Since Women Overcoming Addiction Repaid Town in Kindness, It’s One of the ‘Nicest Places’ in US

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Jun 25, 2019

Cedar House Residents and Puppies-Patti O'Malley via Reader's Digest — Photo by Patti O'Malley via Reader's Digest

This story was submitted as a nomination to the Reader’s Digest “Top 50 Nicest Places in America” contest: a crowd-sourced effort to uncover nooks where people are still kind and respectful in an era of cultural and political divides. Be sure and vote for which story you think should be nominated as the Nicest Place by visiting the Reader’s Digest website.

Photo by Patti O’Malley via Reader’s Digest

When this town helped women struggling with addiction get back on their feet, they repaid the favor.

In 2012, Patti O’Malley and her son were going through recovery for opioid addiction together when her son relapsed and drove his car off a bridge just five miles from their home in Abilene, Kansas. When she lost him, she knew she had to do something.

“I began reaching out to other women, saying, ‘Let’s talk about addiction,’” O’Malley says. She opened her home to groups of women suffering with substance abuse themselves. Then she did the unimaginable: She gave her home to the women in her group. They needed a place to stay after completing 30-day rehab programs.

“The only place they know to go back to after rehab is where they’ve come from,” O’Malley says. “Now we take them door-to-door, from rehab to the Cedar House.”

O’Malley built herself a new home while turning what would become Cedar House into a six-bed facility that focuses on hope, healing ,and giving back to the surrounding community of Abilene, a rural cattle-yard town of some 7,000, famous for being the childhood home of President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Cedar House now boasts a local food bank and a micro-farm with a greenhouse, which delights locals with its exotic flora.

LOOK: This is the Largest Village Built Exclusively to House the Homeless in US – and It’s About to Get Even Bigger

“They have brought things to Kansas that most have never tried to grow,” says resident Loressa Nordgren. “They grow banana plants and loofahs that you use when you shower.”

And they’re growing one more thing there, to the delight of all: puppies!

Cedar House has started breeding Leonbergers, a rare, giant breed of dog that looks like a Saint Bernard crossed with a lion. They’re known for being affectionate, and the litters are being turned into therapy dogs for other women’s service organizations. One of the puppies was recently presented to Thistle Farms in Nashville, an organization that provides safe housing and employment for women involved in prostitution, trafficking, and addiction.

“The whole organization is amazing,” says Danni Moore, a Cedar House resident. “When I started here a year and a half ago I didn’t have a voice. I didn’t know what my purpose was on earth. Patti listens to everything and she’s such a strong woman. Love heals.”

Reprinted with permission from Reader’s Digest. To read the full Cedar House nomination, you can visit the Reader’s Digest website. To learn more about GNN’s part in searching for the Top 10 Nicest Places, click here.

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This Compound in Tomato Skins Could Ward Off Diabetes, According to Scientists

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Jun 25, 2019

A compound found in tomatoes may offer a new way to fight diabetes, scientists have discovered.

Research funded by the French government has shown that lycopene, the substance which gives tomatoes their red color, fights the inflammatory process that causes the condition.

Now a €500,000 ($568,000) research project is being planned to produce a modified lycopene pill to be used in human trials.

The French team led by Dr. Jean-Francois Landrier, director of the French National Health Research Institute’s cardiovascular and nutritional health division at Marseille University, has shown that lycopene dampens down this inflammatory process and slows the development of resistance to insulin signaling.

“We know that inflammation in fat cells called adipocytes, is strongly linked to insulin resistance,” he said. “After we found that lycopene activates an anti-inflammatory effect in adipocytes, we thought it could probably have an effect on insulin resistance – and it does.

“We were one of the first groups to show this effect, and it has now been backed up by a number of other studies,” added Landrier.

His group is now identifying which lycopene compound is most effective and most easily absorbed by the body with a view to setting up large-scale human studies using diabetic patients.

LOOK: Diabetes Patients May Soon Be Able to Say Goodbye to Needles, Thanks to These Capsules From MIT

At least four million Brits – and 1 in 10 of those over the age of 40 – suffer from diabetes, which leads to heart disease, blindness, limb amputation and premature death.

The most common type 2 form of the disease develops as a result of an inflammatory reaction which occurs in the fatty tissue of people who are overweight. This leads to a breakdown in the insulin signaling mechanism designed to prevent a toxic build up of glucose in the blood, which can have fatal consequences.

An NHS England report which was published in April stated that treating diabetes and its complications costs £10 billion a year.

MORE: ‘Groundbreaking’ Type 1 Diabetes Drug Has Just Been Trialed on First Human Patients–With No Side Effects

That’s why Dr. Miriam Ferrer, who is an in-house scientist for FutureYou Cambridge, a UK company which has already developed a lycopene supplement called “Ateronon”, said this most recent discovery is “exciting”.

“From research with Cambridge and Harvard Universities, we are aware of the anti-inflammatory properties of our lycopene or ‘tomato pill’, as it is generally known, could be beneficial in treating diabetes which is one of the biggest drains on NHS resources,” she said.

“All the lycopene work so far has been in cells or pre-clinical settings,” she added. “The prospect of now moving on to human trials is very exciting.”

CHECK OUT: 8-Year Study Shows That Simple Treatment Can Reverse Type 1 Diabetes to Almost Undetectable Levels!

Diabetes UK, the charity supporting sufferers of the disease, has also welcomed the research.

Georg Lietz, professor of international nutrition at Newcastle University, said much more work is needed to prove that a lycopene supplement really can produce benefits, but it will be an exciting new body of research for diabetes treatments.

“It does potentially have an anti-inflammatory effect, there’s some evidence it can have an impact on the development of obesity and there is a clear link with its benefits in reducing the damage of cardiovascular disease,” said Lietz.

“At the moment we don’t have much understanding of its impact on adipose [fat] tissue, and this research will be interesting.”

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When Single Mom Asks for 70 Cent Donation for Electricity, Hundreds of People Fill Up Her Account

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McKinley Corbley

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Jun 25, 2019

When a struggling single mother from South Africa made a Twitter post asking for help paying her electricity bill, hundreds of people stepped up to show her the compassionate power of social media.

Thabisa Xhelithole works six days a week in order to support her two children, but she still has trouble making ends meet.

After she was forced to pay her son’s school fees, she found that she did not have enough money for electricity.

Last week, she posted a photo of her home electricity meter at zero and asked if someone could donate R10 ($0.69) worth of power to her account.

pic.twitter.com/QZFXdXRXQP
— Thabisa Xhelithole (@Moms_of_LiLith) June 16, 2019

Within hours, Xhelithole received more than twice the amount of money she asked for – and the donations kept pouring in.

The emotional 33-year-old mom says that she has been receiving R10 donations from people as far away as Canada.

I have no words to express the love that people from all walks have shown me

I will keep everyone posted with the extra miles that I was also blessed.

May God bless you all pic.twitter.com/nI5CWpRuyb
— Thabisa Xhelithole (@Moms_of_LiLith) June 17, 2019

After benefiting from a week’s worth of contributions, she posted a Twitter photo of her electricity meter logging more than R4000 worth of electricity.

🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/cSnf5BM9QM
— Thabisa Xhelithole (@Moms_of_LiLith) June 24, 2019

Needless to say, Xhelithole has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support.

(WATCH the emotional interview below)

Again thank you everybody for the support😭@akreana_@MorningLiveSABC pic.twitter.com/plINYiBGvF
— Thabisa Xhelithole (@Moms_of_LiLith) June 19, 2019

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Veterans Are Finding Renewed Purpose Through Scuba Diving Missions to Protect Coral Reefs

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McKinley Corbley

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Jun 25, 2019

Veterans are finding peace and purpose at the bottom of the ocean by helping to protect endangered coral reefs.

Force Blue is an organization that recruits former military members to go on scuba diving missions to plant, nourish, rescue, and preserve coral reefs along the coast of Florida.

Not only does the project help to protect underwater ecosystems, it has also proved to be particularly therapeutic for the veterans, many of whom struggle with PTSD or depression.

Force Blue co-founder Jim Ritterhoff told Geek that he first got the idea for the organization after he and his friend Rudy Reyes went scuba diving in 2015.

MORE: Veteran Who Was Given 4 Months to Live Transforms Polluted Creek – and Lives 27 Years Longer Because of It

Reyes, who had been suffering from depression after serving as a Recon Marine, was delighted to experience the magic of scuba diving – and his excitement helped Ritterhoff to realize just how they could use the experience to help other US veterans.

“We were like, ‘wait a second, we can do some real good for out veteran community and at the same time, we can use our veteran community to help the environment and reach an audience that currently isn’t getting the message,” Ritterhoff told the news outlet.

“[That audience] may not listen to scientists, but they’ll listen to navy seals and they’ll listen to marines because these guys are their heroes.”

Since launching the organization, the Force Blue team has recruited dozens of enthusiastic veteran workers for the mission.

Over the course of the last seven months alone, the team has been treating coral reefs of a particularly dangerous outbreak of stony coral tissue loss disease.

The team successfully concluded their work earlier this month after logging over 1,250 dive hours along an 80-mile stretch of coastline. Collectively, the team applied antibiotics to more than 1,200 corals – and they were pleased to report that they often experienced more than 75% success in stopping or slowing the disease.

MORE: Veterans Are Finding Peace From PTSD Through ‘Float Therapy’

“We are grateful to FORCE BLUE for joining our team of partners in the fight against this disease” said Joanna Walczak, Southeast Regional Administrator for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection.

“From day one they have brought everything they have to the table,” she added. “And FORCE BLUE’s … perspective has inspired our response effort and invigorated the mission to preserve Florida’s coral reefs.”

(WATCH the 2018 news coverage below)

Veterans on a new mission to save damaged coral reef 9.26.01 AM from FORCE BLUE on Vimeo.

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Zookeepers Capture Penguins’ Amusing Reactions to Meeting Larger-Than-Life LEGO Brick Roommate

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Good News Network

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Jun 25, 2019

Penguin and LEGO Penguin Feature-SWNS — SWNS

A Scottish zoo captured the amusing moment that a group of penguins met a larger-than-life counterpart inside of their enclosure – and it was made entirely of LEGO bricks.

Earlier this week, the Edinburgh Zoo released a set of photos depicting several of their bemused Rockhopper penguins being dwarfed by their new plastic roommate.

The LEGO penguin, which was built out of 3,200 LEGO bricks, was one of the first models to arrive for the zoo’s BRICKLIVE Ocean display of life-sized models made from the toy bricks.

More than 1 million bricks are being used to create 30 different LEGO sculptures, some of which will include a killer whale, a hammerhead shark, a giant squid, and a manatee stretching 3 meters (10 feet) long.

“We are tremendously excited to be bringing BRICKLIVE Ocean to Edinburgh Zoo, especially as it is the first time it be on display anywhere in the world,” says Lyndy Donaldson, the zoo’s events and experiences manager.

“The sculptures are incredibly life-like, with the killer whale 4 meters long and built using almost 200,000 LEGO bricks,” she added. “It will be really fun for all of our visitors and great for families, with lots of interactive experiences, a LEGO brick pit and the chance to make LEGO models and take them home.”

The display is set to run from July 6th until September 17th – but if you just want to see more penguin-feathered fun, you can check out the Edinburgh Zoo’s livestreamed Penguin Cam.

(WATCH some of the LEGO time-lapse footage below)

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“Every spirit builds itself a house, and beyond its house a world, and beyond its world a heaven. Know, then, that the world exists for you. Build therefore your own world.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Quote of the Day

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Jun 25, 2019

Quote of the Day: “Every spirit builds itself a house, and beyond its house a world, and beyond its world a heaven. Know, then, that the world exists for you. Build therefore your own world.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Photo: by sherifx, CC license

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?

Teacher’s Hilarious Story of How He Saved His Job By Joking About the Principal in School Talent Show

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Good News Network

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Jun 24, 2019

Today is MOTH Monday on Good News Network: In partnership with The Moth, a nonprofit dedicated to the art of storytelling, we bring you the most uplifting speakers from live stages across the world.

When Tim Manley first started out as a high school English teacher, he felt like he was always on the verge of having an anxious breakdown over his educational responsibilities – especially under the intimidating gaze of the school principal.

So when he learned that the principal was planning on having him fired, he felt a surge of frustration.

In this side-splitting live storytelling, Manley describes how he made one last attempt to save his job by performing a stand-up comedy set for the school’s talent show – and he only succeeded after he made a joke about beating up the principal in the parking lot.

(LISTEN to his hilarious story below)– Photo by Jason Falchook / The Moth

The Moth gives people an opportunity to tell a true story in front of a live audience, and sometimes their stories are chosen to air on the radio show, now celebrating its tenth year, and broadcasting on 485+ public radio stations—and on The Moth podcast, which is downloaded over 52 million times a year.

The Moth’s third book, Occasional Magic: True Stories About Defying the Impossible is now available for purchase through your favorite booksellers.

Tim Manley is a writer, storyteller, and educator. Check out his online show The Feels on YouTube or follow him on Twitter or Instagram.

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Not Only Does Music Make Exercise Mentally Easier; It Also Makes It Easier for the Body, Says New Study

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Good News Network

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Jun 24, 2019

An intriguing new piece of research demonstrates that upbeat music can make a rigorous workout physically and mentally easier – even for people who are insufficiently active.

Matthew Stork, who is a postdoctoral fellow in the School of Health and Exercise Sciences at the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus, recently published a study examining how the right music can help less-active people get more out of their workout – and enjoy it more.

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) – brief, repeated bouts of intense exercise separated by periods of rest – has been shown to improve physical health over several weeks of training. But, cautions Stork, it can be perceived as being particularly grueling for many people, especially those who are less active.

“While HIIT is time-efficient and can elicit meaningful health benefits among adults who are insufficiently active, one major drawback is that people may find it to be unpleasant. As a result, this has the potential to discourage continued participation,” he says.

MORE: Training for Your First Marathon ‘Reverses’ Aging of Major Blood Vessels on Par With Medication

Previous studies led by Stork and other university researchers have examined the effects of music during HIIT with recreationally-active people. Their latest study tested the effects of music with participants who were insufficiently-active, used a more rigorous music selection process and implemented a HIIT regimen that is more practical for less-active adults.

First, Stork gathered a panel of British adults to rate the motivational qualities of 16 fast-tempo songs. The three songs with the highest motivational ratings were used for the study.

“Music is typically used as a dissociative strategy. This means that it can draw your attention away from the body’s physiological responses to exercise such as increased heart rate or sore muscles,” says Stork. “But with high-intensity exercise, it seems that music is most effective when it has a fast tempo and is highly motivational.”

WATCH: School Gives Students Credit for Physical Education Class When They Do Yard Work for Seniors and the Disabled

Next, a separate group of 24 participants completed what has been referred to as the ‘one-minute workout’ – three 20-second all-out sprints, totaling 60 seconds of hard work. A short rest separated the sprints, for a total exercise period of 10 minutes including a warm-up and cool-down. Participants completed these HIIT sessions under three different conditions – with motivational music, no audio or a podcast that was devoid of music.

Participants reported greater enjoyment of HIIT. They also exhibited elevated heart rates and peak power in the session with music compared to the no-audio and podcast sessions.

“The more I look into this, the more I am surprised,” says Stork. “We believed that motivational music would help people enjoy the exercise more, but we were surprised about the elevated heart rate. That was a novel finding.”

Stork believes the elevated heart rates may be explained by a phenomenon called “entrainment.”

“Humans have an innate tendency to alter the frequency of their biological rhythms toward that of musical rhythms,” he explained. “In this case, the fast-tempo music may have increased people’s heart rate during the exercise. It’s incredible how powerful music can be.”

Stork’s research indicates that for people who are deemed insufficiently active, music can not only help them work harder physically during HIIT but it can also help them enjoy HIIT more. And because motivational music has the power to enhance people’s HIIT workouts, it may ultimately give people an extra boost to try HIIT again in the future.

“Music can be a practical strategy to help insufficiently active people get more out of their HIIT workouts and may even encourage continued participation,” he added.

The study was published this week in the Psychology of Sport and Exercise.

Reprinted from University of British Columbia-Okanagan

Power Up With Positivity By Sharing The Intriguing Research With Your Friends On Social Media – Photo by University of British Columbia-Okanagan

Two Years After Woman Changes Homeless Man’s Life, They’re Using Their Friendship to Help Someone Else

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McKinley Corbley

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Jun 24, 2019

Two years ago, this married mom decided to change the life of a homeless man who she regularly saw standing on a local street corner.

Not only is their friendship still going strong to this day, they are now using their story to help someone else in need.

Victor Hubbard first made national headlines in 2017 after Ginger Jones Sprouse invited him to live with her and her family in Clear Lake, Texas.

MORE: Once Living On the Streets, the Love and Support of 250 Seniors Made Her Sober—and an Award-Winning Caregiver

As a 38-year-old homeless man with mental illness, Hubbard had spent years standing on the same street corner waiting for the return of his mother. Despite how his mother never came back to retrieve him, Hubbard barely ever left the intersection.

Since Sprouse drove past the street corner several times a day, she felt heartbroken by Hubbard’s circumstances. She eventually struck up a friendship with the man and invited him to live with her.

Hubbard now has a job and a home of his own right next door to Sprouse’s – and they don’t plan on leaving each others’ side any time soon.

CHECK OUT: Simple Mistake in the Kitchen Turns into Sweet Success for a Homeless Veteran

“We’re going to always be together unless he chooses to go some place else,” Sprouse told KHOU.

The dynamic duo now plan on paying their good fortune forward by using all of the proceeds generated from their recently-published book “Kinda Like Grace” to buy a house for someone who may need a little kindness and a roof over their head.

(WATCH the emotional video below) – Photo by Ginger Jones Sprouse

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Two More US States Have Approved Bans On Single-Use Plastic Bags

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McKinley Corbley

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Jun 24, 2019

On the very same day last week, the Governors of Maine and Vermont both passed legislation to ban single-use plastic bags, making them the fourth and fifth US states to do so.

Gov. Janet Mills (D) signed LD 1532 on Monday, stating that “a retail establishment may not provide a single-use carry-out bag to a customer at the point of sale or otherwise make single-use carry-out bags available to customers.”

The bill will apply to the sale of single-use plastic bags in grocery stores, although supermarkets must charge 5 cents for recyclable paper bags or reusable plastic bags that can withstand at least 75 uses. Restaurants and charities, however, are exempt from the fee.

The ban also excludes single-use plastic bags that are used for special purposes, such as loose produce and food; live animals or insects sold in pet stores; and bags sold in packages containing multiple bags intended to contain garbage, pet waste, or yard waste.

In order to give businesses enough time to adapt to the law, the bill is set to go into full effect on Earth Day, April 22nd, 2020.

In Vermont, Gov. Phil Scott (R) approved bill S. 113, which implements similar bans, except the legislation goes one step further by prohibiting restaurants, bars, and food retailers from giving away straws and polystyrene containers.

MORE: First UK Supermarket Chain to Eliminate Plastic From Produce Will Save 1,300 Tons of Plastic From Landfill

The ban is set to go into full effect in July 2020.

Other US cities and national businesses have passed similar legislation to ban single-use plastic bags, but these latest measures mean that that Maine and Vermont have now joined California, New York, and Hawaii as the first US states to approve bans on single-use plastic bags.

Don’t Let Your Friends Pass Up This Positive Story: Share It To Social Media – File photo by velkr0, CC

18-Year-old Genealogy Wiz Reunites Hundreds of Long-Lost Family Members in His Spare Time

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McKinley Corbley

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Jun 24, 2019

While some young adults might prefer to spend their free time on more relaxing local activities, this 18-year-old has made a name for himself reuniting hundreds of long-lost family members from across the country.

Eric Schubert is a self-made genealogical wiz kid who has made a full-time hobby out of tracking down people’s family members through public records and online resources.

He first became interested in genealogy as a bored 10-year-old who wanted to learn a little bit more about his own family tree. As he became more skilled with his research, however, he began conducting investigations for strangers on the internet.

WATCH: 7-Year-Old Becomes Certified Barber So She Can Offer Free Haircuts To Kids in Her City

Where some genealogical amateurs have spent years on dead end research and failed guesses, Eric has managed to succeed in only a matter of hours. To date, the New Jersey teen estimates that he has helped over 1,000 people track down their long-lost family members – all while going to high school full time.

“It’s a big puzzle […] You just have to look at all the pieces and put it together in the correct places,” Eric told CBS News.

“To some people, it looks like nothing,” he said of his clues and research. “But, to me, paired with the DNA results, it’s easy as pie.”

(WATCH the video below… NOTE: our international viewers can check out the footage on the CBS News website) – Photo by CBS News

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“Our thoughts and imagination are the only real limits to our possibilities.” – Orison Swett Marden

Quote of the Day

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Jun 24, 2019

Quote of the Day: “Our thoughts and imagination are the only real limits to our possibilities.” – Orison Swett Marden

Photo: by Luis Hernandez, CC license

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?

Dozens of Creatures Thought to Be Extinct Found Alive in ‘Lost City’ in the Jungle (Photos)

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Jun 23, 2019

RAP in Honduras. Plumed basilisk — Plumed basilisk – Trond Larsen / Conservation International

Red-eyed tree frog – Trond Larsen / Conservation International

A swat team of scientists traveled to a “lost city” buried deep within the jungles of Honduras – and they were stunned by the sheer amount of biodiversity that they found.

Plumed basilisk – Trond Larsen / Conservation International

Back in 2017, researchers from Conservation International conducted a three-week research expedition following the discovery of ancient ruins at a site deep within the Mosquitia rainforest known as the “Lost City of the Monkey God” or the “White City.”

Morpho butterfly – Trond Larsen / Conservation International

Since the rainforest remains one of the most unexplored areas of Central America, the team hoped to shine a light on the ecological state of the region.

The organization finally published a full report of their findings this week – and it details how the ancient settlement is encompassed by a pristine, thriving ecosystem teeming with rare and unique species, including new species and species once thought to be extinct.

Glass frog – Trond Larsen / Conservation International

In total, the team documented 198 species of birds, 94 of butterflies, 40 of small mammals, 56 of amphibians and reptiles, 30 of large mammals – such as pumas, ocelots, and jaguars – and a variety of plants, fish, rodents, and insects.

Eyelash viper – Trond Larsen / Conservation International

Some of the more notable finds included a tiger beetle, which had only ever been recorded in Nicaragua and was believed to be extinct; and the false tree coral snake, which had not been reported in Honduras since 1965.

Tiger beetle – Trond Larsen / Conservation International

“Our team of scientists were shocked at the discovery of tremendously rich biodiversity, including many rare and threatened species,” said Trond Larsen, Director of Conservation International’s Rapid Assessment Program. “The ‘White City’ is one of the few areas remaining in Central America where ecological and evolutionary processes remain intact.

Worm salamander – Trond Larsen / Conservation International

“Overall, our findings demonstrate that the area is of global environmental as well as archaeological significance,” Larsen continued. “Armed with this knowledge, stakeholders can now begin to design and implement conservation strategies to protect this critical ecosystem.”

Conservation International now hopes that their findings will help to implement additional conservation measures that will help to protect the region from deforestation.

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Father’s Day Miracle: Random Meeting With a Child Reunites Woman With Dad Who Abandoned Her

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Jun 23, 2019

A serendipitous meeting between a 21-year-old woman and a young boy led to an emotional reunion with her father—who had abandoned his daughter at birth. The beautiful story stands as a testament to the power of forgiveness.

Ileana Quintanilla was raised by her maternal grandparents in Nicaragua, after her mother gave birth at 16 years of age and her father left. Her grandparents, in spite of economic constraints, always filled Ileana with love.

She often asked them, and her mother Doña Patricia, about her father. Where did he lived? What was he like? But, they always tried to evade her questions and avoided speaking about him. She did manage to learn that his name ‘Ernesto’ and he lived in the community of La Tejana.

In her heart, she always had the desire to know him and, instead of blaming him, to express how much she had missed him.

After years of volunteering at the Christian global development nonprofit Food for the Hungry, Ileana became a staff member and traveled from her community of Ameya to various rural communities faced with poverty and conflict.

She taught people in the villages about their health, and shared her Christian values while working with the local sponsorship program.

Then, in 2018 she was sent to the community of Tejano and met with a boy who had enrolled in the program. He came up to her to get help with writing a ‘thank you’ letter to his sponsor.

Her heart was moved by that child, who had the same last name as her, and after a moment she asked him what his father name was?

The child replied: “Ernesto.”

She knew this boy was her younger brother, and wrote her name on the child’s arm and told him: “Show this name to your father, and tell him that I’m here.”

Within 30 minutes a man arrived on a bicycle and asked for her. She went out to meet him on the road, and asked who was he looking for.

He replied, “My daughter,” and at that moment, the dream of her life was in front of her. She simply said, “I am your daughter.”

A strong embrace and many tears wiped away all the years of separation as the hug communicated how much they missed each other.

Ernesto told Food for the Hungry, “The only thing I wanted to ask her… Forgive me.”

Ileana recalls, “In that moment, deep in my heart, I knew I forgave my father.”

She later met her other brothers, and the whole family on her dad’s side, and now believes that, “Everything happens with a plan and a purpose.”

(WATCH the emotional Father’s Day video with Ileana and her dad below)

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Forgiving the Unforgivable: Mom Worked With Daughter’s Killers to Bring Hope to a Desperate Community

Massive Study Shows That Two Hours a Week is Key Dose of Nature for Health Benefits

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Good News Network

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Jun 23, 2019

Spending at least two hours a week in nature may be the crucial threshold for promoting health and wellbeing, according to a new large-scale study.

New research led by the University of Exeter and funded by the National Institute for Health Research in the UK found that people who spend at least 120 minutes visiting natural settings—such as town parks, woodlands, and beaches—per week are significantly more likely to have good health and higher psychological wellbeing than those who aren’t surrounded nature at all during an average week.

No such benefits were found for people who visited nature fore less than 120 minutes a week.

The study used data from nearly 20,000 people in England and found that it didn’t matter whether the 120 minutes was achieved in a single visit or over several shorter visits. It also found the 120 minute threshold applied to both men and women, to older and younger adults, across different occupational and ethnic groups, among those living in both rich and poor areas, and even among people with long term illnesses or disabilities.

Dr. Mat White, who led the research at the University of Exeter Medical School, said: “It’s well known that getting outdoors in nature can be good for people’s health and wellbeing, but until now we’ve not been able to say how much is enough.

MORE: Stressed? New Study Says You Simply Need a 20-Minute ‘Nature Pill’

“The majority of nature visits in this research took place within just two miles of home so even visiting local urban green-spaces seems to be a good thing,” he added. “Two hours a week is hopefully a realistic target for many people, especially given that it can be spread over an entire week to get the benefit.”

There is growing evidence that simply living in a greener neighborhood can be good for health, for instance by reducing air pollution. The data for the current research came from Natural England’s Monitor of Engagement with the Natural Environment Survey, the world’s largest study collecting data on people’s weekly contact with the natural world.

Co-author of the research, Professor Terry Hartig of Uppsala University in Sweden, said: “There are many reasons why spending time in nature may be good for health and wellbeing, including getting perspective on life circumstances, reducing stress, and enjoying quality time with friends and family.

LISTEN: How to Make Stress Your Friend

“The current findings offer valuable support to health practitioners in making recommendations about spending time in nature to promote basic health and wellbeing, similar to guidelines for weekly physical,” added Hartig.

The full paper is entitled “Spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and wellbeing” and published in Scientific Reports.

Reprinted from the University of Exeter

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‘All 3 of us unanimously felt compassion’: First Responders Pay for Woman’s Hotel to Get Her Out of the Rain

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McKinley Corbley

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Jun 23, 2019

Three medical responders are being hailed as heroes after they came to the rescue of a disabled woman who had just been evicted from her home in Florida.

Several of the emergency crew members from the Fire Station 37 crew in Lauderdale Lakes were sent to check up on the woman after she called 911 for the pain she was experiencing in her feet.

Upon responding to the woman’s 2AM phone call, the dispatch crew found the distraught woman with her sick dog outside with at least ten boxes of her belongings on the street.

The woman then explained how she had just been evicted from her home after she had spent some time caring for her sick mother. After her mother died, she had no where to go.

LOOK: Family Was Filling Up Swimming Pool Using Only Pots and Pans Until These Firemen Came Along

Dispatch crew member Daniel Rodriguez told Yahoo Lifestyle that he and his colleagues immediately felt compelled to help the woman – but they didn’t know how.

“We contacted Broward Sheriff’s Office about a homeless outreach program we have, but that’s only 9AM to 5PM, so the service was unavailable,” said the emergency responder. “We couldn’t go to a shelter because she had a dog with her. We were left with our hands tied.”

Rather than leave the woman on her own, they pooled their money and paid for her to stay in a hotel room. Upon transporting the woman on a stretcher to the nearby hotel, they collected her essential belongings and brought them over to her room.

MORE: Champion Boxer Donated Entire $9 Million Purse From His Big Fight to House the Homeless

Though they gave the woman several contact numbers for nearby shelters and resources, she said that her brother would be meeting up with her the following day to help her out of her predicament.

Regardless, Rodriguez says that he was glad that he and his crew were so unified in their compulsion to help.

“We’ve never felt like this — all 3 of us unanimously felt compassion for this lady,” says Rodriguez. “She was very appreciative, she cried with us, she talked with us about personal things. It wasn’t just assistance, she also needed someone to talk to.”

Save Your Friends From Negativity By Sharing The Good News To Social Media…

“He who has health has hope and he who has hope has everything.” – Arabian proverb

Quote of the Day

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Good News Network

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Jun 23, 2019

couple runs on beach with toddler keeping up on a bike — Geri Weis-Corbley

Quote of the Day: “He who has health has hope and he who has hope has everything.” – Arabian proverb

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?

Survey Says That 76% of American Parents Are Being Motivated By Their Kids to Go Green

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Good News Network

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Jun 22, 2019

A new survey of American households says that the younger generation may be driving the change for “eco-households” more than anyone thought.

While parents should be educating their children to respect the Earth, the survey results found that 76% of parents actually feel their child is the one who advocates for environmentally-friendly changes in their home.

The survey of 2,000 Americans found that 7 in 10 Americans consider their domicile to be an eco-household.

Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Avocado Green Mattress, the survey listed terms that define the key characteristics of an eco-home. Results found that a green residence most commonly included active recycling, avoiding wasting food and reducing energy consumption. That’s in addition to bringing reusable bags to the grocery store and avoiding plastic straws.

Regardless of how environmentally-friendly they consider themselves to be, results found that 77% of respondents would like to be even greener – and for many, having children is a catalyst for wanting to become more green (41%).

88% believe it’s important for the next generation(s) to be taught about being environmentally-friendly—and respondents believe teachers have the most responsibility for teaching children about being kind to the environment (80%). This was followed by parents (80%), the government (52%) and companies (35%).

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In addition to wanting a better world for their children, 59% report that their desire to be more environmentally-friendly simply comes from wanting the world to be a better place.

WHAT’S MADE YOU WANT TO BE MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY?
1. Simply wanting the world to be a better place 59%
2. Watching Earth-focused documentaries 44%
3. Having kids 41%
4. News coverage of environment-focused topics 40%
5. My own research 40%

85% believe that small actions can add up to make a big difference for the environment—and one small action respondents are taking is purchasing ethical products.

37% report “often” purchasing products that are ethical and environmentally friendly.

And respondents report being more likely to buy from a company that offers sustainable products (57%), uses organic or natural ingredients (51%) and that has good ethical practices (48%).

MORE: How and Why to Start a Compost Pile at Home – The Benefits of ‘Black Gold’

“For the health of our families and of our planet, we all need to start making changes. But even small lifestyle changes add up to progress,” said Mark Abrials, the Co-Founder and CMO of Avocado Mattress. “It’s an exciting step forward to see consumers becoming more discerning and actively seeking out ethically and sustainably manufactured products.”

AN ‘ECO-HOUSEHOLD’ INCLUDES . . .
1. Recycling 50%
2. Avoid wasting food 41%
3. Reducing energy consumption 38%
4. Bringing reusable bags to the store 37%
5. Avoiding plastic straws 37%
6. Turning off lights and electronics when leaving a room 35%
7. Using LED lights at home 34%
8. Avoiding plastic water bottles 34%
9. Donating items when no longer needed 33%
10. Composting 32%
11. Purchasing from ethical/sustainable brands 31%
12. Buying local foods (farmer’s market, etc.) 29%
13. Opting for paperless billing 29%
14. Opening the window instead of using the heat/AC – 28%
15. Turning off the computer – 28%
16. Opening the blinds instead of turning on the light – 28%
17. Taking shorter showers – 26%
18. Researching brands’ sustainability practices – 24%
19. Limiting meat consumption – 24%
20. Using public transportation – 22%

Go Green With Your Friends By Sharing The Survey To Social Media – File photo by Dru Bloomfield, CC

After Groom Met Wife-to-Be at Dog Rescue Center, They Make the Rottweiler Their Best Man for the Wedding

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Good News Network

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Jun 22, 2019

This dog isn’t just his ‘man’s best friend’ – he is also this groom’s best man—and sported a mini-tuxedo for the wedding.

This was the adorable moment that a Rottweiler named Jack became the best man for Christopher McCarron’s marriage to Margaret Allison earlier this week.

The happy newlyweds tied the knot in a civil ceremony in North Lanarkshire, Scotland. They say that Jack’s involvement in the wedding seemed only fitting considering how the groom met his wife-to-be at a dog rescue centre.

LOOK: After Spending 7 Years in Hawaii Shelter, Dog Finally Adopted By Couple Visiting From Michigan

The well-behaved pup sat quietly through the short ceremony, wearing a mini tuxedo attached to his collar—and the pooch even sneezed when McCarron said ‘I do’.

“We had a lovely sentimental day – and Jack played a big part,” said McCarron. “He loved it, he really did.”

McCarron adopted the Rottweiler after the death of his son, who died three years ago at age 43.

In the wake of his son’s death, McCarron took stock of his life, sold his business, and got a divorce.

He hoped that getting a dog might help him recover from his grief, and he was immediately won over by Jack, who had been at the local animal shelter for nine months.

LOOK: Woman Quits Successful City Career So She Can Live in the Woods With Over 100 Rescued Animals

And in a sweet twist of fate, McCarron met his new love Allison while he was out walking Jack at the rescue center – and he promised to keep her updated on his pet’s progress.

Romance blossomed and the newlyweds now consider Jack to be a part of their family.

“I wouldn’t have considered getting a rescue dog based on his age; he’s around 6 years old,” says 69-year-old McCarron. “But when he went up to me, we just clicked. Little did I know that I’d meet my future wife at the rescue center too.

“I don’t believe that I rescued Jack – I think he rescued me,” he added. “When we decided to get married, Jack had to be there.”

WATCH: Dog That Shoplifted a Book on ‘Abandonment’ is Given the Love It Was Asking For

Allison, who is a care home worker, had initially been looking to rescue a small dog from the rehoming center, but she did not find anything suitable.

When she met McCarron, however, they bonded over their shared love of dogs – and how they both witnessed the transformation of Jack’s character since he was welcomed into a loving home.

Jack spent most of his life as a guard dog who was cooped up in a kennel, and when McCarron adopted Jack in 2015, he was warned that that the pup should not be allowed to play with other dogs.

McCarron and Margaret, on the other hand, believe that Rottweilers have unfairly been given a bad reputation as a breed, and they should be given a chance.

“This is our family now; me, Margaret, and Jack,” mused McCarron.

Be Sure And Share This Pawesome Rescue Story With Your Friends On Social Media…

Famous Wensleydale Cheese Creamery to Turn Whey Waste into Biogas for Heating Homes

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Good News Network

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Jun 22, 2019

This English cheese company won’t just be producing delicious dairy products with their famous Wensleydale cheeses – they will also be using their factory waste as a new source of cleaner renewable energy.

The Wensleydale Creamery will soon be using all of their whey waste to make biogas that is expected to heat about 800 English homes every year.

The creamery recently partnered with environmentalist fund manager Iona Capital to produce the biogas in their Yorkshire facility. Collectively, the venture will in turn produce 10,000 MWh of thermal power using a process called anaerobic digestion.

LOOK: School District Turns Unused Cafeteria Food into Take-Home Meals for Kids in Need

The fund manager has already established nine anaerobic digestion facilities across Yorkshire, investing $127 million (£100 million) in the region, as well as opening its York office in June 2018. The renewable energy plants save the equivalent of 37,300 tons of CO2 each year.

Mike Dunn, co-founder of Iona, said: “This partnership with Wensleydale not only shows how we are turning waste food products into useful energy for homes and business, but also our commitment to Yorkshire.”

Packaged cheese photo by Amanda Slater, CC license

Furthermore, after the sustainable green gas has been created, they will take what’s left at the end of the process and fertilize neighboring farmland to improve local topsoil quality.

“This shows the real impact of the circular economy and the part intelligent investment can play in reducing our CO2 emissions.”

Wensleydale Creamery’s managing director David Hartley said: “The whole process of converting local milk to premium cheese and then deriving environmental and economic benefit from the natural by-products is an essential part of our business plan as a proud rural business.”

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