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This Turkey’s Got Authority! Holds Up Traffic So His Fellow Fowl Can Cross the Road (WATCH)

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This is one fearless fowl that you don’t want to cross.

In an amusing video that was shot in Litchfield, New Hampshire last week, a brazen turkey can be seen acting as a crossing guard in the middle of a two-lane road so it can stop traffic for a dozen of its feathered friends.

After an entire minute of standing defiantly between the two lanes of traffic, the turkey then follows his bird brethren into the woods.

The video was captured by Donald Pomerleau as he was sitting in his car, and it has since become a viral sensation.

(WATCH the video below)

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“Spring makes its own statement, so loud and clear that the gardener seems only to be one of the instruments, not the composer.” – Geoffrey B. Charlesworth

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Quote of the Day: “Spring makes its own statement, so loud and clear that the gardener seems only to be one of the instruments, not the composer.” – Geoffrey B. Charlesworth

Photo: by Briget Murphy, CC license via Flickr

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?

 

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

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Good News Network
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There are many paths people take to find their purpose – and as fate would have it, Patricia Murray’s path started on the streets of Washington D.C.

How she came to be there is its own story, like those of millions of others who end up homeless in the US every year. Some are rescued by family and friends, government programs or nonprofit groups, while others have the fortune to find special people who reach out to help—and for Murray, those people included a judge, a nun, and hundreds of nursing home residents.

Murray had been homeless for a very long time. “When you’re in the streets, a lot of things happen,” she explained. “I’m talking about drugs, alcohol and all that. And I got into some trouble. I went before a judge who said ‘you got a problem.’ And I said, no I don’t, and he said, ‘I’m telling you, you got a problem!’ And he put me in treatment.”

When she came out of treatment, Murray went to live in Hannah House, a residential facility for young women who find themselves pregnant, abused, or in other crisis situations. There she learned practical life skills such as parenting, handling money, cleaning, and cooking as a means of stabilizing her life so she could prepare for a better future.

LOOK: Instead of Cleaning the Fridge as Requested, Home Nurse Finds it Empty –and Fills it

During her stay at the shelter, she met Sister Carol, President of Providence Hospital, who was raising funds to keep the facility open. A compelling ambassador, Sister Carol invited Murray to join her fundraising mission and asked what she planned to do when she came out of the shelter.

“I just want to work somewhere,” Murray replied – and that got the ball rolling. Sister Carol insisted that divine intervention would put Murray to work, and it ended up putting her to work at Carroll Manor, the shelter’s nursing home and rehabilitation center.

Patricia wanted to be a cook, but they didn’t have any open positions, so she just did “whatever needed doing” and started working three and a half hours per day, making $5.25 an hour.

“I still have that paystub,” Murray notes proudly. “I got it framed.”

CHECK OUT: This Doctor Broke The Law To Engineer a Better Nursing Home, And the Death Rate Plummeted

But, Murray worried she would never get out of the shelter if she were only earning $5.25 an hour. Thankfully, one of her friends cautioned her not to “leave before the miracle happens.”

“So I stayed,” Murray remarked, “and continued to live in the shelter. They let me out early in the morning, and when I returned at night, dinner was already over.

“One of the supervisors at Carroll Manor knew I was missing meals and told me to eat something there. I’d stay and have dinner, and a fifth-floor resident, Mrs. Sutherland, would come down every evening to eat dinner and talk to me.

“I told you there were people put in my path to help me get through … she was another one,” added Murray. “She talked to me about all the people at Carroll Manor that touched her life everyday—the nurses, the cooks, the housekeepers—and encouraged me to stay, and keep moving forward.

LISTEN to This Woman’s Incredible Story of How an Accidental Phone Call Pulled Her Out of Drug Addiction

“The visits went on and on and I’ve been here ever since.”

After her fateful series of interventions, Murray now loves her life and the 250 people who live in the elder care facility. “You have to have passion, you have to have heart to work here. The residents need it. They need someone to look out for them and care for them because their families aren’t here.”

“When I put on my uniform and head to work and when I get to that door, I say to myself, ‘you’re on vacation!’ So even when I get ready to retire, I’ll still come back as a volunteer.”

As a means of recognizing her for her hard work, the Ceca Foundation honored Murray with this year’s Caregiver Award. (See Patricia’s reaction in the video below.)

MORE: Policeman Moved by Plea for Parenthood Adopts Baby of Drug-Addicted Homeless Woman

When asked how it felt to win this award, Murray was reflective. “It was an awesome feeling … it took me back to where I started. And I kept thinking…you’ve come a long way to get to this point, and everyone is still rooting for you.

“I’ve been here 22 years, and 21 years clean,” added Murray, “and that means a lot.”

Patricia got her life back by helping other people – and she hopes to encourage other people on the streets or in recovery by saying: “I never thought I could do it. I always thought I was gonna die in an ally somewhere. Yup, I really did; but, I got clean, I got a job, I came here, and I’ve been here ever since.

“People say, ‘Oh the residents love you and are here for you,’ and I’m here for them. But the truth is, they saved my life. Just coming here every day, being a part of their lives … saved me.”

Share the Story Of Transformation With Your Friends On Social Media…

8-Year-old Immigrant is No Longer Homeless After His Incredible Chess Career Spurs Thousands in Donations

By
McKinley Corbley
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LISTEN to this tale on the radio from The Good News Guru (GNN founder), or READ the FULL story below…

This 8-year-old African immigrant has used his wits to score a checkmate in the game of life.

Despite only being introduced to the game of chess a little more than one year ago, Tanitoluwa Adewumi—more commonly known by his nickname “Tani”—has just been crowned the state chess champion of New York in his age group.

If that isn’t impressive enough, he managed to become a chess champion all while living with his family in a homeless shelter.

Just two years ago, little Tani, his parents, and brother became refugees after fleeing Nigeria to escape violent attacks on Christian families, like theirs. Since then, they’ve resided in a shelter in Manhattan.

WATCH: Blind 6-Year-old ‘Prodigy’ Who Taught Himself to Play Piano Has Become an Internet Star

With the help of a local pastor, Tani started attending a local elementary school. It was there that one of his teachers, Russell Makofsky taught his class how to play chess—and Tani was immediately drawn to the game.

As it so happened, the teacher also taught a chess club at the school. When Tani could not afford to pay the program fees, Makofsky waived the costs and welcomed the youngster into the club.

When he competed in his first chess tournament, he got the lowest score of any student. But this week, just one year later, Tani took home the state championship trophy—after beating 73 of New York’s best players in grades K–3.

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

Tani is a prodigy, for sure: he is the first competitor ever to win a state championship on his first try—rated 1,587 and closing, which is roughly half as high as the world’s best player.

“One year to get to this level, to climb a mountain and be the best of the best, without family resources,” Makofsky told The New York Times. “I’ve never seen it.”

CHECK OUT: Girl Who Wanted to ‘Be Closer to Her Dad’ Becomes Youngest Female to Hike Mount Kilimanjaro

For a while, the adorable 8-year old was spending every night on the floor of his homeless shelter, practicing for the national chess championship in May and dreaming of becoming the world’s youngest Grandmaster.

Thankfully, a GoFundMe page that was set up by his teacher last week has now raised over $250,000 – which has helped get Tani and his family out of the shelter and into a home of their own.

(WATCH the news coverage below) – Photo by Kayode Adewumi

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When Dog Saves Owner From Suicide, the Army Veteran Starts Chain of ‘Pawing’ It Forward

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McKinley Corbley
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Dogs are typically described as “man’s best friend,” but Moxie the golden retriever is so much more than that to her owner.

Christy Gardner is a retired Army Sergeant who lost both of her legs in an attack while she was serving overseas. When she returned home to her home in Lewiston, Maine, she got Moxie to help with her daily tasks.

What Gardner did not anticipate, however, is how the retriever would help pull her out of deep depressions and keep her from turning to suicide.

“She’s absolutely been a life saver. Quite literally,” Gardener told CBS News. “That dog saved my life.”

RELATED: Watch George H. W. Bush’s Service Dog Take the Most Adorable Vow of Service to Bring Joy to Veterans

The 36-year-old veteran has felt so grateful to her canine companion, she wanted to somehow repay the debt to Moxie, which is why she has now turned into the caregiver for a puppy named “Tiny Tim”.

Disabled with leg that doesn’t work, just like his new trainer, the puppy is being trained by Gardner to become a therapy dog at a local elementary school. She believes the physically-challenged pup, now named Lucky, can make students feel good about being different.

However, the puppy’s misshapen paw needed to be amputated, and Gardner picked up several new jobs so she could pay for the surgery.

MORE: 7-Year-old Boy Has Helped Thousands of Veterans After Watching a Video About Homelessness

She won’t need to work so hard anymore, because Gardner’s compassionate labor of love inspired pet food company Vetriscience to lend a helping hand—and donate $10,000.

If you want to follow Lucky’s journey, you can check out his Facebook page or the company’s Twitter feed.

(WATCH the news coverage below *For our international viewers, watch the video on the CBS News website) – Photo by Vetriscience

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“Nurture your mind with great thoughts, for you will never go higher than you THINK.” – Benjamin Disraeli

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Good News Network
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Quote of the Day: “Nurture your mind with great thoughts, for you will never go higher than you THINK.” – Benjamin Disraeli

Photo: by Marketa, CC license via Flickr

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?

 

8-Year-old Homeless Immigrant Was Taught to Play Chess – Now Breaks Record as State Champion, Internet Sends Flood of Support (GNN Podcast)

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Good News Network
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This third grade homeless student has only played chess for a little more a year, since fleeing Africa as a refuge, but he is already breaking tournament records—and winning hearts and support on the internet. Hear The Good News Guru tell the heartwarming tale on the radio in Los Angeles—during the March 22, 2019 Ellen K. Morning Show on KOST-103.5.

WATCH the video and read more at GNN…

Subscribe to our Good News podcast on iTunes, or for Android devices on Podbean.

Also, Check Out Our Little Paperback Book of Good News—Buy on Amazon or White Cloud Press! 

Advocacy of Stunning Lands Pays Off: New Zealand Approves Largest National Park Expansion in History

By
Kayla Hickman
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The borders of this beautiful New Zealand park have been expanded by 158,000 acres (64,000 hectares), making it the largest addition of land to a national park in the nation’s history.

Kahurangi National Park is located on the northwestern coast of New Zealand and is known for its diverse landscapes of high plateaus, freshwater swamps, and coastal forests.

The news of the national park’s expansion, which now includes an area known as the Mōkihinui lands, was praised by national conservation groups who have been advocating for the national park to include the Mōkikinui River catchment.

The fight for the protection of the Mōkihinui River began in 2008 when Merdian Energy proposed a hydroelectric dam that would have completely fragmented and flooded part of the river and forest. Due to a large opposition campaign led by the conservation organization Forest & Bird, the development project was cancelled in 2012.

SEE MORE GOOD NEWS FROM NEW ZEALAND on GNN Here

The cancellation of the dam was a huge win for the organization, but they knew that their fight to protect the river was not over; the organization felt it was essential to advocate for the reclassification of the Mōkihinui River to conserve land as part of the Kahurangi national park.

“Keeping our wild rivers free from major development is important to New Zealanders,” says Forest & Bird regional manager Debs Martin. “The Mōkihinui, in particular, struck a chord because the area is such a stunning landscape, and ecologically important.”

According to Martin, development on the river would endanger several threatened bird species, long-tailed bats and a large population of native great spotted kiwi. The reclassification of the area will prevent another company from applying for permits for other projects.

LOOK: 700 Acres of Massive 1,000-Year-old Redwoods Are Being Turned into a Public Park

The inclusion of Mōkihinui lands to Kahurangi National Park will be made official on April 11th, 2019, and will increase the size of the park by 14%. The addition of the river catchment will further diversify the national park, as it includes a grouping of geology, riverine habitat, vegetation, animal and plant life not seen elsewhere.

Photo courtesy of Forest & Bird

Conservation Minster Eugenie Sage announced the addition to Kahurangi National Park and stressed the importance of advocacy.

RELATED: Swiss Businessman is Contributing $1 Billion Towards Protecting 30% of the Planet

“A big thanks to the many New Zealanders and the Department of Conservation who spoke up for the river,” said Sage. “Today’s announcement is only possible because of that work and advocacy.”

“It is why our Government can now give the Mokihinui Gorge, and the surrounding lands, forests, and mountains the strong protection that comes with being part of a national park.”

(WATCH the video below)

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Living With Nature: A Four-Course Meal of Natural Audio Wonders Recorded by the BBC

By
Andy Corbley
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Throughout our daily lives, we probably don’t pay much attention to the sounds around us—the dripping of the coffee maker, the steady turnover of the car engine, the clicking of our colleagues’ keyboard strokes.

But what is viscerally explained in Living With Nature, which is a 4-part series from a BBC World Service podcast called “The Compass”, there are some environments where the things you can hear are more important than what you can see.

As well as capturing the beautiful tones of running water and wind, Living With Nature offers some incredible soundscapes that most of us have never heard. What’s it like to hear for 1,000 square miles? What’s it like to hear the intimate sounds of a tiger, or listen to ancient Norwegian chanting—ghostly and wolf-like—bellowed from the top of an arctic mountain?

Grab your best pair of headphones, kill the lights, close your eyes, and find out.

The breathtaking audio-technical work of host Chris Watson, a wildlife sound recordist, puts your ears squarely within some of the most far-flung regions of the world. This sonic journey explores the relationship between people as varied as the Masai of Kenya, and the San Bushmen of Namibia, and the beautifully complex natural environments they inhabit; serving to increase the understanding of the interactions available to us with sound and the soundscapes we traverse.

You can choose from four ‘courses’ of the global landscape: the plains, the desert, the mountain, and the forest with tiger sounds (chosen below).

(Listen to the four episodes of this Podcast at the BBC) – Photo by Ovidiu Tudor, CC license

Police Officer Praised for Answering 911 Call to Save Missing Teddy Bear for Boy With Autism

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McKinley Corbley
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Losing a teddy bear may not be the kind of emergency that is typically handled by the police – but when an anxious boy with autism dialed 911 for help finding his missing stuffed animal, this compassionate police officer didn’t hesitate to respond.

Earlier this week, 12-year-old Ryan Paul was frantically searching through his home in Woodbridge, New Jersey in hopes of finding his teddy bear.

When he couldn’t find the toy, he remembered how his parents had told him that he should dial 911 in case of emergencies. Ryan then called the police dispatcher and said: “The teddy bear fell down again. Don’t worry, I’ll rescue you. Goodbye again, see you again.”

WATCH: Officer Becomes Hero to Neighborhood Kids After Sitting Down to Play With Girls Who ‘Were Afraid of Cops’

Ryan hung up before the dispatcher could respond, and since protocol demands they send an officer for terminated phone calls, Officer Khari Manzini arrived at the boy’s house shortly afterwards.

As it turns out, Manzini was just the man for the job. Using the specialized training that he received from the POAC Autism Services on dealing with special needs citizens, he was able to work with Ryan and figure out the motivation behind his call.

RELATED: Watch the Sweet Moment When a Police Officer Soothes Frightened Student With Muppet Song

Manzini then joined the search for the teddy bear until he finally managed to uncover the missing teddy bear – and Ryan was delighted.

“Ryan was very happy to see me,” Manzini told News 12 New Jersey. “And I was actually happy to see him happy and that we had gotten the teddy bear back.”

Though Ryan’s parents say that they now plan on teaching their son about which emergencies necessitate calling 911, they expressed their overwhelming appreciation for Manzini’s kindness and professionalism.

(WATCH the news coverage below) – Photo by PIX11 News

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Adidas Test to Sell Shoes Made of Ocean Plastic Was So Successful, They’re Going Even Further

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Adidas has spent the last four years curbing ocean pollution by recycling plastic beach waste into shoes – and because their customers have been so eager for the product, the company is kicking it up a notch.

Adidas produced more than five million pairs of recycled plastic waste shoes in 2018, and they plan to incorporate the waste into at least 11 million this year.

The upcycled plastic waste is made into a yarn which has since become a key component of the upper material of Adidas footwear. In addition to shoes, the company has also used it to make the first ever football jerseys made from recycled materials.

The sporting goods manufacturer first started making the shoes in collaboration with environmental group Parley for the Oceans back in 2015. They developed the slick kicks using plastic waste intercepted on beaches, such as the Maldives, before it can reach the oceans. The Parley shoes (see them on Amazon) are recreated from editions of their UltraBoost shoe, and a new version of their Adidas Originals shoe.

And, in 2016, Adidas stores stopped using plastic bags.

LOOK: These Cool New Shoes Are Made From Recycled Chewing Gum

“We also continue to improve our environmental performance during the manufacturing,” said Gil Steyaert, who is responsible for global operations. “This includes the use of sustainable materials, the reduction of CO2 emissions and waste prevention.

“In 2018 alone, we saved more than 40 tons of plastic waste in our offices, retail stores, warehouses and distribution centers worldwide and replaced it with more sustainable solutions.”

Additionally, Adidas is committed to using only recycled polyester in every product and application where a solution exists by 2024. As a founding member of the Better Cotton Initiative, Adidas meanwhile sources only sustainably produced cotton.

MORE: Historic Pacific Cleanup Vessel Has Been Successful With Trials at Sea And Will Soon Hit the Patch

Recently, Adidas signed the Climate Protection Charter for the Fashion Industry at the UN Climate Change Conference in Katowice, Poland—and agreed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% before 2030.

Inform Your Friends for Their Next Shoe Purchase—Share To Social Media – Photo by Adidas

“The glassblower knows: while in the beginning, any shape is possible. Once hardened, the only way to change is to break.” – Mark Nepo

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Good News Network
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Quote of the Day: “The glassblower knows: while in the beginning, any shape is possible. Once hardened, the only way to change is to break.” – Mark Nepo

Photo: by Jennifer Morrow, CC license via Flickr

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?

 

When 7-Foot-Tall ‘Gentle Giant’ With Autism Outgrows His Swing Set, Handyman Steps in for Free

By
McKinley Corbley
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When a 23-year-old man with autism was suffering for his love of swingsets, this local handyman did not hesitate to offer up his services for free.

Cobey Thomas may not have been able to graduate from high school or pursue a career due to his autism, but he loves to swing. Every day, rain or shine, he hops on the local park swingset near his mother’s house in Knoxville, Tennessee and swings his cares away.

Even though he is nonverbal, his mother says that he is noticeably more peaceful after spending some time on the swings – which is why he usually uses the swingset anywhere from 5 to 10 times a day.

RELATED: This Entire Town Became Autism-Friendly After Every Business Agreed to Apply Four Specific Measures

That being said, Cobey has grown to be about 7 feet tall and over 200 pounds. His mother, Jenifer Thomas, became distraught when the park’s tiny swingset started to inflict various scrapes and bruises on his legs dragging on the ground. Cobey even started to have trouble sleeping because of his injuries.

Thomas then started to reach out to various local contractors and businesses in hopes of finding someone to build a new swingset for her “gentle giant” – but time and time again, she was rejected.

Finally, she reached out to Allen Ellison from the Neighborly home repair services company Mr. Handyman just before Christmas – and she was stunned by his compassionate response.

LOOK: When Man With Autism Has Violent Reaction to Medication, Mom is Stunned by Officers’ Compassionate Response

Not only did he recruit the help of an engineer in order to design a specialized swingset for Cobey’s size, Ellison also built it in Thomas’s backyard free of charge.

“Allen came out immediately and brought an engineer with him, and just went to work. I mean… they just made it happen very fast,” Thomas told WBIR.

“[It was] just amazing… he restored my faith. Let’s put it that way.”

(WATCH the news coverage below) – Photo by WBIR

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Student Treks to Yellowstone and Finds Bacteria That Eats Pollution and ‘Breathes’ Electricity

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Good News Network
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Photo by Washington State University

A determined young student has made an exciting new discovery after he embarked on a strenuous 7-mile walk into the wilderness of Yellowstone National Park last August.

Unlike thousands of tourists who trek to admire the park’s iconic geysers and hot springs every year, Abdelrhman Mohamed was traveling with a team of scientists to hunt for life within them.

After several hours of hiking through scenic, isolated paths in the Heart Lake Geyser Basin area, the team found four pristine pools of hot water. They carefully left a few electrodes inserted into the edge of the water, hoping to coax little-known creatures out of hiding – bacteria that can eat and breathe electricity.

After 32 days, the team returned to the hot springs to collect the submerged electrodes. Working under the supervision of his fellow researchers, Mohamed analyzed the electrodes and found that they had succeeded in capturing their prey: heat-loving bacteria that “breathe” electricity through the solid carbon surface of the electrodes.

LOOK: Scientists Are Replacing Plastic With Algae, a Revolutionary Idea That Can Suck Carbon Out of the Air

The Washington State University team, in collaboration with colleagues from Montana State University, published their research detailing the multiple bacterial communities they found in the Journal of Power Sources.

“This was the first time such bacteria were collected in situ in an extreme environment like an alkaline hot spring,” said Mohamed, adding that temperatures in the springs ranged from about 110 to nearly 200 degrees Fahrenheit.

These tiny creatures are not merely of academic interest, either; they may hold a key to solving some of the biggest challenges facing humanity.

MORE: Special Bacteria is Found to be a ‘Battery’ That Turns Sewage Waste into Clean Hydrogen Energy

As a means of fighting environmental pollution and creating more sustainable energy sources, such bacteria can “eat” pollution by converting toxic pollutants into less harmful substances and generating electricity in the process.

“As these bacteria pass their electrons into metals or other solid surfaces, they can produce a stream of electricity that can be used for low-power applications,” said Haluk Beyenal, a distinguished university professor of chemical engineering and bioengineering who helped to supervise the research.

Most living organisms – including humans – use electrons, which are tiny negatively-charged particles, in a complex chain of chemical reactions to power their bodies. Every organism needs a source of electrons and a place to dump the electrons to live. While we humans get our electrons from sugars in the food we eat and pass them into the oxygen we breathe through our lungs, several types of bacteria dump their electrons to outside metals or minerals, using protruding hair-like wires.

MORE: Scientists Accidentally Create Super Enzyme That Can Devour Plastic Pollution

To collect bacteria in such an extreme environment over 32 days, Mohamed invented a cheap portable potentiostat, an electronic device that could control the electrodes submerged in the hot springs for long periods of time.

“The natural conditions found in geothermal features such as hot springs are difficult to replicate in laboratory settings,” said Beyenal. “So, we developed a new strategy to enrich heat-loving bacteria in their natural environment.”

Though the researchers did not detail exactly how they will be continuing their work with the bacteria, it will ideally lead to an exciting new tool for combatting climate change and pollution in the near future.

(Source: Washington State University)

Power Up With Positivity By Sharing The News With Your Friends On Social Media – Photo by WSU

City in England Has Finally Achieved its Goal of Becoming the World’s First ‘Sustainable Palm Oil City’

By
McKinley Corbley
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A small city in England has just become the world’s first city to exclusively source all of their daily goods from sustainable palm oil suppliers.

Palm oil is a kind of vegetable oil that is used in thousands of household products, food items, cleaning materials, and cosmetics.

Since palm oil has been linked to deforestation, the prosecution of native people, dangerous sources of greenhouse gas emissions, and the destruction of wildlife habitats, more and more conservationists have been rallying for stricter regulation on palm oil production.

That’s why more than 50 schools, businesses, restaurants, and businesses in the city of Chester have revolutionized their supply chains and committed to sourcing their palm oil products from 100% sustainable sources.

RELATED: Norway to Become First Country That Bans Palm Oil Biofuels That Are Linked to Deforestation

Chester, which only has a population of about 77,000 people according to a 2001 census, achieved the transformation thanks to a long-running campaign  that was led by conservationists at the Chester Zoo.

Chester Zoo developed an entire “Sustainable Palm Oil City” model based on a framework created by the Sustainable Fish Cities project.

In addition to the campaign receiving dozens of endorsements from conservation groups and wildlife organizations, Chester’s success is expected to inspire other cities and regions to follow their example.

MORE: Massive Company That Sells Your Favorite Cookies and Crackers Cuts Ties With Palm Oil Firms That Destroy Forests

“This is a major moment in the fight to save orangutans and other wildlife from extinction,” said Cat Barton, Field Programs Manager at Chester Zoo. “A vast array of species are under threat and on the brink of being lost forever, because oil palm plantations are wiping out rainforests to produce the food and household items we all consume every day. But it is not too late. By embracing a more sustainable future, we can stop this crisis.

“The fact that more than 50 organizations in one city alone have made changes to the products they use – and committed to a 100% sustainable future – shows that the tide is turning.”

MORE: This 2-Year-Old Deaf Girl Loves People – So Her Whole Neighborhood is Learning Sign Language

UK legislators have lauded the milestone as well, with Chris Matheson, MP for the City of Chester, saying: “I am so pleased to have supported this project since the start. I look forward to hearing about other cities in the UK and across the world joining the movement that Chester Zoo has started.

“This is fabulous news for the zoo, fabulous news for Chester and fabulous news for the planet,” he added.

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Ex-NFL Player Faces His Fear of Water By Building a Boat and Sailing Across Lake Michigan for Charity

By
McKinley Corbley
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Despite harboring a fear of water, this former NFL athlete is preparing to embark on an epic voyage across Lake Michigan – and he’s doing it all for charity.

Not only is Charles Tillman afraid of large bodies of water (which he credits to his intense fear of sharks), he also has no experience in rowing or construction, let alone a naval-ready vessel for the journey ahead of him. Thankfully, he has already begun laying the groundwork for his mission.

Tillman, who used to play as a cornerback for the Chicago Bears, retired from the football field in 2015. Now, he dedicates part of his time towards the foundation he created in 2005 as a means of helping low-income families pay off their medical bills.

Though he admits that his upcoming voyage is a “crazy” one, he believes that people should conquer their fears – and he believes that the best way to conquer his fear of water is to sail across Lake Michigan in order to raise money for pediatric cancer research.

LOOK: When Helicopter Upsets Tennis Player With PTSD, His Teammate Abandons Game to Comfort Him Using a Song

“I’m terrified of water,” Tillman told The Chicago Tribune. “I think in life you’ve got to conquer your fears. I think this is a fear I can conquer.”

“I like the craziness of jumping in a boat, building it from scratch – hopefully it floats – and then entrusting my life with it,” he added. “It’s a leap of faith. I tithe, I go to church, I do all that. If it’s my time, it’s my time, but hopefully it ain’t.”

The footballer will not be making the journey alone, however; he first got the idea for the initiative after talking to marketing executive Jacob Beckley at a charity event.

RELATED: Major League Baseball Pitcher Donates $9.4 Million Estate So It Can Bring Joy to Special Needs Kids

Three years ago, Beckley spent 23 and a half hours crossing Lake Michigan in order to raise money for his own charitable foundation – and even though he vowed to never embark on the “treacherous” journey again, he agreed to join Tillman.

Tillman says that he is building his own boat as a means of saving money and raising more funds for their charitable goal. Since boats for this type of voyage generally cost about $80,000, he and his kids have been working together to build the vessel that will take them across the lake. Once it is completed, they will bring it to naval experts for a safety check before plotting out their “Row 4 Kids” expedition in accordance with the weather.

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New Documentary Voiced by Chris Evans Follows the World’s Most Amazing Service Dogs (Trailer)

By
Good News Network
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If you need any more reason to believe that dogs are man’s best friends, than this documentary might be just the ticket.

A new movie called Superpower Dogs, which has just been released in IMAX theaters around the world, follows the lives of 6 service dogs who spend their days helping humans in incredible ways.

The dogs include Ricochet, a surf therapy dog for the emotionally distressed; Henry, an avalanche rescue dog; Reef, a water rescue dog; Halo, a search and rescue dog; and two dogs named Tipper and Tony who sniff out poachers in South Africa.

RELATED: Watch George H. W. Bush’s Service Dog Take the Most Adorable Vow of Service to Bring Joy to Veterans

The film, which was narrated by Captain America actor Chris Evans, takes audiences on an immersive IMAX adventure that follows these remarkable dogs around the world as they save lives through rescue missions, emotional support, and sniffing out crime.

“This spectacular showcase for these exceptional canines is crafted as if they are superheroes in their own epic adventures,” reads a Variety review of the film. “This film ought to inspire more than just dog lovers, as the pups are adorable and the lessons about courage, commitment and compassion are exemplary. Not all heroes wear capes — some of them wear collars.”

If you want to find a Superpower Dogs screening near you, you can visit the documentary’s website to locate a participating theater.

(WATCH the trailer below)

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

“Doubt is a pain so lonely it doesn’t know that faith is its twin brother.” – Khalil Gibran

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Good News Network
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Quote of the Day: “Doubt is a pain so lonely it doesn’t know that faith is its twin brother.” – Kahlil Gibran

Photo: by Darren Shilson, CC license via Flickr

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?

 

Though Her Alzheimer’s Worsened, Supermarket Still Found Creative Ways to Keep Her on the Team

By
McKinley Corbley
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Most workplaces do not have the time or resources to accommodate employees with dementia – but this grocery store has received heaps of praise for going above and beyond for one of their 61-year-old workers.

Ms. Salomon had only been working at Sainsbury’s for a year when she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Prior to the diagnosis, she had been forced to leave her job as a bookkeeper because she was becoming increasingly disorganized.

After quitting her bookkeeping career in 2012, Ms. Salomon applied for a job as a “picker” at the Sainsbury’s supermarket in Kenton, north London.

The job, which simply involved putting together online orders for customer pick-ups at the store, was easier for Ms. Salomon – but as the disease progressed, the store’s management began to suspect her medical condition.

WATCH: Two Drag Queens Moved Into a Nursing Home and Brought Joy With Them

Upon being informed of her diagnosis, however, the Sainesbury’s staffers started doing everything in their power to make sure that Ms. Salomon felt comfortable and valued.

“For context, Sainsbury’s has seen my mum deteriorate to the point that every day for the last year or so she has gone into the store confused, as if she’d never been there before,” Ms. Salomon’s son Doron described in a now-viral Twitter thread. “They have always stood by her, going above and beyond to make sure she’s happy and feeling valued.”

For the next four years, Sainsbury’s did everything to keep Ms. Salomon on the team. They changed her hours; they stayed in constant contact with her family so they could provide updates on her condition at work; they regularly retrained her; and they kept her co-workers informed on her condition.

RELATED: Man Comes Up With Ingenious Way to Keep Dementia Patients Hydrated After His Grandma’s Close Call

When the disease progressed to a more debilitating stage, Sainesbury’s even created an entirely new job for her as a “tote box cleaner”.

“To my mum, cleaning the tote boxes became the most important job in the world. If she didn’t do it the store would fall apart,” wrote Doron. “The sense of self-worth and pride [had] undeniably helped with aspects of her Alzheimer’s, such as giving her something to talk about in social situations.”

In 2017, Ms. Salomon’s received a medical assessment that said her Alzheimer’s had progressed to the advanced stage, and she was declared unemployable. Again, Sainsbury’s kept her on the team.

WATCH: Senior Enrolls in University After Alzheimer’s Diagnosis – ‘It’s a good thing because I was bored being retired!’

“There have been so many times Sainsbury’s could have let her go,” said Doron. “Instead, every time my dad was called in for a meeting, fearing the worst, it was because they had noticed a decline, were concerned about her, and wanted to know what more they could do to help.”

Ms. Salomon’s employment finally came to an end 6 months later, and though it was an emotional departure, she was also “relieved”.

“Senior management … acted with compassion and handled everything with class and dignity,” wrote Doron, thanking the store and adding that “they have been a fabulous employer, but more than that, on a human level, the people working at the Kenton store have shown sensitivity, kindness and care.”

Several months after Doron published the heartwarming story to his Twitter account last year, he also says that dozens of UK Sainsbury’s stores have held weekend fundraisers for Alzheimer’s awareness and research in Ms. Salomon’s honor.

Be Sure And Share The Sweet Story With Your Friends On Social Media – Photo by Doron Salomon

Maryland Poised to Become the First State to Ban Polystyrene Food Containers

By
John Large
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Despite being a small state, Maryland is taking big steps to help the planet.

Earlier this week, the state House of Delegates approved a bill which would make Maryland the first U.S. state to ban polystyrene containers (the non-trademarked name for “styrofoam”).

The bill, HB109, now awaits the governor’s signature.

Though several American cities and restaurant chains have committed to phasing out the harmful packaging products over the course of the last few years, there has not yet been a state government willing to take the plunge.

LOOK: Viral Internet Challenge is Spurring People Around the World to Pick Up Tons of Trash and Then Snap Photos

“It may feel like a small step to take this one form of really insidious plastic styrofoam and start with that just here in the state of Maryland, but it is a big step because [we] will be the first state to ban a major form of plastic in America,” said state Delegate Brooke Lierman.

The styrofoam containers which we use to hold our coffee and carry our leftovers are particularly toxic for the planet because of how easily they break apart. It is rarely recycled (it is collected with plastics in some parts of the U.S. and UK), but it has also been linked to cancer risks.

“Polystyrene foam food and beverage containers have been a first-class environmental nuisance … Their brittle composition has meant that coffee cups and clamshells often break into tiny pieces, which litter streets, parks and beaches,” wrote the Natural Resources Defense Council.

MORE: Norway to Become First Country That Bans Palm Oil Biofuels That Are Linked to Deforestation

The legislation will allow for a one-year grace period during which cafes, schools, supermarkets, and businesses can phase out their stock and switch to cleaner alternatives before the ban goes into effect on July 1st, 2020. Consumers who bring containers that were purchased out of state will be exempt from the ban.

“Maryland may be a small state, but we have the chance with this legislation to LEAD the country on eliminating this horrible form of single-use plastic from our state,” Lierman wrote on Facebook. “We have a duty to future generations to clean up the mess that has been made – this bill is an important step!”

Clean Up Negativity By Sharing The Good News To Social Media – File photo by Andy Arthur, CC

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