A would-be robber in Long Island has paid a store owner back.

In June, a robber tried to steal money from a deli, but the shopkeeper provided the man with forty dollars and a loaf of bread, and made him promise never to steal again after saying a prayer.

The robber has now paid that money back, sending a letter that  read in part, “I know it was wrong, but I had to feed my family.” He said he had turned to religion instead.

Watch the updated AP story below…

Watch the original story here: Armed Shopkeeper Takes Pity on Robber

What is the essence of human nature? Flawed, say many theologians. Vicious and addicted to warfare, wrote Hobbes. Selfish and in need of considerable improvement, think many parents.

Biologists discovered that human babies are innately sociable with a natural willingness to help.

(Continue reading in the New York Times)

The United States Postal Service has kicked off its annual “Letters to Santa”, inviting people to respond to a child’s letter to Santa and give a gift off their wishlist.

Whether naughty or nice, the program gives kids hope, when they need it the most. For almost 100 years, the Postal Service has been opening the letters addressed to the North Pole, and determining if there is a real need. Volunteers can sort through the letters and choose one that touches their heart.

In 1912, Postmaster General Frank Hitchcock authorized local postmasters to allow postal employees and citizens to respond to the letters, dubbing it, Operation Santa. In the 1940s, mail volume for Santa increased so much that the Postal Service invited charitable organizations and corporations to participate by providing written responses and gifts. (The video below features New York volunteers)

What evolved in the days and months following his wife’s death this January in childbirth still touches widower Robbie Goodrich. More than 20 mothers in Marquette, a city of 20,000 in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, volunteered to nurse his baby Moses.

“It’s been such an incredible outpouring of community love for this child of mine,” said Goodrich, a 44-year-old history professor at Northern Michigan University.

(Continue reading at CNN)

Thanks to Lois C. for submitting the link!

When millions would have done anything to get out, one remarkable British soldier smuggled himself into Auschwitz to witness the horror so he could tell others the truth and help at least one person to stay alive. He smuggled in cigarettes, which were worth more than gold, and helped his new friend earn extra favors, in exchange, that helped save his life.

The soldier has only now told his story for the first time.

(Read the story, or watch an interview at BBC )

Thanks to Claudia B. for submitting the link!