The good guys thread

[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.

[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."

[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?aut...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

[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.

[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/t...lac-love-story