Elementary School ‘Share Tables’ Keep Unwanted Lunch Food Out of Trash

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Nov 17, 2017

If sharing is caring, then these young students must care a lot.

The elementary schoolers of Orange County, Florida are cutting down on food waste by leaving the food that they don’t want at designated “share tables”.

The share tables mean that – instead of throwing out the snacks and meals that they don’t want – the kids can leave them out on the table for their fellow students, or grab food for themselves. Any food leftover on the table at the end of the day is either given to needy student families, or it is packaged up, donated to local churches, and distributed to the homeless community.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, this innovative initiative has several benefits. For starters, kids from low-income families don’t have to worry about being able to afford lunchtime meals; the tables save hundreds of pounds of food from the trash; and school officials say that because kids don’t have surplus food at the end of the lunch period, they are less likely to play with their leftovers and cause a mess.

The tables are especially handy because the federal school lunch program requires students to take a certain amount of food items per meal, including a serving of fruit and vegetables – even if they don’t want the food.

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Additionally, since there is only one standard serving size, the meals may be too large for smaller kindergartners to finish, and too small for growing fifth graders to satiate their hunger.

Due to health code regulations, hot and non-packaged food items are not allowed at the share tables, but there is still more than enough nutritious food to go around.

Over 20 schools in the region have reportedly started using share tables since the initiative first started two years ago – and school representatives hope that more academic institutions will start their own.

Power Up With Positivity: Click To Share (Photo by Amanda Mills, USCDCP)

Meditation and Mindfulness Tips to Combat Everyday Worries and Life’s Big Questions

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Nov 17, 2017

Anxiety. Stress. Feeling overwhelmed. Life is messy. Life is fun. Life is hard.

Give it five minutes and your feelings about life will change. That’s the nature of this wonderous adventure.

Stress arises when we dwell on the past or focus on the future, but life is very simple. Go with the flow. Is it really that easy? It is with practice.

You remember when you first learned that “new” thing…a job, Facebook, Twitter, how to play guitar, bake a cake? We are all familiar with the feeling – and challenge – of learning something new. You weren’t great at it, were you? But you stuck with it, you practiced and you got better.

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So how do you handle the constant changes that seem to pop up just when you thought life was going so well? It’s interesting to note – according to science we have between 60,000-80,000 thoughts a day. Even though these thoughts are not all conscious, they still have a major impact.
The thing is – even with that many thoughts – just as little as 12 mindfulness minutes a day can have major benefits including:

reducing negative self-talk
increasing compassion
decreasing anxiety

Mindfulness is being with what is happening RIGHT now and tuning into how you feel about that experience. It’s connecting with the good, the bad, the ugly. Paying attention to the feelings in your body, tuning into your senses without judging yourself. When you focus on your senses you are in the present moment.

Let’s practice.

Right now you are reading this article, so this is your present moment. How do feel about what you have just read? Name the emotion. Pay attention to your senses and notice what feeling(s) arise in your body. Observe your feelings with no judgment.

That’s it! You’ve done a mindfulness practice. That was simple, right? Repeat doing this throughout the day.

Here a three additional practices to help you be more mindful during your day:

Hands to heart: During the day at any time lay both hands flat in the center of your chest. Take a deep breath and say out loud, “I am safe. I am calm. All is well.” This simple practice done regularly relaxes your body more and helps reduce anxiety.

Three conscious breaths: Stop what you are doing and plant your feet solid on the ground. Think about what you want to do next. The breath you take will be done in threes. Breathe in for three counts, hold for three counts and release for three counts. Take three conscious breaths throughout the day to regain your focus and provide mental clarity.

CHECK OUT: Einstein’s Theory of Happy Living Emerges in a Note Uncovered After 95 Years

I am here now: Set your phone or clock to alarm at five minutes before the hour. When the alarm goes off, stand up. Take a deep breath in. Look around the room and notice what you see. Say out loud: “I AM HERE NOW.” Open your arms wide, smile, look up at the sky or ceiling and be grateful.

It helps to remember that life is changing all the time. Life is difficult. Life is exhilarating. When you find yourself overwhelmed, anxious or stress, remember that struggling is a choice. Stop. Place your hands over your heart. Take three conscious breaths. Look up and around, open your arms wide, smile and say, I am here NOW and I am grateful.

Barbara J. Faison believes we are all students and teachers in the school of life, and being open to learning, evolving and growing is a way to stop struggling. Faison educates, inspires, and enlightens with her unique perspective on being and finding purpose wherever you are. She has also been a meditation and mindfulness ambassador for over 20 years, and she is the author of the audio program, “Be Still: Learn to Meditate in 10 Minutes a Day.”

Click To Share The Wisdom With Your Friends (Photo by GWC)

Shelter Dogs to Get Temporary Homes So They Can Celebrate Thanksgiving With Families

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McKinley Corbley

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Nov 17, 2017

Thanksgiving may be a holiday for humans, but that doesn’t mean that these pups don’t want to get in on the fun too.

This Home For The Pawlidays program is a sweet new initiative that pairs shelter dogs with temporary foster homes for Thanksgiving week.

The project, which was created by the Lifeline Animal Project in Atlanta, Georgia, is finding families to take in 20 of their loneliest shelter dogs for the coming week.

Fostering animals is an invaluable resource for rescue shelters – it gives dogs a break from being in shelter cages all day long and it gives foster parents and shelters a chance to learn more about the pup’s personality, which may help encourage a family’s decision to adopt in the future. If shelters know whether a dog likes to play or be around children, they can then help connect the pups with prospective pet owners who might be more drawn to those traits.

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, the pups will have a chance to relax, spend time with a family, get out of the cage, and maybe join in on the feasting as well.

Plus, they will be exposed to a whole new group of people who might feel compelled to adopt them into loving homes.

MORE: Animal Shelter Enlists Help of Pokemon GO Players to Walk Dogs

The best part about the program? It’s basically free.

“We’ll provide the pet supplies, vet care and support you need,” says the organization’s website. “You just provide the love!”

You can keep up with the pawesome holiday fun of the 20 lucky pups by following the #LifeLinePawlidays hashtag.

Click To Share The Barkin’ Good News With Your Friends (Photo by Lifeline Animal Project)

J.J. Abrams Directs Celebrity-Filled Spoof on Comic Book Jimmy Kimmel Made When He Was 10

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Nov 17, 2017

In honor of Jimmy Kimmel’s 50th birthday earlier this week, a couple of his friends got together to make a little surprise birthday video gift.

The video, which was directed by some guy named J.J. Abrams, was based off of a comic book that Kimmel wrote when he was 10 years old called “The Terrific Ten”.

WATCH: Guy Makes Hilarious Commercial to Sell His Girlfriend’s Used Car–and Bidding Soars

“From the mind of pre-pubescent Jimmy Kimmel”, the Terrific Ten team of crimefighting superheroes included such dazzling names as Lucky Lad, Color Kid, and Super Duck.

You may have heard of some of the actors who volunteered for the complex roles – Shaquille O’Neal was on the roster, as well as Jennifer Anniston, Jon Hamm, Zack Galifinackis, Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, and Matt Damon (whoever that is).

It’s probably safe to say that they will never be in a more relevant movie.

(WATCH the video below)

Be A Hero And Fight The Blues: Click To Share With Your Friends

Hearts Melt Over College Roommate’s Dedication to Helping His Little Sister

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Nov 17, 2017

While some people might have dicier memories of older siblings from their childhood, this college student is doing a small kindness for his little sister that “will stay with her forever.”

Reddit user TheRylan posted a photo of his college roommate FaceTiming with his younger sister in front of a calculator and a Post-it note of scribbles.

According to TheRylan, his roommate calls his sibling every week so he can help her with her high school algebra homework.

LOOK: Teen Walks Home Old Man With Groceries, Photo Goes Viral

While the gesture may seem trivial for a family member, college classes can be incredibly time-consuming – the fact that the roommate is ensuring that he has enough time in the day outside of his coursework to help a sibling in need is wonderfully endearing.

The post went viral and prompted another user to share his own life-changing experience about sibling love.

“Such an insignificant task on his end will stay with her forever. He’s going to be her hero for years to come,” said Gothamhunter. “Source: [I am a] big brother, have cried at a letter my sister wrote me about everything I did, no matter how insignificant, for her while taking care of her when we were growing up.”

CHECK OUT: 10-Year-old Boy Delivers His Baby Brother – and Saves His Life

“People with siblings; the little things count immensely. Read them a story. Help them with homework. Spend a sliver of your time a day with them. Show them how to play your favorite video game. Pour them a bowl of cereal. Cook em a grilled cheese. It doesn’t take a lot or a big gesture to leave an impact that shows you care about them.”

“My sister’s favorite memory is how I would cook the 3 of us grilled cheese for lunch during the summer and cut them into as small of pieces as possible, like little grilled cheese bites,” he added.

“Taking care of my sisters was hard, especially with how our upbringing was, and knowing that I helped shape their lives and make them better people, rather than just thinking it, was a validation I never knew I needed until I had it,” says Gothamhunter.

Another user simply said that TheRylan’s roommate has gotten himself a new well-deserved nickname: “Algebro”.

Click To Share This Sweet Sibling Story With Your Friends (Photo by The Rylan)

Dad Gets to Grant Christmas Wish For Son With Autism Thanks to Internet

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Nov 16, 2017

James Dutton and his ex-wife were determined to give their son with autism the perfect Christmas.

Upon asking 19-year-old Thomas to make a wish list for Santa, however, they ran into a problem.

The parents from London were able to get everything on the list except for a rare VHS tape of an old animated children’s show called “Postman Pat”.

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Though the show was discontinued, Thomas got hooked on the series by watching YouTube videos.

In a desperate bid to complete Thomas’s Christmas list, Dutton took to social media in search of Postman Pat’s Prize Postbag on video cassette from 1981.

The tweet, which was republished by Brendan Cole from the British reality show “Strictly Come Dancing”, was shared thousands of times until it appeared on Jill Hulme’s newsfeed – and luckily, she had the exact movie that the Duttons were searching for.

“The response has been absolutely overwhelming and I’m so grateful to everyone for taking the time to give advice, or search in attics!” said James. “The heartwarming side of human nature.”

“It will mean a huge amount for him on Christmas Day,” the Duttons told the Independent. “Nothing he asks for is a high-cost item, but it’s all about the value to him and his innocent child-like enjoyment of life.”

“I think the biggest thing that we have learned is the power of social media for good things, and the kindness of complete strangers,” they added.

Click To Share The Sweet Story With Your Friends

Thought to Be Extinct For 42 Years, Cute Critter is Finally Spotted by Guy Eating Lunch

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McKinley Corbley

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Nov 16, 2017

It’s been 42 years since anyone has seen this elusive little salamander – but when someone spotted one hiding in the jungle last month, it was under the most unlikely circumstances.

27-year-old forest guard Ramos León-Tomás was eating his lunch on the outskirts of the Finca San Isidro Amphibian Reserve in Guatemala when he spotted a small black and gold amphibian hiding in the brush.

The tiny creature, which is known as Jackson’s climbing salamander, was thought to be extinct until León-Tomás found him on his lunch break.

The forest guard only recognized him because local conservationists have held workshops with the reservation’s staff on what the fabled critter looked like. According to the Guardian, there have been dozens of expeditions onto the reservation in search of Jackson’s climbing salamander since its discovery in 1975, but to no avail.

León-Tomás recognized the salamander from the workshop, snapped some photos, and sent them to Carlos Vásquez Almazán, the amphibian coordinator with the Foundation for Eco-Development and Conservation.

Vásquez, who has reportedly made 30 different voyages into the jungle in search of the salamander, could not believe his eyes.

MORE: Mexico Saves Millions of Monarch Butterflies by Stopping Logging in its Tracks

“I took [deep breaths] for a couple of hours, until they managed to send me a photo through WhatsApp, because the region is remote and there is little good internet signal,” Vásquez told the Guardian. “It was definitely the sought-after and awaited Jackson’s climbing salamander.”

Vásquez currently believes that no one was able to find Jackson’s climbing salamander over the course of the last 42 years because they were looking in the wrong place. While researchers were investigating the region in which the amphibian was first discovered in 1975, León-Tomás found it at a higher altitude. This may be due to warmer climates pushing animal species to higher ground in search of cooler environments.

Now that scientists know that Jackson’s climbing salamander is not extinct, surveys will be conducted on the area to ascertain how many salamanders make up the population.

Click To Share The Cool News With Your Friends (Photos by Carlos Vásquez Almazán)

People Are Posting Stories of Celebrities Being Nice to Them and it is Incredibly Refreshing

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Nov 16, 2017

Though it may seem like there are endless allegations against celebrities for one crime or another these days, it’s good to remember that not all Hollywood stars use their fame for evil.

In a social media post created by a Twitter user named Bakoon, people are being called to share their positive experiences of dealing with famous people in real life.

“If anyone has any nice allegations against a celebrity, that would be great too,” says Bakoon. “Does a famous actor give good christmas presents?”

While some of the stories are as simple as celebrities leaving hefty tips for their servers and baristas, others are way more heartwarming.

One of the first tweets to get the ball rolling was from Mara Wilson, the actress who starred in Matilda and Mrs. Doubtfire, vouching for the kindness of her film co-star Danny Devito.

And the stories just get better and better.

Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman let me stay with them when my mom was in the hospital for cancer surgeries
— Mara “Get Rid of the Nazis” Wilson (@MaraWilson) November 10, 2017

Danny DeVito tipped $120 to have two cases of wine one delivered one block to his apartment.
— Kristaps Johnson (@megaclang) November 9, 2017

i was an extra in a movie with Michael Keaton. He played frisbee with us, took pictures, and signed my friend's Batman DVD
— ((((((Beanie Barstein)))))) (@McLeemz) November 9, 2017

Charles Schultz drew me a picture when I was 4 getting my tonsils out.
— Wizard (@fmc21369) November 10, 2017

Nathan fillion is amazing and often gets food truck service and similar as thanks to the production crews on shows/etc he appears in
— The “Nazis Aren’t Welcome On My Site” Sixler (@Thesixler) November 10, 2017

Dave Matthews waved back at me enthusiastically at a pizza place when I mistook him for a friend and not, ya know, Dave Matthews.
— Renee Branson (@ReneeBranson72) November 11, 2017

long story, but brad pitt wrote a check to buy 2 tractors for poor farmers he met from Africa. Asked to be anonymous.
— gawain (@niawag2011) November 10, 2017

Michael Stipe is really kind and good at defusing freaking-out-at-famous-strangers teenagers using self-deprecation and fashion discourse
— Cyrus needs finger splints, please help (@chrysopoetics) November 10, 2017

My mom’s friend met Anthony Hopkins @ a hotel & they had breakfast 3-4 days in a row to talk about the meaning of life instead of themselves
— LP (@lleightonpaull) November 10, 2017

Jason Alexander made me snacks while I paired his palm pilot to his prius
— Egadsden? (@itspronounced48) November 9, 2017

LeVar Burton stopped in the middle of an interview to thank the bar staff by name for being so attentive.
— Richard Whittaker (@YorkshireTX) November 10, 2017

I was crying quietly to myself after my Mom died in a cafe, Robin Williams noticed me and paid my check. He whispered things usually get better.
— catherine (@pantone7605) November 11, 2017

robin williams was the nicest, most compassionate celebrity I ever had the pleasure of knowing in person. personally saw him threaten to beat the hell out of some rando harassing a homeless person in the ocean district six or so years ago
— A Sense of Pride and Accomplishment (@caylenb) November 9, 2017

David Tennant not only graciously accepted an academic paper from a random fan in the Richard II stage door line but actually read it and sent me an appreciative note about it
— the cold genius (@angevin2) November 9, 2017

I accidentally walked into Waka Flocka so hard my head clunked on his chest and he was so scared I'd deeply injured myself
— donate to my indiegogo please (@rachelmillman) November 10, 2017

My husband sat next to him at a film festival event in SF a couple years ago. When it was over, Keanu stayed and picked up other people's trash.
— Susie Cagle (@susie_c) November 11, 2017

Click To Share The Refreshing News With Your Friends (Photo by Eva Rinaldi, CC)

Walmart Cashier Helps Struggling Man: ‘We’ve forgotten how to love one another’

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Nov 15, 2017

Sometimes it’s the smallest good deeds that mean the most.

Facebook user Spring Herbison Bowlin of Clarksdale, Mississippi posted a photo to social media last week of a Walmart cashier helping an older man count his change.

After the cashier gave him the total for his groceries, the man was apparently embarrassed by having to pay in coins, even though Bowlin insisted that she didn’t mind.

“He looks apologetically back at me and starts taking handfuls of change out of his pockets,” says Bowlin. “He miscounts and starts to get flustered. Gives me a muttered, ‘I’m so sorry.’ His hands and voice are shaking.”

Then, the woman behind the counter offers to help.

“This beautiful cashier takes his hands and dumps all the change on the counter and says, ‘This is not a problem, honey. We will do this together.’”

WATCH: Teen Boys Filmed Giving Duvet to Homeless Man and Tucking Him In

Once the transaction is finished, Bowlin thanks the woman for patiently helping the senior, and she responds with the most wonderful piece of wisdom.

“She shakes her head and replies, ‘You shouldn’t have to thank me, baby. What’s wrong with our world is we’ve forgotten how to love one another.’”

In light of the cashier’s compassionate advice, the post has already been shared thousands of times.

“I want to be more like her,” added Bowlin.

Click To Share The Sweet Story With Your Friends – OR,

Pope Auctions Gift Worth $250K For Christian Communities Destroyed by ISIS

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Nov 15, 2017

#PopeFrancis received a @Lamborghini this morning! He's going to have it auctioned off at Sotheby's. Learn more here: https://t.co/NeFfCU0VQn
Photo Credit: © L'Osservatore Romano pic.twitter.com/LZLhGzXGZs
— Catholic News Agency (@cnalive) November 15, 2017

Earlier this week, Pope Francis was gifted a sleek, specially made papal-themed luxury car – but he doesn’t plan on driving it. Instead, he plans on having it auctioned for charity.

Lamborghini executives presented the Pope with a white and gold-gilded Huracán in front of the Vatican. After autographing and blessing the car, His Holiness announced that he would be giving it to Sotheby’s for auction.

The vehicle, which Top Gear has called the “Supercar of the Year”, has a base value of $250,000. Because this is the seventh edition of the automobile created specially for the pontiff, however, it could sell for even more.

According to the Catholic News Agency, the proceeds generated by the Huracán’s auction will reportedly go towards three different causes: restoring Christian villages that have been damaged by ISIS in Iraq, assisting victims of human trafficking, and financing outreach work in Africa.

(WATCH the video below)

WATCH: Here's a closer look at @Pontifex's new #Lamborghini! Read the full story here: https://t.co/NeFfCU0VQn pic.twitter.com/NjriWFHrDM
— Catholic News Agency (@cnalive) November 15, 2017

Click To Share This Holy Story With Your Friends – Feature photo by EWTN

Military Couple Helps Care For Pets of Deployed Soldiers (And You Can Too)

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McKinley Corbley

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Nov 15, 2017

Asking the neighbors to feed your dog while you’re on vacation for the weekend is one thing – it is quite another thing trying to find someone who can watch your dogs while you are deployed overseas for six months.

Luckily, there is an organization that does just that.

Capt. Alisa Sieber-Johnson and Lt. Shawn Johnson first adopted their beloved pup JD shortly after they got married. Then, at the same time that Sieber-Johnson was deployed to Quantico, Virginia for six months of marine training, Johnson was told that he would be shipping out with the Navy.

Though the San Diego-based couple found a foster family to look after JD, they considered how often military pet owners must be forced to search for places to house their pets while on active duty.

This is why Alisa and Shawn launched Dogs on Deployment: a nonprofit that pairs civilian foster homes with the pets of military members while they are away on duty.

Since the service was first started six years ago, over 1,100 dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, and critters have found temporary homes with volunteer boarders during their parents’ service.

LOOK: Guy Gives Shelter Dogs Free Haircuts to Help Them Get Adopted

Additionally, the organization has given away almost $400,000 in grants to military families for such pet-related expenses as emergency veterinary treatment or spay and neuter services.

“DoD brings together two of America’s loves: our support for our troops and love for our pets,” Sieber-Johnson told TODAY. “It’s spread 100 percent through word-of-mouth. There’s no other organization doing what we’re doing.”

If you want to volunteer as a boarder, donate to the organization, or find a temporary home for your pet while you are on active duty, you can check out the Dogs on Deployment website for more information.

Click To Share The Pawesome Story With Your Friends (Photo used with permission from Terran Bayer/Westway Studio)

Guy Raises Funds to Build Statue For the First and Only Cat in Space

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McKinley Corbley

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Nov 15, 2017

Have you ever heard of Félicette the cat? Well, not many people have – which is a shame, considering that she was the first and only cat to ever go to space.

One man, however, is on a mission to remind the world of the feline’s contribution to science.

Matthew Serge Guy first found out about Félicette when he saw her picture on a vintage tea towel. After researching the trailblazing astro-cat, he found that her launch into space had become largely forgotten by the masses.

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Félicette was one of 13 cats who underwent rigorous training in preparation of a trip to space. Scientists conducted the research because they figured that if animals were able to survive in space, then humans could too. Félicette was eventually selected as the successor of the project due to her surprisingly calm disposition (or because the other cats became too fat – no one knows).

In October 1963, the cat was propelled to a height of 97 miles (157 kilometers) for 5 minutes of weightlessness before she parachuted back to Earth and was picked up by helicopter just 13 minutes after launch.

Félicette’s accomplishment, however, was forgotten in the annals of history because of the host of other milestones during the space race in the 60s. She was technically given an honorary set of stamps after her mission, but the postage company spelt her name wrong thinking that she was actually a male cat named “Felix”.

While the first dog and monkey who went to space have been given statues and proper burials in their memories, Félicette’s voyage has mostly been ignored – up until now.

LOOK: Dearly Departed Internet Cat Gets Honorary Statue

Guy created a Kickstarter page with the hope of crowdfunding enough money to erect a statue of Félicette in her hometown of Paris. While the page has raised $38,000 of its $52,000 goal with the weekend deadline looming, Guy is delighted that people have been so enthusiastic to learn about The Astro Cat.

“Through this Kickstarter campaign itself, Félicette’s story has now been relayed to many people all over the world, who previously had no idea she existed at all,” says Guy.

“So in a way, it’s done the same job as the statue itself – helping the world remember the first cat who went to space.”

(WATCH the video below)

Click To Share The Pawesome Story With Your Friends

Veteran Bursts into Tears When Dentist Sees His Teeth and Gives $15K of Work For Free

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Good News Network

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Nov 14, 2017

A chance meeting at the gym changed retired Air Force Staff Sergeant David Tyler Harmon’s life for the better.

It all started when he met Dr. David Nguyen during a workout and learned that David was a dentist. The Air Force veteran decided to book an appointment with him for a teeth cleaning – but when it was time for the examination, Dr. Nguyen took one look at the veteran’s teeth and was shocked.

“I came in for a cleaning, and he’s like, ‘My goodness!’ And I start telling him all the pain I’m in,” the sergeant recalled.

Nguyen said: “There was infection in his gum tissue, a lot of cracked teeth everywhere, a lot of crowding, a lot of grinding problems.”

The dental problems were made even more severe by head trauma David received during multiple tours on active duty. And the cost to fix those problems was greater than expected — about $15,000.

“I overheard him saying something about sending the paperwork to the VA,” said Dr. Nguyen. “I was like, ‘Wait, if he were to wait for the VA, it would take months.’”

They didn’t have that long.

“I saw infection,” Dr. Nguyen explained. “I said, ‘Listen, you need to get this handled right away.’”

That’s when Dr. Nguyen offered to do David’s dental work entirely free of charge.

David, being understandably overwhelmed, broke down into tears.

CLICK the link below to watch an interview with the sergeant – and don’t forget to SHARE this moving story with your friends…

Bearded Guys Pose in Mermaid Calendar to Raise Funds For Therapy Horses

By

McKinley Corbley

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Nov 14, 2017

Forget about getting another cat calendar for the holidays – you can now help a great charity by decorating your office cubicle with 12 months of bearded Canadian dudes in mermaid outfits.

Dozens of men from the Newfoundland and Labrador Mustache and Beard Club volunteered to pose for the merman calendar in order to raise money for Spirit Horse NL: a nonprofit that pairs therapy horses with mentally ill youths and adults.

LOOK: 12 Hot Firemen Take Shirts Off for Charity Calendar

Hasan Hai, who founded the Newfoundland and Labrador Beard & Moustache Club, says that over 70 of their burly members were willing to step up for the organization.

“They’re desperately in need of funds and awareness because it’s expensive to raise and upkeep horses,” Hai told CBC. “I figured right away that this is a cause our club can get behind.”

The “MerBy’s” 2018 calendar features the gentlemen getting haircuts, drinking beer, hanging by the seaside, and blowing kisses to each other in nothing but their facial hair and fins.

WATCH: ‘Dancing Doctor’ in Boston Busks a Move to Raise Tips for Charity

Since the club posted teaser photos of the calendar on their Facebook, they have been flooded with pre-orders.

You can buy your own for $19.70 USD ($25 CAD) a pop – but you better be quick about it if you want to get yours in the mail by the holiday season.

Click To Share This Fishy Find With Your Friends (Feature photo by Darrell Sharpe Photography)

College Offers Free Semester of School So Hurricane Victims Don’t Get Blown Off Track

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Good News Network

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Nov 14, 2017

With Puerto Rico still recovering from the damage of Hurricane Maria, a New England college is opening their doors to displaced students so they can continue with their studies.

Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts is giving a free semester of classes to hurricane victims from the University of Puerto Rico.

The college will also be providing free room and board to the students, as well as a stipend for textbooks, travel costs, and expenses.

CHECK OUT: Tesla Restores Power to Puerto Rican Children’s Hospital– And That’s Not All

According to the school’s website, the average price tag for tuition, room, and board can cost students without financial aid as much as $66,000 per year.

In light of the circumstances, however, school representatives believe that young adults pursuing an education should not have to give up their academic career just because of a hurricane.

WATCH: Hamilton Star Pushes Awkward Celebrity Photo Fundraiser to $1 Million For Puerto Rico

“Our goal is to allow these students to continue their studies at an outstanding liberal arts college with a welcoming, supportive community,” said Audrey Smith, the college’s vice president for enrollment. “I know Smith students, faculty and staff will welcome them eagerly.”

Anyone wishing to apply has until December 6th to fill out the necessary forms. Application fees for University of Puerto Rico students will also be waived.

Click To Share The News With Your Friends (Photo by Smith College)

Ingenious Device That Can Detect Melanoma Chosen by Dyson as Top Design of 2017

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McKinley Corbley

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Nov 14, 2017

A small and simple handheld device with the ability to detect skin cancer has just won the International James Dyson Award for the year.

Because cancerous skin tissue metabolizes more quickly than regular skin cells, the tissue regains heat faster than the rest of a person’s skin. So, when a patient’s skin is cooled down, the device can use heat sensors to detect the difference in temperature between quickly-metabolizing cancer cells and healthy cells.

The contraption, which is called the sKan, then creates a heat map of the skin’s varying temperatures that will indicate where the melanoma cells are.

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While thermal imaging methods of detection are already available, the high-resolution technology costs upwards of $38,000 – and physical examinations are not as efficient or reliable. The sKan’s thermistors are not only highly accurate, but they are also inexpensive.

Melanoma is one of the most common forms of cancer, but if it is detected early, patients have a 98% survival rate. The sKan could be the key to helping patients get that early detection.

“By using widely available and inexpensive components, the sKan allows for melanoma skin cancer detection to be readily accessible to the many,” says Dyson. “It’s a very clever device with the potential to save lives around the world. This is why I have selected it at this year’s international winner.”

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The sKan was developed by a team of medical and bioengineering researchers from McMaster University in Canada. The group has been awarded $40,000 from the James Dyson Foundation in order to further develop the sKan and ensure it passes FDA standards.

“Winning the James Dyson Award means the world to us,” says the sKan team. “The prize money will help us to continue developing a medical device that can saves people’s lives. We are truly humbled and excited to be given this remarkable opportunity.”

Last year’s winner of the international award was the EcoHelmet – a durable, recyclable, and portable bicycle helmet made out of paper. While paper may not seem like the safest material for protective headgear, the unique design can absorb massive amounts of shock without causing injury. It can also be collapsed into a portable format that is more convenient to carry than their bulky polystyrene counterparts.

Click To Share The Hot News With Your Friends (Photo by James Dyson Foundation)

Check Out the 10 Most Amazing Acts of Kindness on GNN For World Kindness Day

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Good News Network

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Nov 13, 2017

Want an uplifting pick-me-up to start your work week? Because in honor of today being World Kindness Day, we’ve compiled 10 of the most popular stories about kindness from throughout the year.

From tales of compassionate celebrities, to customer service reps who go above and beyond the call of duty, here are your favorite good deeds from 2017.

10) Teen Boys Filmed Giving Duvet to Homeless Man and Tucking Him In

The building’s security camera captured Szymon, Wojtek, and Marcin of Nysa, Poland tucking in a cold homeless man on a park bench with a duvet last winter.

9) Customer Admires Chick-fil-A Employee So Much, He Built Him a New Home

Ever since Bryan Smith met Shakeel Williams at Chick-Fil-A, he couldn’t help but feel inspired by the youth’s kindness and disposition – so, as a gift to his beloved restaurant server, Bryan built a house for the young man and his family.

8) Humorous Judge Dismisses “Ridiculous” Ticket When Woman Parks 2 Seconds Early

A woman named Sarah had received a ticket for parking in a no-parking zone with restrictions from 8:00AM to 10:00AM. When did the unlucky driver receive the ticket? At exactly 9:59AM, two seconds before the zone restrictions were up.

Chuckling, the Providence, Rhode Island judge Frank Caprio couldn’t stop joking about the frivolous penalty: “What does justice demand in this case, is it jail?”

7) Woman Changes Homeless Man’s Life After He Stood on Same Street Corner for 3 Years

Victor Hubbard had been standing on the same street corner waiting for his mother to return for the last three years – that is, until Ginger Jones Sprouse finally decided to step in and lend a hand.

6) Woman Invites Lonely Widower to Dinner “Date”, He Arrives With Suit and Flowers

Ellie Walker was heartbroken when she heard that Edwin Holmes would be spending Christmas Day alone – so she invited him to dinner over the holiday break.

Then, when he showed up for the “date”, he arrived wearing his best suit with flowers in hand, reducing Ellie to tears.

5) Crowd Hangs On to Suicidal Man For 2 Hours Until Help Arrives

During rush hour near Golders Green, North London in May, this man climbed over a bridge railing so he could leap to his death – but passerby immediately rushed to grab him through the bars so he wouldn’t be able to jump.

4) Air Canada Pilot Overhears Distressed Mom on Plane, Then Drives Her to Husband’s Bedside

In response to a family emergency, Antonella Dicintio boarded an Air Canada flight leaving from Toronto for Ottawa to see her husband who had fallen into a coma while at a work conference.

Pilot Matthew Guetta was already flying the plane when he overheard the young mother talking on the phone.

“He offered to personally take me, once he landed the flight, to Ottawa General Hospital to be by my husbands side,” she told Good News Network.

3) Guy Sacrifices Tesla to Save Unconscious Driver, Elon Musk Offers to Repair It

41-year-old Manfred Kick was driving down the Autobahn – a federally controlled highway with no mandated speed limit – when he saw a Volkswagen swerving dangerously across the road. Curious, Manfred peered into the car’s windows only to find that the driver had fallen unconscious against the steering wheel.

2) Plane Passengers Are Left “In Awe” of Woman’s Kindness Towards Agitated Boy With Autism

Rochel and Bentzion Groner were on a plane back from chaperoning a trip to Israel on Friday, and the flight was expected to take eight hours. After a three hour delay and one hour in the sky, many of the passengers were already exhausted.

Then, a young boy with autism started having a meltdown.

Rochel told Good News Network she had only one thought: “I gotta help this kid.”

1) Mall Opens its Doors for Stray Dogs During Winter Storm

Despite the heavy snow that pummeled Istanbul back in January, the city’s stray dogs were safe and snug thanks to a generous local mall that opened its doors to the homeless pups.

Want to see more stories about kindness? Check out our Kindness tag on GNN for more uplifting articles on compassion.

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Woman Given Terminal Cancer Diagnosis to be Saved, Thanks to Ex-Husband’s New Wife

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McKinley Corbley

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Nov 13, 2017

Divorce can be a messy affair, and dealing with an ex’s new significant other can be even worse – but after she was given a terminal cancer diagnosis earlier this year, a mother of two has been given a second chance thanks to a financial windfall from her ex-husband’s new wife.

41-year-old Nicola “Niki” Hitchen was first admitted to the hospital with severe abdominal pain back in March. While doctors initially said that she had pelvic abscess and sepsis, they later found a tumor in her cervix.

Because physicians said that they could not treat the cancer until her infection cleared up, the tumor jumped from stage 2 cancer to stage 4 in just seven weeks, and doctors said that it was too late to start treatment.

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Hitchen, however, refused to give up. In July, the mom from Chester, England began treatment at the Chemothermia center in Istanbul, Turkey – and the therapy was shockingly successful. The tumor in Hitchen’s cervix has all but disappeared, and the tumors throughout the rest of her body have also shrunk considerably.

But the 41-year-old started running out of money – the innovative treatments cost her family almost $100,000 (£80,000) and she still requires maintenance trips to the center, each of which comes with a hefty $13,000 (£10,000) price tag.

Hitchen mentioned her dire financial straits to her ex-husband’s new wife Clare, who was not about to let Hitchen suffer alone.

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“Niki recently told me that they have big ‘decisions’ to make as the money is running out and she may not be able to continue with her life saving treatment,” says Clare.

“I feel this is not an option. The boys need their Mum and she deserves the chance to watch them grow into men and have their own families.”

Clare, who is now the stepmom to Hitchen’s 14 and 12-year-old sons, started a JustGiving campaign to raise funds for her husband’s previous wife.

The page has already raised $38,000 (£29,000) for Hitchen’s treatments.

“To all those who have donated anonymously or not, small amounts, large amounts, every penny is truly appreciated,” says Clare on the crowdfunding page. “The fact that you have come here to support Niki is fantastic and she is completely overwhelmed by the love and support coming through from friends and complete strangers.”

Click To Share The Inspiring News With Your Friends (Photo by Clare Hitchen)

93-Year-old Eats Lunch Next to Picture of His Late Wife Every Day: ‘True love never ends’

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Good News Network

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Nov 13, 2017

It’s a tale as old as time, and it is touching hearts all over social media.

Clarence Purvis made headlines in September after he was seen eating lunch at a restaurant in Reidsville, Georgia with a portrait of his late wife Carolyn Todd.

According to WTOC, Clarence and Carolyn got married one year after they started dating in 1948. The relationship blossomed into 63 years of happy marriage until Carolyn passed away in 2013.

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During those final years, the senior couple would eat lunch at Smith’s Restaurant every day. Now, even after Carolyn’s passing, 93-year-old Clarence still eats lunch across from her portrait every day of the week.

Additionally, he estimates that he visits her grave at the local cemetery at least 125 times a month.

While some people have said that Clarence should try and move on from his wife’s death, he remains adamant that “true love never has a happy ending, because true love never ends”.

“Ain’t nobody loved one another more than me and my wife loved one another,” Clarence told WTOC. “She was always with me when we were livin’. She’s with me now.”

Clarence isn’t the only widower who is content to live in the past – Charles Evans created a whole museum dedicated to his late wife in Starkville, Mississippi after she passed away in 2011.

(WATCH the video below)

Click To Share With The Loves In Your Own Life – Photo by WTOC

World’s Coolest Library Opens in China and It’s Breathtaking

By

McKinley Corbley

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Nov 13, 2017

Book lovers, pack your bags – one of the coolest libraries in the world has just opened up in China and it is absolutely gorgeous.

The Tianjin Binhai Library, also called “The Eye of Benhai” because of its mirrored spherical centerpiece depicted above, has opened up in the Binhai Cultural District of Tianjin earlier this month.

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The 5-story library features a dazzling futuristic interior with rippling shelves and layered terraces that double as steps and seats.

For the more practically-minded viewers who are eyeing the books that are out of reach on the taller shelves, don’t worry – the designers used aluminum plates instead of actual literature on the higher terraces in order to keep up with the library’s aesthetic.