The good guys thread

[kuhio98]

Pillowcase Dresses http://www.littledressesforafrica.org/blog/

Changing lives one little dress at a time…
Little Dresses for Africa is a non-profit 501c3, Christian organization, which provides relief to the children of Africa. Simple dresses are made out of pillow cases, and distributed through the orphanages, churches and schools in Africa to plant in the hearts of little girls that they are worthy!

Knowing the history of the girls in Africa and the difficult road that lay ahead, Rachel O’Neill decided she would take some dresses to the children in the villages. A small group of ladies began to sew simple little dresses, made out of pillowcases, to be distributed to young girls through the orphanages in Africa.

WHY PILLOWCASES? The pillowcase pattern has been around since the pioneer days and is easy enough for even a novice seamstress. Pillowcases are available in so many colors and patterns. They already have the hem and sides in them and are often sitting unused on shelves in closets all across the country. With just a little help they can be turned into bright little sundresses, perfectly suited for the African climate. Pillowcase dresses are only a suggestion. Any simple pattern is great to use.

This ministry captures the hearts of so many and continues to grow as groups of all sizes spring up across America. These groups cross age, gender and denominational lines, to serve the most vulnerable of God’s children: little girls. To date we have received well over 2.5 MILLION LITTLE DRESSES and donations from all 50 states across the USA as well as from the UK, Ireland, Canada, Mexico and Australia. 2.5 MILLION! That’s a lot of little girls!! With your help these beautiful dresses have been distributed in 47 countries of Africa! We are happy to partner with mission teams and travelers to get these dresses to the children who need them most. One generous supporter, Nancy’s Notions, has sent over 100,000 to us. We are so grateful. Dresses have also been sent to other countries in crisis such as Honduras, Guatemala, Thailand, The Dominican, The Philippines, Cambodia, Mexico and thousands and thousands to Haiti. In addition, we have sent dresses to children in need right here in the United States, in the Appalachian Mountains and South Dakota. But more importantly than how many have been shipped, are the lives that they have touched as these little dresses go out as little Ambassadors in the name of Jesus, to give hope to the children that receive them.

HOW TO HELP: With Little Dresses for Africa there are many ways to provide help…from starting or hosting your own sewing group, sizing and packing little dresses, or donating financially toward shipping costs. To ensure that they actually get to the children, the majority of our dresses are sent with mission teams here in the United States, as they travel on their missions, for personal distribution. We are happy to mail them to your teams to take in your extra bags for distribution. Please have your team contact us. We also mail them internationally. Little Dresses for Africa hosts a team once a year to deliver the little dresses personally to the grateful and excited little girls that need them so desperately.

Remember, the job is not complete until these little dresses are actually on the the little girls that need them. Please enclose your tax-deductible donation to help with shipping whenever possible. It costs an average of $2.00/dress to get the dresses to the children. Although it is not required, any amount you can send help. Thank you in advance for your help! Check the gallery for pictures! Due to the amazing response, we can’t promise specific pictures, but maybe your little dress will turn up in a picture on a precious little girl!

Simple patterns are downloadable below, or feel free to use your own pattern, if you prefer.

“We’re not just sending dresses, we’re sending HOPE!”
Click here for pillow case dress directions
Free boys shorts download available: http://www.nancyzieman.com/blog/nancys-corner/britches-for-boys-in-africa/

To confirm your dresses were received,
please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
Thank you so much for your help!
Any simple pattern is great! Zikomo! Finished items and financial donations for shipping can be sent to:

24614 Curtis Drive, Brownstown, MI 48134

or donate on line

Making a difference, here and across the ocean, one little dress at a time!
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[kuhio98]

Man tracks down family who left home videos of newborn baby in Goodwill camera

A perfect storm of old-fashioned sentimentality and new media fervor created a little miracle this week.

A Kentucky dad who bought an old video camera at a thrift store was just planning to revisit his own family’s memories, using the outdated gadget to play his old videotapes.

But inside the camera bag’s pocket, he found hours of footage of another family’s milestones – a little boy meeting his newborn brother for the first time, parents and kids carving pumpkins and the family on vacation. He could have just taped over those memories; but, then again, he couldn’t.

Instead, U.S. Army Sergeant Joseph Lynch made still pictures from the tapes, posted them on Facebook and Twitter, and shared them with local television news outlets. Reporter Scott Adkins of Wave 3 News did a story about the find. Within a few days, the adorable images went viral, and before the week was up, the family Lynch saw in those videos was at his doorstep to reclaim them.

“To be honest with you, I didn't do anything special,” Lynch told TODAY.com. “Anybody would have done that — I think so. If anyone saw pictures of a woman with her child for the first time, they would have done it. I think most people are good like that.”’

Phillip and Stephanie Humphrey had no idea that their videos were missing until a relative texted them to say images of their family were going viral on the Internet.

“It was a shock, needless to say, to see those out online,” Phillip Humphrey said. “It’s kind of surreal, the whole fact that we’re something people have gravitated toward.”

Humphrey said he gave the old RCA camera to his brother-in-law Kit Applegate more than seven years ago because he had another one that used the same sort of tapes. Applegate told Wave 3 News he barely used the camera and so he donated it to Goodwill in Clarksville, Indiana.

That’s where Lynch bought the old clunker for five bucks.

Lynch credited his wife, Geneva, with pushing him do the right thing. “My wife saw it and said, ‘There’s no way someone would give something like that away to Goodwill.’”

It turned out to be true: The Humphreys never wanted to let those memories go. They just forgot to check the camera bag’s pocket before they gave it away. They wanted those memories back so badly that on Saturday, they piled into their minivan with their four kids and drove more than four hours from DeMotte, Indiana to the Lynches in Louisville, Kentucky.

“I just feel very fortunate,” Phillip Humphrey told TODAY.com. “Really, we were very grateful to be able to go across two states and go pick those up from Joe and thank him.”

Now the family is viewing all sorts of old footage from years gone by, and Humphrey said his kids, Cooper, 12, Greyson, 10, Ella, 6, and Everly, 17 months, love the home movies. The rediscovered tapes let the two younger girls see their older brothers as little boys for the first time. Humphrey said he plans to get a new video camera and make some more memories.
http://media2.s-nbcnews.com/j/streams/2014/August/140819/1D274906604589-kidcamcorder2.blocks_desktop_medium.jpg

[kuhio98]

BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. (WCCO) – At age 62, retired and blind, David Kuhn isn’t your average long distance runner.

But he’s averaging about 20 miles each day as he crisscrosses the country promoting a cause, in hopes of finding a cure.

On Monday, Kuhn’s nationwide running campaign brought him to the Twin Cities, where he will promote an effort to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

“I’m running around the perimeter states of the United States, approximately 11,000 miles for my granddaughter who has cystic fibrosis. She’s 12-years-old,” Kuhn said.

Last May, he set out on a journey he calls “It’s All I Can Do.” It is an effort to raise both money and awareness in the battle to find a cure for the crippling lung disease.

What’s so incredible is that Kuhn is challenged by his own blindness. He says his one good eye is like peering through waxed paper. That’s why he prefers running with a partner or, at the very least, on high school tracks, like the one at Champlin-Park High School.

“I’m fear driven and I want to do everything I can do for my granddaughter, to extend her life and of those who are struck with this disease,” he said.

Kuhn wears a runner’s GPS watch to track his miles. Since his mission began back in May in Seattle, he’s already logged more than 1,400 miles.

“My Garmin keeps track of my miles and as far as the track I keep focused on the white lines,” he said.

Step by step, lap after lap, Kuhn says what he’s tackling is nothing when compared to the suffocating struggles of Cystic Fibrosis patients like his granddaughter, Kylie.

“My pain, my suffering, my struggling is nothing compared to those,” Kuhn said.

His goal is to raise $500,000 in the next 18 months.

[kuhio98]

Pit Bull and Chihuahua Pals Find a New Home

Happy Days are here for Chachi, the long-haired Chihuahua, and his pal Joanie, the Pit Bull mix.

Yesterday we told you about how Joanie was found carrying Chachi, who had a severe eye infection, in a Georgia neighborhood earlier this month. Offers to adopt the two poured in from around the world to Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Animal Control.

Officer Christina Sutherin, who rescued the pair, chose an unnamed new owner in Florida to take them in. The police department says the dogs were "elated" with the news, smothering Sutherin with affection when she told them. Plans are being made to transport them south to their new home next month.

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[kuhio98]

Joseph Carbone Gives Glasses to Thousands of Struggling Kids

Joseph Carbone can still picture the Navajo teen in his office, trying on his first pair of eyeglasses, paid for by a benefactor.

"Wow," the boy told him, laughing and crying at the same time as he looked out the window. "I didn't know that trees had leaves."

It was on that day in 2001, says Carbone of West Bountiful, Utah, that he knew he should close his optician business and start giving away glasses to children in need.

"That kid touched my heart," he says. "He literally changed my life overnight."

Taking out a second mortgage on his home and lining up donated services, Carbone, 61, built EyeCare4Kids into a full-time nonprofit in 2006.

Today, with a clinic in Midvale, Utah, and two school-based units in Las Vegas funded by casino magnate Steve Wynn, Carbone and his 11-person staff have provided free exams and frames to more than 75,000 kids.

"The need is so great, somewhere around one in three or one in four American kids need glasses, but their parents can't afford them," says Carbone. "If kids can't see what the teacher is writing on the blackboard in school, they give up and drop out. A single pair of glasses can change everything."

Carbone struggled with his own eyesight as a child growing up in Queens until his parents finally saved enough to buy him a pair of glasses when he was 17. He knows firsthand the struggles that families like Wayne Urcino's face.

"Joseph is a godsend," says Urcino, who has a family of five. "Every person in my family needed glasses, but insurance wouldn't cover them and we couldn't afford them. Now for the first time in years, we can all see how beautiful the world is."

Ultimately, Carbone hopes to help a million children see more clearly.

"That's the dream," he says. "I'd love to be able to give glasses to every kid who needs them nationally and internationally. There's nothing like giving somebody the gift of sight. I plan to keep at this until the day I die."
http://img2.timeinc.net/people/i/2014/news/140526/joseph-carbone-300.jpg

[kuhio98]

Jackie Bobcean Provides Handbags and Personal Necessities to Abused Women

Growing up in suburban Detroit, Jackie Bobcean watched her alcoholic father, a police officer, unleash his rage on her mother and younger brother nearly every day.

"More than a dozen times, I recall hiding my brother in the closet and trying to stop my dad from choking my mom," says Bobcean, 50, a former teacher's aide.

"I was the only one in the family who stood up to him," she says.

When her brother Billy, who had a learning disability, committed suicide on Christmas Eve 2003 after decades of their father's verbal abuse, Bobcean, a married mom of two, decided that was the final straw.

"I knew I needed to do something to help stop the cycle of domestic violence," she says.

So in 2006, she launched HandBags of Hope out of her Eastpointe, Mich., home. The nonprofit collects gently used handbags and purses for women who've fled an abusive relationship, often with only the clothes on their backs and their children in tow.

Run purely on donations, Bobcean and 20 volunteers fill the handbags with daily necessities like makeup, hair brushes, manicure sets, pens, calendars, pocket tissues, but most importantly, handwritten messages of support ("You are loved," "God bless your journey").

"It's our small way of letting a woman know she did the right thing by standing up for herself," explains Bobcean, who says the organization has so far given away 17,000 handbags and counting. (No one in the organization, including Bobcean, gets paid.)

"For many survivors who arrive at our shelter," says Jan Mancinelli, executive director of the Women's Resource Center of Northern Michigan, "these handbags help give them everything they need to face another day."

Some of the volunteers – who, like Bobcean, are abuse survivors – go a step further, writing lengthy letters to be tucked inside a handbag with their phone number in case the recipient wants to reach out.

"A woman once told me she kept one of our notes in her purse as a reminder that there was a little bit of love inside," Bobcean adds. "And that was all she needed to keep going."
http://img2-3.timeinc.net/people/i/2014/news/140512/handbags-hope-600.jpg

[kuhio98]

Six Children Save the Life of an Injured Stray Dog

When Jadiel, Fernanda, Francisco, Montserrat, Saúl and Juanito, found an injured puppy in their town, Valle del Puebla, Mexicali, Mexico, they knew just what to do. They picked up the dog – that had a mangled rear leg – cared for him, and turned to adults for help. However, they didn’t turn to their parents for help. No, they called a local radio program, Radiopatrulla, and asked for help.

The children ranging in ages from five-years-old to 12-years-old, are constant listeners of the radio program, and somehow they felt that by calling in to their favorite show, they would get the help the three-month-old puppy needed.

They were right. When the radio team learned what these innocent children and future animal rescuers did, they agreed to help the children by picking up the dog and transporting him to an animal clinic.

Veterinarian Juan Carlos Acosta performed emergency surgery to amputate the mangled leg because it couldn’t be saved. However, what worried him the most, was the many different bacterial infections the small canine was fighting and the tick and flea infestation he had.

After hearing how the children heroically rescued the injured dog, Dr. Acosta decided to offer his services at no cost.

The puppy named by the children as “Radiopatrulla,” after their favorite radio show, was bathed after the surgery and started on treatment for fleas, ticks, and bacterial infections. Dr. Acosta expects the dog to make a full recovery.

The puppy was then returned to his five young saviors who are taking turns, nursing him and making sure he grows up to be a strong and loved pet.
http://www.lifewithdogs.tv/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/140725-ChildDogRescue.jpg

[kuhio98]

Petal (Mississippi) man pays it forward

Harrell Griffin is the official winner of the "Great Grocery Grab," sponsored by the Rotary Club of Petal. Instead of taking three minutes to grab as much food as possible for himself, he decided to fill a shopping cart full of food for kids in need.

The grocery grab took place at the Petal Corner Market early Tuesday morning. Griffin raced up and down the aisles at Corner Market, filling one shopping cart with nearly seven hundred dollars in groceries. Lots of folks bought several raffle tickets to get in the running for the grocery grab, and Griffin only purchased one. He says he's donating all food collected at the grab to the Petal Children's Task Force.

"The supermarket has donated and said they will actually slice this for us into portions so they can distribute it to more people," Griffin said.

"It feels good because a lot of times we're given blessings in life and this is just one that we can turn around and give back to others."

The fundraiser benefits the Dolly Parton Imagination Library Project, and Griffin's contribution, in turn, will benefit kids in Petal.

[kuhio98]

Matthew Nalywaiko Helps Hundreds of Single Working Moms With Much-Needed Repairs

Sometimes a broken down car or leaky faucet are just added stressors in the lives of already struggling single working mothers. But Matthew Nalywaiko is doing something about that – times more than a hundred.

His organization, Serve A Little, has helped more than 200 women, including those whose husbands are away serving in the military, by matching volunteer handymen, mechanics and construction workers to complete "honey-do" projects like minor home and car repairs.

"The name, Serve A Little, comes from the idea that you don't have to do much to make a major impact in someone's life," Nalywaiko says. "It might only take a few hours for a mechanic to fix the car or for someone to fix the door in a house, but for that person it can mean the world."

For Nalywaiko, 32, of Sonoma, Calif., giving back has been life changing. A severe case of dyslexia, coupled with ADD, had him wondering if he would ever have a purpose in life.

"I could barely read, so I couldn't imagine how I was going to make a living or find someone who would want to marry me or accomplish anything," says the high-energy Nalywaiko, a videographer.

But he did just that. He managed to get a job in construction after graduation, "building million-dollar staircases in multimillion dollar homes," and married Amanda, a social worker.

Then in 2009 he launched Serve A Little.

"We all have the ability to impact somebody's life," Nalywaiko says. "It's just a matter of looking outside your own world and realizing there are needs right next door."

Helping single working moms, including those trying to get an education, is something Nalywaiko says has an immediate positive impact.

"It's not a population that gets a lot of respect," says Amy Ethington, a Santa Rosa College student advisor who refers student single moms in need of assistance to the Serve A Little program. "And here is Matthew giving them respect for what they're trying to accomplish."

Nalywaiko doesn't just help out his own community. He discovered a Haitian village of about 10,000 where more than a dozen kids had drowned trying to cross the treacherous river to attend a school nearby. Nalywaiko has raised money through 80 for Haiti, an effort connected to Serve A Little, to build a closer school, using local labor and materials to boost the the economy.

"Children shouldn't have to die just to get an education," Nalywaiko says.
http://img2-1.timeinc.net/people/i/2014/news/140505/matthew-nalywaiko-600.jpg
Matthew Nalywaiko (center) with Serve A Little volunteers.

[kuhio98]

Shelter dogs from Phoenix flown to Idaho to find new homes

PHOENIX - Thirty dogs from a no-kill shelter in Phoenix were transported to a no-kill shelter in Idaho where they will be put up for adoption.

The small dogs from HALO Animal Rescue were transported by plane courtesy of Dog is My CoPilot, a nonprofit organization dedicated to saving homeless dogs and cats by flying them to areas in the western United States where they are more adoptable.

“When DIMC moves large groups of animals from an area where they are harder to adopt out and flies them to another area where they are in demand, the animals are quickly adopted by loving “furever” homes,” explains Judy Zimet, a Phoenix attorney who also serves as executive director of Dog Is My CoPilot. “A Chihuahua in Idaho gets adopted in a heartbeat, but that same Chihuahua in Phoenix is often harder to place in a new home,” says Zimet.

Phoenix continues to see large numbers of stray and abandoned pets entering Phoenix shelters, especially Chihuahuas and pit bulls, said Heather Allen, HALO Animal Rescue president and CEO.

The small dogs were headed to All Valley Animal Rescue in Meridian, Idaho.

“We’re very grateful to DIMC for their dedication to animal welfare. Not only are we saving more animals from euthanasia because of their program, we’re able to place homeless pets with loving families who really want them,” says Jason Lee, President and marketing director for All Valley Animal Rescue.
http://media2.abc15.com/photo/2014/03/28/Arizona%20dogs%20flown%20to%20Idaho%20for%20adopti on_1396042596407_3855361_ver1.0_640_480.jpg

[kuhio98]

Church to give away free lunch to cab drivers

TAMPA, Florida -- If you drive a taxi in the Tampa Bay area, your lunch could be free on Labor Day.

Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church in St. Petersburg is giving away a coupon for a free lunch to the first 100 cab drivers who show up to the church in their taxi.

The church partnered with the McDonald's next door to do something nice for people they know work hard year-round.

"We thought we would reward them," said Wesley's pastor, John Ekers. "If nothing else we thought they would get some recognition."

The church wants to be known as the little church with a big heart.

To get the free lunch, drivers have to show up in their taxi at the intersection of 4th Street and 38th Avenue North in St. Pete. Head inside the church and ask for your coupon, which can be used anytime in the month of September.

[momcat]

Wow!!! That's exactly what a church is supposed to do, help others any way they can. Can't wait to tell my Pastor when I see her tomorrow.

[Karen]

[SIZE=3]Church to give away free lunch to cab drivers

TAMPA, Florida -- If you drive a taxi in the Tampa Bay area, your lunch could be free on Labor Day.

Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church in St. Petersburg is giving away a coupon for a free lunch to the first 100 cab drivers who show up to the church in their taxi.

The church partnered with the McDonald's next door to do something nice for people they know work hard year-round.

Not surprised it is a Methodist church - we do tend to feed people! ;)

[kuhio98]

Rescue Runners: pairing runners with shelter dogs
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) – The Jefferson SPCA just started doing something amazing! In partership with Synergistic Lifestyles, LLC, they’re connecting dogs at the shelter with runners, giving the dogs a break from being inside a kennel all day. News With a Twist reporter Deepak Saini put on his running shoes to catch up with the Rescue Runners.

Rise and shine! It’s time for doggy boot camp!

“They’re a lot less energetic during the day which is good, gets some of that energy out, and we get some of our energy out,” says Rescue Runner Josh Aranguiz

At the crack of dawn, the Rescue Runner pair up wit ha four-legged friend and hit the pavement in City Park.

“This dog is really energetic and he`s a really good runner, and I really like running with him cause he can keep pace,” says Rescue Runner Lori Andersen.

Lori Andersen is a marathon runner. She found her match in Chippy, who kept up with her for 2.5 miles.

“I had another dog the first couple laps around, and he wasn’t as good of a runner,” says Andersen.

Not all are morning dogs. Some prefer a leisurely walk. While others like Rocky need a little encouragement with a belly rub.

“You have to be patient with them. You learn a lot of patience. You learn that they’re just trying to have a good time too, and they’ve never really been out here before,” says Aranguiz.

After a couple of laps around, water is a welcome sight and heavy panting is a familiar sound.

“We do walk the dogs and we have volunteers and they run and they play but they don’t really get to take that whole extra edge off, so seeing them out here running in this beautiful New Orleans City Park is really kinda dumbfounding, cause you see them running like they’re someone’s pet, but they’re available for adoption,” says Jacob Stroman with the Jefferson SPCA.

The Jefferson SPCA takes in thousands of dogs a year, most spending their days in a confined area. A chance to stretch their legs on a beautiful morning is a luxury.

“We’re giving them a little business card for that animal and telling them to gome home and promote that pet an tell their friends and colleagues to take a look at the dog they’re running for that day,” says Stroman.

You can’t help but bond with your running buddy. You just want to take them home.

“Every single one of them. Yup, absolutely. My roommates would kill me though if I brought a ton of dogs home,” says Aranguiz.

The Rescue Runners meet every Wednesday at 6:15 a.m. at the Great Lawn in City Park. Anyone is welcome to run the dogs, and of course, they’re available for adoption.
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[kuhio98]

378 People 'Pay It Forward' with Free Coffee at Florida Starbucks

A woman started an act of kindness chain that lasted for hours at a Starbucks drive-thru in Florida.

She ordered an iced coffee at about 7 a.m. Wednesday in St. Petersburg and asked to pay for the caramel macchiato for the stranger in the car behind her. He returned the favor. The chain kept going as employees began keeping count.

The Tampa Bay Times reports the chain finally ended around 6 p.m. when customer number 379 pulled up and ordered a regular coffee. Barista Vu Nguyen leaned out the window and explained the chain that started earlier in the day, asking if she'd like to participate. She declined, saying she only wanted to pay for her coffee.

Nguyen says he doesn't believe she understood the concept of paying it forward.

[cassiesmom]

Drew Carey did something good after an ice bucket challenge went terribly wrong... (source: Fox 8, Cleveland Web site, but I heard it on the news here in Chicago.)

BAY VILLAGE, Ohio — Drew Carey has weighed in on social media after a Bay Village boy with autism was bullied on video.

Carey, who was born and raised in Cleveland, also offered up $10,000 as either a reward or a donation to Autism Speaks after hearing about the prank.

Video of the bullying first aired on Fox 8 News Wednesday at the request of the 15-year-old victim’s parents. The parents wanted people to see the cruel prank they say high school students pulled on their son.

They said their son thought he was taking the ice bucket challenge to raise money for ALS research, but instead high school students dumped a bucket of human waste and cigarette butts on him.

The prank has sparked outrage in Northeast Ohio and even across the country.

Carey tweeted after seeing the story Friday. He called it “horrendous” and said “These kids should be arrested and expelled.”

He also tweeted that he would donate $10,000 to start a reward fund or give the money to the Autism Speaks organization.

[phesina]

Oh my God... I just can't believe there are "people" that would do something like that "prank" ... and that is no prank, that is an act of unspeakable cruelty. Those dirtbags should indeed be arrested and expelled.

Good one, Drew Carey.

[kuhio98]

Meet the Hero Dog Who Helped His Owner Fight Off a Black Bear

Man's best friend, indeed.

On Thursday, Steven Krichbaum, 59, was walking with his yellow Lab mix Henry in West Virginia's George Washington National Forest when they were confronted with something bear-y scary: two cubs and a larger black bear, who wasn't happy to see them. The animal proceeded to attack, and the guys leaped into action.

"Krichbaum and his dog attempted to fend off the attack and were subsequently injured," reads a press release given to NVDaily.com. According to the report, Krichbaum said the dog saved his life by attacking the bear while he kept striking it with a rock.

Their efforts worked: They managed to escape and were able to drive to a fruit market in Middletown, Virginia, where both of them, quite bloodied, received help from bystanders.

"He was really bleeding out," Eddie Richard, the store's owner, told NVDaily.com of Krichbaum's injuries. "He had a huge open gash on his forearm."

Witnesses told NVDaily.com that Krichbaum, who is reportedly in stable condition at Winchester Medical Center, suffered serious scratches and wounds, including a hole about the size of a 50-cent coin in his upper thigh. He is expected to recover.

His furry hero, who was taken to a local animal hospital, suffered wounds also, mostly to one of his hind legs, but should also be okay. Here's hoping he gets lots of treats upon his release!
http://img2-2.timeinc.net/people/i/2014/pets/news/140831/bear-1024.jpg

[kuhio98]

Awww, pupper with 2 broken legs perseveres with style. Made me smile today.
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When this pup got hurt, she got creative.

In a video Jason Sanders posted on YouTube, an adorable pup who broke her two front legs after jumping off a 6-ft.-tall deck figures out the easiest way to get around with two casts and an Elizabethan collar.

With just a hop and a tail wag she takes on this doorway (twice!) like it's no big deal. We think even her shadow is impressed!

[kuhio98]

Happy Ending For Taunton Boy Whose Wagon Was Stolen

TAUNTON (Mass) (CBS) – A Taunton woman received plenty of help from police and social media users after a wagon was stolen from her son with special needs.

Taunton police posted to the department’s Facebook page on Monday that they are looking for a wagon stolen from the back yard of a Vernon Street home.

Marjorie Dutra, the mother of the 10-year-old boy, told police she confronted the man who allegedly took the wagon. Dutra said she was nearly hit by the man’s older model black pick up truck as he drove away from the area where the wagon was stolen.

Dutra provided a possible license plate number to officers, but they were unable to track down the vehicle when they ran the plate.

The photo of the wagon posted by Taunton police has been shared nearly 1,600 times and generated about 150 comments.

The boy’s mother said “it’s not just a wagon,” adding that she bought it as a gift for her son on his first birthday. “It’s the first thing he ever wanted, it’s very important.

While Dutra said her son feels violated that someone stole from him, she added that the outpouring of support in the aftermath has helped boost her family’s spirits.

“All I can say is Faith in humanity is restored,” Dutra commented on the Facebook photo on Monday night.

“From the actions of one rotten soul, hundreds of people are reaching out to help. All in all we are overwhelmed with the response from so many amazing people willing to help. All he honestly really wants is to find his wagon in our yard again tomorrow morning.”

An outpouring of support included the donation of a nearly identical wagon, along with monetary donations that will go to the family as well.

The donated wagon came from a 10-year-old in Bridgewater. “It was because I was just feeling good and I didn’t really use it that much anymore so I just wanted to donate it,” Nick Rae said.
http://boston.cbslocal.com/video?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=10540836

[kuhio98]

A Love Like Millie's
By Edward Grinnan, July 25, 2014

Millie and I detect Maurice about a hundred feet down the block. Millie’s nose rises in the hot air. Sniffing. I wish I could cover mine. Pretty soon she is pulling at her leash, tail-slapping me and dragging me over to her friend’s doorway where he is liquidly slouched.

“Millie!” he cries, arms out, speech garbled, eyes just red slits even at this time of the morning.

Maurice is a wino. Not homeless. He is very particular about that, though he certainly has no home, and I’m not sure he’d want one if you offered. Maurice could never manage a home even if you gave him a mansion with a butler and a staff.

He says the high point of his day is when he sees “Queen Millie.” Then in a wheezy aside he says,” I tell that to all the girls.”

How old? Hard to say. Life on the streets ages you badly. Forty, maybe?

By now Millie is trying to bull her way onto his lap. She might weigh more than he does. With the toe of my shoe I inch his paper bag with a fresh pint of Mad Dog 20-20, Maurice’s lifeblood, out of harm’s way.

We see the homeless, for lack of a better term, in all our cities, and it’s always painful to imagine how they fit into our society and even more difficult to figure out how to help them, how to change them…or change ourselves, perhaps.

We give up because we think they’ve given up. They become part of the urban scenery. Maurice says he was born a wino, as if he has no say in the matter, no tragic story, no fall from grace, no trajectory. No story where he miraculously changes his life and becomes the hero.

Maurice and I are clear on one thing: I don’t give him money. We both know what he’ll do with it. I know what I did with it back when I was Maurice and I was begging change on the streets of New York.

Once, I bought him a pack of cigarettes–probably not very Christian of me–but he said he was dying for a smoke and I thought, “He’s dying anyway.”

I gave him a Subway sandwich when he looked particularly gaunt. He put it by his bag and said, “Maybe I’ll get to it later.” (Millie almost got to it first.) I gave him a Manhattan AA meeting book, and he tossed it back. “Got a collection of ‘em.”

Julee reminded me, “Make sure to get him a bottle of water. The heat is horrible.” While he scratched Millie’s belly I put the water down next to the paper bag, not wanting to touch anything.

I watched him dig his grimy, encrusted fingers deep into the creamy fur of Millie neck knowing I would wipe that area down immediately when we got home. Not that Millie minded being mauled on the streets of New York by a dirty old wino. She was in ecstasy. She had her dog grin going big time.

It was Millie who struck up the friendship with Maurice, and we do not deny her anything that she loves. She looks for him during his periodic absences and is overjoyed when he returns sporting one of those plastic hospital i.d. bands. Maurice has had lots of those, all different colors, his stripes.

I'd been half-tempted to give him a copy of my book, The Promise of Hope, about how I found grace and sobriety at the most hopeless moment of my life. But it didn’t feel right. My book wouldn’t get him sober. My book was my story. I look at him now and can’t help but think, “There but for the Grace of God go I.”

Eventually Millie and I headed toward the dog park, her glancing back at her friend. Friend. To her that’s what he is. She fully recognizes and embraces his humanity and treats him like anyone else, as good a human as any. Had I lost sight of Maurice’s humanity? Have we all? Just another part of the urban scenery?

Back home I knelt down to wipe the grime from Millie’s golden-white coat. I wondered if she felt I was taking something away from her. I didn’t know how to pray for Maurice but I tried: Dear God, please help Maurice. Please help him find a new story.
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[kuhio98]

Not too practical for Alaska -- but the point is, they are making a difference in their community.

Heroes Among Us
Flip Flop Drop Provides Shower Shoes to the Homeless in Georgia

Most high school students kick off their shoes and laze poolside during the summer. But not these six Georgia teens – they celebrated the break by volunteering to improve their community.

Daniel and Brendan Mahoney, Oliver Howell, Megan Slatkovsky, Lily Kate Conneff and Ashley Ambos, ranging from ages 14 to 18, came together from across their Savannah, Georgia, community to pioneer a project that has purchased more than 3,200 pairs of shower shoes for the city's homeless population.

It all started because Mahoney wanted to do some type of volunteer work during the break.

"I knew I wanted to do something to give back to the community," rising senior Mahoney, 18, who spearheaded the aptly named Flip Flop Drop, tells PEOPLE.

Most high school students kick off their shoes and laze poolside during the summer. But not these six Georgia teens – they celebrated the break by volunteering to improve their community.

Daniel and Brendan Mahoney, Oliver Howell, Megan Slatkovsky, Lily Kate Conneff and Ashley Ambos, ranging from ages 14 to 18, came together from across their Savannah, Georgia, community to pioneer a project that has purchased more than 3,200 pairs of shower shoes for the city's homeless population.

It all started because Mahoney wanted to do some type of volunteer work during the break.

"I knew I wanted to do something to give back to the community," rising senior Mahoney, 18, who spearheaded the aptly named Flip Flop Drop, tells PEOPLE.

Keep up with your favorite celebs in the pages of PEOPLE Magazine by subscribing now.

During the summer months, the ICNS and the nearby Social Apostolate, which offers food and showers to the homeless, average 112 showers a day for men, women and children who live in area shelters and camp out in the wilderness.

Mahoney teamed up with his younger brother Brendan and four other motivated students to begin the two-week drive with the original goal of $1,000 for 1,000 pairs of flip flops.

After broadcasting their cause on the local news and doing widespread fundraising, the small group of leaders received an overwhelming community response, beating their goal by $2,000.

"One dollar is one pair of flip flops," Lily Kate Conneff, 15, tells PEOPLE, "and that's one shower, so it just makes you want to do more and more."

The flip flops themselves weren't the only things that generated excitement from the homeless community – it was also the assortment of color and size, and the option to choose their own preference.

"It was the talk for at least a good week, week and a half about these shower shoes," says Heckman. "Everybody had a smile on their face and if they didn't like the color, [they were] able to come up and get the color that they did like, and that made them really happy."

Some are even wearing them as everyday shoes, he says.

"When you have something that you're satisfied and proud of," he says, "you can show it and walk around with pride back in your heart again."

The students were so successful, the shelter was even able to partner with America's Second Harvest's Kid's Café, a summer program that feeds underprivileged children in the community, to put summer shoes on children who can't afford them.

"It went far beyond the shower shoes," Pryor tells PEOPLE. "They're putting shoes on the feet of the community."

Mahoney and the Flip Flop Drop gang hope to continue their community leadership by holding the drive again next year and partnering with the ICNS for fundraising projects, like an upcoming 5K.

They've even discussed doing a similar drive for jeans, another shelter need, in the fall.

"The earlier you start, it'll just keep increasing exponentially," says Mahoney. "You never really think of it, but it's really surprising how much we can make a difference."
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[kuhio98]

Chicago Man Agrees to Pay Homeless Little League Champ's Rent for a Year

Little League World Series star Jaheim Benton is a hometown hero – and now, thanks to one big-hearted fan, he has a home.

A Chicago businessman has agreed to pay the Benton family's rent for a full year after learning they recently lost their home after Jaheim's mother had her hours cut at her home-care job.

"Superstar and homeless don't mix," Spencer Leak, owner of Leak and Sons Funeral Home in Chicago, told the Today show. "We've got to do something about that, and for the next year, little superstar Jaheim is going to have a home."

Jaheim, 12, charmed Chicagoans as a key player who helped lead his team, Jackie Robinson West, to become U.S. champions in the Little League World Series before losing in the international game to South Korea, 8-4.

But privately, Benton and his family faced a scary struggle: the loss of their home caused the family to split up and sleep on family members' couches.

Because their homelessness came in the midst of the team's incredible run, Jaheim's family simply tried to keep him focused on the game.

"It's been hard, but I just tell my baby to hold his head up," said Jaheim's mom, Devona. "I told him to get out there and play ball, despite his knowing that we lost our home."

Leak said he could not resist assisting a boy who helped bring so much joy to the Windy City.

"They have united the city. They have united the country. And now, they are known all over the world," Leak told Chicago's ABC 7.

Leak said he hopes his gift will help the family get back on their feet – permanently.

"I would hope that this rent turns into a mortgage that turns into home ownership for them," he told the news station. "We want our little superstar to have a roof over his head, because that's what he is. He's a superstar."

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Real-Life 'Rapunzel' Gets First-Ever Haircut for Kids with Cancer

Growing up, Britain's Charlie Tillotson swore a vow against haircuts. For years, she declined even the smallest of trims, and by the age of 6, her blond locks had grown so long that they reached all the way down her back.

All that changed after Charlie watched a television documentary about children with cancer. She threw aside her hatred of scissors and decided to cut her hair off in order to donate it to the Little Princess Trust, where it would be used to make wigs for kids who needed them.

"I welled up," Charlie's father Steve told the Sidmouth Herald.

Inspired by their daughter's dedication, Charlie's parents set up a JustGiving page to publicize her efforts and asked fans to raise money for Children with Cancer UK.
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The support they received dwarfed the family's expectations – they raised more than £1,300 ($2,200) – greater than double their goal. Once they reached the thousand-pound mark, Charlie's parents posted a video of her thanking everyone who donated:

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On July 14, Charlie received the first haircut of her young life from family friend Rianne Woodruff, who transformed her Rapunzel-style locks into a sleek bob.
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Carmel autism center donates "nice bucket" to teen prank victim

CARMEL, Ind. - First there was national outrage. Now a local center for children with autism is sending messages of support to an Ohio teenager duped into a fake ALS "ice bucket challenge."

Instead of ice, the 15-year old's classmates dumped urine and tobacco on him.

The story has prompted action at the Little Star Center in Carmel where students have created a "nice bucket" for the 15-year-old who also has autism.

Little Star's Executive Director Mary Rosswurm came up with the idea after hearing about what happened.

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Children at the center made special cards and filled a huge bucket with fun and special treats.

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Rosswurm says she was heartbroken to see the video that went viral on the internet. She and her staff want the student to know he has support in Indiana.

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"As a mom of a child with autism and just working with these wonderful children with autism it just broke my heart. I thought, 'Gosh, why can't we be nice to each other?' and I thought why can't we send him a nice bucket and it started as simple as that," Rosswurm explained.

Ohio prosecutors are now reviewing evidence to determine if charges should be filed against the teens behind the prank. As many as 350,000 people have signed petitions asking that charges be filed.

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Little Star is a not-for-profit center that provides Applied Behavioral Analysis for children with autism. The center provides scholarships for treatment for children without insurance. The scholarships are provided with gifts from individual donations.

If you'd like to give to the "nice bucket" or the scholarship fund, you can contact the center:

Little Star Center
12726 Hamilton Crossing Blvd.
Carmel, IN 46032
(317) 249-2242

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Mayors in 55 Cities Fill Backpacks with Food for Hungry Children

Thousands of students across the country this weekend will bring home backpacks filled not just with textbooks, but with plenty of food to carry them through to Monday.

Blessings in a Backpack, a nonprofit based in Louisville, Kentucky, provides food-filled backpacks every Friday for children in hundreds of schools across 45 states. PEOPLE introduced readers to the organization in 2012 as part of the PEOPLE First: Help Feed a Child initiative.

Mayors Jim Schmitt of Green Bay, Wisconsin, and Greg Stanton of Phoenix, Arizona, sponsored the resolution made by the United States Conference of Mayors that declares Sept. 18 "Blessings in a Backpack Day."

In 55 cities, mayors stepped out into their communities Thursday and packed backpacks for hungry children.

"If a child doesn't come to school well-feed and with a nutritious meal, that affects every aspect of their life," Stanton tells PEOPLE.

Stanton, the father of two young children, says childhood hunger "is not an acceptable situation in the most prosperous nation on earth."

Backpacks were also filled yesterday in Arab, Alabama, a city with roughly 9,000 residents.

"A lot of students here come from [troubled] homes," Mayor Bob Joslin tells PEOPLE. "They don't have food on the weekend, so these backpacks are so important."

Every Friday during the school year, three churches in the area hand out 470 backpacks to children who need them. "Our community takes care of its own," Joslin says.

When the organization was first featured in PEOPLE in 2012, it comprised 329 schools helping 23,490 students. It now has 696 schools feeding 65,000 students.

Blessings board member Richard Gordon says the PEOPLE First initiative helped to raise more than $1.5 million in direct donations and local funds to start new community programs.

Michael Gouloff, an architect, started a program at four elementary schools in Fort Wayne, Indiana in 2006. All together, these programs send home 1,750 backpacks every Friday.

"It's so important we are feeding these kids," Gouloff says. "But the real message is that people in their community care about them."
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[momcat]

We live on a rather quiet street in Trenton. There are also a lot of kids with not much room to play other than in the street. There's a young high school student that really deserves a shout out. Just about every day this fine young man is outside teaching the smaller kids how to shoot a basketball and how to play football. He gives a lot of time to the younger ones helping them learn and sharpen their skills. They're getting pretty good too. Right now 5 or 6 of them are playing football.
The good kids, like this high school student, are the ones that belong on the front page of the newspaper. One day I thanked him for what he does with the smaller children and his humility was an inspiration. The good kids far outnumber the bad but seldom get the recognition they're due.

[kuhio98]

... The good kids, like this high school student, are the ones that belong on the front page of the newspaper. One day I thanked him for what he does with the smaller children and his humility was an inspiration. The good kids far outnumber the bad but seldom get the recognition they're due.

I agree 100%. Why our society is fascinated with bad boys, bad behavior and Kardashians, I'll never understand.

The good guys go about their lives quietly making the world a better place. The bad ones are always in the news shouting LOOK AT ME, LOOK AT ME. Most of us are the good ones and we desire to leave a situation better than how we found it.

It's just the little things. I thanked a young man for holding the door open for me at the post office the other day and he looked shocked. It made me wonder how many times we forget to acknowledge a kindness.

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Moms Stitch Together Memories To Fight Gun Violence

DENVER, Colo. (CBS4) – Mothers across Colorado are using quilting to fight gun violence.

The group called Moms Demand Action is stitching together memories and a message as part of their Mother’s Dream Quilt Project.

Each quilt will contain meaningful fabric from a victim or survivor of gun violence.

“It was really hard to cut up her shorts,” volunteer April Rodgers said, while stitching fabrics that belonged to Jessica Ghawi.

Ghawi was killed in the Aurora theater shooting.

“This teal was her favorite color,” Rodgers said.

Another block of fabric was made from the wedding dress of Mary Sherlach, the school psychologist killed at Sandy Hook Elementary.

Jennifer Hope of Moms Demand Action said the group will make a series of quilts using a quilting pattern known as Mother’s Dream. The pattern represents the bonds of grief shared by mothers, families and friends of gun violence victims, Hope said.

The victims’ fabrics will be surrounded by blocks donated by supporters of the group.

The group, that has chapters across the nation, is making quilts to send a message to everyone.

“(That) we can we do more to prevent gun violence,” Hope said.

Hope said the Colorado chapter of Moms Demand Action will make their own quilt to tour nationally before it goes on display back home.

“Generations ago this was a way that moms were able to come together,” Hope said. “I really think that quilting is very healing.”

It’s healing that volunteers like Rodgers say takes time, dedication and patience — the same things required to sew a quilt.

“It makes me sad but it’s the least I can do,” she added.
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These Surfers Went Out For A Morning Of Surfing And Ended Up Being Heroes To This Wallaby!
Adam G. I knew wallaby’s liked to swim, but this little guy tried to go out into the ocean and bit off more than he could chew! Two surfers saw him and put their aquatic skills to work bringing him to safety. Talk about a stroke of luck! This is a great example of people helping an animal and releasing them the right way.

Watch the heroic event below!

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[Karen]

Awww, how nice! And away he hopped, away from those scary waves!

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Corona Firefighters Save Man — And Then Finish Mowing His Lawn

There is going above and beyond, and then there is really going above and beyond.

A Corona man lost consciousness while mowing his lawn.

Officials said a crew from Engine 1 came to the man’s aid, provided lifesaving treatment and taking him to a hospital.

After the ambulance left the man’s house, fire crews did something extraordinary.

The firefighters finished the man’s yard work. The front lawn was growing rapidly, in definite need of a mow.

The grateful homeowner, Willy G., spoke to KCAL9’s Crystal Cruz.

“This my machine here. My grass was so, so high,” Willy said.

Wednesday morning Willy and his lawn mover were in the front yard working hard — so was the sun.

“I was cutting grass here, I feel dizzy a little bit, so I stand over by the car here,” he recalled.

In the drive way Willy face planted.

Corona Fire showed up and he went to the hospital with a scratched up face, but firefighters stuck around, finishing what Willy started.

“We all kind of looked at each other, kind of looked around at the lawn equipment and realized this family was going through a very traumatic event right now and they some simple acts of kindness,” said Fire Dept. Engineer Jamie Pirritano.

“The five guys, they went down and cleaned all the grass for us I say that’s so nice. I never had the experience like that before. I feel like safe,” said Willy.

Just one family of guys helping out another family, whose lawn wasn’t going to cut itself.

“I appreciate what they did,” Willy said.

Willy told Cruz he fainted because there was too much heat and too much exertion.

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Heroes Among Us
Meet Jeff Balek – the Blind YMCA Volunteer Who Teaches Children How to Read

Jeff Balek has never actually seen a book – but that hasn't stopped the blind man from teaching struggling kids how to read.

Growing up learning braille, "I felt pretty empowered thanks to teachers and my family," he tells PEOPLE. "Teachers were very supportive of me, working with me through high school on my braille and computer skills," he says.

So thankful is Balek, 34, to the people that taught him, that when his sister forwarded him an e-mail about volunteering for the Y Readers program at the YMCA of Greater Charlotte in North Carolina two years ago, he signed right up.

"I was really excited to help these kids," he says of joining the after-school program, which aims to boost literacy among first, second and third grade children who are reading below grade level.

"They need help, and I've always been into reading – it's really rewarding," he says.

Balek uses twin vision books to read along with the children, reading a page in braille then listening to them read the next in print.

"They're reading the same thing I'm reading, so I can help them with sounding out or spelling a word," he explains.

Naturally curious, "kids ask me questions about my blindness – how I became blind, the challenges I had to overcome," Balek says.

"They put a lot of confidence in me reading braille; and I think for them, [learning some] braille gives them confidence, too," he says.

The kids like him, too.

"He's so unique," says Michael DeVaul, senior vice president of organizational advancement at the YMCA of Greater Charlotte.

"We hear from a lot of kids about how 'cool' he is," he says. "And he really has a passion for kids, and a passion for reading. I think parents who have met him know that.

He also seems to be the most popular volunteer at the YMCA.

"He doesn't know this, but he usually gets moved around a lot because he's so good at what he does," DeVaul adds.

"Most volunteers see two kids in an hour, but Jeff sees four to five because kids want to touch his books, learn braille," he says. "It's beyond words – it really cements the concept of reading comprehension, which is what we're after."

Though Balek is humble about his contributions – "I'm just glad I got chosen to participate," he demurs – DeVaul contends he's brought more to the table than he'll ever know.

"He's extraordinary in general," he says. "But it goes beyond reading, to this life lesson of pushing through challenges and being resilient. It's powerful."
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Texas Homecoming Queen Gives Her Crown to Friend Who Was Pranked

Lillian Skinner was thrilled when she was told she'd been nominated for homecoming queen at Grand Prairie High School in North Texas.

But the news turned out to be a cruel joke made by some unnamed girls at her school.

Thankfully two young ladies who were actually nominated have hearts of gold. When Anahi Alvarez and Naomi Martinez, who are longtime friends of Skinner's, heard about the prank, they vowed to give their pal the crown regardless of who won.

"We promised each other and we were like, 'No matter what, no backing down. If one of us wins, we're giving Lillian the crown,' " Martinez told NBC 5 in Dallas.

And when Alvarez was named homecoming queen, that's exactly what happened. She called Skinner up to the stage, much to the teen's surprise.

"I said, 'It's okay. It's okay. It's your crown ... My name is not on the list,' " Skinner recalled.

"Seeing the look on her face and the way she reacted toward it, it was priceless," Martinez said. "I knew it was the right decision."

"For me, I want to say, and I always say, 'Lilly won. I just ran in her place, in her position,' " Alvarez added. "When they ask me, 'Were you homecoming queen?' I say, 'No, Lilly is homecoming queen.' "
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From left: Naomi Martinez, Lillian Skinner and Anahi Alvarez

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Hundreds of 'Tyler's Troops' help celebrate boy's 7th birthday
First responders gather to honor Tyler Seddon

BURRILLVILLE, R.I. —First responders have gathered in Rhode Island Thursday to help a very special boy celebrate his birthday in a big way.

Battling leukemia for a second time, Tyler Seddon turned 7 on Thursday, and the firefighters and police officers he loves so much really came through for him.

Tyler's birthday party began at the police station, where he wore his own uniform as he was sworn in as honorary police chief for a day.

Tyler stopped at his school to see his friends before continuing to another celebration at Wrights Chicken Farm, in Burrillville.

"We have officers in the audience here today who just arrived from Hew Hampshire. We have police officers that arrived here yesterday from Ohio," Burrillville Police Department col. Stephen Lynch said.


Tyler was released from the hospital just in time for the big party. Birthday messages keep pouring in.

Hundreds of first responders gathered to wish Tyler well brought him gifts, cards, patches, uniform and memorabilia.

"My house is full of boxes. We have a 10-by-20 storage unit that's half full. So, we'll have a lot of presents to go through -- probably until next birthday!" Tyler's mother, Rachel Seddon said.

One of the gifts was presented by someone who feels a special kinship. Deborah Hanna-Kearney is the daughter of a Massachusetts State Police trooper killed in the line of duty.

"I was given this jacket and I want to give it to you. This is a real State Police jacket," she said.

Hanna-Kearney loves the police as much as Tyler, but she also understands his illness.

"It touches me because I'm a carcinoid lung cancer survivor. So, I wish Tyler the very best of luck," she said.

"Honestly, I think the whole world needs to see something positive in the news and I'm glad that we're part of it. I think it's amazing that there's so much support out there one child," Seddon said.

The celebration has grown out of Rachel Seddon's Facebook post that asked first responders to send cards to Tyler to make his seventh birthday special. He's had a tough fight with leukemia.

"He touched our heartstrings. It was something we wanted to do," said Deputy Rhonda Rose, of Fairfield, Ohio. "We are 700 miles (away)."

Tyler is also in need of a bone marrow transplant, and party guests can sign up to be possible donors.

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People.com Heroes Among Us
Teenager Nicholas Lowinger Gives Thousands of Shoes to Homeless

Laid off from her job at a grocery store just before Thanksgiving, Brittany Taylor, 28, and her children John, 7, and Johneya, 5, soon found themselves at a homeless shelter in frosty Providence, R.I.

Among needs the shelter couldn't fulfill were children's shoes. With a snowy winter approaching, Johneya only had flat, ballet-style shoes that were peeling, and John's sneakers were dirty and worn out.

Within days, however, the children were handed new sneakers and new winter boots by local teen Nicholas Lowinger, whose Gotta Have Sole foundation has distributed nearly 16,000 pairs of shoes in 32 states.

"It definitely made me happy to see my children in a better mood, and it took a little stress off of me," Taylor says. "It warmed my heart."

Nicholas, 16, says his interest in helping homeless children started at age 5, when his parents took him to visit a homeless shelter. His excitement over a new pair of shoes with lights turned to sympathy for children who barely had anything to wear.

"I couldn’t imagine how some kids were unable to make it to school because their shoes were falling apart," Nicholas says.

Nicholas started donating his outgrown shoes to shelters, but realized it's uncomfortable to wear shoes broken in by someone else. For a community-service project tied to his bar mitzvah four years ago, he created a project to donate new shoes to homeless children, and what started as one bin in one temple dedicated to one shelter has grown into a national operation with several shoe retailers (including 6pm, Timberland, Stride Rite and Walmart) as sponsors.


A Homespun Operation
Although the base of the operation is the Lowinger family garage in Cranston, R.I., the effort is extremely well-organized. Shelters turn in orders for shoes, and Lowinger and his volunteers fill them using shoes provided by sponsors. If he doesn't have the right shoes handy, Nicholas will buy them, using donations. If the shelters are local, Nicholas will hand out the shoes in person.

The gift packages include socks and messages personally written by Nicholas on cards shaped like shoes, saying things like, "This is a gift because you're worthy."

Nicholas says he's "trying to also change people’s mindsets about homeless people, that they're just people who have fallen on hard times."

Lori Lowinger says she's blown away by her son's service to others.

"I look at this young man here whose heart is bigger than anything I've seen," she tells PEOPLE. "He's changed who I am as a person."


Stepping Things Up
Gotta Have Sole has chapters in Florida, Connecticut, Massachusetts and South Carolina, with a rotating roster of roughly 2,000 volunteers participating at any given time.

Rachael Kaplan, 38, is one of several moms in Rhode Island who bring their children to Nicholas's home to volunteer. Her daughter, Madelyn, was 6 the first time she volunteered (she's now 9 and still volunteers), and Kaplan wanted to "teach her to feel lucky with what she has." They picked up one of the many orders sent to Gotta Have Sole, had Madelyn buy shoes that her family paid for, and brought the shoes to Nicholas, who explained what he was trying to do. Madelyn also helped design and write several cards.

"Through opportunities like that, we are becoming better people," Kaplan says.

In February 2014, Nicholas received a Charlotte Bacon Act of Kindness Award, named after one of the children killed in the Newtown shootings.

As he accepted the award, Nicholas told the crowd: "I just have a challenge to all of you … to find some way to be a kinder person or be a peacemaker, and make the world a better place. I think there's a peacemaker in all of us."
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[kuhio98]

Paying it forward: Stranger picks up $93 tab for Maumee woman's groceries

Jessica Wagner had her young children with her in line at register nine at Kroger when she realized her wallet was at home.

"I sort of panicked," Wagner said. "I've never done that before."

She turned to the cashier, Emily Gratcl, embarrassed.

"[I said,] ‘I'm sorry. I live about 10 minutes down the road. I'm going to have to run home,'" Wagner recalled.

The store was ready to hold her groceries, but another customer decided to "Pay it Forward."

"The lady behind her just inched forward and swiped her card," Gratcl said. "And she was like, ‘It's OK. It's on me. I got this.'"

"And I'm like, ‘No, no. I can't let you do that,'" Wagner said.

The kind stranger not only saved Wagner the trouble of running home, she also saved her a significant amount of money. Her total for groceries was $93.

"I got tears in my eyes. I started crying," Wagner said. "I was so overwhelmed that somebody would just do something like that, without asking anything back."

"It was an emotional fest after that, and we were just all in tears," Gratcl said. "Thank God for people like that!"

Even the Kroger employee bagging the groceries was crying, according to Wagner and Gratcl.

Wagner says she tried to get the stranger's name and address to pay her back, but the woman would only accept a hug as thanks. She just wanted Wagner to take her groceries home and enjoy time with her children.

"That's a lot!" Wagner said. "I mean, imagine someone, like I said, like a stranger, just handing you $100. Like, what? That doesn't happen!"

Wagner says she plans to pay it forward to someone else in need, and so does Gratcl. They hope others are inspired to do the same.
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[kuhio98]

Family kicked out of Racine homeless shelter receives a new home

RACINE-- A father and daughter were kicked out of a Racine homeless shelter left with no place to go, but thanks to the kindness of many strangers-- tonight, they have a place to call home.

"It's going to be filled with so much warmth and love," said Derreck Gray, inside his new home.

Candles light the way through Derreck and his daughter's new home. Their family is still waiting for power, but Derreck says they're just lucky to have a roof over their head.

"I was kind of speechless, overjoyed," said Derreck.

A generous stranger gave them the house after they were told to leave the Halo homeless shelter Monday.

"I had no idea where I was going to go, I have no family out here," said Derreck.

Derreck says they were kicked out of the shelter after a dispute over lunch. We asked Halo for comment, but officials declined our request.

"It wouldn't have been a bad idea if they put me out," said Derreck, "but putting my daughter out on the streets, that's what really upset me."

The single father and his ten year old daughter, Alexis, soon met a woman who would put a roof over their head.

"I'm just so glad she opened her heart," said Derreck, "and welcomed us into this nice, beautiful house."

Together, Derreck and Alexis walked into a two bedroom house to call their own.

Not long after opening the door, Alexis picked out her bedroom upstairs.

When she saw the pink sticker on the wall that said "Girly," she knew the room was hers.

The sticker was pink-- Alexis' favorite color.

"When I get it all situated, I want to paint my room pink," said Alexis.

The woman who gave Derreck and Alexis their home, only would be the first of many generous strangers.

There was the person who gave Derreck a new bed, the people who filled their kitchen cupboards with food, and the ones who gave their family some of the things-- many of us take for granted, like hygiene products.

For The Grays, the community's generosity has been overwhelming, and once they settle in-- they plan to pay it forward.

"I can share the opportunity by helping other people out," said Derreck.

Derreck says he will open his home to friends from Halo who need a place to go during the day. He says he also plans to donate some of his daughter's old clothes to help other children in need.

[cassiesmom]

Doctor uses social media to help her patients

Krupali Tejura, MD, a radiation oncologist, treats patients at the Corona Cancer Clinic in Corona, Calif. And via the internet, she channels another powerful form of energy on behalf of patients with advanced-stage cancer — the goodwill and kindness of other people.

Krupali uses the tools of social media to fulfill the wishes of patients, many of them with terminal conditions. Tweeting and posting on her blog, which reads like an open letter to the world, Krupali has fulfilled patients’ dreams as varied as—attending a taping of the Ellen DeGeneres show and meeting a famous violinist—to seeing a Pittsburgh Steelers football game at Heinz Field.

“My wife is a big Steelers fan, and Dr. Tejura arranged an all-expenses-paid trip and even got NFL Hall of Famer Lynn Swan to meet my wife and sign her jersey,” writes Chuck Chavez, whose wife has late-stage breast cancer. “It was the best medicine for my wife.”

On her blog, Krupali writes, “I honestly don’t do anything but put out a call to the world and at times the world responds.”

Krupali describes how it all started: “I have a patient support group called Ruby Red Slippers, and at one of our meetings, I heard a young patient with Stage IV cancer say she wanted to go to the Ellen show (Ellen Degeneres’ talk show). I went on the Ellen’s website but I could not get any tickets.

“So I put it out on Twitter, and a follower of mine who is a breast cancer survivor who works in the industry—she’s a makeup artist—got two VIP tickets so I could take my patient. When I first met this girl, she was metastatic and couldn’t walk because her knee was riddled with cancer. But by the time we went to the show, she was walking on her own, which was amazing.”

Through her unique care of terminally ill patients, Dr Tejura is showing us how to transform a seemingly hopeless situation into one filled with joy and caring.

For Dr Tejura social media has been an incredible tool to change the lives of her patients.

[kuhio98]

Devils Lake runner carries injured Fargo South runner during championship race

Glyndon, MN (WDAY TV) - Every once in a while in athletics, the scoreboard; who wins and who loses just doesn't matter.

Saturday, more than 20 teams and hundreds of competitors competed in the EDC Cross Country Championship.

The real winner? A show of compassion; a young woman from Devils Lake, who finished 8-and-a-half minutes behind the first place finisher.

This picture says it all. Devils Lake Senior Melanie Bailey carrying a distraught and injured Fargo South runner Danielle LeNoue…

Danielle LeNoue- Fargo South Runner: “I was past the two-mile mark; close to the finish line.”

…at the EDC Cross Country Meet held at the Ponderosa Golf Course near Glyndon.

LeNoue: “It happened instantly and felt like a pop in my knee… Down I went.”

“My left leg.”

Danielle, just back from the doctor Thursday, hurt her knee. Her left leg buckled during the run… That fast… An injury to her patella tendon.

LeNoue: “Just sobbing and so I started walking and I could not go any farther and she said, ‘here, hop on my back,’ half my size.”

The good Samaritan was Devils Lake High School runner Melanie Bailey…

Melanie Bailey: Devils Lake Runner: “All I could think about was she was in a lot of pain. And I wanted to help her.”

…A competitor, who says she was doing the right thing.

LeNoue: Honestly, I loved the way I ended it. It was a great way to end my cross country season.”

Now this is what winning is all about: Two runners finishing the race together, one carrying the other… Because that's what you do.

LeNoue: “So nice, she didn't have to do that. How many people ran past me? And she stopped.”

The two girls have been Facebooking each other. Strangers now friends. It's good to give someone the shirt off your back; even better to carry them on it when they're down.

LeNoue: “Pretty cool, touching moment for me.”

And the Devils Lake Senior plans a career in physical therapy.
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http://www.wday.com/content/devils-lake-runner-carries-injured-fargo-south-runner-during-championship-race?hpt=us_bn10

[kuhio98]

6th grader raises money for teacher battling Lymphoma

CULLMAN COUNTY, AL (WBRC) - Eleven-year-old Coleman Callan has always had a creative mind and now he's using his skills to help a teacher at his school.

"I like using my hands to make stuff and craft stuff," said Callan.

Add that to his passion for helping others and it was no surprise to his parents that he wanted to help Tamika Powell, a teacher at his school battling Diffused Large B Cell Lymphoma.

"He said, 'I just need to do something to help them.' Whatever it is to raise money or what," said Coleman's mom, Amanda.

Amanda Callan said her son learned how to make key chains out of paracord at camp.

Now, in a matter of ten minutes he's making them by the dozens and selling them to raise money for Powell.

"It's just very inspiring. You know, to see a little child that can make such a difference," said Powell.

Since her diagnosis in June, Powell and her family have been through a rollercoaster of emotions and the financial strain of battling cancer.

But it's the actions of Callan that help keep their positive attitude and faith.

"He took time out of his weekend, out of his life and did nothing really but make key chains for Tamika and our family. That's the inspiring part. He could have been doing anything. Playing on the iPad or anything. He chose to support us and help us," said Powell's husband, Cliff.

Since June Coleman has raised close to $400 for the Powell family.

For the Powells, the gesture means just as much as the financial support.

"He literally didn't just give us $300. He gave us a weekend to a week of his time. And is willing to do it again," said Cliff Powell.

Callan still has orders coming in and said he plans to continue making the bracelets as long as there's a demand.

If you would like to buy a keychain or help the Powell family contact Amanda Callan at [email protected].
http://wbrc.images.worldnow.com/images/26321558_BG1.jpg

[kuhio98]

Teens Save Dog Trapped in Mud

DES MOINES, Iowa — Students with an 8th grade class from Bergman Academy are being hailed as heroes. They were jogging around the drained Greenwood Pond as part of a gym class Thursday when they spotted two dogs, one stuck in the mud and the other by its side.

“It was a pretty short dog. It didn’t have very long legs so it was stuck in there pretty good and it couldn’t get out because its legs were too short,” says student Maev Cleary.

“The dog was right here,” adds student George Holtz, pointing to a hole in the mud, “The black dog was right here and looking at the dog with concern. And then we put this stick down so then we wouldn’t sink in the mud when we tried to rescue them.”

It took some work but the kids finally freed the dog.

“The dogs were really scared at that time. They were like shivering and whimpering and all that stuff,” said student Nate Stenberg. “It was an awesome feeling after they got finished because they saved their lives, so,” adds teacher Cristy Reeves.

And, like any real heroes they’re humble — sort of.

“I wouldn’t say heroes. I guess,” Stenberg says, “If you want to call us heroes I guess you can.”

The ARL tells us the dogs were micro-chipped so they were quickly returned to their owner.
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[kuhio98]

Texas Woman Helps Women Battling Cancer Get Their Homes Cleaned – for Free!

It started with a phone call.

Years ago, Debbie Sardone, owner of Buckets & Bows Maid Service, got a call from a woman inquiring about a price quote for Sardone's cleaning service.

"I gave her our rates," she tells PEOPLE, "and she went, 'Oh I can't afford that, I'm undergoing cancer treatment' and hung up."

It was a literal wake-up call for Sardone.

"I sat there and realized I could have given her the cleaning for free, and I was disappointed it didn't occur to me until too late," she recalls.

"There's no way for me to call that first woman back," says Sardone, 55, of Flower Mound, Texas, explaining that it was in the days before caller ID.

"But she inspired me to change, inspired a policy that eventually became a nationwide nonprofit," she says.

That nationwide nonprofit is Cleaning for a Reason, an organization that provides housecleaning services free of charge to women battling cancer. www.cleaningforareason.org

Since the organization was founded in 2006, more than 1,100 maid services across the nation and in Canada have signed up to dedicate their time to women in need.

"Maid-service owners have told us it's the most rewarding thing they've ever done in business," says Sardone.

Her own mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, so she knows how difficult it can be to keep up with day-to-day tasks when undergoing treatment.

"If she couldn't have afforded a cleaning service," she says, "she wouldn't have been able to keep up with her home."

Adds Sardone: "Women have said it's the most normal they've felt in months, walking into a clean home.

"One woman told me she felt like her whole life had spiraled out of control, but when she came home to a clean house, she felt just a little bit more like herself."

Tanya Dodd-Hise, 44 of The Colony, Texas, was diagnosed with cancer in early 2013. Her friend signed her up for Cleaning for a Reason's services, and despite some initial reluctance on Dodd-Hise's part, she's grateful for Sardone's help.

"For me it was great, because I am typically the one who stayed home with our little one and got the big one off to school and did the cooking and did the cleaning and did the dishes and then suddenly, I wasn't able to do any of that," Dodd-Hise says.

"My wife is an attorney," she adds. "She was going to work all day long and then taking care of our little ones, but I didn't want her to have to come home and clean, too. Cleaning for a Reason was so helpful. More than most people would ever realize."

And now Sardone has teamed up with Swiffer and Walmart to help raise awareness of the nonprofit service.

This month, Walmart will carry pink-branded Swiffer products directing shoppers to Cleaning for a Reason.

"We're the best-kept secret in North America," jokes Sardone. "Swiffer and Walmart have helped us get the word out to women and other cleaning services alike."

But one woman she hasn't heard back from? That initial caller who changed her life.

"If I could talk to her again," says Sardone, "I would tell her that because of her phone call, she inspired me to give away free cleaning to women who need my help."
http://img2-1.timeinc.net/people/i/2014/news/141020/cleaning-women-435.jpg

[kuhio98]

Trucker helps reunite dog with owners
By Kevin Boughton

OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) - A family from Nebraska is finally complete in Arizona. But it wouldn't have happened without Jimmy Dimmit, a truck driver from Ashland, and an article in a local newspaper.

A friend of Dimmitt read a story about Dani and Jason Windham’s Koda who ran away from their home in central Lincoln in August. The female mastiff got loose just hours before the two left for their wedding. “We went to say ‘I do’ and then we got in the car and started driving around looking for her,” Dani said.

The next week, the Windhams moved to Camp Verde, Arizona, after Jason got a new job. Driving away, they resigned themselves to the fact it wasn't likely they would see Koda again. “It was horrible, we were so sad,” Dani said.

Two weeks ago Koda surfaced. A rancher found her chasing his cattle north of Wahoo. He took her to the local humane society. Workers scanned the micro chip storing the Windham’s contact information and contacted the Windhams. Dani says the micro chip and her prayers are the only reason they got Koda home.

But so soon after a big move cash was tight. “We just spent a couple thousand dollars to move down here in a rush and we didn't have the money to drive back up,” Dani explained.

Jimmy rolled to the rescue. A friend asked him if he was heading west soon and he was willing to take the dog. He agreed and picked up the dog from the shelter and headed west. “She was a good dog, a good rider,” he joked.

Jimmy met the Windhams in Flagstaff, Arizona, where Dani didn't wait for Jason to put their truck in park before jumping out to hug her dog. “I was crying, Jimmy was crying,” Dani said. “We are just so grateful Jimmy was willing to let her hitch hike all the way here with him.”
Video:
http://kmtv.video.jrn.com/?ndn.trackingGroup=90837&ndn.siteSection=ndn&ndn.videoId=27988639&freewheel=90837&sitesection=ndn&vid=27988639

[kuhio98]

Pittsburgh Doctor Heads to the Streets to Treat the Homeless – and Finds Them Homes

For the past 22 years, Dr. Jim Withers has been putting an entirely new spin on the concept of house calls.

Not only does he hit the streets of Pittsburgh to treat the homeless, but he also finds them actual homes.

It was a natural spin-off of his work caring for the homeless, he tells PEOPLE.

"In the late '90s we discovered that the homeless would not or could not go through the processes in place to qualify for housing," Withers, 56, says.

"We began asking them, 'What do you really want?' " says Withers. "And they wanted their own apartment. Fortunately, the rents in Pittsburgh are low enough so we were able to get them Social Security."

So far his nonprofit, Operation Safety Net, run through the Pittsburgh Mercy Health System, has given free medical care to about 20,000 individuals and helped more than 1,200 homeless people find a place to call their own.

"We are extremely fortunate to have Dr. Withers and his team from Mercy and Operation Safety Net working with the homeless population here in Allegheny County," Marc Cherna, director of the Allegheny County Department of Human Services, tells PEOPLE.

"Many homeless individuals, despite their situation, are very guarded when it comes to accepting help of any kind," he says, "but Dr. Withers has been able to connect with the community through his patience, compassion and care."

Street Medicine
When PEOPLE first profiled Withers in 1996, his work had just gotten underway. Since then, his "street medicine" (he coined the term) practices have been put into place in more than 45 communities in the U.S. and 90 internationally.

Withers's separate Street Medicine Institute hosts an annual symposium and assists communities throughout the world in starting their own programs.

Despite all that success, Withers continues to walk the streets at night, caring for those living under bridges, in boxes and in the shadows of the city – and his passion for it hasn't dimmed at all.

"I love the street people," he says. "I've formed friendships out there that are meaningful."

Making a Difference
He recalled the first time he met Lois Burke sleeping in a snow bank near a church.

She was behind a board when he approached and she playfully called out "Peekaboo!" startling Withers, he says.

It was the beginning of a lovely relationship between the two with Burke being placed in her own apartment for the past four years.

"I have my own bed and a couch," Burke, who worked in manufacturing before losing her job and landing in the streets, tells PEOPLE.

"I love it," she says. "I've never had a doctor like him before."

For his part, Withers says he has "so much respect for how strong she is," and affectionately calls the woman in her 50s "J-Lo."

More recently, he was able to help a desperately ill 20-year-old woman who was living in a homeless camp.

"She had a tough childhood, had run away and was in this camp with liver disease," he says. "She was attacked by someone on heroin and our team was able to get her out of the situation and connected with a case manager."

Subsequently, she went to a drug rehabilitation program to detox and is now clean thanks to Withers and his outreach workers.

"It was a lifesaving intervention," he says.
http://img2-2.timeinc.net/people/i/2014/news/141110/jim-withers-1024.jpg

[kuhio98]

Hitting the Ice to Help Those with Cancer

MIDDLEBURY Vt. - Many took the ice in Middlebury for the 15th annual Face Off Against Breast Cancer. Over twenty teams come together from all over the state participated in the event to raise money for The Cancer Patient Support Program.

This organization helps cancer patients and their families with everything from counseling to helping
buy food.

Liz Cronin a breast cancer survivor says “It’s more than a hockey tournament. It's wonderful to see people who want to come out and have a passion for hockey but are also able to take it another step and support their loved ones or friends."

Organizers of this event say that they were planning on raising more than $60,000 at this event for a great cause.

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[kuhio98]

An update to this story. Dylan has now raised nearly $1,000,000 for research. And he and Jonah are still best friends. :) http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2014/11/02/8-year-old-boy-raises-nearly-1-million-towards-cure-of-best-friends-rare-disease/?hpt=us_bn10


7-Year-Old Has Raised Over $600,000 to Help Cure His Best Friend's Disease

The next time you think about the power of friendship, think about Dylan Siegel.

Dylan is 7 years old. His best friend, Jonah, has an extremely rare liver disease, and funding for his treatment almost dried up at one point. So Dylan decided to help by writing a book, The Chocolate Bar Book, which has helped raise over $600,000 for research into Jonah's disease.

Jonah has Glycogen Storage Disease Type 1b, which is a rare liver disorder that causes dangerously low blood sugar. As one of 500 children in the world with the disease, Jonah has to be fed every few hours through a feeding tube in his stomach. There is currently no cure.

Dylan describes his friendship with Jonah as "awesome as a chocolate bar," which is where he got the title of his book. People in all 50 states and 42 countries have purchased copies of The Chocolate Bar Book, with every cent going to Dr. David Weinstein's Florida lab, where a cure for the disease is apparently near to being reached.

"It is now reality. It's not just a dream that these children can be cured," Dr. Weinstein told ABC affiliate KGO-TV.

Dylan seems to think so, anyway. Asked where he and Jonah would be 10-15 years from now, he told KGO-TV, "Um, high school and probably [Jonah's] disease would be cured."

Jonah's answer to the same question?

"Friends."
http://img2-3.timeinc.net/people/i/2014/sandbox/news/140310/chocolate-boys-600x450.jpghttps://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t1/1962752_713839311970998_39697756_n.jpg
Dylan and Jonah http://chocolatebarbook.com/

[Karen]

Aww that's fun - and I like both boys' answers to the question at the end!

[kuhio98]

Tattoo artist pays it forward to help baby who must wear helmet

An Eastlake (Ohio) tattoo artist used his time and talents to help a five-month-old boy suffering from a unique disorder.

“Well everyone thought it was his Halloween costume when he was wearing it cause he has an aviator jacket that he wore with it,” said Lauren Rowan of Perry.

It’s not a Halloween costume but a special cranial helmet that Talen Rowan is wearing. Talen suffers from Plagiocephaly which causes flat spots on his head. He has to wear the helmet for seven months.

“So we took him to specialists and they said this helmet was the right treatment for it. He’s gotta wear it 23 hours a day, seven days a week,” said Rowan.

The Rowan family was looking for an artist to customize Talen’s helmet so they posted an ad online and that’s when tattoo artist Greg Chadwick came forward and gave them a great offer.

“If I can make somebody’s day better, opening a door, saying something nice, I’m just doing what I do,” said Greg Chadwick of Eastlake.

Chadwick spent more than 12 hours airbrushing Talen’s cranial helmet to look like an aviator helmet complete with goggles and Talen’s name on the back. Chadwick usually gets $100 an hour for his work at Iron Clad Tattoos, but he airbrushed the helmet for free.

“I contacted Lauren and Matt and said I’d like to do it no charge. Don’t worry about it, just pay it forward or just do something nice for somebody down the road when you can you know and here we are,” said Chadwick.

The family can’t thank Greg enough.
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[Karen]

Chadwick spent more than 12 hours airbrushing Talen’s cranial helmet to look like an aviator helmet complete with goggles and Talen’s name on the back. Chadwick usually gets $100 an hour for his work at Iron Clad Tattoos, but he airbrushed the helmet for free.

“I contacted Lauren and Matt and said I’d like to do it no charge. Don’t worry about it, just pay it forward or just do something nice for somebody down the road when you can you know and here we are,” said Chadwick.

The family can’t thank Greg enough.
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Hee hee - and maybe he will grow up to be a pilot - you never know!

[kuhio98]

BARRE, Vt. - It was a secret act of kindness that lifted spirits in Barre and has been shared more than 5,000 times on Facebook.

Kathleen Connors has a thing for bingo and doing good.

"I have been on a lucky streak with bingo and I had a pocket full of money and I like to pay it forward," said Connors, a Central Vermont Medical Center nurse.

And Saturday morning over breakfast at the L&M diner in Barre she had an idea.

"I said to the waitress 'I think I'll take care of their bill.' She says, 'do you know them?' I said, 'no, I just wanted to do it,'" Connors explained.

But when she left what she didn't realize was that her simple act of picking up the tab for a father and son she didn't know would take off in a big way. Nearly 50 additional tables followed her lead, treating folks to a meal on the house.

"Like I said before I only thought a couple tables did it, but as the day went on it kept going and going and going," said Tayler Merriam, a waitress at L&M.

"I am speechless, I'm euphoric. It's just insane," said Connors.

When Connors returned to work at CVMC Sunday night after a weekend in Massachusetts she was in for a surprise.

"I came in to work the other night and everyone was giving me kudos and high-fives. I'm like what are you talking about and then it got back to me and I was like I never told anyone," said Connors.

But when co-workers and friends heard a nurse was behind the simple act of kindness they knew it had to be Connors.

"She always has a great personality when she comes in. Always wicked bubbly, always good morning and a smile on her face," said Merriam

The constant optimism, caring heart and generous spirit might be hard to come by for those in similar shoes. Connors made the move to Barre from Massachusetts looking for a fresh start after more than a year without work.

"I came here 10 months ago because I had no job and I took on a big move and I had nothing when I came here and it was my way of wanting to pay it forward and make someone else feel good the way I feel good. I am very grateful," said Connors.

She says buying breakfast for a family she didn't know was the least she could do for a community that's welcomed her as one of its own.

"This is my way of showing my appreciation for Vermont. I love Vermont and I couldn't be happier. I love where I work, I love where I live and I love the people around me," said Connors.

It's love that started in a dinner and is now inspiring others all over the world.

[kuhio98]

This put a smile on my face today. :)

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[kuhio98]

I Almost Gave Up on Pet Adoption, Then Came Ike
By Peggy Frezon, October 13, 2014

I might have given up on pet adoption. After all, my husband Mike and I had been through one adoption fail, one adoption that ended with a broken heart, and countless months of searching shelters and rescue groups, just missing out on dogs that seemed the right match. Yup, I might have given up. Then came Ike.

Last spring Mike and I walked a pebbled park path, a lanky golden retriever trotting cautiously at our side. “What do you think, do you want him?” Lex asked. Lex was the volunteer from Peppertree rescue group.

The dog was about 9 years old, too skinny, with patchy gold fur that hinted at allergies. His teeth were mostly broken stubs. Lex told us that he’d been shut away from a female dog in heat and chewed through a wooden door to get to her.

“He gets car sick,” she said, handing us some pills to settle his stomach. Was this supposed to convince us? I struggled to decide what was right for us, right for the dog.

Basically, all I knew was that his name had been Buddy and the rescue group had renamed him Burleigh, neither name we’d likely keep. That, and he was apparently a lusty fellow.

We stopped walking, and Mike stooped down and put a hand on the dog’s golden head. He leaned in close and talked softly. This was Mike’s way, a little tête-à-tête, a private attempt to evaluate the dog’s capacity to trust and bond.

“Did you make a connection?” I whispered.

“Yes, a little,” he returned.

Still, I wasn’t sure. We took Buddy/Burleigh home, renamed him Ike, and surrounded him with love. Even our resident bossy female dog, Kelly, accepted him.

The four of us went out on walks, played in the yard, and relaxed in the living room in the evenings. All seemed to be going well, but it takes a little time for pet adoptions to shake out. Sometimes new dogs put on their company manners for a while.

One night, a week or so after we got him, Ike came up to me and sat at my feet. I stroked his head, thinking how difficult it must have been to leave everything he knew, to adjust to a new home and new family.

Yet, each morning he greeted me with jumps of joy and faithfully followed at my heels all day. He’d never once given me anything but love. He looked in my eyes, and I saw that trust. And we made a connection.

Ike is gentle, adorable, loving, and devoted. I’m so glad we gave him a chance. And we’ll forever give adoption a chance. It isn’t always easy. It isn’t always quick. But when you end up giving a homeless dog a sense of security that enables love and trust, it’s all worthwhile.

October is National Adopt a Shelter Dog Month. There are millions more homeless dogs (and cats) than there are people who adopt from shelters. Adopting a shelter pet can be life-saving.

Adopting also means refusing to support cruel factory breeding organizations called puppy mills. Puppy mills will continue to operate until people stop purchasing from them. So, if you’re thinking of adding a dog to your family, please consider adoption.

And tell them Ike sent you.
http://www.guideposts.org/sites/guideposts.com/files/blog_ikeadoption_350.jpg

[kuhio98]

Katie Driscoll calls it a campaign – but others might call it a crusade.

Either way, for the past two years she has been on a vigorous mission to help cast children and adults with intellectual disabilities or physical differences in advertisements ranging from local to international.

"We're a society that's all about inclusion for children," Driscoll, 40, of Palos Park, Illinois, tells PEOPLE. "But when you look at imagery, you almost never see children with disabilities of any kind."

In 2012, she and her friend, Steve English, created a website, Changing the Face of Beauty, to promote the use of special-needs models in mainstream ads.

The response has been astonishing.

They have helped at least 20 models from all over the world land gigs – and those are just the ones they know about.

"I tell companies and designers: 'When you're putting your advertising out there for all to see, why wouldn't you include someone with a disability?' " says Driscoll.

Holly Ramsburg is one grateful parent.

"What Katie is doing with her campaign is life-changing for a lot of us," says Ramsburg, 44, of Naperville, Illinois, whose 8-year-old daughter has Down Syndrome and has been in several ads promoted by Driscoll's campaign.

It all started with Driscoll's youngest child, four-year-old Grace, who has Down Syndrome. After having five boys, Driscoll was delighted to finally have a reason to buy girls' clothing and started posting photos of Grace wearing every new outfit on her blog.

She then reached out to small online vendors to see if they might be interested in using Grace to model their products to show people that "Grace is more than just her diagnosis."

After forming the website, Driscoll began sending pictures of Grace and other special-needs kids she'd photographed to various companies, urging them to consider using special-needs models in their mainstream ads.

As word of her campaign spread through social media, she was inundated with photos of special-needs individuals – including individuals with Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, dwarfism, autism, reliance on devices such as wheelchairs, etc. – sent by parents or guardians from all over the world.

Most of those images were transferred from the campaign's website to its Facebook page for public viewing, where company reps can view the portfolio and contact Driscoll or English if they're interested in using any of the models. Driscoll then puts the company reps in touch with the families.

"There's more than $200 billion in discretionary spending from individuals with disabilities, so why wouldn't they be represented?' " says Driscoll, who also runs a small, separate commercial photography business out of her home.

She also champions inclusion.

"Often, when I talk to advertisers, they say: 'Great idea! We'd love to do a campaign celebrating special-needs children!' " she says. "And I say, 'No, I'm talking about including, say, one child who has a difference, along with everyone else in the ad.' "

Driscoll is grateful for responses from agencies like Chicago-based Real Talent Inc., which specializes in representing "real people" as models. Last year, agency founder Markus Giolas signed 18 models from the CTFOB database.

"I wish there were more people at high levels demanding 'real' models like the ones Katie is promoting," Giolas says, "because the more people see those models in mainstream advertising, the more they'll become comfortable with it."

Driscoll's campaign has benefitted from some celebrity support, including Maria Shriver. The Kennedy family member championed the effort on her blog.

But for Driscoll, the most important feedback is from the parents themselves – like one mother whose 23-year-old daughter is profoundly disabled and non-verbal.

"She told me, 'Thank you for changing my perception of my daughter,' " says Driscoll.

The mother also told Driscoll: " 'I've gone through life viewing my daughter as a disabled child,' and now I see her as a beautiful young woman – and I see opportunity for her.' "

http://img2-3.timeinc.net/people/i/2014/news/140831/katie-driscoll-435.jpg

[kuhio98]

GRANDVILLE, Mich. — Two young girls from Zeeland are making a world of a difference in the lives of animals still in search of their forever home.

Raina Bredweg, 11, and Taylor Bredweg, 6, donated a $300 check along with a letter and adrawing to the Lake Haven Animal Rescue in Newaygo.

The girls’ mother, Angela Bredeweg, says she’s extremely proud of her kids. adding that they chose the Lake Haven Animal Rescue right away because of it’s no-kill policy.

Volunteers at the shelter say donations can be hard to come by, but when they do come in, they can go a long way.

The shelter plans to name two kittens after the girls in honor of their selfless act.

The shelter also says there’s lots of ways for people in West Michigan to get involved.

The Lake Haven Animal Rescue is holding adoption events at the Pet Supplies Plus in Grandville on Saturdays.
<script height="542px" width="963px" src="http://player.ooyala.com/iframe.js#pbid=5303db80d4274ad2b2ceadc3cffff2ae&ec=9nN2ttcTqs2ULGfKr5mjSfp9zv8CyCLY"></script>

[kuhio98]

ROCKY HILL, CT (WFSB) - A Kosovo native, who is a barber in Rocky Hill, said he was brought to the United States with the help of American soldiers.

On this Veterans Day, Nazim Saliu gave back to them by cutting their hair for free on Tuesday.

Saliu, also known as “Noli,” is a barber who is living a dream in his Rocky Hill salon. It's a dream that didn't seem possible when he was in his native Kosovo in the late 1990s.

"When I was in a refugee camp, how they help me and brought me here,” Saliu said. “It's my favor to do.”

Saliu and his family were chased out of their native Kosovo where war was leaving thousands dead. The United States Military came to the rescue and Saliu got a new chance in this country.

After living in Minnesota for about nine years, Saliu said he knew it was time to make some kind of change and that's what ultimately brought him to Connecticut where he has been living with his family and cutting hair now for almost seven years.

That is why Saliu offered free haircuts to any veteran, police officer or firefighter all day on Tuesday at his salon Noli's.

“I like to help pay back whenever they need me,” Saliu said.

His offer started at 9 a.m. on Tuesday at his salon which is located at 2409 Main St., in Rocky Hill. For more information, call the salon at 860-563-1670.

"That makes me feel good that people appreciate what we do because we get a lot of negative most of the time, you know,” Ronald Tarpey, of Rocky Hill, said. “It's good to get a positive from everybody."

Noli made it clear to Eyewitness News on Tuesday that this offer is not about him, but about the people in the US Military.

“We come here all the time for our haircuts,” said veteran Robert Bright, who served in the US Air Force during Vietnam War. “He's a real nice guy.”

The shop was full all Tuesday with veterans taking advantage of the deal. There was a line earlier in the day. People stopped by to drop off food and donations for those men and women who served in the military.

It's a service that should not be forgotten.

"I have a lot of respect for these men and what they've been through a lot,” Saliu said. “They deserve to be treated well."

Read more: http://www.wfsb.com/story/27355829/rocky-hill-barber-to-give-veterans-free-haircuts#ixzz3IsGLYktP

[kuhio98]

Sending a shout out to the city of San Francisco -
The Make A Wish Foundation contacted a 5 year old boy with leukemia asking about his big wish, he said he wanted to be a super hero. He spent a day as "Bat Kid" with Batman. He was dressed for the part and went around with Batman in the Batmobile. The film clip showed people lining the street many holding signs supporting Bat Kid. Along the way, he rescued a woman tied to the railroad tracks. The city's police commissioner went on tv saying there were problems in the city and asked Batman to help - and bring Bat Kid. While there, Bat Kid foiled a bank robbery and arrested the Riddler. The police commissioner also said the mascot for the San Francisco Giants had been kidnapped, Bat Kid found the mascot and the Penguin was arrested for the abduction. Dressed as Bat Kid, this little boy was cheered by the crowd everywhere he went and was given the key to the city. Then at the end of the day an anonymous donor paid for a billboard by the bridge that said "Bat Kid, thank you for saving our city".

Thank you to all in San Francisco that made this little boy's dream come true. You've proven that there are angels among us!

Update on this story from November 13, 2014: Batkid One Year Later: One Granted Wish Spurred Flood Of Donations, But Help Still Needed
The Bay Area Make-A-Wish chapter saw a 45-percent increase in granting pending wishes, and in Sacramento there was also a jump in donations and volunteers.

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — It was one year ago when Miles Scott stole the show and our hearts as Batkid as part of his Make-A-Wish dream.

So whatever happened to Batkid?

Scott was in the fight of his young life, battling leukemia from the tiny town of Tulelake. For one day, the 5-year-old was able to fight something else—crime, so he could save the world.

There was no time to waste on that day as the streets of San Francisco transformed into Gotham City as Batkid fought off villains, rescued a damsel and grabbed the headlines.

T-shirts were made celebrating his triumph, billboards praised his victory, and even months later, Batkid would throw out the first pitch at AT&T Park for the San Francisco Giants’ opening day.

This weekend marks one year since it all happened, so where is he today?

Scott’s family provided us with photos of him on his first day of school with his trusty sidekick, little brother Clayton.

They were elated to tell us his leukemia is in remission. Oh and Batkid has lost his first tooth since that day.

But what Make-A-Wish gained because of his story has been huge.

The Bay Area chapter saw a 45-percent increase in granting pending wishes, and in Sacramento there was also a jump in donations and volunteers.

Nationwide, the group make a record-setting 14,247 wishes.

Scott’s mom and dad issued this statement this week: “We are happy to say that Miles is healthy, and we want to thank everyone for the outpouring of love and support you showed him that day. We hope this will result in more wishes coming true for other deserving children.”

And it has, says Michele Flyn, director of outreach for Northern California and Northern Nevada Make-A-Wish.

“Miles’ story was amazing and he’s a special little guy and he really proved to us that superheroes do exist,” he said.

But, she reminds us, for every Miles Scott that grabs the headlines, there’s another child with a life-threatening illness waiting in the wings to have their wish granted.

“We know in our chapter—37 counties—we know there is potentially about 450 children who are eligible for a wish,” she said. “We grant about 260 a year so the need is very great.”

We’ll soon be able to relive Batkid’s story on a big screen. A documentary based on that amazing day is wrapping up funding and should be out by the end of the year.

Chances are, the audience for that documentary will be huge. On the day Batkid took over San Francisco, more than 1 billion people took to social media to cheer him on.

To mark the anniversary, Miles and his family will be back in San Francisco this Saturday. They’ll hold a private celebration with some of the people who helped make that day happen.

[kuhio98]

Kathy Russell Gives Sick Kids a Home Away from Home

When Kathy Russell was a young hospital administrator, she saw something she didn't like.

"Every day I'd come up on the elevator and I'd walk through radiology and I'd see all these kids in metal cribs with their parents lined up to go through whatever test they had in the morning," she tells PEOPLE.

"It really dawned on me that the whole business of people queuing up to go through radiology was really kind of ridiculous."

So Russell, with the help of a group of congressional spouses and some of her hospital colleagues, co-founded the Children's Inn, a residential facility at the National Institutes of Health for children battling life-threatening illnesses, such as cancer, blood disorders and HIV infection.

But the Children's Inn, a rustic lodge located in Bethesda, Maryland, is more than just a place to stay. With plenty of natural light from the many windows and skylights, as well as newly remodeled kitchens so families can make their children's favorite comfort foods, it's a home away from home, a place where kids can have fun and be themselves.

"I learned how hard it is to have a kid with a life-threatening illness and not be in your own community and not have the people you would call on in terms of support," Russell, 58, who lives in Montgomery County and serves as the Inn's CEO, recalls of those early days as a hospital administrator.

"It just became clear to me that there were a lot of things that we could do if we had the right resources," she says.

At the Children's Inn, there's always plenty to do. Whether it's field trips to Washington Nationals baseball games or playing with the Inn's resident therapy dog, Viola, Russell and her team of dedicated staff and volunteers make sure the kids are having fun every night.

One of the Inn's most popular activities? Bingo.

"We have a police officer who comes in and calls Bingo on Tuesday nights," Russell says.

"He'll get off his shift and come in here," she says, "and be standing there in his uniform with a goofy hat on and making the kids laugh."

But it's Viola, the Inn's resident therapy dog, who's the most visible member of the team. (She's even got her own mailbox at the Inn.) A former seeing-eye dog who lost her job for being too friendly, Viola now works full-time at the Inn, keeping the kids company with her sweet, calm demeanor.

It's not all fun and games, though.

By allowing their illnesses to be studied at NIH, these kids are helping to find a cure for some truly terrible diseases.

"They're pioneers in that they're looking for their own opportunity to be well, but if they can't, they're contributing to the body of medical knowledge that will hopefully be helpful to some other child in the future," says Russell.

"So unlike a Ronald McDonald house, we're in a position to bring our resources to bear to empower and engage the research in a way that helps develop new therapies," she explains.

Robert Vogel, whose 24-year-old son, Scott, has been staying at the Children's Inn on and off since 1999 while being treated for chronic granulomatous disease, says the Inn was a godsend.

"Words can't describe how competent she is and how wonderful she is," says Vogel, 62, who is also a member of the Inn's Board of Directors.

"I've walked in after a long day at the hospital with my son and you always get such a warm feeling from everyone," he says.

Tammy Koch, whose daughter Karly, 20, is staying at the Inn following a bone marrow transplant, credits Russell with making her family feel comfortable in this trying time.

"Even at a recent event we had where Kathy needed to schmooze with board members and donors, she took the time to come and talk to us," recalls 53-year-old Koch, who works part-time as a dental hygienist. "When I've asked for things, she never forgets and always follows through."

Koch, of Muncie, Indiana, is also especially grateful to the Inn for making the holidays extra special. "How do you replicate the holidays when you are away from home?" Koch says. "The Inn totally made that happen with stockings and gifts that were donated by generous donors and volunteers."

"The kids got to make Santa's cookies and leave them at the fireplace – just like at home," Koch says. "Being able to keep up some of the holiday traditions with the help has meant so much and Kathy Russell has created that kind of a place."

Adds Vogel: "I've seen her run down the hall chasing kids who are hysterically laughing. She has it all. She is an amazing person."
http://img2.timeinc.net/people/i/2014/news/140915/kathy-hero-1-600.jpg Kathy and Viola, the Inn's resident therapy dog

[Karen]

So glad there's a dog there!

[kuhio98]

Honest teen returns $1500 found in customer's pocket at Continental Cleaners

GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo. - A couple who mistakenly left $1,500 in a pair of pants at the dry cleaners after going on vacation got their money back, thanks to an honest high school student in Greenwood Village.

When Chris and Nota Syrpes left Greece, Chris gave his leftover Euro's from one pocket to his brother and kept his leftover dollars in his other pocket for the trip home.

When Nota dropped off the clothes at Continental Cleaners in Greenwood Village Monday she didn't check both pockets and the money went with the pants.

However, the Syrpes' daughter, Helen, told 7NEWS, when her parents got home from the cleaners, there was a message waiting.

"All of their money was there," Helen Syrpes said. "They have honest employees working there."

Continental Cleaners owner Bill Platten told 7NEWS that his workers always check pockets for pens, lipstick, chapstick and other items before clothes go into the load.

A Cherry Creek High School student working the counter, Paola, found the money.

Platten said Paola has actually found a large sum of money before.

The Syrpes gave Paola a reward for her honesty.

[Taz_Zoee]

Honest teen returns $1500 found in customer's pocket at Continental Cleaners

GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo. - A couple who mistakenly left $1,500 in a pair of pants at the dry cleaners after going on vacation got their money back, thanks to an honest high school student in Greenwood Village.

When Chris and Nota Syrpes left Greece, Chris gave his leftover Euro's from one pocket to his brother and kept his leftover dollars in his other pocket for the trip home.

When Nota dropped off the clothes at Continental Cleaners in Greenwood Village Monday she didn't check both pockets and the money went with the pants.

However, the Syrpes' daughter, Helen, told 7NEWS, when her parents got home from the cleaners, there was a message waiting.

"All of their money was there," Helen Syrpes said. "They have honest employees working there."

Continental Cleaners owner Bill Platten told 7NEWS that his workers always check pockets for pens, lipstick, chapstick and other items before clothes go into the load.

A Cherry Creek High School student working the counter, Paola, found the money.

Platten said Paola has actually found a large sum of money before.

The Syrpes gave Paola a reward for her honesty.

My parents owned a dry cleaners for most of my life. I grew up in one. Our rule was we returned any money over $5. Anything less (which was usually loose change) went in a Tootsie Roll coin bank. I am not sure what my parents did with that money that was collected. I think we used it to get pizza twice a year when we had to do inventory.
I know over the years they found large sums of money and very valuable items left in clothes. And sometimes we found disgusting items as well.

[mon]

I don't really think giving back money that does not belong to you is gonna make you a "good guy". It's kinda called not stealing a bros money when he's misplaced it.

[Taz_Zoee]

I don't really think giving back money that does not belong to you is gonna make you a "good guy". It's kinda called not stealing a bros money when he's misplaced it.

Thank you! That's what I thought too.

[kuhio98]

Okay. I look forward to your postings on "good" guys/news.

[mon]

Alright, I nominate me. The kid next door was suppose to be a newspaper delivery boy. He in fact, threw all of the newspapers he was suppose to deliver in my garbage can for months. He is very good kid, I did not rat on him or kick his silly buttocks, nor did I confront the silly bugger. He was eventually busted and has clearly learned his lesson. He is now delivering his papers whilst I minded my own business and allowed him to learn from his own measly mistakes. Bless his wee, lazy heart:D

[mon]

I have done lotsa kind stuff but none if it counts if ya tell me thinks. Big or little random acts of kindness, they all come back to ya. Called karma baby.:cool::D:D

[kuhio98]

Dozens 'pay it backward' at North Myrtle Beach Chick-Fil-A

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) – On Monday at the Chick-Fil-A in North Myrtle Beach, one good deed led to dozens more.

The restaurant's manager says 40 different people volunteered to "pay it backward" to the car behind them in the drive-thru. Employees were amazed when people kept volunteering to pay for the meal of the person behind them in line, over and over and over.

"At first it was, hey, the person behind you paid - then after 10, 15, 20 cars - then it was hey the person behind you paid and you're the 21st car!" said Walt Anderson, Director of Guest Services at Chick-Fil-A.

"It's nice to see that we have humanity in each of our guests and each person that comes through," said Chick-Fil-A Team member Amanda Richards.

Chick-Fil-A says customers were happy to chip in after hearing how many others had already done it.

[cassiesmom]

Couple invite lonely homeless man to Thanksgiving dinner

This year, this man has two people to be thankful for.

Neal Shytles of Norfolk, Virginia, spends his holidays by himself as he is homeless with no family living nearby, WTKR reported.

"I am lonely like 365 days a year but Christmas and Thanksgiving are two of the worst days, and I really miss having some kind of family atmosphere around me," Shytles told WTKR.

Wishing for a traditional Thanksgiving with others, Shytles posted an ad on his local news station's Facebook page, asking to spend the holiday with a family, the outlet reported. While the ad attracted several volunteers offering to take him in as a guest, Ashley and Cory LeMore of Newport News, Virginia, contacted Shytles first. The couple plans on hosting him at their Thanksgiving table.

"I was crying when she called me and I had to excuse myself because I was emotional," Shytle told WTKR about the moment he first heard the LeMores' offer.

The LeMores will make a trip to Shytle's town to pick him up and bring him to their home for the holiday, where he'll finally be surrounded by the family atmosphere he was looking for -- something he says he's overjoyed with.

"I love both you and your husband even though I haven't met you," the Virginia man told WTKR of his gratitude toward Ashley and her husband. "Thank you so much. It means a lot to me.”

While Shytle says he's ecstatic about having a family to spend Thanksgiving with, he's not the only one excited about it.

"I just look forward to having him in our house and a part of our family for the day," Ashley told the outlet.

The holidays can really bring out the best in people.

[kuhio98]

Couple invite lonely homeless man to Thanksgiving dinner....

That's very nice to hear. I've been technically homeless before but had some other options so I didn't have to live in a shelter. At one time or another, many of us have been away from our loved ones during the Holidays. It can be very depressing.

This year we're opening our home to 3 young people who are away from their Montana homes. We can't take the place of their family but we can provide some good food, good conversation and a phone line so that they can call their loved ones.

If you have friends and/or co-workers who may spend Thanksgiving alone, I hope you consider inviting them over to share your family. Some day, you may be the one far from home.

[Catty1]

http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/brentwood-home-site-of-calgary-s-worst-mass-murder-sells-for-425k-1.2003753

Brentwood home, site of Calgary's worst mass murder, sells for $425K
CTV Calgary: A home in Brentwood gets a new owner

http://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.2003395%21/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_150/image.jpg
A home in Brentwood gets a new owner. Amanda Singroy talks to the man who bought the home – the scene of Calgary’s worst mass murder.




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Karolyn Coorsh, CTVNews.ca
Published Friday, September 12, 2014 8:13AM EDT

A Calgary home that was the scene of the city’s worst mass murder has been sold after it was put on the market in July.
Five young people were stabbed to death in the Brentwood home during a university party last April.
The young man who recently purchased the now-notorious house says he bought it for redemption in the community, and that his faith played a role in the decision.
Photos http://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.2003951%21/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_225/image.jpg (http://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.2003951%21/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_960/image.jpg)

11 Butler Crescent N.W. in Calgary, the home where the murders of five young people took place, has sold for $425,000.
http://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.2003940%21/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_225/image.jpg (http://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.2003940%21/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_960/image.jpg)

23-year-old Kadin Osborne says he bought the home as an opportunity to help the community heal.



“I thought maybe it could be not so much a financial opportunity as an opportunity to the neighbours and the families of the victims, and just to be able to spread a little bit of love and a little bit of hope in such a dark neighbourhood,” said new homeowner Kadin Osborne.
The four-bedroom house at 11 Butler Crescent N.W. was listed in July for $489,000. It sold for $425,000.
Osborne, 23, said that he plans to be respectful of the house and its history. An outdoor memorial created in tribute to the victims will remain, he said.
“I know there’s a lot of hurt that has happened there, and mourning that needs to take place, and I would maybe like to make a happy medium of the two,” he said. “Not totally forget it, but welcome people who would want to come and mourn.”
The Brentwood was a rental and once known among university students as the “Butler Mansion.”
Kaiti Perras, Josh Hunter, Zackariah Rathwell, Jordan Segura and Lawrence Hong were stabbed to death at the home during a party there on April 15.
There had been previous calls for the city to buy the property and turn it into a park, an option neighbour Carol Shipp says she would have preferred.
Shipp said she doesn’t know why anyone would want to live there.
“Every time you turn around, occasionally you’d say to yourself, ‘oh my gosh,’” she told CTV Calgary.
Still, other neighbours say they’re glad someone will reside there again.
“It’s just really important that people are aware of what happened and it’s really good to see the memorial that’s there,” said neighbour Patrick Chan. He added that acknowledging the tragedy helps with the healing process.
Osborne said he will live in the house by himself, and that he has no plans to sell.
Matthew de Grood, 22, has been charged in the murders of the Brentwood victims. He is set to appear in court later this month.
With a report by CTV Calgary’s Amanda Singroy

[kuhio98]

Man keeps childhood promise, splits Powerball jackpot with brother

BEND, OR (KPTV) - A Bend man is in the running for the best brother ever.

Eric Hale of Bend won a $1 million jackpot in the Sept. 24 Powerball drawing. He correctly picked five numbers, but missed the Powerball.

After learning he had won, Hale quickly called his brother in Yakima, WA.

"When I was a kid, I promised my brother that if I ever won the lottery, I would split it with him," Hale said. "He was my first call when I realized I won."

Quinn Hale told lottery officials he didn't believe his brother at first.

"This is beyond cool," he said. "I never believed he would actually do it."

After taxes, each brother took home around $335,000, according to the Oregon Lottery.

Eric Hale purchased the winning ticket at Quick Way Market in Bend on the way to visit his mother. He played the same numbers he has picked for the past 20 years.

Eric Hale said he is going to invest some of the money and continue graduate school, according to an Oregon Lottery release. Quinn Hale said he is going to use the money to put a down payment on a motorhome and pay off bills.
http://kptv.images.worldnow.com/images/5148043_G.jpg

[kuhio98]

Tuskegee girl, 5, boasts business license, sweet formula for helping others

TUSKEGEE, AL (WSFA) - Lots of kids build lemonade stands to raise a little extra money. It may go toward buying a new bike or video game, but few who aspire to profit from the sweet summertime time favorite take it seriously enough to get a business license like 5-year-old Tuskegee resident Alycia Leonard Amore.

The little entrepreneur with big ideas isn't growing her own business for herself, either. She's literally turning life's lemons into lemonade for those who have cleft palates, a birth defect that is caused when a baby's lip or mouth doesn't form properly during pregnancy.

Half of the profits from Alycia's business, called Lemon-aide A.M.O.R.E., are earmarked for a special cause that started after she saw SmileTrain, an organization that specializes in giving those with cleft palates a new smile.

For a dollar per cup, Alycia is quenching the thirst of customers at her grandmother's furniture store, and helping her fellow man. It's why her last name doubles as an acronym in her business title, "About Making Others Really Enamored".

Theresa Swain, Alycia's grandmother, says the pre-K business owner told her while helping around the store one day, "Grammy, you have your own business. I want my own business." What started with snacks to customers quickly bloomed with the girl bringing in $78, according to Swain.

Alycia says she wants to make everyone happy with her tasty drinks and her reasons for going into business should bring smiles to a lot of faces.

ON THE WEB: http://www.smiletrain.org/
http://wsfa.images.worldnow.com/images/25336004_BG1.jpg

[phesina]

How nice! And what a great young lady here!

Since I was born with a harelip myself, I especially appreciate her efforts.

Pat :love::love::love::love::love::love:

[kuhio98]

Mom of Fallen Marine Comforts Grieving Families with Teddy Bears Sewn from Soldiers' Uniforms

It was Aug. 7, 2009, the first day of school. Math and science teacher Lisa Freeman was assembling packets of pens and paper in her classroom at Richmond Hill Middle School in Georgia when she saw two Marines somberly walking down the hall.

Her only son, Matthew, 29, a pilot in the Marines who had volunteered to serve on more dangerous ground duty, had arrived in Afghanistan only nine days earlier – and already had started a project to help Afghan children. He had asked his mom to help help round up school supplies.

He would never finish that project, and Lisa Freeman, as she learned that day, would never see her son again.

"It was always Matthew's dream to be a pilot in the military, just like his dad and grandfather," says Lisa, 62, now retired, of Richmond Hill. "It was so difficult to lose him. But I soon realized that I wasn't alone."

While condolences poured in to Lisa, her husband, Gary, and Matthew's wife, Teresa, Freeman noticed that well-wishers often overlooked Matthew's two sisters, Marybeth Macias, 28, and Virginia Wiedower, 26.

"Their big brother meant the world to them," she says. "Their lives changed when he died, too, not just mine."

Wanting to help grieving siblings, Freeman founded the Matthew Freeman Project, a nonprofit that creates teddy bears sewn from the uniforms of soldiers killed in action. To date, Freeman and her volunteer seamstresses have given away more than 100 stuffed bears.

But Freeman wanted to do more than provide comfort. So she started a college scholarship fund that so far has given away seven $1,000 scholarships to siblings of fallen service people and five $1,500 scholarships to seniors at Matthew's former high school.

"Though we can't run up to my brother and give him a hug, we can now hold on tight to a bear and remember him," says Jessica Frausto, 28, of San Antonio, who requested three bears so that her sons, Bruce, 7, Colton, 4, and Levi, 1, could remember their uncle, Army Spc. Shannon Chihuahua, killed in Afghanistan in 2010.

"The bears help remind me of the warmth, joy and light that my brother brought to our family," she says.

Freeman has now expanded her project to include families whose soldiers have died from combat-related related suicide.

"A bear is such a small thing, but it provides a lot of comfort," she says.

"It's a tremendous honor to be able to give somebody something they can treasure in their loved one's memory. Nobody who loses a sibling or a nephew or an uncle in uniform should be forgotten."
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Teddy bears sewn from fallen soldiers' uniforms

[kuhio98]

Stranger's generous tip makes visiting Korean War vet's day

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCIV) -- Visitors at Patriot's Point Wednesday may have noticed a group of Navy veterans touring. It was part of a reunion for those who served on the U.S.S. Hyman.

It's always a memorable time for these sailors, but for one in particular it will always stand out in his mind.

The U.S.S. Laffey is the last destroyer of its kind left. It is very similar to the Hyman, which John Reilly served on during the Korean War.

“Kind of brings back some memories, the good old days,” said Reilly, who served on the Hyman from 1951 to 1955.

And talking about the good old days is one of the things that he enjoys the most about these trips.

“Unfortunately, the time I was on it there is only three of us that come to the reunion where the others are gone or couldn't make it, but it's good to see and talk to the guys and reminisce and tell sea stories,” said Reilly.

But on this trip he has another story to tell, a much more recent one about generosity.

“My family and I were having supper at the local Red Lobster, and it was a young couple diagonally across from us finished their meal and a gentleman came over and said, 'I want to thank you for your service,'” said Reilly. “I get that quite a bit. He said, 'I would like to help pay for your meal' and he put the bill down on the table. I said thank you and off he went. I figured it was $10, maybe $20. I opened it up; it was a hundred dollar bill. We were floored, great city with Charleston.”

But then they were floored again when a manager gave them gift certificates for their next visit to the restaurant.

“Made me feel great, glad I came,” said Reilly.

And all of the veterans are glad they came. Dick Leitch came all the way from Indiana.

“I saw the Laffey at Okinawa when it was hit, shortly after it was hit. This whole super structure was completely gone,” said Leitch, a World War II veteran who served on the Hyman.

It's stories like this he loves to share with his loved ones.

“I'm 94 years old and I love every day. I hope I live to be 100, and I hope to come back to several more reunions,” said Leitch.

And for all these families, reunions like these are priceless as they hear the sea stories first-hand from their loved ones. But for the Reilly family, it's also the generous tip that they will always remember.
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[kuhio98]

RANDOLPH (CBS) – They are the gifts Mike Grinnell and his family wanted, but didn’t think they could afford.

“It means a lot to give my son something for Christmas when we’ve struggled so much,” Grinnell says.

A toy crib for his niece, an activity play set for his 18 month old son Aiden and a tablet for his wife. More than Mike could afford right now, but suddenly they are here on his table, and he doesn’t even know who to thank.

“I just want them to know what they did matters and what they have chosen to do with money is an amazing thing,” Grinnell says.

He put the stuff on layaway at Walmart for Christmas, and he didn’t think he would be able to afford it, until Walmart called him and left him a message. They told him someone acting as a Secret Santa paid off his bill and he was free to come get his toys.

“We were shocked and floored and almost didn’t believe it,” Grinnell said.

This father couldn’t believe his luck because they haven’t had much of it lately.

“My wife’s been out of work fighting Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and so I’ve been working various second jobs to make ends meet,” he said.

But now, thanks to a stranger who calls himself Santa, this dad won’t have to work extra shifts, to give his family a Christmas this year.

“It’s just amazing cause the tough time we’ve had the couple last years, it’s really nice and a sigh of relief the presents are all set this year,” he said.
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[kuhio98]

27-Year-Old Donates All Scratch-Off Ticket Winnings To Animal Shelter

DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - A 27-year-old who won $500 on a scratch-off lottery ticket, is giving all his winnings to the city shelter at Dallas Animal Services.

Bryce Vucekovich surprised shelter workers on Saturday, when he arrived with a pickup truck loaded down in food, litter and other necessities for the dogs and cats living there.

“I always kind of told myself, I always want to give to them if I ever come across extra money,” he said.

Vucekovich, who lives in The Colony, says he was inspired to give to the Dallas shelter because he found his own shelter dog, a three-legged mix named Fred, there last Christmas.

“I don’t think anybody wants to adopt a three-legged dog, but I made a bee-line for him,” says Vucekovich, who also owns a one-eyed dog. “That’s my goal in life is to have a bunch of adopted rescue dogs.”

With more than 600 dogs and cats waiting to be adopted or fostered, the shelter is always in need of donations, says manager Teresa Cleek.

She says Vucekovich’s donation is heart-warming, especially in this season of giving.

Vucekovich says he never considered keeping his winnings – he always told himself if he ever had extra money on hand, he’s pay it forward to the shelter.

“Just the mass amount of animals they have there, it can’t be easy to manage all them,” says Vucekovich.

It’s a blessing to say the least, for the shelter, which stays at capacity most of the year.
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[kuhio98]

'Layaway Angel' Pays for $20,000 Worth of Toys

Linda got the surprise of her life on Wednesday when Toys 'R' Us called her to let her know that the gifts she'd put on layaway had been paid off – by a stranger.

The "layaway angel," as she is being called, spent $20,000 at a Bellingham, Massachusetts branch of Toys 'R' Us, paying off more than 150 accounts, the Milford Daily News reports.

"I thought, 'You have to be kidding me,' " Linda told the paper of the moment when she heard the news. "I almost wanted to cry. It was only $50, but to me that's a lot of money, and that someone would go and do that gave me chills."

She added: "What she did was so caring and thoughtful. I feel like I was part of something special – touched by an angel."

The individual in question wishes to remain anonymous, but employees describe her as "bubbly older woman" who said that she would "sleep better at night" by doing the good deed.

And she's not the first: So-called 'Layaway Santas' are on the rise after a story by the Associated Press highlighted the do-gooders in 2011.
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[kuhio98]

Girl battling rare cancer inspires local high school

EAST BOSTON (WHDH) - A sick little girl is inspiring a lot of people and on Tuesday, it paid off.

Three-year-old Alisha Savage is battling a rare form of brain cancer. Her family decided to move all the way from Ireland to Boston to get the best treatment they could.

She’s only 3 years old, but Alisha has already had an impact on so many lives.

“It touched our hearts. It's very special to use. We went through ordeals like this,” said Robert Anthony, hockey coach.

Alisha and her family moved to Boston last month so that she can receive treatment for AT/RT, a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer.

When members of the East Boston High School hockey and baseball teams heard about Alisha's story, then knew they wanted to help.

“So many of us have been touched by cancer…we came to the decision to donate the money to her,” said Anthony Bruno, senior.

A $5,000 donation; money the teams raise every year to go towards cancer research, but this year they voted unanimously to give the money to Alisha and her family.

“I don't think words can describe it. To come from as far as we have and to receive this kind of response is amazing,” said John Savage, Alisha's father.

John Savage and his family don't have insurance, so they are paying for Alisha's treatments out of their own pocket and it's going to be a long and expensive battle.

“We're more than appreciative of the funds and she's gonna need them. Hopefully we can get the result we're all looking for,” said John Savage.

It's a big check for this little girl with a big heart as she continues her fight against this horrible disease.
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[Karen]

Aww, that's good! Gotta love when kids step up, especially a hockey team, as they do not have the best reputation in general!

[momcat]

There's a wonderful story on the front page of the Trenton Times. 13 year old Jordyn Cascone is working towards her Girl Scout Silver Award and decided to do something for pets. Jordyn is aware that many homebound senior citizens on a fixed income will feed their pets before they eat themselves so she decided to create "Jordyn's Cause 4 Paws" and works with Meals on Wheels of Trenton/Ewing in delivering a bag of pet food once a week to clients who have pets. This great program started in October and each week Jordyn "...puts together food bags tailored to the individual needs of 11 dogs, 15 cats, and one fish. The food is provided through donations and purchase." Jordyn said, "I organized this program because the companionship of pets plays an important role in the quality of these recipients' lives. I was very happy that Meals on Wheels of Trenton/Ewing was so open to working with me on my project." The article goes on to say that the Banfield Charitable Trust gave a $2,500 grant to Meals on Wheels to get the Cause 4 Paws program started.
It was wonderful to see this story on the front page, exactly where it belongs. This wonderful young lady deserves a lot of credit and recognition for her understanding of the importance of pets to seniors and doing something positive to help. I'm definitely going to make a donation to this program. Anyone wanting more information can go to JordynsCause4Paws.org

[cassiesmom]

Police officers in Kansas City surprise motorists (source: Huffington Post)

In Kansas City, flashing red and blue lights had drivers seeing green earlier this month, after an anonymous wealthy benefactor enlisted sheriff's deputies there to pull over motorists, then hand over $100 bills instead of tickets.

The $100,000 giveaway was the brainchild of a wealthy Missouri businessman, known only as "Secret Santa," who donates similar amounts of money each holiday season. This year, reports CBS, he trusted officers to seek out drivers in need, as indicated by the condition of their vehicles, then hand out money.

The heartfelt gesture brought many motorists to tears. But it wasn't just drivers who benefited -- "Secret Santa" hoped the sheriff's deputies would earn some joy, too.

"As tough as [the officers] are they have hearts that are bigger than the world," "Santa" told CBS.

A similar campaign in Lowell, Mich., funded by UP TV, also provided unsuspecting drivers with Christmas gifts earlier this month, ultimately furnishing around $8,000 worth of handouts to 50 motorists in need.

"Most of the contact police officers have with the general public is on a traffic stop, and you can find out a lot about that person in that 10 to 15-minute window," Lowell Police Chief Steve Bukala said, explaining the project. "We got this idea, what if we could change that person's day in real time?"

[kuhio98]

Years after death, wife gives husband final Christmas gift

David Schmitz knew his wife loved him, but she confirmed the depth of her affection and fondness for him and their children with a surprise gift this Christmas — two years after she died from cancer.

The Iowa father of four received the gift after being called into a Des Moines radio station, KSTZ, for a popular, decades-old program held every year in which the station grants Christmas wishes to listeners.

“I didn't have an idea what it was about,” Schmitz told NBC’s Mike Taibbi.

A letter, written two years ago from his wife, had made its way to the radio station and was read on air.

“Hello, my name is Brenda. When you are in receipt of this letter I will have already lost my battle to ovarian cancer,” the letter started.
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In the summer of 2011, Brenda had asked a friend to send the letter anonymously to the station once her husband had found a new love, just as she had wished for him. This year, David got engaged to Jayne, who has two children of her own.

Brenda had three wishes on her list, including one for her children’s new stepmother.

“First, for David’s new life-long partner, a day or better yet, a weekend, of pampering in all aspects of her life. She deserves it,” she wrote. “Make her smile, and know her efforts are truly appreciated from me. Thank you. I love you, whoever you are.”

Her other wishes were for a night of food, drink and fun for the Mercy Hospital staff that took care of her while she battled ovarian cancer.

Her third and final wish was for a magical vacation for her husband and his new blended family at a place "where they all can enjoy their company and companionship as a family and create those memories that will be with them forever."

The radio station granted all three wishes, sending David and his extended crew to Disney World.

The entire experience left him and Jayne stunned.

"It almost makes me speechless," Jane said. "She's making me feel special."

David said he was in shock, but not surprised by Brenda's final testament to her love for him and his children.

“She was very down to earth, a loving mother, a terrific wife,” he told the radio station.
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[cassiesmom]

I heard this story on news radio ... it made me want to go somewhere on United Airlines (Terminal 1 at O'Hare) just so I can get there early to hang out with the dogs! (LCC stands for Lutheran Church Charities)

LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Partner with United Airlines to Bring Comfort to Holiday Travelers
Fantasy Flight Terminal Picture yourself at one of the world's busiest airports at one of the largest airline terminals trying to get home the few days before Christmas. Now picture 48 LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs greeting thousands of passengers over a four day period before Christmas. We're not sure it's ever been done before but we are excited to partner with United Airlines on Saturday, December 20 through Tuesday, December 23 from 8 am - 4 pm in Terminal 1 at Chicago O'Hare International Airport!
Thousands of people will be flowing through the terminal on their way home and the Comfort Dogs will be there to help calm and comfort. Follow us on Facebook each day to see us at work.

[kuhio98]

This touched me today as a friend is at his first PTSD session this morning.
Gentle friend, I can't remove the horrors you've seen during your service to our country, but I will do my best to build happier memories for the future.

Titusville vet, family surprised with furniture, Christmas tree

TITUSVILLE -- A soldier and his family broke down in tears when they saw what total strangers did for them in Titusville.

Monday morning Jon and Emily got a Christmas surprise.

A truck filled with thousands of dollars worth of furniture, presents, and of course, a Christmas tree arrived at their house.

This family is struggling. Jon said he was hurt in Iraq.

“For any wife or spouse out there... knows that after deployment you are just so thankful for them to come home, even dealing with the PTSD fight,” Emily said.

They said they had been living in and out of their car for a time.

“We actually stayed at rest stops overnight," Emily said. "We were living in rest stops.”

The couple met George Taylor at a support group for veterans.

“I just asked him a question, you know, are you ready for Christmas?" Taylor said. "And he hesitated and said no.”

The answer was no because they were just getting by, sleeping on air mattresses in a bare apartment.

When George heard their story he wanted to help.

So he contacted several area groups and everyone pitched in – donating furniture, cash and presents.

This family said they’re happy to be together and grateful for the generosity of so many strangers.

"We brought things today to make their lives more comfortable so they can sleep and have a Christmas," said Dana Blickley with the National Veterans Homeless Support. "What they bring to us is their service to this country.”
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[kuhio98]

Maldini's restaurant invites homeless to Christmas day meal

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) - A restaurant in south Richmond is serving up the giving spirit, opening its doors to anyone in need of Christmas dinner. Maldini's Restaurant owner Marcello Armetta invited homeless people to enjoy a warm meal with his own family. Visitors packed Maldini's all Christmas day, sharing in the warmth the family cooked up willingly, for strangers.

Armetta says this year he wanted to share his blessings and teach his young boys an important lesson, through example. "Some people don't even have a house... (even) food… Thank God that you have everything," said Armetta.

Armetta, his wife Rhenda, and their sons spent Christmas bringing joy and food to nearly 100 people. Volunteers donated toys for the taking, and helped serve and clear tables, refilling plates- particularly for children who seemingly had no where else to go.

"You know how some kids pick food? (The children who came in for a meal) didn't pick. They ate," said Marsha Gayot, who helped Maldini's serve the homeless.

Wilson Clemons is homeless. Clemons decided to stay and help out at Maldini's, the entire day.

"For (Armetta) to open up his restaurant, especially on Christmas day, and bring his family in… and just open up pretty much his heart to the homeless is absolutely incredible," said Clemons.

Christmas wasn't always an easy day of celebration for Armetta. He immigrated to the U.S. 17 years ago from Italy, speaking no English. Armetta began washing dishes, and worked his way to ultimately owning his own restaurant, with revered Italian food.

"It took a lot of hours, and a lot of work," continued Armetta.

Now, Armetta is displaying his rewards through compassion, a message he continues to demonstrate for his sons. "Learn from this to share when you can, help when you can, and try to make this world better," said Armetta.

Armetta and his wife say they are going to try to serve Christmas dinner, every year.

[kuhio98]

Pass It On: Earning Her Wings
She was set to use her frequent flyer miles to visit her family, but when she learned she could give the miles to a wounded solider, she had a change of heart.
By Mary Ann Leone, Allentown, Pennsylvania

Finally, I’d accumulated enough frequent-flier miles for a free ticket home to see my family! I couldn’t wait!

But that changed when I saw a news story about Fisher House, which provides lodging near military hospitals for families of injured soldiers. Scrolling through the Ways to Give section of fisherhouse.org, I spotted the “Hero Miles” program.

You could donate your frequent-flier miles to provide round-trip tickets to service members who are wounded or ill and need to travel home but aren’t eligible for government-funded airfare. The troops can also use the program for air tickets so their loved ones can visit them in the hospital.

Now there was something else I couldn’t wait to do. After a few clicks, my miles were donated. A week later, I got an e-mail saying someone had booked a flight with my miles. It didn’t seem so bad to have my wings clipped, because my heart soared.

[kuhio98]

American Hero: Jas Boothe Fights for Homeless Women Veterans
Her non-profit organization, Final Salute, has helped over 300 homeless women vets and their children

Army veteran Jas Boothe is living proof that everything happens for a reason. After deploying to Iraq and serving her country faithfully, tragedy struck every part of her life.

In 2005, she was living in New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina destroyed her home and all of her worldly possessions. Just one month later, she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of head and neck cancer. After two surgeries and 30 cycles of radiation, Boothe won her battle with cancer.

But more bad news was on the way. After 13 years of service, her position with the Army was downsized, leaving her with no job and eventually, nowhere to live. “I was homeless for about 6 months,” says Boothe. “When I got out of the military hospital, [the Army] basically said, ‘Bye. You’re no longer our problem.’ That was such a kick in the teeth for me.”

“I felt worthless. I felt thrown away. That was probably the hardest thing that I’ve ever experienced.”

Fortunately, Boothe had family and friends who helped her get back on her feet. After seeing a homeless woman veteran who was living out of her car featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show and hearing that there are an estimated 55,000 homeless women veterans in America, Boothe decided to act.

Hours later, she launched what would become Final Salute, her non-profit organization to provide safe housing for homeless women veterans and their children, a service not readily accessible to women veterans—the fastest growing population of the homeless—Boothe says.

“Over 60% of the programs that take in veterans don’t take in women or don’t take in women with children or they have age limits on the children or they have limits on how many kids you can take.” That’s not the case with Final Salute.

In just 3 years, Boothe’s organization has supported more than 300 women in 15 states. She and her husband and their young son have also added another member to their family temporarily, a little girl whose mother is currently serving in Afghanistan.

For Boothe, however, the goal is not to help more women and their children, but for there to be no more women and children for Final Salute to have to help.

“My ultimate goal is: I want to be out of business. [Final Salute] is not a career plan for me. We don’t need more houses for Final Salute, we need less homeless women veterans. I don’t want any veteran, male or female, to have to be homeless on American soil.”

At the 2014 D.C. stop of Oprah Winfrey’s Life You Want tour, Boothe was surprised with the Toyota Standing O-Vation award, a grant of $25,000 for Final Salute. The award, she says, is confirmation from God.

“I always say that God gives you a mission but He doesn’t give you a blueprint, and so you just have to find yourself along the way. But this [award] is validation from God that I am on the right track and I’m doing the things that He asked me to do.”

Boothe is challenging Americans to do the same and champion the cause of our homeless veterans.

“This is not a military issue, this is an American issue. We as Americans have to do something for our veterans.”

Unfortunately, she is far away from her ultimate goal to end homelessness for women veterans.

“I don’t think I’m done. The military has drawn down and there are going to be a lot of people out of jobs, a lot of mothers out of jobs. Women and children still need our support.”

As long as this is an American problem, Boothe will be there to support and advocate for these women and children whom she considers her family. “We’re military women so we have that common bond. We’re all still sisters. We’ve all served, we’ve all sacrificed, we’re all on common ground.”

“I’ve been where they are and I think they respect that, because I don’t see them as a project or something to pity. I’ve been there, and that’s why I’m doing this.”

For more information on Final Salute, visit FinalSaluteInc.org.
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[kuhio98]

Animal Control rescues dog stuck in a jug

SKY VALLEY, Calif. - U.S. Marines are often referred to as jarheads, but on Thursday, a dog in the Sky Valley area must have taken the nickname literally as animal control officers had to rescue him from a tight spot.

According to officials with Riverside County Animal Services, the black and white male Labrador-shepherd mix was found roaming as a stray in the Sky Valley area on Thursday. A concerned resident reported the strange sight and two officers showed up to assist the pooch.

The officers saw the dog's head was stuck inside a large, cylindrical plastic jug. You may have seen a similar container at the grocery store filled with snack items like pretzels or cheese balls.

"Plastic containers, especially ones that used to have food in them, are curiosity magnets for critters," said Riverside County Animal Services Commander Rita Gutierrez. "This is another major reason why people shouldn't litter, and of course, why people shouldn't let their pets roam freely."

Lt. Luis Rosa and Officer Gerald Duchene cuaght up with the dog along Lyons Boulevard. According to the release, Lt. Rosa was forced to use a tranquilizer dart because the dog would scurry away every time they would approach him. Once he was sedated, officers were able to safely remove the jug from his head.

Veterinarians at the Coachella Valley Animal Hospital in Thousand Palms examined the dog and he appeared healthy, despite having his head stuck in a plastic jug in temperatures that reached 105 degrees. Animal Control said he wouldn't have lasted much longer in the heat, and obviously wouldn't have been able to eat or drink anything if they weren't alerted to the situation.

"We do not know how long he had that thing on his head, but it couldn't have been a comfortable situation in this terrible heat," Lt. Rosa said. "We were very happy to be able to help him out of a jam."

Commander Rita Gutierrez said she once had to pull a child's toy teapot off a skunk's head. "Not only is littering terrible for the environment, but our pets and wildlife get curious and sometimes that curiosity can lead to serious injuries, or even death, all because of the trash people discard.

According to officials with the Coachella Valley Animal Campus, if an owner doesn't come to the shelter to claim the dog, people can adopt the pet sometime next week.
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[kuhio98]

Crocheting for a Cause: 500 plastic bags are a comfort for the homeless

BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) - A local mission group has found a creative way to recycle plastic grocery bags into a form of security and comfort for the homeless.

It is not your typical woman's group. The ladies were actually part of a book club that has found a passion for a unique type of crocheting.

Carol Bell has been doing it for 12 years.

"We're flattening the bags. Once you cut them into strips you loop them, once they are looped you started to make a ball. What you're going to do is take it, feed what has become a ball of plastic yarn through here. Now you've got it and you can roll it up and make a bigger ball," Bell demonstrated.

Then, the crochet needles go to work. The recycled plastic is quilted into a large padded mat.

"I take them when I get my car fixed and people come up and they want to know what I am doing," Bell said.

Bell and her new friends are part of a mission called Crocheting Compassion. They are making mats for the homeless. It takes roughly 500 plastic bags to make one.

Martha Dishongh said it is truly a labor of love.

"I timed it once and it took eight hours to do preparation of all the bags and then eight hours to crochet a 3x6 mat," Dishongh explained.

She has crocheted eleven mats this year.

Once they are finished, the mats are rolled and organizer, Gerry Stark, takes them to the Capital Area Alliance for the Homeless. Stark said while the work it is rewarding, it also comes with a harsh realization.

"It breaks my heart that I may only have six to 12 mats to deliver when there are dozens of men and women who would love to have one," Stark said.

But word of their work is spreading fast.

"I've been to New Orleans. I've been all over showing people how to do it," Bell said.

She said when she stitches plastic bags in public it draws a crowd. Once people learn the ladies are crocheting compassion they often times want to become part of the process.

Faith Presbyterian Church
12855 Old Hammond Hwy
Baton Rouge, LA 70816
Time: Thursdays, 10a-12p
Contact: Carol Bell
[email protected]

First Baptist Church of Baton Rouge Homeless Ministry
Contact: Kathleen Carroll
[email protected]

East Baton Rouge Parish Libraries Crocheting for a Cause
Jones Creek Regional Branch Library
6222 Jones Creek Road
Baton Rouge, LA 70817
First Tuesday of the Month, 1p-3p
Schedule for offerings at Main Library coming early 2015
Contact: Gerry Stark
[email protected]

The 2015 schedule of Crocheting for a Cause at the Main Library
7711 Goodwood Blvd.
Baton Rouge, LA
Beginning Jan. 14: second Wednesday of the month in Teen Activity Room, 3p-5p
Beginning Jan. 22: fourth Sunday of the month in Conference Room 102, 3p-5p
Video: http://www.wafb.com/clip/10937333/crocheting-for-a-cause-500-plastic-bags-are-a-comfort-for-the-homeless
http://wafb.images.worldnow.com/images/6184046_G.jpg

[Karen]

What a fascinating idea! And so much more useful that the discarded bags one sees stuck in trees by the roadside! It even seems like it would be a good mat to kneel on when gardening, too - I can think of many ways they can be used. But so much of staying warm is about insulation for homeless folks - anything between them and the cold ground is a good thing!

[kuhio98]

Mysterious Ways: Door-to-Door Delivery
His sister wanted their late mother's chair, but how could he afford to ship it all the way to Arizona?
By John R. Short III, Jefferson City, Missouri

The U-Haul office in Grove, Oklahoma, was nearly empty that Wednesday the week before Thanksgiving. Just one other person ahead of me.

“I’ll be with you in just a few minutes,” the counter clerk said. I nodded and sat on a bench next to the desk, anxious to be on my way.

Last time I was here, seven years ago, it was to move Mom into her new duplex. Now Mom had passed away, and since I lived closer than my two sisters, I was responsible for emptying Mom’s place and driving our beloved family treasures to my place in Missouri. Part of me wished I wasn’t.

With both of our parents now gone, my sisters and I had discussed how to divide their things, and for the most part it had all gone smoothly.

My sister Shari, out in Arizona, immediately latched onto the cozy, dark blue, wingback chair that had been a fixture in our family’s living room for years.

How many Christmases had Dad sat there, watching us open presents? That was where Mom often thumbed through her Bible, praying for us kids.

Shari had our blessing to take it... but the costs to ship it to her were astronomical. I barely had time to make this U-Haul trip, never mind another in the opposite direction. The chair would have to come with me to Missouri, at least for the foreseeable future.

Shari was heartbroken. She resigned herself to taking some smaller, more easily transported mementos.

While the clerk finished up with the other customer, I thought about my sister’s dilemma. I felt guilty. I didn’t even have a good place to put that old chair.

“And finally, where are you taking the trailer?” I overheard the clerk ask the man.

“Phoenix,” he replied, “well, actually, closer to Mesa.”

Arizona! Before I had time to think about what I was doing, I got up and said, “Excuse me, but would you mind taking a chair with you?”

The man looked understandably perplexed, so I quickly explained the situation.

“My name’s Dan,” he said, shaking my hand, “and I would be happy to help.”

Dan came by Mom’s duplex the next day. “I can’t thank you enough,” I said. “This must be a big inconvenience. Let me give you gas money, at least.”

“No need,” Dan said. "My own sister lives in Gilbert, the same city where your sister lives. I was already planning to stop by. It’s not out of the way at all.”

[Karen]

Aww, that's nice! :)

[Karen]

I keep thinking of that crocheting one, Kuhio, I may bring it up at church in case any of the committees think it would be a good project. And in fact, we have several Scout Groups that meet in our building, maybe a troop could take it on! My Dad earned to crochet as a kid, it kept him in his chair when his asthma was bad and he was not supposed to go outside and play!

[kuhio98]

I keep thinking of that crocheting one, Kuhio, I may bring it up at church in case any of the committees think it would be a good project. And in fact, we have several Scout Groups that meet in our building, maybe a troop could take it on! My Dad earned to crochet as a kid, it kept him in his chair when his asthma was bad and he was not supposed to go outside and play!

Karen ~ That's great. When I get home (I'm at work in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska), I was thinking about contacting them to see if they have a video on how to prepare the bags. It seems like that is the most time-consuming part. If they have good directions, I was thinking about cutting some bags and mailing them so that they could make the mats faster.

[kuhio98]

Philadelphia Pizza Shop Pays It Forward, One Slice at a Time

Mason Wartman is bringing a slice of New York City to Philadelphia.

Formerly on Wall Street, Wartman, 27, saw how successful $1 pizza shops are in Manhattan, then decided to move back home to Philadelphia and start up one his own.

His Rosa's Fresh Pizza – named for his mother – opened in December 2013, and little did Wartman know what it would develop into three months later, reports Philly station WPVI.

In March 2014, a customer asked if he could buy a slice for someone in need. It wasn't long before Wartman got Post-It notes and drew a smiley face on them, to symbolize a free slice.

Nine months and about 8,000 slices later, the pizza shop is now covered with colorful Post-Its sharing inspiring messages of motivation or gratitude, such as "you can do it" and "you are beautiful."

One man wrote, "God bless you. Because of you I ate off this plate, the only thing I ate all day."

Wartman feeds about 30 to 40 homeless people a day, ABC News reports.

He treats every customer the same, no matter if he or she is on the receiving or giving end of the pizza slice.

As Wartman told WPVI, "They deserve to eat in the store and enjoy the music as much as any other paying customer would."
http://img2.timeinc.net/people/i/2015/news/150126/mason-wartman-1024.jpg

[kuhio98]

A Perfect Way to Say Thank You
Celebrate veterans, take a moment to show you care.
By Sabra Ciancanelli

Carolyn Blashek is living proof that tragedy can inspire us to do great deeds. After the terrorist attacks on September 11, Carolyn knew she had to find a way to support our country.

Her first instinct was to join the military. She headed to the recruitment office to enlist but the then-46-year-old mother of two was turned away because of her age. A little rejection didn’t discourage her.

Determined to get involved, Carolyn volunteered at a military lounge at the Los Angeles International Airport where she comforted deploying service members.

During heartfelt conversations with men and woman heading into war zones, Carolyn recognized a deep need for troops to know that someone at home truly cares about them. It was then that she got the idea to send care packages like she had done to comfort her children when they were away from home.

In 2003, Carolyn started her non-profit organization, Operation Gratitude, in her living room, making care packages using just a few boxes and some donated items. From there, the effort snowballed with donations and requests for packages pouring in. As of this year, Operation Gratitude has sent more than 1.1 million care packages. Guideposts has joined Operation Gratitude’s mission by sending 10,000 copies of Guideposts magazine to our troops every month.

For a soldier, sailor, airman or Marine, these packages are more than just boxes of snacks and entertainment. These gifts of love, with handwritten notes of thanks inside, are a way for our troops to know that they have not been forgotten, that they are valued and that their service is appreciated.

“The letter always ends up being the most precious gift in the care packages,” says Carolyn. Many of the troops return the thanks, sending notes back to Operation Gratitude, like this one:

“My shipmates and I have enjoyed the cookies…. I’ve enjoyed reading through the Guidepost magazine, and am looking forward to reading the Mark Twain book. The beanie baby (a plush lizard) is looking forward to traveling the world and eventually finding a new home (along with world travel pictures) with a 6 year old family friend. Thanks so much for the all the packages you’ve sent!” –L.A.

Every day is a good day to show your appreciation for the many sacrifices our troops and veterans make but as we celebrate Veterans Day, it’s an exceptionally perfect time to take a moment to show you care.
http://d2k21wn7jpdboc.cloudfront.net/cdn/farfuture/Mb4Zh0guZJWD3K7YkwVCB7p_kdsfz37b6wgRC3GIAfk/mtime:1413993811/sites/guideposts.com/files/imagecache/story/content_editors/story/operation_rescue_article_0.jpg

[kuhio98]

Bagel Shop's Customers Surprise Their Favorite Employee

Here's a late-breaking Christmas miracle from Raleigh, North Carolina.

Shirley Ratcliff, 47, has worked at Bruegger's Bagels since 2006. She takes three different buses to work, so she'd been saving for a car – until she was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago and had to spend the money on treatment instead.

Luckily, her customers are her biggest fans.

One of them, David Burton, organized a group of loyal customers – calling themselves the Shirley Fan Club – and began raising funds to get their favorite employee that car she so desperately wanted.

"When I asked [people] to contribute, they didn't even blink. As a matter of fact, they said, 'How much do you want?' And they said they would give $100, $200," Burton tells WRAL.com. "That just goes to show you that the Christmas spirit is alive and well in Raleigh, North Carolina."

In just two days, Burton collected enough money to buy Ratcliff a used Buick LeSabre, covering taxes and insurance as well. The video above, from Raleigh's News & Observer newspaper, shows Ratcliff receiving her Christmas present.

"It means the world to me. I love these people," Ratcliff tells ABC 11 News. "I just didn't know they would go to this extreme to do something like this."
<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/I_wLSIbwhKw?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[kuhio98]

A Boomerang Blessing
By Vicki Johnson, Buckeye, Arizona

Making ends meet on a new teacher’s salary isn’t easy–especially not when you’re the single mom of a two-year-old. Looking over my budget at the kitchen table, I could see things were about to get worse as Christmas approached.

Zackary’s day care usually provided his breakfast and lunch, but we’d both be eating at home during winter break. “Looks like we’re going to have to get very creative with our meals,” I told Zackary in his high chair beside me. He popped another Cheerio into his mouth.

I went to the cupboard to take stock before making a smart grocery list. Well, that was quick, I thought. Besides the absolute basics, one lone can of cherry pie filling gathered dust in the corner.

Cherry pie was my favorite, but it wouldn’t get us very far. My son and I needed nutritional foods we could stretch. Dessert just wasn’t in the budget for now. My mouth watered as I took the can down from the shelf. I knew what I’d do with it. “Okay, Zack,” I said. “Let’s make that list.”

I felt good the next day as I placed my can among the piles of donations at the church food drive. It wasn’t much, but it was something. “No matter how tough things seem,” I explained to Zack, “somebody’s always got it worse.”

He didn’t yet understand what I was talking about, but I smiled thinking that another mom out there would soon fill her kitchen with the sweet smell of a fresh-baked cherry pie. Zackary and I went on to do our shopping.

My list got us through several days before I realized that we wouldn’t make it on our own. I stared into the cupboard, almost as empty as when it held that lone can of pie filling. Lord, who am I kidding? I can’t stretch nothing into something.

A knock at the door made me jump up. Zackary clapped playfully. He had no idea what a dire situation we were in. I only hoped I wouldn’t find more bad news at my door.

Instead I opened up to find one of the guys from church. “Hey, Vicki,” he said. He held a big box in his arms. “We decided this year’s food donations would go to our single moms, and this is for you.”

I was speechless. I ushered him inside and he plopped the overstuffed box on my countertop. “Merry Christmas!” He gave my son a high five before heading out the door.

Zackary giggled. I felt like laughing too as I sorted through canned goods, pasta, jars of sauces and condiments. Enough hearty meals to last way past Christmas. Then I got to the bottom of the box.

Tucked into the corner was a can I knew well. My can of cherry pie filling! The Lord had stretched my faith with a sweet reminder of his love. Dessert was definitely in our budget tonight.

[kuhio98]

Good Samaritans, Airmen Save Family From Burning SUV In NH

SHERBORN (CBS) – David Sullivan, a Sherborn father, humbly thanked the man who saved his family’s life. “It’s only by the grace of God you guys were there it’s totally a miracle. I just want to thank you and whoever else was with you on that afternoon,” Sullivan said speaking with Chris Cronen on the phone. “It was a big teamwork effort,” Chris responds.

Chris says he was on his way home from a ski trip when he came upon a horrifying scene. A car tipped over on a New Hampshire highway. Chris says trapped inside was David Sullivan with his three kids along with three of their friends.

Chris who is a certified tactical medic for the federal government says he immediately jumped out of his car to help. When he looked inside he saw two boys stuck inside. “Crying and screaming it was pretty tough. I immediately yelled for help and here comes three Air Force guys running toward the scene,” Cronen said.

With the help of the Air Force men and two other good Samaritans they were able to get everyone out safely. “It’s just a miracle he came to after he pulled him out of the vehicle,” Cronen said.

David is recovering at home. “I got a concussion and shattered vertebrae, neck brace. Tell you what the kids are fine,” Sullivan said.
The accident remains under investigation, David says he wants to thank everyone in person who was involved in the rescue. “I am glad I was there able to help and even more glad that the civilians and Air Force guys were there to assist to help get boys out and you out,” Cronen said

http://boston.cbslocal.com/video?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=9976284

[kuhio98]

Starbucks Gives Free Coffee to Every U.S. Service Member in Afghanistan

It looks like our troops got a little pick-me-up during the holidays.

Starbucks gave 32,000 free cups of coffee to service men and women serving in Afghanistan in late 2014, the company said Tuesday. Due to security precautions, the delivery could not be disclosed until now.

“Getting a cup of coffee is something your average American takes for granted. But for our troops a cup of coffee is a special taste of home,” said Alan Reyes, USO Senior Vice President of Operations. “Imagine a soldier coming off an arduous patrol or hostile fire, and then seeing that Starbucks logo — it takes their minds out of the war zone, even for a few minutes.”

The coffee giant donated the three-pack servings of its VIA Ready Brew Coffee to Bagram Airfield, the largest U.S. military base in Afghanistan, to be delivered to overseas service members.

“Donations like this serve as a reminder to our troops that Americans back home are thinking about them and are thankful for their service,” Reyes added.

—Morgan Gibson
http://img2.timeinc.net/people/i/2015/greatideas/blog/150209/starbucks-1-800x600.jpg

[kuhio98]

Colorado Students Create Website for Pets Lost in Natural Disasters

Students at the University of Colorado Boulder are putting their computer science skills to good use for animals and pet owners, creating a website that will help reunite missing pets, often lost in natural disasters, with their owners.

The site, emergencypetmatcher.com, will launch officially after the next future natural disaster, USA Today reported of the effort, which the creators hope will become a "one-stop" place online to reconnect upset families with their lost furry friends.

The site works by allowing those with missing pets to post photos online. Those who may have found or seen those missing can also post and each side can suggest possible matches, which are also voted "up" or "down" by other website viewers, USA Today said.

Once a photo gets several matches from each side, emails are sent to connect the parties in an effort to create a happy and no-doubt relieved homecoming.

Recent disasters like Superstorm Sandy exposed the need for helping missing pets get home, including one family who found their lost dog after going to a shelter to adopt a new one.

Thousands of animals went missing after 2006's Hurricane Katrina, prompting an massive outreach to save and re-home many of them as well as several lawsuits over new owner adoptions.

To broaden their efforts, the Colorado students are also at work on creating a bridge that will connect shelters and rescues to their pet-finder site, USA Today said.
http://img2-2.timeinc.net/people/i/2015/pets/news/150209/emergency-petmatcher-1024.jpg

[kuhio98]

Wisconsin Park Workers Shovel Snow So Elderly Man Can Reach Wife's Memorial

Rain or shine, snow or sleet, Bud Caldwell always finds a way to talk with his late wife. Sometimes, he just needs a little help.

Every day, Caldwell, 82, drives to Lakeside Park in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, to visit the memorial bench he had installed to honor his wife of nearly 56 years, Betty, reports WDJT.

Caldwell says having a moment to be with his wife, even in spirit, is the best part of his day. After each visit, Caldwell leaves behind a single daisy and penny as a nod to the couple's favorite songs, "Pennies from Heaven" and "Daisy a Day."

This has been Caldwell's routine for the past two years, until weather got in the way. A few weeks ago, heavy snow blocked the man's path to the memorial. After slipping and falling last year while trying to walk through the snow to the bench, Caldwell decided to adjust his normal plan.

Instead of walking out, the devoted husband stayed in his car at Lakeside Park and spoke to Betty from there. Caldwell's change caught the attention of two park employees familiar with the elderly man's routine.

After spotting Caldwell, Jerrod Ebert and Kevin Schultz grabbed shovels and hurried to clear the path up to Betty's bench. The act brought all three of the men to tears.

"We have to make sure he can get to his bench and talk to his wife," Ebert said.

After seeing Caldwell's emotional reaction to their good deed, the pair of park workers have promised to keep the path clear throughout the entire winter.
http://www.cbs58.com/clip/11076278/true-love-and-kindness-a-fond-du-lac-love-story
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[kuhio98]

SIUC students to build dog park for people with disabilities

AVA, IL (KFVS) - Students from Southern Illinois University Carbondale have partnered with an area service dog training center to build a dog park that is disability friendly.

Architecture students with the group “Freedom by Design” will build a 150 by 100 square foot dog park for Ava, Illinois based SIT Service Dogs.

The park will be equipped with handicap accessible ramps and padded walkways.

SIU students have designed the park, have waived labor costs, and plan to build most of the park out of recycled materials.

SIT trains dogs to provide people with disabilities a sense of independence.

SIUC student Nicole Dethrow suffers from muscular dystrophy, a disease the weakens muscles over time.

Dethrow will soon be getting a service dog from SIT.

Dethrow can walk but not for very long distances, she has an extremely limited movement with her arms.

Dethrow said she's excited for the park to be built.

“It's really set up both for the people and for the dogs which I think is really great," Dethrow said.

Program Coordinator and owner of SIT, Lex Dietz, said she's excited about the partnership with SIU.

“Going out to a park with somebody isn't something you can do at a normal dog park,” Dietz said.

SIT dogs provide mobility assistance such as opening and closing doors, turn lights on and off, and can run for help if a person calls for it.

SIT dogs can also be trained for medical alerts such as carrying medical devices, assist people in moving positions, and wake a person during medical emergencies.

Director of Freedom by Design, Katelyn Walker, says she's excited to be working with SIT.

“I liked the service that they provider," Walker said. "They help people fundraiser for their dogs, they help people have a comfortable lifestyle, they give people freedom.”

“There's a lot of pressure on them when they come and visit,” Dietz said. “And we want it to be a comfortable, relaxing, environment.”

Deitz said the park will be great addition to SIT's Ava facility and will provide a rare area for people with disabilities to go to without worry of danger.

“Things that you just don't think about. And a park where you can enjoy yourself outside is not something that you see a lot of,” Deitz said.

Dietz said construction will begin as soon as the cold weather breaks.

Video: http://www.kfvs12.com/clip/11080170/students-volunteer-to-build-dog-park-for-people-with-disabilities

[kuhio98]

Army Lt. reunited with dog after 3 months overseas


PHOENIX -- It's been three months since Army Lt. Charles Smith and his dog, Peanut, have seen each other.

“It's been very emotional leading up to this day, so when I walked through those doors and saw him ... I was speechless,” Smith said.

Three months ago, Smith was deployed overseas and didn't know what to do with his dog.

“Thinking that you have to surrender your dog is never a good feeling, so I called and they told me about Project Active Duty," he said. "It was such a relief to know that he would have a home while I was gone."

Project Active Duty is a program put on by the Arizona Humane Society and PetSmart to care for and protect animals of those who are protecting us around the world.

Elizabeth Wells fostered Peanut while Smith was away.

“I definitely wanted to be a part of this program because he is military, and I don't want to have to see anyone have to give up their beloved pet for any reason, especially for serving their country,” Wells said.

“It's definitely good that there are programs like this in place," Smith said. "I'm going to share it with my soldiers and let them know that there is this opportunity. If they have pets they'll be able to take advantage of it."

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[kuhio98]

Firefighters 'shovel it forward' for man who suffered cardiac emergency

Some Wisconsin firefighters who helped finish the job for a man who had a cardiac emergency while shoveling snow are now inspiring others in snow-blanketed areas to help out their neighbors.

On Sunday, the Greenfield Fire Department in Greenfield, Wisconsin, responded to a call about a man who had a heart issue while shoveling after a storm that dumped a foot of snow. After transporting him to the hospital, the firefighters returned to the man's driveway and shoveled the rest of it for him, according to a Facebook post by the department.

The Greenfield Fire Department then started a hashtag, #ShovelItForward, encouraging others to pitch in for those who may need help dealing with heavy snow.

[cassiesmom]

Bird watchers and firefighters rescue unusual duck trapped in Fox River
(From the Chicago Tribune)

A group of volunteers and firefighters helped rescue a duck trapped in fishing line in the Fox River over the weekend.

The Harlequin duck, believed to be a juvenile male, was pulled out of the water early morning on Jan. 31 and brought to a local rehabilitation center.

Annette Prince, director of the Chicago Bird Collision Monitors, said bird watchers who saw the duck struggling in the water contacted her group for assistance. Prince said people also had reached out to her group weeks earlier because they saw the duck apparently suffering from a leg injury but could not get to him to offer aid.

"Because they can fly, they're not reachable," Prince said. "His wings were fully functioning, so he was able to get to food sources."

Getting entangled in finishing line—a common hazard for birds—ironically gave the concerned volunteers an opening to approach and capture the duck.

"It's almost a good misfortune," Prince said.

Still too far from shore for any of the volunteers to reach him, crews from the Elgin Fire Department were called to the scene to help, Battalion Chief Terry Bruce said. Eventually they were able to use a pike pole, a tool normally used to pull down drywall inside a building to check for hot spots, to hook onto the fishing line and pull the duck to shore. Eric Secker, an Elgin resident who volunteers with the Bird Conservation Network, then brought the duck to the Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn for treatment.

"It was a great cooperative effort," Prince said. "I think a lot of people were invested in making sure nothing bad happened to it."

Harlequins spend most of their time in mountain streams and rivers, and deep dive for fish at or near the bottom of the waterway, according to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Harlequins typically are found along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts but the species itself is not rare. The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources estimates that there are between 190,000 and 380,000 Harlequins worldwide and states that the population trend is increasing.

Jeff Skrentny, a bird watcher and conservationist in Chicago, said Harlequins might be spotted in areas like the Fox River once every five to 10 years.

"This bird was particularly exceptional. Any year that there's a Harlequin duck in northeastern Illinois, I go to see it," Skrentny said. "That particular bird has been there two years in a row. It's not unusual that a bird would find a place a winter and come back to that place again."

Despite the rescue effort, veterinarian Dr. Jen Nevis said the duck may be too ill to be released back into the wild. Her initial examination showed that he was in decent condition despite having badly curled toes, possibly from old fractures that improperly healed, which prevented him from bearing weight on that leg. X-rays later revealed infections in both feet.

Nevis said the duck is on pain medications and antibiotics. She added they were going to work to stretch out his toes in order to loosen up the tendons and ligaments and fit him with orthopedic boots to help stabilize his foot, in an effort to help him stand properly. Without that rehabilitation for his feet, the duck would have a very tough time back in his normal habitat.

"On land, he's going to be a disaster," Nevis said. "If he got up on land, he wouldn't be able to run away."

If the therapy and the medications don't work, his outlook is dim.

"If he's overcome with some of these toe infections, then he either would have to euthanized or potentially placed, but he definitely would be a special needs bird so placement could be difficult," Nevis said.

Though the duck may not survive, Prince said she still was encouraged to see so many people team up to help the duck, which would have died in the water without intervention.

"That's making a positive statement that that bird mattered," Prince said. "It's not just something we would ignore. It shows real respect to nature and the value of animal life. If there's a way to give him some care, we want to give him a chance."

[cassiesmom]

What a fascinating idea! And so much more useful that the discarded bags one sees stuck in trees by the roadside! It even seems like it would be a good mat to kneel on when gardening, too - I can think of many ways they can be used. But so much of staying warm is about insulation for homeless folks - anything between them and the cold ground is a good thing!


I want to learn to do this! http://www.instructables.com/id/What-you-Need-3/

[kuhio98]

Detroit Man Who Walks 21 Miles a Day to Work 'So Grateful' More Than $149,000 Is Raised for Him

When James Robertson's 1988 Honda Accord broke down a decade ago, the Detroit man didn't just go out and buy a new one.

Instead, Robertson, who makes $10.55 an hour – not enough to buy, maintain and insure a car – decided he was going to walk to and from work, a journey that stretches a marathon-length 21 miles.

He also takes a bus partway to his job destination: Schain Mold & Engineering.

Last Sunday, the Detroit Free Press reported that the 56-year-old has been making this long trek for years, no matter the weather.

"I don't think what I do is big deal," Robertson tells PEOPLE. "I do what I have to do to get to work in the morning. It's just a part of my life."

What it takes, he says, is determination and faith.

"My parents taught me hard work ethic growing up in Detroit," he says. "It's all about keeping your schedule on track and focusing your mind on what matters."


Paying It Forward
After the newspaper article on Robertson was published, Evan Leedy, 19, a student at Wayne State University, became inspired.

"I was blown away," Leedy tells PEOPLE. "He has been doing this for so long and doesn't complain. I thought of myself and how most people could never do what he does every single day."

As Leedy was looking through the readers' comments on the story, he saw people asking how they could donate money to help Robertson get a car.

"I then decided to create a GoFundMe page where people could donate," says Leedy. "I set the goal for $5,000, but I really didn't think many people would see it or donate."

Before he knew it, thousands of dollars were coming in. One day later, more 5,300 people donated a total in excess of $149,000.

"We now have car dealerships and car companies saying they will donate a car," Leedy says. "We can now use this money to truly change James' life."

Robertson currently doesn't live in a great neighborhood, and even with a car, he lives far from work.

"We can get him a nice place to live," Leedy says. "A place he deserves."

On Monday night, Leedy and Robertson met for the first time.

"It was so amazing to finally meet James," Leedy said. "I am really just so happy people trusted that the money was going to him so we can help turn his life around. He deserves it."

The first word that comes to Robertson's mind when he thinks of Leedy and the thousands that have donated: Shocked.

"I am just so stunned," he says. "Who would have thought that just a simple walk would have turned into this? I would have told you that you were crazy a few days ago."

Robertson is looking forward to putting his walking days behind him.

"I am taking this as a sign that it's time I start driving again," he said. "And getting more than two hours of sleep a night."

A Typical Work Day
Robertson leaves for work at 8 a.m. to get to work in time for his 2 p.m. shift as an injection molder.

When he finishes work at 10 p.m, he starts his trek home.

His colleagues notice that although he never complains about having to walk, they can see it's taking a toll on his body.

"He comes in here looking real tired – his legs, his knees," his coworker Janet Vallardo, 59, of Auburn Hills, told the Free Press.

Robertson doesn't just make this walk for his paycheck. He also cares about the people he has worked with for so many years.

"We're like a family," Robertson, who also gets fed dinner every weeknight by the plant manager's wife, tells the newspaper. "I look at her food, I always say, 'Excellent. No, not excellent. Phenomenal.'"

Despite his long and strenuous commute, Robertson is never late for work.

"I set our attendance standard by this man," Todd Wilson, plant manager at Schain Mold & Engineering, told the newspaper. "I say, 'If this man can get here, walking all those miles through snow and rain ….' Well, I'll tell you, I have people in Pontiac, 10 minutes away, and they say they can't get here – Bull!"
http://img2-2.timeinc.net/people/i/2015/news/150216/james-robertson-1-1024.jpghttp://img2.timeinc.net/people/i/2015/news/150216/james-robertson-800.jpg

[kuhio98]

I want to learn to do this! http://www.instructables.com/id/What-you-Need-3/

Thank you! I've been looking for some instructions on how to cut up the bags.

[kuhio98]

From People Magazine: The Daily Treat: Miranda Lambert Gives More Than $200,000 to Pets in Need

Miranda Lambert continues to be dog's best friend!

Her MuttNation Foundation distributed over $200,000 to animal shelters in each of the 50 states in January.

"I feel so passionately about helping all animals and I'm thrilled that we have once again been able to give to phenomenal shelters all across the country," Lambert said in a statement. "The people at these shelters do such amazing work day in and day out and are truly heroes for the animals."

Lambert, 31, co-founded the non-profit organization in 2009 with her mom Bev, and to date it has raised over $1.5 million in support of animals. The money goes to spay and neuter efforts, medical treatments, adoptions, legislative changes and education.

"The unconditional love you get from a dog is better than anything else," Lambert told PEOPLE Country in 2012. "I can give the biggest show of my life, and my dogs don't give a damn. They're just happy to see their mom. Everyone should have a dog – the love they give back is like nothing else."
http://img2-1.timeinc.net/people/i/2015/pets/news/150216/miranda-lambert-600.jpg

[kuhio98]

Australia's Oldest Man Spends Free Time Knitting Tiny Sweaters for Injured Penguins

Alfred "Alfie" Date, Australia's oldest living man, is putting his amazingly sharp mind and nimble hands to good use.

The 109-year-old likes to spend his free time knitting little sweaters for injured penguins from his room at a retirement home New South Wales, reports 9Stories.

Alfie picked up the hobby over 80 years, when his sister-in-law handed him a pair of needles and some wool and asked the man to knit a jumper for her baby boy.

That baby boy grew out of the jumper decades ago, but Alfie has continued to knit. The great-great-grandfather enjoys taking requests, so when two nurses asked in March if he wanted to knit sweaters for needy penguins, Alfie started stitching.

His creations were donated to Victoria's Phillip Island Penguin Foundation to help little penguins affected by an oil spill. Little penguins are a rare species only found in Australia and New Zealand, with just 32,000 living on Phillip Island.

Oil from the spill caused the penguins' feathers to stick together, allowing cold water to reach their skin. Sweaters from generous knitters like Alfie helped the birds stay warm while they waited to be cleaned up. The garments also prevented the penguins from picking at their feathers and accidentally consuming the toxic oil.

Thanks to Alfie and thousands of other knitters from around the world, Victoria's Phillip Island Penguin Foundation was overwhelmed with cozy jumpers, which allowed the foundation to fully rehabilitate many of the birds.

With this good deed done, Alfie now keeps his hands busy by knitting scarves for friends and hats for premature babies.

"It's a good way of getting along in life," Alfie said about his hobby. "You make friends all the time, but you don't make a fool of yourself either."
http://img2.timeinc.net/people/i/2015/pets/news/150223/penguin-sweaters-1024.jpg

[Taz_Zoee]

I wish they would have shown the sweaters on real penguins and not stuffed animals.
I feel like I've actually seen them before though. Such a great thing!
And to be 109 and still able to do knitting. I am only 40-something and I can't knit!

[kuhio98]

I wish they would have shown the sweaters on real penguins and not stuffed animals...

That would be cute but I guess I'm glad they didn't have any penguins covered in oil for the photo op. :)

[mon]

I can't believe he knitted those sweaters in the picture. They are remarkable sweaters! I'm in awe. If I wasn't married...:D

[Taz_Zoee]

That would be cute but I guess I'm glad they didn't have any penguins covered in oil for the photo op. :)

Ahh, good point! They could have put them on clean birds just for modeling purposes. But yes, you are right. I wouldn't want to see oil soaked penguins either. :(

[kuhio98]

DEAR ABBY: Once again I have found that one random act of kindness begets another.

Today, I had a hankering for one of those great salads from my favorite fast food chain. It was noon, and the line from the main highway to get into the driveway was long.

When I finally was able to turn in to the ordering section, I noticed a man in his work truck trying to get into the line. We were face-to-face. I looked back, saw all the cars behind me and knew none of them were going to let him in, so I motioned for him to go ahead of me.

When I reached the window and started to pay for my order, the cashier said, "You are already paid for." I said, "What?" The man in front of me had paid for my order.

The message? Be kind -- it's good karma. -- LINDA IN ORANGE, CALIF.

DEAR LINDA: I agree. Like a stone thrown into a pond, a good deed can create ripples that extend far beyond the initial splash.

[kuhio98]

Donkey basketball raises money for Albany teacher battling cancer

http://www.kptv.com/clip/10011244/donkey-basketball-raises-money-for-albany-teacher-battling-cancer


ALBANY, OR (KPTV) - Students, staff and even a rival school rallied to support a South Albany High School teacher who is battling cancer.

A donkey basketball game was held Tuesday night for Jason Henkel, who was recently diagnosed with stomach cancer.

"When we found out he was going to be going through this, I think everyone wanted to back him up and help as much as we could," said student organizer Amanda Kelley.


Organizers hope the event, which was held at the Linn County Fairgrounds, will contribute to Henkel's future medical bills.

Kelley said donkey basketball is an old tradition at her high school, so when an opportunity emerged to bring it back for a good cause, students jumped at the chance to participate.

There were eight teams from Albany-area schools and organizations, and even a team of Henkel's doctors.

Henkel wasn't able to attend because he just underwent chemotherapy treatment.

[kuhio98]

Naugatuck student creates backpack meant for children battling cancer

A Naugatuck Elementary School student is trying to help others who are battling cancer.

The now 11-year-old student had fought the disease herself, at just 3 years old, and now she has invented a new device that is aimed at making a child's fight a little easier.

Kylie Simonds has created a backpack that is themed with Hello Kitty, lights up, but it is really a pediatric IV backpack that can easily be carried around.

“My inspiration is for all my friends that had cancer and have cancer they all inspired me to make this,” Simonds said.

The backpack would be used for children who are going through chemotherapy treatments.

Simonds thought of the idea that she thought of after being assigned to a school project.

“I had to think of an everyday problem so I thought of the everyday problem I used to have which was going to treatment and using the IV poles,” Simonds said.

She is now a sixth-grade student who fought her own battle for a full year after being diagnosed with a type of soft-tissue cancer.

She went through one month of radiation and 46 weeks of chemotherapy and said the worst part about it was wheeling around a large metal pole with an IV and all of its tubes attached to it.

“Even when I was in treatment, I thought this could be so much easier if I could think of something and I have backpacks for school and how light they are,” Simonds said. “Treatments would be so much easier for them and not as scary for them because just seeing the IV poles is scary.”

Eventually, Simonds said she wants the backpacks to be personalized for boys and girls, including different colors and themes.

She has raised $52,000 through a GoFundMe page.

“I'm hoping all the hospitals all over the country can have them and I want all the kids to be happy again,” she said.

The family's next step is making a working backpack to test out and they hope to do that in the next year.
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[kuhio98]

Couple cancels traditional wedding to give back to others

"Shocked and frozen." Those are two words that Mark and Ismini Svensson say perfectly describe their families' reaction to their unique wedding plans.

Instead of having a typical ceremony, complete with cake and family photos, the couple chose a different path: To celebrate their love by sharing good deeds across the country with people they'd never met.

For past two years, the newlyweds have been spending their wedding budget to perform one act of kindness in each of the 50 states. The Svenssons plan to complete their mission this spring.

The New York-based couple met as students, while attending Georgetown University. They say it was their mutual love of volunteerism and community activism that drew them together.

"It just clicked," says Mark Svensson. "We both had this passion within us."

While in the midst of selecting a venue for a more traditional wedding ceremony, they had a change of heart.

"We were actually planning a big wedding reception and honeymoon," Ismini says. "We realized that our way of celebrating our love would be different, and we came up with 50 Acts of Giving Back."

For Ismini, the idea of sharing goodwill in place of a wedding also became a special way to honor the legacy of her father, a civil engineer and philanthropist who taught her the importance of making a difference.

"The father of the bride plays important role on the wedding day, and I realized my father wouldn't be there."

Ismini says her father suddenly passed away from heart attack while hosting a charity event that gave college scholarships to underserved youth. At that event, Ismini's father delivered his last speech -- focusing on the importance of love and the importance of giving back.

So, Mark and Ismini ditched the idea of a formal wedding. No flower bouquet was tossed. No speeches were made, and no family pictures taken. The New York couple quietly exchanged vows at a courthouse.

They named their mission, "50 Acts of Giving Back" and took to Facebook and Twitter for suggestions of where to go. Soon the couple was overwhelmed with responses. They say each stated visited was the result of an online discussion.

After sharing their idea on social media, their friends and followers echoed the message through Facebook shares and retweets. Using the hashtag #50Acts, the Svenssons say they were contacted by people across the country in need of their support. What started as a way to honor the legacy of Ismini's father became an online campaign to promote the couple's first love: volunteerism.

"Social media, whether it's a post or a tweet, can impact your world," Mark says. "It may seem small, but it can go a long way."

After hearing of their initiative, Mark and Ismini say others were so inspired by their story, people began to donate to their cause. The couple continued to self-fund "50 Acts of Giving Back" but used the monetary donations to start a nonprofit, StayUNITED. This way they would be able to continue their charitable work once their 50 state journey was completed.

After selecting a location with the help of their online friends, the Svenssons rented a car and drove to each state. Although challenging, it became the Svenssons best way to travel as they soon learned they were expecting their first child! After their daughter Rafealla was born, the couple hit the road again with her in the backseat.

"She became a part of this journey. She was always with us," Ismini says. "Everybody loved her. The baby became like the little mascot."

In Asheville, North Carolina, they brought flowers and presents to patients suffering from cancer. In Aramillo, Texas they assisted elderly men and women with grocery shopping. In Connecticut, the couple participated in an adaptive sports camp for children with disabilities. At the conclusion of the camp, the couple says they presented gifts to the children.

"Because of all the support received from all over the U.S., we realized this journey is much bigger than a wedding," Ismini says.

Although rewarding, the couple admits there were challenges. In addition to handling the daily tasks of having a newborn, Mark and Ismini balanced worked schedules as well. Working in a family business allowed them the flexibility to travel, but they say coordination was key.

"Some states you literally have to drive seven hours just to get to the next area," Mark commented. "It's definitely something you have to be mentally prepared for."

The couple's next move? The Midwest, Pacific Northwest, Hawaii and Alaska. They hope to wrap up their journey by spring of 2015.

"We believe in a chain reaction of kindness," Ismini says. "It's all about realizing us doing our part in something much bigger than ourselves and giving back."

Photos of some of their adventures are here: http://edition.cnn.com/2015/02/02/world/iyw-50-acts-of-kindness/index.html

[kuhio98]

Anonymous Stranger Buys Wedding Dress for Cash-Strapped Bride-to-Be

When Elizabeth Jensen realized she couldn't afford her dream wedding dress, she probably didn't expect to have a fairy tale ending.

While the 21-year-old was admiring the dress at the pop-up shop Elizabeth Cooper Designs in Provo, Utah, last Friday, a fellow shopper and bride-to-be, who remains anonymous, offered to purchase the dress for Jensen.

"I said, 'Are you sure?' Because it's just not the norm," Carrie Ling, the bridal store owner, told the Deseret News. "I'm still flabbergasted. I don't know why she did it."

"It's unusual for a customer to walk out empty-handed, so I was shocked when I tried to help the anonymous lady pick out a dress and she instead told me that she wanted to help one of the five women in the store at the time," Ling told PEOPLE.

She pointed to Jensen and said that she wanted to help her because she was shopping alone, while the others had one or two people with them.

Jensen had her eye on the frock, but couldn't afford the dress's $480 price tag. She is currently a full-time student at Brigham Young University. Her father is also currently unemployed, making money tight for the family.

When Ling approached Jensen with the news, she immediately started crying.

"She told us her story and how grateful she was and really blessed that it happened to her," Ling said.

The store caters to brides on a budget, but none of the employees have ever seen such a sweet gesture happen out of the blue like this.

"The fact there was somebody in the store watching me and seeing how much I loved the dress and taking the time," Jensen, who is one of eight children, said. "She didn't even know me."

Jensen's fiancé, Jimmy Gillespie, proposed to her last month and they are set to wed on May 1. She wants the stranger to know that she has an open invitation to the wedding.

"We want to have our marriage built upon that principle of giving to other people," Jensen told ABC News.
http://img2.timeinc.net/people/i/2015/news/150309/jimmy-gillespie-1-435.jpg

[kuhio98]

Matt Zeller and Janis Shinwari Saved Each Other's Lives – and Now Help Others

Pinned in a foxhole and low on bullets, CIA intelligence analyst Matthew Zeller thought that April 28, 2008, was his day to die.

And indeed, it almost was.

Two Afghan Taliban soldiers were sneaking up behind him, ready to shoot, when suddenly, Zeller heard an AK-47 go off next to his head.

He turned and saw Janis Shinwari – an Afghan interpreter he had met for a few minutes just days before. Shinwari had shot both enemy soldiers, saving Zeller's life.

"I made a promise right there," Zeller, now 33, tells PEOPLE, "that if he ever needed my help, I would be there. Janis taught me a lot about loyalty and brotherhood that day."

Zeller kept that promise.

He worked with Shinwari, 36, for the next year until he returned to the States, unaware that back in Afghanistan, Shinwari was receiving death threats for his role in helping U.S. military men and women. The Taliban stuck a note on Shinwari's door late one night: "We are coming to kill you."

The married father of two had applied for a visa to emigrate to the U.S. in 2011, thinking it would be approved in a few months. Instead it took two years and only happened with the help of Zeller, the close friend Shinwari calls "my brother."

"He had to go into hiding with his wife and kids for more than two years," says Zeller. "I'll never forget the day he called and asked me to 'help get him out of this hell.' "

Zeller called in favors with the U.S. embassy and raised $35,000 to help his friend. After passing two polygraph tests, Shinwari was cleared to leave.

Now the two are assisting other translators who have fought alongside U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan through No One Left Behind, a nonprofit they started last spring.

Currently neighbors in Arlington, Virginia, Zeller and Shinwari have helped 60 families with visa applications, rent money and housing, and helped translators furnish their homes and find jobs.

"These people have helped us and they should not be abandoned," says Zeller, who now works full-time for No One Left Behind, and is a divorced dad with a young daughter. "They've earned their visas and now it's our turn to help them."

With a backlog of some 6,000 applicants at the State Department, Shinwari's story is not uncommon, says Katherine Reisner of the Iraqi Refugee Assistance Project.

"The application process is daunting," she says, "and these people are moving their families from house to house every night because they're on a death list and the electricity is always going out. Imagine how difficult that would be. No One Left Behind is simply a terrific idea."

Soon after Shinwari, his wife Srozan, and their kids arrived stateside in October 2013, Shinwari landed a job as an immigration-services liaison with Virginia Rep. Jim Moran. When Moran recently retired, Shinwari started a new career as an accountant.

He and Zeller started No One Left Behind with the leftover funds Zeller had raised, helping their first translator, Ajmal Faqiri, once an interpreter in Afghanistan for former Defense Secretary Robert Gates, in January 2014.

"Janis and Matt helped me to get a car and they arranged to give us furniture, food, anything we needed," says Faqiri, how a volunteer with No One Left Behind.

"They furnished my house completely," he says. "It was amazing. I am so grateful."

It's the least they can do, says Shinwari.

"Everybody comes with one suitcase and nothing else," he says.

"There are thousands like me in Afghanistan," he says. "These people are living in fear for years. After all they've done for the United States, it is our duty to help them."
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[kuhio98]

Bella's Blessing - The black Lab that introduced him to the love of his life sent an emissary to his wedding.
by Michael Gordon

Tall pines framed an elegant outdoor amphitheater nestled in the Wallowa Mountains. This small ranch in Joseph, Oregon, was truly the ideal place for Kara and me to be married. We loved the outdoors.

Looking out at the scenery on the morning of the ceremony, I marveled that this was everything we wanted when we got engaged. Well, almost everything, I reminded myself. There was one thing missing: Bella. And she was the reason we were here in the first place.

Six years ago to the day, I’d just finished competing in the Black Diamond Triathlon in Enumclaw, Washington. I was pretty proud that I’d raced well, having swam, biked and run 32 miles.

I was waiting to accept my award when a black Labrador retriever wandered over to me and licked my leg. “Bella! Come back here,” another triathlete said when she saw what her dog was doing. “Sorry about that.” Bella flopped down at my feet.

“No problem,” I said. “My name’s Michael.” Kara introduced herself. We’d heard of each other before—the triathlon community is pretty small—but we may never have actually met if it weren’t for Bella.

As I got to know Kara, I got to know Bella. I got to love the way she jumped around me to get attention, begged me to play fetch or tug-of-war. The three of us became inseparable. We planned to make her a part of our wedding ceremony, but Bella died just two months before the big day.

“We’ll just have to imagine her here with us,” Kara said, coming up behind me. She couldn’t even see my face, but she knew what I was thinking. “Let’s get ready for the first part of the day.”

Kara and I were both signed up to participate in a local triathlon just minutes from the ranch. Some of the guests thought we were a little crazy to compete in a multi-stage endurance race the morning of our wedding, but without Bella, we were glad for a special way to commemorate how we’d met.

“I like to think she will be running right along with us all the way,” Kara said as we stretched and warmed up.

“She won’t have trouble keeping up with us, now that she’s got her angel wings,” I said. I was trying to be cheerful, but I really missed her. The day that was supposed to be perfect couldn’t be perfect without her.

I ran wearing my vest and tie. Kara attached a wedding veil to her bike helmet. A few members of the wedding party joined in as well. Some of them had raced in the same triathlon where Bella had brought us together.

Friends and family cheered us on from the sidelines and the locals loved our “formal” triathlon attire. Kara and I finished in the top tier.

We headed back to the ranch to make our final preparations for the main event. As we got out of the car, something on the grounds caught my eye. Something black with a long tail.

“That dog looks just like Bella,” I said. Kara turned to look. The strange dog bucked excitedly whenever someone showed her attention and begged games of fetch from the kids.

“She acts just like Bella too,” Kara said. “Those are her mannerisms.”

One of the owners of the ranch hurried up to us. “I’m sorry,” she said, gesturing to the dog. “Luna just loves being around people. We can keep her inside for the day if you want, so she doesn’t bother anyone.”

“No, she’s great! I love having her here,” Kara said. “She reminds me of my old Lab. She couldn’t be here today....” She smiled over at Bella’s look-alike, who was now engaged in a fierce game of tug-of-war. Just like Bella used to do, I thought.

Kara and I went inside to shower and change in record time. We reemerged to find our guests settling themselves in the cool shade of the little amphitheater. I lined up with the minister and my groomsmen beneath the grove of pine trees that surrounded the ranch. Musicians played as my bride began her walk down the aisle.

Just as Kara reached me, I felt something touch my leg. I looked down. There was Luna, flopped at my feet, an exact likeness of Bella the day she’d introduced me to the love of my life. Luna lay there, pressed against my leg, while Kara and I said our vows and pledged to spend our lives together.

It was the perfect wedding. Bella may not have been there, but she’d found a way to give us her blessing by way of the Rainbow Bridge.
http://www.guideposts.org/sites/guideposts.org/files/styles/article_full/public/content_editors/marquee/gordon_marquee.jpg?itok=ZxWeDlgS

[Tashia]

Nice story and link. Thanks!! Hearing about others caring and doing good reminds me that I am not alone!!

[Taz_Zoee]

Oh, that story brought on the tears.

RIP Bella!!

[Karen]

Aww, like the Border Collie emissary that attended Uncle Mac's funeral.

[kuhio98]

Xena, Warrior Dog
She’d run out of ideas to help her special needs son.
Linda Hickey

I picked up popsicle sticks from the den floor. I’d spent all afternoon writing words on them, trying to make it fun for my younger son, Jonny, to speak...or even just to repeat the sentence that my husband, Grant, and I had been practicing with him for months: “Do you want to play?”

It didn’t work. Nothing worked. Jonny knew how to read, though not at his grade level. He knew how to speak too, but no one could get more than a word or two out of him, if that. I’d tried every idea I could think of, talked to God about it the way I talked to him about everything. But Jonny was eight years old. If he couldn’t speak in sentences and hold a conversation by now, would he ever?

It went beyond unlocking his speech. If Jonny could talk, it would open a whole world of possibilities for him. He would be able to connect with people, maybe make a friend. That was what I wanted for him more than anything.

Jonny didn’t hit the developmental milestones that our older son, Christian, had. Things that didn’t faze other kids, like picking up food with his hands or having someone stand too close to him, freaked him out.

He was two when we got the diagnosis: autism. I could hardly say the word. I avoided telling people. I didn’t want them to judge him. We tried physical, speech and occupational therapies. Special diets. Medication. Nothing changed.

Jonny was content to be with his family, but he ignored everyone else, even our two gentle old dogs. It broke my heart to see him retreat into himself, playing all alone. In some ways that was harder to take than his other behavioral extreme—uncontrollable meltdowns.

I never knew what would set him off. Once in the deli line at the supermarket, he’d started hyperventilating. Was it something he smelled? The sight of the deli meats? People crowding him? “Jonny, focus,” I said. He stared through me. Then he fell to the floor, kicking and screaming.

“Is he okay?” other customers asked. I’d hurried Jonny out of the store. I didn’t say what I was thinking. No, he’s not okay. He probably never will be.

I felt ashamed for thinking that. I hadn’t given up hope for Jonny, but I’d run out of ideas to help him. I was so discouraged, so exhausted. I flopped now onto the couch. The local news was on.

A horrifying image. A fawn-colored puppy on a veterinarian’s exam table, covered in scabs, so emaciated it was hard to believe she was alive. The reporter mentioned that the rescue group had set up a Facebook page under “Xena, the Warrior Puppy.” They were hoping she would pull through.

I grabbed my laptop and went to the page. “Xena appears to be a four-month-old Lab mix,” the post read. “Her nose scabs are likely from trying to escape a locked crate where she had no access to food. Her chances of survival are less than one percent.”

My heart went out to the little dog. “Please let Xena live,” I asked God. Like I said, I talk to him about everything.

The next morning before the boys woke up I checked Facebook. “Xena made it through the night and she’s eating!” Yes!

From then on, I checked her page several times a day. Grant teased me about my new obsession. I wasn’t the only one. Xena had more than 9,000 followers. Little by little, she grew stronger.

It might sound strange that I got emotionally invested in a dog I’d never met, but Xena was so inspiring. She’d been given almost no chance of surviving, yet here she was, thriving. A warrior, all right. I wasn’t holding out for something that miraculous for Jonny, but maybe there was hope for him yet.

I saw an update one afternoon saying there would be a meet and greet with Xena in November, about two months after I’d seen her on TV. I told Grant. “Isn’t that for people looking to adopt her?” he asked.

I nodded. “I know it’s crazy to take on another dog now,” I said. “But we would give her lots of love.”

Grant’s expression softened. “Okay,” he said. “Just don’t get your hopes up. I’ll bet tons of people want to give her a home. And there’s no guarantee she’d get along with our dogs.” He didn’t have to add, What about Jonny? There was no telling how he’d react.

A few days before the meet and greet, I found out something else that gave me pause. A Facebook update said that Xena wasn’t a Lab mix after all. She was a pit-bull mix. I’d seen scary stories on the news about pit bulls attacking people. Could they be trusted around kids, especially one as unpredictable as Jonny?

“I don’t know about this anymore,” Grant said.

“Me either,” I admitted. But then I thought about how I didn’t want people to judge Jonny because he had autism. How could I write off an entire breed of dog? “Maybe we should just see what she’s like.”

“Fine,” Grant said with a sigh.

The meet and greet was packed. People milling around, even TV news crews. I tensed. What if Jonny freaked out? “Don’t worry,” Grant said. “We won’t stay long.”

We were there maybe five minutes. Just long enough for me to thank Chrissy, the woman who had rescued Xena, for bringing me so much hope the past couple of months. And to see Xena make her entrance. She seemed totally friendly, darting up to people, unafraid despite her history of abuse. That made me want her all the more.

At home I filled out an application to adopt Xena. There were no questions about family members with disabilities. If they weren’t asking, I wasn’t telling. That night, as I made dinner, Grant turned on the news. “Linda!” he called. “It’s the meet and greet.”

I ran to the den. There was Xena. “She’s running straight to Jonny! Did he actually smile at her?”

“I can’t believe I forgot to tell you,” Grant said. “It happened so fast, and we were in such a rush to leave.”

Three months went by and I didn’t hear from the rescue group. All I could do was keep praying and checking Xena’s Facebook page.

Finally, I got a call from Chrissy. “We considered the applications carefully,” she said. “We think your family would be a good fit. Would you like to take Xena for a trial visit?”

I shouted yes so loud I think God might have needed earplugs in heaven.

Xena was dropped off that Monday morning to meet our other dogs before Jonny came home from school. The dogs sniffed each other, then ambled around the house together. Well, the other dogs ambled. Xena bounded.

Time to pick up Jonny. I opened the van door and Xena hopped right into his booster seat. “Make yourself at home,” I said, laughing.

The carpool line seemed to take forever. Finally Jonny slid open the door.

“Remember Xena?” I said.

His eyes lit up. Xena hopped out of the booster seat. Jonny got in. His seat belt clicked. Then I heard something else.

“Mom, look! She has four legs! And two eyes. And two ears. And she’s brown and white. And she has a booboo on her nose.”

My breath hitched. Did Jonny just talk? In complete sentences? How could that be? After all these years.…

“That’s right, honey,” I said.

“She needs a Band-Aid for the booboo,” Jonny declared.

Now I was the one who couldn’t speak.

Xena jumped into Jonny’s lap, crowding him. He giggled, not minding one bit.

Xena became a part of our family. She’s gotten Jonny to open up in many ways. Not only did he get over his phobia of touching food, he makes her dinner every night. He chatters nonstop and even got an award at school for his friendliness. He marches right up to people at the supermarket and says, “Give me a hug!”

I took over Xena’s Facebook page. I proudly tell thousands of people about Jonny’s autism and the incredible difference Xena has made.

“What kind of dog is Xena?” I like to ask Jonny.

“She’s a warrior, Mom!” he says.

“That’s right. Just like you.”

Miracles too, both of them. That’s what I talk to God about these days.
http://www.guideposts.org/sites/guideposts.org/files/styles/article_full/public/content_editors/marquee/hickey_marquee.jpg?itok=EvxbOIbF

[Taz_Zoee]

Love the Xena story. Although, it was difficult to read the end through the tears of joy!! :D

[kuhio98]

Community thanks beloved mailman with notes, money for trip to Hawaii

LAYTON — Mailman Brent Coulam’s 42 years of service in a Layton community went far beyond delivering letters.

As a token of thanks, residents of the West Layton neighborhood where Coulam worked surprised him by attaching balloons to mailboxes filled with thank-you notes and gifts Saturday, the last day before his retirement. They even gathered “fun money” for him to use on a vacation in Hawaii.

“He was very touched,” resident Andrea Abbott said. “He even got teary-eyed a couple of times. A lot of people just made the effort to come out and say goodbye and give him hugs. We had little kids out there. He loved those little kids and would always wave and talk to them.”

Coulam helped a lot of people in many ways, according to Abbott. He’s been delivering her mail since she moved into the neighborhood 22 years ago.

Examples of Coulam’s acts of service include carrying groceries and taking mail directly to residents' doors when he knew someone in the family was sick. A couple of weeks ago, he noticed a truck on fire and ran up to the home to let the owners know.

“They ran out, and he stayed out there with them and tried to help put the fire out until the fire department came,” Abbott said. “Then he went on his way, but he saved that family’s home from being destroyed by a car fire.”

Despite all the praise, Coulam remains humble.

"It's just part of the job," he said. "It really is part of the job. You're supposed to keep our eye on the public.”

During his decades of service, Coulam became close with many of the people on his route. Neighbors said he always took the time to chat with people who were outside and remembered what family members were doing.

"I have kids in this neighborhood who have kids who are grown," he said.
<iframe frameborder='0' width='640' height='360' src='http://www.ksl.com/api/jwplayer/player.php?file=http://media.ksl.com/1425663638-697529705.mp4&image=//media.ksl.com/1425663638-697529705.jpg&width=640&height=360'></iframe>

[kuhio98]

Cape Coral firefighters rescue trapped ducklings

family of ducks fell into a storm drain in Mid cape on Monday.

Shortly before 10 a.m., resident Sandy Pizarro saw a mother duck and about 10 ducklings along NE 15 Place west of Del Prado.

“When I first saw them there was about 6-8 or so, but when I looked again when taking my daughter to the school bus I only saw four.”

When leaving again a short time later there was only one duckling and soon that one disappeared. Pizarro approached a dental office for help who in turn called the fire department.

Firefighters responded and discovered the ducklings had fallen through a very narrow grate at the entrance to Capri Commons. There was no way to open up the area and get down to the ducklings, which were approximately 2-3 feet below ground.

It didn’t take long for the crews to come up with a safe way to get to the ducks.

“Since there was no way to get down to the ducks, and since ducks love water, it made sense to float the ducks up to within reach,” said Michael Heeder, Public Information Officer for the Cape Coral Fire Department.

Firefighters used tank water to fill the drain. As the water rose inside the catch basin, the ducks floated toward the grate.

Engineer Todd Clark, using a pair of tongs, was able to reach in and pull the ducklings to safety all while the mother duck kept a watchful eye from a distance.

What was thought to be 8-10 ducks ended up being 20 ducklings, and all were saved by the firefighters. It took nearly an hour to catch all of the ducklings.

None of them were injured in the rescue effort and once all ducklings were removed, mother duck and children found shelter in a culvert nearby.

“While we do handle animal rescues including ducks on a fairly regular basis, each rescue itself is unique,” said Heeder. “We have to balance the need for helping with the need to have our units immediately available for fires and rescue calls in our community. That being said, we will always respond and assist when someone calls for help.”
http://wbbh.images.worldnow.com/images/3590311_G.jpghttp://wbbh.images.worldnow.com/images/3590315_G.jpg

[kuhio98]

Entire Town Secretly Learns Sign Language to Give a Deaf Man Best Day of His Life

This was no ordinary day for a man who is hearing impaired.

On Dec. 24, 2014, Muharrem and his sister, Ozlem, took a walk around their town in Instanbul only to find that everyone they encountered greeted them in sign language.

In this Samsung commercial to promote the company's new video call center for the hearing impaired, the town is shown learning to sign in anticipation of the big day. Video cameras were also placed around the city and to capture those moments when Muharrem was greeted at a bagel shop, or offered an apple, or being apologized to when a woman bumps into him – all delivered in sign language.

As the events unfolded, Muharrem grew increasingly confused along the way, until he came to a Samsung representative and a sign that explained what was going on. The rep also signed to him, "A world without barriers is our dream as well."

What follows is a greeting by neighbors as Muharrem tears up and hugs them all.
<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UrvaSqN76h4?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[kuhio98]

Shawn and Alisa Johnson Find Homes for Dogs While Their Owners are Deployed

Instead of being forced to relinquish their pets, active members of the military now have a place to house their pets during deployment: Dogs on Deployment.

DoD connects members of the military with able-bodied individuals willing to take in their pets while they serve their country.

The organization came to fruition in June of 2011 when San Diego natives Alisa Sieber-Johnson (now a first lieutenant of the U.S. Marine Corps) and her husband, Shawn Johnson (a lieutenant of the U.S. Navy) struggled to find someone to watch their two Australian shepherds when they were being stationed on opposite coasts.

"We didn't have immediate family who could keep our dogs," Sieber-Johnson, 27, tells PEOPLE. "Our organization exists to ensure that your pets can stay a part of your family no matter what."

So far, DoD has provided over 650 members of the military with boarding placement and financial support across the United States and abroad.

"It's important to know that your dogs are in a safe and comfortable environment while you're away – whether it's for a weekend or several years," says Sieber-Johnson.

When U.S Army 1st Lt. Gretchen Zilka, 25, and her husband, Lt. Benedict Zilka, 25, prepared to deploy from Fort Bliss, Texas to Afghanistan in April 2013, her husband was also deploying, though a few months later, in November.

They had no idea what to do with Tango, their five-year-old terrier mix.

DoD found Amanda Lopez-Askin – an animal rights advocate from Las Cruces, New Mexico – and the couple knew they were in good hands. Lopez-Askin, 40, cared for Tango for nine months.

"Dogs on Deployment laid out everything for us – from contracts to veterinary care," Lopez-Askin tells PEOPLE. "It's a one-stop shop; and they made it easy."

Lopez-Askin assured the Zilkas that she and her family would be equipped to do right by them and their dog because no person serving his or her country should have to stress over finding a secure home for his or her pet upon being deployed.

"We were going to make sure that [Tango] was very well taken care of," Askin tells PEOPLE.

"I think that anybody who really appreciates the sacrifice that soldiers make in their personal lives can get on board with [DoD]," she says, "And if they love animals, it's the perfect marriage between the two things."

Sieber-Johnson says the group gives soldiers something priceless: peace of mind.

"To take on a mission, your mind needs to be in a healthy place in order to have a successful deployment," she says, "and you need to be mentally, physically and emotionally set to deploy."
http://img2.timeinc.net/people/i/2015/news/150223/alisa-johnson-800.jpghttp://img2.timeinc.net/people/i/2015/news/150223/alisa-johnson-2-435.jpg

[cassiesmom]

Sunday started out as a normal day waiting tables for Claire Hudson.

The 25-year-old was working a double shift for her job at local burger joint, Mac's Grub Shak, when something amazing happened.

"It was actually a really slow day and then this couple came in," said Hudson of Spring Hill, Tennessee. "I didn’t even realize the tip until after they were gone."

The unidentified diners had left a $36 tip on a bill that couldn't have been more than $30, Hudson told ABC News.

"I would’ve liked to have caught them and said 'hey this is awesome!,' she said. "They did it anonymously and it was really sweet."

In addition to the $36, the couple also left Hudson with a note explaining the heartfelt meaning behind the digits.

"Today is my brother's b-day," it said, written behind the credit card receipt. "He would have been 36 today. Every year I go eat his favorite meal (hot dogs) and tip the waitress his age. Happy B-day Wes."

"I was in tears when I read it," Hudson said. "I had to go in the back of the restaurant and compose myself before I went out to my other tables."

About three hours after the experience, Hudson posted an image of her customer's note on Reddit.

"When I woke up I was on the front page," she said. "It had over 1.5 million views on Imgur and 350K upvotes on Reddit."

In light of her story going viral, Hudson and the restaurant owner hope to track down the kind patron that left the tip.

"We want to see what his brother Wes liked on his hot dogs because we'd like to name a hot dog after him," she said.

"I have a friend, he was my best friend, he died about three years ago. This experience has definitely given me the idea to do the same thing on his birthday every year. It was deeply moving and just the coolest thing that’s ever happened."

[Catty1]

http://www.viralnova.com/tips-do-matter/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=ViralNova%20Daily%20Horizon&utm_campaign=ViralNova%20Daily%20Horizon%202015-03-15

Instead Of A Tip, This Polite Server Was Given The Chance To Change His Life
MARCH 14, 2015
Brian Maixner recently served attorney Fred Boettcher a meal at Doo-Dah Diner in Wichita, KS. Boettcher was struck by the cheerful demeanor of Maixner, but also by Maixner's dental problems. Maixner's smile was genuine, but Boettcher recognized the signs of a painful infection, as he'd suffered from a similar condition as a child.
"He carried himself with such kindness and confidence with a mouth that looked painful. I was struck by that," Boettcher said. Maixner's predicament struck him so much that he decided to personally do something about it.

http://images.viralnova.com/000/124/456/desktop-1426088074.jpg
Elite Daily (http://elitedaily.com/news/world/customer-gets-waiter-new-teeth-photos/960122/)


Brian Maixner (seated) behind the scenes at the Doo-Dah Diner in Wichita.

http://images.viralnova.com/000/124/457/desktop-1426088076.jpg
Elite Daily (http://elitedaily.com/news/world/customer-gets-waiter-new-teeth-photos/960122/)



Instead of leaving a conventional tip, Boettcher instead asked the owner of the diner if it would be acceptable for him to fund Maixner's dental work. When Maixner heard the news, he shed tears of joy.
"This man doesn't know me and this is something I could never afford to do for myself. It touched me so much that he cared," Maixner said.
Boettcher referred Maixner to his own dentist in Ponca City, OK, who has, to date, performed thousands of dollars worth of work on Maixner's teeth.
http://images.viralnova.com/000/124/455/desktop-1426088073.jpg
Elite Daily (http://elitedaily.com/news/world/customer-gets-waiter-new-teeth-photos/960122/)


The before and after pictures of Maixner, showing what difference a smile can make.

http://images.viralnova.com/000/124/458/desktop-1426088077.jpg
Elite Daily (http://elitedaily.com/news/world/customer-gets-waiter-new-teeth-photos/960122/)


Fred Boettcher, on the left.

Boettcher is one of the first people to make lawyer jokes, but he lives by a principle of kindness and generosity. "No matter what religion you might be or whether you even believe in an afterlife, the way to be satisfied in your life is to be kind to everybody and be as generous as you possibly can be," he maintains. His daughter, Meredith Boettcher Young, was there at the diner the day he decided to help Maixner. According to her, acts of kindness like this are not out of character for her dad.
"I remember him buying groceries for people in need when we were growing up," she recalls.
http://images.viralnova.com/000/124/459/desktop-1426088078.jpg
Elite Daily (http://elitedaily.com/news/world/customer-gets-waiter-new-teeth-photos/960122/)


Maixner has made several trips to Boettcher's dentist in Ponca City so far, but he still has a number of procedures to go.

Today, Maixner's smile has been repaired. He's undergone several procedures that replaced his damaged teeth with temporary dentures. After a six- to eight-month healing period, those dentures will be replaced with permanent ones. And Maixner, who was cheerful even before, continues to smile brightly.
http://images.viralnova.com/000/124/460/desktop-1426088079.jpg
Elite Daily (http://elitedaily.com/news/world/customer-gets-waiter-new-teeth-photos/960122/)


Maixner's repaired teeth make a huge difference in his comfort, and also make him appear much younger.

(via Elite Daily (http://elitedaily.com/news/world/customer-gets-waiter-new-teeth-photos/960122/), KWCH (http://www.kwch.com/news/local-news/tip-transforms-wichita-waiters-smile-for-life/31687428))
As for Boettcher, he maintains that he's also gained happiness by giving this gift to Maixner, who calls it a "life changer." For him, helping other people is true happiness, and he encourages all people to help others to the best of their ability.

[kuhio98]

Here Comes the Sunflower
She had no coins for the woman, but her Pomeranian's gift was of more value.
by Kirsten Anderson

“Come on, Sunflower,” I pleaded. “It’s cold!” My orange Pomeranian had sniffed every inch of sidewalk outside the door of my New York City apartment all the way around the block. This was my little angel’s idea of fun, but it was a dark January night and I wanted to get back inside.

Sunflower had other ideas. She headed to the subway entrance and pushed a candy wrapper with her nose. “Any change?” a woman at the top of the steps asked. She held a cup that jingled when she shook it.

I hadn’t brought my purse. Sunflower trotted over to the woman, wagging her tail as if to apologize.

“I love animals!” the woman said, bending down to admire Sunflower. “Animals don’t lie or tell stories or do bad things to you.”

Sunflower popped her paws up on the woman’s knees and gave her a big kiss. “I’m sorry I don’t have any money on me,” I said.

The woman looked up with teary eyes. “That’s okay. This is better than a million dollars,” she said. “Good night, Miss.”

“Good night,” I said, tearing up myself. Sunflower just wagged her tail. She had given what she could–love. The best gift of all.

http://www.guideposts.org/sites/guideposts.org/files/styles/article_full/public/content_editors/marquee/pomeranian_marquee.jpg?itok=oWFsTPxy

[lizbud]

Awww, I love that story.:love::love:

[Karen]

Love the "Dogs on Deployment" one - LH often remarked, when he was stationed at Fort Drum, how sad it was to visit the local shelter and see the dogs of folks he knew had just been deployed overseas, to places like Afghanistan or others where taking a dog was not an option.

It did cause me a bit of pause, though, the reporter used "Dod" as an acronym fr it, and anyone who has family in- or concerns about- the military knows that's the Department of Defense! And I was curious how they got a government agency involved before I realized it was not!

[Taz_Zoee]

Here Comes the Sunflower
She had no coins for the woman, but her Pomeranian's gift was of more value.
by Kirsten Anderson

“Come on, Sunflower,” I pleaded. “It’s cold!” My orange Pomeranian had sniffed every inch of sidewalk outside the door of my New York City apartment all the way around the block. This was my little angel’s idea of fun, but it was a dark January night and I wanted to get back inside.

Sunflower had other ideas. She headed to the subway entrance and pushed a candy wrapper with her nose. “Any change?” a woman at the top of the steps asked. She held a cup that jingled when she shook it.

I hadn’t brought my purse. Sunflower trotted over to the woman, wagging her tail as if to apologize.

“I love animals!” the woman said, bending down to admire Sunflower. “Animals don’t lie or tell stories or do bad things to you.”

Sunflower popped her paws up on the woman’s knees and gave her a big kiss. “I’m sorry I don’t have any money on me,” I said.

The woman looked up with teary eyes. “That’s okay. This is better than a million dollars,” she said. “Good night, Miss.”

“Good night,” I said, tearing up myself. Sunflower just wagged her tail. She had given what she could–love. The best gift of all.

http://www.guideposts.org/sites/guideposts.org/files/styles/article_full/public/content_editors/marquee/pomeranian_marquee.jpg?itok=oWFsTPxy

This is great!! It actually reminds me of something that happened to me back in January. I was about to go on vacation and lifted a weight wrong at the gym the day before we were to leave. Luckily, I already had a chiropractor appointment set for lunchtime the day we left. When I walked into the chiropractors office a little Pom (funny, same breed) was in the waiting area. I completely forgot about my pain and knelt down to pet the puppy. It made me so happy! :D

[kuhio98]

Rescuers Trying to Save One Dog Accidentally Save 12, Thanks to Selfless Stray

In Dallas, Texas, a group of dedicated animal rescuers had pursued an elusive pup who was determined to live in a patch of woods in a city park.

Recently, one of the equally determined rescuers was approached by the very dog she was looking for, who proceeded to bark at her and move deeper into the woods.

The rescuer, Marina, found herself surprised by the dog's behavior. "He's never acted like that before," she said. "I was worried that maybe he was sick or something happened to him."

When Marina followed the pup into the woods, she began to hear yapping, and realized that the stray dog she had intended to rescue knew of a group of pups who needed Marina's help even more than he did.

Beneath a burned tree near a muddy creek bed, Marina found a litter of cold, hungry puppies. The ten puppies were accompanied by their exhausted mother, all of whom clearly needed shelter and medical attention.

Global News reports that "the puppies and their mom, plus the abandoned dog, now aptly named Hero, are all safe and sound in a foster home." Link to video: http://dfw.cbslocal.com/video?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=11231024
<script type='text/javascript' src='http://CBSDAL.images.worldnow.com/interface/js/WNVideo.js?rnd=357637;hostDomain=video.dallas.cbsl ocal.com;playerWidth=615;playerHeight=365;isShowIc on=true;clipId=11231024;flvUri=;partnerclipid=;adT ag=News;advertisingZone=CBS.DALLAS%252Fworldnowpla yer;enableAds=true;landingPage=;islandingPageoverr ide=false;playerType=STANDARD_EMBEDDEDscript;contr olsType=fixed'></script><a href="http://video.dallas.cbslocal.com" title=""></a>

Another thread on this story with great photos: http://petoftheday.com/talk/showthread.php?188015-CUTE-WARNING!-Rescuers-Thought-They-Were-Only-Saving-One-Dog-But-This-Stray-Had-A-Huge-Surprise

[cassiesmom]

Fun use of foreign pocket change to aid a charity (from Good News Network)

Ever step off a plane and realize you have a pocket full of foreign change?

The Swedish Red Cross and airport operator, Swedavia, have come up with an idea to take care of those spare coins while supporting a good cause — and letting travelers have a little fun while waiting for buses or baggage.

They’ve turned the vintage arcade games, Ms. Pac-Man, Space Invaders and Galaga, into donation boxes at two airports, Stockholm Arlanda and Göteborg Landvetter. Visitors waiting at baggage claim areas can use their spare quarters and euros to set a new high score. People waiting for a flight can try to top that score while getting rid of unspent krona.

You can use whatever coins you have and every cent, euro, or yen goes straight to the Swedish Red Cross, which had traditional donation boxes in the airports for years.

Red Cross spokesman Morgan Olofsson told Euronews the idea of adding retro arcade games to the mix is “a fun new way to also reward people who make a donation – a win-win, so to speak.”

Well, “win-win” until someone beats your high score.

[kuhio98]

Police Officer Helps Determined Runner Finish Her Race, Instantly Becomes a Viral Hero

Asia Ford finished the Rodes City Run in Louisville, Kentucky, in last place, but to her it's one of her biggest wins.

Ford set out on the 10K with one goal in mind, to complete the race no matter what, reports WHAS 11. After struggling with her weight for years, the mom has been making a concerted effort to shed pounds.

Her weight loss journey was kickstarted after her husband lost a limb to diabetes and she began to worry about what her kids would do if her health started to fail.

"That is when I woke up and I couldn't allow them to be on this earth without my help and the only way I would be able to help them is if I helped myself first," she said.

This determination led Ford – who at her heaviest was 474 lbs., to change her diet, join a exercise boot camp with friends and start training for the Rodes City Run.

After months of working out, Ford arrived at the 10K's start line on Saturday morning 25 lbs. lighter and ready race. She powered through the over six mile course, until reaching mile four, when she started to have trouble breathing. At that point, a car pulled up alongside her.

"I'm not going to let her quit, so I got out and she immediately grabbed my hand," Lt. Aubrey Gregory said.

Seeing that Ford was in need of help, Lt. Gregory stopped his car and offered to drive Ford to the finish line.

"He asked me if I wanted to stop and I was like, 'No,' we have two more miles to go," Ford said.

So the officer joined in, walking hand-in-hand with Ford and her son for the rest of the race. The trio completed the remaining two miles together, sharing stories as they moved towards the finish line.

As they made the final steps, the crowd congregated at the end of the race burst in to cheers.

"Your heart starts to fill up, you get those goose bumps and tingles all over your body," Lt. Gregory said. "When I watched her approach and I started to hear people scream and I let her go right there before the end and to see her raise her hands, there aren't words to express the way I felt seeing her be successful."

The moment not only touched Ford and Lt. Gregory, but thousands of others who heard their story.

Inspired by this touching moment, Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer posted two shots of the pair crossing the finish line on his Facebook, these photos have now been shared over 3,000 times.

Lt. Gregory's simple act of kindness and support moved Ford most of all. After completing the race, she posted a special message about the police officer on her Facebook along with thanks to the countless people who have reached out to her after hearing about her uplifting finish.

"It was really a special moment," Ford said of her interaction with Lt. Gregory.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/11070824_942127955818169_6867127032611712026_n.jpg ?oh=a9a7b78f92fa4713361877b017c4b7bf&oe=55AAAF58&__gda__=1434507232_bc9f27914f48c74ac6ca0ec32230aab 9

[Karen]

What a wonderful story, and both the officer and the runner will remember this day forever!

[Taz_Zoee]

I don't know if it's a typo on the article posted above, but she lost 217 pounds before participating in the marathon. It says 25 above.

[kuhio98]

I don't know if it's a typo on the article posted above, but she lost 217 pounds before participating in the marathon. It says 25 above.

Fantastic! Good to know. I copied it from here: http://www.people.com/article/police-officer-helps-woman-finish-race So, that's where the 25 came from.

[kuhio98]

The Smile Sent from Heaven
A grieving mother is comforted by a photograph she never knew existed.
by Lorraine Standish

That smile. If only I could see that smile again...

The colorless walls of the hospital waiting room closed in on me as I watched the minute hand creep around the clock. Three hours down. Two more to go. Oh Lord, this is torture, I thought.

I leaned forward on the stiff couch in the corner of the room and leafed through the dog-eared, coffee-stained magazines that littered a table. Desperate for a distraction. Anything to take my mind off my husband, Myles, undergoing his third heart surgery in less than two years.

But it wasn’t just Myles. Another loved one haunted my thoughts. I flashed back to the day six years ago when our daughter Linda’s life came to a tragic, inevitable end.

I had been in a hospital just like this one. Those same suffocating beige walls closing in on me. The soulless beeping of the heart monitors in the ICU. And Linda lying there helpless, a swelling the size of a tennis ball on the back of her head. Clumps of dried blood still clinging to her scalp.

The official cause of death was head trauma, but Myles and I knew the truth. She had passed out and fallen down the stairs, drunk before breakfast.

If I closed my eyes, if I pushed my memory, I could still see Linda as a happy girl. She had a smile that could make the grumpiest person smile too, like the sun bursting through the clouds. It was hard to pinpoint exactly when that smile began to disappear.

Linda started drinking in high school, maybe to fit in, maybe out of boredom or insecurity, maybe because of me and my history. I’d never know. She dropped out of college and went to rehab. One year later, she was carrying a thermos of vodka to work, “just in case.” No recovery program—not even some time in prison—was enough to divert her from that dark, descending path she was on.

If anyone could understand where that path led, it was me. I knew those depths all too well. I’d been sober since Linda was a baby, but I’d never hid my alcoholism from her. I told her what it was like and how I’d struggled until she was born. She’d even gone to AA meetings with me.

But my salvation was not hers. The program just didn’t take. By age 40, Linda’s liver was failing, and I’d stopped keeping count of the number of blood transfusions she’d had, the number of detoxes and rehabs.

“Mama, I’m gonna get clean,” Linda promised me a year before she died. “You wait and see. I’m going to be happy again.”

I hugged her tight. “Okay, baby girl,” I whispered, wishing I could believe her, wishing I could give her the desire to stop drinking.

The call I’d long dreaded finally came. Linda was in a coma. “There’s too much alcohol in her system,” the doctor said. “We couldn’t operate even if it would help....”

My beautiful, troubled daughter. Gone forever at age 45.

I stood up from the waiting-room couch and began pacing, as if I could walk away from my memories. I twisted my hands together, wringing them. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a smaller room connected to the waiting area.

I wandered toward it and found myself in a cramped, stuffy nook with even more magazines. One stood out. It practically shone—a bright yellow cover featuring lemon pie, my favorite dessert. “Spring Is Coming,” the headline proclaimed, though sunny days were months away.

I took a closer look. An issue of Southern Living magazine from five years before. But it looked brand-new! No creases, no stains, no wear at all, apparently.

It was so strangely well preserved that I couldn’t resist flipping through, pausing now and again to peruse a recipe. I found an article about Foley, Alabama, a city close to where Linda once lived.

All at once time stopped; the waiting room walls receded. It was just me and the magazine in my hands. I stared at an unmistakable image. There, on page 32, in one of the photos from around town, was a young woman, beaming as if lit from within.

That smile. Those eyes, so full of life. Of love. Linda. She looked happy. Joyous. Free from the pain that clouded her life. I held the magazine to my chest, dazed, yet comforted.

Myles got through his surgery just fine. I contacted Southern Living. They had never gotten Linda’s name. They weren’t sure when the photo was taken, or what the circumstances were. They couldn’t explain how a mint copy would show up after six years in a hospital waiting room.

They did, however, send me a copy of the photograph. Every time I look at it, I take it as a reminder of the healing that awaits us all.
http://www.guideposts.org/sites/guideposts.org/files/styles/article_full/public/story/smile_marquee.jpg?itok=Cg0CSMHx

[kuhio98]

Harrison Co. principal's efforts to buy shoes for students receives national recognition

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A Harrison County elementary school principal has received national recognition for raising money to buy shoes for 200 low-income students.

Heth-Washington Elementary School has one of the highest poverty levels in the county, at 75 percent.

"We've had several students who have had holes in their shoes, the soles were peeling off, we've been using duck tape and staples and tying together shoe strings," said principal Nissa Ellett.

But then students started asking to wear the extra shoes in the nurse's office.

"When that happened, I was just devastated. I'm like, 'Oh my gosh, this is so much bigger than I realize,'" Ellett said.

That prompted Ellett to start a fundraiser to buy a pair of shoes for her 200 students. She hoped to raise $6,300. The response was greater than she could have hoped for.

"In 24 days, we raised $17,000," Ellett said.

People mailed in money from all over the country, along with nice notes. So instead of just a pair of shoes, students got boots, gloves, hats, even candy.

"My perspective on it is if we can meet their basic needs, then they can focus on learning and that what's critical," Ellett said.

Teachers are always going out of their way for their students, but Ellett is receiving national attention for her generosity. She hopes the national spotlight will send a message of the power of a small school.

"Maybe it will spark something in another school district or somewhere else that can help other kids, so to me that's why I'm excited to be able to share the message," she said.
http://www.wdrb.com/story/27826234/harrison-co-principals-efforts-to-buy-shoes-for-students-receives-national-recognition?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=11025516

[kuhio98]

Apple Valley (Minnesota) Brothers Save Police K-9 from Drowning

Maverick is a police dog with the Red Wing Police Department. The 5-year-old German Shepard got away from his handler Wednesday after jumping over his 5-foot-5-inch fence.

“He’s curious and he’s active,” police chief Roger Pohlman said. “He likes to run around, get after things.”

He made his way to a nearby pond, where brothers Shawn and Corey Rose were trout fishing for the day.

“He came right up to us,” Shawn said. “He looked like he was kind of hungry, so we fed him a little bit of a sandwich.”

Shawn and Corey played with Maverick before the dog continued to wander the pond. When Maverick approached a hole in the ice, the ice broke off and the dog fell into the water.

“I said, ‘We’re going to have to rescue this dog if it can’t get out,’” Shawn said.

The brothers, along with a friend, ran to help Maverick.

“My buddy Mike grabbed a chisel and started to chisel the ice to see if we could get a channel to shore so he could get up,” Shawn said.

When that didn’t work, Corey reached into the icy water to grab the 90-pound-dog.

“I figured at least if I fall in, I can get him out, and I knew my brothers would get me out,” Corey said.

As Corey pulled the dog out by his collar up onto the ice, Pohlman was driving by in his squad car and saw the whole rescue.

“I thanked them, and I said, ‘K-9 Maverick thanks you, and the police department thanks you,’” Pohlman said. “I said, ‘That is a trained law enforcement K-9.’”

“I was shocked,” Corey said. “I definitely didn’t know it was a K-9 dog, so I was amazed.”

Pohlman said Maverick’s training helped him keep swimming in the cold water, but it was the quick thinking of the brothers that likely helped save his life.

“I’ll remember this day forever,” Corey said.

Maverick is back on duty with the police department.

https://cbsminnesota.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/139414_red-wing-k9-rescue-1.jpg?w=450&h=254

[Karen]

Even well-trained K9 dogs can get in trouble when off duty! Thank goodness those guys were there to rescue him!

[phesina]

What a nice story! So glad that Maverick was rescued, and in such a wonderful way!

:love::love::love::love::love::love::love::love:

[kuhio98]

Heaven-Sent Help to Pay Their Baby’s Bills

We couldn’t afford our newborn’s nursery bill...
by Grace Booth

How could my husband, Doug, be so calm? Sitting on the edge of my bed in the maternity ward, casually flipping through the newspaper like everything would be fine. Everything during my first pregnancy in 1967 had gone fine up to that point. Doug got me to the hospital in plenty of time; six hours later, baby Liz arrived, perfectly healthy, weighing in at exactly eight pounds. I couldn’t wait to be on our way and start our new life as a family of three. Then came the hitch.

“We just need to settle your bill before you can be discharged,” one of the nurses told us.

“The bill?” Doug and I shared a look. Hadn’t we already handled that? We had accounted for every cost—the hospital fee, the doctor’s delivery fee, and all the maternity fees. We’d budgeted down to our last dime.

“Yes, for use of the nursery. It comes to $50,” the nurse said. “Just head to the front desk and they’ll handle your paperwork.”

Fifty dollars! In the 1960s, that kind of money was hard to come by for us. It would be almost $400 today. “We’ll find a way,” Doug said. He turned back to his newspaper, seemingly unconcerned.

We prepared for this day for months, I thought, frustrated. Lord, don’t you want our family to have a good start?

“Grace, look at this!” Doug pointed out a want ad in the paper. I leaned over to read it. Lost: 1964 Cadillac, Louisiana license plate 835-N62.

“So?”

“I saw this car outside the hospital,” Doug said. “I remember it because it was parked oddly, and one of the tires was flat.”

I was sure he was mistaken. Why would the stolen car be here? But Doug wouldn’t be discouraged. “I’ll be right back,” he said. I wasn’t going anywhere.

Doug darted out to the parking lot and returned minutes later. The car was still there, he said—with the license plate 835-N62. Within the hour, the owners arrived and Doug went out to meet them. He came back smiling.

“The owner was so grateful, he gave me a reward,” Doug said, handing me a check.

A check for exactly fifty dollars.

[kuhio98]

Local (Orlando, Florida) girl runs lemonade stand to help baby get heart transplant
8-year-old raises money for baby's new heart

A local girl's lemonade stand may help a baby boy get a heart transplant.

Caitlyn Lezott, 8, decided to post on social media that she would be selling lemonade to help 3-month-old Beckett get a new heart after her mother told her Beckett's story.

"She read me the story about Baby Beckett and I said I wanted to help," Caitlyn said.

Beckett was born with a bad heart.

"So he's less than 3 months old and is on a donor list for a heart transplant," said Cynterra Lezott, Caitlyn's mother.

"I hope he gets out of surgery soon and has a happy life," said Caitlyn.

Beckett is in a hospital in Gainesville. His mother writes on her blog he is looking good after getting his mechanical heart while awaiting a permanent heart.


Beckett's mother said that she can't wait to meet Caitlyn, Beckett's biggest cheerleader.
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[kuhio98]

Country's BBQ waitress returns $1,300 found on table

COLUMBUS, GA (WTVM) -

A social media post helped find a couple who left behind a big chunk of change while visiting a local restaurant, and its how the money was returned that has lots of people talking.

Kantessa Smith, also known as Tessa, has worked at Country's Barbeque location on Mercury Drive for nearly four years. But her Tuesday was not like any other - she found $1,300 left on the table.

"I had clean off the tables and I saw a bunch of trash on the tables, so I tried to grab it but when I did, it wouldn't bend so I opened it and I found a lot of money in an envelope so I just went and found my manager," Smith said.

The single mother of two kids returned 13 $100 bills to her manager.

They then turned to social media to find the rightful owners.

"We got cameras everywhere so he found the time that they came and the time that they left and we went in the office and found them on the camera and zoomed in on the camera and we took pictures and posted on Facebook to see if anyone would notice them," Smith said.

The restaurant posted pictures of the couple on their Facebook page, and it spread quickly on social media Tuesday night and Wednesday, with hundreds of shares and comments until the couple was finally located. They returned to the store the next morning to retrieve the money.

Why did she return it? Smith says she was raised to return things that didn't belong to her.

The restaurant is calling Tessa a hero for the good deed. And people love her story so much, someone started a GoFundMe campaign for her. You can donate by clicking here. http://www.gofundme.com/Kantessa

Link to video: http://www.wtvm.com/clip/11330272/countrys-bbq-waitress-finds-and-returns-1300

[kuhio98]

From People: Heroes Among Us

After a Tragic Loss, Corey Bergman Gives Sick Kids the Gift of Music

Corey Bergman's son, Jared, was 20 years old, a college student who dabbled in drums and keyboard and was a fan of the Dave Matthews Band, when he died from a viral infection on March 26, 2010.

"When a tragedy like this happens, there's one of two ways a person can go," Bergman tells PEOPLE. "They can fall down and collapse or get up and move forward to try to make a difference."

Bergman and his wife Edda decided to make a fresh start after the tragedy, moving from New York to Miami in 2012. Shortly after, Bergman, now 60, started volunteering at Miami Children's Hospital and Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital. Bergman, who had been playing guitar since he was 11 and has been in a band for many years, would play for patients and their families.

He would even let the kids play his guitar, but it was a bit too big for the youngest kids' small hands. So he decided to try teaching kids the ukulele. Placing it in the hands of one little girl at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital, "it was magical," Bergman tells PEOPLE.
http://img2-1.timeinc.net/people/i/2015/news/150406/corey-bergman-1-800.jpg

[kuhio98]

Hmmm, I'm not sure I completely agree with the interpretation, but it's an interesting take. It's hard when something "bad" happens to us to see that it might be something "good" for another.

If you find someone's wallet -- no matter how much you need the $$ -- I don't think it's ever the right thing to take the money. I wouldn't see it as the "Lord providing" myself. I've been told that I'm a "Pollyanna", but even I have a hard time seeing the good in this situation....

How to Become an Angel
When a purse goes missing, it's found by an angel in just about the nick of time...
by Colleen Hughes

I’d driven all the way home before realizing I didn’t have my purse. I’d left it in the baby seat of the grocery cart I wheeled out to the parking lot. My iPhone, a week’s worth of spending money, my date book full of appointments– how could I have been so absent-minded?

My daughter Evie was with me in the passenger seat, which was highly unusual, and distracting. I mustn’t have checked to be sure I’d gotten everything out of the cart. “I forgot my purse, Evie. We have to go back.” A 15-minute drive. I pulled out of the driveway, immediately sorry I didn’t put Evie out first: “You left your whole purse?”

This wasn’t the first time I chanted the “Please let me find it” prayer. People are good, I told myself at the red light. The huge Lost and Found room at Grand Central Station proved it.

I’d been happily reunited with everything I’d ever left on the commuter trains that run in and out of the city. Even a bag of brand-new Christmas toys anyone could have claimed. But finders didn’t seem to be keepers, as far as I could see.

Evie’s cell phone rang at the next light. Her sister got a call at home. My purse was at customer service in the grocery store, ask for Tia. Halleluiah!

“Did you turn in my purse?” I asked the kid rounding up the carts in the lot. I’d give him a tip. “No,” he said, “I didn’t see it.”

Inside Tia handed me my purse. “A customer rolled it in, left it right there in the cart where he found it.”

“Are people the best, or what?” I said. “Thank you so much.”

Back in the car I pulled out my phone to call home. Date book, wallet… all there. On a lark I opened the wallet. “Evie, all the cash is gone. Every dollar.” Who was to blame?

“Well, Mom, you left it there for anybody…” She was blaming me? “And maybe for somebody who needed it more than you.” I didn’t agree, not completely. But it was a better thought than blaming her, or the cart kid, or the customer, or who knew who, and it didn’t matter.

The world is full of angels on earth, and maybe a little windfall will help someone out there become one.

[Karen]

Hmm, maybe? Hard to know what to feel, isn't it! At least the purse, phone and credit cards were intact!

[kuhio98]

Second Helping: Cafe Gives Juvenile Offenders Second Chance

DALLAS — This is one place that will give you a second chance. Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings was on hand to break bread and officially welcome Cafe Momentum to Thanksgiving Square downtown.

“It’s so important for our business to understand that greatness can come from tough times,” Mayor Rawlings said.

It may look like your typical corner cafe, but this place has something special that isn’t on the menu.

“Our running joke at Cafe Momentum is that we take kids out of jail and teach them to play with knives and fires — and makes Dallas a better community,” Cafe Momentum Executive Chef Chad Houser said.

Yeah, you heard right. For the past five years, Cafe Momentum has taken 160 young men from juvenile detention centers and given them the chance to get real world work experience, serving up something other than jail time.

“We’re seeing kids that never thought they would have hope, didn’t have inspiration in life, actually going on to great things,” Houser said.

Tamarrion Washington is one of those kids. “When I was 14, I committed a crime, and I ended up going to JDC,” he said.

It took going to a detention center for Washington to realize he was definitely on the wrong path. But that was then, and this is now.

“I learned how to, you know, go to work, come home and take care of my daughter,” Washington said. Eight-month-old Leah is his biggest motivator.

“I want her to know that she do have a father, you know, and that her dad always been there, since day one for her,” he said.

And this dad is now getting the momentum he needs to turn his life around.
https://tribcw33.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/still3.png?w=770&h=433

[kuhio98]

Norwalk High School Students Get Lesson In Giving Back, Raise $20K For Charity

NORWALK (CBSLA.com) — Several high school seniors Tuesday donated more than $20,000 to several charities as part of a fundraising project at Norwalk High School.

According to school officials, each student researched a variety of charities and presented the organization they felt connected to within their government classes.

When presentations concluded, every class voted for a specific charity as the recipient of their fundraising efforts.

The following charities were chosen as recipients: Autism Research Institute, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Doorway for Women and Families, Dream Big Project, National Hemophilia Foundation, National Kidney Foundation, Rady Children’s Hospital, Rape Abuse and Incest National Network, Susan G. Komen Foundation, Relay for Life, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors.

Around 10:15 a.m., students presented representatives of the 12 charities with checks inside the school gymnasium.

Many seniors were personally affected by the issues that the selected charities address. Students explained their reasoning for the selection of each charity.

Two students — Arianna Real, whose mother is on dialysis, and Jian Bravo, whose little sister had her kidney replaced to treat cancer — presented a check for $1,500 to the National Kidney Foundation.

“My sister was diagnosed with cancer at a very young age. We weren’t sure if she was going to make it or not because she developed a tumor that was the size of a football ,” Bravo said.

As of Monday, the students raised more than $20,000 for the charities in only three weeks, doubling their original goal of $10,000 officials explained.
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[kuhio98]

Brooke Thomas Gives Away 1,000 Lunches a Week to Needy Kids

Brooke Thomas remembers being just seven while going through the lunch line at Centennial Elementary School in Dade City, Florida, and catching her friends staring at her full tray.

"They didn't have money in their account and I felt bad so I bought them food,” she tells PEOPLE exclusively.

Her mom, Dianna Thomas, had no idea what was going on.

"Brooke was going through the lunch money in her account so quickly – quicker than you normally would – so I started asking her what she was buying," Dianna, 42, tells PEOPLE.

"It turned out she was buying food for some of her peers at school," she says. "I realized it was happening on more than one occasion, and that's when we realized the issue with hunger in the area."

It turns out more than seventy-five percent of the kids at Brooke's school are on free and reduced lunches, so the family decided to do something more permanent to help.

They came up with the idea for what is now The Thomas Promise Foundation, a non-profit that has packed 200,000 meals – about 1,000 every week – for schoolkids in the Tampa area since its inception in 2012.

Brooke, now an 11-year-old who takes dance and horseback riding lessons, also spends several days a week at The Thomas Promise headquarters helping load backpacks full of food.

Her teachers say the adorable and bubbly blonde is an inspiration to her classmates.

"I wish I had more students like Brooke in the building that looked at life like she does," Peggy Gilbert, her third-grade teacher, tells PEOPLE.

"She is the student that the other students know they can go to if they need anything," she says.

"I think the foundation is remarkable," she says. "I watch these kids go home with food that they might not have access to on the weekends and to know this all stemmed from Brooke's young mind, it just blows me away."

Each week, volunteers at The Thomas Promise Foundation pack and give away about a thousand backpacks filled with enough food to get students at 19 elementary and middle schools through the weekend.

They also offer a food pantry to the high school students in the area.

Dianna now runs the foundation. Brooke's father, Wade Thomas, 44, the owner of a local car dealership, donated an empty building on his property that now serves as the foundation's headquarters.

Area businesses donate money that the Thomas Promise then uses to shop with their partner, Feeding America, getting food at drastically reduced prices.

When Christy Cook, a mother of two boys, lost her husband – her high school sweetheart and the family's sole provider – she could barely pay the bills.

The Thomas Promise gave the family food and school supplies for weeks.

"They helped us in our time of need," Cook, 40, of Zephyrhills, Florida, tells PEOPLE.

"We lost everything," she says. "They didn't have to help us. They went above and beyond. What an amazing little girl."

Dianna is amazed at how her daughter has stayed so involved in the cause over the years.

"I'm very proud of her," she says. "It was very nice to see that she was so compassionate and so concerned at such a young age.

"You hope you're raising them to be compassionate," she says, "but to really see her want to make sure kids are receiving everything they need, she is just a great kid."

As for Brooke, she's just glad she's able to help other kids.

"I feel good knowing they have food to eat over the weekend," she says.

[mon]

Everone should be proud of Brooke, I am.

[kuhio98]

Recovered Shelter Cat Spends His Time Helping Other Animals Heal

He may have the best bedside manner in the game. Meet Rademenes the healer cat of Poland's Bydgoszcz Animal Shelter.

The doting black feline first arrived at the shelter as a patient, according to the New York Post. Rademenes was dropped off with a serious respiratory infection. His chances of recovery looked bleak for a while, but the feline pulled through.

After helping to save Rademenes's life, veterinarian Lucyna Kuziel-Zawalich decided to keep the kitty and let him hang around the shelter. That's when Rademenes started doing something rather remarkable.

Without any prompting, the cat started sitting with and comforting animals recovering at the shelter. The nurse cat now spends his days cozying up to cats and dogs who just got out of surgery, helping them stay calm and feel loved.

Ear licks, hugs, nuzzles and purrs are just a few of Rademenes's many affectionate treatment plans. Love is the best medicine, indeed.
http://img2-1.timeinc.net/people/i/2015/pets/news/150427/cat-vet-800.jpghttp://img2.timeinc.net/people/i/2015/pets/news/150427/cat-vet-1-435.jpg

[momcat]

What a wonderful story and what a beautiful kitty! This story absolutely made my day. I'd love to give him non stop lovies :love:

[Felicia's Mom]

Rademenes is a wonderful cat.:love:

[phesina]

Oh, how wonderful! God bless you, dearest Rademenes and all the animals you help heal and all the good people who got you better and then realized you were turning into the shelter's nurse.

:love::love::love::love::love::love::love::love:

[kuhio98]

$5,000 Bicycle Donated To Upland Girl, 10, To Help Alleviate Disabilities

UPLAND (CBSLA.com) — A 10-year-old girl Thursday received a special bike to help alleviate her disabilities.

Kayla Hall has suffered from a congenital disease, known as Prader-Willi Syndrome, since birth. The syndrome causes low muscle tone, reduced mental ability and insatiable hunger. Kayla also suffers from a severe form of juvenile scoliosis, and wears a cast to correct her spine.

Unfortunately, the back condition left her unable to do the one thing she loves the most, which is to ride a bike, unaided.

Kayla’s mother, Melissa, was unable to afford the $5,000 bicycle that would accommodate the special needs.
CBS2 and KCAL9 viewers stepped up to help out after Melissa — a single working mother — set up a GoFundMe page.

“I thought it was a dream,” Melissa told CBS2’s Kristine Lazar, “I thought this kind of stuff doesn’t happen.”

On Thursday morning the dream came true when Kayla got a bike.

The dream started in February when CBS2 first did a piece on Kayla and her need for wheels.
After the piece aired, funds poured in.

“That night, I was in my living room,” says Castillo, “I was crying and laughing all at the same time.”

One individual alone gave $3,000. The $5,000 goal was quickly shattered.

And then the news got even better, a local non-profit — Variety: The Children’s Charity of Southern California — offered to donate the bike so Castillo could save the GoFundMe money for Kayla’s daily care.

“When you put a child with disabilities on a bike,” says Elizabeth O’Neill with Variety Children’s Charity, “those disabilities often just fade away.”

Castillo is in awe of the generosity of the public and Variety.
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[kuhio98]

Florida Crocheter Is Dedicated to Helping Kids Beat Cancer in Style

Samantha Mutschler has turned her hobby into a way to help others.

The West Orange, Florida, resident spends as much time and money as she can creating colorful and cozy hats for children fighting cancer, reports the West Orange Times & Observer.

Mutschler's mission to cover the head of every young cancer patient began when her family friend, Katie Karp, was diagnosed with bone cancer. Wanting to comfort the 12-year-old in some way, Mutschler, 24, decided to make a blanket for the girl. The creation was such a hit that soon Mutschler was being asked to make wraps for the patients of the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children through Katie's Kause, a nonprofit set up by Karp's family that works to keep kids with cancer optimistic.

Wanting to give more to the children she was cheering up, Mutschler began crocheting in 2011, making simple hats to include with her blankets. In a few months Mutschler had created her own cancer support program, Unraveled by Samantha Dawn, and was taking requests from young patients and their families for hats.

From SpongeBob SquarePants to sharks, she has crocheted beanies featuring all kinds of characters and animals, with Disney princesses being a big favorite. Mutschler has donated more than 160 of her hats so far, sending some as far as Holland and Australia.

Mutschler is willing to add and alter any details a child desires in order to make their hat perfect for them. To add even more magic to her gifts, she often makes care packages with stuffed animals and dolls to send along with her hats.

Mutschler is currently working on turning this passion project into a nonprofit, and she has a GoFundMe page to help support her drive to bring smiles to young cancer patients.

"It brings joy to them; it brings joy to me," Mutschler said. "I know I'm doing what God wants me to do. My dream is to one day see a team of ladies working for me in getting more hats out to these precious warriors."

If you would like to commission a hat from Mutschler or donate to her work, visit Unraveled by Samantha Dawn's Facebook page.
http://img2-2.timeinc.net/people/i/2015/news/150406/unraveled-1600.jpg

[kuhio98]

Homeless Man in Florida Discovers Forgotten Bank Account Collecting Pension With Cop's Help

A homeless man who has been living in a cardboard box in downtown Tampa, Florida, for over three years may soon have a modest-sized apartment and a pension check coming in every month, police said.

With the help of a cop and homeless shelter case manager, John Helinski, 62, discovered a forgotten bank account that has been collecting Social Security disability benefits for years, he told ABC News today.

Helinski is looking forward to having a place of his own to call "home" and thankful for the help he has received, he added.

Tampa Police Department Officer Daniel McDonald and Helinski’s case manager, Charles Inman of Drug Abuse and Comprehensive Coordinating Office Inc. (DACCO), have spent the past few weeks trying to help Helinski locate his personal identification documents to get him into housing, Officer McDonald said.

“John came to the DACCO Community Housing Solutions Center last December when it first opened,” McDonald said.

Inman, he added, asked him to help with Helinski’s case because all Helinski’s personal identifying documents and ID were stolen and lost while he was out on the streets.

“As a homeless liaison officer, the bread and butter of my work often involves hopping department to department trying to help homeless people find the ID they need in order to get things like work and housing,” McDonald said.

It’s unclear how Helinski became homeless, but Helinski did say he was born in Poland as a U.S. citizen because his mother was a U.S. citizen just visiting, McDonald said.

Helinski added he believed he had a Social Security number and benefits but thought it was cancelled, McDonald said.

“First, I drove him personally to the local tax collector’s office, where he was able to get a temporary State of Florida ID card,” McDonald explained.

Using the temp ID McDonald was able to help Helinski order his birth record from the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs, he said.

“With his consular birth certificate and temporary ID, we went to the Social Security office, and I just walked up to them and said, ‘This man used to have benefits, can you help us?’” McDonald said.

It turned out Helinski had always been receiving benefits, and he just wasn’t aware because he lost his debit card and had no access to his bank account, McDonald said.

McDonald then drove Helinski to his old bank, where they found his account, "which had still been collecting pension money over time,” he said. “And since he now had his temporary ID card, he could get access to the account.”

Helinski is still at the DACCO Community Housing Solutions Center, but McDonald said Helinski would likely be able to get permanent housing soon.

Though Helinski did not want to disclose the amount in his bank account, McDonald said he was receiving enough in monthly pension payments to have enough to pay for rent for a modest apartment and food without having to work.

Helinski's case manager Inman added he and McDonald are extremely happy for their client.

"This situation looked really difficult, and I wasn’t sure how it was going to end up," Inman told ABC News today. "If it failed, it meant we’d put a 62-year-old man on the street, and Officer McDonald and I were not OK with that."

McDonald is one of few police officers whose work revolves around helping homeless people in their assigned areas.

“We’re uniformed cops with police cars, but we want homeless people to trust us,” he said. “Our job is not to arrest someone. It’s to help them. Homeless people are still accountable to the law, but they’re now starting to see we can be trusted, and this new model and field of policing is gaining popularity very quickly, I think.”
https://gma.yahoo.com/video/homeless-mans-life-changes-discovered-150219454.html

[Karen]

How nice they were able to help, and he will be homeless no more! Thank goodness the bank had not closed his account!

[kuhio98]

Another article on Radamenes. http://blog.theanimalrescuesite.com/nurse-cat/?gg_source=ars&gg_campaign=Ad%20-%20468x250news-slidernursecatapril2015ars&gg_medium=house&gg_content=2015-04/468x250newsslid_150420113838.jpg

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Recovered Shelter Cat Spends His Time Helping Other Animals Heal

He may have the best bedside manner in the game. Meet Rademenes the healer cat of Poland's Bydgoszcz Animal Shelter.

The doting black feline first arrived at the shelter as a patient, according to the New York Post. Rademenes was dropped off with a serious respiratory infection. His chances of recovery looked bleak for a while, but the feline pulled through.

After helping to save Rademenes's life, veterinarian Lucyna Kuziel-Zawalich decided to keep the kitty and let him hang around the shelter. That's when Rademenes started doing something rather remarkable.

Without any prompting, the cat started sitting with and comforting animals recovering at the shelter. The nurse cat now spends his days cozying up to cats and dogs who just got out of surgery, helping them stay calm and feel loved.

Ear licks, hugs, nuzzles and purrs are just a few of Rademenes's many affectionate treatment plans. Love is the best medicine, indeed.
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[kuhio98]

From People Magazine Heroes Among Us: 'SoupMan' David Timothy Has Provided More Than a Million Meals to Dallas's Hungry

Every weekday at lunch time, a white van pulls up in a nondescript parking lot in south Dallas.

People expect it. The van – called the SoupMobile – has never missed a single lunch in 11 years. And it makes quite an entrance, with the Rocky theme song blaring from the speakers.

"There's a method to the madness with the song," says David and Timothy, founder of SoupMobile.

"It's a story of hope about someone who's down and out, and who literally rose to the top. Our message is that you, too, may be down and out, but with hard work and perseverance, you can also rise up out of that."

SoupMobile's mission is to reach out to the homeless and feed them. Since 2003, Timothy and his band of volunteers have served 600 meals a day to those who are hungry. That adds up to about 1.7 million plates of hot, nutritious food. And counting.

"It's way beyond, 'Here's a bowl of soup,' " says Timothy, who is known around town as the SoupMan. "We consider the homeless to be our friends and family."

Before he became SoupMan, Timothy, 66, was living a more conventional lifestyle as a pension consultant.

"I think most people would have said I was a decent person," he recalls. "But everything in my life was pretty much focused on myself. I was not helping my fellow man. It wasn't rewarding."

Having grown up poor, one of four children raised by a divorced mom in Detroit, "I experienced hunger first-hand as a child," he recalls. "I have vivid memories of that – and not just memories of being hungry."

"A lot of nights, dinner was two pieces of white bread and butter, with sugar sprinkled on it. And when we had cereal, it was with water poured on it. To this day, I still eat my cereal with water."

Although he often went to bed hungry, that isn't the most difficult memory: "The hardest part was seeing my mother going through all of that pressure and stress. It tore her apart to send us to bed hungry."

His childhood is one of the main reasons Timothy is so passionate about feeding the homeless today, because he knows what extreme hunger feels like."

"Everybody can understand if you skip a meal. But you and I know we're going to get that next meal. When I was a child, we didn't know if there would be a next meal. So it's not just the hunger, but the fear that went along with that."

In 2003, Timothy asked by a friend what he truly wanted to do with his life. His reply: "I want to feed the homeless." So he quit his corporate job, bought a 1985 van (the "Soup 1") with more than 250,000 miles on it, gathered up a few volunteers and started serving the hungry.

His wife, Peggy, was on board for the life change from the start. Although she passed away from multiple sclerosis a little more than a year after the SoupMobile started, "every time I get in and start the vehicle, I feel her there with us," Timothy says.

During lunch service, which gets going quickly thanks to an advance team that sets up the tables, Timothy and his staff greet the people in line with hugs and laughter. There are no limits on how many times someone can go through the line; they can continue filling up as long as there is food on the tables.

One afternoon, Timothy recalls, a homeless man approached him after lunch and thanked him for the meal, as often happens.

"He said, 'I hadn't eaten for awhile, so I was really hungry. I want to help you; I want to donate something.' " Timothy insisted it wasn't necessary.

"But he reached into the pocket of his threadbare blue jeans and gave me all that he had, which was nine cents," Timothy says. "Nine pennies, and he gave them to me. It was all I could do not to have tears in my eyes. It was the best donation I've ever received."

Timothy has seen first-hand the transformations that can occur with a little assistance and belief in someone. SoupMobile's head chef, Thomas Waters, 59, was homeless himself for years. After learning about the SoupMobile, he worked up the nerve to ask for a different kind of help.

"I came in one day and just asked him for a chance," says Waters, who grew up poor and started stealing cars when he was still in school. "I'd hit rock-bottom, and it was the hardest thing to face. You feel lost when you don't have any help."

When Timothy learned that Waters had experience as a cook, he offered him the job as head chef for SoupMobile.

"By the grace of God, he gave me a second chance," Waters says. "I told him he'd never regret it – and he tells me all the time that he doesn't."

When he's out serving meals these days, "people come up to me to say thank you," Waters says. "It feels great to give back. Anybody can receive, but giving back is the most important thing."

Back at the SoupMobile headquarters in a nondescript building in downtown Dallas, Timothy sits at his desk, surrounded by Rocky memorabilia.

Timothy, who draws a salary now but was paid a dollar for the first two years, has a staff of about five to 10 people, depending on the time of year. Although he's the boss, his chair, however, doesn't seem too comfortable; it's held together by what appears to be duct tape.

Lon Ricker, the foundation's director of development, has been one of many to offer to buy him a new one, "but [Timothy] says, 'No, no, no,'" Ricker says. "It helps him to remember his roots."

"This chair goes back to the founding of the SoupMobile," Timothy explains. "It helps keep me humble and to remember it's not about me."

"We've all heard the expression, 'There but by the grace of God go I,'" he adds. "We've changed that to, 'There go I.' We're the same. We're all just people trying to make their way in this life."
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[kuhio98]

From People Magazine Heroes Among Us

Band of Brothers: Young Guitarists CJ and Max Teas Rock to Help Veterans

Like most boys their age, brothers CJ and Max Teas spend their days shuttling from middle school to baseball practice. But it's the end of the day when they work the hardest.

The brothers rock out at least an hour a night in the family’s Charlotte, North Carolina, guest bedroom turned music studio, rehearsing with their band. They play to crowds at area restaurants and festivals, but don't earn a dime. The boys give away everything they make.

Before moving to Charlotte two years ago, CJ, now 13, and Max, now 12, grew up in a town devastated by the 9/11 attacks. Middletown, New Jersey, lost 37 first responders and residents that day, more victims per capita than any other town in the state.

So the brothers grew up hearing about loss, terrorism and the veterans serving in the wars that grew out of the 9/11 attacks. They felt a strong need to do something.

"We've been raised to give back," CJ says. "The feeling you get when you do it is the reward, and we thought it would be special to help the veterans that have helped our country."

CJ is the more outspoken of the two, but he takes a backseat to his younger brother Max, 12, when the two perform on stage in their band, called CJ and Brother Max. They formed the band two years ago, after winning a bet with their dad, Christopher, a Wall Street executive who commutes between New York and North Carolina.

"Our parents have always played rock music, and then we started playing Guitar Hero and our dad promised he'd buy us guitars if we got to expert level." They did.

Their specialty is music made long before they were born. They count Guns N' Roses, Mötley Crüe and Def Leppard as their musical idols. Last summer, they met guitarist Ryan Roxie, who has played with Alice Cooper. "This world needs more heroes, especially guitar heroes," Roxie tells PEOPLE. "I think what CJ and Max are doing for veterans is not only inspiring to kids their own age, it's inspiring to all of us."

The brothers performed more than a dozen concerts last summer, donating all their performance fees and tips to The Patriot Charities, a nonprofit that raises money for wounded military heroes and their families.

"We are amazed at the caring and commitment of CJ and his brother Max at such a young age," says Dana Bradley, president of The Patriot Charities.

Helping a Veteran with PTSD
So far, the boys have donated $4,500 to pay for a specially trained service dog for a veteran who has suffered from PTSD. They presented "Tiger" to retired Army gunner Angela Simpson late last year.

Simpson, a 31-year-old single mother of three, has suffered from PTSD since witnessing a violent explosion while serving in Iraq in 2008. "The only thing I remember was seeing a big black puff of smoke," she tells PEOPLE. One of her platoon leaders was severely hurt, and Simpson has struggled emotionally ever since.

"I have nightmares, panic attacks and anxiety attacks," she says. Buts Tiger has helped with all of that, and she is grateful to CJ and Max for their gift.

"I think they're amazing," Simpson tells PEOPLE. "I couldn’t stop hugging them. They are incredible young men to just come up with the idea to start a band and help veterans. What young child does that? They are going to go on to help a lot of people and do a lot of amazing things."

CJ and Max were overwhelmed the night they presented Tiger to Angela. "It was an unexplainable feeling. It was an amazing feeling to know this has helped somebody in such a big way," CJ says.

Now that they see the huge need, they just want to do more.

"One dog helps one person, but there are huge waiting lists to provide service dogs," Max says.

So along with the help of their parents, the boys are planning a tour for this summer and hope to raise money to buy more service dogs and to help veterans in other ways.

"I'm happy they found something they love to do," says their mom, Jennifer, an at-home mom. When the boys aren't rehearsing or playing, CJ, an eighth-grader, is busy as a varsity wrestler, and Max, in seventh grade, does kickboxing.

"I love just listening to them," Jennifer says. "I sit on the stairs outside the room and just listen. It makes me so happy that they've found something they love in the music and have found a way to use it to give back. As a parent, I couldn't be prouder."
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[kuhio98]

Shelter Cat Sisters Help Each Other with Baby Duty

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Your sister will always be there for you – these are words that Kanji and Sushii live by.

The kitty siblings both gave birth to kittens recently and have been helping each other raise their babies.

The cats – who are currently being fostered through the Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association (VOKRA) – have twelve kittens between them and are sharing the mother lode of a responsibility together.

The inseparable sisters nurse each other's kittens, according to TheDodo.com, who first reported the story.

"We always work hard [to] adopt bonded pairs together," reads a Facebook post by VOKRA, who says the cat's babies will be ready for adoption at 8-weeks-old. "These mamas sure are a great team, aren't they?"

A-fur-mative!

[lizbud]

What a great story.:) I hope the sisters are adopted together after the babies are grown & adopted.

[phesina]

WONDERFUL!!! Well done, Kanji and Sushii! And well done, Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association!

And may you two sisters be adopted together to a loving good home, once your babies have all found loving good homes.

:love::love::love::love::love::love::love::love: