The good guys thread

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Students cut hair to raise money for cancer research
Hair will be made into wigs

CUMBERLAND, Maine —Dozens of students, teachers and other volunteers at Greely High School in Cumberland are chopping off their hair for a good cause.
In what the school has dubbed "The Pantene Beautiful Lengths Ponytail-Cutting Event," volunteer hairdressers from around Cumberland County spent Tuesday afternoon cutting hair that will then be donated to an organization that turns it into wigs.
Those wigs will then be distributed to women who have lost hair due to cancer treatment.

"I love doing this. I've done it two times already. This is my third time," said a student Meredith Clark.

The event is sponsored by the American Cancer Society.

"I think it says that our students really care and we feel whatever little bit you can do to help, you don't need to be personally touched by cancer to make a difference," said teacher Katie Dexter.

[kuhio98]

Because Comic Relief Really Works

The Big Apple Circus's Clown Care program brings cheer to thousands of sick kids. The team does their "rounds" in 16 pediatric hospitals around the country, making nearly 250,000 visits a year.

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Indianapolis waitress gets $446 tip

INDIANAPOLIS - CeCe Bruce has received a couple of large tips in her life, but nothing like the one she got Wednesday morning.

CeCe works at the Steak 'n Shake restaurant at Keystone and 54th Street.

She said, "I was having a hard time at another table, but kept smiling and going on," and that's when one of her regular customers did something that shocked her.

When CeCe picked up the credit card receipt, "at first I thought, '$46?' And I said, 'Miss Jo, that's really generous!'"

But Miss Jo had actually left her a far bigger tip.

"When I looked again, I said 'Oh my gosh Miss Jo, I'm not taking that!' And she said, 'Yes, you're taking it' and I said no and she said 'You need to take it'," CeCe said.

The bill was $5.97, the tip $446.

"I didn't think I was worth $400 but, you know, she feels I am," she laughed.

CeCe, who's going to school part-time at Martin University, said the tip couldn't have come at a better time.

"Pay bills, pay bills right on time, that's what I'm definitely going to do," CeCe said.

She wasn't the only one at the restaurant wearing an extra big smile.

Manager Lindsay Banack said, "You've seen how everyone was pepped up a bit...it just makes me feel good about humanity."

As for Miss Jo? CeCe barely got the chance to say thank you.

"She's a really sweet lady and she didn't want any gracious gratitude. She signed the receipt and walked out the door," CeCe said, adding, "Miss Jo, if you're watching, I love you and thank you very much!"

[kuhio98]

[kuhio98]

Because Earth Day Is Every Day

Coming to a local garden center near you: Some of the country's largest nurseries are using recycled butter tubs instead of brand-new black plastic planters this spring as part of a new initiative from TerraCycle, a company that creates fun new products from recycled packaging. Learn more (and find out how you can get involved) at terracycle.net.

[kuhio98]

Teacher Saves Several Students During Oklahoma Tornado by Lying on Top of Them

To be a teacher is already to be a hero, but during Monday's monstrous tornado in the suburbs of Oklahoma City, Rhonda Crosswhite put her life directly on the line after first seeing that several of her students had taken refuge only moments before the twister devastated their school.

"I was in a [bathroom] stall with some kids and it just started coming down, so I laid on top of them," the sixth-grade teacher at Plaza Towers Elementary in Moore, Okla., told Savannah Guthrie on Tuesday's Today show. "One of my little boys just kept saying, 'I love you, I love you, please don't die with me.' But we're okay. We made it out."

All of the children who were with her are now safe, there was one minor injury – a cut to the head, said Crosswhite – and she herself emerged with only some scrapes on her feet, which she called "irrelevant, considering what could have happened."

"I never thought I was going to die," she said. "The whole time I just kept screaming to them, 'Quit worrying, we're fine, we're fine.' And I'm very loud, so I just hoped they could hear me, because I could hear them screaming. One girl, she's in my homeroom, was sobbing, and I was like, 'We're going to be fine, we're going to be fine, I'm protecting you.' And then I said a few prayers. 'God please take care of my kids.' And we're fine."

Recalling the tornado and its 200-m.p.h. winds, Crosswhite said, "I don't remember what it sounded like, honestly. It was like a freight train, but I don't remember much about it,'' she said about the sound of the tornado. "It felt like someone was beating me up from behind. The stuff was just coming down on my back. I thought I was fine, [but] I have cuts everywhere that I didn't even realize I had."

After the interview, Damian Britton, one of Crosswhite's charges during the ordeal, had something to give her. A great big hug.

"I told you we were going to be okay," she told him, as he murmured "Thank you" and the two dissolved into tears.

GlobalGiving is raising funds for emergency supplies for victims, as well as longer-term relief and rebuilding efforts. Donate online or text GIVE OK to 80088 to donate $10 to GlobalGiving's Oklahoma Tornado Relief Fund. Message and data rates may apply. Terms: mgive.org/t

[kuhio98]

Animal Rescue Photos from Oklahoma


June Simson and cat Sammi

Amid the death and destruction facing families left displaced by the tornado that struck several suburbs of Oklahoma on Monday, a handful of residents have been fortunate to return to the sites of their homes and come face-to-face with their furry friends.

Earlier in the week, Barbara Garcia was reunited with her missing dog during an on-camera interview, in which a member of the CBS News crew spotted her pup struggling to escape the debris.

Garcia's story is just one of many touching reunions, such as that of June Simson (above). Upon returning to the remains of her home, she discovered her cat, Sammi, covered in dirt but alive, standing atop the rubble.


Jessica Wilkinson and Alli Christian (left) share a sweet embrace with Bella

Jessica Wilkinson (right), whose Norman, Okla., home was left almost completely leveled, visited the scene and found a welcome surprise: dog Bella, who was returned to her by Alli Christian (left).


Christine Phillips takes a lunch break with Henry

In Moore, a community of 41,000 that saw some of the tornado's worst devastation, Henry the guinea pig received a well-deserved meal from Christine Phillips.


Maeghan Hadley does her best to keep this kitten in bright spirits

Members of the 1 Day Ranch pet rescue in Shawnee, Okla., did their part to aid further furry reunions by tending to the animals being rescued from the wreckage, like this pint-sized kitten in the hands of Maeghan Hadley.


There's no chance of these two being separated again

Over in Oklahoma City, a young boy kept a firm grip on his beloved pooch.

How you can help:
Displaced Oklahoma residents in search of their missing pets can also visit the Moore Oklahoma Tornado Lost and Found Animals Facebook page, where contributors have been posting photos of recovered animals.

GlobalGiving is raising funds for emergency supplies for victims, as well as longer-term relief and rebuilding efforts. Donate online or text GIVE OK to 80088 to donate $10 to GlobalGiving's Oklahoma Tornado Relief Fund. Message and data rates may apply. Terms: mgive.org/t