Today’s Good News

Every day we share stories of hope – joy – Love!  Enjoy some GOOD NEWS each day with LifeSongs.

“..you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.” Philippians 4:8 (The Message)

Friday, March 13, 2026

Pokémon has been popular for decades, but is enjoying a real resurgence these days. A rare Pokémon recently broke records for the most expensive trading card ever sold (over $16 million!). But for most kids it’s not about the investment – it’s about building the ultimate deck!

7-year-old Reid was traveling with his family on United Airlines and unfortunately his prized collection of Pokémon cards got left behind at the airport. When the United staff heard about his loss, nearly 100 employees got together and gifted Reid more than 15,000 new cards for the young collector! Many of the cards came from the pilot’s and other United Airline workers’ and their families’ own personal collections.

 

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Thursday, March 12, 2026

Cindy Ware of Chester County, PA was looking at her left hand and something just felt “off.” Then it clicked – her engagement ring diamond was missing from its setting! The diamond had been passed down through generations of her husband’s family and now it was just … gone.

Around that time one of her neighbors, Coleman, was on vacation in Florida. He was thrilled to leave chilly PA behind for swim trunks and his trusty water shoes. He noticed something was stuck in the bottom of his water shoes – what he suspected was a piece of glass or shiny stone from the beach. He popped into a Fort Lauderdale jeweler who said it was actually a very nice vintage cut diamond.

Coleman posted his find on Facebook and another neighbor recognized it as Cindy’s diamond. Once back from vacation Coleman was thrilled to return the diamond which they believe fell out of her ring at their community pool during water aerobics class and somehow got wedged in Coleman’s water shoes – staying firmly put all the way from PA to a beach vacation!

 

Wednesday, March 11, 2026

A woman was flying out of Las Vegas and when she didn’t have the proper paperwork to bring her two year old golden doodle with her, she abandoned the dog in the airport to try and make her flight. Awful, I know.

The dog was placed in a 10 day waiting period for the owner to reclaim the animal, nicknamed Jet Blue by the Police Officer who responded to the call. The woman who abandoned the dog was arrested. and Officer Skeeter Black – who responded to the situation – ended up adopting Jet Blue.

What began as a heartbreaking abandonment turned into a forever home for Jet Blue.

 

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Tuesday, March 10, 2026

We love odd couples right? Friendships that look unlikely on paper but in real life, remind you of the spark of kindness in our hearts. David and Frank are an unusual pairing. David Heavens is a young black man in his 20s and Frank is a Navy Veteran in his mid-90s. But the two have become inseparable friends and an internet sensation!

David posted on a neighborhood app asking if anyone in his Santa Monica area needed a volunteer to help with household chores. He was recently homeless and trying to restart his life by giving back to others. Frank was struggling with mobility and asked David to walk his dogs. David was raised by his grandmother and has a profound love for seniors. They struck up a friendship that they have chronicled for hundreds of thousands of fans online.

Back in the 60s Frank marched for civil rights. Now David, a young black man, is his closest friend and caregiver. The pair believe their internet fame is a result of the genuine love they have for one another – something uplifting in a world of hurt and fear.

@davidheavensOur morning coffee today is about becoming the peace and happiness we seek from others, and choosing people who walk the same path. When you come together, life begins to feel lighter, even blissful. Thank you for giving me this platform to share my perspective. I love you all. Be kind to one another.♬ original sound – davidheavens

Monday, March 9, 2026

When you get in line at the grocery store, do you look for the shortest line or the one you think might be the most fun? At a Publix in Acworth, GA there is usually one really long line that customers are happy to wait in. It’s Michael’s lane.

Sometimes customers wait over half an hour in line just to greet Michael Masterangelo. Michael is intellectually disabled, and also happens to be pure joy. Michael has worked at his Publix for over 10 years and made hundreds – maybe thousands of friends. He has a great big smile that invites customers into conversation – and oftentimes to his basketball games. Folks say they will happily wait in a long line to experience Michael’s positivity.

Michael is not just a grocery clerk – he’s an Olympian. He’s participated in the Special Olympics since he was a child. The owners of the store encouraged Michael to fundraise for his Olympic costs at his checkout counter and he managed to raise over $31,000 in less than a week to pay his way!

 

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Friday, March 6, 2026

Construction is underway at Cleveland Clinic’s new Neurological Institute. But every day at 3 PM, when the construction crew begins to pack up for the day, they team climb to one of the upper floors and wave across the way towards a window in the hospital, forming heart signs with their hands. Waving back is a smiling 4 year old named Brinley.

Brinley needs a new heart, after a series of viruses weakened her own heart. A few months earlier, when Brinley was first admitted to the Cleveland Clinic and hooked up to a heart assist machine – she and her dad were cutting up and flashed a flashlight out the window to look at the new construction. They were surprised when a flashlight flashed back at them!

The construction crew and Brinley got to know each other by holding up signs, window to window. The guys in the crew put together gifts (like a giant stuffed animal) for the little girl and her family and they check up on her every single afternoon. Brinley’s pediatric cardiologist says that “healing isn’t only physical, human connection matters deeply,” pointing out that those kind construction workers are helping heal Brinley’s heart in a very special way.

Thursday, March 5, 2026

The creativity of teachers is a real super power. Before Christmas break at Wallace Elementary, first grade teacher Ashley Lowry gave the kids a fun design excitement: using stripes of any color combination, design your own winter hat.

The kids turned in their wild designs, colored in crayon and marker. Then over the break, Ashley recruited her Aunt Amy and the two of them got to sewing the designs. Once done, the pair had crafted 22 unique hats – which the teacher surprised her kids with as they were bundling up for their first recess in January!

Wednesday, March 4, 2026

Technically it is still Winter until March 21st. While we are warming up nicely (a bunch of snowball stands are already open!) it’s still pretty cold in places like Philadelphia. In fact, Philly has been hit by a couple of major Winter storms in the last month.

Road conditions were so dangerous police told folks to leave their cars where they were. This became a problem for 24 year old teacher Tianna Graham. Her 2016 Honda Civic was victim to a burst water line – and was completely encased in ice – then buried in snow by passing snow plows. Tiana shared a TikTok of the completely frozen car that went viral. Ironically in the background of the video was a newly built Carvana facility.

Carvana saw an opportunity and invited Tianna to the store. She thought maybe they would offer her a discount since they were noticed in the viral video. When she arrived a 2022 Honda Civic with a giant bow descended their robotic lift. Inside the car was piled with school supplies – and it was all given to her as a gift – taxes and title covered too! They even included an ice scraper in the glove box.

Tuesday, March 3, 2026

Some Fifth Graders in Georgia are using their Roblox trained deft fingers to create special, life changing gifts for kids who need prosthetic hands, but cannot afford them.

A small team of resourceful fifth graders has successfully circumvented the American health care system to get aid to other kids who need it. These Georgia students are building 3D‑printed prosthetic hands for children their age, carefully wiring them so recipients will be able to feel with the prosthetic fingers.

Their first hand is going to a 10‑year‑old boy in neighboring Alabama. The six students who were chosen for this special project got into the program with essays they wrote about why they wanted to help.

Monday, March 2, 2026

When the phone rings inside a cozy California office, teenager Sanaya pauses, takes a deep breath, and answers with three simple words: “Teen Line, hello.”

She never knows who will be on the other end: a teen stressed about finals, someone navigating heartbreak, or carrying something even heavier. What she does know is that for the next few minutes, she gets to be a safe place to land. Sanaya is one of dozens of trained teen volunteers at Teen Line, a mental health nonprofit that connects teenagers with other teenagers to offer a judgment-free, anonymous space to talk about whatever’s weighing on them. Before they ever pick up a call, volunteers complete 100+ hours of training under the guidance of Senior Director Cheryl Karp Eskin, a former Teen Line volunteer herself.

The need is real. About 40% of US high school students report persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, and suicide remains the second leading cause of death for young people ages 10 to 24. As federal funding for youth mental health programs declines, organizations like Teen Line are working to remain a steady voice on the other end of the line.

“I think the biggest thing I say to almost every caller is that it’s okay not to be okay,” Sanaya said. “There’s such a culture, especially among teenagers, to just say, ‘I’m fine.’ But when you tell someone it’s really okay to talk about what’s going on, they start to open up. Then we can have a much deeper conversation.” And sometimes, that deeper conversation is the first step toward something powerful: relief, connection, and the reminder that no one has to face their hardest moments alone.

Friday, February 27, 2026

Brent Cabahug is a high school senior who works part-time at his local Walmart. When a shopper caught him being extra kind and generous, she had to share the story with his mom and the entire world.

Dani Dircks saw a small moment of kindness unfold and immediately shared it on Facebook. An elderly woman was at the check out and her card was repeatedly declined. You could feel the stress rising as she began to panic. That’s when Brent whipped his wallet out and covered the $80 worth of groceries. The woman was on the verge of tears in gratitude.

Dani was in the line watching the whole thing unfold. She was suddenly ashamed she had hesitated and not stepped in to help first. She found Brent’s mom on Facebook and learned that the high school senior was working to save up for a car to take to college. Dani started a GoFundMe that has to date raised over $12,000 for Brent.

Thursday, February 26, 2026

Roberta Wilsey was wrestling with grief and fear when she was shown compassion and the gift of a final meal for her husband Al. Al was preparing for his life to end due to a host of medical issues including diabetes, pancreatitis and kidney failure. He asked his wife if they could have Mexican food for his final family meal.

Al even called their local spot, Nando’s Mexican Cafe. Al explained that they couldn’t actually come pick the food up, hoping for delivery. When the staff heard Al’s story, they covered the cost of the meal and delivery – sending along a sweet not offering prayers for his family.

That meal would be Al’s last. But the kindness shown to their family at this critical moment has been a ray of hope for Roberta, saying “there are good people in this world.”

Wednesday, February 25, 2026

At the O+ Medical Clinic in New York, you don’t have to worry about remembering your insurance card. But you might need to bring your guitar. The clinic is a year-round, no-cost, exchange-based medical space for artists and musicians, founded by a group of local creatives and doctors. Instead of paying with cash or insurance, patients pay with what they do best: art.

Volunteer healthcare providers offer services including health checkups, dentistry, massages, and group therapy—completely free of charge. In return, artists contribute to the community by offering free tickets to live performances, creating public artwork, teaching music or art classes, or sharing other skills. Since 2010 the organization has provided 6,135 medical treatments and 1,554 dental treatments to artists.

In addition to letting artists access care without going broke, the O+ Exchange Clinic has also become a creative hub hosting exhibitions, workshops, and live music events.

Tuesday, February 24, 2026

Rhea Holmes says “Depression affects the mind, but grief affects the heart.” The 55 year old was homeless after losing her husband to a heart attack. Grief left her incapable of going to work. She was evicted and put out on the streets. Both her husband and her father were buried at a cemetery in Syracuse, NY, where she would sleep at night.

On Christmas Eve she was carrying a box of groceries up a steep hill, headed back to the cemetery, when Officer Jamie Pastorello saw her and offered to give her a ride. She was so kind, clean and well spoken that he had no idea she was homeless. They even took a selfie together which the police shared on Facebook to spotlight the kindness in their community – a brilliant smile on Ms. Rhea’s face.

Someone in the community recognized Rhea in the post and shared her story. When Officer Pastorello found out what was going on, he immediately went and picked Ms. Rhea up off the streets and found a warm, safe place for her to stay. She had avoided local shelters because of rampant violence and drug abuse. Thanks to a community GoFundMe, Rhea was able to get into her very own tiny-home and restart her life and a deep friendship with Officer Jamie Pastorello.

She says “God put Jamie there. He knew I needed help and He guided me to him.”

Monday, February 23, 2026

Planning for retirement is important – but life happens and sometimes things don’t go the way we had hoped. Turns out NFTs weren’t the best investment. Muriel is in her early 90s and still going to work each day at her local Burlington Coat Factory in Pompano Beach, FL. It’s a struggle for her, but her pension, food stamps and social security aren’t enough for her to embrace retirement.

A friendly shopper named April Steele began a conversation with Muriel, noticing the 92 year old looked really tired. This inspired a GoFundMe to help transition Muriel to a life of leisure. The initial goal was $10,000 – enough to fix up her trailer and live comfortably.

Over 3,000 people saw Muriel’s story and wanted to help. At last count, folks have given over $128,000 for Muriel.

Friday, February 20, 2026

The Olympic commentators on Peacock frequently mention how many millions of dollars China has paid American-born Ailene Gu to snowboard for her parent’s home country instead of ours. It’s a lot. The US doesn’t pay Olympians like many of our competitors do. That means our athletes often have day-jobs and depend on donations to realize their Olympic dreams.

Some have supportive spouses, others search for time between jobs and family obligations to practice their sports. Ross Stevens is a wealthy financier who wants to help American Olympians, so he is giving them a $100 million gift. That works out to $200,000 for each American Olympian and para-Olympian, placed in a retirement account for them. That way, chasing their dreams doesn’t come at the cost of their future.

The gift is also PER Olympic appearance, which means if they return for future Olympics, they will receive even more to help their families in the future. Every country handles their Olympians differently – some with cash incentives. In Poland Olympians get diamonds and paintings, South Koreans get exempt from military service and one Kazak Olympian received 100 thoroughbred horses.

Thursday, February 19, 2026

It’s nice and balmy in SELA right now – perfect for gardening and crawfish. But it is still Winter for most of the Northern hemisphere. Out in Tulsa, OK temperatures drop FAST. When a Winter storm blew through, Ryan Duval became a hero for some of the most vulnerable in his community.

The local business owner owns a vintage fire truck, which he frequently brings to parades and events. During a dangerous cold snap Ryan transformed his truck into a mobile warming station. He drove around Tulsa picking up homeless people and offered them warm rides to shelters, or for some, just a reprieve from the cold.

Ryan would cruise the streets looking for people in need until 3 or 4 in the morning. Over the course of a weekend he helped get nearly 70 people to safety, out of the cold. Ryan’s act of heroism has inspired his friends to do blanket collections and provide support for the good work.

Wednesday, February 18, 2026

We’ve been enjoying a pretty comfy February, after a frigid January – but the rest of the country hasn’t been so fortunate. Much of America is buried under enough snow to host the Winter Olympics! If you’ve ever shoveled snow or tried to de-ice a car, you know the struggle is REAL.

A group of teenagers in the Washington DC area banded together to serve their elderly neighbors by shoveling snow so the differently abled can actually get out of their houses and get to doctor’s appointments, church and to pick up needed medication. And it wasn’t just snow the kids had to deal with – it was ice. Hard, cold, frozen water. It took a lot of back-breaking labor for 14 year old Rodriguez Norman Jr. and his friends to dig out walkways for their neighbors.

Word spread of their good deeds and the teens are now affectionately known as the Snow Team Heroes across the Nation’s Capital! And the kids won’t accept money – only warm hugs – for their efforts.

Tuesday, February 17, 2026

A few years back a couple of Tulane students founded a recycling company called Glass Half Full. Their goal was to recycle all the empty glass bottles they saw all over New Orleans. They began converting glass into sand and it has been a major success story – they even create clean sand to help rebuild the wetlands all from French Quarter empties!

Now Glass Half Full has set its sights on making Mardi Gras throws more sustainable. They teamed up with local hotels and businesses, along with Arc GNO to collect unwanted beads and throws for recycling instead of landfilling.

ArcGNO hires people with disabilities to clean, sort, repackage and resell Mardi Gras beads, partnering with many different parade krewes to keep costs down and recycling high. Making Mardi Gras more sustainable is definite good news!

Monday, February 16, 2026

You never know who God may put in your path – or how you might just change their lives. Madalin “Cris” Cristea wanted to climb Mont Blanc, the Alps’ tallest mountain, to throw an exciting wrench into his humdrum life. He knew it would be tough, but he couldn’t have anticipated saving two lives on his way up. Cristea found a father-and-son duo seconds from toppling off the mountain to their deaths when he grabbed the rope holding them both and braced himself.

Miraculously, he maintained his grip on the rope as they dangled off the mountain, and other climbers helped pull them back up to safety. Undeterred by the near-death experience he helped prevent, Cristea returned to Mont Blanc two years later and finally reached the top.

If you feel like you’re in the middle of a “climb” in life, keep an eye out on your journey – you might just see someone else who could use a hand along the way.

Friday, February 13, 2026

Teachers often wonder what kind of impact they are actually making. At Providence High in Charlotte, Jeff Swicegood is everyone’s favorite substitute teacher. They know they are in for a treat when Jeff pops in for the day. He loves the kids and loves learning. He also loves wearing Vans sneakers.

Lately Mr. Swicegood spent an extended sub job for Senior English. He and the kids really bonded over Shakespeare and the kids wanted to show their appreciation. The students pooled their money and surprised Jeff with a brand new pair of Vans – capturing his happy tears on video.

When the shoe company saw the sweet gesture they sent a crew to the school to give the kids Vans gift cards and swag bags!

Thursday, February 12, 2026

At an assisted living community in Fairfax County, Virginia, a group of high school students is using manicures for something much bigger than nail polish. The teens are part of GlamourGals, a nonprofit organization that aims to reduce social isolation among older adults by creating spaces for conversation and connection with volunteer teenagers. The beauty element helps break the ice, but it’s never the whole point.

“Painting nails isn’t what I’m mainly interested in,” said 16 year old Zahra Nikzad. “It’s the conversation. I want to understand their experience. I want to listen.”  Zahra started her local GlamourGals club while missing her grandmother, who lives in Afghanistan. Regular FaceTime calls made her think about seniors who don’t have family nearby, or anyone consistently checking in.

During a recent visit, students rotated through common rooms and memory-care units, chatting as they painted nails and set out crafts. Some residents shared life advice with the teens, while others told stories that looped back decades, debated favorite school subjects, or joked through a card game once the polish dried.

The students rarely checked their phones. The residents noticed.

That focus is intentional. GlamourGals trains teen volunteers to lead with listening and empathy—skills that don’t always come naturally, but matter deeply to seniors who spend much of their time around the same faces. With 150+ chapters around the country, the GlamourGals have helped hundreds of thousands of seniors since the org’s founding in 2000.

Wednesday, February 11, 2026

Back in the early 90s the movie Cool Runnings gave us the Disney version of a true story – the very first Jamaican Bobsled Team to compete in the Winter Olympics. Who is ready for the real life sequel? Not only is Jamaica back for the bobsleigh competition in Milano, but 18 year old triplets from Queens, New York have set out to conquer their Olympic dreams and represent their mother’s home country of Jamaica as the country’s first skiers in the slalom and giant slalom. It’s stories like these siblings that make the Olympics so special.

18 year old Henri Rivers IV of Brooklyn, NY is representing his mother’s native country of Jamaica at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics this week. He qualified in the Alpine Skiing event. But Henri isn’t alone – in fact he’s never really alone… His sisters Henniyah and Helaina didn’t qualify in their sports this time, but they are in Italy with their brother right now.

They want to get used to the Olympic village, because all three plan to compete in the 2030 games in the French Alps. The Rivers Triplets will only be 22 in 2030, so we’ll hopefully get to follow their journey for a long time!

Tuesday, February 10, 2026

There are so many wonderful pets, waiting for a forever home in animal shelters. The trouble is – when’s the last time you went to an animal shelter? How are you supposed to get to know these pets if you don’t meet them? That’s why Bryan Reisberg picks up shelter pets in a special doggo-backpack and takes them for a day out in New York City.

The dogs travel with Bryan on the subway, go play in Central Park and attract all kinds of attention. Bryan gets to share their adoption information with people all over the city – so far 10 of his 11 playdates have led to a forever home!

But that’s not all – Bryan shares his adventures in NYC on social media – which of course went viral because it’s cute dogs in a backpack exploring New York. The Best Friends Animal Society says they had 100 more dogs get adopted in the past 6 months then before Bryan began his work.

Monday, February 9, 2026

Terry McCarty knows what it means to face your fears head-on. When he was 6, Terry survived a fire that caused burns to 73% of his body and resulted in 58 surgeries. Now an adult looking to enter the workforce, his experiences and trauma scars have made some employers unwilling to hire him. Not giving up, he thought: “What’s the one thing I can do that would just stop everybody in their tracks?”

So Terry became a volunteer firefighter, regularly facing flames that once nearly killed him. His first encounter with fire during training was a healing one, extinguishing the fear and trauma that still lived inside after his childhood accident. Maybe no one in his life expected Terry to run toward a blaze, but it’s where he knows he can make a difference.

Friday, February 6, 2026

Some folks like a traditional wedding – white gown in a church. Others choose khakis and sundresses in a cozy barn or beach. Kathleen Sanchez, a teacher from San Antonio, planned a slightly different vibe for her nuptials. Kathleen and fiancé chose a Halloween themed ceremony, with candle light and a custom black wedding gown.

But when the gown was delivered to her apartment, a porch pirate made off with the wedding dress – leaving Kathleen fuming and frustrated. She vented about it on social media (as one does) and a total stranger managed to find the perfect replacement and even hand delivered it to the bride to be at her school, giving her a big hug and “congratulations” in front of her classroom!

The woman who delivered the miracle dress said she saw her story online and immediately wanted to help – telling Kathleen to not let anyone steal her joy for her wedding! What could have been a huge bummer became a major blessing and a new friendship.

Thursday, February 5, 2026

On a rainy day a mom came into a small bakery. She was dripping wet from walking in the rain. After looking at the beautiful cakes on display she quietly asked for a single cupcake – and a candle to put in it for her daughter’s 6th birthday.

The bakery owner who was working the front counter understood what was happening. This mom was struggling. Without hesitation she grabbed a huge, expensive, meticulously decorated unicorn cake from the display. She told the woman that her decorator had messed up on the cake and she was about to have to throw it away – would this woman be willing to take it off her hands, free of charge?

The mom burst into tears. She recognized the gift and thanked the baker profusely. The next day the baker found a crayon covered Thank You card slid under her door. It featured a picture of a unicorn and in wobbly writing this message: “Thank you for making my mommy happy.”

Wednesday, February 4, 2026

Tokyo’s Orange Day Café, also known as the Cafe of Mistaken Orders is a monthly pop-up offering a unique and inclusive space for individuals living with dementia. The inspiration for the “Restaurant of Mistaken Orders” concept was founded by Shiro Oguni in 2017 and aims to challenge perceptions of dementia by embracing the “mix-ups” in orders.

Volunteers like Toshio Morita, in his 80s, actively engage with customers, finding enjoyment and purpose in their roles. The café fosters an environment where people with dementia can remain socially active, a practice proven to increase not only your lifespan, but quality of life and reduced feelings of isolation. It’s a growing trend in Japan, a nation with a significant aging population where over six million people are estimated to have dementia.

Other similar programs, like “Grandma’s Cafe,” further highlight the expanding efforts to provide meaningful work and social connection for older adults with cognitive impairments. The success of these cafes, where despite occasional mistaken orders, customers report high satisfaction, underscores a societal shift towards greater understanding and acceptance of people living with dementia within their communities.

Tuesday, February 3, 2026

Melissa‘s father had a rough start to this life. When he was in 1st grade he lost his mother and in 4th grade he lost his father. Melissa’s father and uncle were in foster care and adopted – but both experiences were painfully unkind. Through all of that upheaval, there were only a few items that they managed to keep, one of which was his mother’s cookie jar. Melissa remembers seeing it on the top shelf in the kitchen her entire life. They never used it because it was far too fragile and precious to her dad.

In 2008, Hurricane Ike destroyed Melissa’s dad’s home and everything in it. The cookie jar was lost and he was devastated. The family looked for years in antique stores and eBay to find a replica, but never had any luck.

Then in November of 2024, leading up to what would be Melissa’s father’s last Christmas on earth, a little voice in Melissa’s head urged her to look for the cookie jar again. This time, she found it immediately on Etsy. When her father opened the gift with his family of kids and grandkids all around, he burst into tears, later whispering to his daughter, “best Christmas ever.”

Monday, February 2, 2026

The early morning school routine might mean waiting in long drop-off lines for carpool – or pre-dawn bus stops – but in Montclair, NJ it involves packed backpacks and helmets. The helmets are for the bikes, because every Friday morning (weather permitting) these Montclair kids take the Bike-Bus to school.

Volunteers in orange safety vests lead the parade of over 300 students on a 5-mile bike bus route winding through Montclair. Sometimes parents and grandparents join in the fun too, eventually splitting the route to serve two local elementary schools. The Bike Bus movement is happening all over the United States, Australia, Brazil, India, Indonesia and Israel – but the fun idea was born in one of the most fun cities in the Pacific Northwest – Portland, OR.

The volunteers who lead the Bike buses go through real training and communication with parents and riders is essential. The growing movement hopes that starting kids young on taking their bikes to school eventually translates to them taking their bikes to work when they are adults.

Friday, January 30, 2026

On a cold October day in Cambridge, MA, a Baldwin School gym was filled with the sounds of squeaking sneakers, bouncing basketballs and children’s laughter. The hoops had been lowered so the kids could make their shots – and even when they miss, they still get a “good try” from their smiling coaches.

The Cambridge Basketball Lab is a mentorship and skill development program that started for high school kids but now includes kids in elementary school, as young as 2nd grade. It was founded by Matt Meyersohn, a local who found joy in mentoring kids while recovering from stage three colon cancer.

It was during his battle with cancer that Coach Matt decided he wanted to make sure he had a positive impact on the world and his community. He rallied local school districts and fundraised with Harvard University sports, the Red Sox and Boston Celtics to make sure kids would get the best of the best. Parents are grateful for the low cost program that inspires their kids year round – and get access to tutors to help with academics as well.

Thursday, January 29, 2026

When you plan a vacation are you a detail oriented over planner or a go-with-the-flow passenger? Kam and Tim Boles had spent MONTHS planning their epic trip from Atlanta, Georgia to a cruise that embarks out of Cape Town, South Africa! International travel can be pretty stressful but they had worked on every detail but when the Boles settled into their seats on a Delta flight they realized something was missing…

Their passports.

For over 20 minutes Kam and Tim searched every bag and pocket – other passengers prowled the floors trying to help. Eventually the couple gave up and got off the plane, resigned to their fate. That’s when a Delta employee came running with good news – they found the passports! And as luck would have it, their pilot, who was one flight away from retirement, made the exception to let them reboard their flight, even after all the flight checks were complete.

Many people went the extra mile to help the Boles and they were exceptionally grateful to take-off on a once in a lifetime adventure because of the kindness of strangers.

Wednesday, January 28, 2026

Sonia Lewis is a success story out of North Philadelphia. But like most success stories, it wasn’t just her hard work that got her to the top – it was the help of her community. 20 years ago family medical troubles almost stopped her before she started. The top honor roll student and class president in her high school was not going to be able to afford college because her mom was hospitalized with meningitis and her grandmother was recovering from cancer. There was no time to apply for scholarships and student loans – it was pure survival, and deadlines were missed.

Sonia’s high school (Bodine International Affairs High) noticed the struggle and found a way to funnel some money to help pay her first year’s tuition for college. And from there she was able to thrive. Now she has her PhD and is running an organization called Student Loan Doctor that helps kids find funding for college and get loan forgiveness.

This past year Sonia was able to return to her high school and present them a check to cover all the Senior class activities, including the senior trip, brunch, yearbooks and more. She’s been able to help countless students with her work because her school helped her when she needed it the most.

Tuesday, January 27, 2026

At 80 years old, Betty “Legend” Kellenberger recently became the oldest woman to complete a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, covering roughly 2,200 miles from Georgia to Maine. And while the record is impressive, it wasn’t the point.

Betty first dreamed of hiking the Appalachian Trail as a child, back when the trail itself was still young. Decades later, she finally set out, only to be knocked off course repeatedly by injuries, illness, and bad luck. Her first attempt ended with Lyme disease and a concussion. A later try was cut short by a fall. Another came after knee replacement surgery. At several points, quitting would’ve made perfect sense.

But Betty kept returning to the trail, motivated in part by a promise she made to her late hiking partner, Joe “Tracks” Cox, a Navy veteran who encouraged her to finish even when he no longer could. When Hurricane Helene disrupted large sections of the Appalachian Trail in 2024, trail officials adjusted the rules, allowing hikers like Betty to complete the journey in stages—giving her one last, real shot. And she took it.

By September 2025, Betty Kellenberger had completed every mile, earning the trail name “Legend,” first given to her by a Boy Scout troop she met along the way. She didn’t adopt it until she really felt she’d earned it. She didn’t complete the hike for the views or the nicknames, but says it’s the people who kept her coming back – fellow hikers, trail angels, shuttle drivers, and strangers who showed generosity without expecting anything back. Her advice to others—especially older women—is simple: stay active, start where you are, and don’t let anyone else decide what you’re capable of.

Monday, January 26, 2026

When facing a life changing diagnosis, the people you surround yourself with are essential to handling your new challenges. Luckily for Susie, her little sister is hilarious.

9 year old Nora Vaughn loves her big sister (14 year old) Susie, who has Rett syndrome – a neurodevelopmental disorder with no cure. But research is being done – expensive research. Nora decided to help, using her charm and wit.

Instead of a lemonade stand, she set up a joke stand just outside the gates of Jazz Fest in New Orleans. For a donation, she’ll pull a joke out of her bowl and have you rolling. Nora dreams of a day when there is treatment for Susie that allows her to grow, walk unaided and live independently. Just last Jazz Fest Nora brought in over $1000 for research!

Friday, January 23, 2026

Devin Cash is one of millions of Americans who suffer from a gastro-intestinal disease. When traveling or eating out, it can be a real challenge to find safe foods. Devin loves Kraft Macaroni and Cheese – and it is her ultimate safe food. Since 2021 the now 33 year old has been bringing Kraft Mac & Cheese hidden in her purse to all of her friends’ weddings. It’s become a consistent joke amongst her friends and family – there are a LOT of photos of Devin in bridesmaid dresses, holding her date, Kraft Mac & Cheese.

Devin’s love of Mac & Cheese caught Kraft’s attention on social media, so when Devin married her fiancé Robert this past October – she was in for an orange surprise! Not only did the company provide a ton of her favorite food for the wedding reception, they created a custom 14-karat gold macaroni noodle necklace for the bride AND a huge neon sign that reads “kraft-ing a life together!”

Thursday, January 22, 2026

When you move into a new neighborhood, the house can have any number of problems that you can fix over time – but the neighbors? You can’t fix them. And if you are blessed with great neighbors, you are blessed indeed! Such is the case for Anna and Roman. When Anna and her 2-month-old son Roman moved into a new North Carolina subdivision they met Suzie and Wade Fulghum. It did not take long for the Fulghums to become family.

Roman grew up having playtime next door with Suzie and Wade. When Roman started preschool, he made his mom invite Suzie and Wade to the preschool open house so he could show off his spaces to his favorite people! The three year old basically became a realtor, showing off every nook and cranny to his surrogate grandparents.

Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Xavier Joel is a spunky 6 year old from Orlando, FL. This past year he graduated from Kindergarten, but unfortunately didn’t get to walk the aisle with his classmates. His mom was maid of honor in a cousin’s wedding in Puerto Rico that weekend. There was no way to get back in time for the ceremony.

Trying to make up for her son’s disappointment, Mom (Janeiry Rivas) brought along Xavier’s cap and gown to Puerto Rico – and on graduation day had her son dress up for pictures with their pilots. This gave the Frontier flight crew a fun idea – while still in the air over Florida, the crew called Xavier up to the front. They shared his story and then held a very exclusive mile-high graduation ceremony with the whole plane cheering and congratulating Xavier as he walked down the aisle!

The flight attendants blasted Pomp & Circumstance over the speaker as Xavier shook hands, and gave out high fives and fist bumps throughout the plane.

Tuesday, January 20, 2026

World War II ended over 80 years ago, but treasures from that time are still being restored to families. A sailor with the Merchant Marines and Navy served to liberate France during The War. His name was John Sheehan. He wore a bracelet with an engraving from his wife Helen – but in battle, the bracelet was lost.

Nearly a century later, a family in France found the bracelet in a trunk of war memorabilia. They contacted local Historians to track down the family and this past Veterans Day, a connection to the past was returned to the family in the United States.

They found Sheehan’s old navy chest in storage and had to get a locksmith to break into it. They learned stories of their father – his adventures and charm from when he was a young sailor. Turns out Sheehan also worked with Stephen Ambrose on a local project – the National World War II Museum! The perfect way to celebrate our Veterans. Thank you for your service.

Monday, January 19, 2026

Just three weeks from now pitchers and catchers will report to Spring Training for Major League baseball.  Baseball is often called America’s pastime – with a rich history and amazing ball parks. One of the most famous is the Boston Red Sox’s Fenway Park.

Antonio Bisono and his son Michael went to ballgames together in New England for over 20 years. They describe baseball as the “magic mud” that holds them together. Antonio is a die hard Red Sox fan, while Michael defected to the Yankees for some rivalry fun. When Antonio had a heart attack, things changed for the two. They couldn’t make it to Fenway together anymore, so Michael built one.

Michael converted his father’s backyard space into a sweet replica of Fenway, complete with a mini-Green Monster and scoreboard so they could keep watching games together, just on TV in the backyard.

Friday, January 16, 2026

Schools all across the country are bringing back shop class! Teens are learning how to be mechanics, preparing for the real world or to go into other training courses or apprenticeships. At Louisa County High School not only do the 11th graders get hands-on experience repairing and restoring cars – they are changing lives in the process!

The shop class at Louisa County High repairs cars for teachers, fellow students and local residents at reduced prices. And beyond that, they get to take a donated vehicle and completely restore it, giving it as a gift to a single mother in need!

Auto Tech teacher Shane Robertson says each time the students get to open the garage door and give a car to a deserving person – it’s life changing not only for the recipient – but the kids that put in the work.

Thursday, January 15, 2026

Wade Milyard retired from the Frederick Police to follow the voice of God. It started years ago, when responding to a domestic dispute at a homeless camp. Wade was sure it was God whispering to him to ask the folks about their laundry.

Sounds weird right? The homeless couple used a nearby creek to rinse out their clothes. This sparked an idea in Wade’s imagination. He raised some funds to buy an old bus and turn it into a mobile laundromat – which he stations in homeless communities to get their clothes properly cleaned, for free!

The mission is simple, to “help restore dignity to the unhoused community.” Fresh Step Laundry has a schedule to serve Frederick Country, just outside of Washington DC. With success comes growth – the retired cop is raising funds for a second laundry bus right now.

Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Family – community – is essential to life. Some people grow a family – others find one. Air Force Veteran Charlie Hicks found his family in a little Pensacola, FL restaurant called The Shrimp Basket. The 78 year old always orders a cup of gumbo while he watches baseball at the restaurant. Chef Donell Stallworth grew close to Charlie over their shared love of baseball, though Charlie is a Yankees fan and Donnell routes for the Dodgers.

One day Charlie didn’t show up for lunch like usual. One of the restaurant managers called him and found out he was sick, so they started bringing the gumbo to his house. One day there was no answer at the door – so they carefully entered and found that Charlie had fallen, with broken ribs and was severely dehydrated.

While Charlie recovered in the hospital, his lease ran out, so the Shrimp Basket team found an apartment right next door to the restaurant to move him into. The entire Shrimp Basket views Charlie as their adopted Grandfather. They got his stuff moved and unpacked before Charlie even got out of the hospital. Now he can just walk next door to be with his family every day and enjoy his cup of gumbo!

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Andre Davis owns The Dinner Bell. He can seat 15 patrons at a time, using 4 large round tables with huge lazy Susans to enjoy the family style meals. Andre says it is one of his great joys to watch locals and visitors become instant friends over his famed fried eggplant, and delicious Southern dishes.

Turns out, good food brings people of all walks of life together. Friendships forged in fried chicken. Andre says conversation flows as quickly as the lazy Susan spins – and no one even thinks of pulling out their phone.

Monday, January 12, 2026

At Corewell Health Children’s hospital just outside of Detroit, volunteers, hospital staff, friends and family all found a way to cheer up loved ones in the hospital during the cold dark December. Groups bundle up to brave the Michigan winter and head out to the parking lot. They each carry a flashlight and at exactly 8 PM each evening stretching from Hanukkah to Christmas, they shine their lights into the sky outside the hospital.

A few minutes later, in not-so-perfect unison, the crowd cheers “SWEET DREAMS!” to the kids and their families inside. The tradition has been dubbed Moonbeams for Sweet Dreams and has been going strong since 2017.

Friday, January 9, 2026

4-year-old Adonis of Brooklyn, NY took some construction paper and scissors (his mom helped) and created his own little act of kindness. The preschooler cut out paper hearts and began handing them out at his school and neighborhood.

His mom Andrea had no idea what his plans were when they were cutting out hearts – and every person that has received one of Adonis’ hearts has beamed with joy. And folks are passing on the goodness – a shop owner offered Adonis some free fruit for a school snack – another offered drum lessons!

Paper hearts might not be on the LifeSongs Be Kind Bingo card, but plenty of other easy-to-do random acts of kindness are!

Thursday, January 8, 2026

When Nadja Jovanovic made a quick post in her neighborhood Facebook group asking if anyone with a “cool car” could swing by for her son Kosta’s fourth birthday, she figured maybe one kind stranger might roll through.

Kosta is obsessed with fast cars—anything loud, shiny, and shaped like it could win a race—and Nadja hoped to give him a few minutes of driveway excitement. What she got instead: a full-throttle sports car parade.

About a dozen high-end cars arrived on their street to celebrate Kosta’s big day. Many were coordinated by local car enthusiast Mike Mallozzi, who saw the post and started gathering fellow drivers. Young Kosta saw (and heard) Porsche 911s, Audi R8s, Corvettes, and tricked-out muscle cars, each one pulling up with engines revving and birthday wishes blasting. The parade even came with a police escort to help guide the group through the neighborhood safely!

Kosta and his friends were nearly vibrating with excitement as they climbed into seats, gripping steering wheels and giving cautious little revs behind the wheel. All of the drivers, most of whom had never met the family, were beaming at Kosta’s reaction to their wheels. And then, the next morning, one driver returned with his bright red Corvette, and another arrived in what Jovanovic said was Kosta’s dream car—a Lamborghini Aventador—just to make sure the birthday boy got his moment with it.

Wednesday, January 7, 2026

It was like a scene on a rescue TV show! A REACH Air Medical helicopter experienced a malfunction and crash landed on State Route 50 just east of downtown Sacramento, CA. While many motorists fled the scene, some became heroes.

Nearly 2 dozen bystanders hopped from the cars and ran towards the crash. There was no time to wait for emergency response – a paramedic was trapped inside. A first responder, Fire Captain Peter Vandersluis was on the scene and recruited the help of others to lift the crashed helicopter and successfully rescue the paramedic!

Captain Peter said the recruited help of bystanders were incredible, following his every order and that kept them all safe in a very dangerous situation. Would you have rushed into danger? Or just rush to pull out your phone to live stream the disaster?

Tuesday, January 6, 2026

Martin Lorentz and his bride Jade exchanged vows in the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, France. Martin earned the elite wedding chapel by being a part of the team that rebuilt the Cathedral over the last half decade after a fire ravaged the famous church building.

Martin spent years hand hewing beams to hold up the ceiling of Notre-Dame. The process was grueling and literally Medieval. When Martin asked the reigning Monsignor if he could get married in the rebuilt Cathedral, it was with a smile he gave his blessing.

Joining Martin and Jade at their ceremony were hundreds of other craftsmen who had worked together to restore that magnificent, historic Notre-Dame Cathedral.

Monday, January 5, 2026

When you think of Italian grandmothers you probably think of a sweet, feisty lady working a pasta dough and encouraging you to eat more. Not Emma. 92 and she can outrun most of us: Emma Mazzenga might just be the fastest nonna on the planet. At 92, this Italian elite sprinter has shattered countless world records. She once gave up competition to focus on marriage and motherhood — but the runner’s high never left her. At age 53, Emma laced up her shoes and hit the track again.

Now, Emma is in her 90s and is so extraordinary that aging researchers are studying her to uncover the secret behind her longevity. She’s part of a neuromuscular function study — and as the oldest, most active participant, she’s redefining what’s possible at any age.

So yes. Yes you can make it to the gym today. Yes you can go for that walk. Yes you can attempt a pushup. Emma’s watching.

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