Quarterback Gives First NFL Game Check to Cafeteria Workers Affected by Hurricane

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Sep 28, 2017

In the midst of NFL controversy, a football player is trying to do some good for the fans who have been affected off of the field.

Deshaun Watson, the rookie quarterback of the Houston Texans, gave his first season’s paycheck to three NRG Stadium cafeteria workers who had lost everything during Hurricane Harvey.

Since the QB’s salary is $465,000, the paycheck is estimated to be a little over $29,000.

In a video released by the football team’s Twitter page, the women can be seen tearing up at the compassionate gesture.

CHECK OUT: 5 Amazing Ways People are Aiding Hurricane Harvey Evacuees

“Hopefully, that helps,” says Watson. “Anything else y’all need, I am always here to help.”

Watson is just one of many celebrities who have put forth time, resources, and finances to help hurricane victims. Hollywood stars, such as the Kardashians and Sandra Bullock, have already donated a few million dollars to Harvey and Irma relief charities.

J.J. Watts, another player for the Houston Texans, raised over $37 million alone through his hurricane relief fundraiser.

A couple dozen other musicians and actors took part in a star-studded telethon two weeks ago that was broadcasted live on several television and social media networks. The event, which was viewed by over 16 million people, reportedly raised over $55 million.

Finally, all five living former U.S. presidents have teamed up to create a relief campaign for Hurricane Irma and Harvey victims.

(WATCH the video below)

"If you can, you must."@deshaunwatson gave his first @NFL game check to help a few familiar faces. #HoustonStrong pic.twitter.com/rwcyGMSRFN
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) September 27, 2017

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India Unveils Plan to Bring Electricity to Every Household in 2018

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McKinley Corbley

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Sep 27, 2017

The prime minister of India has just unveiled an ambitious plan to electrify every household in the country by the end of 2018.

The $2.5 billion project will provide electricity to the 40 million Indian households currently without power.

According to Reuters, Prime Minister Narendra Modi says he plans on electrifying lower-income households free of charges or fees. Funding for the project will mostly be provided by the federal government.

Use of electricity, however, will not be subsidized by the government.

CHECK OUT: India Plants Record-breaking 66 Million Trees in 12 Hours

Additionally, the country plans on electrifying more remote villages and structures by using solar power packs and battery banks. This may prove difficult, as there are reportedly 300 million Indian citizens who are not even hooked up to the electrical grid.

Though India currently generates most of its power through coal-powered plants, the country has been making great strides implementing more environmentally-friendly initiatives.

In a recent move to cut pollution and emissions from coal-fired plants, the largest democracy in the world approved the construction of 10 new heavy water nuclear power plants, which, if operated safely, will offer a much cleaner form of energy for millions of homes.

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Woman Sews Inspirational Quotes Into Blankets to Warm Hundreds of Homeless People’s Hearts

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Terry Turner

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Sep 27, 2017

Messages like “Home, Sweet Home” are fairly common in the world of needlepoint, but for some homeless people, homes—and sweet messages—are hard to come by.

That’s why one Australian woman resolved to use her sewing skills to help provide warmth and comfort to those in need.

As part of her New Year’s resolution in 2015, Maribelle Pokonia decided to start collecting blankets and distributing them to hundreds of Sydney’s homeless.

“Everyone,” she told a Mormon Newsroom, “needs a blanket of love.”

She didn’t want to simply warm their bodies, but their hearts as well. She asked her friends to send her messages of “hope, love and empowerment,” so she could stitch these sentiments as daily reminders for the downtrodden.

Her friends helped her by using needlepoint to physically sew the inspirational statements onto each blanket.

Some of the motivational messages include:

“You were given this life because you are strong enough to live it.”

“Tough times never last, but tough people do.”

“We are all worth more than the worst thing we have done.”

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

Pokonia has given away hundreds blankets to the homeless — keeping that New Year’s resolution and inspiring the world with every stitch.

(READ more at the Mormon Newsroom)

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Saudi Arabia to Allow Women to Drive in Historic Decision

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Sep 27, 2017

Saudi Arabia will allow women to drive, in a historic decision from the ruler of that country that makes the Gulf kingdom the last country in the world to permit women behind the wheel.

(WATCH the video below)

Groom Jumps into River While Shooting Wedding Photos to Save Drowning Child

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Good News Network

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Sep 27, 2017

This wedding groom did not care about his expensive suit or the photoshoot after his wedding on Friday – he cared most about rescuing a little boy in trouble.

Clayton Cook and his now-wife Brittany had just tied the knot at their wedding in Cambridge, Ontario this weekend when their photographer, Darren Hatt, took the couple to a nearby park for some wedding portraits.

In the middle of the shoot, however, Clayton noticed a small boy had fallen into the river and was having trouble keeping his face above water.

Without hesitating, the groom dove into the river and pulled the boy to safety.

LOOK: Bridesmaid Marches into the Water to Save Gosling Being Drowned By a Swan

“By the time the bride noticed and shouted out, Clayton had already jumped down and brought him to safety,” wrote Hatt. “His quick action saved the little guy who was struggling to swim.”

The couple says that an older sibling of the child eventually arrived and escorted the youngster away from the park.

“That’s Clay, like that’s Clay to me,” Brittany told CTV. “It’s something he would just instinctively do.”

Rescue Your Friends From Negativity: Click To Share (Photo by Hatt Photography)

Unlikely Friendship Spurs Former Neo-Nazi to Remove Swastika Tattoos

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McKinley Corbley

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Sep 26, 2017

Michael Kent never thought he would live to see the day where he got his swastika tattoos covered up – but that was before he met Tiffany Whittier.

Kent, a 38-year-old father of two, spent most of his life in a violent white supremacy group in Arizona. During his time in prison, he received two swastika tattoos to signify his views.

Then, when he got out of jail, Whittier was assigned as Kent’s probation officer.

Whittier, who is a 45-year-old black woman living in Colorado Springs, Colorado, says that she did not want to judge Kent based on his life decisions. She says she only wanted to be a positive influence on his life.

CHECK OUT: Black Man Befriending KKK Members Has Led to 200 People Quitting the Organization

As their time together eventually blossomed into a meaningful friendship, she talked him into taking down the neo-Nazi banners in his house and putting up smiley faces instead.

“When you wake up and see a smiley face, you’re going to go to work and you’re going to smile,” Kent told ABC News.

Many months after getting out of prison and befriending Whittier, Kent felt spurred to renounce his extremist lifestyle and get his tattoos covered up.

MORE: When Truck is Vandalized With Racist Graffiti Auto Shop Will Not Just Stand By

He underwent the 15-hour tattoo procedure earlier this week, thanks to Redemption Tattoo – an organization that helps former skinheads and neo-Nazis get their racist tattoos removed for free.

Kent now says that he works on a chicken farm with 15 other employees – and he is fine with being the only white guy in the workplace. In fact, he enjoys attending his coworkers’ quinceañeras and company parties, despite the racial difference.

And he says that it is all thanks to Whittier.

“If it wasn’t for her I would have seeped back into it. I look at her as family.”

(WATCH the video below)

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When Politician Disses African Education Fundraiser, the Backlash Raises $250K Instead

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McKinley Corbley

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Sep 26, 2017

Hi @corybernardi pic of me in dress as CE of SA Att Gens Dept raising money for charity. Happy to do it again as CE @DECD_SA #doitinadress pic.twitter.com/2mst6EmU7M
— Rick Persse (@rickpersse) September 21, 2017

After a primary school had started a campaign to raise $900 for women’s education in Africa, a senator in South Australia voiced his disproval of the charity effort on Twitter. His grumpy tweet backfired, however, and the backlash resulted in an epic outpouring of $250,000 in donations.

Craigburn Primary School in Adelaide started the “Do It In A Dress” campaign as a means of encouraging their students to raise money for scholarships for girls in Africa, who are required to buy a school dress before attending school.

In a blog post, the school leaders encouraged students, staff, and teachers—even the males—to come to school wearing “a dress or casual clothes” in exchange for a donation. All of the proceeds would then go towards charity.

CHECK OUT: Over $60K Raised for Vendor After Video Shows Police Seizing His Money

“The main thing, of course, is to focus on supporting the education of girls in Africa,” says the school.

Senator Cory Bernardi then tweeted a link to the fundraiser, saying: “One school in SA now has ‘wear a dress day’. This gender morphing is really getting absurd.”

The senator later explained that he felt the campaign was a politicized attempt to force a more liberal, non-gender conforming agenda on primary school students – however, the school responded by saying that they simply thought it would be a fun way for the children to raise money for girls.

“If I look at it in the context of the amount of awareness it’s raised and the money, I think it’s superb,” Craigburn Primary School principal Paul Luke told ABC Radio Adelaide. “If those kids want to have a bit of fun along the way, who is a politician to come along and condemn them for doing so?”

MORE: Public Raises $100K For Widower Selling Kindling to Pay Wife’s Medical Bills

All of the donations are being given to the One Girl charity – an organization that provides educational scholarships to girls in Africa. The nonprofit’s CEO Morgan Koegel said that while she was delighted over the enormous amount of donations, she was exasperated by Bernardi’s social media post.

“When I saw that Wednesday night, the tweet, I honestly face-palmed because it was just so far off what the campaign’s all about,” said Koegel, according to ABC.

“In the schools that we work in, in Sierra Leone and Uganda, a school dress is a really big deal because only one in six girls has the opportunity to go to high school. For a girl to get to wear a school dress, that means she’s educated, that she’s empowered, that she’s had an opportunity and so we use it to represent the same thing here.”

The school’s donation page has crashed several times from the amount of traffic generated by the controversial tweet. Since Bernardi linked to the page last week, however, it has already raised $272,800 – and still counting.

Help Educate Your Friends: Click To Share The News (Photo by Rick Persse)

When Birthday Boy Makes Wish For Parents to Wed, Watch Reaction When Dad Pops Question on the Spot

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Good News Network

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Sep 26, 2017

7-year-old Dominic could not contain his excitement when his birthday wish finally came true: for his parents to finally get married.

Dominic’s father, Eamon Hall, knew about his son’s wish in advance. Assuming it would be the perfect time to propose, he had an engagement ring at the ready for when Dominic blew out the candles.

When Hall asked his son what he wished for, Dominic said: “For mommy and daddy to get married!”

CHECK OUT: 4-Year-old Can’t Contain Emotions When He Hears Stepmom Give Special Message During Wedding Vows

The proud New Jersey father then immediately dropped to one knee and popped the question to Dominic’s mother, Samantha Panetta.

Though Panetta was initially stunned, she finally said yes – and nothing could beat Dominic’s reaction.

The 7-year-old jumped onto his chair, whooping and hollering until he threw his arms back and yelled: “I’m gonna be a son!”

(WATCH the video below)

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96-Year-old Wants to Find New Owner For His Toilet Lid Museum

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McKinley Corbley

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Sep 26, 2017

If you know anyone who wants to become the proud owner of 1,300 decorated toilet seat lids, now is their #1 chance.

96-year-old Barney Smith, an ex-plumber, has been creating artwork out of the circular seats for the last 53 years – and they all hang in his Toilet Seat Art Museum in the Alamo Heights area of San Antonio, Texas.

The porcelain prince himself will schedule your visit to the museum— call in advance for an appointment—but the tours are always free.

CHECK OUT: Looking For a Purrrrfect Road Trip Destination? Visit American Museum of the House Cat

100 hours of work went into the average commode cover decorated by Smith, which is why now, in Barney’s golden years, he wants to sell the collection.

While he would prefer a sale to another museum, he wants his creations to stay together in Alamo Heights.

He is currently ready to accept $15,000–$20,000 from anyone who is willing to keep the museum open—without admission fees to clog up the works.

(WATCH the video below)

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CVS to Limit Opioid Prescriptions, Expand Disposal Service That’s Returned 100 Tons of Drugs

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Good News Network

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Sep 25, 2017

As a means of curbing the nation’s opioid crisis, pharmaceutical giant CVS announced earlier this week that they will be limiting the length of drug prescriptions for certain health conditions to 7 days.

The regulation will only be utilized with patients who are unfamiliar with pain therapy. Physicians and medical officials will also be required to limit the strength and release of their prescriptions, depending on the conditions.

Additionally, the company will be expanding their Medication Disposal for Safer Communities Program to 1,550 kiosks with locations in Florida, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and the District of Columbia starting this fall.

CHECK OUT: CVS is Now Offering Allergy Medication at 1/6th the Cost of the EpiPen

Instead of allowing excess opioids to be abused or thrown away, the disposal program has properly handled over 100 metric tons of drugs in the last two years.

“Everyone has a role to play in addressing the opioid epidemic, and CVS Health is showing how the private sector can help,” said Richard Baum, Acting Director of National Drug Control Policy. “Making sure people can safely dispose of unwanted medications is a key part of preventing opioid misuse and abuse, and CVS Health has taken this important step which will support the health of communities across the country.”

As a means of supporting the new expansion, which will go into full effect starting in February 2018, the CVS Health Foundation has pledged another $2 million to drug abuse mitigation, treatment, recovery, and counseling programs.

“As America’s front door to health care with a presence in nearly 10,000 communities across the country, we see firsthand the impact of the alarming and rapidly growing epidemic of opioid addiction and misuse,” said Larry J. Merlo, President and CEO, CVS Health.

“Without a doubt, addressing our nation’s opioid crisis calls for a multipronged effort involving many health care stakeholders,” Merlo added, “from doctors, dentists and pharmaceutical companies to pharmacies and government officials. With this expansion of our industry-leading initiatives, we are further strengthening our commitment to help providers and patients balance the need for these powerful medications with the risk of abuse and misuse.”

MORE: SuperMeat Promises Real Meat With No Harm To Any Animals

CVS Health Chief Medical Officer Troyen A. Brennan says: “In many ways, the abuse of opiates can be seen as the leading public health emergency the United States faces today… In light of the human suffering and financial costs caused by the current epidemic, a thoughtful, responsible, evidence-based treatment of pain is a service we must provide to our patients.

“Employing principles sanctioned by the CDC is clearly necessary and prudent,” he added.

Click To Share The News With Your Friends (Photo-top, National Cancer Institute; homepage- ep_jhu, CC, )

Family Adopts Obese Dog and Transforms Him to be 60 Pounds Lighter

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Good News Network

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Sep 25, 2017

The road to health has not been easy for Shiloh the black Labrador – but thankfully, he has a loving family to help him put one paw in front of the other.

Heidi Fiore first saw an adoption ad for Shiloh on Facebook which described the plump pup as “a tad overweight”. Though he officially weighed in at 146 pounds, the Fiores knew they could assist him to become healthier.

They adopted Shiloh in October and started him on a healthy diet and exercise regiment.

When they first began the routine, Shiloh could barely walk down his street without plopping down on the pavement.

As the days went on, however, the Lab would make it a little bit further every time.

Now, he walks two miles every day and weighs 80 pounds – which is a healthy, average weight for his species. In total, Shiloh lost 60 pounds in 11 months.

While it was no small feat for the hound, he did have 2,000 Facebook fans cheering him on the whole way.

(WATCH the video below)

Click To Share The Pawesome Story With Your Friends (Photo by Keeping Up With Shiloh)

After Finding Heart-wrenching Note in Mailbox, Neighbor Saves 90-Year-old Woman From Loneliness

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Good News Network

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Sep 25, 2017

It has been five months since Marlene Brooks received the letter that changed her life – and since reading that letter, she has changed dozens of other lives for the better.

Brooks, who lives in Park Hills, Missouri, found a letter in her mailbox from down the street back in April. The letter read: “Mrs. ? Would you consider being my friend? I’m 90 years old, live alone, and all my friends have passed away. I am so lonesome and scared. Please, I pray for someone.”

The letter had been sent by Wanda Mills, an elderly woman who lived two houses down from 37-year-old Brooks.

CHECK OUT: Grieving Man Can Sleep Again After Girl Reaches Out in the Grocery Store

Upon reading the heart-wrenching note, Brooks paid a visit to the 90-year-old neighbor – and she now visits Mills four times a week. The result is now a life-changing friendship.

Even though Mills now lives in a nursing home, Brooks stops by for daily visits with her kids and husband for extra company.

Brooks’s relationship with Mills has also spurred her to start Pen Pals For Seniors – an organization dedicated to ending the isolation of lonely elders by pairing them with pen pals.

(WATCH the heartwarming video below)

Click To Share The News With Your Friends – Photo by CBS News

Neighbor Sees Police Officer Battling to Push Senior’s Broken Electric Wheelchair Uphill

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McKinley Corbley

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Sep 25, 2017

This hardworking police officer is being hailed for protecting, serving, and pushing his community when the need arises – even under a devastatingly hot sun.

A pedestrian in Rock Island, Illinois snapped a photo of Officer Tyson Nichols from the Rock Island Police Department pushing an elderly citizen in a broken electronic wheelchair uphill in the heat.

The secret photographer then sent the photo to the department Facebook page, saying: “Just wanted to give recognition to the department and this officer for showing genuine concern and care for the community.”

CHECK OUT: 8-Year-old Helps Buy New Wheelchair For His Best Buddy When Insurance Fails

Nichols later revealed that the senior had been on her way to a doctor’s appointment when she got the wrong bus, became stranded, and her wheelchair stopped working.

The good Samaritan cop contacted Metro Bus and asked if they could help safely transport the woman to her appointment. He then pushed the senior’s wheelchair to a shady spot up 31st Street and made sure that she was properly taken care of before departing.

While Nichols did not realize that he was secretly being photographed, he later said he was happy to discover that a citizen would appreciate the compassionate work he was doing.

“It kinda comes naturally with the territory as a police officer, you naturally, instinctively do things that you’re supposed to be doing,” Nichols told WQAD.

(WATCH the video below)

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

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Good News Network

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Sep 25, 2017

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

Pilot Matthew Guetta was already flying the plane but then went beyond the call of duty after he overheard the young mother talking on the phone.

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

His kindness and good deed did not go unappreciated.

“It was able to ease some of my stress about getting off the flight and not knowing where to go once we landed.”

In response to her overwhelming thanks, Guetta told her that he normally kept a low profile at work but he was glad he could help.

“Matthew was very humble,” she recalled, but still she wanted to thank him in front of as many people as possible so reached out to GNN:

“As I wait at the hospital by my husband’s side, hoping he will wake and have a full recovery so we can return home to our family, I am so grateful for having met you Matthew Guetta!”

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

As of Sunday, they were still in Ottawa but looking forward to his likely discharge from the hospital on Monday. Other family members had also arrived to be at his bedside—undoubtedly flying Air Canada.

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Listen Now to Live Streaming Star-Studded Concert For Charlottesville With Dave Matthews, Justin Timberlake and More

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Sep 24, 2017

Dave Matthews has united with performers Ariana Grande, Pharrell Williams, Justin Timberlake and more, to produce A Concert For Charlottesville, in response to racially-motivated violence that gripped the college town in Virginia last month.

Charlottesville is Dave’s hometown so he wants to help everyone get over the hate and the death of a young woman named Heather. “We want to raise our voices for LOVE!” said Dave in the opening moments of the show.

Here’s how you can hear it LIVE:

Tune in at 5:55 PM ET at either musicandunity.tumblr.com, or on Facebook and Youtube, to hear the live stream.

The Dave Matthews Band will host and headline the show which was created to not only raise the town’s spirits but raise money for the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation to benefit victims of the violence that broke out, and their families, as well as first responders.

The concert already began at the University of Virginia’s Scott Stadium (Sunday, Sept. 24) and all the tickets were given away for free.

Other performers include Brittany Howard of Alabama Shakes and Cage the Elephant, and other surprises.

You can show support by donating at ConcertForCharlottesville.com.

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Cat Who Worked as a Late Night Hustler Now Raises Money For Charity

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McKinley Corbley

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Sep 24, 2017

While some hustlers might use their winnings for gambling and debauchery, this talented feline is using his earned cash to help those less fortunate.

CASHnip Kitty is the resident kitty of GuRuStu, an advertising company in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The feline was originally adopted by the office staff to hunt mice two years, but because CASHnip was such a lovable mascot, they decided to keep him.

In recent months, however, the employees discovered that CASHnip had a secret talent: he was secretly hustling humans out of their money.

CHECK OUT: Man Comes Home to Find Cat Waiting For Him – Except He’s Never Owned a Cat

At the start of a work week, they found a pile of one dollar bills laying around the cat on the ground by the front door.

After some investigation, they found that passerby had been trying to play with CASHnip through the glass. As a means of enticing the feline into action, someone had slipped money through the crack in the front door only to have CASHnip snatch it away. So many people were fascinated by the cat’s unique skills, it had become an ongoing game to lure him into action with some cash.

The office employees then decided to put their mascot’s skills to good use and donate all of the money to the Tulsa Day Center for the Homeless.

WATCH: Kitten Has Team of Piglets to Watch Over Him During His Seizures

The team erected a sign reading: “CASHnip Kitty is a hustler with a philanthropic heart. He will snatch your money and donate it to the Tulsa Day Center for the Homeless. CASHnip Kitty says, ‘Slide a dollar through the slot and great blessings will follow.’”

Since putting up the sign, CASHnip has raised over $100 for the local homeless shelter.

You can also follow his shenanigans via CASHnip’s own Facebook page.

(WATCH CASHnip in action in the video below)

Click To Share The Pawesome News With Your Friends (Photo by CASHnip Kitty)

Kitten Has Team of Piglets to Watch Over Him During His Seizures (WATCH)

These Hot Dudes Reading Books Need Help With Hurricane Relief – and We’re Happy to Oblige

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Good News Network

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Sep 24, 2017

A post shared by Hot Dudes Reading (@hotdudesreading) on Jul 17, 2017 at 3:28pm PDT

There is more to these handsome gentlemen than just a pretty face and a zeal for good literature – they are also making sure that children affected by Hurricanes Irma and Harvey are given books of their own.

Hot Dudes Reading, a self-explanatory Instagram account dedicated entirely to attractive men reading books around New York City, is raising money for the First Book nonprofit organization to provide books to children in Florida and Texas.

WATCH: Grandma Can’t Stop Laughing At Gift of Firefighter “Hunks” Calendar

“The literate hunks of HotDudesReading know that books are powerful tools” the organization told Good News Network.

“A new book for a child in these situations offers much more than a new learning opportunity: these books mean stories at bedtime, chances to dream about faraway places, and moments of comfort and normalcy during an otherwise challenging time,” says the campaign.

Some would call falling in love with strangers on the subway misguided. Some might even say Sharon Stone-ing my legs to get his attention is "wrong", but one thing we can agree on is everyone needs books, especially kids that lost them to flooding from recent hurricanes. Help @FirstBookOrg and I replace 1,000s of damaged books by donating now. #SupportFutureHotDudes #AndDudettes #HDR4HurricaneRelief #FirstBookOrg Link in bio.

A post shared by Hot Dudes Reading (@hotdudesreading) on Sep 20, 2017 at 4:11pm PDT

First Book is already renowned for donating over 5 million books to children and schools affected by Hurricane Sandy, Hurricane Katrina, and the flooding in Louisiana last year. Now, for every $10 contributed to their GoFundMe campaign, the charity will be able to donate up to 18 books to libraries, schools, and shelters in the south.

As a means of helping the relief effort, the hotties of Hot Dudes Reading are asking you – and their thousands of drooling followers – to donate as well.

Everyone knows that hot dudes who love literacy get me going. Add philanthropist to that list and we're looking at a triple threat. Join me today through the link in bio as I team up with @FirstBookOrg to donate new books to children impacted by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. Something tells me this guy has an appetite for reading and for helping out those in need... and I can only imagine what else he's hungry for. #HDR4HurricaneRelief #FirstBookOrg

A post shared by Hot Dudes Reading (@hotdudesreading) on Sep 18, 2017 at 9:35am PDT

First Book’s publishing partners Simon & Schuster and Chronicle Books have already donated 10,000 books to the cause. If you would also like to donate, you can check out the crowdfunding campaign here.

12 Hot Firemen Take Shirts Off for Charity Calendar

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Woman Meets Her Internet Scammer, Helps Him Give Up Crime, and Pays for His College

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McKinley Corbley

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Sep 24, 2017

Even though Maria Grette was scammed out of thousands of dollars due to a man’s conniving internet plot, she still became his friend – and his college benefactor.

The Swedish woman began corresponding with a man named Johnny after she created an online dating profile following her divorce a few years previously. A romance blossomed with someone she thought was a 58-year-old Danish man.

After three months of flirting and conversation, Johnny said he planned on meeting her in Sweden – but first, he told her, he had to fly to Nigeria for a job interview with his son Nick.

The next phone call Maria received was from Johnny claiming that they had been mugged and his son was shot in the head. The man’s bank didn’t have any branches in Africa, wire transfers took a few days to process, and surgeons apparently required a one thousand euro payment in order to proceed with Nick’s life-saving operation.

MORE: 87-Year-old Rescued After 4 Days in Bathtub Thanks to Concerned Waitress

Maria didn’t think twice about shelling out the necessary cash to save her beloved and his family.

When he continued asking for more money to cover treatment, however, she came to her senses and stopped answering his messages.

Three weeks later, Johnny emailed her apologizing for his deceit, and explained that he was a 24-year-old Nigerian “419” scammer who committed fraud because, even though he had finished university two years earlier, he had no job.

CHECK OUT: Teen Creates ‘Sit With Us’ App For Bullied School Children

The Swedish woman and the scammer continued communicating until they developed a friendship – one that was actually based on honesty.

Then Maria started to feel that the internet wasn’t good enough and she wanted to meet ‘Johnny’ in real life – so in October 2009, she took a two week vacation to Abuja, Nigeria. Johnny’s friends, who also paid their bills through internet fraud, turned out to be amiable young men, enjoyable to be around.

In an effort to make a difference in the lives of her new companions, Maria has spent the last five years assisting African artists to attend European art exhibitions and competitions. She has helped source international grants and other funding to bring more opportunities to her new friends.

WATCH: Suspect Weeps When Judge Remembers Him as “Nicest Kid in Middle School” –It Changed His Life

The 69-year-old teacher has not only enjoyed giving a leg-up to Nigerian artists, she’s also paid for Johnny to study in America. The two send each other regular updates on their lives.

“He is very dear to me,” Maria told the BBC. “He has asked me so many times to forgive him and I told him that the most important thing is to forgive himself.”

Johnny now has a job in the oil sector and he’s used his new income to buy one of Maria’s paintings, which she shipped to him in America.

No Scam Here: Click To Share This With Your Friends – OR, (Photo by Maria Grette)

Parking Meters Shaped Like Keys are Key to Ending One City’s Homelessness

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Good News Network

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Sep 24, 2017

These ‘parking meters’ don’t just want your spare change – they want to make positive change in the city by ending homelessness.

Seven new repurposed parking meters in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin are collecting money that will benefit the local homeless population. The golden meters are eye-catching because they are shaped like keys, and are positioned in highly-visible areas near restaurants and stores on busy Wisconsin Avenue, and on the Marquette University campus.

100% of the money collected by the meters, which were created by a local partnership campaign called Key To Change, will go towards housing-first and assistance programs orchestrated by the Milwaukee County Housing Division.

Washington, D.C., Denver, Indianapolis and Detroit have similar meter-style giving opportunities that benefit the homeless, but Milwaukee’s key design is, so far, unique to the city, according to the Key to Change website.

The city government has already placed more than 225 chronically homeless residents into permanent housing since September 2015 – and the city credits the meters for helping raise cash and awareness for their mission.

“Milwaukee is going to end chronic homelessness faster than any municipality of our size,” said Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele. “And that’s something to be proud of.”

(WATCH the video below)

Spread The Change: Click To Share (Photos by Nic Bernstein)

Adorable Kids Asked to Design Cars of The Future Demand Rainbow Headlights, Fins, Wings

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McKinley Corbley

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Sep 23, 2017

Kids don’t just say the darndest things – they can imagine some pretty crazy things too.

This is why a design company asked ten children to envision what they thought the cars of the future should look like.

GoCompare says that they first became inspired to do the project after England announced new initiatives in meeting the country’s environmental goals under the Paris Agreement.

“Since Britain announced that the sale of diesel and petrol cars will be banned from 2040, the question of what the cars of the future will be like is highly relevant,” a GoCompare spokesperson told Good News Network. “We were inspired to ask children because they’re the ones who will be driving these cars – and we knew they would come up with some unexpected ideas.”

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They were right, too – the kids did not just give their imaginary automobiles style; they also gave them features so sustainable, they could make Tesla jealous.

A designer from the company then drew out detailed illustrations of what the cars could look like – and the children were delighted.

“The kids were really pleased and excited to see their work brought to life and published online. We are also planning to print out and frame their artwork and send it to them, which should be a nice surprise.”

Check out the stunningly chic creations below:

10) The Rainbow Convertible 3000

This flamboyant caravan, as drawn by 12-year-old Charlotte, is equipped with state-of-the-art wings for avoiding traffic jams, as well as a reflective rainbow paint job. As you can see, the interior is large enough to comfortably live in; perfect for any colorful nomad living on the road.

9) Charlie’s Car

Charlie, already a sensibly fashionable youngster at the age of 11, focused on the chic exterior of his model and settled for the basics: rainbow headlights and touchscreen doors.

8) The Unicar

This dazzling vehicle may look whimsical, but don’t be fooled – the Unicar comes equipped with a turbo boost, eyelash-installed cameras, and specially designed wings for water travel. Additionally, the metal can change color—useful for sneaking up on dragons and enemy Unicars.

7) Boban’s Car

Simple, but efficient; sleek, but powerful; this design penned by 11-year-old Boban is an example of humble engineering and practical sensibility. While it may look like a hardy railroad car, it can also travel underwater for all of your aquatic travel needs (rumor has it, Aquaman is keeping his eye out for this model on the assembly line).

6) The Mega Alset

This automotive model can do it all: it has wings for flying, It has big wheels for going fast, It has a rocket for extra propulsion. It includes a shark fin for more efficient water travel (or frightening beachgoers – your choice). Not to mention that it is hydroelectrically powered for even the most environmentally-conscious drivers.

5) The Hover Car

It wouldn’t be the future without hover cars – which is why 11-year-old Paula designed this two-story automobile with magnetic strips and solar powered roofing. The prototype’s interior design shows a cozy – but still modest – living area, while the outside features a confident, but family-friendly design. The first floor is also equipped with a microphone for its voice command system. Maybe also karaoke, if you are that kind of driver.

4) The Hennessey K Cell GT

While this car was allegedly designed by an 11-year-old named Kyre, we suspect this model was created by Q, the beloved British innovator behind the gadgets of James Bond. With an exterior as cool as its name, the Hennessey K Cell GT generates thousands of volts of electricity through the two back wheels, which are then connected to the generator. Also, it can turn into a helicopter.

3) The Candy Robo-Car

This deliciously complex vehicle is designed to cater to only the most sophisticated drivers and pilots. With an engine that is fueled by chocolate (milk is preferable, but dark is fine too) and a robot servant for assistance, the candy caravan also comes equipped with X-ray vision rear windows. Plus, there is a cupcake and chocolate booster – that’s what we call a sweet ride.

2) Bumblebee Prime

Whether you’re fighting crime or trying to battle through rush hour traffic and get to work on time, Bumblebee Prime is the robot-car hybrid for you. The robot form comes with rocket boots for flight, a self-fixing mechanism for even the diciest transformer fight, a machine gun, and a rocket launcher. Since not everyone is a robot crime fighter, this might not be the wisest choice for your morning commute.

1) Beast Racer 210

There is not a hero alive who could slay this car. The Racer’s wings allows the vehicle to avoid even the most beastly traffic, but have no fear – there is an anchor in the tail for preventing unintended takeoff. The model is totally heat-proof and glows in the dark for all kinds of shadowy escapades. Not to mention it can also channel its inner Loch Ness Monster and pilot itself underwater.

Which car is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below.

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