed the rest of the academic year and large gatherings are forbidden as the state tries to get the outbreak of COVID-19 under control.
That means the class of 2020 won’t get to celebrate milestones such as senior prom or graduation ceremonies — at least for now.
Then one day Sophie B. Wright Principal Sharon Clark, surrounded by a handful of teachers on a school bus decorated with blue and gold balloons floating above it, decided to zig-zag their way to the 112 homes of every Wright senior in the class of 2020. And each visit was a surprise as the bus barnstormed its way around New Orleans
“We want to say congratulations to you,” Clark told the graduating seniors who stood behind a yard sign planted firmly in the lawn, customized with her name on it. “Be bold, be courageous and be your best,” the sign read.
Principal Clark says, “When your students can’t come to you, you go to them.”
Seniors were able to receive their diplomas, their cap and gowns and special gifts from the principal in a drive-thru ceremony. The goal, though, is a traditional graduation ceremony in the school’s auditorium in July or August.
Monday, May 18, 2020
A 15-year-old High School student is doing all she can to help senior citizens during the coronavirus pandemic. Hita Gupta started brightening days at nursing homes, one coloring book and puzzle at a time – using her own money!
Nursing homes throughout the United States are limiting seniors’ interaction within the building and visitors are also prohibited, which is causing feelings of loneliness and isolation for many residents. So Hita decided to cheer seniors up and let them know that the community cares about them during this difficult time. She started sending uplifting handwritten notes and packs containing a puzzle book, a coloring book, and colored pencils.
Hita puts all of the packages together along with her 9 year old brother. She got the idea for the project because she has volunteered at a nursing home since her freshman year. Her care packages have reached a total of 14 nursing homes so far. Her nonprofit, “Brighten A Day,” has been raising money to send “love, hope and joy through cards and gifts” to more than 50 places in her home state, as well as West Virginia, Delaware, Ohio, New York, New Jersey and Maryland. So far, Brighten A Day has reached 2,300 kids and seniors in children’s hospitals and retirement homes.
Friday, May 15, 2020
Health care workers and other essential personnel on the front lines during the coronavirus pandemic are considered heroes. Now Mattel is making it official with a new line of action figures and toys.
The Barbie and Hot Wheels toy maker has a new roster of #ThankYouHeroes Fisher-Price action figures and Little People figurines starring doctors, nurses, emergency medical technicians, grocery workers and delivery drivers. The toys, available for preorder now through May 31 on Mattel’s website, are expected to ship to consumers by year’s end.
The net proceeds ($15) from each sale will go to #FirstRespondersFirst, an effort to support health care first responders that started last month.
Thursday, May 14, 2020
A Facebook group called RVs for MDs s was created on March 24. As of April 2, the group already has nearly 12,000 members, and it doesn’t take much scrolling to see the generosity coming through in waves. There are posts from literally all corners of the U.S for everything from trailers to large RVs, and in some cases, offers to transport them wherever they’re needed. As of this article going live, the most recent post isn’t for a trailer or motorhome at all – it’s for a fully furnished one-bedroom apartment not far from Buffalo, New York, ready to go for any healthcare worker needing to quarantine from others. Amazing, just amazing
While Facebook might not be known for doing much good in this world, this group of RV owners are helping to make a difference in the lives of those on the frontlines of the coronavirus outbreak. There’s no place like a motorhome, when you can’t be in your home ..Thanks to these generous owners many front line friends get to rest close to home!
Wednesday, May 13, 2020
Whether it was the end of a long day or the start of a longer one, thousands of shoppers during a designated hour for first responders at Southeastern Grocers stores left the store with one less thing to worry about one night recently. Their groceries were paid for by the company.
Southeastern Grocers, the parent company of Winn-Dixie, and it happened in all 7 states where the company has stores.
Anthony Hucker, the President and CEO, said in part, “Our heroic health care professionals and first responders are on the front line every day as they work tirelessly to make our communities safer, and we want to do our part to thank them. We were inspired to pay it forward and hope to inspire others so we can continue to lift spirits during this difficult time.” The inspiration for this came from filmmaker and actor Tyler Perry, who paid for groceries at 29 Louisiana Winn-Dixie stores last week. The company hopes this inspired act will allow others to consider paying it forward.
First responders have a dedicated shopping hour from 8 pm – 9 pm at all Southeastern Grocers stores Monday and Tuesday
As a community, we are stronger together and will win together with kindness.
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
In a brilliant act of generosity, an anonymous donor was able to stimulate the economy and inspire hope by providing each Earlham Iowa household with three gift cards to local businesses, totaling $150 in food; totalling about $82,000 in donations.
Amidst the COVID-19 shutdowns, the residents of Earlham—a city 30 miles west of downtown Des Moines with a population of 1,450 people—have been struggling to cope with shuttered businesses and social restrictions.
That’s why Earlham Mayor Jeff Lillie was astonished to receive a call from a friend in late March saying that an unidentified benefactor wanted to pump some money into the local economy by giving away gift cards to local businesses. At first, the donor wanted to give away 100 gift cards to West Side Bar and Grille, local grocery store Hometown Market, and the newly-opened Trostel’s Broken Branch restaurant. An hour after discussing his plans with the mayor, the donor upped his offer to 250; another hour later, he said he wanted to donate 500 gift cards. When Mayor Lillie mentioned that there were 549 households in town, the donor agreed to give gift cards to every single Earlham family.
To the Mayor’s astonishment, however, the donor did not just end up giving a single gift card to every household—he ended up giving away $50 gift cards for each local business to every Earlham residence.
The gift cards have already begun to make an impact around the town.
Monday, May 11, 2020
A truck driver in Hartwell, Georgia, is making sure his neighbors do not go hungry during the coronavirus pandemic.
On his way home last week, Lentravius Geer began thinking about how the ongoing health crisis was affecting families in his area.
I was riding and a thought hit my mind like, ‘These kids are out of school, and parents don’t have jobs.’ What could I do?” he said.
The following day, Geer, whose truck has been supplying Sam’s Clubs during the pandemic, went to a Little Caesar’s restaurant and paid for 100 pizzas that he handed out in the drive-thru while doing a Facebook live video
Geer said because of his own background, he knew some of the difficulty those who came to the restaurant were experiencing.
“I’ve been through things a lot of people come back from and if you Google my name and Clemson, South Carolina, you’ll be able to see a lot about that,” he noted.
Geer adds , “When you’re moving fast, you don’t know how to find your way. So God had to sit me down and get my attention. And he started speaking. And I started speaking back,” he recalled.
Now, Geer owns his own trucking company and has raised enough money to buy nearly 500 pizzas for families in need since going live on Facebook in the restaurant’s drive-thru window.
“I had a lot of room in my life for God to work, and he made it happen,” he concluded
Friday, May 8, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has upended the way Americans celebrate holidays, with many missed moments of togetherness as a result.
In an effort to show appreciation to the moms who can’t be together with their families this Mother’s Day, Lowe’s is showing its appreciation for moms who live at care centers by donating $1 million worth of flower baskets this Mother’s Day nationwide. In total, Lowe’s is donating more than 100,000 baskets of flowers from its network of small business growers and nurseries and providing them to more than 500 senior living facilities across the country to make sure our most vulnerable moms feel loved, while also supporting our network of small business growers and helping support earnings for Uber drivers.
Officials with Lowe’s said they hope the bursts of color in the unexpected gifts deliver a little spark of joy to some of those hit hardest by the coronavirus pandemic.
Thursday, May 7, 2020
The people most vulnerable during the coronavirus pandemic got an amazing surprise one morning recently when they found entertainment mogul Tyler Perry had paid for their groceries.
Perry footed the bill for elderly shoppers at 73 grocery stores in Louisiana and Georgia: 29 Winn-Dixie locations in Louisiana and 44 Kroger grocery stores around the Atlanta area.
Winn-Dixie customers shopping during the store’s designated senior hour were reportedly shocked when they went to check out and were given a note that their purchases had been completely covered by Perry, the New Orleans-born writer, actor, producer and comedian behind the “Madea” series.
This isn’t Perry’s first act of generosity.
Earlier this week, Perry gave $21,000 in tips to 42 out-of-work servers at Houston’s West Paces location in Atlanta.
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
It’s not unusual for teachers to go above and beyond to help the students in their classes. That has been made all the more challenging during the COVID-19 pandemic. Chris Waba teaches sixth grade math in Madison, SD and he loves his kids. Mr. Waba had gone back and forth via email and zoom with one of his students – 12 year old Rylee. There was one particular problem that was just not clicking, no matter what she tried.
So Mr. Waba loaded his white board into his truck, drove to Rylee’s house and set up class in her front yard.
Mr. Waba spent about 15 minutes helping Rylee through her homework problems from the porch. Even with schools shut down and online learning curriculums being implemented across the country, teachers are always the first people to walk the extra mile — or even just down the street — for their students.
There are teachers all around the country going above and beyond for their students in this unprecedented time. If your children are learning at their feet – be sure to let them know just how much you appreciate them.
Tuesday, May 5, 2020
Here in Louisiana, we’ve always known that singing can spread a whole lot of joy. And now, it can help feed our neighbors, too. So Louisiana Fish Fry is asking all of us to send in a video of you and yours singing the Louisiana State Anthem, “You Are My Sunshine.”
For each video submission received, Louisiana Fish Fry will donate 100 meals to our community through local food banks.
Recently some Lusher High School’s musical theater students are giving it to us with their version of Louisiana’s State Anthem. The Lusher students recorded “You Are My Sunshine” for Louisiana Fish Fry’s “Let’s Sing, Louisiana” project.
Eventually, Louisiana Fish Fry plans to combine all of the videos into one
This project is all about singing with love, spreading joy and helping feed Louisiana
Here’s how it works. Upload your video to their website or post it on social media using the hashtag #LetsSingLouisiana and they’ll do the rest!
Monday, May 4, 2020
Millions have been laid off in the last few weeks due to quarantine and stay at home orders, and that has made it impossible for many to pay their bills – including rent.
New York City has become the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak in the United States, and accordingly, one man is making a huge difference to relieve the stress for many residents in Brooklyn.
Some landlords have been more compassionate than others, especially this one Brooklyn landlord who has majorly stepped up to the plate. Mario Salerno, who owns a neighborhood garage in Williamsburg Brooklyn and 80 apartments which house over 200 tenants, just became a local legend.
The man, now dubbed ‘Super Mario’ has announced that he will be waving the rent for all of the people living in his properties this April.
Mario Salerno wrote on signs, which he posted at all of his 18 residential buildings:
For All 200 Of His Tenants Across 80 Apartments in Brooklyn
“STAY SAFE, HELP YOUR NEIGHBORS & WASH YOUR HANDS!!!”
Super Mario Salerno, who also owns a gas station, which he inherited from his father, has long been known for his acts of kindness within the New York community.
Friday, May 1, 2020
Parents are working hard to support teachers across the nation, who are doing their best to meet the needs of their students remotely. That means lesson plans, laptops, schedules, lessons, and hopefully some smiles, too.
There are so many different nuances that go into educating, feeding and nurturing a young person. And educators are trying to support keeping students academically strong as well as socially and emotionally resilient.
Coach Lang of Audubon Gentilly said that was his mission, too. His new routine? Putting on a banana costume and a smile, greeting his students online.
“Every day I put the banana suit and turn the screen on I have to remind myself: My French isn’t perfect and my fitness is not perfect,” he said. “But there’s still an opportunity to do good.”
Thank you to our teachers for the work you put in all year long to educate and support our kids.
Thursday, April 30, 2020
With Jazz Fest canceled this year, New Orleans is still finding plenty of ways to mark the days when it would have reigned. One is like a supergroup of New Orleans food, formed in the name of generosity and solidarity for people who lost their jobs to the coronavirus fight.
Each Saturday since the local shutdowns began, the founders of Blue Oak BBQ and a changing cast of businesses have dished out free drive thru lunches to anyone in need.
That community effort has now morphed into a Jazz Fest tribute to uplift spirits while handing out hearty lunches. They’ve dubbed it Faux Fest, and it’s been running each of the eight days that were originally scheduled for Jazz Fest this year (April 23-26 April 30-May 3). They’ll prepare their own spin on a dish normally served at Jazz Fest, while local bands perform by the drive-thru exit to add a dose of music on the way out.
On different days, visitors will find crawfish enchiladas, yakamein, cochon de lait po-boys, hot sausage po-boys, a jama jama jambalaya, pork chop sandwiches with red beans and jambalaya with green beans.
It’s all free for those in need, thanks to contributions from the public, from suppliers and from some unexpected donations. The Kingsford charcoal brand called up with a contribution to the Saturday lunch events, for instance. ResQue, a spinoff from the Hogs for the Cause team Fleur de Que, is also supporting Faux Fest.
Along with participating in Faux Fest Blue Oak BBQ still remains open for takeout at their mid -city location .
Wednesday, April 29, 2020
Fried chicken chain Popeyes often touts its New Orleans roots in its marketing and promotions. Popeye’s brand recently announced a new charitable campaign to send some love back to its hometown and help feed families in need during the Corona virus.
Popeyes has committed to fund one million meals through Second Harvest Food Bank, the region’s largest hunger relief agency.
To support that effort, Popeyes has created a meal pack dubbed NOLA Strong. It sells for $28 and includes 12 pieces of chicken, two sides and six biscuits and a NOLA Strong-branded T-shirt and hat.
NOLA Strong packs will be sold nationwide for a limited time through the Popeyes app, which allows customers to order for pickup or delivery. The apparel is also being sold separately online at nola-strong.com.
Tuesday, April 28, 2020
As a tourism-based economy, New Orleans’ workforce has been hit especially hard by the shutdown of business to stop the spread of the coronavirus, a move health officials say has been yielding results.
It’s been a rough few weeks for everyone, especially those who are out of work because of the coronavirus. That has drawn more people to local food pantries, who have been working around the clock to support families in need.
Second Harvest Food Bank, in partnership with Evacuteer, Culture Aid NOLA and New Orleans Councilmember Kristin Gisleson Palmer, has set up two food pantries specifically for hospitality/gig workers to get free meals through the month of April. There are two drive-up locations to pick up food, one in Algiers and one in the St. Claude neighborhood. Thousands of meals and non-perishable foods have already been supplied by volunteers.
“There is nothing more important at this time than helping our neighbors. The food pantry is really a testament of collaboration and partnership, and what we can accomplish if we work together during a crisis,” said Palmer.
The drive-up food pantries will be available every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday during the month of April, while Governor John Bel Edwards’ stay-at-home order remains in place.
Second Harvest says the way to find the best location for you and your family is to call 211 and ask for “emergency food assistance.
Monday, April 27, 2020
Going stir-crazy from being stuck inside social distancing? Well in Kenner you can join in on a socially-distant bear hunt! Teddy bears that is. Mayor Ben Zahn is promoting the family friendly concept. What you do is put Teddy Bears and rainbow signs in windows on the front of your home – then go on a walk or bike ride and see how many teddy bears and rainbows you can spot with your family.
“It’s kind of like a little bit of hope when things are kind of down right now,” said Mayor Zahn.
Friday, April 24, 2020
Because of the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, many people have been practicing social distancing and are taking the necessary safety precautions. However, this means kids celebrating their birthdays in the month of March and April had to cancel their party plans.
Despite this little hiccup, some families have found a creative and wonderful work-around: kids are having birthday parades.
The practice of putting together neighborhood parades on wheels to celebrate birthday parties or other occasions has become a trend in these days of closures and stay-at-home orders. From drive-by churches and visits with grandparents, people are getting creative with ways to stay in touch yet keep their distance.
Recently in Mandeville Tuesday, a caravan of cars rolled slowly down Rachel Janney’s street in the Quail Creek subdivision near Mandeville.
They were decorated with streamers and signs. One even had a cake with a single candle on top, which had been fashioned out of a plastic bucket. The drivers tapped their horns and waved at her son in the driveway. Benjamin Janney, who is autistic and was turning 20, waved back at the cars passing by with a huge grin on his face.
Thursday, April 23, 2020
Social distancing makes volunteering and helping our community even more challenging, but we are still seeing businesses, organizations and churches taking care of one another
Creole Cuisine had to shut down most of their restaurants. That puts 1,300 employees temporarily out of work. To help, they’re serving these workers in their families everyday as long as they can. They are preparing 3,000 curbside meals that can be picked up at Broussard’s or Boulevard American Bistro.
Churches are also still finding ways to feed those in need. They are creating ministries specific to the Coronavirus .. St . Timothy’s church recently packed and delivered lunches to the homeless in New Orleans. Victory Fellowship on Airline is also packaging and giving away assorted grocery items..
Many workers in this position are also looking to Second Harvest Food Bank for help for the first time. “People from all walks of life who have suddenly lost their jobs and know they’re going to need extra food in their house,” Jay Vise with Second Harvest Food Bank said.
Second Harvest has seen overwhelming support. The response from the community has been tremendous. If you need food from Second Harvest Food Bank call 211. If you can donate or volunteer, go to no-hunger.org.
Wednesday, April 22, 2020
Few things will lift your spirits quite like a parade.
There’s just something about the honking, the waving, the sense of community and the fresh air that combine into a beautiful recipe for happiness.
That’s exactly why school districts across North Texas are participating in “Teacher Parades” while schools are closed for the COVID-19 crisis.
Teacher Parades are an idea born from social media in which teachers drive in a parade of cars, sometimes with their names or messages of hope written on the sides, and drive through the neighborhoods where their students live. It can all be done at a safe social distance, with families in their driveways, on porches or watching through windows and the teachers in vehicles.
Mom Kristen Williams says , “I am not an overly emotional person, but it was impossible to hold back tears seeing the camaraderie and love that was overflowing throughout the parade,
What a simple fun way for students and teachers to connect despite the school closure and for educators to continue to show students how much they care during this difficult time.
Tuesday, April 21, 2020
Jayde Powell is a pre-med honors student the University of Nevada, Reno. She’s also a shopping angel, and she and her growing army of volunteers are providing free grocery delivery to the sick and elderly.
Powell knows older people are more susceptible to the coronavirus, so she asked about 20 members of her medical fraternity to join her in reaching out to elderly neighbors to see what they may need. With the magic of social media, requests for their services — and offers from volunteers — grew and grew.
Powell now connects volunteers to older adults around the country and has launched a GoFundMe page to help low-income shoppers get all the food and toilet paper they need.
Monday, April 20, 2020
Going stir-crazy from being stuck inside social distancing? Well in Kenner you can join in on a socially-distant bear hunt! Teddy bears that is. Mayor Ben Zahn is promoting the family friendly concept. What you do is put Teddy Bears and rainbow signs in windows on the front of your home – then go on a walk or bike ride and see how many teddy bears and rainbows you can spot with your family.
Friday, April 17, 2020
Teachers get a lot of attention for their dedication to our little ones, but there are some people at school who might be overlooked but definitely important inside the school. Their role is even more critical these days, as parents worry about the flu — and even worse, the Coronavirus.
After the students and their teachers go home, the school custodians stay late to scrub down the floors and bleach anything that has come in contact with the kids. Considering the fact that kids are basically giant cesspools, who can’t be trusted to keep their illnesses to themselves, the janitor’s job is even more important during the days of the novel Coronavirus
In a Vermont town, the spread of the Coronavirus has parents and teachers on edge, but they were able to go home when an employee tested positive for the disease. Instead, it was the custodians who stayed to clean the school and help make it safe for their kids to return again.
Mom, Brooke Thomas, decided it was time to do something to really thank the custodians for the yucky but crucial job they perform– now and always. She started a fundraiser through a Facebook group, hoping to raise $2,000 for the team.
Instead, the parents in the community really rallied. Surprisingly, the last count had the fundraiser topping $7,000. That’s a pretty big payday to split between the janitorial staff. It means that they might finally get the money that they deserve.
Brooke, mom-of-three, said that she couldn’t believe how quickly the community pitched in to support their unsung heroes..
All the moms agree that the real reward has been seeing the school spirit in everyone coming together to help the kids and the staff at the school.
Thursday, April 16, 2020
The operatic voices and accordions played from the balconies of quarantined Italians into the otherwise silent neighborhoods reverberated recently in Columbus, Ohio, where Rebecca Tien and her two young children were among the millions listening.
In a family of musicians, both kids were cello players. They didn’t have a balcony but they and their neighbors had a porch. And Tien, inspired by the Italian serenades, had an idea.
She called her next-door neighbor, Helena Schlam. The 78-year-old lived alone, who was self-quarantining amid the coronavirus pandemic and had not left her home in five days. So, one afternoon, Tien’s children, 9-year-old Taran and 6-year-old Calliope, became the latest musicians to bring a little joy to those who might be needing some in this troubled time. They set up their music stands on the far end of the porch, playing songs from Suzuki Book One for cello in unison..
She looped in her grandchildren in Israel, who were self-quarantining, too, and told Taran and Calliope they just gave “their first international concert,” .
Mrs helena says “Music is how we’re going to get through this.”
That much has proved true for everyone from professional musicians to casual listeners — even as the coronavirus pandemic is changing the way we consume music.
Thankfully, LifeSongs has many ways you can listen outside of your car’s radio! And you don’t have to dust off the old transistor radio, either.
Click here to see how you can be encouraged and uplifted every day!
Wednesday, April 15, 2020
TV medical dramas tend to have some pretty far fetched plotlines (remember that insane Demi Lovato episode of Grey’s Anatomy?), but there’s nothing fictional about the threat of the new coronavirus.
In response, Fox’s The Resident and ABC’s The Good Doctor and Grey’s Anatomy spin-off Station 19 are donating masks, gloves, gowns, and other badly-needed medical items from their sets to nearby hospitals.
“Yesterday, I had a serious discussion with the residents about how … a magical shipment of masks is unlikely to arrive,” wrote rheumatologist Dr. Karen Law, who works at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta. “And yet, a magical shipment of masks DID arrive, in the form of this very generous gesture [from The Resident] … We needed this kind of good news today.”
Tuesday, April 14, 2020
The Krewe of Red Beans is an eclectic, fun marching group that wants to help out during the CVOID-19 pandemic. Founder of the Krewe of Red Beans, Devin DeWulf has thought of a way to bring some joy to one of the city’s emergency rooms while supporting area restaurants and giving krewe members a way to make an impact.
DeWulf’s wife Annelies is an ER doctor at University Medical Center. When Annelies told Dewulf about a day in which someone brought cookies to the ER and cheered everyone up with delicious delight, it sparked an idea.
DeWulf’s plan was simple. Volunteers from the krewe would pick up food from local restaurants and deliver it to emergency rooms twice each day to cover both the day and night shifts. DeWulf established an online crowd-sourced funding campaign to cover the cost of the food.
From bon-bons, to eventually fried chicken, the gifts have made a tremendous impact on staff, with Annelies texting and saying “one of the residents (with tears in her eyes) talked about how thankful they were for the treats.”
Monday, April 13, 2020
The coronavirus is causing nursing homes across the country to lock down to protect the most vulnerable. For Tess Wilson, who moved into a South Carolina facility last month, it has been especially hard.
The 88-year old got a happy boost, however, when her great-grandkids appeared at her window, holding handmade signs that spelled out “We love you, Nanny.”
They blew kisses to one another through the window, and, even though it was an atypical visit, it’s one Nanny Tess won’t forget. Finding ways to connect with others may take a bit more creativity these days, but it’s so important.
Thursday, April 9, 2020
Due to social distancing, people are really coming up with creative ways to celebrate special events. When it came time to celebrate their little boy’s 4 year old birthday, one Michigan family decided to play it safe this year and stay inside. They are all healthy and wanted to keep it that way.
Word got out that Aiden couldn’t have a birthday party, so his neighbors put up a sign asking drivers to “honk for the birthday boy.” Aiden stood at the window and waved as many of the neighbors celebrated his birthday in a very different way! Little Aiden will remember his big 4 birthday 4-Ever!
Wednesday, April 8, 2020
Jillian Carruth of Jillian Marie Photography has launched the Front Porch Project NOLA. The local photographer is using pictures to paint thousands of words about life in New Orleans during the COVID-19 pandemic.
She captures moments of family life and even offers free family portraits when clients agree to support local businesses by ordering take-out or purchasing gift cards to help other entrepreneurs survive the crisis. About 500 families are already on her waiting list.
This is the type of picture collection that will be in history books looking back at how our community not only survived, but THRIVED when faced with this virus pandemic.
Tuesday, April 7, 2020
Celebrity chef José Andrés mobilized his charity World Central Kitchen and fed passengers quarantined on a Grand Princess cruise ship docked near San Francisco during the early days of the coronavirus outbreak in the US.
World Central Kitchen also fed those aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan. The nonprofit is known for being on the front lines of all sorts of emergency scenarios. The team has served meals to people affected by hurricanes, wildfires and even furloughed workers during a government shutdown.
In these tense times filled with uncertainty, it brings joy to hear of those stepping up where they can to help those in need. THANK YOU!
Monday, April 6, 2020
FedEx driver Tadashi Andrews of Buckeye, Arizona was delivering packages on his route, he was surprised to a find a package that was actually for him!
The cardboard package left for UPS, FedEx, USPS and Amazon drivers was filled with water bottles, Gatorade, cans of soup and rolls of toilet paper. Another note confirmed that the gift-givers were “all sanitized.”
“Thank you for being committed to the human race, we are depending on you! Take anything you want! Spread love! Stronger TOGETHER,” a third message on the box read.
In a post on his Instagram, Tadashi said;
I deliver to so many types of places everyday. Businesses, houses, apartments, hospitals, you name it, I’ll deliver. This house I just left had this box on the porch. So thoughtful. So caring. In a time when people are panicking an hoarding everything for no really good reason, these people are willingly giving it away. We need waaaaay more of this. Please, if you see this, share it. Everyone needs to see this.
Friday, April 3, 2020
Remember sports? Don’t worry, they’ll be back. And in the meantime, those involved are stepping up to ensure it.
Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred announced that all 30 major league teams have committed $1 million each to help assist thousands of ballpark employees affected by the coronavirus-caused indefinite delay in start of the baseball season. “I am proud that our clubs came together so quickly and uniformly to support these individuals who provide so much to the game we love,” he said.
Thursday, April 2, 2020
A simple act of kindness can make a huge impact .A couple decided to leave a $9,400 tip for employees at a restaurant in Houston, Texas as a way of helping to support the staff.
The couple, who wished to remain anonymous, were dining at Irma’s Southwest Grill recently when they decided to leave about a 10,400 percent tip on their bill, The couple’s actual bill had only come out to $90.12,, but instead of leaving a customary 20 percent tip (which would have been about $18), the couple left $1,900 in cash and another $7,500 on a credit card, adding up to a whopping $9,400.
They also left a note on their bill that simply read, “hold tip to pay your guys over the next few weeks.”
The Restaurant owner split the tip amongst the restaurant’s 30 employees, excluding management. Each employee got just over $300.
Wednesday, April 1, 2020
Social distancing measures meant to slow the spread of the coronavirus have taken an emotional toll on family relationships, particularly for older Americans like 87-year old Shelton, who is one of many who are especially isolated inside nursing homes and senior living communities.
That didn’t stop his granddaughter from sharing her joyous news with him. Carly Boyd stood outside of the nursing home window as she pressed her hand to the glass, her new engagement ring sparkling on her other hand.
From inside the building, her grandfather mirrored the gesture, saying he wants to be at her future wedding. Carly shared photos of the moment, saying she hopes the photos encourage people to find creative ways to stay in touch with elderly relatives. “Find ways to reach out, when there’s a will there’s a way.”
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
Disney announced last week that it would be temporarily closing all of its theme parks around the world in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. Now, Disneyland and Disney World are sharing a bit of good news that’s come out of it: The resorts will be donating all of their excess food to local food banks.
Both Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort have an ongoing commitment of reducing food waste, and unserved food from select locations is regularly donated to support those in need within the local community. Each year, the resorts donate over 1.2M meals to their local Second Harvest Food Bank as part of the ongoing food donation programs.
Disney’s support of Second Harvest Food Bank doesn’t stop there – their longstanding support includes monetary donations and Disney VoluntEARS efforts, where cast members donate their time to collect, sort and distribute food donations.
The parks are scheduled to be closed through the end of March, and though it’s sad to see them temporarily shuttered, at least fans can rest easy that all of that delicious food isn’t going to waste. Keep checking the Disney Parks Blog for future updates.
Monday, March 30, 2020
Drew Brees is hoping to give the state of Louisiana and the city of New Orleans some much-needed hope during a dark time.
The New Orleans Saints quarterback and his wife, Brittany, announced that they are donating $5 million to a host of charities that will prepare and deliver 10,000 meals per day throughout Louisiana to help those in need during the coronavirus pandemic.
Brees notes that this money will “be mobilizing our partnerships with Second Harvest Food Bank, Ochsner Health Systems, Walk-Ons, Jimmy Johns, Smalls Sliders and Waitr to prepare and deliver over 10,000 meals per day throughout Louisiana.”
Specifically, they will be looking to feed children in meal programs, seniors and families in need. Brees also said they will continue to do this”for as long as it takes.”
Brees said “We’ve been through a lot of tough times together, whether it’s hurricanes, oil spills, floods, and this is just another one of those bits of adversity that we’re gonna come out better on the other side.”
Friday, March 27, 2020
While some folks stockpiled important pandemic supplies, others are giving health and safety supplies for free. Asiyah and Jawad Javed, who run a market in Scotland, are giving anyone over the age of 65 free face masks, antibacterial hand gel, and cleaning wipes to help slow the spread of coronavirus. And if you can’t make it to the shop, they will deliver the items free of charge.
So far, the couple have delivered 500 kits. No doubt the elderly in their community are feeling cared for and grateful for the Javed’s help.
Thursday, March 26, 2020
U-Haul is stepping up to help students who suddenly had to move out of their dorms due to suspended classes/campus closings over the Coronavirus pandemic by offering 30-day free self-storage at U-Haul owned and operated facilities.
U-Haul President John Taylor said, “Students and their parents are in need of moving and storage solutions. We have the expertise and network to help, and that’s exactly what we’re going to do.”
Colleges have asked students to vacate the campus for the rest of the semester, leaving some students, especially international students, in a bind.
Wednesday, March 25, 2020
Amazon is donating $25 million toward its network of independent delivery drivers, Amazon Flex workers, and seasonal employees who are dealing with disruptions caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.
Workers diagnosed with COVID-19 or placed under quarantine will be able to apply for grants from the Amazon Relief Fund. The fund will also provide grants for employees and contractors around the world who “face financial hardships from other qualifying events, such as a natural disaster, federally declared emergency, or unforeseen personal hardship.”
Amazon is also pledging $5 million fund to help Seattle based small businesses. (Seattle is one of the hardest hit areas in the U.S. by this outbreak so far.)
Tuesday, March 24, 2020
In a memo to employees just over a week ago, Delta Air Lines chief executive officer Ed Bastian said for now, he will forgo his salary for six months in an effort to avoid having to lay off his employees. His announcement comes three days after Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly revealed plans to reduce his salary by 10%. So many businesses and people are being affected financially by this right now; it’s so encouraging to see people care for others. We hope many more follow suit during this dire time for many employees and their families, too!
Monday, March 23, 2020
It’s easy to become more inwardly-focused when times feel uncertain. Which is why it makes headlines when people look outward at how they can help others. Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban thought of the hourly workers who are going to be massively hurt by the NBA season’s shutdown. He’s announced plans to start a program to financially help the American Airlines Center employees who can’t work because of the coronavirus.
With the possibility of many long term effects due to the pandemic, it’s encouraging to see people decide to start taking care of each other right now.
Friday, March 20, 2020
NBA star Kevin Love is donating $100,000 to help Cleveland Cavaliers arena workers after the growing coronavirus outbreak led the NBA to suspend games indefinitely.
“Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations,” he said. “And the fear and anxiety resulting from the recent outbreak of COVID-19 can be extremely overwhelming. I’m concerned about the level of anxiety that everyone is feeling and that is why I’m committing $100,000 in support of the Cavs arena and support staff that had a sudden life shift due to the suspension of the NBA season. I hope that during this time of crisis, others will join me in supporting our communities.”
He also made a plea for more kindness and understanding during the panic around the pandemic. (He’s been vocal about his own struggles with anxiety in the past.) He says, “Be kind to one another. Be understanding of their fears, regardless if you don’t feel the same. Be safe and make informed decisions during this time.”
Extend some kindness and grace today, and share with someone the peace and hope we have in Christ!
Thursday, March 19, 2020
As the coronavirus pandemic continues, it’s impacting the physical and financial well-being of people around the world. In the midst of that, many are stepping up to help those in need, including New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson. The 19-year-old has announced that he will pay the salaries of all of the employees of Smoothie King Center, for at least 30 days.
As if we couldn’t love him more! Zion said, “some of the most special people I have met are those who work at Smoothie King Center.” They have been “incredibly welcoming and supportive” since he was drafted.
“These are the folks who make our games possible, creating the perfect environment for our fans and everyone involved in the organization. Unfortunately, many of them now face the economic impact of the postponement of games because of the virus. My mother has always set an example for me about being respectful for others and being grateful for what we have, and so I am pledging to cover the salaries for all of those Smoothie King Center workers for the next 30 days.”
“This is an incredibly resilient city full of some of the most resilient people,” he wrote, “but sometimes providing a little extra assistance can make things a little easier for the community.”
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
When fears of coronavirus outbreaks prevented an Ohio sports event from accommodating its typical crowd of 200,000 people, the stadium sent their surplus of event food to first responders and tornado victims in Nashville. Since the stadium knew that other local restaurants prepared for the festival would be donating their own surplus of food to community charities, they loaded up a refrigerated truck with more than a ton of sandwiches, mixed green salads, fresh fruit, yogurt, vegetables, brown rice, potato chips, and bottled water. The Greater Columbus Convention Center truck then brought all the food to Nashville and used it to feed several thousand first responders and tornado-affected families.
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
Italy is in the midst of a lockdown after the government implemented strict isolation measures to contain the spread of coronavirus, which is one of the worst affected countries in the world with over 17,000 confirmed cases and 1,266 deaths, according to the latest data from Johns Hopkins University. That’s the largest outbreak outside of China.
Even in the most desperate times, music can lift the spirits — as some Italian neighbors have proven by singing together in harmony. Residents in Siena, a city in Tuscany, leaned out of their windows and broke into song recently and in Sicily, neighbors are seen accompanied by a man playing the accordion.. In Naples people were heard singing a song reportedly called “Abbracciame,” which translates as “hug me.”…
Lifesongs knows that music soothes the soul. Lifesongs gives us the ability to go beyond the balconies and touch people’s lives with songs of truth and encouragement. Lifesongs is instant, it’s personal, it’s portable, and it speaks to our Southeast Louisiana Heart by reminding you God is Good all the Time!
Friday, March 13, 2020
After getting off work for the day as a school resource officer at Richmond Alternative School, Mervin Mayo goes straight to church. He needs some “praise and worship” time for himself, saying, “I have to minister to myself before I can minister to someone else.”
Officer Mayo serves as the minister of music at his church, and works in the community, youth and intervention services unit of his local police force, participating as a mentor and singing at department events.
His hope is to provide inspiration to those who might need it, saying, “Know that, no matter what you are going through, there is a higher power that looks beyond your faults and sees your needs.”
Amen to that! You may not serve as a youth mentor or police officer, but you CAN make a difference by encouraging others. In fact, you DO that already through your support for LifeSongs! Thank you for keeping this ministry going through your giving so that those who need to be ministered to through music and uplifting words can be every time they listen.
Thursday, March 12, 2020
School resource officers have a lot on their plates while on duty, but one Arkansas officer stays busy during his time off duty, too, by stopping at the school flagpole to pray.
Officer DeAndra Warren has been an officer for the Wynne Police Department for the last seven years. For five of those, he’s protected the halls of Wynne Public Schools as a school resource officer. Every day, he stops at the school’s flagpole to say a prayer for the school systems, children and community.
Officer Warren says being able to interact with the students from Kindergarten through 12th grade is something he enjoys most about being a police officer. “I enjoy showing them the positive side of law enforcement, from giving them high-fives or just a simple word of encouragement.”
He says he does whatever his heart and hands find to do for God. “I feel led by the Spirit of God to pray for our students and all staff in our school district. I’ve been praying for the students ever since I started being a school resource officer, but I started standing at the flagpole just last year. I don’t do it to be seen but I do it to glorify my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To God be the Glory!”
You may not patrol the hallways of OUR local schools, but you do have an impact there, just like Officer Warren, by praying with us for our LifeSongs Prayer Schools each day. THANK YOU for making a difference with us in our community every day!
Wednesday, March 11, 2020
Lamar Harris is the kind of neighbor you want to have. His tight-knit New Jersey community of Cherry Hill knows this: he picks up his neighbors’ trash, delivers their mail and treats many of them like family, calling them daily and accompanying them for breakfast and haircuts.
Lamar has developmental delays and disabilities, and has lived alone for five years since his father passed. He’s handled it well – until he received a notice of possible foreclosure of his childhood home due to unpaid taxes and interest payments.
His neighbors scrambled to help, setting up a Go Fund Me page that raised over $50,000 in just ONE WEEK. (Talk about amazing neighbors!)
Lamar was so thrilled when he heard he’d be able to stay in Cherry Circle, he called everyone on his street and met them in their yards to celebrate with those he calls his “family.” That community is also helping him handle his finances for the future to ensure he’s taken care of. Without him, they say, Cherry Hill wouldn’t be the same.
(LifeSongs wouldn’t be the same without YOU, either. We are so grateful YOU are a part of this family community, and that you give to ensure this ministry stays right here, providing hope and encouragement everyday. THANK YOU for your support!)
Tuesday, March 10, 2020
Home security doorbell cameras capture everything from package deliveries to garbage pickup to car break-ins. One Rhode Island family’s doorbell camera captured the moment their pizza was delivered.
What was so special about that moment, was that their toddler went to the porch to greet the pizza delivery driver with a hug. What they didn’t know was how much the sweet gesture meant to the driver.
Lindsey Sheely shared the video on Facebook showing her 2-year old son Cohen running out to give the man a hug. Only after her video spread online did she hear from the driver, Ryan Catterson, whose 16-year-old daughter had recently passed away unexpectedly.
Lindsey called her son’s hug for Catterson a little blessing from God, saying, “I believe in divine appointments and know that Ryan was the one to deliver our pizza for a reason. I couldn’t believe that this guy was going through the most devastating thing, but his life had to go forward, and he still had to work and to do his job. You never know what people are going through. This is such a good example of that.”
Ryan agreed, saying little Cohen’s hug couldn’t have come at a better time for him.
You never know what someone may be going through, and what can speak to them. God uses this ministry for divine appointments all the time, and that is possible because of YOU. Thank you for giving, and being part of delivering encouragement and hope everyday.
Monday, March 9, 2020
Four years ago on Valentine’s Day, Arizona native Natalie Reilly started “Nothing but Love Notes” with her mom, who was battling cancer. The goal? To show first responders how much they are appreciated.
Her mom has since passed away, but Natalie still makes it a priority to continue writing the notes and finding first responders to give them to—and not just on Valentine’s Day. Reilly keeps the cards in her purse always and hands them out whenever she sees a person in uniform.
Over the last four years she has given out more than 20,000 love notes. Each time she gives one out, she thinks of her mother. A two-fold way to share the love! She makes a difference in the lives of those who protect and serve in her community, and fills her mind with sweet memories of her mom.
I may have to take a page from Natalie’s book and start carrying around thank you cards with me, although I don’t think I could find a purse big enough to carry all the cards I’d need to say thank you to YOU. LifeSongs is listener-supported and would not be here without you. I hope you know just how grateful we are for YOU!
Friday, March 6, 2020
Former President Jimmy Carter has written many books since his time in the White House – but he has LIVED OUT the way to be a former President like no one else in American History. The faith fueled former President has devoted his post-politics life to helping people in every way he can. And his family has just added one more good deed to the mountain of kindness.
The Carter farm in Plains, GA has its own private solar panel field – well over 3800 solar panels covering 10 acres of land. Former President Carter is a huge proponent of clean energy. His farm now generates so much power that they provide clean free electricity to over half the population of his town – or about 400 homes.
Thursday, March 5, 2020
Ronnie Backenstoe is a proud member of the Girl Scouts and loves the annual cookie sale. At age 10 she began racking up sales in her Wernersville, PA neighborhood. She’ll knock on the door, wearing her proud uniform and convince her neighbors to get that extra box of Thin Mints … after all they are just 15 cents a box.
Ronnie began her Girl Scout journey in 1932! Now at age 98, she still is selling the cookies as a proud member of the Girl Scouts. Of course there are many more flavors to choose from now (there were only 3 options in the 1930s) and the cookies cost a LOT more than 15 cents a box.
Ronnie loves to see each new generation come up through the ranks of the Girls Scouts – bringing joy to each life that gets impacted.
Wednesday, March 4, 2020
Remember last Summer when the beaches from Louisiana to Alabama were closed due to bacteria and water quality? What a bummer! This is a problem on beaches around the world. Sasha Olsen of Bal Harbour, FL is a 10 year girl on a mission to save the beach.
Sasha and her cousin Narmina have formed a non-profit called IWANTMYOCEANBACK. They lead and organize beach clean-up projects, create art out of plastics picked up from waterways and host YouTube seminars to teach other young people how to stop pollution.
While hosting their YouTube shows, the kids will paint together and then auction the art off to help pay for their causes.
Tuesday, March 3, 2020
There is a small island between Norway and the North Pole that houses the Doomsday Vault – also known as the Svalbard Global Seed Vault. Safely preserved there are back-up seeds of critical crops and flora that could theoretically be reintroduced to Earth after a cataclysmic event. There are close to 1 million samples in the Doomsday Vault.
Recently some more special seeds were added courtesy of the Cherokee nation. Nine different heirloom seeds, including Cherokee White Eagle Corn, candy roaster squash, amongst other indigenous native species of plants. Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. said the tribe was honored by the invitation saying, “Generations from now, these seeds will still hold our history and there will always be a part of the Cherokee Nation in the world.”
Monday, March 2, 2020
Michael Platt was a fun-loving kid. At age 11 he was doing great in school, on the swim team and constantly outside playing with his friends. But then Michael was diagnosed with epilepsy. The seizures meant he had to scale back many of his activities – he even left his school to be homeschooled. But instead of letting that wreck his life, Michael found a new outlet to express his zest for life.
Michael, his mom Danita and his grandmother have enjoyed baking together for his entire life – now that time in the kitchen has become Michael’s playground. Together as a family they founded Michaels Desserts. Inspired by TOMS Shoes, Michael wanted his baked goods to be about more than just making money – so he gives away a dessert for every single one that he sells.
Now, three years in, Michaels Desserts takes online orders every day and donates baked goods to nearby soup kitchens and other service nonprofits that help people in need. Doing good, and delicious treats has not only kept this family going – Michael has been seizure free since 2017!
*Bonus Black History Month Good News Story*
First grade teacher LaToya McGriff decided to take an untraditional approach to teaching her students in Suffolk, Virginia about Black History. LaToya decided to dress up like a famous African-American trailblazer and taught her students about their contributions to the United States and Black History.
She started their creative lessons by dressing up as Virginia native Mary Jackson. “She was a mathematician who worked as an aeronautical engineer whom people referred to as a human computer,” McGriff wrote on Facebook. She shared a photo of herself in 1960s attire, like Jackson would’ve worn when she worked for NASA.
And thus began many days of dressing up as prominent black history figures, such as Ella Fitzgerald, Booker T. Washington, Misty Copeland, and many more.
“My students will want to know who I will be tomorrow. Today, they just said ‘Are you going to be Barack Obama? Are you going to be so-and-so?’ Because they want to know and kind of prepare themselves for it so they can tell me something they know about that person,” she said.
McGriff said bringing history alive kept her students curious and asking questions, and she’s hoping the overall project will give them the confidence to know that, like these historic figures, they can be great, too.
Friday, February 28, 2020
While other interns were fetching coffee, Wolf Cukier was discovering a brand new planet. Cukier, 17, is a high school senior from Scarsdale, New York. Last summer, he interned at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, and one of his first assignments was to help with the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite mission.
On his third day, while looking through a telescope at TOI 1338, a solar system 1,300 light years from Earth, Wolf saw there was something in the orbit of two stars that was blocking the light. He made notes, and after further study with his bosses, they determined that 17 year old Wolf Cukier had discovered a planet 6.9 times larger than Earth!
It is a circumbinary planet, which are hard to spot; this is just the 13th planet of its kind ever discovered. Cukier hopes this is just the beginning of his career studying the stars, and plans on majoring in physics or astrophysics in college.
Thursday, February 27, 2020
Jamie Willis served in the Army for 8 years, until a back injury he sustained left him disabled. During his physical therapy he was introduced to an organization called Free Canes for Veterans. The head of the organization actually took the time to teach woodwork to Jamie, showing him how to craft his own cane. This brought a lot of joy to the former soldier – a chance to work with his hands. And he didn’t want to stop at just one cane.
Jamie Willis started the Texas Chapter of Free Canes for Veterans and continued to use donated wood to make canes for other injured GI’s. Here is where the story takes a very Christmassy turn: much of the scrap wood comes in the form of donated Christmas trees!
Now with a team of 60 volunteers, the veterans will churn out close to 1,000 canes for injured vets this year. These canes brought joy as Christmas trees and will live on aiding the great servants of our country, out veterans.
Wednesday, February 26, 2020
If you have boys in your house, you know they are FULL of energy! Sometimes they need an outlet to get it out! 2 companies geared towards helping students release frustration and energy, are changing the stigma about boxing! Title Boxing Company in Nebraska (Led by Head trainer Milton Lopez) helps kids with disabilities learn how to float like a butterfly and sting like a bee!!
In Forest Hills, New York, Jessica Margulies started The Spectrum Bout Boxing Club to help young people with autism (between the ages of 7 to 22) have the confidence they need to overcome life’s challenges that they encounter on a daily basis! Boxing helps them to develop focus, control, structure, discipline, & release! (Things that we could ALL use more of!) Two amazing companies making a difference in their communities!
Tuesday, February 25, 2020
23-year-old Sarah Yob of Florida had a really horrible day while on a trip to New Orleans to celebrate the College Football National Championship to be played there.
Her day started with a car wreck. Later that day, after hanging out with friends in the French Quarter she discovered someone had stolen her purse from her rental car. They didn’t get her wallet or cellphone since she’d carried those with her. But the Michael Kors purse adorned with a purple feather charm, her GoPro camera, some money and a necklace were gone.
Later that day, James Elmes, 21, was leaving the French Quarter and spied the now-abandoned purse sitting on the curb with the camera still inside. With no identification inside the purse to help him track down the owner, he turned to the camera. He posted a photo Sarah had taken of her and some friends on a beach onto Twitter on the remote chance someone would see the photo and put him in touch with the owner of the purse.
The tweet read: “I found a stolen purse in the French Quarter, New Orleans. Wallet was missing, so I have no identification. This girl has traveled all over the world … with a GoPro I found. Looking for her to return her lost memories. Help me find her.”
Within 16 hours and 800 retweets later, he’d found Miss Yob and was able to return the purse.
As if returning the purse wasn’t enough, James wanted to make sure Sarah had good memories of her time in New Orleans. He realized as he was scrolling through her camera that she hadn’t been able to take any photos of New Orleans before her purse and camera were stolen. So Mr. Elmes, who is a produce deliveryman, took some photos of the sites along his delivery route such as Cafe du Monde in the French Quarter before returning the items to Sara!
Monday, February 24, 2020
An 88-year-old Virgin Atlantic passenger named Violet was on her way back to London after a stateside visit with her daughter. As luck would have it, the retired nurse struck up a conversation before boarding with Jack, a fellow traveller. You know how sometimes you just click with a person? That was the instant friendship between Violet and Jack.
What happened when they boarded the plane surprised Violet and warmed the hearts of the entire Virgin Airlines flight crew. Violet was sitting in the back of the plane – next to the lavatory. I’m sure her seat was comfortable, but a transatlantic flight next to the bathrooms? Hardly the choice seat.
Flight attendant Leah Amy shared the incredible story on Facebook, alongside a few photos of her “two favourite passengers ever.”
Jack had a seat in first class, but went and found Violet and swapped seats with her! No fuss, no attention, literally, Jack just wanted to give Violet the chance to fly up front.
Chivalry is not dead!
Friday, February 21, 2020
A sandwich, a soda or maybe even a chocolate bar to satisfy a midnight craving: These are some of the many things you’d expect to find at a New York deli and convenience store.
But customers at Lucky Candy in the Bronx get an entirely different experience, and it’s all thanks to cashier Ahmed Alwan.
To his customers, the 20-year-old college student is easily recognizable, and it’s not just because of his bright smile and cheerful energy. Two weeks ago, Alwan decided to start playing a game with shoppers — and it’s since gone viral.
The rules are simple: If you can solve a math equation, you get five seconds to grab anything you want off store shelves and have it for free.
The one thing you’re not allowed to grab? His cat. (Yes, someone tried.)
Alwan, who’s studying at Bronx Community College to become a pharmacist, has a history of being charitable.
He often gives customers food and household supplies on credit, his father said. And on cold mornings when he spots people sleeping at the nearby train station or by the tracks, he offers them free coffee, bananas and muffins
He even started a GoFundMe to support the game and enable him to help more people.
“The money will be going towards products and food that would be used for the challenges and even simple donations for customers in need,” he said.
The goal, he explained on the GoFundMe, is “to inspire others to always be kindhearted.”
Thursday, February 20, 2020
When Dwight the cat first arrived at an animal shelter in Kennebunk, Maine, Megan Marsh immediately fell in love. She’d been thinking about adopting a cat for a few years, and as soon as she saw Dwight, she knew he was the one she’d been waiting for. Dwight came with some baggage though, having travelled much of the country through foster care – a past that would make for a Disney film.
While Dwight was in kitty-foster care, he’d met another foster cat named Conan, and the pair instantly became the best of friends. They spent over a year doing everything together, until Dwight was transferred from MS to Maine. Conan stayed behind for seven long months before being sent to the same animal shelter. The story of the best buds was passed on to Megan, who knew Dwight needed his brother Conan.
Conan and Dwight were apart for seven months, but as soon as they were reunited, it was as if nothing had changed. They instantly fell back into being best friends and brothers, and they’re clearly thrilled that it’ll be that way for the rest of their lives
Although Dwight and Conan found their forever home, many foster cats are still waiting to find their forever homes. LifeSongs has partnered with the LASPCA and every week we feature an adoptable pet that is looking for a forever family.
Wednesday, February 19, 2020
Ever wonder what happens to all of the leftover food from the Super Bowl? In past years almost all of the food was just disposed of, but this year Food Rescue US, Centerplate Hospitality and the NFL Green Initiative collected and distributed over 30,000 pounds of food to local Miami shelters with the help of countless volunteers.
The effort started Monday morning following the Kansas City Chiefs’ victory over the San Francisco 49ers. Volunteers took to Hard Rock Stadium in Miami to collect, pack and ship massive amounts of food that remained from concession stands, VIP catered sections, suites and other areas.
Beef tenderloins, barbecue chicken, wings, ribs and charcuterie plates are just some of the food that were rescued.
The rescued food is being donated to the Broward Outreach Center, Broward Partnership for the Homeless, Camillus House, Lotus House Shelter and the Miami Rescue Mission. Bowen said that enough food was collected to feed around 20,000 people in need.
Tuesday, February 18, 2020
When a little boy accidentally left his stuffed bear named Teddy on a flight from Dallas to New Orleans over the Thanksgiving holiday, he was crushed. Grayson and his teddy bear did everything together. His mom, Christina did what any mom would do. She tried to get Teddy back.
She was in contact with all of the baggage claim, TSA, she even called the lost and found repeatedly. Christina even posted on the Southwest Airlines Facebook page asking for help. Maybe a flight attendant had seen him or another passenger on the plane had picked him up. What she didn’t know at the time was that the New Orleans airport was overwhelmed with calls from employees and strangers. Everyone is just trying to find Teddy.
A month went by and still — nothing.
That’s until the end of December when Christina received a call from a corporate employee at Southwest Airlines, who told her that her post caught a lot of attention on private Southwest pages and even made its way to some executives. The Execs at Southwest wanted to give Grayson a new bear with a story all it’s own, so the airline sent Grayson a new bear, along with a picture book about his travels.
“It’s been a busy holiday season here at Southwest Airlines, and I’m almost all done with my work here. Guess what!? I get to come live with you!” the book reads. “I’m so excited about meeting my new best friend. I wanted to share some pictures of what I do at Southwest and my trip to meet you!”
The bear can be seen doing everything from working on the tarmac, inspecting the cockpit and getting the plane ready for passengers.
Grayson named his new bear Jack. Grayson also said there is a reason that a heart is part of their logo and displayed everywhere, because they care about people. Southwest Airlines says “We love connecting people to what’s important in their lives, and our employees put their servant’s heart on display to help make Grayson’s day. We are proud to have played a small role in bringing Grayson and Jack together,”
Grayson and his new friend ‘Jack’ have been inseparable ever since.
Monday, February 17, 2020
Dustin and Caren Moore wanted to be parents. They tried for 9 years before being blessed with their first child, an adopted baby girl. The pair flew from California to Colorado to pick up their newly adopted 8-day old daughter. As they boarded the flight home with their new infant, they apologized to his fellow passengers – as many parents with babies feel pressured to do while flying.
Mid flight, Dustin asked about a changing table to take care of his daughter’s diaper. The flight attendant cleared a space in the back of the plane and gave them privacy.
The act of kindness was just the first of several on this flight home. Next, another flight attendant and fellow passengers complimented the couple on their new baby girl. The Moores shared their adoption story, and not long after, they heard the intercom come on.
The attendant told the other passengers about Caren and Dustin’s new bundle of joy, and the entire cabin erupted in cheers and applause.
This act of kindness didn’t end there. The crew then passed out pens and napkins and asked other passengers to write down advice for the new parents. They received over 60 notes of encouragement.
The flight attendants also gave the Moores a set of pilot wings for their baby girl – who, as an infant, had already experienced flying.
“The outpouring of love from that flight, brought on by the actions of two thoughtfully observant flight attendants… it exceeds my ability to describe what it meant to us,” Dustin says. “How much those wings and written notes uplifted two new parents determined to love their new daughter. The fact that that entire flight, everybody cheered, everybody took the time to share those notes with our daughter, it was just everything we needed in that moment just to feel secure. And to feel, ‘Okay, this is going to be great.'”
Friday, February 14, 2020
You may have heard of celebrities or multi billion-dollar companies donating money to cover students’ lunch debt. But Keoni Ching from Vancouver, Washington, is just your normal 8-year-old who wanted to help his schoolmates.
With his handmade key chains that go for $5 each, Keoni raised $4,015 to erase the lunch debt of students from his school and six others.
It all started because Keoni wanted to do something special for “Kindness Week” at his school, Benjamin Franklin Elementary. With his mother, April, and father, Barry, by his side, Keoni thought about projects that would truly reflect kindness.
Keoni was ultimately inspired by San Francisco 49ers player Richard Sherman. The cornerback, who previously played for the Seattle Seahawks, donated more than $27,000 to cover students’ lunch debt. Keoni, for the record, is a Miami Dolphins fan, he said. Once word of Keoni’s key chains and his heartwarming cause got out, people from all over the country started sending in their requests for one of the custom key chains.
“We have sent keychains to Alaska, Rhode Island, Minnesota, Arizona, all over the country,”
Keoni delivered the $4,015 check to Franklin Elementary last week. Of that amount, $1,000 will go to the school to pay off the $500 lunch debt and for any future debt incurred. The rest will go to six other nearby schools, which will get $500 each to clear their own lunch debts.
Helping others is important because “it just makes the world a better place,” Keoni said
Thursday, February 13, 2020
10-year-old Logan Fraychineaud was born deaf. He now hears with the help of a cochlear implant, but also signs. He’s a boy of two worlds – bridging the deaf and hearing communities. Recently this brave young man had the chance to take center stage … or center field … well kind of both.
While Lauren Daigle was singing the National Anthem at the College National Championship game (Geaux Tigers!) – just off camera, 10 year old Logan was SIGNING the song for the deaf attendees of the game, performing in front of the 75,000 fans at the game … and also the President and First Lady!
While Logan was nervous, he had been practicing non-stop and completely nailed his performance. He had so much fun, he’s decided that 75,000 college football fans just aren’t enough – he’s now applying to do a repeat performance at a future Super Bowl! Logan, at just 10 years old, wants to use his platform to educate about American Sign Language (ASL) and show people that not only is it a unique language, it can be a lot of fun!
Wednesday, February 12, 2020
The story of the University of Wisconsin saving a very special pup and being shared as an ad during the Superbowl has gone viral, stealing the hearts of many across the country.
Our pets are members of our families. We love them and we will go to the ends of the earth for them. When David MacNeil found out his treasured Golden Retriever Scout was sick, he put all his hope in the team at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine. Scout also happens to be the unofficial mascot of WeatherTech, a company that makes anything from floor mats to pet care products.
Scout had a tumor on his heart and was given less than a 1% chance of survival. But he beat the odds with the care of his veterinary team! Scout’s owner, WeatherTech CEO David MacNeil, was so moved by his pup’s progress that he wanted to celebrate him and the UW’s veterinary work in an ad that would run in, of all places, the Superbowl. To say thanks, David MacNeil has purchased a $6 million thank you – a Super Bowl commercial to honor the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine.
University of Wisconsin vets and their spotlight in the Superbowl ad, the story has gone viral. National outlets across the nation have reported his heartwarming story. The coverage has brought an extra benefit: much-needed donations to the School of Veterinary Medicine. According to the University of Wisconsin, the school has received thousands of dollars in gifts.
Tuesday, February 11, 2020
There’s a dog in Cumberland County that’s making history. Hansel is a rescued pit bull who is about to become the first of his breed to take on the role of an arson-detection K9 officer in the Garden State.
“When I put on his harness and I tell him, ‘Do you want to go to work?’ he literally does laps in his crate,” says Millville firefighter Tyler Van Leer.
Hansel and Van Leer are inseparable, and as of now they get to work together as a team at the Millville Fire Department. Hansel was rescued from a dog-fighting ring in Canada when he was just 7 weeks old.
He eventually made his way to the Throw Away Dogs Project – a group that takes rescued dogs and turns them into working dogs. That agency says they spotted qualities in him that reminded them of K-9 officers.
The duo has been training for 15 weeks.
“Hansel has been through so much and this absolutely is needed to find his niche, his person, and Fireman Van Leer is that person and his job, now he’s going to have a purpose,” says Carol Skaziak, the founder of Throw Away Dogs.
They say they hope Hansel’s new job is a win for pit bulls as a breed.
Monday, February 10, 2020
The LSU Tigers football team will live on in History as the best of all time. And the very field they played on will live on … at a local school. Since the Superdome is getting a 3 year makeover, the first step this year was pulling up the turf right after the College Football Championship game. But it was still nice turf … so the city found a way to recycle and reuse it!
The faux-grass has been installed at the Brees Family Field on the Uptown Lusher High campus. The new, slightly used turf is the centerpiece to Lusher’s $3.5 million athletic complex. Future Lusher athletes will play on the literal same field that the Tigers won the championship on!
While there was an upfront investment for the field, the school says it will pay for itself since they won’t have to water, mow and keep it up in the frequently soggy ground of New Orleans. Knowing Lusher’s football program, I imagine some kids who play on this field will go on to win a college football championship someday.
Friday, February 7, 2020
Maj. Bill White served in World War II, survived the Battle of Iwo Jima and went on to have a long career in the U.S. Marine Corps. Among his many medals is the one he’s most proud of – his Purple Heart. It is a badge of honor for surviving the Battle of Iwo Jima. His injuries may have taken him off the battlefield but his fighting spirit carried on in life. Maj. White keeps his proudest memories tucked away on his bookshelf and the 104-year-old veteran said he’s hoping his collection grows a little bigger this Valentine’s Day.
The California-native spends his days dining with his friends, staying active and scrapbooking, which is one of his favorite hobbies. He keeps a lifetime full of memories carefully preserved on the bookshelves of his room, each scrapbook organized by year.
For Valentine’s Day, Bill said he wants to add to his collection with cards from people near and far. Bill says he’ll save every one of them “..and they’ll be a personal part of [his] history.”
It’s a life story that is still being written. If you would like to send Maj. Bill White a Valentine’s Day card, you can address it to:
Operation Valentine
ATTN: Hold for Maj Bill White, USMC (Ret)
The Oaks at Inglewood
6725 Inglewood Ave.
Stockton, CA 95207
Thursday, February 6, 2020
We’ve heard of lemonade stands for fundraising, well in the winter, why not have a hot cocoa stand!? The efforts of some hardworking preschoolers are warming people’s hearts, and it’s not just because of all the hot cocoa.
Jasper Mazzocco, age 4, was diagnosed with a rare type of brain cancer late last year. He was taken out of school and hospitalized, but his classmates never stopped thinking about him. They decided to have a hot cocoa fundraiser to raise money for Jasper’s family. With help from their parents, local stores and the community, the hot chocolate stand was a massive success: altogether they raised more than $10,000.
The local Trader Joe’s provided space and supplied water bottles, a Dick’s Sporting Goods offered to set up tables and chairs, and both the Costco and Starbucks donated baked goods. Three Starbucks employees even made back and forth runs to supply hot water to make the cocoa.
Jasper’s preschool teacher, Jessica Stephens, said some of the people who stopped by the sale were cancer survivors themselves, and many shared stories of their own battles with cancer, or the ones they lost along the way. In addition to the hot cocoa stand, more than 350 donors have raised over $30,000 on GoFundMe for Jasper’s family.
Wednesday, February 5, 2020
In 2016, brothers Mike and Nick Fiorito quit their 9-5 jobs in search of more meaningful work. Unsure where to start, the first 6 months weren’t easy for the brothers. They went from one idea to the next, failing miserably. But on one cold and sleepless night in November, everything changed.
It was 2 A.M. and Nick couldn’t sleep. While tossing and turning, the image of a homeless man he used to see on his daily commute wouldn’t leave the screen of his mind. While working, Nick would often tell himself he was going to help this man – but he never did.
That night, a gentle voice whispered to him and said, “If not now, when?”
Nick finally listened to the call. He crawled out of bed, opened his laptop and wrote a GoFundme campaign to raise money to give blankets to the homeless of NYC. Needless to say, he slept like a baby that night. After some thoughtful consideration, Mike decided to join the cause the very next day.
They called their new family project, Blankets of Hope. They went on to hand out 100 blankets and handwritten notes that Winter – each including a simple message: WE BELIEVE IN YOU!”
Their efforts caught the attention of a venture capitalist, and Blankets of Hope became a global movement. Now, the organization has worked with more than 150 schools across the US, Mexico and Canada to deliver over 25,000 Blankets of Hope — and each one is still delivered with a thoughtful, handwritten note.
Mike and Nick say if they’ve learned anything from their journey, it’s that the secret to living is giving.
Tuesday, February 4, 2020
After an armored car guard accidentally left a cash box outside a credit union, George Condash picked it up and found $27,000 inside. Did he immediately go buy a new car? Or stick in a savings account and wait for the heat to die down? No – he did the good and Godly thing, Mr. Condash immediately turned it into the bank.
What would you do if you found $27,000 cash in a box on the ground? The credit union was so thankful they made sure George Condash got an undisclosed token of appreciation – a cash reward.
George said humbly, “It’s not mine and any honest person, I hope, would take it back in.”
Monday, February 3, 2020
In this life, you will at times, have to walk through the fire. Adversity comes in all different shapes and sizes. But if you are willing, God can use these events in life to mold you into the person He longs for you to be. Ilene Lainer fully embraced her life challenges and now gets to inspire others as they face the same walk.
Seventeen years ago Ilene’s young son Ari (Arr Ree) was diagnosed with autism. Ilene was a powerful attorney, but was struggling to find a preschool that would accept her son. So she walked away from her job to care for her son.
She and a friend who also has an autistic child formed a non-profit called NEXT to focus on resources for families dealing with autism, specifically to provide training for young people on the spectrum so that they can get jobs as adults.
Thanks to NEXT, autistic students have accepted jobs in all walks of life.
Friday, January 31, 2020
A stunning new set of portraits are hanging in the halls of Princeton University. Mario Moore, a painting fellow at the university, wanted to pay homage to the institution’s unseen heroes: The janitors, dining hall workers and other blue-collar employees who help keep everything humming. He focused on African-American workers and tried to include personal stories in the sweeping, colorful scenes.
The result was 10 huge oil portraits that “put them in positions of power,” as the artist, Moore said, and offer a fresh perspective on the medium. Moore’s exhibit was supposed to be temporary, but the people at Princeton liked the energy of his works so much they have decided to make some of them permanent.
Thursday, January 30, 2020
Imagine the smell of freshly baked breads and cakes filling the air. The walls are lined with confections and sprinkles, jars of cookies and all the carbs you can possibly imagine? That’s the scene at Sweet Generation – a little bakery in Manhattan’s East Village. But what is more exceptional than the sweet treats on display is the collection of stories behind the young people who did the baking.
Owner and founder Amy Chasan combined her passion for teaching and love of baking to create RISE, an internship program that teaches young people, ages 16 and 24, about life skills and professional development. These youngsters mostly come from low-income families of all shapes, colors and creeds. They get trained in the art of baking and the mathematics of running a business.
RISE stands for Reach, Inspire, Shape & Elevate – the program lasts for 8-weeks and so far has changed the lives of 130 families. Amy says it is a great way to find future employees too – over 75% of Sweet Generation’s staff came straight from the internship program.
But we don’t have to own and operate a bakery to Reach, Inspire, Shape and Elevate the next generation – what are some things we could be doing right where we are today?
Wednesday, January 29, 2020
NBA star Trae Young partnered with the nonprofit RIP Medical Debt to wipe out the debt of 570 families in the Atlanta area. Young’s $10,000 donation ended up erasing more than $1 million in medical bills. The nonprofit was started by two former debt collection executives, and they focus on underprivileged families and families with disproportionately huge debts.
The NBA player said “Giving back to this community is extremely important to me. I hope these families can find a bit of relief knowing that their bills have been taken care of as we enter the New Year.”
RIP Medical Debt works with debt collections by paying off a settlement instead of the entire bill. Collection agencies often settle for less than 10% of what is owed – opting for something instead of nothing. Right now RIP Medical Debt is fundraising to cancel out millions of dollars of medical debt right here in SELA!
Tuesday, January 28, 2020
How’s that side hustle going? Lots of folks drive for Uber and Lyft to help pay the bills – and we all have bills. Latonya Young was pulling triple duty, working as a hairstylist, taking college classes and driving Uber at night. But the bills kept mounting – her kids needed clothes and food too, which ultimately led the 43 year old single mother to drop out of college.
One night while driving Kevin Esch home from the Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Latonya shared her story as she chatted with her Uber fare. The next day she got an email from Georgia State University letting her know that she was now eligible to register for classes.
That very night after he got home, Kevin Esch had called and paid off Latonya’s balance. The two have kept in touch and Kevin was there at Latonya’s graduation, celebrating with her family. Latonya kept her grades up and plans to continue her education and become a lawyer – all because of a generous and kind Uber rider!
Monday, January 27, 2020
It’s every performer’s nightmare: You get up in front of a big crowd, and all of a sudden…something goes wrong.
Before a recent game between the Detroit Red Wings and the Montreal Canadiens, singer Karen Newman got a taste of that panic when her microphone failed during the Canadian national anthem. No amount of lung power is going to help in a giant hockey arena, but the fans in attendance gave Newman a big assist in belting it out.
Using the lyrics projected on the in-game monitors, Americans and Canadians alike joined together in a rousing rendition of “O Canada.” People on social media reflected that the moment represented sports at its very best. “I KNOW it’s just a hockey game. I KNOW it’s just a song. But there is something about people coming together in times of need that gets me every time,” one Twitter user wrote.
Friday, January 24, 2020
For many, medical procedures are so costly they are simply unaffordable. According to Doctor Demetrio Aguila III with Healing Hands of Nebraska, about two-thirds of those who went bankrupt last year did so because of medical debt. He is hoping to help solve that issue by allowing people to pay for medical procedures with volunteer work. He calls it the M25 program. Its named for the 25th chapter of the book of Matthew in the Bible.
For years Dr. Aguila had been doing surgery for patients and taking care of their health problems, taking care of their medical problems, and then he would find out months later, sometimes years later, in fixing their medical problem, he had caused, or contributed to, their financial ruin. Aguila said. “I need to be able to look myself in the mirror at night and know that I’m taking good care of my patients..
The process is simple. If someone elects to pay for surgery through the M25 Program, Aguila gives them the list of non-profit partners working with Healing Hands of Nebraska and tells them to simply tell the non-profit they are there for the M25 program. TSome added benefits of the program are they have eliminated a lot of the administrative hassle that’s associated with healthcare,as well as lowering the cost of healthcare. We’ve made it fair for everybody involved. Nobody loses. That is the core of the M25 Program.”
Aguila hopes programs like M25 work to inspire others to do good in their communities and to create a situation in which everyone wins.
Thursday, January 23, 2020
Self- cleaning clothes sounds like a miracle, right? The shirts are made from nanoscopic polyester fibers that repel liquid – fluids simply bounce off the surface of the clothing without staining it. In addition to repelling liquids and spills, the shirts can also go without being washed for up to a month—and once they are cleaned, the fabric dries 40% faster than regular clothing.
This futuristic sweatshirt is being hailed as the world’s first ever “self-cleaning” article of clothing—and for every one sold, one is donated to the homeless. Varun Bhanot and his wife Anisha Seth developed the hoodies as a means of helping homeless people in Britain. The 29-year-old entrepreneurs from London are the co-founders of Unhoused: a charity dedicated to helping homeless people throughout the city.
Since launching the charity, they have donated more than 100,000 articles of clothing to London’s homeless. This could be a game-changer for sustainable clothing all over the world, and an absolute lifesaver for the homeless, who may not have access to washing facilities and need to be kept warm and clean all year round. Check it out HERE!
Wednesday, January 22, 2020
This US Army veteran is a perfect example of how anyone can achieve their dreams—regardless of their experiences.
Joshua Carroll had only been in high school when an airplane crashed into the World Trade Center back in 2001. Rather than pursue a college education, Carroll got his GED so he could enlist in the military.
After spending three deployments in Iraq, Carroll returned to his home in Virginia and found himself suffering from PTSD—and a general lack of purpose.
Carroll had begun working as a janitor at a local school when he caught sight of a Stephen Hawking book sitting on a library shelf. As he flipped through the pages, Carroll suddenly decided to pursue his childhood dream of being a physicist.
With just a 10th grade education in geometry, Carroll managed to persuade the admissions staffers at Radford University to let him skip the prerequisites for the physics program provided he could teach himself trigonometry.
Armed with nothing but the internet, Carroll prepared for his entrance exam by watching dozens of YouTube videos to learn advanced mathematics in just three weeks.
Not only did he pass with flying colors, he graduated as one of the top students in his class—and he has been working as a physicist ever since.
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
An elderly woman’s telephone misdial turned into a heartwarming surprise after she left a voicemail with the local attorney’s office instead of a medical supply store.
Bernice, who is from Albuquerque, New Mexico, tried several times to call the store so she could order a new walker—but since she kept typing the wrong last digit, she kept telephoning the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s office instead.
“I put it on speaker and played it for everybody because it was a different kind of missed call, and it was kind of cute and humorous at the same time,” said office agent Kyle Hartstock.
When someone at the office called her back to set the record straight, the senior simply said she was trying to get in contact with someone with a walker.
Rather than giving up on the woman, the office staffers pitched in their money so they could buy Bernice a new walker and bring it to her house for a surprise.
Though the employees refused to accept any of Bernice’s money for the walker, the senior said she was most excited for all the hugs she got from the young staffers during their visit.
Monday, January 20, 2020
When you think “Skateboarder” do you also think “Straight A Student?” There’s a stigma attached to skateboarding that just isn’t true. A French Quarter skate shop aims to highlight the great students who frequent the store. Humidity Skate Shop started the Good Grades Movement which rewards straight A report cards with a free complete skateboard. A’s & B’s will score a kid a free deck. And word has gotten out!
The best part is for most of these straight A students, it’s their first board. Which grows the sport and the community of skaters in New Orleans. Of course that is a big financial investment for a small local business – a skateboard runs between $50-$150. As word spread about the cause, skateboard maker DGK got involved and donated some boards.
Humidity is also designing t-shirts as a fundraiser for locals to be a part of the Good Grades Movement.
Friday, January 17, 2020
For two years, Colleen Powell has been teaching special needs students Dominic, Jay and Korde. She immediately bonded with them, even though the three do not speak much. Colleen decided that Korde would push Jay, who has cerebral palsy and is in a wheelchair, down the aisle as the ring bearers and Dominic would give her away along with her father.
Colleen smiles when remembering the service saying “They were laughing and giggling. It is so important for our society to see children with special needs included because … they are children, just like other children.” Colleen’s wedding planner wasn’t so sure it would all work out, but it turned out to be the perfect ceremony for the teacher, her family and her students and their families.
In fact, it was the three children’s moms who shared this story with the TODAY show just to spotlight what a special teacher Colleen is – and how much their kids enjoyed shaking their groove things on the wedding dance floor!
Thursday, January 16, 2020
Three years ago, Massachusetts resident Peter Kelleher had to live through unthinkable tragedy. His 33 year old son died from a drug overdose while living on the street. Through the grief, Peter vowed to make sure everyone had something warm to eat during the cold Massachusetts Winter – no matter what. And that is how Peter became Soup-erman. (It’s spelled soup)
Peter renovated an old school bus to be a mobile soup kitchen – also passing out warm clothes to people on the street. Support has poured in (pun intended) to fund the venture. Al Roker even featured it on the TODAY show!
Peter says he’s given out more than 3,000 cups of soup, and has donated tens of thousands of winter clothes. He even travels with a portable shower, allowing people without homes to enjoy a hot shower.
Wednesday, January 15, 2020
It could’ve been a dreary Christmas for a pair of rogue pups if it weren’t for one watchful bus driver. A pit bull and Doberman pinscher were wandering the freezing streets of Milwaukee one night when bus driver Danielle Grabowski spotted them on her route.
Danielle immediately pulled over, popped the door and guided the dogs on her bus. She played with the pups before police picked them up to reunite them with their family. Danielle believes it was simply meant to be that she would find the dogs.
If you are looking to grow your family with a four-legged friend, check out the LifeSongs Pets of the Week – each week we spotlight adoptable animals from the Louisiana SPCA. You can find your next fur-baby right here on lifesongs.com!
Tuesday, January 14, 2020
It’s hard being a waiter or waitress. Largely a thankless job filled with complaints – no matter how perfectly you remember the order and the 12 refills of sweet tea you provide. This year there is a sweet new trend going around called the 2020 Tipping Challenge. The idea is to leave a nice tip for a service person that includes the year in the total.
For example: A $20.20 tip, a tip that rounds the whole bill to some 2020-like number or, in the case of one waitress, a whopping $2,020!
Danielle Franzoni, a server in Alpena, Michigan, was shocked when a customer left the four-figure tip on a $23 bill. To Danielle, it was more than just a joyful way to start the new year. She recently moved to the city of Alpena as a recovering addict in a homeless shelter to find a fresh start. The special 2020 tip helped her move into her own place.
And yes, she’s paid it forward (isn’t that the idea?) with a 2020-themed tip of her own.
Monday, January 13, 2020
Running a small business is hard enough, but when the unthinkable happens, it can become nearly impossible to do it alone.
Dave McAdams and his wife Tina own The Local Coffee Company in Oak Grove, Oregon. Sadly, Dave has terminal cancer, and recently entered hospice care. Obviously, the last thing anyone wanted to think about was coffee, so the owner of a nearby coffee shop decided to step in and support the family. Tina says Pixie Adams, the owner of Moonlight Coffee, closed her shop for a day and ran the McAdams’ shop, free of charge.
It turned out to be a record day: Coffee lovers lined up for their usual lattes, cappuccinos and treats, and ended up raising $3,000 in sales and donations. Adams says she’ll keep raising money for the McAdams’ at her own shop. As a breast cancer survivor, she understands what it’s like to just need some help.
“I fought hard for more birthdays, and I want to do the very best I can for my community with as many years as I can,” she said.
Friday, January 10, 2020
It’s tradition for New Yorkers of varying athletic abilities to conquer the beast that is the New York City Marathon. Hannah Gavios wanted in, too — and she did the whole thing on crutches. The 26-year-old just completed her second 26.2-mile trek across New York’s boroughs, three years after a spinal cord injury left her without full mobility of her lower body.
The injury has hardly slowed her down: She goes on challenging hikes, excels at yoga and can defend herself with Krav Maga. And if that weren’t enough, she’s raised almost $30,000 for the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, dedicated to spinal cord injury research. “I always knew I was a strong person,” says Hannah. “But I didn’t know I was that strong.”
Thursday, January 9, 2020
Kerry Pakucko works at Animal Rescue New Orleans, or ARNO for short. Recently, her friends and family helped her throw what must be one of the cutest events ever conceived: A kitten shower!
Just like at a baby shower, they asked for items that will help neonatal foster babies and kittens under one month old, any supplies they would need in a foster home to give them the best chance of life.
Animal Rescue New Orleans came through, and Kerry was able to assemble three “go” kits for foster homes, complete with baby bottles, formula, scales, thermometers and other gear.
Wednesday, January 8, 2020
When Bill Giguere lost his gold wedding band while hiking on a trail near Mt. Hancock, he knew finding it was probably a lost cause. Imagine the emotions? Sadness, shame, frustration… But Bill is a can-do kind of guy, so he posted about the lost wedding ring online, asking anyone who was hiking the trail to keep an eye out.
Tom Gately and another hiker named Brendan Cheever decided to go on a treasure hunt – so they hit the trail and brought along a metal detector. Sure enough – on the trail they heard a telltale beep! JACKPOT!
Man and ring were reunited, and all involved should be very proud of themselves.
Tuesday, January 7, 2020
She gave them extra ice cream – they gifted her a new car!
Adrianna Edwards definitely got the sweeter end of this deal after two customers at a Texas Denny’s, where she works as a waitress, gave her a much-needed tip: a 2011 Nissan Sentra!
While dining at the Galveston restaurant recently, a couple found out that Adrianna has to walk to work, a 14-mile round trip that takes her more than four hours. The couple paid their bill, left the restaurant and headed to a local car dealership, where they purchased the Nissan. A few hours later, they went back to the Denny’s and presented their gift to their kind waitress, who was ecstatic and in tears!
The gift givers said”[It] made [us]happy that she was so moved!”
Adrianna said “I still feel like I’m dreaming! Every two hours, I come look out my window and see if there’s still a car there.”
The couple, who chose to remain anonymous, simply want Edwards to do something generous for someone else in the future; she says she’ll honor that wish.
Monday, January 6, 2020
Earlier in the season, the unranked Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks beat the top-ranked Duke Blue Devils in a shocking NCAA basketball upset, but the victory ended up being way more than your typical underdog story.
The hero of the night was 24-year-old Nathan Bain, who sank the game-winning layup. Bain’s family is from Freeport, Bahamas, and they lost almost everything when Hurricane Dorian battered the multi-island nation earlier this year. His father is a minister whose church was severely damaged in the storm.
After the big win, Bain dedicated his heroic moment to his family and thanked his teammates for being there for him when disaster struck.
Here’s the best part: After people learned about his dramatic story, a GofundMe the university set up for him in September was flooded with donations. So far, it’s raised more than $137,000 for his parents – and the many people in the Bahamas they care for – to rebuild.
Friday, January 3, 2020
Jim Harris is a minister and artist from Staunton, Virginia. After retiring from full-time pastoral work in 2004, he focused on creating a new style of art he calls “stained glass canvas.” His works have been sold in several galleries in North Carolina’s Outer Banks, but he decided to focus on creating art for charitable efforts instead.
Last year, The Society of Saint Andrew asked him to donate original art for a few years for Christmas cards sold to raise funds for feeding the hungry. This year, he created a card titled “The Witnesses,” which has been so popular SoSA is offering prints of the work.
“To be able to help feed hungry people while doing something I enjoy is a win-win,” Harris says. “I am truly blessed to — in some small way — make a difference in the world.” He says he’s also thankful for the Society of Saint Andrew, which focuses on providing fresh fruits and vegetables to people in need.
Thursday, January 2, 2020
When a party of 11 people came into Dublin’s Cracker Barrel and asked manager Tabitha Coley for her best waitress, she obliged and sent her longtime employee of 12 years, Janet Ballard, to the table.
Janet had no idea that by the end of the meal she would receive the largest tip she’s ever gotten at $1,100! Each person in the party tipped $100.
What a wonderful idea and great way to spread the Christmas spirit!
Friday, December 20, 2019
A boy with a big heart is looking to help others — through snow globes.
Making a difference through kindness and creativity …
Cooper Patera, 5, makes the novelties as a way to raise money for the homeless.
“So we can raise money and give it to persons that are in need,” he said.
His Facebook page, Cooper’s Christmas Snow Globes, has described how even in November, he had already raised more than $1,000.
Cooper proposed buying a homeless person a house, his mother, Katie Patera, said.
His dad, Ryan Patera, said alternatively, the money could go to an organization or help others in need.
Thursday, December 19, 2019
It’s not too soon to start contemplating your New Years’ Resolutions. Want to get healthier? Make some small decisions and move forward. Need some motivation to lace up those running shoes?
Mena Hawkins is a 17 year old junior at Liberty High in Las Vegas, NV. Mena has Cerebral Palsy and uses a walker to get around. Last week she walked across the finish line of the Las Vegas Great Santa Run.
Mena decked out in her Santa Hat and walker did the one mile race all on her own – with fans and friends cheering her on, holding signs at the finish line. Mena has been training for years to complete this race. A few years back she attempted the Santa Run, but was so far behind that police opened up traffic after the race was officially over and she was nowhere near the end.
So Mena worked with physical therapists and hit the gym. She refused to let her disability define her. And that’s a lesson that we can all learn – no matter what it is holding you back – God made you special and you can do more than you think.
Wednesday, December 18, 2019
When Mom or Dad are serving in the military, the holidays can be a really rough time. Traditions get postponed – important milestones get missed. So anytime we can do something to bring Christmas joy to military families – it is all hands on deck!
A group of nine friends are actively working to bring the holidays to military families through Trees for Troops. The group will deliver a total of 16,000 free Christmas trees across the country and abroad.
Since 2005 they have given away almost a quarter of a million Christmas trees to military families.
The impact has been felt – in fact Marvin Hill retired from the US Army after 35 years and went to work for Trees for Troops because of the impact it had on his family. Trees for Troops will deliver thousands of trees to more than 74 US bases in all branches of the military and over 200 trees overseas!
Tuesday, December 17, 2019
83 year old Johnny Gondensen wrote a Christmas song for his children back in 1965. He called it “Christmas is Here.” The former country musician had a lot of fun crafting the song, writing “Ho, ho, ho. He, he, he. Comin’ down the chim-uh-knee!”
Last week Johnny got a special surprise. His grandkids recorded him singing the song and got a local country station to play it on the radio in Houston.
Now the old country crooner is bent on spreading his knee slapper around the world – with local fans posting it to iTunes and spreading a music video on YouTube and other social media platforms.
Monday, December 16, 2019
What if Nicholas Sparks actually wrote a happy ending? It might sound a little bit like the Summers’ story. Dan and Lisa met, fell in love, got married and had a son, Jasper.
But when Dan Summers was in his 20s he was diagnosed with a rare kidney disease. He knew that at some point he would need a kidney transplant, but didn’t expect to face the struggle until much later in life. But last year things took a turn.
Then a miracle happened. It was a 1 in 100,000 chance – but his wife Lisa was a perfect match for a kidney transplant. Flash forward and now the couple is closer than ever… literally. Dan’s body has fully accepted Lisa’s kidney and they are both all healed up, back to normal life playing with Jasper.
Now Dan and Lisa advocate for kidney transplant donations – using their story as a talking point for the value of life – especially life lived together.
Friday, December 13, 2019
When Crystal Wang was 3 years old, she was photographed with Officer Charles Marren on Harvard’s campus. When she moved in with the Class of 2023, the pair met again.
Crystal didn’t even know the picture existed until her father Jin showed her after she was accepted into Harvard’s dual degree program with Berklee College of Music.
When she announced her college decision with the original picture on Instagram, a reporter working for the Harvard Gazette saw it and recognized Officer Marren. She got in touch and set a date for the two to meet again.
When the two reunited, Wang said the connection was genuine. Marren even gave her his personal cell phone number and told her to call if she ever needed anything.
“It was just a really, really good time,” she said. “I really connected with him.”
Thursday, December 12, 2019
A late-night Waffle House run turned into a chance to do some good for a group of customers who got to work upon realizing that the restaurant’s lone employee needed the help.
Ethan Crispo was headed home from a friend’s party recently when he stopped at a Waffle House in Birmingham, Alabama for a midnight snack.
Upon arrival, he noticed that one worker, a man whose name tag indicated his name was Ben, was doing it all, from taking orders and cleaning dishes to busing tables and making food.
“From out of the blue, a man from the bar stands up. Asks Ben for an apron, and begins to work behind the counter. It was a transition so smooth I initially assumed it was a staff member returning to their shift.”
It wasn’t, but that didn’t stop the mystery man from helping out to the best of his ability, stepping in to help do dishes while Ben handled the rest.
Eventually, other customers did the same, including Alison Stanley, who volunteered her services brewing coffee even though she was wearing a dress and stiletto heels.
Waffle House reps thanked Ben for keeping the restaurant open and pointed out that He is a testament to our Waffle House culture by always putting the customer first.” “
This is just one of the most wild instances of really, really cool people just coming together.”
By the way Waffle house reps also mention that if the mystery customer doing dishes was “looking for a side hustle, I hope he comes in and fills out an application.”
Wednesday, December 11, 2019
No person should be left out of the thrill of yelling, fighting and laughing over a game of UNO! And now the Mattel game is more inclusive than ever with UNO Braille. Mattel worked with the National Federation of the Blind to develop the game, and with more than 7 million blind and low-vision people in the US, that’s a big market to tap into.
The cards are made so that the blind community can play along with their see-ing friends. Mark Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind says “The fact that a blind person is now able to play a classic game of UNO straight out of the box with both blind and sighted friends or family members is a truly meaningful moment for our community.”
Tuesday, December 10, 2019
God sent His son, Emmanuelle, Jesus, so that we too could become sons and daughters of God – through adoption. It’s one thing to be born to parents – but there is something exceptional about being chosen by parents. One little boy in Grand Rapids, Michigan was so excited to be officially adopted by his parents that he wanted all of his friends there to celebrate.
Five year old Michael Orlando Clark Jr. invited his entire kindergarten class to attend his adoption hearing last Thursday – and they ALL SHOWED UP! This story is spreading like wildfire around the world.
Each of Clark’s classmates introduced themselves and told the Judge why they were there – because they love Michael. Then, with a bang of a gavel it was official, Michael was adopted and the room erupted into a standing ovation.
Monday, December 9, 2019
It started out as just another Tuesday for students at the Rooted School, an Uptown New Orleans charter high school focused on teaching the latest skills needed in tech industry jobs. But students working in computer labs and other classrooms got more than they bargained for when three high-profile New Orleans Saints popped into their classrooms to see what they were up to.
Demario Davis, Cam Jordan and Thomas Morstead didn’t come empty-handed: They were there to announce a $50,000 grant from the Players Coalition, a charitable organization that partners with professional athletes and coaches across leagues in an effort to improve social justice and racial equity.
“It’s for technology and more resources for all that you guys are doing,” Davis told a group of shocked ninth graders, who in turn showed off their work involving 3D printing and other design projects.
Davis, Jordan and Morstead were joined by fellow Saints Craig Robertson, Justin Hardee, Vonn Bell and Johnson Bademosi as they moved around the classes and chatted with the enthralled students. The grant will be used to support the school’s program of offering industry-based credentials and technology certifications. Funds will also go toward the creation of a technology lab and a robotics class and club, officials said. During the presentation, Davis said he was inspired to donate to Rooted after learning about the school’s mission of helping to close the city’s wealth gap.
“I get excited with things like this because you really get to effect change,” he said. “It’s just kind of ahead of its time.”
Friday, December 6, 2019
JA house is Covington is falling apart, but to the man who lives inside, the home is actually a huge blessing. Albert McKastkill says, “I prayed for a house, clothes. God does everything. I prayed for this- I’m in a better place now than I was.”
One look and you know, his home clearly needs work, but for Albert it is a major step up from no roof, no utilities – the state of his last home. A family member offered to let him live in his current house, but warned it would need a lot of work.
But Albert and his friends are taking the gift and working hard to repair it. Albert worked in construction and trash pick-up his entire life, but now at 73, he needs a helping hand. The tin roof and outside walls need replaced, the home needs leveled, plus new kitchen cabinets and sink. It also needs insulation.
His friends contacted the non-profit organization St. Tammany Parish Helps (STP Helps) about how to move forward with repair work. STP Helps contacted the Lowes in Covington about trying to fix up this man’s home. What they didn’t expect was Lowes to agree to donate $3,000 worth of materials and supplies.
Now with friends on hand and supplies in hand, it is going to be a very special Christmas for Albert McLaskill.
Monday, December 2, 2019
Alex Fischer is just 9 years old but already has a giving heart.
When Alex was 7, her mom suggested they help make a difference in their community. So, the family chose to support the Charlotte Rescue Mission, a Christian recovery program in North Carolina that provides free assistance for men and women battling addiction and homelessness.
They planned to pack a food box as part of the group’s Thanksgiving drive, but Alex said one box wasn’t enough. So, she started her own fundraiser (bake sales, lemonade stands, etc.) and, fast forward, 1 box quickly turned into over 100 boxes. It’s years later, and Alex is still fundraising for the mission center.
She says, “I think everybody should have a Thanksgiving meal with their families. A lot of people in Charlotte don’t have Thanksgiving meals.”
Her mom, Lisa, said she never expected the family service project to grow the way it did. Every year it continues to grow, and as her daughters grow older, she hopes their appetite for serving never fades.
Friday, November 29, 2019
You don’t have to be an elf to help Santa during this year’s holiday season.
As the US Postal Service prepares to start mailing letters to the North Pole, they have launched their online service that allows users to “adopt” children’s letters to Santa in order to help deliver gifts for low-income families.
The USPS Operation Santa website has been publishing photos of Christmas wishes from children in 15 US cities whose parents may not be able to afford many gifts. Users can then volunteer to anonymously fulfill the Christmas wish on behalf of Santa.
This is the 107th year that Operation Santa has been running—except USPS expanded the service this year to include letters from 8 more cities.
All participants have to do is create an account on the Operation Santa website, select a letter that plucks at their heartstrings, fulfill the Christmas wish as desired, and ship it from a participating post office before December 21st.
Children from any of the cities listed on the USPS site who may want to send a letter to Santa can address their letters to:
Santa Claus
123 Elf Road
North Pole
88888
Thursday, November 28, 2019
One of the most popular dishes on the Parkway Bakery and Tavern menu happens for only 5 days a year.
Every Wednesday in the month of November the offering is the delicious turkey stuffing, cranberry and gravy all on one sandwich.
Justin Kennedy from Parkway says, “We’ve been doing this po-boy since 2009, and an old-schooler that used to work here named Randy. This was right after the storm. This was FEMA trailer days. He was living outside, and he told me one day during Thanksgiving he said, ‘You need to do a Thanksgiving po-boy.’ He was 9th Ward, and he said it’d be off the chain!”
Kennedy continued, “We partnered with the Copeland Foundation and as you can see you have this line, and I said what’s something I can do to raise money with and it’s festive. The sandwich is so festive, it’s novelty. There’s people out in lawn chairs waiting for it at 6 in the morning, and I said donate $50 skip the line all your money goes to the Al Copeland foundation to fight cancer. They’re saving lives here in Louisiana left and right. Big Al was stricken with merkel cell carcinoma. He had more money than anybody but couldn’t pay for a cure. Since his death his son vowed to fight this and cure this cancer. Guess what? A man stricken with the same cancer only had a few months to live, he might be here in line today getting a turkey cancer-free.”
Wednesday, November 27, 2019
Alex Trebek is perhaps the most famous know-it-all in the world. The host of Jeopardy has been a part of generations growing up watching and learning and making Final Jeopardy wages that usually don’t pay off. Last year when Trebek shared his pancreatic cancer diagnosis, the world was shook. His battle continues, all the while the host has continued to lead Jeopardy.
The best episodes of Jeopardy are always the special tournaments – especially the Teen Jeopardy tournaments. In June Avi Gupta took the crown, winning $100,000. The Columbia University freshman has grown up watching Jeopardy and loves Alex Trebek, so the first thing he did with his winnings was donate $10,314 (10% of his winnings, along with an homage to the number pi) to pancreatic cancer research.
The month of November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. This disease is beatable when caught early, but is rarely diagnosed early because men ignore the symptoms.
Tuesday, November 26, 2019
14 year old Alaina Gassler or West Grove, PA is a problem solver – and $25,000 richer. The teenager created a prototype solution to blindspots in most cars. She 3D printed a highly reflective material and used a webcam and micro projector to turn the A-pillar in her mom’s Jeep Grand Cherokee invisible. The projector lets the driver see THROUGH the A-pillar which is needed for crash protection and stability.
In typical little sister fashion, the budding scientist through her big brother under the bus saying she knew there was a need for this sort of life saving technology once her brother started driving her to school. But she was right. Research says over 800,000 accidents each year in the United States are from not seeing another car in the blindspot.
Alaina won the $25,000 Samueli Foundation Prize for her design. Now the eighth grader is hoping she can sell her design to Tesla and maybe turn this big win into a big career in Science and Engineering.
Monday, November 25, 2019
Twin sisters Hermon and Heroda Berhane love dancing but can’t hear the music because they’re both deaf, so the invention of a jacket with sensors that enables them to feel the different sounds has transformed their nights out in London clubs.
The “Sound Shirt,” created by London-based fashion company CuteCircuit, has 16 sensors embedded in its fabric, so wearers can feel violins on their arms, for example, while drums beat on their backs. Sound Shirts don’t come cheap, as they are expected to go on sale at more than 3,000 pounds, but Heroda believes it’s a price worth paying for deaf people who enjoy music as much as she and her sister do.
Friday, November 22, 2019
Boun Thorne grew up in a boat village in the Southeast Asian nation of Cambodia. In the aftermath of a terrible situation, she moved at age 10 to a safe house where she received Bible teaching and an Operation Christmas Child shoebox—her first gift ever!
When she asked why anyone would send her a gift, Boun’s teacher said “because they love you.” She had never before been told that she was loved. That, more than the flip flops and yo yo in her gift box, the simple idea that somebody loved her was a game changer.
Boun is one of 1.2 million children who have been blessed with an Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift in Cambodia. Of this group, 84,000 boys and girls have also participated in The Greatest Journey, a discipleship program designed especially for shoebox recipients.
From a child receiving a gift, to a young woman alive with Christ, Boun Thorne now shares her story with communities around the world as a spokesperson for Operation Christmas Child.
Thursday, November 21, 2019
Kululu Atsiaya often felt forgotten, especially at Christmas. He knew his family loved him, but life was hard for a boy growing up in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. Kululu and his six siblings lived in a shack with several other family members and slept on the bare floor. For Kululu, Christmas was a reminder of what he and his family didn’t have—enough food, new clothes, or sometimes even the acceptance of those around them.
Kululu could have become a thief – stealing to survive is normal in Nairobi. But a flashlight included in his Operation Christmas Child shoebox changed his life – and life for his entire family. Now they had light in the darkest of nights. Kululu would use his flashlight to help children and families get around in the dark.
Kululu says that light changed his course in life and set him on a path to follow Jesus. Today he serves as an Operation Christmas Child spokesperson, sharing his testimony with churches and other groups to encourage them to get involved in the Samaritan’s Purse project.
Wednesday, November 20, 2019
As part of the 2019 Shoebox Roadshow, a dozen children raised enough money through a bake sale to send their shoebox gifts—packed full of toys, school supplies, and hygiene items—to boys and girls around the world in Jesus’ Name!
Grace Presbyterian Church has about 60 members, but don’t let their small size fool you – they dream BIG. The Franklin, NC church partnered with Operation Christmas Child to host a baking workshop for kids and turned their treats into cash with a bake sale and are making a difference around the world.
Patti Huettig volunteers as the local OCC director – and she was inspired by her favorite baking shows on TV to work with local kids in the kitchen – and then turn that around to benefit Operation Christmas Child. Proceeds from the cook-off helped send 60 shoebox gifts around the world.
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
Ava and Sam are two friends from Oklahoma and they have a healthy sense of competition. Each year the kids compete to see who can pack the most shoebox gifts for Operation Christmas Child!
Last year there was no winner … or loser. They tied, packing 126 gifts each. This year they are shooting for between 150 and 200 gifts EACH!
These gifts of toys, clothes and basic necessities get shipped around the world, along with a Bible and other ministry services through Operation Christmas Child. Ava and Sam don’t just think about bulk gifts when they pack them up – they think about the quality of life for the children who receive the gifts will experience.
Ava includes sewing kits in her gifts. Sam makes sure the kids get a cool t-shirt and some socks. This week is collection week – so you have time to be inspired just like Ava and Sam, to make a difference with Operation Christmas Child! Visit Lifesongs.com/occ and you can even pack a digital box by making a donation, without ever having to wait in line at the store!
Monday, November 18, 2019
Jesús was sentenced to seven years in jail in Mazatlan, Mexico. He was lost and defeated. But in prison he met Pastor Carlos. Jesus gave his life to Christ through the ministry and witness of Pastor Carlos and his wife Marilu.
This changed man was such a model prisoner that his sentence was reduced to just 2 years and when he walked free, Jesus immediately joined his pastors in their work outside of the prison – serving in Operation Christmas Child feeding centers throughout Mexico. The feeding centers were created out of the Operation Christmas Child distribution points, to meet needs year round!
Children who received shoebox gifts at these centers are invited to participate in The Greatest Journey discipleship program. Jesús teaches The Greatest Journey at the feeding center where he serves and about 100 children attended the last round!
Friday, November 15, 2019
When Abby Fink accidentally texted a stranger instead of her church friend, she put in motion an unexpected flow of kindness. Abby meant to text Alex Jakeman about bringing over dinner, since Jakeman’s son 4-year-old son Noah is currently battling a severe type of epilepsy and cerebral palsy at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. However, she ended up reaching Bill Clayten, a complete stranger.
At first, Bill made a joke — wrong texts are usually pretty amusing, after all. But when Fink apologized and explained the situation, Bill Clayten immediately asked what he could do. After some coordination, Bill started raising money on Facebook and asking friends for cards for Noah and donations to help the family with medical expenses.
Bill tells friends, “All we have is each other, so it’s our job to look out for each other.”
Abby says she knows the Jakeman family appreciates the kind gesture, and little Noah is making baby steps in his recovery. Adding, “I told [Bill Clayten] he was an angel sent to help this sweet family.”
Thursday, November 14, 2019
We all know many stories of a boy and his dog. They are endearing and heartfelt and it’s a relationship bond like no other.
Ian Unger, 6, wanted to be able to ride the school bus with his friends, but to do so, he either needed an adult assistant or a service dog that could alert him if his blood sugar dropped. The first-grader has Type 1 diabetes, and his family decided it would be best to get him an alert dog. Because of the high price tag — $25,000 after training and fees — they knew it would take a few years to save up, but Unger announced he was going to start earning money himself.
In the summer he sold lemonade, then for the Fall he switched to pumpkins, which his family grows on their farm. “He’s quite the little salesman,” says Ian’s mom, “We had hundreds of people in the driveway.” Word spread online, and strangers ultimately raised $24,890 for Unger.
Ian will get to meet his dog when training is over in 10 months.
Wednesday, November 13, 2019
Sometimes a little encouragement makes a huge difference and no one knows that better than moms. That’s why one mother from Astoria, New York who travels for work started leaving inspirational messages on Post-It notes in a Mamava lactation pod at New York City’s LaGuardia Airport for other moms to read.
Grace Stevens says she got the ball rolling when she returned to work at LaGuardia Airport in August by leaving words of support on Post-Its on the walls of the pods for breastfeeding and pumping moms. She also left pens and pads behind for other moms to do the same and it’s really taken off. Notes reading: “You’re doing a great job!” or “Just Breathe!”
As a working mom who travels some for her job, Stevens understands the demands mothers like her face and her goal is to inspire and support other working/traveling moms with the messages. When we can share words of encouragement, it makes it a little easier.
Tuesday, November 12, 2019
No one can stop a wildfire alone, and when the blazes come as often and as rapidly as they are in California right now, it’s easy to feel helpless. However, some A-list celebrities are proving that help comes in all forms, whether it involves your talent, your time, or just some tacos.
NBA star LeBron James, who was forced to evacuate Los Angeles with his family earlier this week, sent a taco truck to feed firefighters battling the area’s Getty Fire. Wrestling star and actor John Cena announced plans to donate $500,000 to first responders across the state. (Coincidentally, Cena is playing a firefighter in an upcoming film.)
Meanwhile, a bevy of star chefs, including José Andrés and Guy Fieri, teamed up to feed evacuees and first responders affected by the Kincade Fire. See? When it comes to pitching in during a disaster, no one can do everything. But everyone can do something.
Monday, November 11, 2019
When Andrella “Lashae” Jackson was pulled over recently by a Milwaukee police officer he noticed her two young daughters were not in car seats, the single mom of five expected to leave with a hefty ticket.
Instead, Officer Kevin purchased and installed two car seats for the girls, Niyah and Sky, and issued Jackson a simple verbal warning.
Ms. Jackson said she couldn’t afford car seats at the time.”With bills coming up and winter coming up, I have to get coats and boots and shoes for my kids. Hearing that , Officer Zimmerman, decided to visit Walmart to buy two car seats RIGHT THEN AND THERE!
The 12-year veteran also stopped by the police department to pick up stickers and children’s books for the girls. He visited Jackson’s home and installed the car seats himself. After years of witnessing serious accidents where children went through windshields because they weren’t properly secured, the officer’s main priority was not recognition, but keeping the girls safe.
“I am a dad of three kids and can’t imagine anything happening to them or not being able to have them secured in their car seats,” Zimmerman said.
The Milwaukee Police Department thanked Zimmerman on Facebook “for going the extra mile and going above and beyond your call of duty”.
Friday, November 8, 2019
A group of Florida nurses are using their stitching skills in a whole new way to help the homeless.
Nurse Nicole Hubbard got the idea when she realized how many sterile wrappers, which are used to protect surgical instruments at Tampa General Hospital, get thrown away. She says, “I thought, what a cool recycling initiative to help the homeless. The beauty about it is they conserve heat and they’re waterproof.”
Instead of tossing the wraps, the nurses decided to stitch them together. In came Nicole’s fellow nurses (and sewing pros!) Lucy and Claudia. They sat down together and figured out how to execute their plan. Now, they’ve made 100 sterile wrap sleeping bags (that vary in sizes) to be handed out to the homeless community across Tampa Bay.
Thursday, November 7, 2019
In the hectic world we live in, little moments of kindness can often go unnoticed. But thanks to modern technology, the efforts of one sanitation worker won’t be overlooked.
88-year old Opal Zucca lives in Missouri, and has a Ring doorbell. The surveillance video captured Bill Shelby, a sanitation worker, link arms with Ms. Opal and help her wheel in her trash bin.
In the video, he also compliments her hair. Obviously, the two are friendly pals. And that’s because Bill has been helping Ms. Open with her trash bins all year, ever since he first saw her fall when trying to bring the bins back up her driveway. Since then, he’s taken time out of his schedule to lend a helping hand.
Opal’s daughter saw the video and uploaded it to Facebook with a note of gratitude: “Such a small kind gesture, but it’s an enormous relief for us. Thank you, kind sir.”
Acts of kindness, no matter how small they may seem, can make a big impact.
Wednesday, November 6, 2019
Chloe Newman lost her right leg when she was a baby, and now she’s helping kids like her see themselves in a new way.
When Mattel recently released a line of diverse Barbie dolls, including one with a stylish prosthetic leg, Chloe, now 18, had an idea. She wanted to buy 100 of the dolls so her doctor at Shriners Hospital for Children in Springfield, Massachusetts, could give them to 
young patients when he made them a new leg.
At first, the dolls were hard to find in large numbers, but after a few posts on Facebook, friends started sending them to her by the dozen. Chloe and her family wrote to Mattel to see if they could purchase the dolls in bulk, and the company donated 200 of them to her cause.
Chloe ended up with about 430 Barbies to share, and Shriners is making sure everyone gets to enjoy the doll haul. The hospital is giving them to orthotic and prosthetic patients in Springfield, and also plans to share them with patients at other Shriners’ facilities.
Tuesday, November 5, 2019
No one likes to pay parking tickets. Well, statistically someone must, but that person is deeply disturbed and probably needs a hug. However, ponying up might not be so bad for Las Vegas residents this month: The city is accepting food donations in lieu of cash for citations issued between October 16 and November 16. The Las Vegas city council says the donations will be given to Helping Hands of Vegas Valley, a nonprofit that assists low income and disabled senior citizens, to bolster their efforts around the upcoming holidays.
This isn’t the first time Las Vegas has offered a helpful payment alternative for naughty parkers. In July, the city accepted donations of school supplies instead.
Monday, November 4, 2019
Dana Perella isn’t your average 9-year-old. Despite her age, she has already helped bake more than 10,000 cookies and raised over $86,000 towards treatment and research of rare diseases.
The Boulder, Colorado girl started raising money after her grandma gave her $100 for her 7th birthday to donate to a cause of her choice. She used the cash to raise money in honor of her friend Mila, who lives with a condition.
Dana raised an additional $1000 for Mila, and founded Cookies4Cures – And the success of Cookies4Cures spread to nearly 50 other families who wanted to help raise money for rare diseases.
This led to Cookies4PANS, a second fundraising initiative looking to raise money for a friend named Ollie who suffers from Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS), After more baking and more GoFundMe donations, Dana and her friends raised $30,000. Dana understands the large time commitment for family members caring for a sick child and feels as though her baking skills can help find a cure.
While Dana’s goal is to find a cure for every rare disease, the Parella’s want to create spreadable information that can help other kids start their own Cookies4Cures for their friends suffering from rare diseases.
Friday, November 1, 2019
It wasn’t all that long ago that Dillon Danis was considered by some to be one of the biggest trolls in MMA. But recently the jiu-jitsu ace, Bellator athlete and Conor McGregor training partner has totally ruined his online persona by exposing his true colors – as a generous man with a heart of gold.
Danis took time out from training and tweeting to take a stand when he saw something that appalled him and every other fair-minded person who saw it.
It was a video of a Baltimore schoolboy who, after being cornered in a school bathroom, was made to remove his glasses before being set upon by a gang of bullies, who battered the youngster with punches, kicks and slaps while someone recorded the incident on a mobile phone.
As is the norm in today’s society, people around were more interested in filming the beatdown “For The Gram” instead of lending a helping hand. Danis, though, decided to leap into action and arranged for him to begin training as soon as possible.
Danis says “It’s important to me because being bullied is a terrible feeling and the discipline and confidence that comes from martial arts is compared to nothing else. So…jiu jitsu changed my life and I owe it everything, so I want others to have the same opportunity that I was given. These videos break my heart. Nobody should have to go through this. If anyone knows how to contact him I wanna get him into martial arts immediately.”
As a result of these instances, and the seemingly never-ending cases of bullying in schools, Danis is looking to start a non-profit organization to help victims to train in self-defense.
Thursday, October 31, 2019
Crossing guards are often unsung heroes. In many communities, the bright reflective vest wearing, stop sign waving traffic assistant not only keeps the carpool lane moving, but can be the last smile and encouragement a student hears as they brace themselves for the challenges of school.
One such encourager is Alec Childress. the 80 year old crossing guard is always ready with a welcome smile or fistbump for the kids headed into school in Wilmette, IL. He dutifully calls out to the students “Peace! I gotcha!” A few weeks ago Alex reported for duty, only to find a mass of people blocking his assigned street crossing. But it didn’t take long to figure out this was no ordinary traffic problem.
Over 100 students, parents and teachers had gathered before school to celebrate Alex’s 80th birthday, carrying signs that said “Peace, We Gotcha!” Students who had long ago moved on to middle and high school showed up to thank Mr. Childress.
Is there an unsung hero in your school district that you need to thank? It is Thankful Thursday!
Wednesday, October 30, 2019
Tulane’s football team has had an incredible season – and there is one player on the team who really scored a big win – but this victory goes way beyond a touchdown. Christian Montano, who plays Center for the Green Wave, is a graduate student at Tulane. And he saved the life of a complete stranger by donating bone marrow.
When Christian was a freshman, he participated in a campus-wide, routine mouth-swab drive for the national bone marrow registry run by the Be The Match organization. He was told there was less than a 2 percent chance of anything coming of it, but three years later, right before Thanksgiving in 2017, the Rhode Island blood bank reached out to the college student, asking him to return for secondary testing to confirm he was the best available match for someone. That someone was a 44 year old man in Saratoga, NY, named Jim Calhoun.
Before contacting Christian Montano for the first time, Jim Calhoun spent about two hours figuring out what he was going to say to the total stranger who saved his life. When he finally punched in the phone number and Montano answered, it took only a few seconds for him to feel as if they had been longtime friends.
Recently Christian and Jim got to hang out when Tulane flew up to New York to play Army. Jim will be considered cured if he has no setback for two years after the operation, and he is more than halfway there. Without Montano’s bone marrow, his chances would have been slim to none.
Tuesday, October 29, 2019
After making a perfect 30-yard field goal and winning a year’s worth of free food, a California teenager instantly donated the prize to her rival high school’s football coach, who was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
John Langilotti is the coach at Bonita High School in La Verne, while Tiffany Gomez is a junior at Glendora High School in Glendora. On Friday, the schools met for their annual football game, and during halftime, Gomez participated in a field goal contest. She won free food for a year from a local Chick-fil-A, but since her grandmother has cancer, she knows how hard it can hit a family, and chose to give Langilotti her prize.
The coach was overwhelmed, saying, “For a young lady like her to come out and want to provide this generosity for a family in need just brought tears to my eyes and I was ever so grateful.”
Monday, October 28, 2019
Jupiter, FL realtor Andrew Levy found out there were local kids who couldn’t afford their school lunches, so Levy met with the school district and paid off their outstanding student lunch debt for over 400 kids. His plan is to pay off the debt every quarter throughout the year.
But wait, there’s more! Realtor Andrew Levy has also started an online fundraiser to help cover the future costs for even more students, letting the entire community get involved. The hope is to make sure hot lunch is provided for every student in Palm Beach County.
Friday, October 25, 2019
A Michigan high school marching band had no football team to play for, but not too far away, a football team needed a band. Luckily, they found each other and completed the perfect pair. Nope, this isn’t a Hallmark movie, it’s real life.
The Glen Lake Lakers football team heard that their neighboring Forest Area Marching Band had no one to play for after their football team’s season was canceled, so the Lakers invited the band to come play at their games.
Thrilled at the opportunity to perform for a crowd, the band quickly learned the Lakers’ fight song. Meanwhile, an hour away, Glen Lake was adding extra seating and erecting tents to ward off the impending rain. The night ended in a victory for Glen Lake, played out against the backdrop of the music they’ve been lacking all season long.
The Glen Lake athletic director said that the band undoubtedly made an impact on the atmosphere of the night.
Thursday, October 24, 2019
Target just rolled out a pair of costumes for kids in wheelchairs and they’re genius! Kids and adults alike have been dreaming up crazy cool wheelchair getups forever and to have a major chain stock them is a great move. In addition to the pirate and princess on wheels costumes, Target is also stocking two costumes for children with sensory issues: a shark and a unicorn. The sensory adapted costumes don’t have tags or other additions that kids with sensory processing disorders might find bothersome.
How about a spaceship or a dragon? Very trendy. Every child (and child at heart) should get the chance to be a Halloween show-stopper.
Wednesday, October 23, 2019
Had Sylvie Beckers not overwatered her family’s backyard flower bed in Kentucky, she never would have helped her mother discover a new insect species.
In the summer of 2016, Beckers, then 2, got a little too enthusiastic with the hose, and flooded the flower bed. Her mom, biology professor Laura Sullivan-Beckers, soon could see “these bright green bugs float up to the top of the soil,” she told Good Morning America. With her daughter by her side, she spent the rest of the summer taking photos and collecting species, eventually sending the specimens to the Department of Agriculture.
Three years later, Sullivan-Beckers got the call: This was a new species, and an especially rare find as its “closest relatives are all in South America,” research entomologist Stuart H. McKamey said.
Without Beckers, the bugs likely would have stayed deep underground, and her mother named the species Hebetica sylviae in her honor.
Tuesday, October 22, 2019
Have you ever dropped your phone in a crazy place? Perhaps the toilet? What about a storm drain? Shauna Hall thought for sure that was the last she would see of her precious iPhone. Shauna rushed into a nearby ChickFilA in a panic after dropping her phone down a storm drain while taking her son out of the van. CFA employee Seth Ratliff said, “Compassion just took over and I just wanted to help.”
Seth got on the ground by the grate and used a grab-stick mirror to look for the phone. He quickly realized the phone had gone through the drainage gate and down into the “dark abyss” under the street. As Seth got down and dirty, Shauna and her son went to eat in the restaurant (they were hungry!).
Seth saw the manhole wasn’t bolted down so he grabbed a flashlight and entered the sewers. After braving the underworld beneath the streets, Seth Ratliff emerged victorious, returning Ms. Hall’s phone to her unharmed.
“I wasn’t going to stop until I got her phone back. She was so upset seeing as her whole life was on that phone,” adding, “I’m a follower of Christ and I just wanted to do the right thing.”
Now that’s some next-level customer service.
Monday, October 21, 2019
Dr. Olawale Sulaiman is a 49-year-old neurosurgeon who was born in Lagos, Nigeria, but lives in New Orleans, where he practices at the Ochsner Neuroscience Institute. However, for about 12 days a month, Sulaiman returns to his birth country to perform operations and share his expertise with local medical professionals.
To maintain such a schedule, he took a 25% pay cut at his job in the US, so he could have more time off for medical missions to Nigeria. Sulaiman also started RNZ Global, a healthcare development company with his wife, Patricia, in 2010 (power couple, much?). The company provides medical services including neuro and spinal surgery and offers health courses like first aid CPR in Nigeria and the US.
Friday, October 18, 2019
Cheerleader Tyra Winters is Rockwall High School’s homecoming hero and it wasn’t for anything that happened on the field. The 17-year-old senior was riding on a float in the homecoming parade when she saw a desperate mother and a little boy who needed help.
The teen hero said, “I see the kid. I see a little bright red face and his mom’s holding him up, begging for help, screaming, asking ‘someone help me someone help me.’” Winters immediately jumped off the float and I ran down and took over . She held the little boy and gave him three strong back thrusts that made him spit up the candy he was choking on.
Fortunately, Winters had gotten CPR training in eighth grade because her mom is in the medical field. Winters plans to be a pediatric surgeon.
“I commend her for being a teenager and being trained,” says Nicole Hornback the little boys mom. The Hornback family is going to get CPR and first aid training right away.
Thursday, October 17, 2019
An optimistic outlook is also good for your health! According to a new study involving 300,000 people, those who look at life from a positive perspective have a much stronger shot at avoiding death from heart attacks, stroke and other major medical events.
Dr. Alan Rozanski, the author of the study, says optimists tend to have better health habits, like exercising and eating well. They also tend to have better coping and problem-solving skills when things get hairy. However, remember not to confuse optimism with happiness, Rozanski says. “Happiness is an emotion. It’s transient,” he says. “[Optimism is] how you look at the world.”
Wednesday, October 16, 2019
For almost 30 years, Forgotten Harvest has fought two problems: hunger and waste.
This year Forgotten Harvest will deliver 138,000 pounds of surplus food per day to local charities six days a week, providing families in need with fresh and nutritious food free of charge..
According to FDA estimates, the United States wastes 30 to 40% of its food. That’s hard to swallow when you consider that one in 10 US households faced food insecurity in 2018.
That means roughly 14 million families are struggling to put meals on the table while approximately 30 million tons of food are trashed.
Sending food to the dump carries a steep environmental cost as well. Landfills, filled more with discarded food than any other single item, account for one-third of all US methane gas emissions.
The Forgotten Harvest operation is set up so that a fleet of about 27 trucks and drivers leave the warehouse in the morning and go to about 12 to 14 different stops for the donations of food. From local bakers and butchers to national chains, then these drivers redistribute the food to three to four community partners on a daily basis.”
A rotating army of 16,000 volunteers makes this daily event happen. Volunteers donated 54,000 hours of service to Forgotten Harvest in 2018.
Last year Forgotten Harvest redistributed 41 million pounds of food, That’s 41 million pounds that filled stomachs instead of landfills.
Tuesday, October 15, 2019
7-year old Jermaine Bell did it. He finally made it to Disney World.
You may remember our Good News Story on September 6, 2019 about Jermaine. The Jacksonville, FL native had been saving for a trip to the happiest place on earth to celebrate his 7th birthday, but instead, he used his savings to help those affected by Hurricane Dorian. (He bought hot dogs, chips and water for about 100 evacuees while he was visiting his grandmother in South Carolina.)
His good deed didn’t go unnoticed. Mickey Mouse himself surprised Jermaine on his seventh birthday at his home, where they announced he’d be visiting all four Disney World theme parks at the end of the month. Disney Parks sent Jermaine and his family on a VIP vacation.
Monday, October 14, 2019
When an East Tennessee third-grader lost his items in a house fire, his classmates stepped up to make a difference in a tough time. According to Philadelphia Elementary School. one of their “Warriors,” Daniel Hunt, lost all of his things in a house fire last week.
His fellow third graders and teachers decided to secretly organize a toy drive for him to replace some of what was lost.
Recently , the school gave Daniel his toys and “he was so surprised and thankful!””My mind is blown,” said Daniel. Daniel’s Mom Kristen said.”I sat and cried at work for a good 45 minutes. I’m just so overwhelmed at all the love and the community coming together for us. It’s just very overwhelming and a blessing,
Kristen and Daniel are staying with family until they get back on their feet
Friday, October 11, 2019
A teacher at an elementary school in Kentucky went above and beyond to ensure that a student didn’t miss out on a fun class field trip.Ryan, 10, has Spina Bifida, a birth defect that occurs when the spine and spinal cord don’t form properly.
The condition has made Ryan rely on a wheelchair to get around — so a hiking field trip was less than ideal for the Tully Elementary School student.
Ryan’s mother, Shelly, was preparing for an alternate field trip day when a teacher reached out to her and offered to carry her daughter on his back all day.
“If I haven’t bragged on my kids school enough – well, listen to this,” Shelly wrote in a Facebook post.
“They are going on a field trip to Falls Of The Ohio today. Obviously, NOT accessible. I was preparing for an ‘alternate field trip day’ when a male teacher reached out and said ‘I’m happy to tote her around on the falls all day!’ She is so excited to do this independent from me. Omg MELT MY HEART.”
Several photos, teacher Jim Freeman – who is not even Ryan’s teacher – was captured carrying the fourth grader on his back in a carrier as they explored the state park.
“We are so blessed to have an ENTIRE school that is so compassionate and empathetic and NEVER make her feel left out,” Shelly said.
Speaking to a local news station, Freeman said the gesture was nothing more than a way to help a student in need.
“This is just one physical act that you can see, but we do this countless times throughout the school day and throughout the year,” he said. “All the teachers here at Tully and JCPS, they work harder than most people realize.”
Thursday, October 10, 2019
An elementary school was having spirit week and a young 4th grade boy, who loves the Tennessee Volunteers, proudly wore an orange shirt with a homemade UT design taped to the front. The boy was mocked by his peers (4th grade is hard), but when his teacher shared a picture of the shirt and told his story – well of course it went viral.
The University of Tennessee was so impressed with the young man’s fandom, that they co-opted his design and printed merchandise in his honor – which promptly crashed their webstore as thousands ordered the shirt. The school says they are giving a portion of the proceeds to the non-profit Stomp Out Bullying. They sent the young student a care package that included his custom logo.
But this story continued to grow when the University of Tennessee then awarded this bullied young fan a 4 year scholarship once he graduates high school! He’ll be in the class of 2028!
Wednesday, October 9, 2019
Imagine you are a mom with a teenaged son on the autism spectrum and he comes home from school, confesses to being bullied and talks about suicide. That was reality for Hunter Boudreaux’s mom, but instead of panicking she steered her son to creative self expression to combat the onset of depression, saying “I won’t let him be the victim of a condition.”
With his mom’s help, Hunter started a YouTube channel called Autisti-Chef where he shows off his favorite recipes and engages with his fans. Hunter might be diagnosed with Asperger’s and ADHD, but by putting his energies into his passion for cooking, Hunter is thriving.
Hunter Boudreax says, “Life is full of too many negatives to intentionally have negative stuff in it. Whenever you can, make the positives.”
Tuesday, October 8, 2019
Two sisters from Delaware — Zaria, 13, and Hailey, 8 — read bedtime stories five nights a week on Facebook Live because they believe that all kids should have the opportunity to fall asleep to a bedtime story. The girls shared in a Facebook post that since their mom read to them since birth they both consider themselves avid readers, so why not share that literary love with the world?
Zaria says, “We are already reading each night but we thought it may be beneficial for children who don’t get this luxury. Parents sometimes work late or are too tired for stories. We are not only helping children, we are giving parents a nice break after a long day of work.”
The girls make a point to read bedtime books with diverse characters and stories. Zaria and Hailey started the endeavor back in March 2019 and got about 50 views per night. They now get anywhere from 3 to 12 thousand views on their Facebook Live streams each night.
Monday, October 7, 2019
In a tiny room tucked behind the far side of the Port Allen Middle School gym, Chase Nyland-Square spends hours each week sorting crowded racks of clothes, putting the best ones forward for his classmates in need of something to wear. Last year, the eighth-grader started donation drives for gently used clothes when he originated PAMS Pantry, a project that’s set up dozens of students with clean and modern clothes when they can’t always get them.
Chase spends a few hours of the day at the pantry and even worked at the pantry during his summer break for students needing to stop by. The 13 year old says, “A lot of kids don’t have a lot of things. We don’t want kids to be categorized by things they don’t have.”
Other times the pantry has served students during emergencies. In one case, the pantry supplied a student with a new wardrobe after she lost everything in a house fire. Chase was celebrated recently on “Good Morning America” for his work and the show rewarded him with a $10,000 donation to continue his efforts.
Friday, October 4, 2019
Lauren Bergner spent months preparing her 6-year-old son Brody for Disney World.
Brody has autism and communicating with him about change before it happens helps him to adjust more easily – but this mom is well aware that meltdowns are inevitable for her child, who is sensitive to noise and crowds.
She could sense a storm was brewing on Sunday, while Brody was waiting to meet Snow White at Epcot Theme Park. Brody was hot and overwhelmed and couldn’t hold back the tears anymore. But Snow White knew exactly what to do to soothe the boy, who is nonverbal.
“She kissed, hugged and cuddled him,” Lauren wrote in a Facebook post that has gone viral with 69,000 shares. “She then took him for a walk away from the crowd! She was amazing.” Lauren and her husband, Bill, watched in awe. They had never seen Brody connect with a stranger so quickly.
Lauren admits she lost her composure and started openly weeping for joy while watching Snow White hug and love on her son. The family was worried about others waiting in the line, but when they turned around hundreds of Snow White fans gave the Disney Princess and Brody a big round of applause.
Lauren said “It was this magical moment that we will never, ever forget.”
Thursday, October 3, 2019
Eli Apple, Cornerback for the New Orleans Saints, happens to be a son of a Saint! Annie Apple is Eli’s mom. She is a writer with a background in journalism. One day Annie felt that she heard God say clear as day “You don’t get to dictate how I write your story.” Annie says, “In that moment and time, I felt such a release. All of a sudden, I felt moved to use football as a platform in a way that we all get to win.”
That moment was the birth of the HealHer Network, Annie Apple’s mobile support outreach for women who are victims of domestic violence. Annie is a survivor of domestic violence and now she’s doing her part to make sure more women are survivors. Every week during the NFL season, HealHer Network will visit designated NFL cities and connect with women who have suffered trauma from physical abuse.
Proud son Eli says, “She has always been caring and always wanting to give back and always wanted to impact lives,” My Mom has a big heart and you can see that now. She just wants to do what she can to spread wisdom and knowledge in helping people.”
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of four women have experienced physical violence by an intimate partner.
Wednesday, October 2, 2019
When Satchel Smith’s father dropped him off for his shift at Homewood Suites in Beaumont, Texas, he expected the day to be like any other: He’d start at 3 p.m. and leave around 11 p.m. that night. That was until Tropical Storm Imelda unleashed torrential flooding that trapped him and 90 other guests inside the hotel.
For 32 hours, the 21-year-old was the hotel’s only employee. But to the guests who relied on him for nearly two days, he’s a hero. While flooded roads kept his co-workers from getting to work, Smith served guests alone. Angela Chandler, a hotel guest, praised Smith’s composure in a post on Facebook, where it’s been shared more than 13,000 times.
The viral post said:
“He has manned the phones, answered each of our questions, ensured that we have had a hot cup of coffee or tea, and helped serve us a hot breakfast. He has handled this situation with grace, kindness, and a beautiful smile on his face.”
The Lamar University track and field star confessed that he felt overwhelmed the whole time. Typically positioned behind the front desk, he was now the hotel’s chef, maintenance man, room service attendant and any other vacant position that needed filling, even when his experience was lacking. A guest stepped in to help serve breakfast, and a few others joined them to prepare dinner — a simple chicken pasta with garlic bread. Satchel was pleasantly surprised that it tasted good.
Outside, the highways were closed and drivers were stuck in their cars, so Satchel Smith and the guests braved the flood to distribute food and water to stalled truckers. After spending so much time together, the group was forever bound together.
Tuesday, October 1, 2019
As a two-time breast cancer survivor, Nancy Riviere knows all the ways a cancer battle can wear someone down. She also knows that, in between tests and treatments and side effects, it’s easy for people to lose their sense of self. Her nonprofit organization Wig Out provides high-quality wigs to women (and men) going through cancer treatments so they can reclaim a little bit of what makes them, well, them. But it’s more than just a great hairstyle.
“We’re taking care of the emotional impact of the cancer diagnosis and putting together the tools to restore people’s confidence and give them the dignity they need to make it through,” she says.
Riviere and her team have provided wigs and head coverings to more than 300 patients around the country, as well as moral support and even advice for dealing with the side effects of cancer treatments.
“I love what I do,” she says. “Cancer treatments can leave people feeling so vulnerable, and it’s just an honor to help put these women back together.”
Monday, September 30, 2019
Among the advertisements lining the billboards along a stretch of road in Kansas City, Missouri, is one with a simple yet powerful message:
“You are human. You are loveable. You are strong. You are enough.”
Nicole Leth rented the billboard in honor of her father, Richard, who died by suicide when she was 17 years old.
“I realized over the years I could never save someone’s life for them, but I could create an encouraging and affirmative space to empower them to save their own life.”
In the nine years since she lost her dad, Leth has found comfort in spreading positive messages, but had never done anything this public until now.
“The reaction has been unbelievable and heartfelt and overwhelmingly positive,” Leth said. “I have been receiving lots of emails from people who said it mattered, or they saw it and had a terrible day and didn’t think they could survive, and without knowing the story of the billboard, they said it let them live one more day.”
Other people who have lost someone to suicide told Leth the billboard shares the words they wish they could have said to their loved ones.
While she initially paid for the billboard to run through mid-August, Leth said the owner of the space has been touched by the response and emailed her to say it will run free of charge for the foreseeable future. It’s the perfect way to honor her father and spread a message of hope she said she knows he’d love.
“He truly had the same heart as me and he always felt things so intensely. We’d always go on these cross country road trips and have the deepest conversations about life and people and love,” she said. “He was the first person who taught me how to make beauty out of hard things.”
Friday, September 13, 2019
One 18-year-old’s science fair project has put us all to shame, and may have found a solution to one of the world’s biggest problems: The tiny bits of plastic waste that are choking our oceans.
For his project, Fionn developed a method to extract microplastics from water using magnetic liquids called ferrofluids. Yeah, let that sink in. The experiment was 88% effective at removing the particles, and he won the grand prize of $50,000 at this year’s Google Science Fair.
This fall, Fionn will continue his studies at the University of Groningen’s Stratingh Institute for Chemistry in the Netherlands. Incredible. Way to go, Fionn!
Thursday, September 12, 2019
Jade Stephenson has always loved her grandmother’s wedding dress. It’s not traditional – in fact, it’s bright red with black trim. Colorful and stunning, just like her grandma. Once, Jade asked her grandmother to hang on to it for her so she could wear it for a special occasion.
When Jade learned her 80-year-old grandma couldn’t travel to attend her college in Liverpool, England, she knew that special occasion had arrived.
Under her cap and gown, Jade wore the dress, much to her grandmother’s delight. For Jade, it was more than just a vintage fashion choice: It was to honor two beloved people in her life.
She says, “I originally tried the dress on a few years ago, so I knew what it looked like on and her face then lit up. So I knew that asking her if I could wear it for graduation would make her smile. Also, my grandad died in 2009 and to me, it felt like part of him was there with me on such a special day.”
Several people complimented her on her fashion choice for the ceremony, and Jade’s grandmother says she was overwhelmed and honored she chose that dress for such a big moment.
Wednesday, September 11, 2019
A 400-mile Uber drive sounds like a nightmare, for both a passenger and a driver. But there was no other choice for two sisters stuck at the Minneapolis airport who were trying to get to their aunt’s 100th birthday party in Edgerton, Minnesota … 200 miles each away. Their flight had been canceled, so in a desperate last move, they called an Uber and hoped someone would be up to the task. Sure enough, a man arrived a few minutes later and agreed to the unexpected trek (and his name was Jesus, you can’t make this stuff up).
Jesus, the driver said, “I feel that they need to be attending the birthday and I enjoy driving, so yeah, it worked out well – It’s an important occasion, and if I was in their place, I would appreciate very much someone bringing me there when there was no other way.”
Sisters Kerry and Deb said the driver was “so sweet” and the ride was really pleasant. The party was over by the time they arrived, but their family knew what was up, so everyone waited for them to make their grand entrance and enjoy some time together with their aunt.
Tuesday, September 10, 2019
A coach’s role is to support the team’s players and encourage them to push themselves to greater heights than they imagined. The bonds between a good coach and the players runs deep and way beyond the field.
Kris Sweet, the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach for Lyon College in Batesville, Arkansas, began forming those bonds with his football players this Summer during the offseason. But during training camp, in July, Coach Kris received shocking news: a diagnosis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer of the immune system.
As word spread about how the upcoming treatment could cause the 46-year-old to lose his hair, the team decided to not only offer words of encouragement but to take action to show their support.
The young men got together and shaved their heads as a visible display of their unity behind their coach. Then the team made a surprise visit to Coach Kris, he was visibly moved at his team’s gesture – hugging each player and patting them on their newly-shaved heads.
Monday, September 9, 2019
As the Saints prepare for their season opener just hours from now in the Dome, they’ve actually been hard at work for months now – both on and off the field. A few New Orleans Saints players took a break from practice last month to spend a few hours getting kids ready for school. Hundreds of kids and fans were eager not just to start a new school year, but also to see the boys in black and gold.
New Orleans Saints Cameron Jordan and Terron Armstead headed up the school supplies giveaway.
“It’s all about that whole positive push, just to get them ready,” Cam Jordan said. “At the end of the day it’s always a positive influence, letting them know we care about them,”
A total of 200 kids from different parishes across the state received backpacks filled with the supplies needed to start school. They were also able to shop for up to $40 worth of additional school essential items.
“There’s nothing work about this. We’re getting out, cracking jokes, smiles with the people in the community with the fans, the ones that make everything happen,” said Armstead.
As fans are ready for what they expect to be a successful season on the field, the Saints players are pushing the kids for a successful year in the classroom.
“We’re just trying to do the most we can to actually make an impact,” Armstead said.
Living up to their name as Saints. Thank YOU for making a difference through your giving, too, with LifeSongs Shareathon! Click here to give now!
Friday, September 6, 2019
It’s known as the most magical place on earth – Walt Disney World. Kids around the world dream of visiting and meeting Mickey Mouse, riding the rides and now – flying in the Millenium Falcon. Jermaine Bell is a six year old who has long dreamed of visiting Disney. The South Carolina kindergartner has been saving his money, along with his family, for a family vacation.
But then Jermaine saw the news. He read about people evacuating from Hurricane Dorian and the disaster relief happening in the Bahamas. That’s when he told his parents that there was something more important that he could do with his money than go to Disney World – he wanted to help people in need.
The six year old took the money he’d been saving and spent it on hot dogs, chips, and water and stood alongside Highway 125 with a pair of handwritten signs offering food to those on the evacuation route. He served his food to about 100 evacuees.
Thursday, September 5, 2019
An anonymous farmer out of Jacksonville, FL bought 100 generators and tons of food to have shipped by boat to the Bahamas to help the recovery effort after Hurricane Dorian ravaged the island communities from Costco. His receipt totaled $49,285.70.
The hero in a Costco refuses to be identified for the generous deed, even so his story is going viral and others are joining in the effort.
Today is International Day of Charity – and this is a perfect example of standing in the gap for someone in need. LifeSongs encourages you to check with your church to see how we can all mobilize and help people affected by Hurricane Dorian. And we also humbly ask that you support LifeSongs radio. Click here to see ways you can give. We are listener supported – your giving is what makes every day of God is Good All the Time radio possible!
Wednesday, September 4, 2019
Animal trainers scouting for dogs to appear in Disney’s live-action Lady and the Tramp came to the HALO Animal Rescue in Phoenix, hoping to find a few animals that would be a good fit. Monte, a 2-year-old terrier mix, immediately stood out, as he’s not only handsome, but he also knows how to sit, is good on a leash, and loves attention.
The stars of Lady and the Tramp are all former rescue dogs, and Monte will be voiced by actor Justin Theroux. Since filming wrapped, all of the dogs have found loving families, Disney said. The movie will premiere on Nov. 12 on Disney’s new streaming service.
We are proud to partner with the LASPCA to find homes for some awesome adoptable animals we spotlight every week on Pets of the Week!
Tuesday, September 3, 2019
When planning his trip home from Kabul, Afghanistan, to Charleston, West Virginia, earlier this month, Sgt. Seth Craven had no idea storms in Philadelphia would almost keep him from his son’s birth.
Craven’s wife, Julie, was scheduled to have a caesarian section on a Friday. Craven, who serves in the West Virginia National Guard, gave himself three days to get to Charleston. After flying from Kabul to Kuwait to Philadelphia, Craven was in the home stretch until storms in Pennsylvania canceled his flight.
The next day, maintenance issues kept his plane on the ground. After hearing his story, fellow passenger Charlene Vickers offered Craven a ride. They jumped into her SUV and drove eight hours to West Virginia, with Vickers dropping Craven off at home around midnight — several hours before his son, Cooper, was delivered. “If it wasn’t for Charlene, I never would have made it.”
Friday, August 30, 2019
Kelli and Matt Cameron didn’t have a typical wedding registry. The Tampa, Florida, residents decided they had enough household items, so in lieu of gifts, they asked guests to donate school supplies.
Instead of Crock-Pots, it was Sharpies and T-shirts and khaki shorts. Kelli Cameron is a first grade teacher, so this seemed like a no-brainer idea for her! The couple decided the supplies should go to kids at Booker T. Washington Elementary School.
But the couple didn’t wait until after the honeymoon to bless their community! At the end of the wedding, dozens of backpacks filled with paper, pencils, crayons, and more were loaded up in Matt’s truck and delivered to the school!
Thursday, August 29, 2019
17 year old David Ledbetter spent his Saturday walking up to people outside a local Popeyes and handing out sample ballots and voter registration forms. With the hype around Popeyes chicken sandwiches, the savvy teenager saw his chance to make a difference in the community.
David and his friends provided people with voter information and gave them the forms to fill out on their own – so many people responded with enthusiasm that they actually ran out of the voter forms! David co-founded “Imagine This” – an organization that aims to give more high school students access to college.
So many people were impressed with how easily David engaged with people.
David says this was the first time he has encouraged people to vote, he said. He’s only 17, but he’s already pre-registered to vote for when he turns 18.
Wednesday, August 28, 2019
Katie Stellar believes that getting a haircut can be a transformative experience. Katie says, “When you feel good about yourself, it can inspire you to do so many things.”
Katie Stellar owns the Stellar Hair Company in Minneapolis, and often puts one of her salon chairs in the trunk of her car and drives around the city, offering free haircuts to people she meets who are homeless. Katie was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis as a child, and at 18, underwent surgery to remove her large intestine. Her hair started to fall out, and she soon realized what a big part of her identity was wrapped up in her hair and physical appearance.
Katie says “I don’t do hair because I’m naturally good at it. I became good at it because I saw it was a way to connect and care for people.”
Tuesday, August 27, 2019
Deborah Price turned to strangers on the internet for help, and they delivered. Price’s friend was trying to find a specific dress for her daughter, Elise. Elise has autism, and will only wear a gray dress with a rainbow heart on the front. She bought the dress three years ago, and was worried about finding a replacement once Elise outgrows it.
Thinking someone might have one in their closet they’d be willing to sell, Price tweeted a photo and hoped for the best. It didn’t take long before people started responding. Some told her they found the dress on eBay but in the wrong size, and others offered to sew a replica. Finally, one girl said she owned the size needed, and wanted to send it to Elise.
Price was “absolutely bowled over by the kindness of strangers,” she tweeted, adding that the support “restores your faith in human nature.”
Monday, August 26, 2019
If taking time to enjoy nature in Michigan’s state parks wasn’t relaxing enough, you can now add a little Bob Ross to your experience. For its 100th birthday, the parks system is partnering with Bob Ross Inc. to help the “happy little trees.”
Michigan’s “prison grow” program will be renamed in honor of the famous American painter and his tagline, according to a statement. Through the program, prisoners learn horticulture skills by growing trees from seeds collected by volunteers. The trees are transplanted into state parks and other areas in need of reforestation.
Beloved artist Ross made his television debut in 1982 on his show “The Joy of Painting,” which reached over 400 episodes before he retired. Even though Ross died in 1995, his show and its impact on communities have lived on through memes, parodies and art classes.
Michelle Coss, volunteer and donor coordinator for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Parks and Recreation Division, said the idea came from the recent revival of Ross’ popularity; her own daughter had been watching the show online. Coss said the agency called Bob Ross Inc. to get permission to use his tagline, and the company gave a resounding yes.
According to Coss, over 500 people signed up to plant trees when the program was announced. Volunteers get a t-shirt with Ross’ image and will help regrow state parks.
Signs with the slogan and a picture of Ross painting can be seen at three state parks: Port Crescent, Yankee Springs and Orchard Beach. Three other state parks — Lovington, Sleeper and Warren Dunes — will also have signs installed.
Friday, August 23, 2019
It’s the Baby Cake’s final season in New Orleans and there are only a few home games left (8/26-8/29)! Nothing says “summer” quite like spending the evening eating Crackerjacks and sweating under the bright ballpark lights.
One group of Red Sox fans from Massachusetts were preparing to do just that when the fourth member of their baseball posse cancelled on them. Rather than waste the ticket, the young men wanted to give it to someone who would appreciate it. They decided to offer it to a homeless man named John they met on their way to Fenway Park. His reply? “Let’s go.”
The trio bought John some refreshments and they all enjoyed a few innings of Red Sox ball before parting with handshakes and smiles. The Red Sox may have lost that game, but these guys WON. This highlights the best of what sports can do: bring people together, making new friends and, if the timing is right, making someone’s day a little better.
Thursday, August 22, 2019
Patrick Waddell lost his wife to colon cancer in 2016. Since then, he’s always kept her close by carrying their wedding rings with him. He even had a jeweler weld them together and wears them on a chain. But while picking up a golf cart on vacation last week near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, he made a devastating discovery: The rings were gone.
Waddell wasn’t sure where he left them or how to get them back, so he turned to Facebook for help. He tagged the campground near where he picked up the golf cart and a few days later, he got a call from the golf cart store that the rings were found. The rings were pretty beat up, but Patrick couldn’t care less about the dents and scratches. He’s just glad to have them back.
Wednesday, August 21, 2019
The members of the Hall County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia helped make the first day of school a little less painful for one of their own. Caden Dixon’s father, Nicolas Blane Dixon, died last month in the line of duty. When the time came for Caden to start fourth grade at Enota Multiple Intelligences Academy in Gainesville, he was understandably having a hard time.
That’s when more than a dozen of his dad’s colleagues showed up to escort Caden and his mother to class. The sheriff’s office says its members have been actively comforting and supporting the Dixons because, well, that’s what law enforcement families do.
Sgt. Charles Hewell worked with Officer Dixon and didn’t hesitate to walk with Caden to the first day of school, saying, “[Caden] was having a rough morning because he didn’t want to go to school without his dad being there – Seeing his reaction when he saw us made everything worth it.”
Tuesday, August 20, 2019
When did you learn to tie your shoes? I don’t quite remember, but I’m pretty sure I was rocking slip ons or velcro shoes for most of my time as a toddler. Not Josiah Owens, though. This 2-year old already knows how to tie his own shoes.
So, while out with his mom, when he noticed another toddler sporting some untied shoes with laces, he raced over to help. He’d never met the boy before and no one asked him to help – he simply noticed a need and did something about it. Way to go, Josiah!
Such a simple and sweet gesture makes me want to take action, too. How can you help someone by meeting a need today?
Monday, August, 19, 2019
Did you help your kids pick out their first day of school outfit? It’s a big day, the start of a new school year, and what you wear can really make a statement. Especially in the case of one student at a Georgia elementary school. 6-year old Blake Rajahn walked in on the first day of school sporting his brand new t-shirt with the message: “I will be your friend.”
Blake’s mom runs a personalization business, and she promised to make him whatever kind of shirt he wanted for his first day. She assumed he’d want a basketball or football theme. Imagine her surprise when he responded, “Will you please make me a shirt that says ‘I will be your friend’ for all the kids who need a friend to know that I am here for them?”
Blake has experienced bullying and hard times at school before, and simply wants other children to know he’s there for them. His mom Nikki says she has already sold several other shirts like Blake’s after her Facebook post went viral. Her son hopes that “more and more people find friends” on their first day with the help of the shirts.
Way to go, Blake! Never underestimate your child’s heart for others or the example your actions have set for them. Who can YOU befriend today?
Friday, August 16, 2019
An 11-year-old boy in El Paso, TX, has started the “El Paso Challenge” to encourage kindness to one another in response to the Walmart shooting.
Ruben Martinez is challenging each person in El Paso to do 22 acts of kindness for others in honor of the 22 people who died that day.
“He was having some trouble dealing with what happened,” his mother, Rose Gandarilla, said She explained to him that we could not live in fear and that people in our community are caring and loving. I told him to try and think of something he could do to make El Paso a little better.”
Since then, Ruben has been passing out flyers and posting on social media to try and help the #ElPasoChallenge spread.
He has already done his first act of kindness, He chose to go deliver dinner to our first responders.”
Ruben Martinez may just be a 6th grader but he is leading by example.
Way to go Ruben!
Thursday, August 15, 2019
There are already universal symbols for peace and love—but one group of kindergartners has been pushing for there to be a newly-recognized sign for kindness.
The young students first launched the project as a part of their writing and geography project and has since garnered national traction with a petition to adopt a new National Symbol of Kindness. The petition has accumulated over 4,000 signatures!
The Kindness Symbol shows a circle around a heart with arrows signifying N,S,E & W. to symbolize kindness “all around, ongoing, never-ending, north/south/east/west, everywhere!”
The youngsters have presented their proposal to dozens of school boards, city councils, and municipalities—and many of the ordinances have already agreed to adopt the symbol. If you want to sign the petition or learn about the movement – CLICK HERE!
Wednesday, August 14, 2019
If you have ever lost your job, you know the sinking feelings of fear and failure that can be overwhelming. When Patrick Hoagland got laid off from his job as a forklift operator, he didn’t let the fear take over – he got proactive.
Patrick printed up 200 resumes and stood on the street corner with a sign saying he was looking for work – please take a resume. One passerby, Melissa DiGianfilippo snagged a resume, put Patrick’s story online and one thing led to another…
Now Patrick has a new job with a local concrete company and a new friend in Melissa.
Tuesday, August 13, 2019
Dressed in a Snow White costume and carrying her favorite storybooks, Rachel Oehlert is bringing magic to children in the hospital. The 24-year-old from Thornton, Colorado, has dyslexia, and as a student, dreaded reading to the class. When she couldn’t shake her fear of reading aloud, she decided to step outside of her comfort zone and start reading to sick kids. Three years ago, she bought a Belle from Beauty and the Beast costume, and visited her first children’s hospital. She found she wasn’t nervous, and with her confidence boosted, started her own nonprofit, Truly Make Believe.
The organization now has a team of 15 volunteers who visit hospitals dressed like princesses and superheroes. “Doing this has made me a more compassionate human,” Oehlert told The Washington Post. “What started as a simple idea to help me overcome a fear has become a big part of who I am.”
And even more important – she’s helping kids get better!
Monday, August 12, 2019
Unbeknownst to even his closest friends, Dale Schroeder scrimped and saved for so long that by the time he was 86 years old, he had accumulated a fortune worth $3 million. The Iowa carpenter was a hard-working “blue collar, lunch pail kind of guy,” friend Steve Nielsen told KCCI. Before he died in 2005, Schroeder told Nielsen about his money, and how to spend it: He grew up poor and never had the chance to go to college, so he wanted to help young people further their education.
Since then, Schroeder’s fortune has paid for 33 small-town Iowa kids to go to college. They call themselves “Dale’s Kids,” and have gone on to become teachers, doctors, and therapists. The only stipulation is that they one day help others in a similar fashion. “You can’t pay it back, because Dale is gone, but you can remember him and you can emulate him,” Nielsen said.
Friday, August 9, 2019
When Wayne Wilson’s friends put a call out for community members to attend his funeral, they were expecting an additional 10 to 15 people to show up.
Instead, about 3,000 people turned out to pay their respects to the Vietnam War veteran, who did not have any surviving family members.
Wilson, who died May 28 at age 67, served in the army from 1971 to 1977.
“I was just amazed when I pulled up in the hearse,” Drew Mikel, an intern at the Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services who helped publicize Wilson’s funeral, told CNN.
“I was driving through a sea of people. I couldn’t believe that many people actually turned out.”
Some who showed up were locals; others had driven from Tennessee, Iowa, Florida and Indiana to Niles, Michigan, to pay their respects, Mikel added.
Full military honors and the military salute were performed for Wilson at the ceremony.
Sergeant-at-Arms of American Legion Post 51 Richard Stuart, who is in charge of the color guard that performed at the ceremony, said Wilson’s was the biggest commemoration he has ever done in 10 years.
“None of us figured that it would be as big as it was,” Stuart said. “Every veteran has the right to have a funeral like this. You’re showing honor to a veteran who has passed away.”
“Mr. Wayne Wilson was a heroic soldier for our country, becoming wounded in the Vietnam War. Wayne was proud of his country and proud of his city. Every year, Wayne was the first person at Silverbrook Cemetery for the annual Memorial Day Parade,” Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services said.
However, they didn’t expect the notice to reach so many people.
“The community simply embraced it and took it upon themselves, made it their mission (to celebrate Wilson),” Mikel said.
Thursday, August 8, 2019
The students and staff at Dayton Consolidated School wanted to greet Morey Belanger on her first day of kindergarten, and to do so, they all started learning American Sign Language. Morey is the first deaf student to attend the school in Dayton, Maine. Before her arrival, the students learned how to say hello to her, and since then, they’ve been taught more than 20 words, including colors and school-related terms.
Dayton’s principal Kimberly Sampietro says, “Morey, without even knowing it, has taught us so much! She has brought a culture to our building that we didn’t have before.”
Morey Belanger is taking an active role in educating her peers about ASL and deaf people, helping her fellow kindergartners learn the alphabet. Her mom Shannon says her daughter felt so welcomed and that the school going the extra mile meant so much to their family.
Wednesday, August 7, 2019
Darius has always had a love for two things bow ties and dogs! At the age of 2, Darius was diagnosed with speech, fine motor skills and comprehension delays. Doctors said he needed to work with his hands more to strengthen his fingers, so Darius (who loved watching his sister Dazhai – dah-zshay – sew hair bows) learned how to sew and started selling bow ties.
In 2017 when hurricane Harvey’s destruction left people and animals without homes, he thought of a new use for his bow ties. Darius wanted to help. He noticed that dogs were being transported from Texas to New York and figured if he donated the bowties to the animal shelters, it could help the dogs to get adopted faster!
Darius says, “If you put the bowties on the dogs, it would make them look good, and help them look for homes!” So he got to work and started sewing and delivering bowties to animal shelters … and you know what? It worked!
With the help of his mom and sister, he started Beaux & Paws. Now the family travels to shelters around the country to donate bow ties. Darius carefully chooses the right bow tie to fit each dog..based on fur color, personality, eye color.
Beaux & Paws caught the eye of former President Barack Obama who sent Darius a letter telling him to keep up the good work.
Tuesday, August 6, 2019
Celebrity chef Duff Goldman wants to make one thing clear: Baking is a cool thing for everyone to do.
The “Ace of Cakes” star recently took to Instagram to share that inspiring message after receiving a heartwarming, handwritten note from a young fan named Caleb. In the note, the 5-year-old thanked the superstar baker for showing people that boys can have mad baking skills: “Duff, thank you for making baking cool for boys.”
Goldman’s response on Instagram: “Thanks Caleb! Baking is cool for literally EVERYBODY!”
View this post on Instagram
Walked into @duffscakemix and got handed this. Thanks Caleb! Baking is cool for literally EVERYBODY!
Fans soon flooded the comments section with appreciation for Goldman’s uplifting outlook. The post has since been liked over 28,000 times. It looks like Goldman can add baking role model to that list of accomplishments.
Monday, August 5, 2019
Life had never been better for Katie Hearn when she landed her dream job working for the Atlanta Braves. But her achievement was soon overshadowed by a rare medical condition that caused her to lose her sight.
She grew up playing softball and fell in love with the Braves. In 2015, she landed her dream job working for the Major League Baseball team. She was monitoring the Braves’ social media but also helping create one of a kind experiences for fans. 2 years into the job, she started to have debilitating headaches and she was also struggling with her eyesight so she made an appointment to see her opthamologist. Katie was diagnosed with a rare illness that impacts her optic nerves. Even after several surgeries, Katie lost her sight.
She had to learn her new lifestyle – everything changed, except Katie’s attitude of gratitude.
Katie trusts that God has a plan – and even the loss of her vision didn’t stop her from returning to her dream job. Being a part of the Braves is her passion and NOT just a job!
Friday, August 2, 2019
Logan Simmons, a 19-year-old Chick-fil-A employee in Georgia, went to work on a Wednesday just like any other day—it just turned out to be anything but ordinary.
Logan, who was working the drive-thru, heard a woman in a car in the drive-thru line screaming that her son was choking. Logan jumped into action. He jumped straight out of the drive-thru window and ran to the car.
“I think it was the quickest option,” he says. (Surveillance video from Chick-fil-A shows his leap onto the pavement outside.)
Once he got to the car, Logan found the 6-year-old boy tangled in his seatbelt, his face turning red as the belt wrapped around his neck. Logan whipped out a pocketknife and cut him free.
Logan’s mom says she’s amazed he didn’t panic, adding that when her son first came home from work, he didn’t even mention what had happened for a couple of hours. The little boy’s mother called Logan not long after the incident to thank him properly.
He also says, “I do feel like a hero.”
Thursday, August 1, 2019
It’s officially August, and for New Orleanians that means the ring of the school bell isn’t far away. On that first day of class, students ideally start the day well-rested, with a good breakfast, new supplies, and a fresh haircut.
For four years, 7th ward barber Brandus Mercadel, has given away hundreds of free haircuts to help children look stylish on their first day of school. He says, “Even if your clothes or sneakers are bummy, people can be blinded by a fresh haircut. All they will see is the fresh cut.”
But because 40% of New Orleans kids live in poverty, it’s not uncommon for haircuts to fall by the wayside as families scrape together money to pay for uniforms and supplies. So, for the past four years, Brandus has led special free-haircut events before school begins.
He just shrugs when asked to estimate how many children he’s gotten ready for school over the years. But this year, his count must be exact. This weekend (Saturday and Sunday) the barber will put himself to the test from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., hoping to set a one-man Guinness World Record for the most free back-to-school haircuts.
He’s ready for the challenge. On Friday, he’ll pile a grocery cart full of hot dogs and cold drinks for the kids who show up. In the meantime, he’s been studying the Guinness “Guide to Evidence,” which requires statements from two different independent witnesses every four hours plus before-and-after photographs of each haircut.
No one has before attempted to set a record in this category. The Guiness organization is honored that this barbershop is attempting a record for such a great cause.
Wednesday, July 31, 2019
David Carter had big dreams when he started at the University of Texas in 1971. Unfortunately, he faced mental health challenges and subsequent addictions, which led him to drop out of college.
Now, thanks to the tenacity of a local student, he’s got a second chance to finish his degree.
Journalism junior Ryan Chandler said he met David during an assignment on homelessness for The Daily Texan. “I interviewed him as a source on Austin’s homeless problems, and after I heard how inspiring his story was, we kept in touch and really became friends. I learned of his desire to get back to UT, so I helped.”
With Ryan’s help, David was able to enroll in classes, and, thanks to a generous UT Austin alum, his tuition fees were covered. The anonymous donor said he “values the importance of second chances and education.”
David’s response? “It’s the greatest blessing I’ve ever received.”
The school is also on board to help David any way it can, saying, “We welcome him back and admire his courage and persistence, and are grateful for the generosity of fellow Longhorns who are stepping in to help.”
Tuesday, July 30, 2019
This summer, Virginia based Girl Scout Troop 60013 hosted TechBridge, their first walk in clinic to help local senior citizens with their cellphones. The troop was able to assist with a broad spectrum of tech support and training topics. One Cadette showed an older woman how to text, and she immediately sent her daughter a text message “which just made me feel really, really happy.”
The idea came as the 8th graders were brainstorming a project for the Girl Scout Silver Award. The goal was to help the community, and it seems like that’s been a big success. The troop hopes to hold more helpful clinics in the future.
Monday, July 29, 2019
11-year old Alizay and her sister, Emaan, set their stand up in her Chicago suburban neighborhood last month. She was selling lemonade to benefit Feeding American, a national network of food banks.
Unfortunately, after they’d taken in $9, a group of older kids grabbed the money basket and drove off with it. Devastated, her father posted on the Nextdoor app and asked what he should do. (When life gives you lemons…)
That’s when Ben, a neighbor who lived on a busier street corner, offered to have the girls set up their stand there. A cop showed up to keep watch over things this time, and his friends (local police officers) showed up to help out, too. Overall, the sisters received nearly $350 in donations (and learned a lesson in perseverance, passion, and good neighbors in the process).
Friday, July 26, 2019
Barry Farmer didn’t have the easiest childhood, but it was an experience that made him who he is today – a dad to three boys. When Farmer was just a toddler, he and his three sisters went into “kinship care,” a form of foster care where relatives or friends take care of someone’s children.
When he was just 20 years old, he saw an ad about how to become a foster parent. “A year after getting licensed, I got my first case,” he said.
Farmer said social workers were reluctant to assign him cases since he was so young,
“Culturally, different than what was used to, Farmer didn’t want to turn down 8-year-old Jaxon. “He was supposed to be going home, he was supposed to be temporary,” Farmer said. Farmer was just 22 years old at the time, and thought the social workers would have a problem with the adoption, but they didn’t. Jaxon seemingly had everything he needed living in Farmer’s loving home. But he still wanted one more thing.
“He asked me, ‘Am I going to get a brother?’ I was like, ‘Okay, let me think about that,'” Farmer said. He had no intention of adopting a child — let alone two — but someone showed him a website of foster kids who need adoption and what type of family they’re looking for and that is when he found Xavier, who was 8 years old when he moved in with Farmer and Jaxon. A few years later, when Xavier was 11, Farmer officially adopted him.
Farmer took in another foster child, Jeremiah, giving his other sons a new little brother. “They welcomed him with open arms, as did I, so we adopted him as well,” Farmer said. “It’s not like I planned it.” Farmer officially adopted Jeremiah when he was five.
“Foster care itself is so unpredictable, you don’t know what to expect once you signed up,” Farmer said. “This is not what I signed up for but I embraced it.” He hopes other parents considering fostering and adopting know it is difficult.
Thursday, July 25, 2019
Offenders housed at Dixon Correctional Institute in Jackson, Louisiana are getting a second chance to make a difference in the lives of those most in need. Dixon is home to Pen Pals, an animal shelter run completely by inmates. They recently added a huge number of animals from a recent discovery in Terrytown .
The program is more than just inmates taking care of dogs; it’s changing the caretakers too. The Louisiana Humane Society provide training to the inmates, which can turn into certifications and even post incarceration employment opportunities.
All of the dogs that were taken to Dixon Correctional are being held for evidence in this case for the time being. The deputy warden says they should be up for adoption soon.
Wednesday, July 24, 2019
Neighbors got together to raise money as a thank you for a man who’s been helping to keep their neighborhood streets clean. New Orleans resident Rob Morgan says he’s noticed a man sweeping the streets in the Irish Channel and Lower Garden District for awhile now. Morgan said at first he thought the man worked for the city or for a business in the area and it was his job to clean the streets. He soon found out that the man is just doing it out of the kindness of his own heart. Recently Morgan approached the man, who he said is very quiet and shy. He asked him if he worked for anyone and why he was cleaning up the streets.
The man told him that he didn’t work for anyone and said, “I love the city!” The man also told him that his name was Kenneth. Rob Morgan was so touched by what Kenneth has been doing to clean up the streets that he decided to start a “Go Fund Me” fundraising page to give money to Kenneth for all of his hard work of cleaning up the city he loves.
The goal was set at $2,250, and they raised $2,451.
A few days ago Morgan donated all the money to Kenneth and gave him the money and told him thank you from the neighborhood for all that he’s done to help!
Tuesday, July 23, 2019
Parking tickets in Las Vegas were being paid with dry erase markers, pencils and other school supplies, thanks to a unanimous city council vote. The program encouraged motorists to pay off their parking tickets with “new, unwrapped school supplies of equal or greater value to their fine.”
Only non-public safety citations were eligible. The items then go to the Teacher Exchange, a nonprofit associated with the Public Education Foundation. While this hasn’t caught on in New Orleans yet – you CAN make a difference with the LifeSongs Back To School project – going on now! Learn more at lifesongs.com!
In fact Nancy and Jasmine will be at Chick Fil A in Houma TODAY (7/23) from 11-2 enjoying your company, collecting school supplies and giving away a pair of tickets to see FOR KING & COUNTRY this November. So while a few notebooks won’t clear that warrant in Terrebonne parish – it will make a difference!
Monday, July 22, 2019
Shannon Anderson takes the characters created by her students and turns them into something huggable. Anderson teaches third grade at Van Rensselaer Elementary School in Rensselaer, Indiana, and every year, she has the kids write and illustrate their own books.
“It gives them a lot of ownership and excitement,” she told Today. Anderson encourages them to let their imaginations run wild, and after they turn in their work, she takes one of their drawings and sends it to a company that makes custom stuffed animals.
Anderson wants the kids to look at their new toys and “see that writing is a joy,” she said. As soon as they open up their gifts in class, their “instinct is to be in awe, to hug it and love on it,” Anderson told Today. “It is something very special that they created. It is powerful.”
Friday, July 19, 2019
The talents at pageants usually skew towards your traditional singing and dancing, but 24 year old Camille Schrier found a new way to literally blow away the competition. For the talent portion of the competition, she showed off her science chops by triggering a chemical reaction on stage.
Schrier demonstrated the catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide, which sent spouts of colored foam shooting skyward. The biochemist/newly crowned Miss Virginia says she hopes her victory challenges some beauty queen stereotypes, declaring, “I am more than Miss Virginia. I am Miss Biochemist, Miss Systems Biologist, Miss Future PharmD looking toward a pharmaceutical industry career.”
Thursday, July 18, 2019
Tina Tallman, a physical therapy assistant based in Largo, Florida, noticed that people with disabilities didn’t have a lot of options for exercise, but with a little help and advice, they could do it!
There were limited programs and gyms for them. So 2 years ago, she founded “Me & U Fitness Academy”. This program helps people with disabilities exercise. Some hope to lose weight, while others are looking to build strength. Tina designs an adaptive routine to fit and match their goals.
Tina says: “They are capable of doing so much. We have to get rid of that stereotype that just because they have special needs, they can’t be active.”
Wednesday, July 17, 2019
With the kindness of its members and some help from a special charity, an Indiana church network has raised more than $30,000 and used it to alleviate millions of dollars of medical debt in local communities.
Northview Church has seven different campuses across the state, and every quarter they do a “Dollar Club,” where they ask each of their several thousand members to donate a single dollar. Recently, the church asked for a bit more, and then revealed a surprise: They had partnered with a medical debt relief program, which buys medical debt at a discounted rate. When all was said and done, the thousands in donations translated to $4 million in medical debt relief for people around Indiana.
Obviously, any story of people struggling with medical bills is tough to stomach, but the pastors at Northview say it was an opportunity for people to be good neighbors for those in need.
Tuesday, July 16, 2019
Alexa Bjornson was worried that her 7-year-old son, who has autism, would bother his seatmate on a flight. Turns out she had nothing to worry about. She gave her son Landon a note to present to the passenger next to him. The message explained that Landon has high-functioning autism going to visit his dad and might frequently ask “Are we there yet?” She also included $10 for the person for helping her son feel safe and comfortable.
Ben Pedraza ended up sitting next to Landon, but he didn’t need any cash incentive to enjoy a great flight with Landon. Ben had a blast cracking jokes with Landon most of the way from Vegas to Oregon – that is until Landon literally asked Ben to stop with the dad jokes!
At the end of the flight, Pedraza snapped a photo with Landon and sent it to Alexa with a sweet, reassuring message.”(Landon) did ask if we were there yet several times but he was a great travel buddy. We had a good time and played a few rounds of rock-paper-scissors,” Ben Pedraza wrote. “He’s a great kid and you’re a lucky mom.”
Ben said the $10 wasn’t necessary and donated it to The Autism Society in honor of Landon.
Monday, July 15, 2019
Drew Brees needed New Orleans and New Orleans needed him. Brees realized it when he first visited New Orleans, months after Hurricane Katrina had wrecked the city. Despite all the damage he saw, Brees, decided to sign with the Saints. He wanted to give the city two things.
A championship. And hope.
He checked the first one off the list in his fourth season with a victory in Super Bowl 44.
The second one has been ongoing; one of his most recent endeavors came to fruition in March. Brees donated $250,000 to help build KIPP Believe, a school at Columbia Parc in Gentilly for kindergarten through eighth-grade students.
“It’s the beacon of hope mentality,” Brees said. “You go into an area that otherwise didn’t have any hope and transform it. It not only gave hope within, but it lets everyone else around it know what’s possible.”
And there was a time when there wasn’t much hope here. Positive messages are displayed throughout the 42-classroom building that can hold 750 students. The words “believe in a better tomorrow” hang in the school cafeteria.
“It’s not I don’t know. It’s I’ll try,” reads a sign in the hallway. “It’s always positive when somebody is giving back to the community,” Daniels said. “The kids need it. There aren’t enough people willing to give back.”
Some of Brees’ other recent charity events include his $200,000 donation to renovate the locker rooms at Ben Franklin High School. And in a non-monetary donation, he gave also 10,000 shirts to students from the Greater New Orleans Collaborative of Charter Schools.
“I think it’s an incredible model of what can be done in a lot of other areas,” Brees said. “Not just in New Orleans, but around the country. We wanted to support it because we believe in it. We are constantly looking for projects in New Orleans that are truly making an impact in their communities.”
Friday, July 12, 2019
Help is on the way: When a single mom needed financial help so she could move to Texas for a NASA internship, hundreds of strangers chipped in.
Imagine your wildest dream coming true, only to realize you can’t afford to accept it. That was the case for single mom, India Jackson, who landed an internship at NASA while working on her Ph.D in solar physics at Georgia State University.
A self-described “space weather girl,” India uses her background in math to predict solar flares and radiation belts. When she was selected for a 10-week internship at NASA in Houston, she says, “This is amazing, an amazing opportunity, a lifetime dream!” But, with the expense of moving temporarily with her pre-teen daughter, she just didn’t know how she could do it.
Her cousin, Dasha, stepped in by setting up a Go Fund Me campaign to help her out. People were so generous, they surpassed the goal after just one day.
India is grateful beyond belief for the amazing show of support from all around the world, and says she hopes NASA will always be part of her future as she continues her pursuit of teaching, learning and sharing.
Thursday, July 11, 2019
Minnesota police officer Matt Siltala responded to a recent call to check on the welfare of an elderly woman. After seeing that she was okay, he asked her why her yard was so overgrown. She said she didn’t have anyone to mow it for her. So, he grabbed a mower and took care of business.
Thank you, Officer Matt, for going above and beyond the call of duty with kindness and compassion (and probably a little sweat, too)!
Wednesday, July 10, 2019
Kaitlyn and Aeric both agree that it was miraculous they ever met in the first place. So much so, in fact, they can only explain it as divine intervention.
Kaitlyn was the victim of a theft. The burglar broke into her car and home, stealing her purse. Imagine Katilyn’s surprise days later to see a man walking down her street, her bag in hand.
That man was Aeric, who had been homeless for more than a year. He was addicted to drugs and at the end of his rope. Two weeks before meeting Kaitlyn, he told God he couldn’t live like this anymore. That’s when he saw a black and tan purse abandoned and stripped of its money. “I said to myself, ‘You gotta find the owner. You gotta do the right thing.” So, he found an address on a bill inside the bag, and set off to find the owner: Kaitlyn Smith.
Kaitlyn saw Aeric on the other side of the street and assumed he was selling the bag. But when she asked him about it, he surprised her by saying he was looking for the owner. “I just thought doing a nice thing would bring me some hope, because I’m feeling really hopeless,” Aeric told Kaitlyn.
Kaitlyn was moved. She started asking Aeric what he might need and that’s when Aeric revealed he was addicted to heroin. He told her it was unlikely he would be able to keep any job for very long.
Kaitlyn made her new friend an offer: If he could find a rehab facility that would take his insurance, she would help get him into treatment. He agreed, and Kaitlyn sent him on a plane to a center in Florida the next day. She also started a GoFundMe account to help him cover his treatment and expenses as he got back on his feet.
After Aeric eventually completed treatment and returned to Baltimore, it still wasn’t easy—he faced fines, lack of transportation, and minimal job prospects as a result of his addiction—but he was clean, with a newfound friend that would never stop fighting for him.
Kaitlyn’s life was changed, too. She decided to leave her job to pursue a career in addiction treatment services. What started as a chance encounter led to a friendship neither of them could have ever expected.
Tuesday, July 9, 2019
Ruth Henricks has served thousands of customers at her small diner, but she will never forget one man named Scott who walked in 30 years ago. He was living with a chronic illness, and was too weak to feed himself some days. He told Ruth the only time he ate was at her diner.
This is how Ruth began her non-profit, bringing home cooked meals to people like Scott. She banded together volunteers, many of whom were regular patrons of her diner. They cooked meals at the diner and delivered lunch and dinner to 75 people a day.
To date, the group says it has served nearly 6,000 chronically-ill people and made more than 1 million meals. And the organization has evolved over the years, as Ruth saw other needs in her community. She opened a food pantry, which now benefits roughly 800 families a month.
Ruth says, “I have been very fortunate to attract the most loving, caring, hardworking volunteers. We share each other’s joys, sorrows. We feel good about what we’re doing. And it is a family. We get to bring love, respect and dignity to people who now don’t have to worry about where the next meal’s coming from.”
Monday, July 8, 2019
Sometimes dads can be tough to shop for.
20-year old Sophia Wilcox faced this dilemma when trying to think of something to give her stepfather, Brian. Turns out, she didn’t have to shop at all.
Sophia came across a box in her room filled with old sticky notes. When Brian was dating her mom, he left little sticky messages of support for Sophia while she was in middle and high school. This was a crucial time for her, as she was dealing with depression and anxiety for the first time in middle school.
Brian and her mom noticed, and the notes not only cheered her up, but were also a sign of how much he cared for her. They made it clear Brian was going to stick around and be there for her.
Finding that box of notes 6 years later inspired her. Sophia arranged them around a photo of the two of them and framed it. Her stepdad’s reaction? Priceless. He burst into tears.
Sophia says it’s a reminder that family might not always be related by blood, but the people close to you play an important role just the same.
Friday, July 5, 2019
Rear Admiral Shoshana Chatfield is a Naval legend. She began her military career as a helicopter pilot, served as a Commander in Guam and Afghanistan. And now Rear Admiral Chatfield is making history as the very first female President of the US Naval War College.
The Naval War College, located in Newport, Rhode Island, was established in 1884 as an advanced course of professional study for naval officers. It is the finishing school for advanced career military. This is where the future of the Navy is built – where change can be implemented.
And change is needed and happening in major ways in the US military. This year’s graduating class at Westpoint included the largest number of African American women in American history. The make-up of American military is changing and this is a trend will continue under the leadership of Rear Admiral Chatfield.
Thursday, July 4, 2019
Wednesday, July 3, 2019
Need a friend? Have a seat.
Christian Bucks was in first grade, visiting a potential school when he was first introduced to an idea called The Buddy Bench. It’s just a painted, colorful bench – one of several around the playground – where any kid can sit to let their peers know they are looking to make a friend and be included in the fun.
While Christian’s family didn’t end up moving to that school district – they did introduce the Buddy Bench to their neighborhood school. And of course an idea so wonderfully inclusive has taken off across the country.
Making friends can be a challenge. This is a non-invasive way to break the ice and connect new friends on the playground. The Girl Scouts began sharing Instagram pictures of kids with their Buddy Benches around the country. Girl Scouts are using their cookie money to buy and install the Buddy Benches in local schools.
Tuesday, July 2, 2019
Instead of playing basketball or running laps, students at the Alternative Learning Center in Dubuque, Iowa, spent the last two weeks of school earning their P.E. credits in a different way.
At the end of the year, the school lets students pick from a variety of activities for P.E. credits, and one option is to volunteer to do yard work for an elderly or disabled person.
“The students and I come out and help them,” teacher Tim Hitzler told KWWL. “Could be raking leaves, pulling weeds, cutting grass, cleaning gutters, just depends on what they need.” Hitzler said this arrangement strengthens the community and teaches students the importance of volunteering. “What they really like is helping people,” Hitzler said. “They really like giving back to people and meeting the person.”
Monday, July 1, 2019
Alex Walker is 7 years old. She’s spent much of her young life in and out of the hospital – diagnosed with Epilepsy at just 11 months old. Her severe seizures sometimes lasted over an hour – she would stop breathing – can you imagine being Alex’s parents through all of this?
Each time Alex would go to the hospital, her trusty Teddy, named Sky Bear, would be by her side – with matching head bandage. Alex began to notice the other kids in the hospital and how some of them didn’t have a friend like Sky Bear. So Alex asked her parents if she could give some of her stuffed animals at home to the other kids in the hospital. Because of compromised immune systems, the hospital couldn’t accept used toys.
Not deterred, the then 4 year old Alex squirreled away birthday and Christmas money for a year – went out and bought 13 bears, then delivered them to kids at the Children’s hospital, introducing each child to their new friend and making friends with the patients and their families.
Over the last three years Alex has fundraised and saved and provided 400 plush toys to patients at the hospital. Once a month, Alex and her mom deliver the stuffed animals to a local Ronald McDonald House, area hospitals, police and fire stations, women’s shelters and foster care programs.
Friday, June 28, 2019
Kent State grad Kaycee Marshall (18 year old) was born with serious medical conditions that have confined her to a wheelchair, but that has NEVER stopped her from dreaming big!
Ever since Kaycee was a kid, she dreamed of being a fashion designer. Her mom thought she’d outgrow it, but she kept drawing and pursuing her passion for fashion!
Kaycee understands the confidence and empowerment that the right outfit can give and she wanted to see more models, like her, in fashion magazines. Over the last year, she has been creating adaptive clothing for disabled woman. Kaycee’s collection is called “The Engine That Did It All.”
Inspired by her own journey and a favorite children’s book, “The Little Engine That Could.” Kaycee often repeats the mantra I think I can! I think I can!
Kaycee Marshall wants her story & collection “to show others that you can do anything you set your mind to!”
Thursday, June 27, 2019
The path to parenthood wasn’t an easy one for Laura and Dave Worsley. Over the course of 10 years they suffered 13 miscarriages — including one at 20 weeks. “It never got easier. Each loss was absolutely devastating.”
When Laura became pregnant for the 14th time at the age of 35, she was afraid to get attached. She had already experienced so much tragedy. But their 14th — and final — attempt was different.
After a decade of heartbreak, Laura and her husband, Dave, welcomed their daughter Ivy (on September 12, 2018) “She’s our miracle baby. Sometimes I’ll look at her and it doesn’t feel real. I can’t believe I’m Ivy’s mom.”
Worsley is making her story public to bring others hope: “Miracles can happen.”
Wednesday, June 26, 2019
Lauren Mulvihill, an Uber driver from Georgia who ended up acting as a guardian angel for an older veteran. When Mulvihill dropped 89-year-old Ronald Dembner off at his home at the end of a ride, she noticed he was living in extremely messy and unsanitary conditions. The World War II vet is in good mind, but has a hard time getting around to clean up his house and pick up after his dog.
The Uber driver, Lauren Mulvihill decided to ask social media for help cleaning up Dembner’s home, and within a week, dozens of volunteers helped remove trash and old furniture, deliver meals and even rip up carpet in preparation for new floors. Mulvihill has also helped set up in-home health care so Dembner never has to feel like he’s alone in the world again.
Tuesday, June 25, 2019
James Holzhauer, the Jeopardy champion who won 32 straight games, earning over $2.4 million has donated a portion of his winnings to a Chicago-area pancreatic cancer walk. And he did so in Alex Trebek’s name.
It all began during Holzhauer’s dramatic Jeopardy run. During what would be the contestant’s final episode, Trebek praised Holzhauer’s daughter for a handmade card, “I want to express my thanks to your beautiful little daughter, Natasha, for having made this get-well card for me,” Trebek said in the beginning of the show. “That was very sweet of her.”
But beyond a get well card, the contestant sent a donation for $1,109.14 to the Lustgarten Foundation, that organizes a fundraising walk against Pancreatic cancer. Holzhauer wrote the message, “For Alex Trebek and all the other survivors.”
At first, the organization was confused by the dollar amount. But then it dawned on them – the number represented his daughter Natasha’s birthday.
Pancreatic cancer has one of the lowest survival rates, and is an extremely difficult disease to overcome, mostly because it is generally diagnosed late. That is something that can change if, men, you simply talk to your doctors and get screened.
Monday, June 24, 2019
When Laurence Cheatham’s 9-year-old daughter told him she wanted to draw the Mona Lisa but was afraid it would be too hard, it sparked his creativity. “I wanted to show her that with time, patience, and practice, she can do anything she sets her mind to.”
Over the next three months, when Cheatham came home at night from his full-time job as a security guard, he worked on a painting of his daughter as the Mona Lisa, keeping it hidden in a closet. After 400 hours of painting, he surprised her with the work of art. She squealed, laughed, and thanked her dad profusely for the gift, a “priceless” reaction, Cheatham said.
Cheatham, who has no formal art training, finds painting “very therapeutic,” and wants his daughter to remember “if you’re passionate about something, and it keeps you awake at night, you should always pursue it.”
Friday, June 21, 2019
After 1,095 days and more than 75,000 miles on the road, Mikah Meyer is home, having fulfilled his dream of visiting all 419 US national parks in one single journey.
He was only 19 when his dad, a Lutheran pastor, died of cancer. Days after the funeral, Mikah went on his first independent road trip as a way to grieve. He and his father had bonded over their many road trips together.
Mikah set out three years ago on an ambitious road trip in honor of his late father, leaving behind his life in Washington, D.C., and taking up residence in a cargo van. “Life is too short to delay your dreams” is what he repeated to himself as he ventured solo across the United States.
During his trip, he listened to stories about his father from his dad’s friends and colleagues. Some even reached out to Mikah to sing at their churches when he visited. He returned home to DC on the 14th anniversary of his father’s death.
For the next chapter, Mikah plans on moving to Minneapolis and says he wants to go on “many more” adventures that he hopes will continue to inspire people to live their dreams.
Looking back, he says, he wishes his father could have come along, but he believes his dad “would be pretty proud.”
Thursday, June 20, 2019
14-year old Isaiah Tuckett has dreamed of going to Disney World for about as long as he can remember. But taking a family of seven to soak up all the wonders of the Magic Kingdom, especially if you’re travelling from Minnesota, is no small investment, and his parents wanted Isaiah, their youngest, to be old enough to remember the trip.
Determined to make his dream a reality, Isaiah put his skills to work. He started baking and selling cupcakes. It took about a year of this incredible bake sale to finance his dream trip to Orlando late last year for his whole family — his mom, dad, sister, brother, sister-in-law and his nephew, but Isaiah DID IT. MAGICAL, indeed! His parents invested in his entrepreneurship and supported the trip by purchasing all the ingredients for his business.
Isaiah’s already got his eyes on the next prize. He’ll be getting his license in two years, and he’d like to buy a blue Ford pickup. But, his mom adds, “he did just say to me the other day, ‘It would be fun to go to Disney in California.'”
Keep baking, young traveler. Disneyland awaits.
Wednesday, June 19, 2019
The days of summer fun are here! And what screams summer like the crack of a baseball bat and the smell of peanuts and cracker jacks? Baseball is an American summer pastime and a chance encounter at a MLB game just brought two families together in the most amazing way.
This story starts, as many great stories do, with a tragedy. 21-year old Donovan Bulger passed away in an accident. But even in this sorrow, there was a silver lining. Before he died, Donovan became an organ donor, which ultimately helped save the lives of several others.
Here’s where baseball comes in: the St. Louis Cardinals held a Transplant Awareness Day at the ballpark and Donovan’s surviving siblings attended the game to celebrate his life. Little did they know that they would once again get to hear their brother’s heartbeat that evening. As the family was being honored for their brother’s gift of life, a man named John introduced himself. Barely containing the tears, John told the Bulger family how he was alive today because of their brother’s heart.
Donovan’s sister Savannah said the ballgame quickly turned into a hug and cry fest as the group shared stories of Donovan and took turns listening to John’s heartbeat – the same heart that once beat for Donovan.
The siblings said they are very proud of their brother for deciding to be a donor. The group is already bonding and planning their next outing, joking that next time, they’d bring a stethoscope. The siblings are hoping to make a Build-A-Bear for each of their children that will hold a recording of their uncle’s heartbeat.
Savannah says, “We went to the game as six but left as nine. We are family.”
Tuesday, June 18, 2019
Imagine your child having a disorder that impacts his motor skills, such as walking. And imagine not knowing if your insurance would cover a basic item he needs to help him walk.
That’s what Christian and Justin Moore were experiencing when they walked into a Home Depot in Georgia. Their son Logan is 2 and has hypotonia, a syndrome that impacts his muscle tone and makes stability a struggle.
Logan’s physical therapist suggested a gait trainer to help him with walking, but they did not think insurance would cover it. So the Moores turned to YouTube, where they found a tutorial to make one out of PVC pipe, which led them to their trip to Home Depot.
When they arrived, Christian asked a store employee she knew if anyone could help them with the supply list. What happened next shocked her. She was met by a store manager and another employee who came to help.
“They started getting the parts together and told us they would put it together. They told us to go get ice cream and come back in an hour.”
When they returned the walker was finished and even included Logan’s name. The store gave it to the Moore family FREE OF CHARGE.
Everyone was crying as they watched Logan walk around with the biggest smile on his face…Thanks to all that helped for being a blessing to this family!
Monday, June 17, 2019
Leanne Carrasco, who graduated from Waltrip High School recently, chose to forgo her graduation bash in order to throw a different kind of party. Leanne provided pizza and care packages for residents at the Star of Hope Family Development Center, a homeless shelter for women and children in Houston.
Leanne has volunteered at the center over the years. And with the help of some friends, the graduate ordered 95 pizzas and made about 400 hygiene packages, including toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, and soap. The crew of high school graduates served about 200 people.
The event took months of planning, But the hard work certainly paid off.
Leanne says she just wants to be a blessing and show these beautiful women and children that no matter what, someone does care. The high school graduate plans to study nursing at Briar Cliff University in Iowa, where she has already been featured in the school newsletter!
Most graduation parties don’t last long, but what Leanne and her friends did for the women and children of the homeless shelter will last a lifetime!
Friday, June 14, 2019
A Cincinnati couple didn’t realize that when they hired a caterer for their wedding, they’d be getting an officiant for free. During the rehearsal dinner, the man who was supposed to officiate the wedding fell and broke his leg, leaving the couple without anyone to marry them. Enter Manny Morales, a caterer for City Barbeque, the company that was preparing food for the rehearsal. He told the couple he had a license and offered to perform the ceremony, a proposal they happily accepted.
Bride Kelsey Schneck said she couldn’t fully describe how grateful she was to Morales for stepping in. “Not only did we have a great dinner, but our wedding ceremony was saved and went off without a hitch,” she said. “Thank you for saving my big day.”
Thursday, June 13, 2019
Ever heard the phrase “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure”?
More than a half-million pounds of crayons are discarded every year, turning into a waxy sludge that clogs our landfills and never biodegrades. The Crayon Initiative collects donated crayons from restaurants, schools and homes across the country, then melts them down and remanufactures them, reducing waste. Better yet, the recycled crayons are distributed to art programs at children’s hospitals across the U.S., brightening the lives of young patients during their stay.
Happier kids, and a cleaner Earth… supporting The Crayon Initiative helps two great causes in one. No wonder their efforts have caught the eye of The Today Show, People, BuzzFeed, Mashable, The Huffington Post and Good Housekeeping.
Consider this: A box containing 25 pounds of used crayons can yield enough raw materials to supply 125 hospitalized children with new eight-packs of crayons. Larger collection efforts can bring in as many as 200 pounds of crayons, enough to spread joy and color to over 1,000 kids!
Wednesday, June 12, 2019
Jacob Tyler is an 18 year old who works at a shoe store called Clarks in Bicester, England. He was awarded what the store calls a Celebration Alert for going above and beyond for a customer. That customer was a little girl with autism who was feeling very overwhelmed by the busy store.
The mom of the autistic little girl, Dawn Brown, emailed the store about how much she appreciated Jacob’s patience and gentleness. She said that he never rushed them and made them feel like the only customers in the whole store.
Jacob says they are trained to better serve customers with disabilities. He waited patiently whenever the little girl burst into tears. He got down on the floor with her and carefully explained when he was touching her feet to try shoes on, explaining each sensation as they went on.
Working with kids is something Jacob hopes to do in the future. For the past 2 years he has spent summers working for a children’s charity, learning sign language and other non-verbal communication skills. This summer he has applied to apprentice as a firefighter and is considering taking a gap year after high school to work in a school for children with autism.
Tuesday, June 11, 2019
80 years ago, Helen Danis wanted to go dance the night away at her high school prom, but simply could not afford it. It was the Depression and while some well to do families managed a party, she couldn’t attend. This year, at the age of 97, Helen finally got to go to prom!
Helen’s granddaughter Julie has been helping her grandmother check off things on her bucket list and with the help of the administration at Pilgrim High School in Warwick, Rhode Island, the pair got to have a prom night to remember!
Not only did Helen jump in with the kids doing the Cha-Cha Slide and the Cupid Shuffle, the DJ got the crowd doing the Hully Gully – which was a new one for the students at Pilgrim High, but Helen already knew it. At the end of the evening, Helen was crowned honorary prom queen.
Monday, June 10, 2019
Friday, June 7, 2019
You ever have that kind of day where you throw your hands up to the universe and beg for a sign? Not even a big, earth-shaking one — just any sign to remind you everything’s going to be OK.
The universe handed 27-year-old Ashley Jost a good one, in the form of a pink piece of paper and a $5 bill. Jost found the note and the money in a self-help book she bought. Whoever wrote the note said they were having a tough time, and they were hoping a little encouragement — and a $5 treat — would brighten the random recipient’s day. Jost was inspired.
She posted the note to social media, where it caught fire, and she committed to doing one random act of kindness every week. Thousands of people chimed in, saying they would do the same. Jost says she has loved reading everyone’s good deeds.
Ready for a twist? Jost also says the original writer of the note in her book, identified only as “Lisa,” actually mailed Jost a card to her job, saying how much she loved what Jost had started.
Thursday, June 6, 2019
Suicide is one of the leading causes of death for young people and sadly, suicide rates are rising among pre-teen and young teen girls.
Colby Wallace, a dad from Seattle, Washington, has taken that sobering statistic to heart. He’s started putting up encouraging signs near his daughter’s elementary school. The messages they bear are simple: Don’t give up; Your mistakes do not define you; You matter.
But Wallace hopes they may destigmatize mental health issues and give people the courage to open up about their feelings. “As a parent, you feel really helpless when you hear these stories, that this is happening,” he said. “This is happening a lot, but nobody wants to talk about it.”
Wednesday, June 5, 2019
Sure, being able to fly a plane is impressive, but can you do it with your feet?!? Jessica Cox was born without arms but learned to fly planes using just her feet.
Cox, now a trained pilot, wants to inspire others to chase their dreams. And she shared some amazing advice that helped her learn how to soar — literally. “I pulled up this picture of an airplane, and I put it on the backdrop of my computer, and I just remember looking at that airplane,” she says. “It was the airplane that I eventually became certified in. But pulling up that picture during those moments of doubt, and just envisioning flying an airplane, even though it wasn’t reality at the moment, it made the reality happen.”
Cox had a normal childhood: She attended public school and was extremely active in tap dance, taekwondo, swim team and girl scouts. Of course being the girl with no arms drew lots of attention – she didn’t let that define who she was.
Now all grown up, Jessica Cox is not only a pilot but a certified scuba diver and a third-degree black belt. Plus she has traveled to more than 20 countries as a motivational speaker. Sometimes, the things we struggle with are exactly what God will use us for in His World.
Tuesday, June 4, 2019
Hailey and Hannah Hager are on a mission to help a North Carolina school district pay down over $41,000 worth of lunch money debt — one cup of lemonade at a time.
In the fall of last year, Erin Hager (the girls’ mother) bought an old lemonade stand for her daughters and fixed it up. The Hagers’ intention was never to sell lemonade for a profit. As a person who believes in giving back, Erin said that performing random acts of kindness has always been an integral part of her family.
Hailey, 13, and Hannah, 11, were researching children’s homes in communities neighboring their hometown of Lexington, North Carolina, to donate to, when that they learned from their principal that families in their own school’s neighborhood were struggling to afford lunch every day.
During their first weekend, Hailey and Hannah raised $460, which they will donate to Hannah’s school, Southwood Elementary. Next, they will work to pay off Central Davidson Middle’s debt, then move onto their town’s high school and then spread their efforts one by one to the remaining 33 schools in the district.
Monday, June 3, 2019
Tupac’s family hit hard times after his dad passed away. The sharp teen couch hopped and visited shelters with his family through most of high school – and still managed to finish high school with honors and a 4.8 GPA.
Thanks to his incredible work ethic and great test scores, Tupac was named Valedictorian of his high school and accepted to over 40 colleges and racked up an astounding $3 million in scholarship offers.
The teen has selected to attend Tennessee State University so he could stay close to family. With his scholarship he’ll have housing on campus and never miss a meal with the university meal plan.
Friday, May 31, 2019
Many college graduates across the country know what it feels like under the weight of student loan debt. But the Morehouse College class of 2019 has had that weight lifted, thanks to billionaire Robert F. Smith.
He gave the commencement address at the historically black men’s college in Atlanta, and surprised the graduates by saying, “On behalf of the eight generations of my family that have been in this country, we’re gonna put a little fuel in your bus. This is my class, 2019. And my family is making a grant to eliminate their student loans.”
Can you imagine graduating DEBT-FREE?! The roughly 400 students reacted in every imaginable way, from tears of joy to applause, cheers, and leaping to their feet in celebration of the unreal new. The “MVP!” chants quickly followed. Most valuable, indeed.
Smith says he is “thrilled to invest in these young people and their future,” and encouraged them to “watch and learn from positive role models.” (Off to a great start already with that one.)
Thursday, May 30, 2019
“Keep in touch!” “Have a great summer!” Students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida may have to add “What a good boy!” to those traditional end of year sentiments scribbled across the pages of their yearbooks.
Flip past the last glossy page of underclassman yearbook photos and you’ll see 14 smiling, tongue-flashing dogs, their names listed like the rest of the students and staff.
They’re the therapy dogs that have been an unwavering, comforting and integral part of the school since last year’s tragic mass shooting. The dogs go to class, give handshakes in the hallways, and wag tails in the courtyard outside the cafeteria as teens come in and out for lunch.
Students say including the pups is “a really good representation of what we have gone through. This year, we wanted to give proper representation of our school and who we are now without giving so much focus to what happened to us in the past. The therapy dogs are the one thing from last year that is permanent and positive. Seeing them is something we look forward to every day.”
“All these moments and experiences define us, and it’s a matter of getting through it. Eventually, things will be better, so it’s a matter of finding the small joys and happiness in the everyday.”
One great example of that joy is getting to see students pick up their yearbooks and gush over the photos of their grinning therapy dogs as a new season begins.
Wednesday, May 29, 2019
A piece of of street art appeared last month at River Shack Tavern in Gretna. It’s the work of artist Keith Eccles, who besides being a painter and tattoo artist – is a high school art teacher.
Keith grew up not too far away from where his latest Mural is located, so for him, it is special to be able to be giving back to the community. Keith teaches at West Jefferson High School, so the kids he teaches live in the area and can see his mural as well.
The colorful spot is already trending on Instagram—with good cause. For every photo posted of the mural with the tag #Popeyes, the chicken franchise will donate $1 to the Gretna Food Bank, up to $5,000.
The painting was commissioned by Popeyes and will appear in a national commercial for the fried chicken brand this Summer. We already love that chicken from Popeyes, but now the community’s falling in love with this beautiful mural.
Tuesday, May 28, 2019
Anita Singleton is a cashier at Walmart in Slidell. She is a bright light in many lives. And yesterday her light went viral. Anita was making her daily 6 mile walk to work when Slidell Police Officer Bradley Peck offered her a ride to work. Officer Peck was so moved by her story, after he dropped her off at work, he contacted WWL-TV to see if they knew anyone who could help.
That’s when Matt Bowers of the Slidell Bowers car dealerships stepped in and gave Anita a car – even covering taxes, title and car insurance! Mrs. Anita has shared how blessed she is – saying she can’t wait to spend the extra time she will now have with all of her grandchildren.
Monday, May 27, 2019
23-year-old Cheslyn Simpson has a genetic disease called Friedreich’s ataxia. So when she wanted to enjoy the beach with her family in a capable wheelchair, her speech therapists suggested she write an essay asking for help through LSU’s senior capstone design program. That’s a two-course program in which teams of students work on an assigned project.
Last year the LSU engineering student’s were unable to provide the wheelchair but did keep the door open for the possibility this year, and they certainly came through. This year’s first change was much fatter wheels. Some of their additions were just for fun, including a cup holder, cooler and Bluetooth music player.
Daniel Lucas, a mechanical engineering major and the team’s project leader, said it did more than make Simpson happy.
“We involved the community, we raised awareness to the fact that a purely recreational wheelchair is not available to a lot of people. We also got the community involved and hopefully inspire future engineers,” he said.
Friday, May 24, 2019
18 year old Michael Watson will walk across the stage this week to collect his diploma – and he’ll do it over 115 pounds lighter than when he was a Junior.
The 6-foot-4 teen was over 330 lbs at age 16 and decided it was time for a change. He committed to walk to school and back home each day – about a 20 minute walk one way. Rain, snow – it didn’t matter. He never accepted an offered ride. Michael was determined and it paid off!
With a change in diet and increased exercise, the graduating senior lost 115 pounds – which was a challenge because his after school job is at a fast food restaurant. Michael has gone from being teased, to being an inspiration. And he says he gets more dates now.
Not only has Michael inspired the student body with his student body – the entire school district is heralding his determination and using it to promote healthy eating and exercise all throughout his home town of Canton, OH.
Thursday, May 23, 2019
Police Officer Nate Ross responded to a noise complaint and turned it into a jam sesh. The police officer found a man playing a drum kit on a public sidewalk and calmly explained to the man that a resident had complained about the noise.
Then the cop/former drummer scooped up the sticks and showed the young man how its done – kicking off a drum tutorial right there on the side of the street.
Officer Ross said that he saw this as a chance to “interact with the people I serve.” But also, have you ever known a drummer who can resist the chance to play a beat?
The pair of drummers drew a small crowd and eventually the man took down his drum kit so as not to upset whoever called in the complaint.
Wednesday, May 22, 2019
As warmer weather finally descends upon most of America, the smell of fresh cut grass and gasoline fill the air like a Yankee Candle created specifically for dads.
It’s a chance to tend to your property and most importantly – an opportunity to show other dads in the neighborhood that you are lord of the lawn.
So when an Ohio man recently injured himself 3/4 of the way through mowing his yard, the pain of unfinished lawn is felt by any man who sees it.
Firefighter and Paramedic Dan Grimm of the Cuyahoga Falls Fire Department responded to the 911 call, treating the older gentleman who had sustained minor injuries. but it’s what Grimm did next that will truly bring a smile and sense of relief ,He completed mowing the lawn and even picked up the clippings!!
Dan Figured “I thought I might as well help these nice people out and finish up their lawn so the owner doesn’t have to strain or anything like that for the rest of the day, and more importantly, worry about three or four strips unmowed and the neighbors looking at him funny.” Which we all know the lawn police are out there judging !!!
It’s small acts like this that tend to spread quickest, likely because we can all relate to them while still somehow being mystified that they actually happen at all.
Tuesday, May 21, 2019
CNN Heroes has begun to announce its Heroes of the Year, and first up is Zach Wigal, the founder of Gamers Outreach, a non-profit that designs and builds video game stations for children stuck in the hospital due to long-term medical treatment.
Wigal saw that video games in hospitals weren’t always accessible to bedridden patients, so his foundation’s portable carts aim to bring the fun to everyone. According to one staff member at a children’s hospital, giving kids access to fun activities like this helps keep their anxiety and pain levels down. Plus, every young warrior deserves a break from battling difficult diseases to kick a little butt in Halo 2.
Monday, May 20, 2019
LSU graduate Shaquille O’Neal heard about a 13 year old basketball player in Georgia named Zach Keith. This kid is a rising star, but at 13 already wears size 18 shoes. His mom couldn’t keep up with the cost of buying him shoes to play ball in. When Shaq heard the need, he stepped in to help. Afterall, guys with big feet have to stick together, right? (Shaq wears size 22 sneakers)
Shaq and the CBS affiliate in Atlanta surprised Keith and his mom at Friedman’s, a local shoe store that specializes is big sizes for athletes. The NBA legend talked ball with the young player and bought him 10 pairs of shoes – for basketball and life. Zach’s mom said it has been five years since he’s had a pair of dress shoes that fit.
Shaq says that when he was coming up, Bruce Friedman, the owner of the shoe store hooked him up when he couldn’t afford sneakers – and it is his great honor to pay it forward to Zach Keith and his mom.
Friday, May 17, 2019
If you end up being swept out to sea, it’s got to be some kind of sign when you’re rescued by a boat named “Amen.”
They say truth is stranger than fiction. Sometimes, it’s more poetic, too. Eric Wagner was sailing his boat from Florida to New Jersey when he heard screams in the distance. Despite the loud engines, wind, and rough water, Wagner followed the sound and found two teens flailing in the surf. They had been swept out to sea while swimming, and they later told Wagner that, as they struggled to stay above water, they started praying for help.
Imagine their shock — and relief — when they looked up and saw the name of Wagner’s boat: the Amen.
Thursday, May 16, 2019
Jerry Hills said he lost his left leg three years ago due to a bacterial infection, and with no ramp outside, he had to hop down the steps or crawl up them.
A few months ago, he called Nikki Williams at Rebuilding Together New Orleans, and on Wednesday, Saints players and employees from Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers volunteered to renovate the house.
“Having this ramp is a great feeling,” Hills said. “To see so many people that care about you, it’s great. It’s really great.”
As about 30 people worked on the ramp and other renovations, Hills’ wife Doreen said she still couldn’t believe it was happening.
Saints players Michael Thomas, Cameron Jordan, Marcus Davenport, David Onyemata, Zach Line, Taylor Stallworth, Keith Kirkwood, Darnell Sankey and Zach Wood all helped work on the project, which was in conjunction with DeBosier’s annual #DoRight4LA Day.
Jordan, who frequently participates in charity events, said this was another opportunity for the Saints to show how much they care about the community.
Jordan, who frequently participates in charity events, said this was another opportunity for the Saints to show how much they care about the community.
Wednesday, May 15, 2019
Christian Coyle has had a calling on his life since he was 12 years old. In August of 2005, he was riding with his father in a car, going across the Causeway span. Their car got a flat tire around the 19-mile marker and an impaired driver slammed into them from behind. Christian was pulled from the crash, but his father, Wayne did not make it. Christian Coyle said that from that day on, all he wanted was to save lives.
Yesterday, less than a half a mile from where his father was killed, Causeway police officer Christian Coyle raced to rescue a man, woman and their dog after a pickup flew into the water after slamming through the guard rail.
Officer Coyle said he was headed to the south shore when he got the call. He was about two miles away and en route, took off his vest, his gun holster and boots – ready to jump in. Once on the scene, another officer had already retrieved a rope ladder and Coyle angled his car at a spot to lower it into the water.
The man, woman and dog had been in the water for about 10 minutes when he got down to them. Officer Coyle tried to calm the woman by asking her about her dog’s name to take her mind off the situation. He was in the water with them for a few minutes before a basket was lowered and the woman and her dog were lifted to safety. The man climbed up the ladder on his own.
Christian Coyle said his career choice, years of training and Tuesday’s rescue was like his life had gone full circle. A real hero and a true miracle.
Tuesday, May 14, 2019
World War II veteran Fred Lawrence has been hitting the gym three days a week for years, so his 98th birthday was no exception. He didn’t even take a rest day for his 98th birthday — he celebrated at the gym!
Fred Lawrence received a special birthday surprise at the 24-Hour Fitness near Portland, Oregon. The club was decorated with signs and balloons when he arrived on his birthday and the staff had made vanilla bean cupcakes (his favorite). Employees presented him with an oversized birthday card signed by everyone at the gym. They also gave him a new club T-shirt that he put on right away.
Fred, has become kind of like an adopted grandpa. Every time people see him, he often gives big hugs. One thing that Fred’s friends say they have learned from Him is his gratitude for Life!
Fred says his secret to a long life is a combination of good health, good faith and a good attitude.
Monday, May 13, 2019
Look up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s superheroes cleaning the windows at Children’s Hospital in Pittsburg!
When they aren’t fighting crime, there are some superheroes that wash windows for their dayjob! Batman, Captain America, Spider-Man and Superman joined forces to bring smiles to the hospital’s young patients who were able to catch a glimpse of them.
The moonlighting superheroes rappelled down the building to clean the exterior windows.
The excitement, the smiles — the reactions were absolutely priceless.
It was a magical day for many patients at Children’s Hospital. They watched closely as four superheroes washed the windows. Sean Baker, a 7-year-old born with only half of a heart is awaiting a heart transplant but he was all smiles watching the Superheroes in action – as he was clutching his batman action figure.
Seeing the superheroes was a treat for people of all ages. Outside the hospital, spectators packed the sidewalks and snapped pictures of the window washers. A reminder that sometimes the smallest actions (like dressing up in a costume to make a sick child smile) can make the biggest difference.
Friday, May 10, 2019
Heather Mitchell was chatting with other moms at her daughter, Paislee’s, first season of softball. Heather wanted her little girl to have fun, and not be overwhelmed by her own athletic ability. Another mom jumped in to say, “She’s not athletic. She’s a girly girl.”
Heather is the first to admit her daughter loves makeup and getting dolled up and other traditionally “girly” things, but was struck by the dismissive distinction between the two. “She’s got a variety of interests – I kept thinking, ‘Why does she have to choose between the two? Why can’t she be both?’”
The nagging thought drove Heather, a photographer, to express her frustration through her work. She brought Paislee to her studio, along with her fanciest dress and her softball gear.
Paislee posed in her cleats atop a mountain of softballs in a flowing dress and flower crown. Another photo showed Paislee with one cleat on and one high heel on. It was all in a personal effort to show Paislee she could have a girly and sporty side.
That message resonated with many, MANY more than Heather could’ve imagined. When she posted the photos on her Facebook page, requests started pouring in for similar photo shoots.
A chord had been struck. Heather says, “It doesn’t matter what you’ve been told or what people expect out of you. If you can dream it, you can achieve it.”
She’s had a staggering amount of requests for similar photos. Heather hopes to showcase all kinds of mixed passions and sides to her clients. “I hope at the end of this we can empower a whole lot of different dreams,” said Heather. “Because you can do it all.”
Thursday, May 9, 2019
Michigan mom Sharonda Wilson made a tough choice when she skipped her own graduation ceremony at Ferris State University. But she did it for good reason: to watch her son, Stephan, graduate from Central Michigan University. When the two college presidents heard about her sacrifice, they arranged a special surprise.
Mom and son were able to share a major milestone together when, at Stephan’s ceremony, the President of the Central Michigan University announced her name, called her up, gave her a graduation cap, and gave her her Ferris State University diploma from the stage.
Both mom & son cried tears of joy as they hugged and she moved her cap’s tassel from her right to her left, celebrating years of hard work and dedication to furthering their education.
Wednesday, May 8, 2019
David Green is a history teacher and a father to a 16-month-old girl who was diagnosed with cancer. The High School teacher didn’t have any more sick days that he could take to stay with his little girl, Kinsley. His daughter is getting treatment 100 miles from home and she needs him to be there when he can.
So, fellow educators in Huntsville, Alabama, chipped in with their sick days — adding up to 100 days.
One first grade teacher said, “You want to send words of encouragement, you want to do something to help, but this was a real physical way that we could help him and his family.”
And an assistant principal at an elementary school in the same district as David’s summed up the generosity like this: “I could not imagine having a child and being away from them. I just thought it was the right thing to do. My mom always said, ‘You don’t have to be rich to bless someone.'”
Tuesday, May 7, 2019
Rodney Robinson’s mother grew up in rural Virginia and wasn’t able to graduate high school. Despite her circumstances, she taught Rodney to value learning, and even went back to get her GED while Rodney was in high school. That’s a lesson he took to heart, becoming a teacher to honor her.
Rodney is an incredibly special teacher. He’s been teaching for nearly 20 years now, and he currently teaches at a school inside the Richmond Detention Center in Virginia. The goal? To help these students fall back in love with school.
School principal Ta’Neisha Ford says Mr. Robinson allows students to really shine and gives them the tools to succeed.
Rodney says he hopes to instill hope and confidence in his students. “(I want them to know that) you’re important and you have a place in this world and you can achieve your goals. This is only a temporary setback.”
He creates a positive school culture and empowers his students to make changes for the better. Clearly, he is having an impact – Rodney was just named National Teacher of the Year.
Thank you to Mr. Robinson, and to all of our amazing teachers who are making a difference!
Monday, May 6, 2019
When this veteran’s electric wheelchair became stuck in soft ground by a nearby pond he was fishing at, the local fire department was called. The responding three firefighters assisted the man by lifting him and his chair out to solid ground.
But in his endeavor to escape, the man’s wheelchair ran out of battery. So, those firefighters went the extra mile, literally, to assist this veteran in need, by pushing him about 7 blocks back to his house.
Raytown Fire Protection Deputy Chief Mike Hunley said, “We encourage our guys to find the best way to make a difference when they are out in the field.”
The kind act was caught on camera by a firetruck that was following to ensure safety. The video was posted on Facebook, naturally, and received what the fire station calls a “surprising” amount of positive feedback.
“These are moments when my faith in humanity is restored,” one comment said. “Thank you for being exceptional people.”
The team appreciate the kind words, but say that that’s what they’re there for – to help people.
“That’s what we do for a living.”
True heroes, all around!
Friday, May 3, 2019
In 1981, Jim Porterfield was on his way to work when a drunk driver hit his vehicle head-on. He was in a coma for six weeks and underwent more than a dozen surgeries. Now, more than 30 years later, Jim still deals with brain damage causing short-term memory loss and seizures.
He has limited use of his arms and legs and is unable to work. But Jim is determined to find ways to care for his 17-year-old daughter Morgan, despite his disabilities. His latest thoughtful gesture went viral when Morgan found a pill bottle in her bedroom filled with change. Attached was a note that read, “$11.19- Coffee Money, Love Dad.”
Morgan says, “I read the note and I couldn’t help but cry – It was so sweet that he had thought about that and did that for me even though he doesn’t have much money himself.”
The 17 year old’s Twitter post has been retweeted more than 250,000 times! A reminder that no matter what situation you are in – you can be a generous loving person and make a difference in this world.
Thursday, May 2, 2019
Mitch and Ann Smith have been allowing people to pick their own peas for the past 10 years. The couple began their pea picking service for older people in the community. If you prefer, for a small charge, the Smiths will pick them for you. Or you can donate half of what you pick to the couple to package and sell.
This is lovingly thought out way to help anyone on a fixed income have access to healthy foods and let Mitch and Ann do what they love, together, with soil under their fingernails. The Smiths also plant a couple acres of corn, turnip and mustard greens.
The most rewarding part of this microfarm for Mitch and Ann is when people bring their grandchildren to the fields with them. They’ll be laughing and singing. They build relationships with people. Which – isn’t that what life is all about?
Wednesday, May 1, 2019
A New Orleans high school senior has some hard decisions to make. Not IF she goes to college – she has to decide which one! Antoinette Love has been accepted to 115 colleges and universities. To top that off, so far she’s banked nearly $4 million in scholarship offers. Antoinette is about to graduate from International High School of New Orleans and plans to go to school to become a teacher, according to her mom. Right now she is just enjoying the courtship of colleges – taking a road trip to visit some of the potential schools.
Love had a lot of support around her. Her counselor Denise James helped her identify college application fee waivers. Love also used the College Common App to apply to multiple colleges through one application.
Tuesday, April 30, 2019
Brenda Lomax-Brown is the 73 year old president of the Hollygrove-Dixon Neighborhood Association. She’s organized book giveaways, school supply drives and prayer walks. Plus she started a community garden, including a special kids section where local boys and girls can learn how to plant and cultivate produce.
Her neighbors refer to Miss Brenda as “a jewel” and “someone who goes the extra mile.” Inspired by her green thumb, the neighborhood is actively trying to get rid of abandoned houses and converting the lots to parks, playgrounds and more gardening spots.
Miss Brenda says she wants to create a future where kids don’t hear gunshots and hit the deck, but can play outside safely and love their neighborhood.
Monday, April 29, 2019
Thirty-four years ago, Tammy Lewis was born at 24 weeks gestation, and doctors didn’t know whether she would live or die. Now, Lewis cares for ailing babies in the neonatal intensive care unit of the hospital where she beat the odds over three decades ago.
She was the smallest surviving baby in the state of Texas at the time born at 24 weeks
Lewis weighed only 1 lb., 4 oz. and had just a five to 10 percent chance of survival when she was born at, what is now, McLane Children’s Medical Center Baylor Scott & White in Temple, Texas. She spent the first three-and-a-half months of her life in the hospital as a micro-preemie, the smallest of all premature babies.
Years later, she learned that she wanted to help babies too, and ended up working with some of the same doctors and nurses who helped save her life.
Not many people can say that you can go work where you were born and care for the same type of patients that you were and be able to give back in that way. You see parents get rough news and need some brightness and hope in the day. Tammy gets to share with the parents in the NICU Unit about the success stories and that she is am one of them. I imagine thats some good encouragement!
Friday, April 26, 2019
The Kepler Neighborhood School volleyball team out of Fresno, CA had just met up for practice when the kids went from sports stars to local heros. One of the players spotted a woman dangling by her arms off a nearby bridge and the team immediately sprang into action!
The 47-year-old woman had considered jumping from the bridge, slipped and screamed for help. The team coach, Murray Elliott, called 911 and told the team to head back to the bridge and speak encouragement to the woman in peril. Coach Elliott said, “Tell her her life matters!’”
Unable to reach the woman to help, the boys spent ten minutes yelling to this woman that she mattered – that her life had value – that she had the strength to pull herself back up. Eventually, the woman hoisted herself back on to the bridge, where she was met by police.
Local authorities called the boys “true heroes” for their actions. The Police Chief told news teams “[These boys’] words of encouragement caused this woman to realize her life had value. Thank God they were in the right place at the right time.”
Thursday, April 25, 2019
The clinking of glasses, the well-wishes from his guests, his new wife saying “I do” — David Alianiello was able to hear all of this during his wedding last weekend. Alianiello, a 34-year-old teacher from Baltimore, was born with congenital hearing loss. A week before his wedding, he received a cochlear implant, an electronic device that partially restores hearing. On the big day, Alianiello could “hear the clapping,” saying, “It was the first time I had ever heard clapping. It was fun to be able to experience the different sounds.”
Right after getting the implant, Alianiello heard his daughter, Skyli, singing Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. Now, Alianiello and his new wife are expecting their second child, and he’s looking forward to hearing “the first words my new baby speaks.”
Wednesday, April 24, 2019
Rebecca Bonner, an art teacher at McAuliffe Elementary School in Highland Village, Texas, wanted to showcase her students’ artwork. So, she bought a plain white dress online and asked some of her 580 students, ages 3 to 11, to go to town on it with Sharpies. Somehow, it came out fabulously, and she’s worn the dress to two school art shows.
The kids are proud and excited to see their work, and when photos of the dress were posted online, fellow teachers and students alike said they loved seeing such a creative, inspiring display of art education.
Tuesday, April 23, 2019
New Orleans Archbishop Gregory Aymond continued his Holy Thursday tradition of washing the feet of inmates at Orleans Parish Prison, telling them “You may be out of sight, but you are not out of mind.” The ritual of foot-washing is associated with the Last Supper when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples in an act of servitude and humility.
Monday, April 22, 2019
When firefighter Thomas Harwell and his family were at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo last weekend, Harwell saw an elderly woman struggling to get down the stadium stairs. His wife encouraged him to help the woman out, and after the show, Harwell said he wasn’t leaving until he helped her back up, too. So, he did what firefighters do best: Picked her all the way up and carried her, fairytale-style, to the top of the stairs. Harwell’s proud wife posted this pic of the sweet moment, and thousands of people on Facebook loved it.
Thursday, April 18, 2019
Mark Raymond Jr. never envisioned himself as an inspirational figure, at least not until he was forced to redefine what “never” meant to him. Following an accident on Lake Pontchartrain in 2016, he was told he would never be able to walk again. Implicit in the word “never” is the absence of hope. That was not good enough.
Now, Mark’s eyes are full of a fire that can’t be extinguished. He may not be able to walk now, and he may not ever fully regain that ability, but he’s never going to stop trying — and along the way, he’s trying to let everyone else have a little of that hope to hold onto, too.
You can catch him at the Crescent City Classic this Saturday (April 20). You can run with anyone, he says, or you can roll with him as he raises funds for what he hopes will be the first facility of its kind in Louisiana, catered specifically to people with ambulatory disabilities.
He will participate in the race to raise money and awareness for his Split Second Foundation. He hopes to have enough funding to open the Split Second Fitness Center, which will provide specialized physical and mental therapy specifically for those left physically limited by paralysis, stroke or amputation, by the end of the year.
Mark wants to offer hope. It is not just the hope, though. As Split Second’s motto goes, it is about transforming hope into action.
Wednesday, April 17, 2019
Jason Hardesty loves his job and he gets to explore the streets of New Orleans meeting all kinds of kooky characters. And all kinds of pets!
Jason is flipping the script on the old adage of how dogs and mail delivery workers are natural born enemies. Jason began Insta-documenting the pups on his route by taking selfies with the friendliest pets and people. Of course his account has gone viral!
Just search #pupsofjay to start smiling at the puppy love.
Tuesday, April 16, 2019
Emma Mertens is a very brave seven year old girl from Wisconsin. While most seven year olds are busy playing with friends and completing the 1st grade, Emma is busy fighting a rare form of cancer called Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG).
But the battle against this inoperable brain tumor hasn’t dimmed Emma’s love for life – especially when it comes to dogs! She’s puppy-crazy. Emma has folks praying for her world-wide, after her story was shared on social media. To date, more than 80,000 pictures of dogs have been sent to her online, but nothing beats a good puppy kiss.
Local police put the call out to all K-9 units throughout the region to do a surprise stop for Emma to meet the puppy-police-officers. Almost 40 police departments sent police in a parade of puppies leading up to Emma’s front door.
Emma’s dad said there were dozens of police cruisers parked up and down the streets of their neighborhood. Some of the K-9 units travelled hours for just a few minutes with this little girl, who pet and got to know each K-9 officer by name.
Monday, April 15, 2019
If you have survived a tragedy, you might have also experienced the beautiful moments of God providing as the storm dies down. The Rodriguez children have known tragedy. Both their mom and dad lost battles with cancer over the past five years.
For the past few years the eldest daughter, 20 year old Samantha, has cared for her five younger siblings – doing her best to be the parent they need. They moved to Orlando to be closer to their grandmother. But it was Samantha that stepped up and took care of her siblings. She clothed them – fed them and got them to school every day, all without a car.
Local police were inspired by The Rodriguez family and provided an epic Christmas for the six siblings – toys, food, the works! But they had more planned.
I imagine Samantha was confused and worried when she was invited to come to the Orlando Sheriff’s office this Spring. When she got there, the police surprised the young woman with a brand new Nissan Versa. The community had rallied and raised the funds to help the family out!
Friday, April 12, 2019
Belinda George, the principal at Homer Drive Elementary School, started a bedtime story tradition to get her students interested in reading. Every Tuesday night, George reads a children’s book aloud to her students from her home via Facebook Live. The students that tune in can earn advanced reader points as rewards for listening. This all began because 94% of George’s students come from disadvantaged homes and the school has struggled to keep literacy scores up in years past, so she decided to do something about it. Since she became principal last year, the school has already seen scores improve.
Thursday, April 11, 2019
Has your child or teenager ever saved up every single birthday check, lawn or babysitting dollar all to get one glorious thing? Tanner Wilson saved for two years – as a high school senior you might think he was going to get a car, but actually he bought a motorized wheelchair for his friend Brandon. Both teens go to Caddo Hills High and Brandon has made due with a standard wheelchair for years. But senior year he is rolling in style thanks to his great friend Tanner.
Wednesday, April 10, 2019
Firefighters responded to the blaze at Freedom Ministries Church in Grandview, West Virginia – but the flames were so high and hot they could not even approach the building. The building was left in ash and water damage. Except, according to the Coal City Fire Department – not a single Bible or wooden cross in the building was touched by the flames. Not a singe. The firefighters collected over a dozen of the Bibles and took a picture of them in the middle of the rubble. That picture has since gone viral.
Tuesday, April 9, 2019
One Idaho teenager who made $35,000 in one week, decided to tithe $7,000 to his church “for the sole purpose of advancing the kingdom.” According to CBN News, 18-year-old David Holston was visiting his mother in Seattle, Washington when the state was hit by a historic snowstorm of up to 10 inches. CBN News reports that the teen put an add up on Craigslist and was flooded with calls from locals and businesses who were not equipped for the snow – a rare sighting in Seattle. In an interview with Fox News, Holston shared that he wanted to tithe 20 percent of his earnings to his church, buy lawn mowing equipment for a potential new business venture and save the rest for buying his first house.
Monday, April 8, 2019
Tatiana Green lost her sight at age 17. But when she went in for an ultrasound, she got a special treat. Using 3D Printing, the hospital was able to render a touchable life-sized bust of her unborn child for her to touch.
Technicians created a lifelike bust of Murilo, Tatiana’s baby boy, while the ultra sound was being performed.
“That’s an image of your son. See if he feels the way you think he does,” said the doctor. After unwrapping the cloth, Tatiana ran her fingers across the words “I am your son,” which were written in braille at the top. She then carefully touched her son’s face, smiling as she was able to “see” her son just like other mothers. Overcome with emotion, Tatiana stated, “I’m very happy to meet Murilo before he’s born.”
Friday, April 5, 2019
Krystal Preston thought her 13-year-old son was playing a joke when he said he bought her a car. It was actually true!
Her hard-working son, William, traded his Xbox and did LOTS of yard work to buy his struggling mom (of 3 kids) a 1999 Chevrolet Metro.
(He even offered to vacuum as soon as they drove it home).
Krystal is newly single and was struggling to find work. She’s “stressed out trying to find a job, trying to find a vehicle and make ends meet.”
Williams saw his mom’s struggle and wanted to help out.
This is NOT William’s first time making an impact.
In 2017, he was recognized for his community cleanup work, including helping mow a senior citizen’s lawn.
It doesn’t stop just in his community, because of social media, William is being honored for his selfless act all over the world. “There are people writing him from Germany, London, everywhere.”
Thursday, April 4, 2019
Two sons in Florida wanted to plan something big for their dad’s birthday – so they put his phone number on a billboard with a callout for messages. Within days, Dad was getting calls from around the world.
Wednesday, April 3, 2019
God formed man out of dirt, these Northshore High School students are forming hands, to help children live more fulfilling lives, out of a plastic-like fiber!
Taylor Authement and Ethan Groom were amazed as they saw shapes slowly coming to life before their eyes. Taylor, Ethan, and other students have spent the past few weeks preparing and constructing hands using a 3-D printer.
The students closely monitor the hands and then do additional assembly work once they leave the printer.
Addie’s Angels, a local nonprofit that helps provide assistance to kids who have lost the use of a limb, helped the school purchase these 3-D printers and cover the cost of the prosthetic hands curriculum, which comes from a New Orleans company called PatentDrive.
After the Northshore students are finished working on the prosthetic hands, they are returned to PatentDive, which then sends them to a nonprofit to be distributed to children in need in other countries.
Tuesday, April 2, 2019
You can count on your mom to teach you many things…like how to wash clothes, how to put on makeup, how to correctly fold a fitted sheet, but this mom has upped the ante! She has taught her daughter (by video!) how to fold a burrito!
April, a college student from Southern California, sent a desperate text to her mother, asking for cooking advice. She’d forgotten how to roll a burrito!! (It happens!) Instead of just responding with a text, April’s mother, Silvia, responded with a very informative, yet perfectly simple 42 second video. Now thousands of people know how to properly fold a burrito, and April’s mom has LOTS of fans. The video has over 180,000 retweets and nearly 1 million likes on Twitter. So it’s pretty safe to say that in addition to puppies and babies, Twitter really loves burritos and moms.
Monday, April 1, 2019
It’s no secret that exercise can be good for your mental and emotional health (tell yourself that next time you’re on the treadmill and you feel your soul start to leave your body). Such wellness is the mission of Mark Fleming, a personal trainer who recently opened a gym especially for people with autism. Fleming is on the spectrum too, and noticed that fitness centers can be challenging environments for people like him. His gym, Puzzle Piece Fitness, caters to the specific needs of clients with autism. “I think it is important to help others on the spectrum to achieve the life that they desire. And exercise is a great way to do that,” he said.
Friday, March 15, 2019
During Lent in New Orleans on a Friday, one thing is for certain: There WILL be seafood. Which is good news for The First 72.
For some inmates getting out of prison, The First 72 is a life-saver. The non-profit organization operates a transitional house in New Orleans that helps get the ex-convicts back on their feet.
About 10 men live full-time at the First 72 transitional house at any one time. In addition to finding jobs and getting acclimated to the free world, the men volunteer time to keep the house operating and raise money for future residents.
This time of year, one surefire way to raise money is through seafood. In one of the First 72’s biggest annual fundraisers, the residents and other volunteers fry catfish, cook several side dishes and serve the full platters for $10 on every Friday of the season.
On top of the money raised, the sense of accomplishment and teamwork provides a visible boost to the ex-convicts who spend the day cooking, packaging and delivering the meals.
Troy Snavely, who was released from Angola last month, says they also helped him get basic necessities like clothes and a driver’s license. He now regularly volunteers with The First 72, saying, “It’s great to come home and be able to be a part of something. With these people helping you out, you want to be willing to help and do whatever needs to be done.”
Thursday, March 14, 2019
Fast food is just that. FAST. It may only take a minute or two to prep an order, but Kelly Stewart, who works at Taco Bell, takes those moments to also deliver messages of hope.
Between inputting the order, helping prepare, and adding utensils, Kelly also writes a brief note of encouragement and slips it into each customer’s bag.
She says, “I’ve grown from hardships in my life. It’s so nice to see someone smile, because you never know what’s going on in someone’s life.”
From simple connotations to quotes by Mark Twain, Albert Einstein and Vincent Van Gogh, the 27-year-old has written hundreds of notes with which to surprise her customers. The working mother knows from experience that a gesture as small as a note can make all the difference.
Whether it’s tear-inducing or just a simple smile, Kelly takes pride in bringing others happiness through her job.
“I may just work at a fast food place, but you have to take pride in what you do,” Kelly said. “Especially with how hard today’s times are, it’s nice to put a smile on someone’s face.”
Wednesday, March 13 , 2019
New Orleans is a city known for and filled with music. Instruments can be expensive and while plenty of musicians borrow the equipment, five band students at Sophie B. Wright school in New Orleans now have their own, thanks to local mom (and musician herself!), Leslie Cooper.
Leslie has been giving away instruments to children for about eight years now but for her, this movement started even earlier with her son, Doyle. He was 10-years-old when he wanted to learn to play music. She says, “I couldn’t afford a horn, and somebody gave us a trumpet.” Leslie remembers the joy in his eyes, and felt that joy again when, 5 years later, Doyle was able to pay it forward by passing that trumpet on to another child who wanted to play music.
Leslie calls this program “Pass It On” because she’s doing just that and encouraging other musicians to do the same. “If somebody would do just a little something, just a little something then we put all those little somethings together and the next thing we know we got a brass band,” she said.
The students call Leslie a hero. She humbly says she’s not. “I’m just doing what we’re supposed to do, what any person SHOULD do.”
Tuesday, March 12, 2019
It’s not the first time it’s happened. Nor will it be the last. But it’s a viral moment that speaks to so many things: lack of childcare. The drive to seek an education. And compassion from others.
With midterms looming, Wayne Hayer didn’t want to miss his algebra class Friday at Morehouse College in Atlanta and couldn’t find childcare for his five-month-old daughter. It was an important class, since they were reviewing content for the upcoming midterms. So he brought her along.
After Wayne explained his situation, his professor offered to hold little Assata and taught the rest of the class with the baby strapped to his chest, saying “that way, you can take good notes.”
Morehouse College President David Thomas commented, “This is about love and commitment. Loving our students and being committed to removing any barrier to their pursuit of excellence.”
Professor Alexander says, though he is the one who held the baby, this moment really was about Wayne’s hard work. “He works two jobs, is a full time student, is involved in leadership programs at school and is a parent,” the professor said. “This photo serves as a reminder of what parents have to do every day and how important it is to have affordable childcare.”
On top of it all, baby Assata was the perfect student and didn’t distract from the day’s lesson.
Monday, March 11, 2019
Rodney Smith Jr. is the founder of the organization Raising Men Lawn Care, which provides FREE yard maintenance to those in the community who need it (single moms, veterans, the elderly, those who are disabled, and others who don’t have the resources to keep up with it) through the services of youth in the community. It’s an amazing program that helps inspire young people to keep on a positive path as they learn and understand their value in society by helping others.
150 children have joined his 50-Yard Challenge to mow 2,000 lawns across the country so far.
Rodney recently offered his free lawn care service around Louisiana. He spent his time helping people, surprising a single mom in New Orleans, and getting a surprise of his own. While here, Rodney was gifted with a new mower from Bridge City Power Equipment, which he then gave to an 8 year old Louisiana boy named Aiden who wanted to tackle the 50-Yard-Challenge but didn’t have a way to do it.
Rodney is continuing his travels across the country, making a difference, one lawn at a time.
Friday, March 8, 2019
After seeing how many of his parishioners were sick because of their diets, and who did not have access to fresh, healthy food, Rev. Heber Brown III of Pleasant Hope Baptist Church in Baltimore decided to do something about it. On a lot in front of the church, Brown planted a garden filled with everything from summer squash to kale that now produces 1,100 pounds of produce every year. He also teamed up with black farmers in the area, who now sell their fruits and vegetables at the church on Sundays. Due to the enthusiastic response, Brown decided to bring the program to more congregations, launching the Black Church Food Security Network in 2015. Now, more than 10 churches in Baltimore, North Carolina, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., have established sustainable food systems at their churches, and Brown gets emails and calls all the time from people interested in joining the network.
Thursday, March 7, 2019
Professional cuddling is gaining popularity among experts in therapy who say that human touch is a comfort that cannot be replaced by traditional therapy methods. Cuddlist employs hundreds of professional cuddlers across the country who are booked by clients looking for a therapeutic cuddle session.
Clients book sessions for all kinds of reasons. Some are lonely, maybe just getting out of a divorce or haven’t been in the dating pool for a while. Other clients have disabilities or conditions that seem to become more manageable with her sessions. Some people come from trauma, from PTSD from combat overseas or PTSD from childhood trauma or are battling degenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and ALS.
Wednesday, March 6, 2019
I Can Only Imagine banked over $80 million for Lionsgate. Movie makers don’t really care what the movie is about as long it is making them millions of dollars. And since Christian music fans have spoken with their wallets – we are getting more of what you want! The team behind telling Bart Millard’s story is working on a new film called I Still Believe – which will chronicle the life of Jeremy Camp. Jeremy’s first wife died of cancer not long after they were married – so expect another tear jerker with a triumphant ending!
Tuesday, March 5, 2019
Beads that are caught and donated to ARC of New Orleans provide two wonderful causes. ARC provides jobs to the developmentally disabled, who sort, clean and repackage the beads for resale. Jefferson Parish this Mardi Gras season is allowing a truck to follow at the end of a Metairie parade and beads can literally be thrown back onto the truck– where they are taken to ARC for processing. Not only is this wonderful initiative providing, it’s also keeping our streets clean!
Monday, March 4 , 2019
Like everyone else accustomed to potential computer scams, Marianite Sister Marjorie Hebert, the president and CEO of Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans, is aware of the danger of responding to an email congratulating the recipient for winning a multimillion-dollar lottery and requesting only a banking account and a Social Security number to complete the transaction. But then it WAS REAL .The reality of Dauber’s phone call and follow-up email is this: Over the next four years, the Day 1 Families Fund will earmark $5 million for Catholic Charities to fund a multifaceted program to attack homelessness in New Orleans. The $5 million grant is the largest Catholic Charities has ever received from a private, family fund, Hebert said The organization was one of 24 nonprofits to receive the first Day 1 Families Fund grants, totaling $97.5 million, and the only one in Louisiana.
Friday, March 1, 2019
Teachers are incredible. They work tirelessly, many going above and beyond the call of duty. Shannon Grimm is the kind of teacher who goes the extra mile for her students.
The Texas kindergarten teacher recently cut her hair short after one of her students was getting teased by classmates for her own cropped hairstyle.
Priscilla Perez, 5, had endured the situation for some time so, during winter break, Ms. Grimm decided to take a stand. The decision to chop her own hair wasn’t an easy one, and she wrestled with whether she was ready to say goodbye to her long locks. But, ultimately, she felt this was an opportunity to make a statement.
Ms. Grimm, who is in her second year at the school, hopes her gesture can be used as an example in the future. She says, “In life you’re always going to have somebody who’s not nice to you. But it’s all about what you do and how you react.”
Those words seem to already resonate with Priscilla, who told her teacher, “When I get big like you, I will have friends who will be mean to me, but I will be nice to them just like you.”
Thursday, February 28, 2019
11-year-old Tyler Carach, aka the Donut Boy, started out using his own allowance to buy doughnuts as thank-yous for police officers. Now, he’s delivered more than 75,000 treats to cops in 41 states.
The idea came to Tyler when he saw four officers in a local store and asked if he could use his allowance to buy them doughnuts as a snack. The officers were so incredibly grateful, it gave Tyler the idea to set out for a mission: thank every police officer in America.
As of this past January, tyler had served over 75,000 dougnuts in 41 states. You can view Tyler’s doughnut counter by state here.
Wednesday, February 27, 2019
A Massachusetts neighborhood is coming together to make sure one of its youngest residents has a voice. Two years ago, Glenda and Raphi Savitz moved to the Newton neighborhood and soon welcomed their daughter Samantha, who was born deaf. The neighbors decided they wanted to learn how to communicate with her themselves. So they signed up for weekly night courses to learn American Sign Language. More than 20 eager students come together each week to learn how to better communicate with Sam.
Tuesday, February 26, 2019
She arrived at the Grand Canyon as a regular visitor, and left as a junior ranger. Rose Torphy, 103, went to the national park while vacationing in Arizona last month. Inside the gift shop, she started talking with an employee about the junior ranger program, which educates kids about the Grand Canyon and nature. Before long, she was taking the junior ranger oath to take care of the park and signing her certificate. “I’m happy to protect it for my great-grandchildren to visit one day,” she said. The Grand Canyon will celebrate its 100th anniversary of being a national park on Feb. 26, making Torphy three years older. “She’s a spokesperson for the park now,” her daughter, Cheri Stoneburner, told Good Morning America. “Everywhere we go, people ask her about her junior ranger pin and she says, ‘You’re never too old to see the Grand Canyon.'”
Monday, February 25, 2019
The days leading up to giving birth can intense, especially for first-time parents. Sometimes, a little kindness can make all the difference for a busy mother-to-be.
Courtney English works as a waitress at Lamp Post Diner in Clementon, New Jersey. She’s been at the establishment on and off for two years, and is used to being on her feet.
But with a baby due April 1, waiting tables all day can get pretty tiring.
“It is tough waitressing at this point, but I have a lot of help, my co-workers won’t let me lift heavy trays, and they give me sections close to the kitchen,” English told TODAY Food. “I have the greatest support from my co-workers and bosses.”
On Friday, English served a new face among her tables of regulars: a local Voorhees County police officer. He had his meal, went to the counter to pay and left the restaurant.
Later that day, when English went to collect her tips, she noticed a note he’d written on the officer’s check: “Enjoy your first. You will never forget it.”
Besides the thoughtful sentiment, the officer left a $100 tip … on meal that was less than $9. “It was wonderful feeling, completely unexpected and genuine,” English told TODAY. “Cops are portrayed as horrible people a lot of the time, and they aren’t and this just goes to show that a young officer [saw] a struggling mother to be, and wanted to extend a little help!”
English’s father, Brian Cadigan, was also moved by the officer’s gesture and posted what happened on Facebook — making a point to share how often police officers go above and beyond their daily responsibilities. A statement from the Voorhees County Police Department confirmed it was indeed one of their officers who left English her tip, however he now wishes to remain anonymous.
Friday, February 22, 2019
An organization that ships care packages to troops serving overseas has hit a milestone. Volunteers with Operation Support Our Troops America, based in a suburb of Chicago (Lisle, Illinois) have packed their 2 millionth pound of care-package items. Deb Rickert started the organization 16 years ago when her two sons were deployed. Rickert said the motto is “as long as they are there, we will be here” and that hitting the 2 million mark was bittersweet and said she hopes for the day when what the organization is doing is no longer necessary.
Thursday, February 21, 2019
What seemed like a normal call for two firefighter paramedics in St. Louis, Missouri, quickly turned into an unsteady situation. Icy roads turned into a dangerous situation, causing more than just a few traffic issues and accidents. Jon and Shaylor were called upon to help, and went to extreme lengths to ensure a patient safely got to the hospital.
This involved navigating a sliding ambulance on icy roads to the hospital, sliding into a guardrail, and nearly missing a 15-foot drop on the side of the road. Sensing all of this was distressing the injured patient, the pair put on their boots and proceeded to push the patient about a mile — complete with two large hills.
The patient didn’t have any life-threatening injuries and made it to the hospital for an evaluation, thanks to the courage and extra mile (literally!) gone by these two heroes.
They simply said, “We would never have been able to do that without the support of our community. We are never afraid to do anything extra for them.”
Wednesday, February 20, 2019
One woman in the Chicago area knew just what that cold could do to those who had no place to stay warm, so Candace Payne impulsively charged 20 hotel rooms on her credit card so that the homeless would have a safe place to stay during the dangerous deep freeze. Others took note, and that’s when other volunteers also dug deep into their pockets and picked up the tab for a total of 60 hotel rooms for homeless men and women during the cold snap. In all, Payne’s efforts led to the volunteer group being able to cover three nights at the hotel for at least 80 people.
The recipients of this kind gesture are calling Candace an angel, saying they’ve never seen the likes of this type of kindness ever before. Candace says she knows more want to help, but sometimes people just don’t know where to start. She and the other volunteers are hoping to continue working together to help provide a more long-term solution for these people in need.
Tuesday, February 19, 2019
Ruby Kate spends a lot of her summer at nursing homes in Arkansas. Her mom’s a nurse practitioner and Ruby Kate likes hanging out with the residents. But the 11-year-old admits it can get boring. Which is why the 5th grader approached a woman in a wheelchair to ask her why she was staring so intently out the glass doors. Her answer broker her heart.
The woman was watching her dog of 12 years walk away. She said a friend had just brought him for a visit, and the woman didn’t know when she might see him again. That encounter last summer led the little girl to think: how many other residents couldn’t afford simple things that brought them joy. She decided to do something about it.
Ruby Kate started a project and Facebook page called “Three Wishes for Ruby’s Residents.” Her mother helped her set up a GoFundMe account to help pay for those wishes. Ruby Kate began asking residents what three things in the world they wish they had right now.
The answers surprised Ruby Kate and her mom. One man said he wanted some pants that fit. Another asked for fresh fruit. The resident said she hadn’t had a fresh strawberry in eight years. Others asked for good books. Others said they wanted a phone because there aren’t any in their rooms and they get lonely.
GoFundMe took note and named Ruby Kate a “Kid Hero” of the month. So far, the account has raised more than $70,000 for residents in five nursing homes in Arkansas. Ruby Kate manages to visit residents two or three times a week to jot down their wishes and deliver the goodies.
Her mom says, “I had known some of these patients 20 years. They told her things they would’ve never told me because she was a child. I think Ruby’s starting a movement — recognizing a need and just doing something about it. This is about their quality of life — bringing them joy.”
Monday, February 18, 2019
Did you end up doing the back and forth to the hospital at the end of the third trimester – absolutely sure you were having a baby – only to be sent home by the hospital by chuckling nurses saying “not yet, honey!” That’s happened with Cassy Abram and her husband Scotty in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. But moments after getting back from the Braxton Hix false labor, Scotty found himself on the phone with 911, delivering his son Scotty Jr. on the floor of the living room!
The first response was from Firefighters who helped deliver the baby and even let the new dad snip the umbilical cord. Both mom and baby were safe when the EMTs arrived to take them to the hospital. As they wheeled Cassy and the Jr out to the ambulance, the Abrams saw something they will never forget – the rest of the firefighters who had arrived to help deliver the baby had been outside shovelling their driveway – which had been covered in Iowa snow.
Friday, February 15, 2019
It looks like the Federal Government is going to avoid another shutdown, with a bipartisan budget agreement. That’s good news because the last shutdown impacted over 800,000 folks – along with a single branch of the military: the Coast Guard. They worked without pay, and in some cases, without the aid of contract employees who have been furloughed.
Jennifer Norris-Martinez wasn’t going to let that stand, so she did a fundraiser and collected $2400 worth of gift cards to give to US Coast Guard employees in the GNO area. Jennifer’s son is in the coast guard, so this hits very close to home. Mrs. Norris-Martinez coordinated with the New Orleans chapter of Chief Petty Officers Association to get the aid to those who need it most.
Thursday, February 14, 2019
Hundreds of volunteers and rescue personnel were on the hunt for a 3 year old boy who went missing in the woods of North Carolina. Casey Hathaway was missing for 2 days in the wild – surviving freezing temperatures and all that nature could throw at the preschooler. It was about 9:30 at night when searchers heard a tiny voice calling for help. Miraculously Casey was unharmed. Hungry and cold, but safe. Casey had gotten tangled up in a briar patch about a quarter mile away from his grandmother’s house. The community turned the celebration into a worship service thanking God for safely returning Casey.
Wednesday, February 13, 2019
Is it ideal? No. But broken and blended families is reality. Another surprising reality – divorce rates are exactly the same inside the church as out in America. But just because one family fell apart, doesn’t mean God can’t build something beautiful in its place.
For example, 5 year old Willow Mengon has a wonderful mom (Sarah) and two loving dads. Her biological dad, David and her mom’s fiancee, Dylan. While Sara and David divorced a few years back, they parted ways amicably. Now David and Dylan have formed a strong friendship – a brotherhood – all to help raise their daughter Willow.
Recently Sarah snapped pictures of her daughter with her two dads headed out to a Daddy/Daughter Dance. The pictures are adorable and went viral, shared well over 100,000 times on Facebook.
Bio-dad, David is well aware that his and Dylan’s friendship will help set up Willow’s future relationships, saying “She’s going to gauge the men that she dates off of our behavior. So, if we treat her with respect and treat her mom with respect in the process, you know it’s one thing to tell your kids something but to show them every day is something different. We want a strong young woman who knows how to be treated and that’s going to be based off the example we set.”
Tuesday, February 12, 2019
Everybody has their favorite King Cake. Some like the classic Haydell or Randazzo’s. My wife loves Gambinos and I’m partial to the Vietnam inspired Dong Phuong. But we have choices. We’re spoiled.
Meanwhile thousands of American troops serve overseas living off of the cantina and MREs. Well Randazzo’s Camellia City Bakery isn’t going to stand for that. Since 2003 Randazzo’s has been shipping king cakes to the troops through Operation We Care. Troops in Afghanistan, Iraq and other deployments around the globe will soon be asking their cajun compatriots why they found a plastic baby in their giant cinnamon roll thanks to some incredible local generosity. 400 red white and blue king cakes are in the mail right now to the active duty servicemen and women.
Monday, February 11, 2019
Katie became a foster parent in 2016. She cared for four foster children before meeting Grayson, a baby who was abandoned at the hospital. On May 25, 2017, Katie officially adopted Grayson, who is now two years old. Just months after adopting Grayson, Katie received a call about a newborn girl, named Hannah, who needed a home. As soon as she met Hannah, she knew it was meant to be. Katie adopted Hannah on December 28, 2018 and a DNA test confirmed that the children are actually biological siblings! Plus, Katie is already in the process of adopting another 5 month old – this one is probably not related to the other two kids though.
Friday, February 8, 2019
Now that his beloved dog is by his side, Perryn Miller can heal. Perryn, an 8 year old little boy, lives in Wilmington, North Carolina. While in Utah for the holidays, he started to have bad headaches, and during a trip to the emergency room, doctors discovered he had a brain tumor.
Perryn underwent surgery, and remained in Utah — far away from his family dog, 8-month-old German shepherd Frank. A former truck driver named Bob Reynolds read about Miller’s story on social media and volunteered to drive Frank the 2,300 miles to Utah.
The trucker made the 52 hour haul and said, “I never questioned why I was doing it or anything like that – I just knew something had to be done and that I could do it.” All kinds of medical reports have testified to the healing power of dogs and other pets – especially for kids. While Bob Reynolds drove a dog across the country in a little over 2 days – he likely shaved weeks off of Perryn’s recovery!
Both Frank and Perryn agree on one other important fact – Frank, the German Shepherd is a GOOD BOY!
Thursday, February 7, 2019
During a 2005 trip to southern Africa with his mother, 10-year-old Winston Duncan was inspired to start a nonprofit that, 14 years later, is still going strong. Winston met kids with holes in their shoes who walked miles to school and wanted to make it easier for them to get around.
Along with his mother, Dixie, he launched Wheels for Africa. People from the Duncans’ hometown of Arlington, Virginia donate bicycles, and after they are fixed up, the bikes are sent to people in need, mostly in Africa. Over the last 14 years, more than 8,000 bikes have been donated. Recently Winston, his mom and a group of volunteers went to Puerto Rico for the first time, where 400 bikes and helmets were given to people still reeling from the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria in 2017.
Now 24, Winston Duncan is a graduate of Bard College and working at a political consulting firm – while continuing his work with Wheels for Africa. So if you are 10 years old and you have a vision for changing the world in big or small ways – be like Winston Duncan. Don’t give up – you can make a difference!
Wednesday, February 6, 2019
One woman tweeted that her 4-year-old daughter said she wished she was a boy, because she wants to be a firefighter. Female firefighters responded, proving that a woman is more than fit for the job.
Tuesday, February 5, 2019
For three months during the Korean War, 1,000 sailors aboard the USS Point Cruz doted on a tiny passenger: a baby rescued from a trash can in Seoul. While on a walk in 1953, Navy medic Norm Van Sloun of Minnesota and a few other sailors heard a cry, and found the baby, left for dead. He was brought on board, and a crib was made and a sick bay was transformed into a nursery. They named him George, and sailors lined up to see him during his visiting hours. Van Sloun, 88, always wondered what happened to George, and his daughter finally found him online. Now named Dan Keenen, he was adopted by a Navy surgeon in Spokane, and is married with two sons. They recently reconnected via video chat, with Keenen telling Van Sloun, if it hadn’t been for the sailors, “I literally wouldn’t be here today.”
Monday, February 4, 2019
Every baby that Dr. Erik Bostrom delivers at Riverwood Healthcare Center in Aitkin, Minnesota, goes home with a parting gift: a blanket made by the doctor himself. Bostrom is a family medicine doctor, not an obstetrician, but because he works in a rural area, delivering babies is part of the job. When the 33-year-old arrived at the hospital two years ago, he told a colleague he wanted to do something to connect with patients, and they told him he should make each baby a blanket. He learned how to use a sewing machine, and about a year later, taught himself to embroider, adding each baby’s name, date of birth, height, and weight to their blanket. “I never thought sewing could be so much fun,” Bostrom told the Star Tribune.
Friday, February 1, 2019
Shelters can be a stressful place for dogs and cats. Nancy, a 10-year-old volunteer at an animal shelter, helps the animals relax by singing.
Not only are the animals calmer, but their peaceful demeanors make them more adoptable. Little Nancy brings her ukulele along with her and helps bring the shy animals out of their shells. Some can even be heard howling along with her.
The singalongs get these animals closer to finding their forever homes, and that’s music to our ears!
Just goes to show the impact music can have on each of us. Thank YOU for helping to bring uplifting encouragement through music by supporting the ministry of LifeSongs!
Thursday, January 31, 2019
Katie Blomquist left her job in PR to become a teacher, because she wanted to make a difference in the world. Years later, with a master’s degree, a new city and a refreshed outlook, she found herself teaching students in South Carolina not only academics, but also life and social skills, providing a listening ear during recess and being one of the only consistent adults in their lives.
She became especially close with a first grader named Jawan, who was “pretty unmotivated in school because he was never given a reason to be motivated,” said Katie. “I thought, ‘I’ve got to bond with him outside of here and show him there’s all these awesome things in the world you can do… but you have to go through school first.’”
Katie knew Jawan’s home life was much different than the household she grew up in. Yet, she was still shocked by his birthday wish. When she had told him to pick out a present as they shopped at Walmart, he chose a bike.
“I took my memory of riding a bike for granted. I still thought everyone had a bike,” she recalled.
With a teacher’s salary, Katie couldn’t buy Jawan a bike. But she was determined to fulfill his birthday wish. She set up a GoFundMe and realized if Jawan didn’t have a bike, most students probably didn’t either.
“That’s when it snowballed into ‘I can’t leave anybody out at this school,’” said Katie.
The fundraising campaign went viral. GoFundMe, Twitter and TJ Maxx jumped on board to help promote the effort. Katie was featured on local and major media outlets.
With the help of thousands of donations and a local bike store, Katie was able to buy the 650 bikes with the $80,200 raised – more than $15,000 above her initial goal.
This gave her a sense of purpose and some extra money from the fundraiser. So she decided to invest the money in starting the non-profit, Going Places. The organization continues to give children bikes and more. But it’s not about the bikes, it is about what the bikes represent. Katie says the non-profit is different than any other because it provides joy.
“It’s about making sure all children aren’t missing out because a person may have all the basic needs in life but what kind of life is a life without joy? Providing joy, especially in children, can shape who they are as an adult. It can shift their whole life.”
Wednesday, January 30, 2019
Traveling with kids can be challenging. Kelsey Zwick knows this. Her daughter, Lucy, receives treatment for a chronic lung disease, which means carrying an oxygen machine when they travel to hospitals for her medical care.
After boarding, an American Airlines flight attendant told Kelsey a man in first class asked to switch seats. Kelsey was so moved in the moment, but didn’t feel she properly shared her gratitude with the traveler, so she then turned to Facebook to say thanks even more:
“To the man in 2D. Today you were traveling from Orlando to Philly. I don’t know you, but I imagine you saw us somewhere. I was pushing a stroller, had a diaper bag on my arm and also lugging an oxygen machine for my daughter. We had smiles on our faces as we were headed to see her “friends” at CHOP (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia). We pre-boarded the plane, got cozy in our window seat and made jokes to those around us about having to sit by my yelling-but-happy baby. The flight attendant came over and told me you were waiting to switch seats. You were giving up your comfortable, first class seat to us. Not able to hold back tears, I cried my way up the aisle while my daughter Lucy laughed! She felt it in her bones too… real, pure, goodness. I smiled and thanked you as we switched but didn’t get to thank you properly. Sooo… thank you. Not just for the seat itself but for noticing. For seeing us and realizing that maybe things are not always easy. For deciding you wanted to show a random act of kindness to US. It reminded me how much good there is in this world. I can’t wait to tell Lucy someday. In the meantime… we will pay it forward. AA 588 passenger in seat 2D, we truly feel inspired by your generosity.”
Tuesday, January 29, 2019
We’re told any small good deed makes a difference. By that measure, a man named Albert Lexie made a world of it.
Albert shined shoes at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s Children’s Hospital for over 30 years. Twice a week, he would take three buses from his home to reach the hospital, where he diligently shined shoes for just $3 a pop, using a shoeshine box he built in high school shop class as a 15-year-old.
Recently, 76-year old Albert passed away, and left an incredible gift behind: he donated ALL of his tip money to the sick children! That’s right. Every cent of tips he ever received while shining shoes amounted to over $202,000, which he left to the hospital’s Free Care Fund, which provides medical care to uninsured and under-insured children in his city.
The hospital’s president said, “He is the perfect example of how small incremental acts of kindness can impact millions of people.”
But he didn’t care about the fame or accolades that came along with his impressive donations. Mr. Lexie had just one goal in mind: “I wanted to see the kids get well.”
Monday, January 28, 2019
Eric McKay, 15, really, really likes peanut butter. His mother, Tracy, said he goes through a jar every three days. But his supply was running low. Eric, who has autism, tweeted to grocery store chain Lidl (pronounced “lee-dle” like “needle”) to ask when peanut butter would go on sale again. His mother had bought 72 jars last February at their local store’s grand opening. The company responded with a challenge: Get 72,000 retweets, and in exchange they would give him a lifetime supply of store-brand peanut butter.
He succeeded.
Eric’s father was his inspiration on what to do with all that peanut butter (besides eat it). He’s a federal employee who has been unable to work because of the partial government shutdown. He provides the family’s main source of income.
With his father — a furloughed federal worker — at his side at the grocery store, Eric and his family gave away several peanut butter jars Jan. 23 to other workers furloughed during the longest government shutdown in U.S. history with another planned peanut butter giveaway to come.
“We don’t have any income, but we do have peanut butter, so we should share it.” Tracy McKay said, “To him, it was the obvious thing to do.”
Friday, January 25, 2019
Remember when Marshon Lattimore bumbled coverage of Stefon Diggs in the last second of the playoff game against the Vikings, ending the Saints season and sending the Vikings on to the NFC Championship game? It was only one year ago. I’m sure Marshon’s friends don’t let him forget it. This year Lattimore made the interception, sending the Saints to the NFC Championship game – but that came after a dead-on pass sailed straight through the hands of Eagles Wide Receiver Alshon Jeffery.
Jeffery just laid down on the field in shame. This is an all pro player who had been making catches all throughout the game. But in the final moments of the game – when the pressure was on – the ball went “shwoop” right into Lattimore’s hands.
The Eagles’ quarterback, Nick Foles immediately went up to his buddy and told him it was ok – that they had an amazing season and so much of their success was because of Jeffery’s hard work. But still. It had to stink to drop that pass.
When Jeffery got back to Philly – not a city known for forgiving fans – he was greeted with a letter from a local elementary student. Abigail wrote her favorite player and told him it was going to be ok. The second graders at West Chester Elementary got a surprise visit from Alshon last week, so he could meet Abigail in person and talk to them about perseverance and hard work – and owning up to your mistakes. Alshon might have dropped a single pass, but he’s picked up a lot of respect.
Thursday, January 24, 2019
What comes to mind when you hear “Angola”? You think of a maximum security prison filled with the worst of the worst, right? Except that in Angola, the Holy Spirit is moving.
For over 20 years the New Orleans Baptist Seminary has partnered with the prison ministry within Angola to offer seminary degrees for the residents – most of whom are in prison for violent crimes and many for life. Each year dozens graduate with certificates in ministry and some with Bachelor’s and even Masters degrees in Christian ministry.
Prison administrators have seen such a dramatic change in the lives of these prisoners that many who you would have written off as unredeemable are now serving in a ministry capacity while serving their prison terms. Several graduates of the program have opted to be transferred to other state prisons to help chaplains meet the spiritual needs of the prison.
Wednesday, January 23, 2019
Chris Ellis, a businessman from Wichita, frequents the McDonald’s where Vicki Anderson works. Ellis is a little quirky – you know, one of those oddball morning people that have a sense of humor before the sun comes up. The first time Anderson served Ellis in the drive-through she wondered if he might be a little crazy. She told her boss that Mr. Ellis would say things like “10-4, good buddy,” to the drive thru speaker. Her boss suggested that she have some fun with Ellis and give him back a little attitude – and a relationship was born.
Ellis says Anderson is always ready with a big smile and a laugh. “She was so friendly at the drive-up window – I looked forward to it every time.” On Monday, Ellis was in the drive-through and Anderson asked him if he knew anyone who might have a cheap vehicle for sale. Her car had died and the $500 it would cost to get it fixed is more than the car is worth. So Chris decided to give her a car and he presented it to her thru the drive up window!
You see, great customer service sometimes does pay off!
Tuesday, January 22, 2019
Cam Jordan is a football star. He leads the Saints Defense every game on the field. His work ethic during the week inspires teammates to put in the training hours too. But he goes even further – and has since he first signed with the Saints back in 2011. Every Tuesday – his day off – Cam Jordan volunteers in local schools where he reads to kids, mentors students and visits children in the hospital.
Sometimes Cam and his three children will run some football drills with the local school teams. Cam says when his dad was in the NFL he started doing this and wanted to honor his dad by continuing to show there are more important things than playing football.
Monday, January 21, 2019
What do you do when you are being bullied and feel like no one is listening? You write a book and get it published! At least that’s what a fourth grader in Iberville Parish did! Marcayah Carter was teased last school year when she started wearing glasses. Even though she could see better and she picked mint green frames — her favorite color — they laughed.
But look who’s laughing now. Marcayah’s mom, surprised her daughter with a hard copy of the book (Don’t Be A Bully: Love Always) for her ninth birthday, contracting a graphic designer to design the cover art. Since then, they’ve started selling the book around Iberville Parish, and they’ve listed it on Amazon as both an e-book and a physical book. With more than 100 copies sold, they’re about to order their fourth reprint of Don’t Be A Bully.
Between speaking at local school board meetings, 4-H Club, cheerleading, Junior Beta and regular school work, Marcayah already started writing another book.
Friday, January 18, 2019
God takes ashes and turns them into something beautiful. Alex takes a ball of yarn and turns it into an answered prayers.
Alex Reins has been busy knitting hats and scarves for people who will need them for the winter. His mother, Bri Reins, and three great-aunts regularly get together to knit for what they call Alex’s Warm Hat Project.
The 9-year-old from Lakewood, Colorado, was inspired to give back after hearing about a person who was discharged from the hospital wearing ONLY a hospital gown and socks, and had to wait for the bus in the cold.
Alex’s great aunt said: “His big heart saw that and he thought, ‘We just need to do something to help other people,'”
Since then, Alex and his family have worked diligently, making more than 300 hats and scarves, which they’ve dropped off at local food banks and shelters.
Thursday, January 17, 2019
Most weddings are pretty predictable. White dress, 1 Corinthians 13, light a candle, shake your tail feather and cut the cake. But what if the bride and groom did things a little… different.
Brad and Jennifer’s unique wedding reception stemmed from when they first started dating years ago around Christmas. The holidays are very special for Brad’s family, because they always go shopping for gifts that they can donate to Toys for Tots. So when Brad & Jennifer tied the knot, instead of an ordinary reception, they brought all of their guests to a Target in Orlando, Florida to shop for goodies to donate to needy children!
And for the icing on the cake: they gave each of their guests $10 gift cards to spend on the toys.
Wednesday, January 16, 2019
Holding a door open for a stranger can change the course of their day….but what if that same stranger needed a kidney?
Lisa Schumacher knew nothing about Pam Cassidy when she decided to donate a kidney to her. Lisa is a labor and delivery nurse at Edward Hospital in Illinois. She overheard Dr. Brett Cassidy saying that his wife’s kidney was failing. Now some would pause and weigh the options of how best to help or what to do… but not Nurse Lisa! Right then and there, in that very moment, she told Dr. Brett that she’d be the person to help!
Little did Lisa know that she and Dr. Brett’s wife would have so much in common! Both are near the same age, they each have teenage children and Pam Cassidy was also a labor and delivery nurse! When asked why she would give a kidney to a stranger, Lisa said, “It was time in my life to do something for somebody.” A simple answer for a big gift.
Tuesday, January 15, 2019
In Southeast Louisiana, when it gets so cold that the roads and bridges start to ice, we usually just cancel school. We aren’t prepared to handle that. But in some parts of the country (literally MOST of the country) you just have to bundle up and get to work and school.
Bus driver Wayne Price had already picked up several students in Montevallo, Alabama, when he got a message letting him know that school was going to open late because of an ice storm. Many of the kids in the school district get free or reduced breakfast and lunch at school, and Wayne was concerned they were going to miss a meal. So he drove to a nearby fast food restaurant and bought every kid on the bus a sausage biscuit. In total, he bought about 50 breakfasts!
Wayne didn’t win any awards*, but he did get a lot of high fives and a deep appreciation from the kids’ parents. Wayne the bus driver showed a kind of thoughtfulness and kindness that seems so rare these days – but if you look around, you’ll see folks just like Wayne making a difference!
* McDonalds DID however hook him up with a $1000 Visa card and coupons for his bus riders!
Monday, January 14, 2019
Have you had a chance to go through all the gifts and boxes you received over the holidays? Sometimes, those things linger (especially if your tree is still up) and you realize you haven’t even opened a stray gift!
Look at that – it’s an Instant Pot … but there’s something inside…
One Washington state woman, Shiloah, was full of joy when she opened up her new Instant Pot on Christmas morning. When she took the packaging out of the box, all the pieces and parts to the pot were there, but there was something extra… something that didn’t belong AT All!
A wedding ring!
But it was not a Christmas marriage proposal. Turns out the ring belonged to someone else. Shiloah had NO clue how to find the owner. It was a needle in a haystack situation so she decided to harness the power of social media! She posted her discovery on a local Facebook page and thanks to friends and friends of friends for sharing… she heard back from the ring’s owner, JoAnn Johnson!
The ring was returned just days before JoAnn and her husband celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary. She reacted with great joy after getting her ring back. But how did the ring end up in the box in the first place?
JoAnn and her husband were shopping for an Instant Pot, and wanted to see one of the smaller ones, so they opened a box to look at it, and that’s when the ring fell off! She realized her ring was missing about 15 minutes later, and after retracing her steps (and looking EVERYWHERE) it couldn’t be found. JoAnn and her husband had given up all hope of ever finding it.
JoAnn said, “For Shiloah to find the ring and reach out in all the ways she could think of, makes her an exceptional person” And the pair have formed a real (not just Facebook) friendship through all this Christmas drama! So in the end, Shiloah got an Instant Pot, JoAnn got her ring back and both ladies got a new friend.
Friday, January 11, 2019
When Sgt. Brian Maynard pulled over Laura and Jimmy Baker, he was prepared to deliver a ticket. Instead, the state trooper summoned an EMS team, which delivered the couple’s baby girl on the side of North Carolina’s US Highway 64.
The highway patrolman’s dash cam captured the scene (so no need to hire a photographer). Parents Jimmy and Laura Baker were going 85 in a 60 mph zone but couldn’t quite make it to the hospital. Sgt. Maynard calmed the frantic father and then contacted EMS, and with the ambulance on its way, the patrolman grabbed his gloves and a blanket, and then helped deliver the baby girl.
Sgt. Maynard says, “For so many years, I’ve seen a lot of death… to be a part of the process that actually brings a life into this world is absolutely amazing.”
Thursday, January 10, 2019
Does your pastor often use jokes to transition from point to point during his sermon? There’s only so many stories about Boudreau and Thibodeau that you can tell. So Pastor Jon Neal worked up a plan to enact the very topic he was speaking on from the pulpit. The subject? Gratitude and generosity.
Pastor Neal and his wife Brittany ordered pizza for the congregation of Life Church in Danville, IL during the service. When the delivery driver arrived, they asked her up to the front of the pulpit and presented her with a tip for over $1600, collected by the congregation.
On one hand, can you imagine the feeling of delivering a pizza to a church service and being called up to the front? But on the other hand … $1600.
Wednesday, January 9, 2019
Becca Kinsey just wanted to take her two preschoolers to Disney World. Is that so wrong? It is when your 2 year old is having a meltdown while you are trying to get through airport security and what’s that? You lost your driver’s license? And where’s the other kid – there were two kids just a minute ago…
Can you imagine this chaos? Does your heart hurt for poor Becca?
But this story has a happy ending. While fumbling through the airport with James (age 5) and Wyatt (all of 2), strangers did not hesitate to help the mom get her family to the happiest place on earth (where her husband was already waiting for his family). Some stepped in to carry luggage – others distracted the kids while in line.
Becca said “I couldn’t believe how many people were just so willing to jump in and do things!”
Would you offer to soothe and distract a 2 year old on a flight you paid hundreds of dollars for? Someone did. Would you carry heavy luggage including car seats for a stranger through the airport? Someone did. And we’re not talking TSA or airline employees here – just good people.
Chris Pratt (Andy from Parks & Rec, AKA Star Lord) saw the story and sent it viral when he shared a picture on Instagram.
When asked if she would try to fly with her two littles again, she said “not until they are teenagers.”
Tuesday, January 8, 2019
Texans pride themselves on being friendly and neighborly, and one group of Texans proved recently that it’s not just talk. They put their good intentions into action.
Greg Bishop, a man who lives near Lubbock, Texas, was diagnosed with leukemia in September. The deadly disease wasted no time in ravaging the man. A cotton farmer, Bishop became so ill and weak from chemo that he couldn’t even harvest his cotton crop this year. Furthermore, his immune system had weakened so much that he had to remain indoors. But never mind that. His friends, neighbors and his entire community immediately stepped up to make sure it got done.
Bringing in millions of dollars worth of equipment, 35-40 farmers made short work of getting Bishop’s cotton harvested. They brought in about 20 cotton strippers and all of the rest of the equipment needed to get the job done.
So many people wanted to help that they had to turn people away. And this wasn’t a small job. Bishop grows a lot of cotton. Seriously, a LOT of cotton. These farmers harvested 300-400 acres of cotton in five hours. Local companies contributed food, fuel, and service trucks. One local chemical business even brought in 75 hamburgers to feed all the people working. It was truly a community effort to help a friend and neighbor. The end result was about 1,200 bales of processed cotton. Its value is about $420,000, money that will go a long way for Mr. Bishop as he fights the deadly disease of leukemia. It’s heartwarming to see neighbors showing what it really means to be a neighbor.
Monday, January 7, 2019
Here we are, one week into a new year! Still sticking to those resolutions? How did last year’s pan out?
One married couple rang in 2019 by completing their 2018 New Year’s resolution – and they did it simply by having dinner together at a restaurant. That’s because Justin and Sarah Breen’s resolution was to go out to dinner with each other once a week without their two kids.
At the beginning of 2018, Justin then suggested that they use their New Years resolution as a commitment to having at least one date night every week for a year. The couple from Chicago, Illinois is quick to emphasize that they love being parents and spending time with their sons, but raising the youngsters can often be quite stressful, and the Breens wanted to ensure that they were paying enough attention to each other.
Though there were some weeks that were harder than others, due to babysitter cancellations, sickness, and sudden plan changes, Justin and Sarah have successfully gone on 52 wonderful dinner dates. When asked whether he had any tips for couples wanting to complete similar New Years resolutions, he said, “Marriage is not magic. It’s about commitment to each other. Much like becoming a doctor or building a successful business or keeping a resolution, it takes time, patience and commitment.”
Friday, January 4, 2019
After 2 decades of giving, Richard Packman of Chicago made his 500th blood donation to end 2018.
It all started with a blood drive at his church. Richard, age 74, first donated blood in the early 1990s. After being told by a phlebotomist that he had “big veins,” the Chicago resident made the switch to platelets – a process that takes a little longer, about two hours. The platelet donations go to help people battling cancer.
Richard Packman has spent an estimated 1,000 hours giving blood or platelets – celebrating the end of 2018 by making his 500th donation. A small celebration was held, with streamers and carrot cake. But Packman has no plans to stop giving, saying: “Just remember one thing: It’s better to give than to receive.”
Inspired by Mr. Richard’s gift of love? You can do the same with the LifeSongs Love Drive on February 9th. Visit lifesongs.com/lovedrive to learn more!
Thursday, January 3, 2019
Snacks, toothbrushes, jackets, socks, deodorant — Carolyn Collins’ closet has it all. Collins is a janitor at Tucker High School in Tucker, Georgia, and four years ago, after learning that two students were homeless, she decided to set up a “giving closet” for students in need.
“I knew that they weren’t the only kids at school who were struggling,” Carolyn says. “And I thought, ‘I’m going to do whatever I can to help these kids.’ High school is hard enough without being homeless.”
Carolyn Collins set up shop in a storage room near the cafeteria, and now teachers and other students help her keep it stocked. She doesn’t want any student to feel ashamed or embarrassed about having to take items from the closet. Carolyn is there to offer them a hug, love on them and let them know that she’s there for them.
Wednesday, January, 2, 2019
83 year old Johnnie Jones graduated LSU with a doctorate in Social Work just a few weeks ago. Now he plans to enroll in law school. Why? Johnnie says “One of the guys who climbed Mount Everest — when someone asked him why did he do it, he said because the mountain was there. That’s pretty much my attitude toward knowledge. I’m pursuing it because it’s there.”
Dr. Jones dropped out of school in the sixth grade to take care of his family just after WWII. He fell in love with academics while serving in the Marine Corp in the 1950s. He studied at LSU through correspondence courses while serving in Vietnam. Over the years Johnnie Jones raised a family – ran a restaurant – worked in the corrections department and has had an all around exceptional life – with much left to do according to the octogenarian!
TODAY’S GOOD NEWS STORIES FROM 2018:
Friday, December 21, 2018
Acts 20:35 Amplified Bible (AMP)
“…….remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed [and brings greater joy] to give than to receive.’”
An Alabama second-grader didn’t want her fellow classmates to go without this holiday season. So she took it upon herself to give everyone a present. Abby Henderson gave each of the 430 students at Southview Primary School in Opelika, Alabama a gift that included a toy, pencils, candy and a holiday cup. Her mom says the 8 year old paid for the $200 in supplies by doing jobs around the house between Thanksgiving and the beginning of the Christmas break.
Now that is a child who gets Christmas!
Thursday, December 20, 2018
Cecelia T. Pedescleaux lights up the room with stories of a childhood spent reading and cuddling up in a special quilt, made for her by the aunt she called Big Mama. Now an accomplished quilter herself, Cecelia’s love of the craft has attracted a community of women who have met monthly for more than two decades at the Beecher Memorial Church in the Seventh Ward. Some women quilt by hand; some use sewing machines. Members are encouraged to explore any method that inspires them.
The women find joy in quilting, but the work is not only for themselves and their families. Every year, the group creates custom quilts for children in foster care, offering foster children a sense of security – something that is all theirs – made just for them – something they don’t outgrow.
Wednesday, December 19, 2018
A Vietnam war veteran has been united for the first time with a woman who sent him a Christmas card while in elementary school almost fifty years ago. John Metzler was 23 years old and serving in Vietnam as an Army helicopter gunner when he got a Christmas card from DonnaCaye Ludemann Sica, who was in sixth grade at the time. Metzler still keeps the letter to this day, and DonnaCaye flew to Metzler’s hometown in Idaho to surprise him in person. Metzler said being thanked for his service kept him going through tough times.
“When you got up in the morning you always wondered whether you would see the sun go down at night.” Metzler was shocked when meeting his long-lost letter-writer in person.“You’re real!” he said when he first saw her.
DonnaCaye says she remembers writing the letter, because she was amazed at the opportunity to write to a serviceman. Her sweet simple words were:
“Dear Serviceman, I want to give my sincere thanks for going over to war to fight for us. The class hopes you will be able to come home.”
John says, “I think the letter means more today than it did when I got it!”
It has become almost cliche to thank a veteran for his or her service, but John and DonnaCaye’s story reminds us how crucial it is to both say and hear “thank you.”
Tuesday, December 18, 2018
Right now you are most likely realizing that Christmas is exactly ONE week away from this exact moment… You might be panicking for any number of reasons – for example: maybe you forgot to make an appointment with your hairdresser. You gotta look your best for all of those Christmas parties and pictures, right?
When a white mother in Georgia realized she wasn’t doing her adopted black daughter’s hair correctly, she turned to social media for advice — and a woman she had never even met offered to help. Two days after Stephanie Hollifield posted about her daughter’s hair on Facebook, Monica Hunter arrived at the Hollifield’s home armed with “advice, headbands, combs and hair product.”
Now their story has gone viral, and Hollifield is calling it a reminder of “the importance of kindness.”
Monica Hunter, who saw the viral social media post, reached out and offered to come over and help. She asked for nothing in return and wouldn’t accept any payment. Monica not only helped style the child’s hair – she taught Stephanie how to do it for her daughter, giving her confidence for the future. A new friendship was born – and a little girl’s hair looks great for Christmas!
Stephanie says in a time when our world is so divided, this is newsworthy because it’s a quiet act of kindness that spoke loudly to people from all walks of life. There are many opportunities to make someone’s day brighter every day.
Monday, December 17, 2018
Get in on the GOOD NEWS with us – by making Christmas special for a Louisiana boy.
A Louisiana boy fighting the most deadly form of childhood cancer is hoping to receive 190 cards for Christmas this year. Drake Quibodeaux, 8, was diagnosed with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, or DIPG, in March. There is no known cure. Participating in his favorite activities has become increasingly difficult as his family has gotten news the tumor is growing,
A family friend suggested flooding Drake’s mailbox with holiday cards so that it might bring him some Christmas cheer this year.
According to Drake’s mom Danielle, the 8 year old asked for cards for his birthday in June, and he got nearly 80! By Christmas, he’s hoping to have double that amount.
If you want to send Drake a Christmas card, his address is: 2412 Hwy 388, Vinton, LA, 70668.
Friday, December 14, 2018
Growing up we were taught that if you needed help you could talk to your parents, pastors, teachers, coaches, police officers, doctors and firefighters. Today, the idea of trusting authority is a hard sell. Many kids don’t know who they can go to when they have questions or need help in any way.
A teacher named Julia Brown in Texas did a school survey asking the students to name an adult at their school they trusted and felt they could go to with anything. The results of the survey were staggering – 10% couldn’t name a single person they trusted. So over Summer break Ms. Brown created the ‘I Need’ box. She says, “It was my desire to make sure my students knew I was there for them no matter what they needed, large or small.”
This is a great example of being a community leader and investing in the future of our world. What would you put in the “I NEED!” box today? LifeSongs has something similar – it’s not a box though – it’s called PrayerWorks.
Thursday, December 13, 2018
It’s a dream come true! Imagine you get a notification from Walmart that all of the Christmas presents you put on layaway have been paid in full – would you please come pick them up. We’ve heard how celebrities have been popping up and paying the tab – but what if regular everyday people started doing this?
That’s exactly what happened at a Walmart in Derby, Vermont (it must be beautiful this time of year in Vermont. All that snow…). The Good Samaritan kept his identity a secret and cleared out the layaway for this town’s Walmart. Completely. He paid over $45,000 towards complete strangers’ Christmases.
Customers were in shock. Hopefully some of them will pass on the blessing in whatever way they can. What if we all started budgeting for Christmas a little earlier and each paid off one other person’s layaway next Christmas? What would that even look like?
If you need help setting up a budget, don’t miss the LifeSongs Ministry Podcast MoneyWise – every weekday at 10 am!
Wednesday, December 12, 2018
Last month Megan Nierman got pulled over for speeding by Hendricks County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Evan Love. Megan was not only speeding — she was driving with an expired license plate. She confessed to the officer about her plates — and about what she was going through. Megan is a single mom and her ex isn’t paying child support. It’s real life stuff, but Megan was sure the officer got plenty of sob stories from people who get pulled over.
Sgt. Love listened to Megan’s story, walked to his car and came back holding a ticket. The police officer told the mom that if she got her plates renewed within a week, he’d tear up her speeding ticket. It was Megan’s 2-year-old daughter that tugged on his heart. Officer Love thought with the holidays coming up, she can buy a lot of gifts instead of the cost of a speeding ticket. But the police officer went even further to help this family out – he made a couple of phone calls to some family members to see if they wanted to help too.
Officer Love tracked Megan down, tore up the ticket and gave her a Christmas card with a $300 Target gift card inside – to help her out during Christmas.
Megan tears up when she tells the story – saying there are a lot of good officers out there that don’t make the news like the bad apples do. But Officer Love wasn’t looking for publicity. It was just a “little something” to make a single mom’s holidays a little easier. These acts of kindness often run under the radar, but they happen all the time. And each of us can do them too!
Tuesday, December 11, 2018
For almost 30 years, John Chhan and his wife, Stella have run the Donut City shop in Seal Beach, California – a constant, reassuring part of their customers’ lives. But now the hard-working couple is facing a medical crisis, and their patrons are returning the sweetness. Stella suffered a brain aneurysm last month.
With a business to run and bills to pay, the doughnuts still have to roll. John Chhan thought he would have to spend most of his time working at Donut City – away from his wife. But when customers learned about the Chhans’ situation, they opened their hearts – and their mouths – wide. Every morning, beginning at 4:30, customers flock to the doughnut shop. They buy up all the glazed, all the frosted. They drink up the coffee as they hand over their cash and their love. By 7:30 the bins are empty and John can go spend his day with Stella.
Many customers say they are simply giving back the good cheer the Chhans have handed out over the decades.
“Every Sunday for 20 years, we’ve been purchasing doughnuts,” said Jenee Rogers, another long-time customer. “It’s one of the few things that’s still here. He makes them fresh and brings them right there in the mornings. It’s a real American dream for them.”
John and Stella have worked hard for their piece of the dream and specifically asked that no crowdfunding sites be set up on their behalf. So, the customers decided to do what they’ve always done, just a little earlier in the morning: head to Donut City, buy the doughnuts and spread the sweetness.
Monday, December 10, 2018
When you’re a kid, there are things you don’t forget, especially around Christmastime. One Illinois woman is spending her hours on the “case,” helping make happy holiday memories for children in need.
Not one to sit still after her retirement, Karen Persing was looking for a way to give back. So she decided to put her love of sewing to good use, helping children who might not otherwise get a special holiday gift. Persing, has been teaming up with like-minded volunteers to sew pillowcases in bright Christmas colors and designs, or with Disney characters or superheroes. The pillowcases – 312 to date – will be picked up by a van from Together We Cope, where pajamas will be placed in each pillowcase to be given to children in early December.
Can you imagine what kind of a mark on the memory of kids and their parents this leaves? When you’re a kid, there are things you don’t forget, especially Christmas type things. Mrs. Persing says “A pillowcase doesn’t seem like much, but many of them that were created are so kid-friendly … it’s going to be a happy time to go lay your head on it.”
Friday, December 7, 2018
This entire week America has paid tribute to former President George HW Bush. He passed away at the age of 94 last Friday, and much like President Carter before him – so much of his leadership legacy came after his tenure as President.
Displays of love and stories of his compassion have filled the news. How President Bush adopted a child through Compassion International and would write to the child about life in the White House. Everyone has seen pictures of the president’s service dog Sully laying peacefully by the presidential casket. Michael W. Smith sang “Friends are friends forever” at the funeral and his son, former President George W. Bush teared up speaking about missing his dad and knowing he was once again holding Barbara’s hand in Heaven.
Local jazz artist Shannon Powell played at the president’s inaugural ball back in 1989 and says that the Bush family was so kind – treating everyone in the band like they were family. Like they had been friends forever.
While most of us won’t go on to become President of the United States – we can learn from Mr. Bush’s legacy to treat everyone with kindness and leave the world a better place than when we started.
Thursday, December 6, 2018
Four hundred families are having a very merry Christmas this year – after the richest person in Louisiana stepped into Walmart and paid off their layaway items at the Tchoupitoulas St. location. Mrs. Benson dropped about $100k to pay off everyone’s Christmas presents before quietly exiting the building. It didn’t take long for folks to figure out who the Secret Santa was.
The press reached out to the Saints and they confirmed it was Santa Gayle – but that she did this on her own – with her own money.
So to Mrs. Benson, New Orleans says “thank you” and MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Wednesday, December 5, 2018
Local Allstate Agencies are living up to their “You’re in Good Hands” Motto. Allstate Agency owners held an online food drive to benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana and nine other Feeding America food banks. The effort resulted in a $10,000 grant. Allstate agency owners also volunteered to help pack food boxes for south Louisiana families in need of disaster relief.
A local Allstate agent, Saul Almendares, is also giving back to the community by sponsoring the LifeSongs 2018 Top 10 Countdown spectacular – which will air on New Years Eve, right here on LifeSongs!
Tuesday, December 4, 2018
Rhami Zeini did the right thing, and he’s now $100 richer. Zeini, a 16-year-old high school junior from Santa Barbara, California, was headed home from school last week when he saw a black purse in the middle of the street. He picked it up and started digging around, trying to find an ID. Instead, he discovered the purse was filled with money — $10,000 to be exact.
Zeini notified his parents, and they brought it to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office. The teenager said, “To me, I figured this is the right thing to do … because if the roles were reversed and I had lost something with a significant sum of money inside, I know I would want it back for sure.” Deputies were able to find the purse’s owner, and she was so grateful that she gave Rhami$100 as a reward.
Monday, December 3, 2018
Louisiana broke our own adoption record – again – this year. More than 900 foster children have now been adopted into permanent homes. That’s the 3rd year in a row we’ve broken this record. Not only did nearly 1000 kids get a new family – over 2300 were reunited safely with their families. The foster and adoption process is never rushed – which goes to show the incredible hard work being done to protect these kids and build lasting families in our state.
LifeSongs is honored to partner with Crossroads NOLA, who specialize in connecting Christian families to foster kids. They have several upcoming information meetings that are free and open to anyone.
Friday, November 30, 2018
Proverbs 17:17
“A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.”
This bookstore in Southampton, England never dreamed it had this many brothers! October Books – a shop in Southampton, needed to move inventory to a location down the street. So they came up with a novel idea that became a sensation!
The idea was to form a human chain and pass the books down until they arrived at the door of the new location. The bookstore knew it would be expensive to hire movers, so they asked people who came in to the shop regularly if they’d join in and help pass the books from the old stockroom to the new store. The best estimate they could come up with was that maybe 100 people would show up…
But to the store owner’s surprise, more than 200 book passers reported for duty! The human chain stretched for 500 feet, and the whole neighborhood got involved, with local restaurants passing out cups of tea. Even Bystanders joined in when they learned what was going on. In about an hour, more than 2,000 books had a new home.
Thursday, November 29, 2018
In less than a week, a photo capturing a random act of kindness has inspired more than a million people around the world. In the picture, a man cradles a sleeping baby while the child’s mom sits next to them, filling out forms at the doctor’s office.
The moment was captured by Natasha Wilson of Florence, Alabama. Wilson was in the waiting room when she saw a mom (later identified as Jade West) walk in with her sleeping baby. When the receptionist handed West paperwork to do, the mom was trying to figure out how to hold her baby and do the paperwork at the same time
That’s when a man (later identified as Joe Hale) asked West from across the room if she would like him to hold the baby while she filled out the forms.
“She smiled and said that would be wonderful!,” Wilson wrote on the viral Facebook post. “Joe went over there and rocked and loved on that baby like he was his. Hale hummed to the baby, rocked him, and talked to him as if he was his own grandchild until he was called back to his room.
Wednesday, November 28, 2018
One pre-K class in Iowa has the most adorable way of starting the day thanks to a teacher who encourages her students to be kind… one hug at a time! Every morning, the class has a designated greeter of the week who welcomes students to start the day! Each student picks how they want to be greeted by pointing to a list of fun ways to say hello. They can choose from a fist bump, hug, high five, & hand shake.
(What would YOU pick?)
Pre-K teacher Cali, started this to encourage a friendly & positive environment in her class & also as a way to make all the students feel included and loved. It’s never too early or too late to learn kindness.
Tuesday, November 27, 2018
Kolbie Sanders of Tyler, Texas, was set to get married on Oct. 20th. But then, the wedding was called off and she wasn’t going to get the $3,500 venue rental fee back. Kolbie didn’t let that stop her from making someone else’s dream come true. She announced on Facebook she was giving the venue away for the day.
Messages came flooding in, and Halie and Matt were the couple chosen. They planned on getting married in 2019, but Halie was afraid her grandfather, who has stage 4 pancreatic cancer, might not make it another year. Halie & Matt immediately jumped into planning mode, and a photographer and other vendors donated their services.
Kolbie was able to give Matt and Halie the wedding of their dreams – turning sorrow into joy! A great reminder in this Christmas season that giving is always better than receiving.
Monday, November 26, 2018
Christmas is an entire season to celebrate the birthday of Jesus – our Savior. Weirdly we don’t get to his birthday cake until the feast of Epiphany – you know, King Cakes. Maybe that’s why we all get birthday cakes … hmmm. Today is National Cake Day – and what goes great with cake? A rousing rendition of Happy Birthday To You!
But what if the whole room was singing to you and you just couldn’t hear it? James Anthony is the custodian at Hickerson Elementary School. He just celebrated his 60th birthday. And also, James is deaf. The kids at Hickerson Elementary love Mr. Anthony, so kindergarten teachers Amy Hershman and Allyssa Hartsfield taught them how to sing Happy Birthday in sign language.
The surprise birthday singing brought tears to Mr. Anthony’s eyes as he was overwhelmed by the sweet display of love. James Anthony has worked for the school district for 20 years – teaching generations of kids good manners, sign language and always offering a smile.
Friday, November 23, 2018 – Black Friday – MERRY CHRISTMAS!
For a long time in New Orleans, we all knew exactly which house was Al Copeland’s – and we flocked there to see the extreme decorations celebrating Christmas. In the town of McCook, Nebraska, everyone knows which house belongs to Raleigh and Kathy Haas. It’s the one decked out from top to bottom in lights at Christmastime.
These lights that the family turns on the night after Thanksgiving have deep meaning. The whole theme is waiting for the Light of the world – according to Kathy Haas
The tradition began more than 30 years ago when Raleigh’s mom gave the family some extra boxes of Christmas lights – every year it expanded and expanded and expanded.
In August of this year, Raleigh, a longtime volunteer firefighter and active volunteer in the community, passed away at 62 due to a heart attack. When he died, it seemed that the Christmas lights might go away, too.
Until his brothers at the McCook Fire Department stepped up, quite literally — they climbed ladders and scaffolding and put up all those lights on the Haas house last weekend. As far as the fire chief is concerned, the firefighters are ready to pull this duty every year from now on.
Thanks to the generous efforts of the fire department, the community can fondly remember Raleigh and continue with this special Christmas tradition, their work a fitting tribute to the spirit of service Raleigh embodied all his life.
Thursday, November 22, 2018 – Thanksgiving Day!
The recurring theme that makes Thanksgiving so special is that it makes people reflect on the importance of family. That’s something Jason Compton, a father of two living in Tulsa, Oklahoma, will never forget to appreciate – especially around this time of year.
Just a few weeks before Thanksgiving in 2016, his mom was diagnosed with a deadly form of cancer. The doctors said she probably had about two months left – and the family wasn’t even sure she’d even survive until the new year.
“Knowing that this could be the last Thanksgiving I’d get to spend with her made me really appreciate it even more,” he says. Not only did his mom make it to Christmas, she lived another year and a half. “I got two more Thanksgivings, two more Christmases, and all the other holidays and life events in between,” he says.
The experience gave Compton a new appreciation for so many of the moments we often take for granted – and gave him a thoughtful new reminder of the joys to be found in the holiday season.
Wednesday, November 21, 2018
“When we gather around the table at Thanksgiving, and each of us offers our thoughts as to what we are thankful for, I try not to take so long that we’re opening Christmas presents by the time I conclude, but that is because there is much to be thankful for. For one, I should not be here – twice over.” – Joel Amos
Joel Amos has a new appreciation for life after he was given just a 15 percent chance of survival following a serious heart condition, necessitating emergency surgery. He was just 46 years old when he started feeling extreme chest pains while away for work in New Orleans. He was rushed to the hospital, where doctors gave him the grim news.
Fortunately, Amos beat the odds and had a successful surgery. One year later, he beat the odds again when doctors discovered an aneurysm in his aorta, thanks to his insistence on a CT scan during his checkup. He underwent a second successful emergency heart procedure, and rather than focusing on the stress and pain these health issues brought into his life, instead, he emerged from these medical scares with a bold new appreciation for life.
“Needless to say, each Thanksgiving – and every day, for that matter – I thank the heavens above that I am still here. I am thankful that I can still be a father to my 5-year-old little girl, be a husband, son, brother, cousin and friend to many,” he says. “I also give thanks that I can share my story with people in hopes of saving their lives as well. Thanksgiving is a chance to bask in that glow, and another opportunity to reiterate to anyone sitting around my table on that day that life is short and we are here to love and be loved.”
Tuesday, November 20, 2018
After a long battle with infertility, including surgery and multiple procedures, Stacie Hollowoa and her husband, Luke, will at last be celebrating Thanksgiving for the first time as a family of three.
661 days after starting their journey, the couple received the best news ever: Stacie was expecting. On August 4th of this year the family welcomed their miracle baby girl, Elsie Audrey.
New mom Stacie says, “This Thanksgiving, we finally have our family of three we so desperately desired for so long. We are so thankful our dreams finally came true!” The new parents look forward to starting new traditions with their daughter, including time-honored favorites like going to the pumpkin patch and taking family pictures each fall.
Monday, November 19, 2018
In New Orleans, we understand that in an emergency, an open kitchen is a first responder. That’s what happened in Agoura Hills, CA at the Tavern 101 Grill. Owner and operator Marco Gonzalez shifted from restaurateur to first responder short order cook once the evacuation orders were given.
Gonzalez and a few employees cooked whatever they could get their hands on. Customers have come in to pitch a hand in feeding the firefighters and guardsmen fighting the Woolsey Fires. Love and money came pouring in from the community – even from those who had to evacuate. An online fundraiser came up with $45,000 to keep feeding responders at Tavern 101 Grill.
Now the evacuation has been lifted – and firefighters have the wildfire 20% contained. But the good will and good food will always be available for first responders if Marco Gonzalez is around.
Friday, November 16, 2018
One North Dakota woman decided to do something about the hunger problem in her area. Donna Stumphf had kids in mind, mainly, and parents who can’t afford to buy fresh vegetables.
She had set an initial goal to grow 1,000 pounds of produce – saying “I thought, I have to give myself a goal – You know, go big or go home.”
Stumphf grew the vegetables on a plot of land donated by All Seasons Garden Center in Grand Forks. In the past, All Seasons has donated plots in their community garden to worthy causes, but never an area as big or to one person.
Stumphf did have some help. Her 16-year-old grandson and local members of the Lions Club and some University students pitched in, too. By harvest time, Stumphf ended up with 3100 pounds of vegetables! She was able to deliver the homegrown vegetables to the Salvation Army and the Northlands Rescue Mission over the course of several weeks.
Thursday, November 15, 2018
Saints punter Thomas Morstead and his foundation, What You Give Will Grow, are teaming up with, Vikings cornerback, Marcus Sherels to raise funds to support Best Christmas Ever© families in the Greater New Orleans area and Minnesota. Best Christmas Ever© is a non-profit organization that works with community partners to lift up families who have fallen on hard times through no fault of their own by giving them a Best Christmas Ever.
What You Give Will Grow’ was started in 2012 by Morstead and his wife, Lauren. The foundation supports causes, organizations, small businesses, artists and musicians in the Gulf South Region. Morestead’s partnership with the Vikings’ Marcus Sherels was born out of the Saints embarrassing playoff loss last year. So some good came out of that sad day!
Every year, the number of families on the receiving end of the Best Christmas Ever© has doubled. In 2017, over 700 nominations received and 100 families received the Best Christmas Ever©. One hundred additional families hand-delivered $250 Target gift cards and 100 families were made eligible to receive a $1,000 grant for completing the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University Course. More information about Best Christmas Ever© can be found at www.bcemovement.org.
Wednesday, November 14, 2018
Beautify the city? Check. Provide jobs for the homeless? CHECK. San José is launching an an initiative that will simultaneously do both.
The California city is hiring local homeless people to pick up litter around the city for $15 an hour. The city hopes to provide them with a steady paycheck that will eventually transition them into full-time work.
The workers will primarily clean up 40 different areas around town that have been identified as litter hotspots and dumping grounds. The program is currently being financed through a grant from the city, and if the initiative proves to be successful, then city workers are eager to see it continue into the future.
Though there is no way to predict how successful the program will be in San José, the city of Denver made national headlines back in January for publishing the results of a similar work model. After one year of paying the workers, over 100 of them were able to land regular jobs.
Tuesday, November 13, 2018
Tackling homelessness is often a complex issue – but one man has come up with a stunningly simple solution for providing jobs and homes to people in need. Chris Fenlay is the mastermind behind a nonprofit called Shelters to Shutters.
The program has a simple premise: many real-estate companies offer discounted (and sometimes free) rent to property managers and staffers who live on their properties and housing complexes. So as a means of providing income and housing to the homeless, Shelters to Shutters is playing middle man, connecting people living in poverty with opportunities in property management. Fenlay’s non-profit conducts hiring fairs to recruit both employers and employees to join the cause.
Anthony Puryear is one of the success stories to come out of Shelters to Shutters. Puryear is an Army veteran who, after leaving the military, worked in the hospitality industry for years. Unfortunately, when the cost of living became too high, he found himself without a place to live. A local veteran help-group connected Puryear with Shelters to Shutters. He was hired as an assistant service technician and given secured housing. Since then, he’s been promoted to a service tech position where he is in charge of fixing up old apartment units.
Puryear is just one of over 100 success stories – but Shelters to Shutters is not stopping there! The non-profit is currently work in 15 cities across the country and have plans to expand. One of their new initiatives, which is set to launch in San Francisco, will debut by hiring 20 new people off of the streets.
Veteran Anthony Puryear said, “I want as many people as possible to get a chance to benefit from Shelters to Shutters’ services in the way that I have.”
And by the looks of it, he will get to see this happen.
Monday, November 12, 2018
At the 2018 Invictus Games, an athletic tournament for injured and disabled military service players in Sydney, Australia – one match in particular struck a chord with the players and spectators alike.
UK tennis player Paul Guest was engaged in a match alongside his Dutch teammate Edwin Vermetten, when a helicopter flew over the stadium. Paul Guest, who served with the British Armed Forces, uses a wheelchair due to neck and spinal injuries sustained while on duty in 1987. Guest also suffers from PTSD – so when he heard the chopper buzzing overhead, he suddenly became overcome with anxiety.
His teammate, Edwin Vermetten, noticed that Guest was visibly upset and immediately abandoned play so he could rush over to the UK veteran and console him during his time of need. Vermetten embraced Guest and whispered words of encouragement until he could recover from the breakdown.
The Dutch player later revealed that he was able to bring Guest back to his senses by singing “Let It Go” from Disney’s Frozen. Vermetten says, “I took [Paul] by the face and said ‘Look at me. We are a team so let it go!”
After the emotional exchange, Guest then went on to deliver the tie-breaking point that brought victory to the UK-Dutch team.
Friday, November 9, 2018
A group of middle school students are trying to change how people view the homeless. Seventh and eighth graders from Summit Intermediate School in Rancho Cucamonga, CA are part of an Odyssey of the Mind team. Odyssey of the Mind teaches kids how to solve problems and work together, and as a group, they chose to focus on homelessness.
Alana Okonkwo, age 13, says “I think that more people should look toward the homeless community as people rather than things that are just on the streets, and they shouldn’t be a source of fear.”
The students made posters with statistics about homeless youth, created the hashtag #homelessnotless and for two weeks held a toiletries drive. Then the proactive teenagers put together care kits, including backpacks filled with supplies, sleeping bags and inspirational messages on cards. They distributed the care packs to local homeless individuals and shelters.
Thursday, November 8, 2018
Talking Bananas are the latest craze at Kingston Elementary School! Stacey Truman is the cafeteria manager for the school. She’s been serving breakfast and lunch there for nine years and wanted to motivate students a little differently. So Stacey began writing inspirational messages on each banana.
“I do it for my kids at home, so why not bring it here and do it for them – because they are like my kids,” says Stacey.
Some bananas read, “You are wise,” “Keep trying” or “Never give up.” Stacey just tries to think about what she would have needed to hear at that age to be encouraged.
The creative cafeteria manager has received national attention for her practice of writing inspirational messages on students’ banana peels. And now she and the school are partnering with the Dole Food Company to make sure every one of Kingston’s students receives a “talking banana” at Friday’s school lunch.
Dole is provides over 500 bananas each week to allow Truman and her team to write individual messages on each one. Plus, each student gets a healthy kid’s cookbook, donated by Dole.
The banana peels might get thrown away at the end of lunch, but the message still resonates with students long after school gets out. Small words having a BIG Impact!
Wednesday, November 7, 2018
Weddings can be VERY expensive. Everything from the dress, the venue, pictures, cake – the list goes on and on and on. The more things you add to the list, the more expensive it all gets. Like invitations. They aren’t cheap. Now, imagine sending your wedding invitation to the wrong house! That’s what Cassandra did.
Cassandra didn’t realize she put the wrong address on an invitation she sent to her family members in Oregon, until she received a sweet note and gift from a total stranger. The person who accidentally received the invite sent Cassandra and her fiancé, a $20 bill along with her well wishes, writing: “I wish I knew you — this [wedding] is going to be a blast. Congratulations — go have dinner on me. I’ve been married for 40 years — it gets better with age.”
Cassandra and her fiance took their friend in the military (about to deploy overseas) out to dinner using the unexpected wedding gift. Cassandra wrote a note back to the stranger and said “I am thankful for people like you still being in the world.”
Tuesday, November 6, 2018
Carson Wentz is a quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles – but he’s getting attention in the Philly area not just for his fame in the NFL, but for a new project: Thy Kingdom Crumb. While a lot of focus has been on the uncertainty surrounding Carson Wentz’s knee injury, there’s no questioning his heart. His charity softball game raised $850,000 and now Wentz has a new endeavor, a food truck that feeds the less fortunate.
Carson is known to be an outspoken Christian. The NFL quarterback recently partnered with a local church to launch a food truck that gives food away for FREE. You can find the food truck parked at all Eagles games, but the food truck’s focus will be on going to areas in need around the community. The vision of the food truck is “to provide free food but also to provide the love of Christ.”
Wentz continues to prove that his worth extends far beyond the football field. Sure, he won the city a Super Bowl – but should he continue along this trajectory of tremendous athlete and philanthropist, he could someday be the single-most beloved athlete Philadelphia has ever seen.
This is cool project, that’s focused on making a difference! A delicious difference!
Monday, November 5, 2018
After watching a movie about James Lawrence – the Iron Cowboy — a man who completed 50 triathlons in 50 days — Niall McDermott thought, “I could do that.” The 10-year-old from San Francisco tweaked the challenge a little, telling his parents he’d like to run 50 5K races in 50 days.
After getting the okay from his pediatrician, McDermott ran his first 5K, with his parents letting him know he could stop whenever he wished. He kept at it, and recently ran his 50th 5K alongside a friend. Niall told reporters that while he was running, “I was thinking, ‘I’m gonna finish this and I can do it, and when I finish it, I won’t have to do it anymore.'”
Niall’s grandfather has lung cancer, so his running became a fundraiser, receiving $4,000 in pledges, which will be donated to the Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation.
The Bible verse in 1st Timothy 4:12 comes to mind “Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but be an example for other believers in your speech, behavior, love and faithfulness. Way to represent Niall ! Thanks for setting the example!
Friday, November 2, 2018
Ever try to go out for a nice, quiet family dinner with a toddler? Then you know that sometimes a “nice, quiet family dinner” is the last thing that actually happens. One waitress’s act of kindness is a perfect example of how the smallest good deeds can have the biggest impact on people.
Courtney Ruth Pedigo was getting ready to enjoy a meal with her father, stepmother and her 18-month old daughter, Harlynn, when the toddler started to get fussy. She was intent on escaping from her mother’s lap and causing a ruckus. Mom Courtney admitted to feeling pretty overwhelmed, saying, “She did everything but sit in her high chair and eat her dinner like I picture in my dreams.”
So, she approached her server and asked if she could get her food in a to-go box so she could eat it in her car with Harlynn. To Mom’s surprise, the woman firmly said NO. Instead, she returned to their table minutes later with a bowl of vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce and spoon-fed the treat to the toddler so Courtney could enjoy a hot meal with her family.
Nianni Rudder is a woman who, in addition to being a waitress, was also going to school full-time to become an anesthesiologist and was recovering from the recent death of her mother.
Courntey was so moved by Nianni’s compassion and determined personality, she posted on Facebook a message of thanks for her kindness, saying, “you are so so strong! I know your mom is looking down from Heaven with the BIGGEST smile [because she is] so incredibly proud of the woman you are. I aspire to be the go-getter you are…someone with a strong heart and mind! Thank you for your amazing service and for being so kind to us all!”
Thursday, November 1, 2018
Blanche Reed Pratt is a great-great grandmother who goes by several names – mom, granny – but there’s one name that everyone in her community recognizes: Her family says she’s known as Mama Reed at her church and basically the entire Ninth Ward.
Mama Reed didn’t just raise her 12 children, she helped raise entire communities. In 1970, Mama Reed opened up a nursery at her home. The nursery remained open for about 30 years and she took care of hundreds of children. The walls of her home are covered with their photos. Everyone brings in their own frame and finds an open spot. Everything about Mama Reed is inviting and her laugh is infectious.
Blanche Reed Pratt has 12 children, 34 grandchildren 48 great grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren. Her generosity doesn’t end with childcare, Mamma Reed takes care of everyone. This 90-year-old still cooks: red beans, greens, cornbread – this has been Her regular Monday meal since she started the nursery.
“I just thank the Lord he gave me strength to be able to do it,” Mama Reed said. “It’s always good to do good things for people who you can do it for.”
Wednesday, October 31, 2018
Five-year-old Blake Mompher was born with spina bifida and uses a wheelchair to get around. He also likes costumes, but finding costumes to work with his wheelchair can be a challenge.
“He loves school buses… he always loves when they drive by,” Blake’s mom said. His two older sisters take a school bus every day, so Blake is used to seeing them. And next year he’ll ride one when he goes to kindergarten. So THIS year, Blake’s grandfather stepped in to create (by hand!) an entire school bus costume for Blake that incorporates his wheelchair. The costume was a HIT!
His mom said he always has a positive attitude, despite being through so much at such a young age. In fact, Blake is facing one of the biggest surgeries of his life next month. But instead of dreading the surgery, the 5-year-old is looking forward to something else: riding around in his school bus costume and collecting candy.
(Just think of how much candy you could fit in a school bus!)
Tuesday, October 30, 2018
Dwyane “DJ” Pitts is an 8 year old superhero. When he was younger, DJ was so weak, so sick his family wondered if he’d survive. At age 3 he was in a coma for eight days at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. During his many months in the hospital, a nurse made him a cape out of a pillowcase. It encouraged his spirit to be strong, even when his body wasn’t. DJ quickly became known as the little superhero. His mom said a celebrity even noticed,“One day, Ludacris was [at the hospital] for an event and said ‘Hey, there is the Cape boy!’”
Cape Boy took off from there. Five years later, DJ still wears a cape and is back at Children’s to say thank you. He’s learned there is also strength in spreading kindness, helping others and being grateful. DJ brought a card and flowers to someone who helped save his life, Miss Colleen. She is the nurse who became family over the months she cared for him. They hadn’t seen each other in years, but the hug they shared showed a bond that has not faded. “You are doing amazing,” Nurse Colleen smiled. “I’m so happy you remember me after five years.”
A pillowcase cape and the strength of a little boy who wore it inspired Cape Day. It is a community campaign that has helped thousands of children like DJ in the years since. You can order a cape to wear or sponsor a cape for a pediatric patient. This year is the 5th anniversary of Cape Day – complete with the “Be Someone’s Superhero” Kindness Campaign. You are encouraged to do a good deed in the community in honor of Children’s Hospital patients.
Monday, October 29, 2018
We love coffee. And when it’s free, it’s even better! One teen’s sweet offer to a stressed-out mother at Starbucks has made a surprising impact on both women’s lives. 19-year-old Mackenzie Mauller of Uniontown, bought coffee for the lady behind her at Starbucks. She didn’t think twice about it. But then, later in the day, she found a note in her mailbox.
The handwritten note was from Nicole Clawson who just so happened to live in MacKenzie’s neighborhood. Nicole wrote “Thank you for the coffee. I rarely go to Starbucks and treat myself but the last couple of months have been a bit of a struggle.” Nicole also shared how her family was experiencing lots of transitions. Her father, who had provided daily care for her children, had recently passed away. Just that morning her babysitter had called in sick, forcing Clawson to take the day off work. Nicole was soon leaving her job to become a stay-at-home mother, a role she was not “emotionally and financially” prepared to assume.
Nicole told Mackenzie how she felt it necessary for the teenager to know that what she did was much more than just buy a coffee – it was an act of kindness that turned her whole day around. saying the generosity “..put tears in my eyes and a smile on my face and I feel so grateful.” MacKenzie exemplified selflessness for Nicole Clawson’s children who now want to pay it forward – which, Nicole says, “makes me proud as a mom.”
Friday, October 26, 2018
A compassionate police officer is setting a new standard for how law enforcement can protect and serve. Officer Jesse Whitten and his wife have adopted the newborn daughter of a homeless woman struggling with drug addiction.
Whitten, who works for the Santa Rosa Police Department in California, would often stop in to check on the woman throughout the year. The two formed a kind of friendship. Officer Whitten, the proud father of three girls already, opened his heart and his home to this newborn baby – And now it’s official! After a moving adoption hearing, the little girl is now officially part of the Whitten family.
Thursday, October 25, 2018
Many patients at Children’s Hospital are facing their share of challenges, but they’re getting a break thanks to a volunteer arts and crafts program called Amy’s Art Cart. Like three-year-old Brody. He spent the afternoon racing cars, playing with stickers and then more car racing. For an afternoon, Brody and his family could forget he’s a patient at Children’s Hospital.
These moments are made possible thanks to Amy’s Art Cart. Every week Claire Thriffiley makes her way through the hallways bringing a little bit of color to a sterile place. Thriffiley knows first hand the impact art can have on the lives of patients. Her story is written in the name “Amy’s Art Cart.”
She named it Amy’s Art Cart after her cousin who was a visual artist, very talented and who lost her life at a young age to multiple sclerosis. Thriffiley says, “What we found with Amy was that continuing to create, to paint really gave her motivation.”
Now, Thriffiley brings that same creative outlet to others. “It’s amazing how something small, like a coloring book, can bring so much joy to a child’s life.”
The Manale family, who got to spend an afternoon playing with toys and crafts from the cart agreed: “It was good to see the smile on Brody’s face.”
Wednesday, October 24, 2018
Everyone loves a rainbow; the beautiful colors and different hues always make you smile. And that is what one Taiwanese man thought when he made a desperate attempt to save his village. Armed with only a paintbrush, 93-year old Huang Yung-Fu turned his town into a vibrant rainbow and in the process saved it from demolition.
Yung-Fu watched helplessly as developers came into his city and paid his neighbors to leave. You see his home is actually a village from a long forgotten era: a military dependents’ village. Picking up a paintbrush to pass the time, he transformed his house into a whole painting of bright colors. But he didn’t stop there. Yung-Fu moved on to the next house. And the next one. Suddenly the whole village was changed into an awe-inspiring rainbow!
Art students found out about what Yung-Fu had created and quickly alerted authorities, who quickly stopped the demolition. Now tourists come from all around to see the rainbow family village. The entire town serves as a message that one man (and a paintbrush) can really make a difference.
Tuesday, October 23, 2018
Kevin Boyer is the family and student support coordinator at an elementary school in Ohio. Last year, he wrote a personalized letter to every student in the school, and he’s doing it again this year.
Every day, he pens six notes, so that by the last day of school, he will have written a letter to all 600 students. Boyer makes it a point to learn the name of every kid in the school and finds out their interests and hobbies so when it’s time to write their letters, they are one-of-a-kind.
Boyer says he takes a lot of cues from his own parents, especially his mother who was a school guidance counselor. His parents, he said, helped carve out his own career path.
Monday, October 22, 2018
Country singer Brad Paisley and his wife, actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley, have teamed with Belmont University to open The Store, a modern version of a food pantry that is set up like a free grocery store. The country crooners say, “All of us are one unforeseen disaster away from rock bottom. It’s nice to think about a place where when that happens to someone, they can use it to get back on their feet.”
The Store will partner with Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee and other organizations to provide both fresh and nonperishable groceries to individuals and families in need for one year. Customers will be referred by nonprofit and government agencies. The nonprofit has an initial goal to serve 3,000 people per year.
You can help our local food pantries by partnering with Second Harvest right here in SELA!
Friday, October 19, 2018
Big generosity come in small slices!
Just months after Mike and Jennifer Stevens opened up their Fargo, North Dakota Little Caesar’s restaurant in 2015, they saw a homeless man sitting outside of a gas station for several hours at a time. They gave him a slice of pizza. He was so thankful the family ended up doing it again for a different person. And again for a different person. And then again for another person. Their kindness did not stop at individual slices, however – one year later, the family realized that there were people going through the dumpster of the restaurant.
So Mike put up a sign in the window reading: “To the person going through our trash for their next meal, you’re a human being and worth more than a meal from a dumpster. Please come in during operating hours for a couple of slices of hot pizza and a cup of water at no charge. No questions asked.”
Instead of giving away a couple slices, the family started giving away entire pizzas to anyone who asked. They have even partnered with a couple of homeless shelters. Collectively, the family has given away over 142,000 slices of pizza, worth about $70,000.
Thursday, October 18, 2018
There are so many reasons why you love Chip & Joanna Gaines – and not just because Fixer Upper was such an awesome show – or for giving us a reason to visit Waco, TX. It’s because they do amazing things like this!
Chip and Joanna have invited a church to hold service at their Magnolia Market at the Silos. The church normally holis normally held under a Texas bridge – a ministry to Waco that has been going on for years! Chip & Joanna offered to host them every Sunday (for a year at no charge) because the church won’t have anywhere to hold their services due to road construction that will begin in March.
Chip reached out to the church’s pastor (Jimmy Dorrell) after learning about how the construction project would affect the congregation. The Church Under the Bridge draws between 200 to 300 worshippers who include the homeless and others who may feel out of place in a normal church setting. The Church plans to eventually return to its home under the bridge – once the expansion of I-35 is complete.
Wednesday, October 17, 2018
Do you have a child or know someone that has a life threatening illness or allergies ? Many times, it can affect a child’s quality of life and they feel left out because they can’t enjoy things that other kids can.
Braylon Henson is a first grader that has ectodermal dysplasia – he was born without sweat glands. Because of this, he can’t go outside when it’s over 74 degrees. (So he basically CAN’T live in Louisiana!) He gets easily overheated. Naturally, Braylon has FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out)!
Ronald Saladin is the school resource officer and he noticed that Braylon was in his classroom while the other kids were at recess. So the cop started inviting Braylon to walk along with him as he does his daily officer duties. Braylon & Officer Ronnie now get to spend two hours a day patrolling the hallways. Of course, Braylon now wants to become a police officer when he grows up!
A simple act of kindness can make the biggest impact! You are NEVER too old or too young to be a difference maker.
Tuesday, October 16, 2018
Do you roll out of bed in the morning and immediately step on Legos? Instead of getting mad from them being left on the floor, you can put those Legos to good use like one lego enthusiast…
A Maryland Zoo employee found a wild Eastern box turtle in a park, and discovered that he had multiple fractures on the bottom part of his shell. The zookeepers needed to figure out a way to keep the turtle elevated so his shell didn’t hit the ground while healing. Garrett Fraess, drew many sketches of wheelchairs for the turtle to help find the perfect fit for him! Thanks to a friend who is a Lego enthusiast, the turtle now has a wheelchair until he heals completely!
It’s a good reminder to make lemonade from lemons! Bad things happen, but there are people around you who can help you in times of need and encourage you!
Monday, October 15, 2018
Have you ever gone out of your way to put a smile on your child’s face?
Even those in the public eye will do whatever they can to make their child laugh and smile even though it may embarrass them a little…
Reese Witherspoon takes all of her acting roles seriously, so it’s no surprise she went out of her way to participate in “Mystery Reader” day at her 6-year-old son’s school.
She didn’t show up wearing a ball gown or heels, she showed up wearing a pig costume! And her hubby dressed as an elephant! (in honor of the book they were reading: “Elephant and Piggie”.)
This is a reminder to make fun memories with your kids regardless of how silly they may be! Because these will be memories that last a lifetime! It’s also a great reminder to not take this life so seriously! Smile! Laugh! Enjoy every moment God has given you!
Friday, October 12, 2018
Anyone who works downtown or has tried to go enjoy a nice evening out on the weekend knows the struggle of finding parking. But what if you had your own reserved spot? Christie Dietz’s 4-year-old son has parked his bicycle at the same lamppost every day for the last year. On Monday, Christie discovered the spot is now reserved just for him. A kind stranger had taken the time to create a parking sign sticker that features the child’s green bicycle.
My son has parked his bike by this lamppost just about every day for the last year. This morning, this sticker had appeared. Absolutely made our day. People can be so brilliant. Thank you, whoever did it 😊 pic.twitter.com/rYC8jCTD5L
— Christie Dietz (@asausagehastwo) September 24, 2018
She tweeted a photo and said this “Absolutely made our day. People can be so brilliant. Thank you, whoever did it.” Her tweet has over 261,000 likes. And the reaction on Twitter suggests the smiles have come with an equal number of happy tears. She wrote a thank-you note and left it at her son’s newly-reserved parking space. “It makes me so very happy that this one person’s lovely deed has made so many people smile.”
Thursday, October 11, 2018
How well do you know your neighbors? Could you call on them to borrow a cup of sugar? What if you needed more than that?
Kathy Felt was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1978. She’s 66 now, and can’t get out of her wheelchair under her own power to get into bed at night. But Kathy, who has lived in her neighborhood for almost four decades, is a beloved figure in the community she calls home. So for the past 10 years, a rotating cast of volunteers have showed up nightly like clockwork, lifting her into bed and tucking her in.
This is how folks care for each other in Sandy, Utah. The nightly ritual enables her to avoid nursing homes and sleep in her own bed. But the volunteers find it equally uplifting. Some 60 men are on a schedule to visit Felt two at a time. And what’s more? Even more neighbors want to help. They have so many people wanting to help Kathy that there is actually a waiting list. When asked how she feels about this outpouring of help, Felt says, “It just makes me feel very humble. I’m just so grateful for the friendship that I have with them. You just can’t put a price on that.” Her army of volunteers and their families are genuinely grateful for her, too.
“So many people have been inspired by her story and her courage in the face of such devastating health challenges,” one volunteer says. “We’re all here together, and we should help each other on the journey.”
Wednesday, October 10, 2018
October is Pastor Appreciation Month. Our ministers do so much for so many, they may seem like superheroes. But that doesn’t make them immune from troubling times. One minister, Jerome Jones of Springfield Baptist Church in Georgia, was recently struggling through a crisis of faith. But while working his day job with a power company, he found a note that was attached to three balloons. The note read: “God, help me go to college… please help me get everything I need to leave Wednesday. – Mykehia Curry” She was about to start her freshman year at Albany State University. No one in her family had ever gone to college, which is why she sent up that prayer – scared and worried. Jones had $125 to his name when he found the note. And he spent it all on Mykehia. He bought her supplies, but most importantly, gave her a ton of much needed inspiration. “It encourages me to keep going knowing that prayers are answered,” Mykehia said. Likewise, Jerome also has renewed faith – a good reminder that sometimes the best way to see your prayers answered is to be used by God as an answer to someone else’s. This is also a great reminder to pray for our pastors!
Tuesday, October 9, 2018
Any of us who went through Katrina are familiar with a sense of loss, but have also come to know that disasters tend to bring out the best in a lot of people. Shelli Trench, who lives in North Carolina, has come to know that, too. She went to Walmart to purchase specific items that had been requested by a local shelter. When she went in, she spoke with a manager about her quest, thinking at best she might score a discount to help her money go further. Instead, he called over another employee and had him fill a shopping cart – on him. The over 250 items of clothing totaled over $1200. And he wasn’t done. The next day, he donated case after case of fresh fruit, bread, pastries, drinks, energy bars and more.
Monday, October 8, 2018
In southeast Louisiana, we’re no strangers to delicious food and tons of amazing dining options to choose from. And the chefs at those restaurants strive for recognition within the world of fine dining, which comes in the form of Michelin stars. That may be the ultimate goal for many restaurants, but the owners of onevenue in the UK are giving it up for the sake of their family. The rural restaurant, which serves classic French cuisine near the town of Montgomery, Wales, has held a Michelin star for seven years, thanks to the efforts of partners Stéphane Borie, Sarah Francis, and Sarah’s sister Kathryn Francis. Raising five kids between them, they say they want family to come first. It’s a decision the team calls “bold, scary, exciting, and maybe bonkers,” but it’s an important one for them and their loved ones. “It will be lovely to have more evenings at home and to be a little less nocturnal!” (Good reminder to keep our priorities in check – hope you can enjoy a little time with your loved ones today, too.)
Friday, October 5, 2018
It’s pizza Friday, right? Passengers from American Airlines Flight 2354 from Los Angeles to Dallas-Fort Worth were bracing for a long night. Their plane had been diverted to the regional airport in Wichita Falls, Texas due to severe thunderstorms that impacted the northern part of the state. That left 159 frustrated passengers facing the prospect of being stuck on a plane until morning.
Trying to ease their inconvenience, the plane’s captain, Jeff Raines, called the local Papa John’s and ordered 40 fresh pizzas for delivery at Wichita Falls Municipal Airport. Captain Raines actually ran back and forth between the delivery car and the stranded passengers to personally deliver the pizzas.
Thursday, October 4, 2018
Even the whales in Canada are nice, with a band of belugas adopting a lost narwhal far from home. Narwhals live in the Arctic, but in July a team of researchers from the Group for Research and Education on Marine Mammals (GREMM) filmed a narwhal playing with about 10 belugas in the St. Lawrence River, hundreds of miles from its normal habitat.
The team believes the narwhal is a juvenile male and has been seen with the pod four other times. Martin Nweeia, a researcher from Harvard University who has spent two decades studying narwhals, says this shows the “compassion and the openness of other species to welcome another member that may not look or act the same. And maybe that’s a good lesson for everyone.”
Wednesday, October 3, 2018
Middle school can be tough. Your body is changing. Kids can be cruel. But not always. In fact, one middle school in Harriman, TN decided they would counteract bullying with encouraging notes … all over the walls, lockers and hallways. Led by Eighth grader Nicole True, the teens covered the walls, hallways and lockers with sticky notes of encouragement for everyone. The plan is to continue to post fresh encouragement all over school grounds all school year long.
Tuesday, October 2, 2018
Marian Avila, a 21-year-old Spanish model with Down syndrome, fulfilled her dream to walk at New York Fashion Week thanks to an Atlanta designer she met through the magic of social media. And she did it with flair – in the ballroom of a Midtown hotel in evening looks of red and gold, her parents and siblings in the audience and other models who have challenges by her side.
Marian walked the runway with models young and old, including one in a wheelchair, Tae McKenzie of Charlotte, North Carolina, and a young girl who also has Down syndrome. White’s 43 looks were shown like a rainbow with glimmering beaded embellishments on some in red, pink, gold, white, black and rose.
Monday, October 1, 2018
Over 900 people joined the family of LifeSongs over the past two weeks – getting this listener supported ministry to 100% fully funded for the next 6 months! God bless each and every one of you who gave – and you know what – if you didn’t give – God bless you too. Because you still have that opportunity to join us in the good work of showing Jesus to our community each day! It’s not too late to give at lifesongs.com! It’s truly an honor and a blessing to say to you this morning GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME!