The good guys thread

[kuhio98]

Dillie the Deer: Love on Tiny Hooves

[kuhio98]

Gardeners to the Rescue
Out of gas in a remote setting, she wondered who she could turn to for help.

By Mary Gojkovich, Westport, Connecticut

Time was always tight in the morning when I got my fourth grader, Katie, ready for school. Today she had to be there early, so our schedule was even tighter. We had to leave at 6:00 a.m. if we wanted to get from New Canaan, Connecticut, to Katie’s school in Greenwich on time.

“I just hope we don’t hit traffic,” I told Katie as we left the house.

I looked at my watch as we approached the highway. We were cutting it close. “Better take the back roads,” I said, driving past the entrance. I glanced at the gas gauge: It was low, but I was certain I had enough to get us to school and I certainly didn’t have time to stop at a gas station.

I’d been driving for about 25 minutes when the car slowed down–and then stopped. “What’s happening?” asked Katie.

“We ran out of gas. Wait here.” I opened my door and got out. There wasn’t a car in sight. So much for being early, I thought. And then a truck came along.

“Hop in and I’ll take you to a gas station,” the driver offered. He seemed nice enough, but I couldn’t get in a car with a stranger. Especially not with Katie. Ten more minutes passed. Lord, I’m in a real jam!

Another truck came along, full of landscaping equipment. This one had two men in it. “How can we help?” the driver asked. I explained our situation. “We’ll get gas for you at the station up the road and come right back,” he said. When they returned they filled my tank.

“What do I owe you?” I asked.

“Nothing,” said the driver. “It’s our pleasure.” It was then that I noticed the company logo on his shirt: Gardening Angels. Katie got to school early–thanks to some gardeners who arrived right on time.

[kuhio98]

More than 100 Eighth-Graders Join Forces to Build Their California School a Library

This article was originally published by NationSwell, a website dedicated to sharing the stories of innovative Americans who are working to effect social change and move the country forward.

Don’t tell the eighth-graders at Realm Charter School in Berkeley, Calif., that they can’t do something. They’ll end up proving you wrong.

As part of an in-school design and building class called Studio H, this gang of 108 13-year-olds is creating a library for their three-year-old school. X-Space, as the students are calling it, is a project that grew from a question their teacher Ms. Nini (Hallie Chen) posed to them: What do you want from your school?

"One of the students said they want to find their inner self. One said they want to understand how microphones work," Chen said in the project’s Kickstarter video. "Overwhelmingly, they all wanted a place to read, relax, focus, learn and explore." And where's a better place to do that than in a library?

The class got together to conceptualize and design every part of the X-Space – from bookmarks to book bags to stamps and, of course, bookshelves. That's where their concept took on a life of its own. The students, inspired by the algebraic concept of solving for X as an unknown, designed what they call STAX, a shelving system made from stacked, wooden X's.

The students' plan is not just to build an extensive shelving system out of these X's – which are crafted from 13-ply finished plywood using CNC (Computer Numerically Controlled) technology, which was borrowed from Carl Bass, CEO of Autodesk, whose factory is nearby – but to use these same materials for tables, benches and stools, as well. The students estimate that they'll need about 250 to 275 STAX for their design, and are raising money to help fund the project. They're even offering STAX as rewards.

For these students, X can be anything. "We designed this thing that not only solves something for us, but can be good for other people, too," Valeria, a Studio H student, said.

Studio H was first launched in rural Bertie County, N.C. In this class, students apply what they've learned in their core subjects to design and build "socially transformative" projects. Previously, Studio H students have built a farmers market pavilion, a pop-up park, laser-etched skateboards and more. In the program, the students learn how to shape their environment. They see their ideas come to fruition. And most important, they can design and build something special for other kids to enjoy.

The first semester was just skill building," Emily Pilloton, who founded Studio H, told Fast Co.Exist about Realm Charter School’s project. "Then we asked them, OK, now let's look around us at our school community and let's ask what do we need, but also what do we want? What are the things that we feel passionate about and we can physically build?"

They wanted a place to explore. "I thought that was really a poignant way to put it," Pilloton said. "A library is not just a room filled with books."

[cassiesmom]

Winners Of $4 Million Lotto Prize To Make Donations Benefiting Pets

(CBS) – A pair of pals say their pets are going to be the first winners as they cash in a $4 million willing instant lottery ticket.

WBBM’s John Cody reports Marta Paciorek and her friend Anna Hassan have been buying over a hundred dollars’ worth of tickets a week for months now and now they’ve scratched off a winner which they’re taking in a lump sum up front.

“It is a 2.4 [million dollars] cash option and then if you split it into two then it is 1.2 [million dollars] and then after that it is a couple hundred thousand, so it really didn’t make any sense for us to take it over 20 years,” said Paciorek.

Paciorek, originally from Poland, says she plans to share the funds with her family and American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

“Animals are lovable creatures that deserve to be treated as members of the family, just like Tabby, my 10-year old Labrador Retriever,” she said in the statement. “I’m happy this lottery win will allow me to donate to an animal rights charity.”

The store will receive a $40,000 bonus, 1 percent of the prize amount, for selling the winning ticket.

[phesina]

That's wonderful!!!

[kuhio98]

10 News helps Bill Adams find his 'mystery Angel' on Facebook

Clearwater, Florida - A Clearwater man says he's alive, thanks to a complete stranger.

Last June, Bill Adams was up on a ladder cleaning out his gutters when all of a sudden:

"I fell backwards and hit my head."

Bill's heart had stopped beating.

"I had what is called 'sudden death syndrome," he explains.

Bill awoke hours later in a hospital bed, not knowing what exactly happened. His wife had seen the fall, but froze up. Then a stranger appeared, who started to perform CPR until paramedics arrived. As soon as they did, the Good Samaritan left.

She gave my wife a hug and said, 'Everything will be all right,' and that's all we saw of her," says Bill.

For six months, Bill searched for this woman, but no luck. So on Wednesday, we took part in the search and thanks to social media, an Angel really was looking over Bill.

Her name is Angelique Tyson, but goes by the name Angel for short. Angel happens to be a 10 News viewer and saw that we were searching for her on Facebook.

Bill and Angel spoke over the phone for the first time on Wednesday afternoon.

"I'm so thankful that you were there," Bill told Angel.

Bill says it's a miracle that we found her, but the real miracle is that Angel found Bill.

[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.