The veteran, who’d served multiple deployments to Iraq, put on his uniform and took up position in front of the home, holding an American flag from 3:30 in the morning until well into the holiday afternoon Monday—even standing in the rain to do it.
When word got out, people from around Wilbraham, Massachusetts stopped by to thank the young man.
“Absolutely inspired,” Chris White told WWLP News. “We came here just to thank him for his service. It’s phenomenal that he’s standing out here for the residents and for our country,”
(WATCH the video below from WWLP News) — Photo: news video
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It was a heartwarming sight that made passerby Bruno Baurin stop and take a photo.
He called it “Totally awesome” when he saw a Halifax Regional Police officer sitting on the sidewalk in conversation with a street person on a busy city street.
The officer, Shawn Currie, didn’t know about the photo until his wife saw it online and showed him.
A young artist’s simple plan to give fellow students a personal graduation gift turned into a unifying force for calming racial tensions and lifting spirits at this Massachusetts high school.
Students have been in awe since the day when individual, charcoal portraits of each of the 411 graduating seniors went up on display in the hallways at Boston Latin school.
Senior Phillip Sossou spent four months, working as much as five hours a day after classes, to create the individual portraits. Sometimes he’d do as many as 16 pieces in a single day to meet his deadline.
Sossou thought classmates might momentarily appreciate his drawings as a gift, but was amazed when his artwork brought some students to tears and forged common bonds for the senior class.
“This will sort of bring about a sense of community,” the young artist told New England Cable News (NECN). “That’s definitely what we need right now, because we’re really fractured.”
The portraits will remain on the walls until graduation, when student will get to take their images home–in many different directions but connected by the artist’s hand.
The house where Princess Diana grew up is helping orphaned children grow toward a brighter future.
Karen Spencer, who married Diana’s brother, Earl Charles Spencer, is temporarily turning the 500-year-old Althorp estate into a charity bed and breakfast for high-priced donors.
Guests will contribute $25,000 to $40,000 to spend one of three weekends at the country house, which features a priceless art collection, a 10,000 book library, and 13,000 acres for strolling. The money will go to Karen Spencer’s charity — Whole Child — which is working to improve childhood development for orphans.
It’s not just the wealthy who have a chance to stay on the estate. As part of the campaign, six other people will earn a special weekend for two. They must either win an essay or video contest, or raise the most funds for Whole Child International by September 25, or tally the largest number of contributors.
Whole Child supports efforts to foster bonding among children and caregivers in orphanages. It has created a framework that promotes individuality among children based on advice from childhood development experts at several major universities.
Studies of the program at a handful of the orphanages Whole Child works with showed significant improvements in overall mental development and physical health during a six year period.
The charity currently works with 85 orphanages in Nicaragua and is just launching a project with 365 more centers in El Salvador.
While most reforms have focused on placing orphans with family members or foster homes, Spencer sees that as a long-term fix that could take decades to reach all the world’s eight million orphans. She wants Whole Child to buck the current trends and address the immediate needs of children now.
“There have been a lot of incredibly powerful and rabble-rousing women as part of this family,” she told NBC News. “So I’m very proud to join the line.”
(WATCH the video below from NBC News) — Photos: Gegodeju, CC; Whole Child; NBC Video
Call it a miracle or just animal instincts – either way, this little black pooch knew exactly where to go to receive a helping paw.
Capone the black Labrador retriever wandered into the Community Hospital in Anderson, Indiana early Thursday morning with an injured leg. Though the emergency room staff were surprised by the dog’s sudden appearance, they welcomed the weary four-legged patient and made sure he was safe until the veterinarian’s office opened.
After posting a picture of the pup to Facebook with a note requesting information on the dog’s owner, Nick Karagianis called the hospital exclaiming with relief that the one-year-old puppy was his.
Capone’s injury was reportedly the result of being hit by a car, and the hospital staff even decided to pay for the vet bill on the condition that he get a microchip, so he doesn’t get lost in the future.
Now we know that not only is Brad Pitt talented and dreamy, but he pays attention to the throng of humans around him, as well.
When the actor emerged from his movie set in San Canaria, Spain, his fans who were waiting behind the security fence surged forward to get photos, all while almost crushing a young girl against the fence in the process.
These two could, and neither missed a word during 39 rounds, remaining cool under the pressure of a packed house and national television audience to become co-champions at the 2016 Scripps National Spelling Bee Thursday.
It was a marathon finish for 13-year-old Jairam Hathwar, who correctly spelled ‘Feldenkrais’ (a medical term for certain body movements) and 11-year-old Nihar Janga, the youngest ever to win the champion title, who immediately followed by spelling ‘gesellschaft’ (a mechanical social relationship). With these correct spellings, the boys from Painted Post, New York and Austin, Texas were crowned co-champions–the third year in a row the contest has ended in a tie.
The final two words were the crowning achievement of an impressive performance. Hathwar and Janga tackled every difficult word, lasting through 39 rounds, including 24 nail-biting head-to-head rounds.
This was Hathwar’s second appearance in the National Finals, having tied for 22nd place in 2015. His brother Sriram Hathwar was a co-champion in 2014.
The two 2016 winners were each awarded an engraved championship trophy, along with a $40,000 cash prize.
“Hathwar and Janga both proved their depth of knowledge of root words and word origins to master round after round of some of the most challenging words in the English language,” said Boehne.
The competition began Tuesday with 285 spellers who advanced to the Scripps National Spelling Bee after beating the odds to reach this level. They are among the top 0.000026 percent of the more than 11 million students who initially participated in spelling bees held in classrooms, schools and locally sponsored events around the country.
At 67, David Norman, has traveled a hard road. But after “two prison stints and so many arrests he’s lost count”, the former Harlem drug dealer donned a cap and gown last week to become a graduate of the prestigious Columbia University in New York.
While incarcerated 19 years ago, he had a moment of clarity, realizing he needed to pursue “some new behaviors.” He fell in love with reading, and began guiding other inmates toward finding new meaning in their lives.
He walked out of prison in 2000 a changed man, and now walks with other graduates, 40 years his junior, into a promising future carrying a degree in philosophy.
Using his experience gained as an outreach worker helping substance abusers at Mount Vernon Hospital, Norman now works in community health as a research assistant at Columbia University, and plans to write about book about how he turned his life around.
It’s never easy to shave off an awesome beard. It took Scott Boback 20 months to grow it, but this associate professor of biology at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania has discovered a way to make it all worthwhile.
Even though the trim was emotional, Boback’s nine-inch beard will be donated to Matter of Trust, an organization that uses hair clippings to soak up oil after a spill.
“Hair is really good at absorbing oil,” said Boback. “They use the hair to make hair booms, which are big, long tubes that they stuff hair into and actually helps to soak up oil after oil spills.”
There weren’t a lot of jobs suited to Russell Carey, so the young man with autism, who also suffers from seizures, was given the chance to use his passion to earn his own income.
When Carey is walking, he’s an unstoppable force. The 28-year-old just doesn’t like to stand still — he has to keep moving.
He tried a job as a dog walker, but he wanted to wander farther than the dogs could even go.
That when his caregivers hit on the idea of setting him up in advertising. “Carey’s Signs” lets Carey walk far and wide, carrying signs promoting local businesses in Oak Harbor, Washington.
His initial $80 fee buys a client a custom sign and an hour’s worth of walking and waving it at passing traffic over six weeks.
Real estate agent Clay Miller is a steady client who says Carey’s Signs gets his business a lot of attention.
“I’ve had a lot of people stop me and comment on it or post photos to Facebook,” he told the Whidbey News-Times.
For a man who requires 24-hour care, the job offers Carey a sense of independence, the opportunity to pay his own rent and bills, and, best of all, the chance to be on the move.
You may have read about the tux and dress giveaways organized by the Sacramento Public Library or the police officer who averted a shooting at a Wisconsin prom, but as the season has danced on, the prom headlines have grown even more inspiring and memorable. . . Here’s a roundup of nine prom tales we hope you fall in love with:
In Pennsylvania, a girl banned from prom for wearing a suit was invited to the dance in nearby district.
Aniya Wolf was kicked out of her prom in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, for reportedly violating her private school’s dress code which required all female students to wear formal dresses. After news spread of her experience, the principal at another school, William Penn High School in York, invited her to attend their prom on May 21 instead. (Read more at WPXI)
In Florida, nursing home residents enjoyed their ‘senior’ prom, thanks to teen volunteers.
Students at TERRA Environmental Research Institute in Miami decorated the Palace Nursing and Rehab Center for the big day, and supplied flowers, corsages, and tiaras. They even brought along their school’s mascot to urge residents to get on the dance floor. (Watch the video here)
In Arkansas, Johnny Bolinger thought he was on an ordinary prom photography assignment.
During the photo shoot, his subjects suddenly surprised him with a wardrobe adjustment. The boys unbuttoned their dress shirts to reveal DC and Marvel superhero t-shirts underneath. Their dates were wearing dresses with coordinating colors to match their selected hero. Bolinger was in for another surprise when his photo went viral, delighting geeks everywhere. (Read more at BuzzFeed)
In Cleveland, an NFL pro lineman accompanied a special needs teen to her prom.
For years, 17-year-old Elna Wright dreamed of going to her high school prom with her boyfriend and long-time friend. But after he passed away last fall, those dreams were dashed. After not being asked by anyone else, her parents put out a call on Facebook to see if any Cleveland Browns players would be willing to take her. Offensive lineman Cam Erving heard about the request and immediately said yes. (Watch the video above)
In Texas, a hospital organized a prom for their teen cancer patients.
Over 100 teens and their families attended the Great Gatsby-themed dance party in Houston. The event took place on MD Anderson’s lovely observation deck, which boasts views of the Houston skyline. Local businesses donated formal wear and catering for the special prom. (Read more at ABC 13)
In California, a high school near San Bernardino crowned a Muslim girl as prom queen.
Summit High School is just 15 miles from the site of last December’s San Bernardino terrorist attack, but students said they didn’t want to give in to fear. As a show of support for those in the Muslim community, the students voted Zarifeh Shalabi to their prom court in April. Surprised by the honor, Shalabi, who wears a hijab, was supported by her friends who wore hijabs in solidarity. (Read more at ABC 7)
In Columbus, Ohio, a stranger spent hundreds of dollars on a teen whose dream prom dress was stolen.
Tatiyuana Fair’s mother worked two jobs and extra shifts to pay for the $650 dress. After learning the dress was stolen on the local news, resident Anna Hicks stepped in to provide a new one saying, “I just remembered how special my prom dress was.” (Watch the NBC video above)
In Ohio, a teenager asked his mom to prom, since she was pregnant (with him) during her own.
When Melissa Roshan Potter was pregnant with her now 18-year-old son Trey, she was not only pregnant but transitioning out of foster care. (The mom and son spent the first two year’s of Trey’s life in a homeless shelter) Potter has since gone on to become a successful makeup artists and advocate for foster care youth. Trey decided to invite his mother as his date to the Gahanna, Ohio prom in recognition of all the sacrifices she made for him. (See more here)
This article is one in a series at The 74 which profiles the heroes, victories, success stories and random acts of kindness to be found at schools all across America. Read more of our recent inspiring profiles at The74million.org.
Falline Fate had watched a sudden downturn in her collie’s health, until it became paralyzed and unable to walk or even stand. After a couple of days with no improvement, her family decided it would be best to end Ollie’s suffering.
As the dog was being prepped for euthanasia, the office intern was scratching him and found a tick behind Ollie’s ear–a parasite that contains a neurotoxin that sometimes can cause paralysis. The vet removed it and within just a few hours, Ollie was back on his feet.
“The next morning my mom opened the door and said, ‘Look at your doggie,’ and he comes walking up to me, and I’m barely awake, and he just smiled at me,” Fate told KPTV News.
Humanity doesn’t exactly have a long-running track record for being the most united or cohesive group of creatures on Earth, but a new survey has revealed just how similar we really are, in different corners of the world.
Global health care company Abbott asked 2 million people how they felt about true fulfillment—living life to the fullest—based on three questions:
1. What is the one thing in the world that makes you feel the most fulfilled?
2. If you think of a person whom you believe is living fully, why do you think they live life so well?
3. And what keeps you from living your life fully?
A few interesting trends emerged.
A whopping 64% of the people said success was home-made, and doing well at work was secondary to a happy and successful home life. This foreshadowed how 32% said that family was the key to fulfillment, followed by 8% that chose “Giving”, and 7% pointing to “Health”.
Russia and Puerto Rico are the only two countries where “Music” was listed in the top four most popular answers for what gives most fulfillment. Australia and France named “Adventure” as the second highest factor for living fully.
Even though just seven percent said they needed health for a full life, when it came to their children, 41% chose it as the most important thing they wanted for their kids. 29% most wanted “Great Adventure” for their children.
Of all the respondents worldwide, the Chinese saw themselves as the most fulfilled. When asked how fulfilled they felt on a scale of 1-100, China scored the highest with 79.2. Costa Rica rated themselves at 77.9, while Colombia was third highest at 76.2, and Mexico in fourth with 74.8.
With the global median clocking in at 68, the U.S citizens rated themselves even lower than the average, at 65.
Tourists can watch the troupe eagerly speed towards the grape vines every morning, with anticipation for munching all the slugs, bugs, and snails – and it’s as clear as a glass of Chardonnay that they love their job.
(WATCH the duck parade in the video above)SHARE a Chuckle in Your World Today…
Standing at attention, ramrod straight, eyes seemingly focused on the future – and tears streaming down his face – Alix Idrache has become the face of the “American Dream.”
The second lieutenant and a Haitian immigrant was caught at an emotional moment — photographed Saturday during his graduation from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York.
The story behind the image is more powerful than the photo itself. When he left Haiti as a young immigrant, he never thought he’d attend the prestigious alma mater of famed American generals Ulysses Grant and Dwight Eisenhower.
Idrache earned his citizenship and served as an enlisted soldier with the Maryland National Guard before his appointment to West Point. He rose through the ranks to be named regimental commander among his classmates last summer.
As one of the Army’s newest officers, he says he was already thinking about the future when the photo was taken. Idrache’s first assignment is to Fort Rucker, Alabama where he will begin flight training to become a pilot — something that he told the Washington Post was “truly humbling.”
“I woke up this morning and found my face all over Facebook and with it myriad of amazing comments about my accomplishments,” Idrache wrote Tuesday on his Facebook page. “I am humbled and shocked at the same time. Thank you for giving me a shot at the American Dream and may God bless America, the greatest country on earth.”
Even though thousands of migrants were pouring into Germany at the height of the refugee crisis last year, Lasse Landt of Berlin realized he hadn’t met a single one of them.
The tech entrepreneur figured it was the same for a lot of other Germans, so he teamed up with Syrian programmer Khaled Alaswad to remedy the situation.
They created “Let’s integrate!” – a website that lets Germans and migrants get to know one another and learn about the other’s culture. Users choose a day and time to meet, wait until someone accepts the invitation, then they meet up to talk.
When they get to the meeting site, you’re supposed to hold up your hands forming an “L” and “I” with the thumb and index fingers — a signal for “Let’s Integrate.” Discussions deal with adjusting to new surroundings, cultural differences, and anything that helps Germans and refugees understand one another better.
More Germans than refugees have signed up for the site, so its creators have started putting up posters promoting the service in refugee centers.
Twenty-three-year-old Ahmed Haj Ali from Syria discovered the website and took advantage of it. He set up a meeting through “Let’s Integrate!” with Cindy and Paul Spieker –one of his first steps toward learning about German lifestyles, culture, and language.
“When you meet, you realize that they are people like us and there is no need to be worried,” Paul Spieker told the Associated Press.Integrate This Story Into Your Friends’ Feeds, Share It…
Cody Dortch began furiously saving money for something back in October–doing extra chores, babysitting, doing random jobs for the neighbors and stashing his Christmas and birthday money. His mom figured it was another Xbox game or something.
But this graduating fifth-grader had a grand plan for all his elementary school teachers– to thank them for all they had done for him, before he heads off to middle school in Edmond, Oklahoma.
It took him 6 months to raise the $200 needed to treat them to a special evening out. He wanted to show them he could work hard for them, like they all had worked hard for him.
He designed invitations and delivered them to each of seven teachers. Some had moved on from the teaching profession, so he needed to track them down and mail the invites. He made a reservation at a nice restaurant, Interurban, and bought each one a rose.
When they all assembled, he read a prepared speech and confirmed that he would be paying for the entire meal.
“Such an honor and privilege to have had this kid in my class,” teacher Andrea Pile Brousseau said after the dinner. “He is such a light—and his parents are to be applauded, too”
Cody’s father is a teacher, AP Chemistry at the High School, so the 11-year-old knows how many extra hours teachers put into their jobs, seeing how hard his dad works.
“When I got to meet up with them outside of school, I realized my teachers are not just teachers— they have families (some even brought their kids to dinner),” he told Good News Network. “It’s like they have a whole other day’s work they have to cram in to a few hours before bed, but they still all took the time to come have dinner with me…They’re all pretty cool and this just proves their students always come first.”
Cody’s mom Ashley was so proud of her son, and acknowledged another aspect of the teaching profession “These ladies did not just teach my child, they helped raise him to become who he is today.”
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CPR training is mandatory for kids at Aerin Thomas’s school, but she never thought she would be saving her own father’s life just three months later with the precious beat of “Staying Alive.”
Her father was unconscious in the bedroom, once the 12-year-old and her mother returned home last month. While Aerin was on the phone with the emergency dispatcher, her mom Angela was attempting to do CPR.
“I vaguely remember her saying something like ‘you’re not doing it right,'” said Angela. ”She took over.”
At Cobb Middle School Aerin learned the rhythm necessary to sustain life, an up-and-down motion on the chest to the beat of the Bee Gees 1977 hit, Stayin’ Alive.
She kept up the steady, pounding CPR motion for five minutes, until paramedics took over, but told WFAA News that it felt double that.
Her parents weren’t the only filled with pride. The physical education teacher who taught Aerin the skill in Frisco, Texas is retiring soon, with the knowledge that her contribution made a real difference.
(WATCH the video above or READmore at WFAA) – Photo WFAA video
