Veteran Goes From Janitor to Physicist After Teaching Himself Trigonometry Using Only Youtube Videos

By

-

Dec 16, 2019

This US Army veteran is a perfect example of how anyone can achieve their dreams—regardless of their experiences.

Joshua Carroll had only been in high school when an airplane crashed into the World Trade Center back in 2001. Rather than pursue a college education, Carroll got his GED so he could enlist in the military.

After spending three deployments in Iraq, Carroll returned to his home in Virginia and found himself suffering from PTSD—and a general lack of purpose.

Carroll had begun working as a janitor at a local school when he caught sight of a Stephen Hawking book sitting on a library shelf. As he flipped through the pages, Carroll suddenly decided to pursue his childhood dream of being a physicist.

With just a 10th grade education in geometry, Carroll managed to persuade the admissions staffers at Radford University to let him skip the prerequisites for the physics program provided he could teach himself trigonometry.

Armed with nothing but the internet, Carroll prepared for his entrance exam by watching dozens of YouTube videos to learn advanced mathematics in just three weeks.

Not only did he pass with flying colors, he graduated as one of the top students in his class—and he has been working as a physicist ever since.

(WATCH the inspiring video below)

Be Sure And Share The Inspiring Story With Your Friends On Social Media…

Pope’s Dream Comes True As 24/7 Church for Rome’s Homeless Opens Just Blocks Away From St. Peters

By

Andy Corbley

-

Dec 16, 2019

After months of renovation, Pope Francis is hailing the launch of a project that he has long dreamed of in Rome: a 24-hour church and shelter for the homeless.

Opened on December 9th, the church is designed to be a place where the homeless can wash their clothes, connect to the internet, escape the cold, or relax and have a rest, as well as a place to receive food, water, clothes, blankets, and spiritual and psychological comfort.

“Churches with closed doors should be called museums,” wrote Pope Francis in a letter detailing the church’s mission to Padre Ángel García, the founder of the Catholic NGO Mensajeros de la Paz (“Messengers of the Peace”). “I wish that the doors to the House of God are always open because it walks among the peoples, in the history of men and women.”

The newly-renovated sanctuary, which has been dubbed the Church of the Santissime Stimmate di San Francesco, or “Holy Stigmata of St. Francis”, was built by Garcia and the nonprofit in Rome’s historic Pigna district.

Always Open

In his letter to Padre Ángel, Pope Francis praised the project as a common home to build together, and that a 24/7-church and shelter represented “an oasis of peace of the love of God, a place of welcome, reconciliation and forgiveness”.

LOOK: When Fire Leaves 500 Muslims Without Place of Worship, Synagogue Opens Their Doors

The Mensajeros de la Paz foundation has been constructing these church/shelters since 2015 when they finished their first project in Madrid. The Church of San Anton was the first of what Father Garcia saw as his dream: a temple whose doors never closed.

San Anton also brought technological modernization to their 24 hour services, offering free WiFi, power outlets, television screens playing papal related news, and even confessions by iPad for the hard of hearing.

Being the patron saint of animals, the Church of San Anton is pet-friendly, and has a dog fountain outside. Inside, they offer free coffee to visitors.

Padre Garcia operates several of these churches, not just in Madrid and Rome, but also in Barcelona, Mexico City, and Amman, Jordan—but it is the Stigmata St. Francis which is closest to the Pope’s heart.

“Pope Francis always says that he would like to have a poor Church for the poor. This project is just that. We count on his blessing,” the founder of Mensajeros celebrated.

(WATCH the news coverage below) – Photo by Vatican News

Be Sure And Share The Inspiring Story With Your Friends On Social Media…

Single Mom Receives Free Car in the Drive-Through After Being Nominated for a ‘Christmas Wish’

By

Good News Network

-

Dec 16, 2019

A woman near Fort Worth, Texas was surprised with a new car—nominated to receive a Christmas Wish because she always manages to stay friendly and kind, despite her valiant struggles as a single mom.

Bridgett works at Chick-fil-A in Benbrook, Texas, and anyone who visits the restaurant knows her by her infectious optimism. She brings smiles to local residents every day; knows their names and faces, as well as their orders. She’s never shy to give out hugs, hold babies for tired mothers, and everything in between.

So when her car was totaled, it’s no surprise that her friends wanted to do everything they could for her.

One of those friends was Amy. She wrote a letter to 94.9 KLTY in Dallas/Fort Worth, explaining Bridgett’s situation and the dire circumstances she was under—on top of her car being totaled, Bridgett’s son had been admitted to the hospital. A new car seemed completely out of reach.

“With my kids, it’s not ‘can we go to Chick-fil-A’, it’s ‘can we go see Bridget’, so I just felt led, like, someone needs to know about this,” said Amy. “She’s so deserving.”

She nominated Bridget for KLTY’s Christmas Wish program and station reporter Bonnie Curry called Dane Minor of Freeman Toyota, who coincidentally had been praying to find the perfect person to give a new car.

Together, Dane and Bonnie pulled up to the Chick-fil-A drive-through window to receive their order from a smiling, gracious Bridgett. As she handed them their drinks and food, Dane explained that they had a surprise for her.

Bridgett broke down in tears as her coworkers lead her outside and Dane handed over the keys—and 94.9 KLTY shared another surprise: $2,000 to get Bridgett caught up on bills and groceries.

Bridgett has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love. “This is so deserved! Ms. Bridgett is the sweetest!” Nancy Lemons commented. “She’s always giving joy to each person she interacts with.”

This heartwarming video might inspire YOU to do more to bless people this holiday season.

(WATCH the video below from KLTY radio)

Send Someone The Christmas Spirit by Sharing This On Social Media…

MORE: Kristen Bell is Using Her Instagram Page to Help Send Thousands of Gifts to Teachers in Need

“People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don’t believe in circumstances. The people who get on in the world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want—and if they can’t find them, make them.” – George Bernard Shaw

Quote of the Day

By

Good News Network

-

Dec 16, 2019

Quote of the Day: “People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don’t believe in circumstances. The people who get on in the world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want—and if they can’t find them, make them.” – George Bernard Shaw

Photo: by Tim Vrtiska, CC license on Flickr – cropped

With a new inspirational quote every day, atop the perfect photo—collected and archived on our Quotes page—why not bookmark GNN.org for a daily uplift?

Coastal Dutch ‘Farm’ Grows Seaweed to Filter Pollution From Their Favorite Beach –And Tackle Climate Change

By

Andy Corbley

-

Dec 15, 2019

When it comes to global-scale issues, it’s often the small, localized problems that spur people to action.

While the often-dire rhetoric of the climate crisis is a powerful driver of green technology, it was the visual blight of pollutants floating in the shore waters off their favorite Dutch beach that caused two intrepid Hollanders to try and do their part.

Nikki Spil and Sjoerd Laarhoven, residents of IJmuiden, regularly watched runoff tumble out of the factory on one side of the IJmuiden harbor before drifting across to the pristine beach so often enjoyed by citizens of The Netherlands.

“If you’re constantly in this area, you can literally see the pollution float by”, Nikki told MaatschapWij. “Especially on stormy days there is no way around it. Sjoerd and I wondered whether there was anything we could do to tackle this problem.”

Now, across from the smoke-belching chimneys of the Tata Steel factory, Nikki and Sjoerd farm seaweed at their Sea Farm Ijmond, as a simple, nature–based answer to the pollution drifting toward their beach.

Lungs of the Earth

Reports like the one published in July that produced a model showing that mankind can combat the worst of CO2 emissions by planting a trillion trees makes it seem like they are the optimal flora for the job.

“People often think that trees can provide the world with the biggest amount of oxygen, but actually it’s the algae,” says Nikki. “They’re the lungs of the Earth.”

Seaweed is also a natural filter of pollutants, and is used as a treatment in chelation therapy for patients with heavy metal poisoning. Nikki and Sjoerd deliberately chose to create Sea Farm Ijmond in an area where it could clean their local harbor, even though their seawead might grow better elsewhere.

An Alternative to Plastic

Seaweed, if dried and rendered properly, can also be used to replace plastic for many common household items. Good News Network reported on the efforts of some Dutch scientists trying to bring seaweed plastics to market on a wider scale—and, Nikki and Sjoerd are providing their harvest as a resource.

Designers Eric Klarenbeek and Maartje Dros developed the bioplastic to replace synthetic plastics, using their dried algae which can be turned into a material that can then be used in 3D printers to create plastic items from trash cans to tableware and shampoo bottles.

They have partnered with a number of other companies producing bio-polymer to create a network known as 3D Bakery. They hope that – instead of buying products from large multi-national companies – one could simply walk down the street and “bake” some replacement items, whether it be cups, plates, flower vases, or tables.

While Nikki and Sjoerd’s seaweed farm is still small, come harvest time the aquatic plant is shipped off to a refinery in the town of Petten.

“There they purify it and turn it into a natural fertilizer. The rest is being prepared for bioplastic as we speak,” said Nikki.

– Photo by the Sea Farm Zee Boerderij IJmond on Facebook

Don’t Let This Story Drift Away… SHARE it on Social Media…

1,000 Strangers Rally to Help Crowd-Stitch the Intricate Unfinished Quilt of a Deceased Stranger

By

McKinley Corbley

-

Dec 15, 2019

A story... (in proper thread form)

I go estate sale shopping regularly and whenever I find an unfinished embroidery project I buy it and finish it bc there’s no way that soul is resting with an unfinished project left behind. One day I found this stunner for $5. The I walked pic.twitter.com/2zIzTsRuSI
— Shannon “Badass Cross Stitch” Downey (@ShannonDowney) October 23, 2019

Shannon Downey never knew the deceased woman who had spent years toiling over this embroidered quilt of the United States—all she knew was that she had to finish it.

A 41-year-old artist, Shannon often visits estate sales so she can find unfinished craft projects that she can complete and then donate to charity. She had been browsing through one particular Chicago estate sale back in October when the patchwork masterpiece revealed itself.

Each piece of the quilt had been carefully planned to divide the country into 100 different hexagonal sections, but the stitching was only half-done. Downey could tell that it had been crafted by an expert needleworker—and it was on sale for just $6.

“I walked into the bedroom and found a box full of fabric. I opened it up and discovered it was a massive quilting project that was just begun. Every bit of the project mapped out and in this plastic tub,” Downey recalled on Twitter. “I sat on the floor and almost cried because I knew I had to buy it and finish it, but it was a massive … undertaking and while I embroider, I don’t quilt.”

WATCH: 11-Year-old Crocheting Prodigy is Raising Thousands of Dollars for Orphans–One Stitch at a Time

After purchasing the project, Downey did some digging and found that it had belonged to a retired nurse named Rita Smith who passed away at the age of 99 back in August.

“That woman STARTED a massive quilting project at 99,” emphasized Downey. “Now I really had to finish this thing.”

Despite her determination, finishing the quilt would take Downey years to do on her own—so she reached out to her Instagram followers and asked for help.

Within 24 hours, more than 1,000 people volunteered to help take on the project.

I made a massive spreadsheet and collected mailing addresses. I started preparing the squares to ship out to my new team. As I did, I discover Rita had stitched 2 of the states already! What a grand surprise. I’m not saying I cried but I’m not saying I didn’t. pic.twitter.com/YfkzPZ25NO
— Shannon “Badass Cross Stitch” Downey (@ShannonDowney) October 23, 2019

Downey soon assembled a team of 50 needleworkers from across the country and assign each of them a portion of the quilt to complete. Since Smith had completed two hexagons of the quilt, along with its border, prior to her passing, Downey and her team are doing their best to mimic Smith’s embroidery style.

The crafters have become friends now—and hope to finish stitching the quilt designs sometime next year. After that, Downey has arranged for a team of Chicago-based quilters to take over the project and put the final pieces together.

Once the quilt is stitched together, it is set to go on display at the National Quilt Museum in Paducah, Kentucky—and Downey is thrilled.

“I’ve been living with goosebumps for like two weeks. It’s so cool,” Downey told CBS News. “It’s overwhelming. Humans are awesome.”

(WATCH the news coverage below *NOTE: International viewers can check out the footage on the CBS website)

Complete This Sweet Story by Forwarding it to 50 Friends On Social Media…

Dad Mourns His Late Daughter By Creating a Christmas Tree Farm to Bring Cheer (and Snow) to Kids in Hospital

By

Good News Network

-

Dec 15, 2019

One family’s loss has sparked a movement to bring light into others’ lives via a makeshift Christmas tree farm.

A man named Mark suffered every parent’s worst nightmare after he lost his daughter Mary Beth at age 7. She had spent the majority of her life in surgery, receiving medical procedures to correct severe heart defects.

While being treated at Children’s of Alabama hospital in Birmingham, Mark said it was painful for them to spend the holidays without her in their home—so they would often bring Christmas to her. After she passed, he wanted to make sure no other parents or children had to miss holidays together.

So, as an Ace Hardware employee, he and his colleagues made it happen. Mark reached out to several nearby Ace Hardware stores and the businesses immediately committed to help.

They received donations of 285 trees from 25 store owners to create a makeshift tree farm at the hospital for the kids—and last week, the dream became a reality.

Each child chose their own tree, decorated it with ornaments, and met Santa himself amongst twinkly lights and artificial snow.

For those unable to leave their rooms, Christmas was brought direct to them so they didn’t miss out on the excitement.

Children’s of Alabama is part of the Children’s Miracle Network—and it’s no wonder!

SHARE This Sweet Story of Kindness With Your Friends On Social Media…

ALSO: You Can Now Help Santa Deliver to Low-Income Kids By ‘Adopting’ Their Christmas Letters Through USPS

Inmates Sentenced to Life in Prison Have Commitment to Spiritual Transformation Unlike Any I Have Seen

By

Good News Network

-

Dec 15, 2019

Sometimes we find our teachers in the most unlikely places.

A few years ago, I visited San Quentin State Prison for the first time, entering what can only be described as an intimidating, medieval-looking castle with guard towers. I vividly recall the clang of those iron gates as they slammed shut behind me—a sound that still reverberates viscerally.

It turned out that that day was the beginning of my volunteer work co-facilitating a weekly men’s group within the walls of this maximum-security facility. I had no idea my life would change when I agreed to make the first visit.

One of my congregants runs this group and had asked if I would go with her to San Quentin. In my mind, I was doing her a favor. I thought it would be novel, but once would be enough. I expected to meet angry men with no desire for real change. Did I really have time for this? After all, I was already juggling so much. I went feeling tired and anxious, with a long to-do list in my mind for the coming day at church.

CHECK OUT: When Fire Leaves 500 Muslims Without Place of Worship, Synagogue Opens Their Doors

I discovered this group of men serving life sentences had a monk-like desire and dedication for self-knowledge, self-mastery, and transformation.

By the time I left that evening, I was most unexpectedly brimming with energy and feeling uplifted in ways I’d not experienced for quite a long time.

No Distraction from the Self

Sometimes we find motivation and truth as well as catalysts for change in the most unlikely places and with people we might not think of as our teachers. Unlike the outside world, there are no real distractions in prison. You aren’t checking your cell phone. There isn’t any escaping your situation and circumstances.

LOOK: Matches Made in Heaven (and Jail): Look at the Troubled Dogs Saved From Euthanasia by Doting Inmates

Those of us who move about freely can avoid anyone we might dislike—but that’s not an option in prison. One has to come up with other ways of coping that do not result in breaking rules, getting in fights, or incurring any reason to be sent to “The Hole”; also known as the Adjustment Center.

Each day one is faced with himself. Over the years and decades, a stark self-analysis can bring about transformation in prison that, here on the outside, we might never take time to explore.

To my surprise, this group of men serving life sentences had a dedication and degree of perseverance I had never been exposed to in any group.

What had brought these men to prison so many years (or even decades) ago was not only the crimes they committed; the bigger truths of their lives included not understanding themselves or their motivations, their wounding, and lack of healthy coping strategies.

These men now wanted to share, learn, and grow in order to understand themselves in deeper and more profound ways. They were hungry for spiritual tools and practices—but at the core for many of them was a need to be reconciled with the higher power of their understanding. (The group comprises several faith traditions and ethnicities, so for all of them to be willing to learn and grow together is a minor miracle in itself.)

Within those first few hours in the presence of these men, I experienced their authenticity and willingness to share from the depths of their being. I remembered the quote from Jesus in the book of Matthew from the Bible: “I was in prison and you visited me. Just as you did it to one of the least of these who are my family, you did it to me.”

WATCH: Inmates Break Out Of Jail To Save Life Of Officer Guarding Them

Now I understand the profundity of that direction. Every minister, rabbi, imam, or other spiritual leader wants to be with people who are serious about change and transformation. At San Quentin, in this particular group, I find myself surrounded by men who fit that description exactly.

In retrospect, my volunteering has not only been welcomed by the men but has also been a catalyst for inner transformation for myself. Sometimes we find our teachers in the most unlikely places. Turns out nothing was what I expected.

Rev. Bill Englehart is a Unity minister based in Southern California. He is a writer and speaker, workshop leader, and instructor for Unity Worldwide Spiritual Institute.

– Reprinted with permission of Unity®, publisher of Daily Word® (File photo by Don Christner, CC license)

Be Sure And Share The Inspiring Story With Your Friends On Social Media

“I’ll think of some way! After all, tomorrow is another day.” – Scarlett O’Hara, Gone With the Wind (debuted 80 years ago today)

Quote of the Day

By

Good News Network

-

Dec 15, 2019

Quote of the Day: “I’ll think of some way! After all, tomorrow is another day.” – Scarlett O’Hara, Gone With the Wind (debuted 80 years ago today)

Image: Gone With the Wind screen capture

With a new inspirational quote every day, atop the perfect photo—collected and archived on our Quotes page—why not bookmark GNN.org for a daily uplift?

Deli Owner Has Received More Than 400 Letters to Santa—And He Has Responded to All of Them

By

Good News Network

-

Dec 14, 2019

Aleem Chaudhry doesn’t just work tirelessly to provide his customers with tasty sandwiches—he also ensures that any child who writes a letter to Santa Claus in his town is guaranteed a response.

In addition to Chaudhry being the owner of Gino’s Stop-N-Buy deli in San Antonio, Texas, he is also known for being a reliable messenger in Santa’s workshop.

Chaudhry gained the yuletide reputation a few years back when he put up a bright red mailbox for the North Pole. Though it was only meant as a holiday decoration, many local children started using the mailbox to drop off actual letters to Santa—so Chaudhry took it upon himself to write back to every letter.

Last year alone, Chaudhry received and wrote back to more than 400 letters. Not only is he planning to do the same thing this year, he’s making it easier for the tots to write their notes to St. Nick.

So enthusiastic is his holiday labor of love that Chaudry has set up a letter-writing station for all of his young customers, stocking it with pens, markers, paper, and stamps.

(WATCH the news coverage below) – Image credit: screenshot of video by KENS-News

Deck The Halls With This Sweet Story On Social Media…

Hawaii’s State Bird Soars Back From Brink of Extinction After Only 30 Birds Left on Islands

By

Good News Network

-

Dec 14, 2019

Nene or Hawaiian Goose-CC Bettina Arrigoni via Wikipedia Commons — Photo by Bettina Arrigoni, CC

The population of the majestic Hawaiian Goose numbered 25,000 on the islands in 1778 when Captain Cook arrived, but soon those numbers were decimated by human-introduced animals like the mongoose until there just 30 left in 1952.

Known locally as the nēnē, the goose was placed on the Endangered Species list in 1967, and conservationists went to work trying to repopulate the islands.

After 60 years of an intensive captive breeding program, rigorous habitat restoration, and active management strategies, the population has increased 90-fold—and this week, US Interior Secretary Bernhardt announced that the nēnē had recovered enough to be considered no longer endangered.

“Today’s announcement highlights the progress (that) the Endangered Species Act intends to deliver,” said Bernhardt. “Through collaboration and hard work the nēnē is out of intensive care and on a pathway to recovery.”

ALSO: Humpback Whale Population Bounces Back From Near-Extinction—From Just 450, to Over 25,000

The nēnē’s glidepath from the brink of extinction in the decades following 1967 was paved by the breeding of nearly 3,000 birds in captivity which were then released onto more than 20 sites throughout the main Hawaiian Islands.

The release of captive-bred nēnē on national wildlife refuges, national parks, and state and private lands has saved the species for future generations. Today, there are more than 2,800 birds with stable or increasing populations on Kaua‘i, Maui and Hawai‘i Island and an additional population on Moloka‘i.

WATCH: Bison Get 22,000 Acres of Prairie Land to Roam Free—The Spectacular Moment They Were Reintroduced After 150 Years

Although the bird’s federal status has been upgraded, safeguards will remain in place to protect the species because it is still rated as ‘threatened’.

Protect Your Friends From Negativity—Share The Good News on Social Media!

Plant Compounds Used to Successfully Treat Alzheimer’s in Mice Now Shown to Prevent Other Effects of Aging

By

Good News Network

-

Dec 14, 2019

science-brain-neural stem cell-cc-NIH Image Gallery-flickr — Photo by the National Institute of Health, CC

There are two drugs that have been developed by Salk Institute researchers to successfully treat Alzheimer’s in mice—and now, they have found that the very same drug compounds can also slow the aging process in the brains of healthy older mice.

In mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease, the investigational drug candidates known as CMS121 and J147 improve memory and slow the degeneration of brain cells. Now, Salk researchers have shown how these compounds can also slow aging in healthy older mice by blocking the damage to brain cells that normally occurs during aging and restoring the levels of specific molecules to those seen in younger brains.

The research, published last month in the journal eLife, suggests that the drug candidates may be useful for treating a broader array of conditions and points out a new pathway that links normal aging to Alzheimer’s disease.

“This study further validated these two compounds not only as Alzheimer’s drug candidates but also as potentially more widely useful for their anti-aging effects,” says Pamela Maher, a senior staff scientist at Salk and a co-corresponding author of the new paper.

Old age is the biggest risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease—above the age of 65, a person’s risk of developing the disease doubles about every five years. However, at a molecular level, scientists aren’t sure what occurs in the brain with aging that contributes to Alzheimer’s.

“The contribution of old age-associated detrimental processes to the disease has been largely neglected in Alzheimer’s disease drug discovery,” says Antonio Currais, a Salk staff scientist and first author of the new paper.

Maher and David Schubert, the head of Salk’s Cellular Neurobiology Lab, previously developed CMS121 and J147, variants of plant compounds with medicinal properties. Both compounds—derivatives of the flavonol fisetin, and a molecule present in the curry spice curcumin—tested positive for their ability to keep neurons alive when exposed to cellular forms of stress related to aging and Alzheimer’s disease.

Photo by the National Institute of Health, CC

Since then, the researchers have used the drug candidates to treat Alzheimer’s in animal models of the disease. But experiments revealing exactly how the compounds work suggested that they were targeting molecular pathways also known to be important in longevity and aging.

CHECK OUT: Scientists Discover Molecule That Triggers Self-Destruction of Pancreatic Cancer Cells

In the new research, Maher, Currais, and their colleagues turned to a strain of mice that ages unusually fast. A subset of these mice was given CMS121 or J147 beginning at nine months old—the equivalent of late middle age in humans. After four months, the team tested the memory and behavior of the animals and analyzed genetic and molecular markers in their brains.

Not only did the animals given either of the drug candidates perform better on memory tests than mice that hadn’t received any treatment, but their brains showed differences at the cellular and molecular levels. In particular, expression of genes associated with the cell’s energy-generating structures called mitochondria was preserved by CMS121 and J147 during aging.

LOOK: Revolutionary New Arm Cast is Waterproof, Breathable, and Itch-Free

“The bottom line was that these two compounds prevent molecular changes that are associated with aging,” says Maher.

More detailed experiments showed that both drugs affected mitochondria by increasing levels of the chemical acetyl-coenzyme A (acetyl-coA). In isolated brain cells, when the researchers blocked an enzyme that normally breaks down acetyl-CoA, or when they added extra amounts of an acetyl-coA precursor, they saw the same beneficial effect on mitochondria and energy generation. The brain cells became protected against the normal molecular changes associated with aging.

“There was already some data from human studies that the function of mitochondria is negatively impacted in aging and that it’s worse in the context of Alzheimer’s,” says Maher. “This helps solidify that link.”

WATCH: Thanks to Student’s Hunch, Seniors With Dementia Are ‘Coming Alive’ Again With the ‘Magic’ of Virtual Reality

Maher and Currais are planning future experiments to test the effects of CMS121 and J147 on how other organs age. They also hope to use the new results to inform the development of new Alzheimer’s drugs; targeting other molecules in the acetyl-coA pathway may help treat the disease, they hypothesize.

“We are now using a variety of animal models to investigate how this neuroprotective pathway regulates specific molecular aspects of mitochondrial biology, and their effects on aging and Alzheimer’s,” says Currais.

Reprinted from The Salk Institute

Don’t Let This Story Become Old News Without Sharing It With Your Friends On Social Media…

Amazon is Fulfilling the Wish Lists For Hundreds of Charities to Give Back This Holiday Season

By

Good News Network

-

Dec 14, 2019

Charity List Box Items-Amazon Released — Amazon.com's Charity List Box Items

Earlier this week, Amazon began surprising hundreds of US charities—supporting every kind of cause from STEM education, to homelessness, hunger, disaster relief, youth organizations, sustainability and more—by fulfilling the products requested on each of their AmazonSmile Charity Lists.

The online retailer will continue to donate hundreds of thousands of items on wish lists for nonprofits through the end of the year to ensure they have what they need to get a jump start on the new year.

“We are enormously grateful to Amazon for fulfilling our Charity List,” said Chris Bailey, Executive Director of the Mona Bailey Academy. “Receiving this type of product donation allows us to continue our mission of delivering cutting edge and creative educational programming to underprivileged elementary age students in the Seattle area and beyond.”

Some of the items donated by Amazon during this holiday season include more than 5,000 blankets, sheets, and pillows; more than 30,000 toys and educational items for kids; more than 40,000 pajamas, shoes, and other apparel items; and over 60,000 food and pantry items from water to canned goods.

CHECK OUT: LEGO is Now Offering to Pay For You to Ship Your Unused Bricks to Children in Need

“Amazon’s generosity will allow us to meet a portion of the great needs of people experiencing homelessness on our borough’s streets, in the ferry terminal, and especially the children and families in our Staten Island shelter,” said Reverend Terry Troia, President and CEO of Project Hospitality. “We are grateful.”

In addition to fulfilling hundreds of AmazonSmile Charity Lists, Amazon is surprising several organizations whose mission is to support those experiencing homelessness across the country with more than $1 million in monetary and in-kind donations for the holidays.

Winter is the hardest time for homeless communities; a monetary donation provides nonprofits with the flexibility to fund existing gaps including emergency shelter, medicine, food, supplies, and seasonal staffing.

Along with the donation, 10,000 “Boxes of Smiles” gift packages will be delivered to shelters—which include toys, electronics, personal care products, and books—for people in need of services at Central Arizona Shelter Services, Domestic Abuse Women’s Network, SEARCH Homeless Services, and other charities.

“We are so grateful that Amazon has fulfilled our AmazonSmile Charity List,” said Nancy Keil, President and CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. “The holidays are a difficult time of year for struggling families.”

Hundreds of thousands of the nonprofits that have joined the AmazonSmile Charity Lists have already been able to get donations since the program was unveiled in 2013 because the lists provide an easy way for customers to donate directly to causes they want to support. Since launching, AmazonSmile has facilitated more than $155 million to charitable organizations.

MORE: Scientist Who Helped Develop Breakthrough Ovarian Cancer Treatment Donates All $1.2 Million in Profits

For starters, Purrfect Pals, a local cat shelter based in Arlington, Washington, posted a request on Facebook asking for donations to restock their food pantry. Within just two days of the post, customers placed 300 orders worth of $20,000 in pet food.

Additionally, since Hurricane Dorian struck the Bahamas in September of this year, Amazon customers purchased relief items, worth over $200,000, destined for The American Red Cross, Save The Children, and SBP, to support communities affected by the hurricane.

Pass On The Positivity By Sharing The Good News With Your Friends On Social Media…

“Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seamed with scars.“ – Edwin Chapin

Quote of the Day

By

Good News Network

-

Dec 14, 2019

Quote of the Day: “Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seamed with scars.“ – Edwin Chapin

Photo: by pixle, CC license via Flickr (cropped)

With a new inspirational quote every day, atop the perfect photo—collected and archived on our Quotes page—why not bookmark GNN.org for a daily uplift?

Friday Funnies: Watch Husky’s Bewildered Reaction to Owner’s Magic Disappearance

By

Good News Network

-

Dec 13, 2019

Most people enjoy magic tricks, but apparently not Roxy the husky.

The pup had been enjoying an evening at home with her family when all of a sudden, her owner disappeared from behind a blanket.

At first, Roxy is simply bamboozled by the trickery—but then she snaps out of her reverie and charges into the hallway in search of her human.

Although Roxy may not have found the prank to be very funny, it’s pretty hard to watch her amusing reaction without cracking a smile.

(WATCH the video below)

Be Sure And Share The Pawesome Video With Your Friends On Social Media…

After Olivia Newton-John Auctioned ‘Grease’ Jacket for Charity, Devoted Fan Paid $243K to Return It to Her

By

McKinley Corbley

-

Dec 13, 2019

Australian actress Olivia Newton-John is best known for her iconic role in the musical film Grease—which is why she decided to auction off hundreds of pieces of movie memorabilia to raise money for charity last month.

The 71-year-old starlet felt spurred to donate the cinematic treasures after she was diagnosed with breast cancer for the third time in 2018.

She then put more than 500 articles of her clothing, jewelry, and film props up for auction so she could donate all of the proceeds to her cancer research charity, the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Center.

The legendary leather jacket which she wore at the end of Grease ended up selling for $242,200.

LOOK: Kristen Bell is Using Her Instagram Page to Help Send Thousands of Gifts to Teachers in Need

Newton-John was stunned, however, when the jacket was returned to her once more.

Though the jacket’s buyer chose to remain anonymous to the public, he met with Newton-John in Los Angeles earlier this week so he could surprise her with the gift-wrapped jacket.

“This jacket belongs to you and the collective soul of those who love you, those for whom you are the soundtrack of their lives. It should not sit in a billionaire’s closet for country club bragging rights,” the man told an awestruck Newton-John. “For this reason, I humbly and respectfully return it to its rightful owner, which is you.”

After getting over her initial shock, Newton-John tearfully thanked the man and gave him a hug, saying: “You’re the best, you’re the best! I’m so grateful.”

“This is the most beautiful present,” she added, “but mainly it’s your heart that I’m grateful for.”

Newton-John happily told the donor and the gathered reporters that she would finally be able to fulfill her dream of putting the jacket on display in her cancer research center.

(WATCH the emotional video below)

Be Sure And Tell Your Friends About This Sweet Story, Stud…

The United States is Officially Getting Its Own 3-Digit Suicide Hotline Within the Next 18 Months

By

McKinley Corbley

-

Dec 13, 2019

The United States will soon be getting its own 3-digit suicide hotline: 988.

The initiative was unanimously approved by all five members of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Thursday. They are now gathering feedback, opinions, and input from the public before moving forward with officiating the dialing code.

The FCC’s proposal will now require phone carriers to launch the hotline within the next 18 months.

“988 has an echo of the 911 number we all know as an emergency number,” said FCC Chairman Ajit Pai during the commission’s open December meeting. “We believe that this three-digit number dedicated for this purpose will help ease access to crisis services, it will reduce the stigma surrounding suicide and mental health conditions, and ultimately it will save lives.”

LOOK: Thousands of People Have Been Encouraged By Mom’s Yard Signs – and Their Feedback Has Been Amazing

The approval comes after the FCC submitted a report to Congress back in August describing the best possible method of implementing a 3-digit phone number for the federally-funded National Suicide Prevention Hotline.

The 138-page report recommended that Congress designate 988 as the new dialing code to be used for a nationwide suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline, which “would likely make it easier for Americans in crisis to access potentially life-saving resources.”

The report was created in response to the National Suicide Hotline Improvement Act of 2018, which was approved in the House in a near unanimous 379-1 vote back in July 2018. It was then signed into effect by President Donald Trump the following month.

“We all know by heart to dial 911 during an emergency. We have fate and confidence that somebody who can help will be on the line. It shouldn’t be any different for someone in a mental health crisis,” said Rep. Leonard Lance (R-NJ) in support of the bill.

Until the hotline is launched, Americans suffering from suicidal impulses are encouraged to call the official suicide hotline: 1-800-273-8255.

Be Sure And Share The Good News With Your Friends On Social Media – File photo by Daniel Lobo, CC

‘World’s First Self-Cleaning’ Hoodie is On Sale—And for Each One Bought, One is Donated to the Homeless

By

Good News Network

-

Dec 13, 2019

Self-Cleaning Hoodie 3-SWNS — Unhoused co-founder Anisha Seth – SWNS

This sweatshirt is being hailed as the world’s first ever “self-cleaning” article of clothing—and for every one sold, one is donated to the homeless.

The shirts are made from nanoscopic polyester fibers that repel liquid similarly to a lotus leaf; fluids simply bounce off the surface of the clothing without staining it.

In addition to repelling liquids and spills, the shirts can also go without being washed for up to a month—and once they are cleaned, the fabric dries 40% faster than regular clothing.

LOOK: World’s First Community of 3D Printed Homes is Set to House Mexico’s Poorest Families

Varun Bhanot and his wife Anisha Seth developed the hoodies as a means of helping homeless people in Britain—but they did admit that the jumper would also be perfect for wine spills during boozy Christmas parties.

“We created a jumper and a hoodie range that repels liquids, dirts, sweats and odors, because you never really know what’s going to happen on any given day,” said Bhanot. “You could spill your coffee, spill some water, or maybe you’re at a party and you might spill some wine down your jumper.

“You could wear it in the gym, or you could go out and about in it for more than a month and you probably wouldn’t even need to wash it,” he added. “After more than a year of experimentation, prototyping, and fabric development, we’ve created what we think could be the world’s first set of self-cleaning clothing.”

The 29-year-old entrepreneurs from London are the co-founders of Unhoused: a charity dedicated to helping homeless people throughout the city.

For every article of warm clothing bought from the organization, one is donated to charity. Since launching the charity, they have donated more than 100,000 articles of clothing to London’s rough sleepers—and now that they have succeeded in developing the revolutionary sweatshirts, the couple is selling them for £69.99 ($93) on the site under the same buy one, give one model.

“What is great is for every single one bought, one is donated to the UK’s homeless,” said Bhanot. “We partnered up with a few shelters here in East London and the response from them has been one of a huge amount of surprise; most of the stuff they get in tends to be second-hand donations.

“They could have something which could keep them perpetually very warm, very clean, and would reduce the need for them to be constantly washing things in washing facilities and of course the environmental benefits that come along with that, really took a lot of these shelters by surprise.

“It could be a game-changer for sustainable clothing all over the world, and an absolute life-saver for the UK’s homeless and those sleeping rough, who may not have access to washing facilities and need to be kept warm and clean all year round.

“Even though we only launched it around a month ago, people have been absolutely astounded by the effect it can produce and also the longevity of something like this,” he concluded.

(WATCH the interview below)

Clean Up Negativity By Sharing The Good News With Your Friends On Social Media…

Girl Hand-Delivers More Than 1,000 Christmas Cards in Her Village After Having Her Leg Amputated

By

Good News Network

-

Dec 13, 2019

This 11-year-old schoolgirl has been spreading yuletide cheer throughout her village by hand-delivering more than 1,000 Christmas cards—all while having only one leg.

Angel Farley has written and delivered 1,064 greetings cards so far this year in her mission to put a smile on people’s faces for the holidays.

The English schoolgirl was born without a femur and hip socket. Prior to undergoing an operation last year to amputate her leg, it had been attached directly to her hip.

Despite her limited mobility, however, the thoughtful youngster decided to start sending Christmas cards to lonely people in her village two years ago.

Angel first got the idea for the festive labor of love after she had asked her mom who else she could send cards to apart from her classmates.

“It just got me thinking. I spoke with Angel about the idea of asking on Facebook if anyone would like a card from her,” said Angel’s mother Holly Farley. “That’s when she told me that she thinks it would be nice to send cards to other people with disabilities and other people who might be forgotten at Christmas. It just went from there.”

The family from Kent felt particularly moved to spread holiday cheer after their village rallied to support them following Angel’s amputation back in February 2018.

Angel and her parents decided to have her right leg amputated above the leg to improve her mobility.

LOOK: After Watching Brother Give Up on Gardening, Man Designs Tabletop Gardens for People in Wheelchairs

“She used to do what we called a ‘pirate walk’,” recalled Holly. “She had to swing her leg out sideways which made her hip swing and caused her spine to curve.

“She wore a prosthetic leg as well, but it had to be straight because it was attached to her foot and ankle, which of course, bends.”

The amputation at Great Ormond Street Hospital initially seemed to have gone well, but her leg became extremely infected, which led to the youngster being hospitalized for two months while battling sepsis.

“It was a really hard time for us. I asked doctors whether she was going to survive and they couldn’t give me a straight answer,” says Holly.

WATCH: Blind Man Develops Smart Cane That Uses Google Maps and Sensors to Identify One’s Surroundings

Angel has since made a strong recovery and thanks to a new prosthetic leg, is able to move much more freely than before.

“During her recovery, people in the village we had never met donated money for Angel,” Holly said. “It was a real eye opener. We felt like we needed to do something to show our appreciation so decided to expand the card giving.”

The mother-daughter duo have delivered more than a thousand cards—more than ten times the total they delivered in 2017. All together, they have spent about 60 hours filling out all of the cards by hand since they began their project in early November.

The messages inside read: “From our house to yours. Happy Christmas. Love from Angel and Family.”

Angel’s dad, Rob, said: “We don’t want it to become a chore, so we only do it when the girls want to. Angel and her nine-year-old sister Mikayla sit at a little table and fill them in, bless them.”

Holly added: “It’s all about making people smile at Christmas. We go around the village as a family most evenings. Sometimes Angel finds it difficult to access properties because of her disability, but she does her best.”

Holly also says her daughter has been flooded with messages of thanks and support from people on Facebook.

“After what we went through last year, we feel so lucky to have Angel with us,” continued the mother-of-four. “We are so happy to be able to give something back to the people in the village. It’s a really special community.”

Deck The Halls Of Social Media By Sharing This Sweet Story With Your Friends…

“Change, indeed, is painful; yet ever needful; and if memory have its force and worth, so also has hope.” – Thomas Carlyle

Quote of the Day

By

Good News Network

-

Dec 13, 2019

Quote of the Day: “Change, indeed, is painful; yet ever needful; and if memory have its force and worth, so also has hope.” – Thomas Carlyle

Photo: by Jonathan Gonzales, CC license (cropped)

With a new inspirational quote every day, atop the perfect photo—collected and archived on our Quotes page—why not bookmark GNN.org for a daily uplift?