When a Solar Plant Becomes a Sculpture Garden, Tulip Power Blooms

Grandpa Surprises Everyone With Age-Defying Dance Moves

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Sep 12, 2015

Everyone warned me that my grandmother with Alzheimer’s might not recognize me and would remain disconnected during what would be my final visit to her hometown in Wisconsin.

She was 98-years-old and I hadn’t seen her in a decade– me, living a thousand miles away and she, living far from any airport.

I was determined to make this last visit count… But how?

As editor at Good News Network, I had seen stories about the power of music to unlock the personality of elderly shut-ins. So, ’Bring polka music’ – Check.

I thought about the handmade items she gave us, but the afghan blanket keeping me warm every winter was too bulky to bring on a plane.

Then, I remembered the “peek-a-boo doll’. When she was in her 60s, she gave these cheeky dolls to my sister and me when we were teens. I kept it wrapped in an old record store bag up in the closet. This was just the device I needed to break through the wall of isolation and indifference.

I made sure my sister recorded the moment on video–a moment that produced so much joy, a moment that proved she could still light up the room, with her giggling and folksy Midwest talk, even while dementia cloaked her mind.

Afterward, I played the tune Beer Barrel Polka, and we all sang along. She knew every lyric.

(WATCH the video, and laugh, below)

When the somewhat-lewd Peek-a-boo Doll was shown to the other old ladies and staff playing Bingo in the next room, they couldn’t stop laughing, saying, “Kate made that?”

My beloved grandmother died this week, two months shy of 100.

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Wristbands Offer Nausea Relief from Motion Sickness and Chemo

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Sep 12, 2015

If bouts of nausea leave your head spinning and stomach churning, a new cure may fit right on your wrist.

Acupressure bands are an old method for fighting seasickness used by Chinese fishermen. They wrap around the wrist and have an adjustable post that presses down on the acupressure point called the “Nei Kuan,” located about three finger widths up from the wrist, on the forearm between the two prominent tendons there.

After discovering the device relieved her morning sickness, Romy Taormina created a modern version of the acupressure band. She liked the application, but wasn’t wild about the way the wrap looked, so she started her own company to produce a more hip version.

Her product, called Psi Bands (pronounced sigh bands), is FDA-cleared and designed to treat nausea, whether from motion sickness, chemotherapy, pregnancy, or anesthesia.

When Kris Wittenberg first heard about them, she drove 45 minutes from her home in Eagle, Colorado, to the nearest store selling PsiBands to buy some for her 10 year old daughter, Addison, who frequently got car sick.

“She loves them,” Wittenberg told Good News Network, “Plus, she thinks they’re cute.”

Wittenberg compares them to the trendy Swatch watches of the 1980’s, but thinks they have a 21st century focus on how to treat disorders and discomfort.”

“It wasn’t a drug, it wasn’t a medication,” Wittenberg said. “She doesn’t get sick on drives now, and she can even read in the car.”

Wittenberg says the bands are all she’s ever needed to control Addison’s motion sickness over the past four years. She also gave some to a friend going through chemotherapy.

Taormina cites four published studies on her website attesting to the effectiveness of the bands in treating nausea from chemotherapy, morning sickness, motion sickness, and anesthesia.

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The company also makes financial contributions to the National Breast Foundation and other cancer charities.

While a cure may make people feel better in the future, Taormina’s company has delivered Psi Bands to the local cancer center in Pacific Grove, California, to help patients in her hometown feel better while going through chemo today.

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Brighter Days in India: College Girl’s Simple Idea Lights 5300 Homes

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This Lamp Light Burns All Night Powered Only by a Glass of Saltwater

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Sep 12, 2015

Talk about a bright idea.

When a 20-year-old college student went to visit her grandparents in India back in 2010, she noticed that many people were living without light—that, or they were using bulbs that fairly quickly ran out. She immediately decided to buy energy efficient bulbs for ten families using her own money.

Mansi Prakash, now an economics major at New York University, came up with a solution that was simple but effective, one that would go on to change the lives of thousands: sending eco-friendly light bulbs to small villages.

“Most families have light bulbs—they just weren’t turning them on and using them,” Prakash told TakePart. “For someone who couldn’t afford food three times a day, paying the high electricity bills was not an option.”

If they used an 11-watt compact fluorescent bulb instead, which costs about $2 and lasts 3-4 years, residents would save 80% on their energy bills. The money saved could go toward health care, food or education.

Being able to turn on lights whenever you need them can give families more hours in the day to be productive, and allow children more time to study.

Prakash, who was born in India and raised in the Philippines, has since founded the nonprofit Brighter Today and–with help from the Clinton Foundation–has been distributing energy-efficient bulbs that are donated by electronics giant Philips.

To date, her nonprofit has helped bring cheaper electricity to 5,300 homes in rural India.

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Prakash is also focused on a new solar project called Light for Life that she hopes will illuminate homes that have no access to electricity. It is another innovative device that brings in daylight with a plastic bottle, bleach and water.

(READ more at TakePart) Photos: Brighter Today, Facebook

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Nature Bridge Paves the Way For Mountain Lions’ Survival in California

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First Baby Bison Born In Nearly Two Centuries In Eastern US

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Sep 11, 2015

The hunting of mountain lions has been illegal in California since 1990, but because of their proximity to humans and civilization in California, these big cats have had a hard time crossing the street safely.

Construction of the world’s largest “nature bridge” should help reduce the number of statewide, automobile-related wildcat deaths.

The green overpass will connect the protected public lands of the Santa Susanna Mountains and the Santa Monica mountains after plans are finalized and construction begins in 2017.

Spanning over eight lanes of traffic on the 101 Freeway, the Liberty Canyon wildlife corridor is likely to measure 200 feet across and 165 feet wide. The highway will be bordered by drought-tolerant vegetation, and will cost between $33 and $38 million dollars.

It’s important for mountain lions to be able to roam over—and claim—new territory freely. If they can’t, the species risks inbreeding and territorial fighting between packs.

The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority is still putting together the finishing touches on the design plan, and have begun a fundraising initiative to help with expenses.

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Since 2002, 12 mountain lions have been hit and killed in traffic on the 101.

Washington State recently broke ground on the first of several wildlife bridges planned for six lanes of traffic along the Cascade Mountains.

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S is for Sculpture: Father Teaches Alphabet And Inspires Street Art

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Mexico Asked Graffiti Artists To Paint An Entire Town – Joy Was the Result

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Sep 11, 2015

When a father started using the streets in Southeast Washington to teach his young daughters the alphabet, he inspired an animal art movement.

Streets running east and west in the U.S. capital are lettered – A Street, B Street, C Street, and so on. Stephen Young started using the streets to teach his young daughters the alphabet back in 2011, telling them what animal’s name began with each letter.

He pitched the idea of putting actual animal sculptures at intersections to the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, a nonprofit community arts group, and they ran with it like a cheetah. “C” is for cheetah, by the way.

Animals have been popping up around the neighborhood ever since – like the Koala on K Street above. Some of the others:

“D” is for Dog, a daredevil darting through fire.

“E” is for Emus, elevated above the esplanade.

“F” is for Falcarius, fearful of becoming food for a Capitalsaurus.

When the letters run out, the streets are given names in alphabetical order while streets running diagonally are named after states. So…

“N” is for North Carolina, and for Narwals noodling up a post.

“V” is for Virginia, and Viceroy Butterflies vying for valued space.

In all, there are ten animal sculptures so far — for the letters D, E, F, G, I, K, L, N, S, V. The Capitol Hill Arts Workshop still has room for 16 more – creating a walking tour of the alphabet for kids to learn their ABCs.

(READ more at the Washington Post) – Photos: Terry Turner, Good News Network

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New Vaccine Virtually Scratches Shingles Off Your List of Worries

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50% Success in HIV Vaccine Tests Leads to Human Trials

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Sep 11, 2015

nurse middle-aged-man vaccination Public Health Image Library CDC — CDC library - public domain

A new shingles vaccine will be on the market within two years — and unlike the current one, the new shot will be nearly 100% effective and not weaken over time.

A study of 16,000 patients, aged 50 and older, found the new vaccine 97% effective — regardless of age. Drug maker GlaxoSmithKline developed the vaccine and conducted the studies.

Shingles is a painful rash of blisters that can engulf the whole body. Anyone who’s ever had chicken pox is at risk of shingles. Once you get chicken pox, the disease never leaves your body. As you age, your immune system weakens and the disease can reactivate as shingles.

There is a vaccine now, but that one is only 64% effective and it weakens over time. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control only recommends it for people 60 and over — and by the time they turn 70, the current vaccine is only 38% effective.

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The new vaccine adds something called an adjuvant — a chemical that “wakes up” the immune system. It’s been used effectively in other vaccines and, in the case of shingles, allows the immune systems of elderly people in their 80s to better keep the virus at bay.

(READ more at NPR News) — Photo: CDC, Public Health Image Library

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Alabama’s New Education Standards Praised for Being Pro-Science

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Teenage Girl Turns Plastic Trash Into Million-Dollar Biofuel

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Sep 11, 2015

Alabama school standards for teaching science are evolving.

Education leaders have pushed past old standards which led to requirements like stickers on biology books warning that evolution was “a controversial theory.” Those now are gone.

Added are more hands-on experiments and course material about global warming and climate change.

There has been little opposition in Alabama, where both topics normally raise the ire of politicians and some parents. Three years of planning for the new standards went smoothly and they now have the backing of the state’s science teachers association.

The biggest change is in the area of “doing science” — involving students in conducting experiments and hands-on exploration of scientific topics. Science teachers love that because it will help students understand the subject better than relying on textbooks alone.

(READ more at NPR News) — Photo: Per Henning/NTNU, CC

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Van Gogh Themed Parade Dazzles With Amazing Dahlia-Covered Floats

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Living On The Land, Eco-Friendly Circus Tour Inspired By Tolkien

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Sep 11, 2015

purple-van-gogh-float-Werner-Pellis-released — Photo Credit: Werner Pellis

The village of Zundert’s most famous native would have been awestruck at the sights, smells, and sounds of these 500,000 dahlia tributes.

Every year, the Corso Zundert parade brings out the competitive streak in locals who spend an entire year planning massive floats covered in dahlia flowers.

This year, to honor Vincent Van Gogh on his 162nd birthday, the colossal creations were themed around the artist’s paintings and self-portraits.

Dutch citizens take the parade very seriously, and usually start conceiving ideas for the float days after the competition ends – that’s 363 days of planning for the next celebration.

Between the months of May and August, teams of competing workers toil over the float’s frame, culminating in a feverish scramble the night before the parade when fresh flowers are finally nailed into place.

“By the First Sunday of September the fever burns within us,” the Corso Zundert website reads. “Will the moving floats be finished in time? Are there enough dahlias? And who is going to win this time?”

yellow-van-gogh-float-Werner-Pellis-released — Photo Credit (and top) by Werner Pellis

The first Zundert flower parade took place in 1936 in honor of Queen Wilhelimina’s birthday, but the ‘parade’ only consisted of a modest bicycle and farmer’s cart. Since the village is known for having over 50 different species of dahlias, the idea of a larger flower parade eventually blossomed.

In order to keep a cap on the competitive craziness, the judges have limited the float size to 62 feet long, 15 meters wide, and 30 feet tall.

Because of its historical significance in the Netherlands, winning the trophy for best float is considered to be one of the greatest honors a Dutch citizen can receive in their lifetime.

yelling-face-parade-float-Erwin-Martens-released — Photo Credit: Erwin Martens

red-flowers-parade-float-Werner-Pellis-released — Photo Credit: Werner Pellis

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Happy ‘Gotcha’ Day! Celebrates Adopted Pets With Unknown Birthdays

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Check Out These Inspiring Stories About Hero Pets!

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Sep 11, 2015

Whenever anyone asks me how old my little Wiley is, I always say, “The rescue folks told us they think he’s between two and four years old.”

That being said, I definitely remember the exact day and time we picked him up, the day he became our baby.

I didn’t know that “Gotcha Day” was a thing until PetSmart charities sent our Chihuahua mix a care package that included a toy that says “Adopt,” a festive glittery bowl, some streamers, and a “Pup-Pie” (here on Amazon) that looks like a doggy cake.

Since many rescue dog owners never find out the actual day of their dog’s birth or their exact age, “Gotcha” day is intended to celebrate the day your pup was adopted.

The first official Happy Gotcha Day celebration will kick off this weekend, Sept. 11-13, at 1,400 PetSmart stores hosting events throughout the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico.

Every day, 1,000 pets find a new home through PetSmart adoption centers nationwide.

“For adopted pets, confirming a birthday is tough, so we wanted to call out to these new pet parents with a special day, ‘Gotcha Day,’ to celebrate the moment they brought home their newest family member,” said Eran Cohen, executive vice president of customer experience at PetSmart.

With the weekend festivities, and Facebook outreach, they hope to find families to take in 15,000 homeless pets across the country–dogs and cats that may have no known birthdays but finally have a day to call their own.

Photos by Richard W. Rodriguez/AP Images for PetSmart

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Last Living 9/11 Rescue Dog Honored With Best Day Ever on 16th Birthday

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Sep 11, 2015

As one of the 100 search-and-rescue dogs deployed at Ground Zero, this golden retriever holds a special place in the hearts of many New Yorkers.

Bretagne (pronounced ‘Brittney’) is the last known living dog to have worked at the 9/11 site and she and her owner were invited back to New York City from Texas for a day curated to honor their work and celebrate the dog’s Sweet Sixteen birthday.

BarkPost teamed up with 1 Hotels and her owner, Denise Corliss, to give Bretagne her best day ever. The pup got the royal treatment in a special suite overlooking her favorite NYC spot, Central Park. She was presented with a doggie “Key to the City” by Hudson River Park, and even got her own personalized billboard in Times Square.

She was given a surprise birthday party with tons of presents, a dog friendly cake, and a surprise donation in her name to Task Force 1, so they can keep training more search and rescue dogs, like Britagne.

Bretagne has had a long career, which included working on a rescue team in New Orleans ten years ago after Hurricane Katrina.

Now retired, Bretagne continues to give back to her community by volunteering at school programs that help children learn to read.

(WATCH the dog’s birthday fun in the video below)— Photos courtesy of BarkPost

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Man Sprinkles Compassion on Fallen Soldier’s Grave During Drought

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Balloon Released at Gravesite Flies 25 Miles, Straight Home to Family

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Sep 10, 2015

Ever since his wife died last year, 86-year old Jake Reissig has visited her grave site every day, bringing a single rose – something he did often during their 65 years of marriage.

But this summer, with Texas in a severe drought, he added something else to his daily ritual. When the the grass around his wife’s grave was turning brown and dying, Reissig brought a hose and started watering it.

One day, the Conroe resident noticed a young woman kneeling down and crying beside the grave of her late husband, a staff sergeant in the U.S. Air Force.

“After they talked and shared stories, she thanked him and left,” Reissig’s son Roger posted on Facebook. “Dad decided to honor this soldier and start watering his grass along with Mom’s daily. He does it every day. He said it is the least he can do for him after all that he sacrificed for us.”

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When the parents of the fallen soldier, who was named Joseph Villasenor, later saw how Reissig was tending the grass of their son’s grave, they couldn’t believe a stranger could be so kind and hugged him standing alongside the two green plots.

Reissig doesn’t consider the soldier to be a stranger anymore. He talks to “Joe” every day while he waters —a simple act of compassion that has touched a veteran’s family and made an old man’s son even more proud of his father.

(WATCH the video from KPRC below) Photo: Robert Reissig, Facebook

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This Moving Company Helps Women Leave Abusive Homes At No Cost

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Once Homeless She’s Now the Boss of Her Own Construction Business

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Sep 10, 2015

Getting out of an abusive relationship isn’t easy—but actually packing up and moving out is even more daunting.

Hundreds of women have Aaron and Evan Steed to thank for coming to the rescue. These owners of a California moving company have volunteered to complete the move for them, free of charge.

When they first started their business, Meathead Movers in 1997, the high school athletes were simply looking for a way to earn some extra cash. Back then, their fee was usually $20 and a pizza.

As their business grew, the Steeds started getting occasional, frantic phone calls from women with little or no money who wanted to quickly move out before their abusers returned home.

The sympathetic movers always declined any compensation and rushed to the address to load their belongings.

One day, in 2000, a situation turned volatile when the abuser came home in the middle of the move. It was then that the company decided it had to ensure that the women and the moving crew were both safe, so they partnered with a local women’s shelter.

“What was good about that is, they could be vetting the requests for help, supporting the women with counseling, and making sure when we went in, the proper restraining orders were in place, or police were on hand if necessary,” Meathead’s CEO Aaron Steed told Good News Network.

Beth Raub, director of the local women’s shelter, said that one of their staff is always on-site the day of the move so they can “call law enforcement if things get dicey.”

Since those days in 2000, the company has expanded into Santa Barabara, Ventura, Orange, Los Angeles, and San Diego counties. Whenever they open a new office, within the first week, they head to a local women’s shelter and knock on their doors.

“It’s the special service we like to offer,” Aaron said on a phone call. “These moves became very personal to us, made all the employees so proud, and became part of our mission statement.” He also said the same services are offered to any victim of domestic violence–male or female.

SEE More Inspiring Stories About Generous Business Owners

Aaron Steed (right) says MM hires student athletes to give them an income while in school.

Yesterday, the company launched a new campaign that asks other businesses to “get creative” and help victims of domestic violence. Called #MoveToEndDV, the Meathead Movers hope to inspire others to rethink how they can work with shelters, or help women as they try to rebuild their lives and move into their first home or apartment.

“Some of our ideas are for businesses to offer free security systems, a dog kennel service, or for an auto-mechanic to provide oil changes,” Aaron said. “All those little things would help defer costs of starting over.”

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Their goal is to spark 100 new stories of businesses offering services, and form a like-minded community. Already they have received pledges from stylists for free haircuts, from a realtor offering rental searches, and a counselor who has offered to help.

“We’re so excited about it,” said Aaron. “It brings so much more purpose and passion to our lives and if we can be an example for others, that is so much better.”

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Mexico Asked Graffiti Artists To Paint An Entire Town – Joy Was the Result

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Adults Are Using Coloring Books To Combat Stress – You Can Too

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Sep 10, 2015

Graffiti artists are so often viewed as hooligans and rabble-rousers who vandalize property and cause trouble for respectable members of society. But perhaps their expressive spark can be put to good use?

The Mexican government asked an alternative art group specializing in murals and graffiti known as Germen Crew to paint a village of 209 houses.

The result is an entire town covered from street to rooftop with a 215,000 square-foot rainbow. The goal was to try and rehabilitate the town of Palmitas’ image and inspire the local youth.

Germen Crew made sure to ask for community participation to bring the town together for the project.

For the past 13 years, the young painters have created unique forms of street art in hopes of keeping Mexico on the map as a country with a strong and modern cultural identity. The group also aims to challenge whatever stereotypes the world might have about their country and it’s people.

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Since Palmitas has been beautified, crime in the community has dropped dramatically and the 452 families living in the town feel happier and more confident in their shining new city.

painted-Mexican-town-GermenCrew-Facebook — Photos from Germen Nuevo Muralismo Mexicano on Facebook

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The 4 Apps That Are Total Game Changers For New Yorkers and Beyond

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BONUS: A Safety App That Lets Friends Digitally Walk you Home at Night

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Sep 10, 2015

If you dine out with friends, need a compatible roommate, want to stay current with neighborhood happenings, or care about historical street scenes, these four innovative apps will make life in The Big Apple—and in some cases, other cities, too—a whole lot easier and more enjoyable.

Split a restaurant check with friends in a single click

Instead of counting cash or stacking credit cards—much to your waiter’s dismay, we’re sure—to divide up the bill among your friends, use Cover, which lets you check in, pay the bill, and add the tip using ApplePay or your credit card.

It’s also a quicker way to pay even if it’s just you picking up the check. The app will even calculate the tip for you, based on what percentage you want to leave.

Ah, simplicity!

You do have to make sure the restaurant takes the payment method first—over 300 restaurants do—and let your server know that is how you’ll be footing the bill.

The app is also available for use in the Bay Area and Los Angeles.

Find out what’s happening in your very own neighborhood

The Blockfeed app lets you know what’s happening, and when, in any of New York City’s five boroughs.

In addition to notifying you about fun things to do, it also aggregates the most popular local news based on social media feeds, tracking your location and keeping you up to date on important neighborhood news via a local news stream.

Hold up your phone to see what the view was like 100 years ago

new york city financial district historic CC takomabibelot — Photo by takomabibelot, CC

OldNYC, a digital project that comes straight from the New York Public Library, lets you see what one of 35,000 buildings used to look like up to 100 years ago.

Many of the photographs were actually taken by one man, Percy Loomis Sperr, who spent decades photographing the city.

Using the app, just hold up the viewfinder, and you’ll be directed to a photo from a database that contains buildings as they appeared back in the day. The database is also full of photos of important historical moments, like a shot of Union Square in 1885 during Ulysses S. Grant’s funeral procession.

Other cities have instated similar apps, like London’s Streetmuseum app, and the website WhatWasThere.com, which gives you access to old photos from around the world.

Know what you’re getting into with your new roommate

Roomi, an app that helps you find the perfect roommate before you co-sign that lease, aims to take the risky guesswork out of committing to a cohabitation.

The company aims to take the “fear of the unknown out of moving” and ensure that people feel more at-home wherever they live.

The app, which is free, seems to be successful in making it easy for people to post room openings, and connect with each other. Roomi just features NYC right now, but they plan to expand.

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If You Post a Photo of Your Rescue Pup, $10 Is Donated to Charity

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Photo Booth Pictures Help Shelter Dogs Find New Homes

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Sep 10, 2015

Pet lovers are always posting their photos and heartwarming rescue stories—now, you can raise money for the shelter of your choice by doing it.

MyRescue.dog is a new website (hosted at .dog, rather than .com) and was created in hopes of raising up to $100,000 to dog shelters and rescues nationwide.

To raise funds, rescue owners are invited to upload a picture of their favorite furry friend with a brief adoption story. Each post which will generate a $10 to donation to Petfinder Foundation.

Voting is open until September 26, and each vote will generate a $1 donation to Petfinder Foundation.

In the end, the top dog will receive $25,000 to donate to its shelter or rescue of choice, while the next 15 runners-up will get $5,000 to donate.

Here are some of our favorite stories—be sure to vote!

Charlie

“Charlie was brought in as a stray to McKamey Animal Center.

It was fate that we met. I was volunteering at the shelter and fell in love with him the second I saw him.

He has completed our family and we love him dearly.”

Comet

“Comet was used as a breeding dog for much of his life. Because one of the other males didn’t like him, he was forced to live in one room all alone. He was a very shy, timid, unsocialized dog.

I met him about a month after the rescue took him in at an adoption event where I was to pick out a new foster to take home. Instantly I fell in love with Comet and he has really come out of his shell since being rescued.

He loves everyone he meets, whether they have four legs or two, and isn’t afraid of anything anymore. He enjoys going everywhere with me and loves wrestling with all his foster brothers.”

Zoe

“Zoe was found as a stray in Brooklyn and brought to Brooklyn Animal Care and Control.

Who knows her back story but whatever it was, she was a very timid pup…who couldn’t trust anyone.

Thanks to Pibbles & More Animal Rescue they stepped up to rescue Zoe before euthanize and give her a second chance.

It took time and devotion and she’s finally able to let her guard down, and be the dog she always had in her.”

Bailey

“Bailey was found in the rain, at night in a parking lot in Miami, Florida by a good Samaritan who took her in, checked for a chip, fostered her and posted her on petfinder.com.

We were looking for a dog just like her, so we adopted her and have spent the last 8 years promoting rescue and pit bull breeds!”

Cubby

“Cubby lived at a breeders for 8 years until they were done with him. He had never touched grass, his legs were deformed from living in a cage and he was blind in one eye.

This photo is the day I was taking him home and he was scared but sat quietly looking at me.

Now he is like a puppy and loves going outside, playing with his toys and loves his new brother. He has been a real blessing.”

To see all of the dogs and post your own rescue dog love story and photo, visit MyRescue.Dog.

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Malawi Celebrates Dramatic Drop in Child Mortality–280,000 Kids Saved

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Africa Celebrates One Year Without A Single New Case of Polio

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Sep 9, 2015

Despite being one of the poorest countries in the world, Malawi has reduced its child mortality rate by more than two-thirds, saving the lives of 280,000 children under age five.

The southeast African country credits its success to three areas: the use of treated mosquito nets to prevent malaria among pregnant women and children; enhancement of its rural community clinics to treat common childhood ailments like diarrhea and infections, and increased immunizations against diseases like polio.

Reducing child mortality was one of the 8 United Nations Millennium Development Goals set in 2000 to aid the world’s most vulnerable people by addressing poverty, the spread of HIV/AIDS and lack of water, sanitation and education.

Overall, child mortality rates for kids under five have plunged by 53 percent since 1990– down from 12.7 million per year to 5.9 million.

Introducing more lifesaving efforts for newborns in sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia — areas with the most child deaths— is critical to bringing down global figures even further.

UNICEF, the UN children’s aid group, celebrated the milestone, having reached–and exceeded–the goals before the end of the target year, with a beautiful video from Malawi.

(WATCH the video from Unicef Malawi below) Photo: UNICEF

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How A Caring Teen Ensured Cozy Bedtimes For 180 Foster Kids

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Police Kindness Toward 2 Girls Becomes ‘Beds for Kids’ Project

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Sep 9, 2015

A high school senior’s simple idea is making nighttime less lonely for dozens of foster kids in California’s Central Valley.

17-year-old Conner Johnson decided to collect twin bed sheets for children in foster care — fun, colorful sheets sets, with stripes, superheroes and flowers, the kind that kids love. And in just over 7 weeks, he gathered $3,600 worth of bedding kindness

Johnson was inspired by his mother, who has taken in eleven foster infants in the past four years, caring for them until they are placed with a family.

“It gave me a first-person view on their struggle, how the system works, what they go through,” Conner Johnson told the Tracy Press. “I decided I wanted to do something.”

The Tracy High School senior is giving the sheet sets to Case For Kids, a nonprofit that provides foster children with a personalized storage box filled with clothes, handmade blankets and toiletries whenever they are placed locally with a family.

Stranger Changes Child’s Life Posting This Photo of The “Sidewalk Scholar”

The organization told Conner they can’t always include sheets because they are so expensive, but they would make the kids feel more at home, like their bed is special. When the children leave the foster home, they’ll take the sheets with them.

Johnson set up collection boxes at three local businesses. He then spread the word on social media, receiving donations by mail from strangers as far away as Nevada, Texas and Pennsylvania–surpassing his original goal of 100 sheet sets, gathering more than 180 for Conner’s Sheets.

(WATCH the video below or READ more at Tracy Press) Photo: KMAX video—Story tip from Mike McGinley

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Why 100 Black Men In Suits Were Cheering by a School Bus (Awesome)

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South Carolina Teens Fight Racist Vandalism With A Positive Message

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Sep 9, 2015

Racial stereotyping is harmful to everyone, especially our children.

That’s why 100 black men dressed in suits lined the sidewalks last week whooping and hollering as inner-city kids boarded the bus to start another school year.

Martin Luther King Elementary School children in Hartford, Connecticut were high-fived and cheered by doctors, lawyers, police officers, surgeons, and small business owners who gathered together to reinforce positive role model images of black professionals.

The men who organized the event, DeVaughn Ward and Pastor Al Johnson created a Facebook page titled “Calling All Brothers” where black men could tag their friends asking them to come. The page gathered momentum until there were 100 sharp-looking men ready to cheer urban children on their way to learn.

“In an urban community, people say that black men [aren’t] valued or there aren’t enough black men doing something,” Johnson told A Plus in a phone interview. “I wanted to prove everyone wrong.”

The event has already been flooding social media and news outlets, with an opportunity to change people’s perspectives for the better.

Photos By Time Frozen Photography

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