Clear Your Schedule: Baby Kitten Cuddling is a Real Volunteer Job

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Aug 3, 2015

If kittens, cuddles, and saving lives are up your alley, we’ve got just the volunteer job for you.

In hopes of making shelter kitties more adoptable—and providing them with the love and care they need early in life—Best Friends Animal Society in Salt Lake City, Utah and Los Angeles, California have created a volunteer snuggling program.

Currently, kitten nurseries across the country are populated with orphaned kittens taken in from shelters, offering intensive, 24/7 care for kittens as young as a few hours old. At this stage, orphaned baby kittens are very fragile.

A number of essential, life-saving tasks are performed for them around the clock, but the most fun, and arguably one of the most important, is helping the tiny cats socialize.

That’s where snuggle volunteers come in—all of their physical handling helps get the kittens to their “peak adorable fitness” and therefore makes them more adoptable.

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“Since kitten nurseries operate 24/7, there is a need for volunteers to help out at odd hours, which can be very convenient for those who work during standard business hours,” said Eric Rayvid, a rep. for Best Friends. “Get off work, grab some dinner, drive to the kitten nursery, put in a couple of hours of bottle-feeding kittens and go to bed feeling like a hero.”

The most critical time in a kitten’s life, he says, is the first three to five weeks, and a kitten cannot successfully be raised in a shelter environment for this period of time due to lack of socialization from people and ongoing exposure to disease.

Since the program first launched two years ago other shelters and rescue groups have been reaching out to Best Friends for help building nurseries in their own communities.

If you’re interested in cuddling some baby kittens, talk to your local shelter; if they don’t have a sterile kitten nursery and volunteer program, ask if they would be receptive to being connected with local rescue groups that can foster them.

You can also opt to foster or adopt yourself—either way, you’re saving lives, just like the folks who endure the tough task of rubbing soft bellies for fur babies at Best Friend nurseries.

(WATCH this adorable video below) Photos: Best Friends Animal Society

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“Who Ya Gonna Call” New All-Girl Cast of Ghostbusters Visits Kids in Hospital

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Terry Turner

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Aug 3, 2015

A Boston children’s hospital is guaranteed “phantom-free” after the cast of the new “Ghostbusters” film showed up to cheer up kids.

The movie is shooting in Boston and the the staff at the Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center posted signs in the windows with the original movie’s signature line, “Who ya gonna call?”

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The all-female ensemble of Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones showed up with ghost traps and proton packs. They checked closets and under beds not so much to ease patients’ worries about ghosts but their doldrums about being stuck in hospital beds.

ghostbusters-cast-with-patient-tuftsmedicalcenter-FB — Photos from Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center

“That was wonderful of them to take the time to put a smile on my son’s face.” Valerie Lynn wrote in a comment after the hospital posted pictures with her son with the Ghostbusters. “He’s been through so much in his battle against Stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. This was good for his morale and very appreciated.”

(READ more at the Telegraph) Photos from Tufts Medical Center, Facebook

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Watch This Daredevil Actually Surfing Big Waves On a Dirt Bike

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Terry Turner

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Aug 3, 2015

Riding a motorcycle over breaking ocean waves may sound like an impossible fantasy to surfers and bikers alike, but Australian stunt rider Robbie Maddison makes it a dream come true with his specially-built wave-walking dirt bike.

He’s featured in the video below — “Robbie Maddison’s Pipe Dream” — racing through Tahiti’s jungle on the motocross bike before hitting the water and going full throttle toward giant waves he uses to surf back to shore.

“That was probably the scariest thing that I have ever experienced.”-Robbie Maddison #LIVEonSC pic.twitter.com/qof8B098Ql
— X Games (@XGames) August 2, 2015

The bike screams across the surface of the water using paddled wheels jutting through skids beneath the motorcycle, but really, it’s years of skill and nerves of steel that power this ride.

(WATCH the video below) — Photo: DC Shoes video

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Police Hit the Dance Floor With City Youth to Find ‘Unity in Community’ (WATCH)

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Sheila Key

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Aug 3, 2015

Last weekend, professional dancers in Greensboro, North Carolina, decided to turn National Dance Day into a show of unity between police officers and young people from the local Boys & Girls Club.

Cops and kids did the “nae nae” and other moves at the event, dubbed Unity in Community through Dance.

Six officers in uniform took to the dance floor with 100 children to bust their moves to such tunes as Walk the Moon’s “Shut Up and Dance.”

The kids had been practicing at dance camp all summer.

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Others strutting their stuff at the event included DuShaunt “Fik-Shun” Stegall, male winner of “So You Think You Can Dance” Season 10, members of the Greensboro Ballet, and professional dancers from Fred Astaire Dance Studio.

Congress designated the last Saturday in July as National Dance Day five years ago to help foster dance education and physical fitness in America.

(WATCH the video below to see some of the action) Photos: Aesthetic Images Photography

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Four Athletes Who Totally Crushed It At The 2015 Special Olympic Games

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Sonja Schulken

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Aug 3, 2015

As closing ceremonies commence, we’d like to be able to shine a spotlight on all 6,500 Special Olympics competitor—but these four inspiring individuals stood out to us among many amazing people competing at the 2015 games in Los Angeles, California.

Take a look.

Olivia Quigley

Quigley got what she came for: a gold medal in the 100 meter dash.

But she had to defy doctors’ orders to do it.

The 24-year-old autistic sprinter was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer in February, and was scheduled for surgery in July. She decided to postpone that surgery so she could go to the games.

“I said, ‘I’m going to the World Games with cancer or not.’ Nothing is stopping me from going,” Quigley told USA TODAY sports.

In fact, nothing ever seems to stop Olivia.

She was diagnosed with autism shortly after being adopted from China at age 3 by Dan and Judy Quigley of Wisconsin. Back then, doctors said Olivia would never be an independent adult and would always need the help of her parents.

Today, she’s living on her own and has a full-time job at the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin.

Olivia put off the breast cancer surgery for the Special Olympics but not the chemo, which left her exhausted and nauseous during the Games. She felt sick before her event but raced anyway–and won.

Matthew Hernandez

As a baby, Hernandez was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition that doctors said he wouldn’t survive – they also predicted that he’d never able to walk, eat on his own, or be able to speak.

But with his family’s help and support, Matthew became independent, active in school sports, and joined the ROTC. He also volunteered whenever he could.

“They say I can do anything and (so) just keep pushing,” Matthew told TODAY.com.

When Matthew, now 21, found out he qualified for the Special Olympics as a kayaker, he spent five to six days a week training in his hometown of Dallas, Texas.

It paid off—he won a silver medal in Los Angeles, coming in second in the finals of the 500 meter singles race.

Danielle Blakeney

Blakeney, born with Downs Syndrome, has always been a very determined individual.

Once, during a state gymnastics competition, she broke her foot and insisted on continuing on to win two gold and three silver medals.

That same drive is paying off at this year’s games. So far, the rhythmic gymnast from Erlanger, Kentucky earned three gold medals in L.A., as well as a silver and bronze.

She makes it looks easy, but she’s at the gym practicing seven days a week.

This is Danielle’s second Special Olympics World Games. In 2011 she brought home three gold, a silver and a bronze from Athens, Greece.

Jackie Barrett

The self-proclaimed, “Newfoundland Moose” is a powerlifter from Halifax, Nova Scotia. He marked his farewell appearance at the Special Olympics by winning three gold medals and a silver.

Jackie, who has autism, squatted more than 600 pounds — which is like shouldering a vending machine—but told his Facebook fans the highlight of his “amazing day” was dead-lifting (a lift made from a standing position) 655.9 pounds and setting a new Special Olympics World Games record.

Moose! Canadian Jackie "The Newfoundland Moose" Barrett wins 3 gold medals, 1 silver at @SpecialOlympics World Games. pic.twitter.com/Jeg54Ev5e6
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 2, 2015

Fans began lining up outside the competition venue at the L.A. Convention Center an hour before his event began, chanting “Moose! Moose!” and “Jack-ie! Jack-ie!”

“I felt more pressure due to the fact that I had a lot more attention than usual,” Barrett told ESPN “The people here made me feel like a superstar.”

This was the last appearance for the 41 year old weightlifter. He plans to retire from competition and be a powerlifter coach.

Photos CC: specialolympicsusa, Twitter, Facebook

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Michigan Man Follows Intuition to Become Hero in Life-Saving Rescue

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Good News Network

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Aug 2, 2015

A Michigan man on a Canada fishing trip noticed debris strewn on the side of the road leading to an embankment and almost kept going.

But two miles down the road he decided to turn around and investigate.

He found a car with two children passengers screaming as the vehicle was sinking into a creek.

He was able to keep their heads above water for ten minutes until help arrived.

This week, exactly one year after the fateful rescue, Charles Devowe was honored as the first American ever recognized for heroism by the Ontario Provincial Police Department.

(WATCH the video or read the story from WZZM News)

[raw] [raw]

The Harvard Graduate Finding Tech Jobs for World’s Poorest People

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Good News Network

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Aug 2, 2015

A Harvard graduate has started a non-profit organization to find low-level tech jobs for the world’s poorest citizens.

Leila Janah started Samasource—Sama is Sanskrit for “equal”—as an outsourcing company that hires people in Africa and Asia to perform digital tasks for companies like AOL, Ebay and Google.

“It was important to me to start this business in a way that would… find people below the poverty line, and move them above it,” she told Wired.

Since the nonprofit launched in 2008 it has helped 6,794 desperately poor people– some in Haiti too.

“On average, our workers increase previous income by 114% after six months of Samasource employment,” according to the website.

(READ the full story at Wired) – Story tip from David Adams

Ebola Vaccine Trial Proves 100% Successful in Guinea

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Good News Network

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Aug 2, 2015

A vaccine against Ebola has been shown to be 100% successful in trials conducted during the outbreak in Guinea and is likely to bring the west African epidemic to an end, the Guardian reported Friday.

Scientists, doctors, donors and drug companies collaborated to race the vaccine through a process that usually takes more than a decade in just 12 months.

(READ more from The Guardian) – Photo: USAID

Keep On Livin,’ a Stranger Told Me After a Sweet Encounter

By

DJ King

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Aug 2, 2015

I stopped at a local convenience store tonight to cash in some scratcher lottery tickets that have been on my desk for a few months. When I got inside there was an old Black gentleman with a cane making a purchase at the register. The cashier told him the items he wanted would be $4.65 so the man pulled some dollar bills out of his wallet and handed them to her.

“How many is that?” he asked. The cashier told him it was four dollars. “How many more you need?” the man inquired. The reply came that he needed to give her one more dollar, which he did.

After the clerk gave the man his change and bagged his purchases, the man pushed the two bags to the side and stepped away. He looked at me and said he was trying to remember what else he needed and what he already had purchased. I told him to look in the bags to see. Instead he asked the clerk if he bought chips and candy. “Yes.” He then started out into the aisle, presumably to look for more items. I cashed my tickets in and received a couple dollars.

When I turned around the man was looking at me and seemed confused. “Do you need some help?” I asked. Before he could answer a younger woman came into the store and wanted to know what was taking the old man so long. She then looked at me. I told her I was trying to see if he needed some help because he seemed confused.

The old man blurted out, “That’s my daughter.” I acknowledged that fact and, seeing he was in good hands said, “I get confused sometimes too. Take care.”

As I turned to leave the old gentleman enthusiastically called out, “Keep on living.” I turned and smiled and said, “You too friend.”

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At that point the lotto winnings were meaningless. I had won something a whole lot more valuable than money. I had won a new friend.

Today was a good day.

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World’s Largest Free Kitchen Feeds 100,000 a Day Inside a Sikh Golden Temple

By

Sheila Key

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Aug 1, 2015

Feeding the hungry is a time-honored tradition among people of many faiths, all over the world.

In Amritsar, India, the Sikh gather in a Golden Temple to serve 100,000 meals every single day of the year in a kitchen that never closes.

The langar, or community kitchen, found in this temple is the largest free kitchen on the planet, serving literally tons of food from a sprawling complex of white marble and gold.

The food never runs out, all are welcome, and no one ever pays a single rupee.

With its crowds swelling to some 150,000 on holy days, this Sikh temple sees more daily traffic than the India’s most popular tourist attraction, the Taj Mahal.

Langar-in-Spain-CC-Harisingh — Langar in Spain by Harisingh (CC photo)

Look closely and you’ll see that, beyond merely filling empty tummies, there is something more radical going on here.

In a society still heavily influenced by a class system, an ancient caste of hierarchies that for millennia dictated (among other things) who got to eat what, and with whom, this is a place where all people are considered equal.

From the volunteers who come from various religions to the diners of all socioeconomic backgrounds, they sit row upon row, cross-legged on the floor, enjoying the same meal. The langar embodies the ideal of equality and thus has always been more than just a place to eat for free.

“Sikh gurus worked very intentionally to challenge social distinctions in various forms,” said Samran Jeet Singh, the senior religion fellow for the Sikh Coalition in the U.S.

For that reason, Sikhism’s founder, Guru Nanak, told all male Sikh followers to wear turbans. Before that, tradition in India dictated that only the noble elite would wear them. Similarly, every Sikh man has taken the middle or last name of ‘Singh,’ to remove outward allusions to inequality.

So, too, with the langar.

But just who pays for all this?

A staggering volume of foodstuffs is needed in the Golden Temple kitchen daily—12,000 kilos of flour, 1,500 kilos of rice, 13,000 kilos of lentils, and up to 2,000 kilos of vegetables. Like every bit of the labor, the budget is entirely donated, sometimes up to two years in advance. People give, mostly anonymously, out of a sense of religious and social obligation.

“There are only three things in our religion,” a 55-year-old Sikh volunteer from California who moved to Amritsar in 2013 told the Munchies TV show. “Chant the name of God, sing religious hymns, and volunteer. I work as long as my legs allow me to stand.”

(READ more from the TV show Munchies on Vice) Photos: (top) Arian Zwegers (bottom) Fulvio Spada, CC

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Entire Nation of Sri Lanka Will Soon Get Internet Access Thanks to Google

By

Terry Turner

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Aug 1, 2015

The entire island nation of Sri Lanka is about to be blanketed with Internet service — all of it beamed from balloons – thanks to a contract with Google to create Internet connections in the sky.

Google’s Project Loon uses a network of 13 giant balloons, riding air currents, to deliver smartphone-based Internet service to the people below. Through this, all 21 million people living in Sri Lanka will be able to access the Internet through their smartphones or tablets, just as those devices would connect to a cell tower.

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Google created the project to deliver cheap internet to remote and inaccessible parts of the world where running cables and fiber optics are impractical or too expensive.

Each balloon can stay aloft for 100 days, flying twice as high as commercial airliners. Google can build each balloon in a matter of hours and launch 12 per day with a single crane. They eventually plan to have thousands of the balloons in the air at a time, covering remote corners of the world from the Arctic to Australia.

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Project Loon began testing the idea in New Zealand in 2012, but Sri Lanka will be the first place the project delivers Internet when it goes online in the next few months.

(WATCH the video and READ more at SD Net) – Photo: Google video

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Watch What 1000 Passionate Italians Did to Lure a Rockstar to Their Town (MUST SEE)

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Good News Network

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Aug 1, 2015

They say music brings us together and although this performance only lasted four minutes, its epic orchestration brought together 1000 drummers, bassists, singers and guitarists united in a single plea–directed at five guys.

“Please come and play for us in Cesena, Italy.”

Fabio Zaffagnini worked a year on producing the project. The result is a stunning video that is making his dream of seeing the Foo Fighters in concert come true.

The song, played on July 26 by 1000 musicians in an open field with amplifiers–and 250 drum kits, was the uplifting Foo Fighters anthem, Learn to Fly.

The multi-camera video has tallied almost 12 million views in two days, but one viewer mattered the most.

There’s a reason Dave Grohl is the “nicest guy in rock and roll.” 23 hours ago, a day after it went up on YouTube, he posted his response, speaking in Italian, the band’s Facebook page.

“Hi, Cesena. I am David. I’m sorry I don’t speak Italian. Only a little, a little. That video…how beautiful! Very beautiful. Thank you very much–a thousand times. We are coming, I promise. We’ll see each other soon. Thank you very much. I love you. Bye.”

Ci vediamo a presto, Cesena.... xxx Davide
Posted by Foo Fighters on Friday, July 31, 2015

Learn more at the project’s website, www.Rockin1000.com

Family Finds 300-yo Golden Treasure in Shallow Florida Waters

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Good News Network

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Aug 1, 2015

Within days of the anniversary that a Spanish fleet wrecked in a hurricane off the coast of Florida 300 years ago, a family of treasure divers uncovered a million dollars in rare gold coins and artifacts hiding in just 15 feet of water.

1,000 feet off the coast of Fort Pierce, Eric Schmitt and his family rejoiced in the discovery after diving in the area for several years. They will get half the bounty of everything recovered, once the state claims up to 20% if some rarities should be in a museum.

The Florida salvage company who owns the rights to excavate the 300 square-mile underwater area, Queens Jewels, LLC, will get the other half.

The gold was part of a huge bounty of riches aboard eleven ships returning to Spain from the New World. The cargo aboard the Tierra Firme fleet included jewels for the new bride of King Philip V of Spain–but all was lost on July 31, 1715, when all eleven ships sunk in the hurricane.

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Since 2010, crews have scoured the area contracted by the salvage company. Divers this time around recovered 51 gold coins and 40 feet of ornate gold chain, a haul that left the co-founder of Queen Jewels shaking.

“I was blown away,” he told National Geographic.

If any metal detectors owners in the area are interested in searching for treasure, they will need to stay on shore. If any gold coins wash up, they’re up for grabs.

(WATCH the video below, or READ more at Nat’l Geographic) Photo: YouTube – Story tip from Carilyn

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Firefighters Pay it Forward Big Time After Waitress With Heart of Gold Picks Up Tab

By

Terry Turner

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Jul 31, 2015

A waitress who did a good deed for a pair of firefighters was overwhelmed when they returned the favor—for her father.

Instead of a bill for their breakfast, Liz Woodward brought a pair of New Jersey firefighters a thank you note. They’d just spent 24 hours battling the blaze at a local warehouse, and the waitress wanted to do something nice for them.

“Your breakfast is on me today,” the note read, along with little drawings of a fire ax and helmet. “Thank you for all that you do.”

Firefighter Tim Young posted the story and a photo of the note to Facebook, urging people to eat at the diner where she worked. But then, he found out the waitress had a GoFundMe campaign that she was using to raise $17,000 to buy her father a wheelchair-accessible van.

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“Turns out, the young lady who gave us a free meal is really the one that could use the help,” Young wrote in another post.

The firefighter’s plea spread like wildfire. His posts were shared thousands of times and 1,000 people donated more than $67,000 — $50,000 above her goal.

“This is just one example of how so many people in this world have incredible hearts and they pay it forward, so the circle keeps on moving,” Woodward told TODAY.

(WATCH the video below from WPVI News)

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Canadians Can Now Use Frequent Flyer Miles To Pay For College

By

Terry Turner

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Jul 31, 2015

If you happen to live in Canada, you can take a year off to travel the world before college and use those frequent flyer miles to pay your tuition.

Thanks to a team effort by Air Canada’s frequent flyer program, Aeroplan, and HigherEdPoints, miles can now be converted into education dollars.

Oregon Students To Receive Two Years of Free College With Their Diplomas

Users can cash in 35,000 miles for a $250 certificate accepted by 70 colleges and universities in Canada.

The money can go toward tuition, fees or even paying down student loan debt.

Recent college graduate Charles Bernatchez swapped 210,000 frequent flyer miles he collected from friends and family to pay off $1,500 in student loan debt.

“I have a crap ton of debt that I have to pay off,” Bernatchez told Bloomberg Business. He gets some help from the 150,000 miles a year he runs up by using a credit card offering mileage points.

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The program has been slow to take off, with only about $125,000 in certificates issued since the program started in 2013, but HigherEdPoints hopes to expand into the U.S. soon.

(READ more at Bloomberg) — Photo: Brian, CC; Theivorytower, GNU

11 Species of Chameleon Could Save Rainforest—Bonus: Watch One Pop Bubbles

By

Terry Turner

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Jul 31, 2015

Of course 11 species of color-changing lizards have been hiding in plain sight — they’re masters of disguise.

Now that they’ve officially been discovered, scientists believe the critters could actually help save a rainforest.

Panther chameleons, who are native to Madagascar, were initially thought to be a single species.

Scientist Wants to Name This Cute Octopus Species “Adorabilis”

New DNA tests, however, reveal that there are really 11 different species of panther chameleons living on the island nation.

As it turns out, Chameleons have a “super power” of sorts when it comes to environmental issues — a cuteness factor. Just check out the video here of a chameleon popping soap bubbles.

No really, bear with us a moment.

That kind of cuteness makes chameleons a “charismatic species,” according to conservation biologists.

Like polar bears and pandas, they posses a quality that makes people sympathetic to them; in other words, people are more likely to want to save cute tigers than an endangered and ugly (sorry, guys) fruit fly species.

Rescued Bear Cub Goes Absolutely Bananas Upon Her Return to Forest

Let’s hope those 11 species have enough cuteness among them to help rally support for the rainforests—come on, just look at those faces!

You can donate to rainforest conservation efforts at the World Land Trust, a charity with a 20 year track record of successful environmental projects and Sir David Attenborough as a patron.

(WATCH the Newsy video below) – Photo: Florence Ivy, CC

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After Korean War Monument is Vandalized in NJ, a South Korean Town Donates to Repair it

By

Sheila Key

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Jul 31, 2015

Sixty-two years after the Korean War ended, residents of a South Korean town reached out to veterans in New Jersey to remind them that their sacrifice in the 1950s will never be forgotten.

A refurbished monument that honors local veterans of the Asian conflict was unveiled Monday in Jersey City, after vandals had defaced the circular memorial in October. When word of the vandalism reached the city of Uijeongbu, folks there decided to send $100,000 to pay for the repairs.

The memorial’s lights had been ripped out and scratches marred some of the engraved names lining the interior of the structure. Now, the scratches are gone, and 18 new pictures, depicting scenes from modern-day South Korea and moments from the war, adorn the inner ring of polished granite panels.

CHECK Out More Inspiring Stories About War Veterans on Good News Network

Speaking at Monday’s unveiling ceremony, Hyung Gil Kim, deputy counsel general of the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in New York, expressed his deepest gratitude on behalf of all South Koreans.

“The Korean War is not forgotten,” Kim said. “Koreans will never, ever forget the services and sacrifice of your brothers and husbands and your fathers and grandfathers.”

The Jersey Journal reports that new floodlights donated by the Fields Development Group will deter further vandalism.

(READ more at The New Jersey Journal) – Photos via NJ Department of Military & Veterans Affairs

This is the 10th Summer Warren Buffett Has Donated Over $1Bil to Charity

By

Terry Turner

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Jul 31, 2015

Warren Buffett’s summer tradition of giving continued with a gift of $2.8 billion to foundations that work on global health, college scholarships, poverty and opportunities for children, especially girls, around the world.

The billionaire’s latest donation was given in the form of 20.6 million shares of Berkshire Hathaway stock divided among five foundations.

As it has been for ten years, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation was among the recipients, along with foundations set up by Buffett’s family that tackle the issues of education, development and poverty.

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Buffett has promised to give away 99 percent of his fortune and so far has donated $25.5 billion to nonprofit charities.

Buffett and the Gates’ created the “Giving Pledge” to encourage other wealthy families to give their fortunes away before they die. As of today, 132 millionaires and billionaires have joined the pledge.

(READ more at Forbes) — Photo: Mark Hirschey, CC

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How Mervin the Rescue Chihuahua Melted 30,000 Hearts on Instagram

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Good News Network

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Jul 31, 2015

Aside from being absolutely adorable—and the ideal posterboy for #TongueOutTuesday—Mervin is a champion for second chance pups everywhere.

Initially found as a stray and brought to the ASPCA, Mervin, a very special-needs dog, has made a major splash all over social media.

After being properly nourished, undergoing knee surgery, and having all of his teeth removed—it’s soft food for life—he was adopted by Joey, a kind man who works at the ASPCA in New York City.

Now, the five-year-old chihuahua is happy as a clam and hamming it up for the camera, showing us all just how much of a difference a little TLC can make.

Together, Joey and Mervin are on a mission to show support against animal cruelty and to promote the adoption of dogs.

With 30K followers on Instagram alone, we suggest you take a look, if you want to have your entire day made and then some.

For more on Mervin, visit him on Facebook.

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Sassy 5-yo Sets Up Ice Cream Shop So He Can Buy Medicine for Sick Kids

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Good News Network

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Jul 30, 2015

For his fifth birthday, Haylen Astalos’s parents threw him a “five for five party.” They asked guests to bring two $5 dollar bills: one for the birthday boy, and another for him to donate to a charity of his choice.

After buying a tricked-out monster truck for himself, Haylen decided to donate the $100 to Ronald McDonald House—and requested an official tour of the place.

Shortly after taking a look around the facility, he decided to open an ice cream shop. With some help from his family, he built the “ice cream truck” with wood, painted it, loaded it with frozen treats, and welcomed the people of Blackfalds, in Alberta, Canada.

When his mother asked him what he wanted to do with the ice cream money, Haylen replied by saying, “I’m going to give all the money to the Ronald McDonald House. I will fill up my bucket and give it to them, then fill it again and again and keep giving it to them.”

Haylen, who’s favorite flavor is Kit-Kat, sometimes gets help from his three-year-old sister Farah and neighbors who donate ice cream to the stand.

“I just want to help a bunch and bunch and bunch of kids so they can buy medicine,” Haylen told Good News Network.

He says he “doesn’t know” how often he sets up shop (time is an overrated concept, anyway), but when asked where he sets up—specifically, if it’s outside of his house—he responded, “Yes, how would I do it inside? We don’t want strangers inside.”

Boston Bus Driver Treats Everyone on Board, Stops at Kids’ Lemonade Stand

Now that he has successfully reached his initial goal of $2,011, Haylen has set a new goal of $3,009—a number that we trust he has a specific plan for.

Additionally, he says, he will switch to hot chocolate once the weather turns cold.

To keep up with “Haylen’s Ice Cream Shop” and it’s fundraising progress, visit them on Facebook.

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