The good guys thread

[Karen]

What a lovely story, and a fabulous wedding picture to share, too! Too many veterans end up homeless because of what they have been through, and getting back to regular life is a struggle.

[kuhio98]

Wilmington woman starts college fund for homeless teen

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) – A woman from Wilmington is doing all she can to help a teen in need by starting a college fund for a homeless teen from South Carolina.

Kendal Benjamin is a 17-year-old who says homelessness is his reality, but not his label. He lives in a shelter and became homeless after his mother lost her job.

Emily Wetzel saw Kendal's story on our website, and said she was inspired and wanted to help.

"There's so many people that need help and we feel bad and we walk by them, and we don't do anything about it," Wetzel said. "You never know what could happen and you would want someone to do the same for you."

Wetzel started a college fund for Kendal last week. She says she raised almost $500 in the first two hours and is looking to raise a total of $5000 for him.

You can make a donation to the fund at http://www.gofundme.com/7d94go.

[kuhio98]

High School Wrestler's Touching Gesture After Loss Moves Crowd to Tears

There is always joy in winning, but Minnesota high school wrestler Malik Stewart proved there is sometimes even more glory in graceful defeat.

The sophomore moved many inside St. Paul's Xcel Energy Center to tears last week after he lost a state high school wrestling championship to fellow sophomore Mitchell McKee, yet poignantly embraced his opponent's father, who is battling terminal cancer and given only months to live.

"I got a little teary because I lost the match, and I knew the hard times he was going through. The crowd went wild and I heard a couple people say after I did it – that was pretty classy – but I just did it straight from the heart," Stewart told NBC affiliate KARE in Minneapolis/St. Paul.

The young wrestler knows the pain of losing a father while young all too well: His own father died when he was just 7 of a heart attack.

Stewart's ultimate show of sportsmanship sweetly stunned many who watched it and knew the McKee family's struggle. His inspiring act was particularly appreciated by his opponent.

"It was a big match for him and to be able to hug my dad like that and not be mad and storm off like a lot of kids do," said McKee. "Really respectful."

Already, Stewart's mature display is being touted as a model of sportsmanship by other coaches who watched the heartwarming scene.

"The whole crowd gave a standing ovation, not just for the STMA wrestler and his father, but for Stewart, who understands what true sportsmanship is," T.J. Anderson, an assistant wrestling coach at Minnesota's Dassel-Cokato Middle School, wrote in a letter to Stewart's school district.

"Mr. Stewart is a model wrestler that we can all use in our examples of what a true athlete is."
.....

[kuhio98]

WCCO Viewers Help ‘Cupid’ The Dog Get Needed Surgery

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — A rescued puppy is able to spread the love he’s received thanks to WCCO’s viewers. On Saturday night, we introduced you to a 3-month-old hound named Cupid.

The rescue group Ruff Start took him in, knowing he’d need surgery to fix his deformed front paws. Azure Davis, the rescue group’s founder, couldn’t turn him away and neither could anyone who saw his story.

“It’s just crazy to see how generous people are. We are so thankful,” she said. “As soon as the story aired, $5,000 to $6,000 came in with 48 hours.”

Ruff Start Rescue was hoping to raise $6,000 to cover Cupid’s surgery and therapy costs. University of Minnesota veterinarians will perform surgery to correct his deformed front paws early next week. He’ll have splints then undergo therapy.

As for the hundreds of adoption applications that poured in, Davis said it’ll be at least two months until the rescue reaches back out to homes that may be a good fit.

Nearly $8,000 has been donated to Cupid’s therapy fund. Ruff Start is using the extra money collected to help other rescues that need medical attention.

“It’s been great,” Davis said, of receiving the financial support. “It makes us feel like we can take on dogs like this. That we can help the unfortunate dogs. We want to save them all, but taking them on can put them in a tough financial spot.”

Among them, a 10-month-old Chihuahua named Little Waffles.

He’s suffered seizures since they took him in last December. Medicine hasn’t been successful and blood work suggests he suffers from an autoimmune disorder. Extra tests are needed, but are expensive.

Ruff Start Rescue finds homes for 160-180 dogs and 60-70 cats at any given time. Since it doesn’t have a shelter, all of the pets live at foster homes until a permanent family finds them.

Oke is a pitbull who’s been waiting for a home for the last two years. He’s an energetic and loveable dog, but needs allergy shots, which can be an extra cost that makes it hard to find a home.

Davis said Oke would be best with a family that has older kids and no dogs or female dogs. He’s big, strong and full of energy. Since they don’t have a foster home for him, he’s been living in a boarding house for the time being.

“We’re hoping to get his story out there and find him someone. That perfect family we know has got to be out there, somewhere, looking for him too,” Davis said.

Like the pets they save, big or small, Ruff Start Rescue knows donations at any amount are gifts filled with love.

“$10 here. $10 there. It adds up. Everything adds up,” Davis said with a smile. “That makes us be able to save these little dogs that there’s no way otherwise we could. So thank you.”

Ruff Start Rescue is still accepting donations to help Cupid’s medical fund.

For more information about donations or adoptions, visit the links below:
Cupid’s Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/cupidssecondchance
Cupid’s Fundraising Page http://www.razoo.com/story/Cupid-Mak...-More-To-Come?

[kuhio98]

Man Donates Kidney To Cop, Then Cop Repays The Kindness

A Minneapolis police officer wants to give back to the man who saved his life.

Carlos Baires Escobar had been on the waiting list for a kidney for two years. In January, 20-year-old Sebastian Rivera saw a Facebook posting detailing Baires Escobar’s story. Rivera then donated a kidney.

And every day now, Baires Escobar shows signs of healing.

“These guys miss me, so it feels good to be back,” he said.

On the job for six weeks after a kidney transplant, the daily routine brings new meaning.

“Slowly, my body has been adjusting to the new organ, and I’m feeling great,” Baires Escobar said.

He found health through a Facebook posting and a 20-year-old unlike any other.

“Without any reservations, he just decided to help somebody who he didn’t know,” Baires Escobar said.

Rivera says he doesn’t regret the decision at all.

Pain and a long recovery didn’t stop him from offering an organ. It was a gift that came with no expectations.

“Helping someone out, just because…it should be a normal thing, you know,” Rivera said.

But a good deed doesn’t go unnoticed, and Rivera needed help of his own.

Winter weather caused him to crash his car right before the organ donation surgery. He’s also been out of work for recovery for weeks, he and can’t afford the thousands needed to fix his car.

“So I decided I should do something about that,” Baires Escobar said.

The Facebook page where the police officer once asked for an organ, now includes a plea to help Rivera.

“I just want to give him something back for something I could never pay for,” Baires Escobar said. “It feels good to help people. It feels good to say, ‘You know what: I’m going to help you.’”

If you’d like to help donate to the fund set up for Rivera, you can donate to any US Bank branch under the Help a Hero fund.