DEFOREST, Wis. A family was saved by a quick-thinking neighbor after a possible explosion and fire tore through their home late Thursday night. Neighbor Robert Allen said he woke up to his wife Luann, who heard some sort of explosion.
"It was nasty," Allen said. "I looked out and I said, "Oh, my God! Gary's house is on fire.' And I said, 'Call 911." Allen said that he could see flames. "The flames were actually rolling up the side here, where the gas line is there," he said.
As if the sight of the blaze wasn't enough, Allen said that he noticed the home's occupants were nowhere to be found. They were still asleep, unaware that their house was on fire. Allen quickly went outside and shattered his neighbor's front door with a rock and started yelling to wake them up.
"I just kept yelling, 'Gary! Fire! Fire!'" Allen said. "I just wanted somebody to hear it, you know." Allen said that his neighbor finally emerged from the house.
DeForest Fire Chief Paul Nelson said that if it wasn't for Allen's actions, there's no doubt in his mind that someone would have perished in the fire. He said Allen is a hero. "He certainly saved their life. He came to their rescue," Nelson said. However, Allen is quick to brush his actions off. "It's just what you do," he said.
To read the full story and watch the video, please go to http://www.channel3000.com/news/30801499/detail.html?hpt=us_bn6
Source: Channel3000.com
I got tired of listening to bad news all the time, so I decided to start my blog to let everyone know about the good things that are going on in our world. I also felt that I've got to do this in order to give people, and I'm one of them, some positive perspective about our planet, as well as hope for a better tomorrow. Imagine how your day will be when you start it by reading good news. Imagine how this might touch you and encourage you to join and do something good, too.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Boy saves bus driver's life
Norwich, Conn. (WTNH) - A 13-year-old boy from Norwich is being called a hero for something he did on the way to school.
When Noah Drayton climbed on board his school bus earlier this month he could see that there was something wrong with his bus driver. Despite protests from the driver that he was okay Noah persisted, and it really paid off.
When the bus stopped at a nearby school Noah got off and called his mother, who then had his father call the First Student bus company. One driver was sent to relieve Kimball, while another brought him to the hospital.
As it turned out Kimball was having a heart attack and had to be airlifted to Yale-New Haven Hospital for emergency surgery.
"It makes me feel good," Noah said, "but I just did what I thought was the right thing to do."
To read the full story, please go to http://www.wtnh.com/dpp/news/new_london_cty/boy-saves-bus-drivers-life?hpt=us_bn4
Source: WTNH.COM
When Noah Drayton climbed on board his school bus earlier this month he could see that there was something wrong with his bus driver. Despite protests from the driver that he was okay Noah persisted, and it really paid off.
When the bus stopped at a nearby school Noah got off and called his mother, who then had his father call the First Student bus company. One driver was sent to relieve Kimball, while another brought him to the hospital.
As it turned out Kimball was having a heart attack and had to be airlifted to Yale-New Haven Hospital for emergency surgery.
"It makes me feel good," Noah said, "but I just did what I thought was the right thing to do."
To read the full story, please go to http://www.wtnh.com/dpp/news/new_london_cty/boy-saves-bus-drivers-life?hpt=us_bn4
Source: WTNH.COM
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Coexistence: Muslim Men Rescue Bagel Shop And Keep It Kosher
Coney Island Bialys and Bagels claims to be the oldest bialy bakery in New York City. Founded in 1920, it's faced hard economic times and changing neighborhood demographics. Now, the shop has been rescued by two Pakistani Muslims — and they're keeping it kosher.
The store was founded by Morris Rosenzweig, who came from Bialystock, Poland, at the turn of the 20th century, where bialys originated. At one point the bakery did so much business, it was open 24 hours a day on the weekends. Later, the store was run by his son. And then by Steve Ross, Rosenzweig's grandson, now in his 50s.
Ross says many of the traditional customers moved to the suburbs. He tried to sell the business, but there were no buyers. When Ali heard about it, Ross asked him, so you want to take it over? Ali decided to try.
Shah, Ali and Ross say that not much has changed. They are using the same ingredients, from the same suppliers. "I gave them all the phone numbers," says Ross. "If you need this. this is who you are going to get it from, and they stayed with all that."
As for keeping the bakery kosher, Ali says, "Kosher and halal is very, very close, like brother and sister, maybe twins." Ali and Shah say the only thing remaining is official kosher supervision and certification. They are looking for a rabbi to bless and supervise.
Ross, Shah and Ali talk to each other at least several times a week. They all say business is picking up.And when people look askance at the idea of Muslims running a kosher Jewish bakery, Ross says, "They were reliable, I taught them everything, they always showed up, there was never any argument. I wish them well."
To read the full story and listen to the audio, please go to http://www.npr.org/2012/01/24/145539430/muslim-men-rescue-bagel-shop-and-keep-it-kosher
Source: NPR.org
The store was founded by Morris Rosenzweig, who came from Bialystock, Poland, at the turn of the 20th century, where bialys originated. At one point the bakery did so much business, it was open 24 hours a day on the weekends. Later, the store was run by his son. And then by Steve Ross, Rosenzweig's grandson, now in his 50s.
Ross says many of the traditional customers moved to the suburbs. He tried to sell the business, but there were no buyers. When Ali heard about it, Ross asked him, so you want to take it over? Ali decided to try.
Shah, Ali and Ross say that not much has changed. They are using the same ingredients, from the same suppliers. "I gave them all the phone numbers," says Ross. "If you need this. this is who you are going to get it from, and they stayed with all that."
As for keeping the bakery kosher, Ali says, "Kosher and halal is very, very close, like brother and sister, maybe twins." Ali and Shah say the only thing remaining is official kosher supervision and certification. They are looking for a rabbi to bless and supervise.
Ross, Shah and Ali talk to each other at least several times a week. They all say business is picking up.And when people look askance at the idea of Muslims running a kosher Jewish bakery, Ross says, "They were reliable, I taught them everything, they always showed up, there was never any argument. I wish them well."
To read the full story and listen to the audio, please go to http://www.npr.org/2012/01/24/145539430/muslim-men-rescue-bagel-shop-and-keep-it-kosher
Source: NPR.org
Three elementary school girls turn their birthday party into a charity event
MCKINNEY, TX— They are three divas, with big hearts. Nicole Morris, Mackinleee Frame and Sydney Vest have been good friends for years and they want to celebrate their 8th birthdays, together with a big bash in downtown McKinney.
"There will be lots of pink carpet and dancing," Nicole said, who is a 2nd grader. But, this party will also be different. The girls have decided to make it a charity event. "It feels good to give back to people," Mackinlee said.
The girls are inviting about 150 friends who will be treated to a candy buffet, cake and pizza; instead of gifts they are asking their guests to contribute to their charities. Sydney chose an orphanage in Uganda, Africa called, Village of Hope. "It is going to feel good because I like donating way more than I like presents, so it will be totally fine," Sydney said.
Mackinlee chose the Love Life Foundation, which supports North Texas charities. Nicole selected Birthday Blessings, which was founded by her mother, Patricia Morris. The group provides birthday parties to less fortunate and homeless children. "We are so blessed, so I just want to help other kids around the world," Nicole said.
The girls' mothers says their children started their humanitarian efforts with a lemonade stand for charity, after a school assembly about Rachel's Challenge. They say from there the girls just wanted to think about a bigger project to help people and send a message.
"You don't' have to be a famous celebrity, you can be an average 8-year old girl and you can make a difference," Karen Vest, Sydney's mother, said.
To watch the video, please go to http://www.the33tv.com/news/kdaf-three-girls-donate-birthday-party-gifts-to-charity-story,0,7455420.story?hpt=us_bn5
Source: the33tv.com
"There will be lots of pink carpet and dancing," Nicole said, who is a 2nd grader. But, this party will also be different. The girls have decided to make it a charity event. "It feels good to give back to people," Mackinlee said.
The girls are inviting about 150 friends who will be treated to a candy buffet, cake and pizza; instead of gifts they are asking their guests to contribute to their charities. Sydney chose an orphanage in Uganda, Africa called, Village of Hope. "It is going to feel good because I like donating way more than I like presents, so it will be totally fine," Sydney said.
Mackinlee chose the Love Life Foundation, which supports North Texas charities. Nicole selected Birthday Blessings, which was founded by her mother, Patricia Morris. The group provides birthday parties to less fortunate and homeless children. "We are so blessed, so I just want to help other kids around the world," Nicole said.
The girls' mothers says their children started their humanitarian efforts with a lemonade stand for charity, after a school assembly about Rachel's Challenge. They say from there the girls just wanted to think about a bigger project to help people and send a message.
"You don't' have to be a famous celebrity, you can be an average 8-year old girl and you can make a difference," Karen Vest, Sydney's mother, said.
To watch the video, please go to http://www.the33tv.com/news/kdaf-three-girls-donate-birthday-party-gifts-to-charity-story,0,7455420.story?hpt=us_bn5
Source: the33tv.com
Friday, December 30, 2011
Good Samaritan Returns $4,000 Found In Chair Purchased At Auction
LYON, MISSOURI (KTVI-FOX2now.com)— A Missouri small business owner found $4,000 hidden inside a chair he bought at an auction. But instead of saying "finders-keepers", he returned all of the money to its previous owner.
Most people would think "jackpot" when finding hidden money. But for Ted Beede, that thought never entered his head, which made his decision to immediately return the money a no brainer.
Ted Beede attended an estate sale in Lyon, Missouri, looking for a few items to add to his consignment shop in Dutzow. When he found a chair he wanted and took a closer look, he found a lot more inside the chair.Without even counting the money, Ted acted quickly.
He did not know how much money was there until the local newspaper released the amount the next day.Ted's family and friends heard the amount and say that's just who Ted is.
A handful of customers have come into the store and said that they would not have done the same thing, but ted does not regret his decision to return the cash. The woman in charge of the state sale did give ted $200 as a reward for his good deed.
Source: fox2now.com
Most people would think "jackpot" when finding hidden money. But for Ted Beede, that thought never entered his head, which made his decision to immediately return the money a no brainer.
Ted Beede attended an estate sale in Lyon, Missouri, looking for a few items to add to his consignment shop in Dutzow. When he found a chair he wanted and took a closer look, he found a lot more inside the chair.Without even counting the money, Ted acted quickly.
He did not know how much money was there until the local newspaper released the amount the next day.Ted's family and friends heard the amount and say that's just who Ted is.
A handful of customers have come into the store and said that they would not have done the same thing, but ted does not regret his decision to return the cash. The woman in charge of the state sale did give ted $200 as a reward for his good deed.
Source: fox2now.com
Friday, December 23, 2011
Teacher helps get kids 'Snuggled Up'
HARRISON TOWNSHIP (WDTN) - When you go to sleep tonight, think about this - there are startling number of children in our community who don't have beds. Now a Northridge teacher is trying change that, by giving kids a place to "Snuggle Up".
It may not be Santa's workshop, but what's hidden inside second grade teacher Trisha Baxter's Beavercreek garage is almost as magical. It's the headquarters of Snuggled Up Inc. , a non-profit she started after hearing the heartbreaking story of one of her students. "She said 'I couldn't sleep last night. It was too cold on my floor even with my blanket," Baxter said.
For Baxter it was a wake up call. She says she actually stopped teaching to find out how many other kids in her class were without beds. What she discovered was that more than half of her students at Morrison Elementary in Harrison Township, slept on the floor. "I turned away and kind of cried for a minute, just quiet tears, and turned back around and thought what can I do."
It's a question that haunted Baxter for several months until this spring, when she had a revelation - for about $70 Baxter bought air mattresses, sheets, blankets, pillows, repair patches, pumps and plastic bins, essentially a bed in a box, later slugged a "Snuggle Kit"
Baxter sent letters home with students informing parents about her plan and says the response was overwhelming. "We had about a 150 that were on my list in my school that needed a bed. either sleeping on the floor or on the couch". To date, more than a 120 Snuggle Kits have been handed out.
For Angela Deters, a single mother of six the beds are a blessing."The girls either share a mattress or they would be lying on a pile of blankets," said Deters. "That first night of tucking your girls, your kids into bed, an actual bed, what was that like? Honestly, it felt like Christmas."
Deters said her kids now get sound sleep, but furthermore, she has peace of mind, which any mom will tell you is the greatest gift of all.
Source: www.wdtn.com
http://www.wdtn.com/dpp/news/local/montgomery/teacher-helps-get-kids-snuggled-up?hpt=us_bn6
It may not be Santa's workshop, but what's hidden inside second grade teacher Trisha Baxter's Beavercreek garage is almost as magical. It's the headquarters of Snuggled Up Inc. , a non-profit she started after hearing the heartbreaking story of one of her students. "She said 'I couldn't sleep last night. It was too cold on my floor even with my blanket," Baxter said.
For Baxter it was a wake up call. She says she actually stopped teaching to find out how many other kids in her class were without beds. What she discovered was that more than half of her students at Morrison Elementary in Harrison Township, slept on the floor. "I turned away and kind of cried for a minute, just quiet tears, and turned back around and thought what can I do."
It's a question that haunted Baxter for several months until this spring, when she had a revelation - for about $70 Baxter bought air mattresses, sheets, blankets, pillows, repair patches, pumps and plastic bins, essentially a bed in a box, later slugged a "Snuggle Kit"
Baxter sent letters home with students informing parents about her plan and says the response was overwhelming. "We had about a 150 that were on my list in my school that needed a bed. either sleeping on the floor or on the couch". To date, more than a 120 Snuggle Kits have been handed out.
For Angela Deters, a single mother of six the beds are a blessing."The girls either share a mattress or they would be lying on a pile of blankets," said Deters. "That first night of tucking your girls, your kids into bed, an actual bed, what was that like? Honestly, it felt like Christmas."
Deters said her kids now get sound sleep, but furthermore, she has peace of mind, which any mom will tell you is the greatest gift of all.
Source: www.wdtn.com
http://www.wdtn.com/dpp/news/local/montgomery/teacher-helps-get-kids-snuggled-up?hpt=us_bn6
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Anonymous Man Gives $2,000 to Strangers
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.— Young Aliyah eyes a box full of toys just for her. They're Christmas and birthday presents her mom, Tammy, put on layaway at the Kmart in Plainfield Township. "She got some Dora and baby doll stuff and her little Weebles. She loves Weebles, and her Minnie Mouse," Tammy says.
Layaway allows the single mom, who's also a waitress, to pay a little at a time on the gifts or what she can afford. However, now those goodies are coming home a lot sooner than she expected. That's because an anonymous donor paid her $150 layaway bill in full. "I was shocked, very shocked, being a single mom. You know, times are rough," Tammy says. "It means a lot that somebody would be that thoughtful to take the time out and do something to help somebody else," she adds.
Employee's say the generous man came into the store this morning and paid for fourteen customer's belongings, about $2000 total. Employee Frank Russo says he had the honor of calling the recipients to tell them the good news in advance."Some of them are crying over this, they're just so happy,” Russo says. “They're just hysterical over this," he adds.
The anonymous donor says he wants others to pay it forward as well. In an email he wrote, “They don't have to spend 2K to help someone. Even $5 can make a huge difference for someone, just knowing someone cares.”
Source: fox17online.com
Layaway allows the single mom, who's also a waitress, to pay a little at a time on the gifts or what she can afford. However, now those goodies are coming home a lot sooner than she expected. That's because an anonymous donor paid her $150 layaway bill in full. "I was shocked, very shocked, being a single mom. You know, times are rough," Tammy says. "It means a lot that somebody would be that thoughtful to take the time out and do something to help somebody else," she adds.
Employee's say the generous man came into the store this morning and paid for fourteen customer's belongings, about $2000 total. Employee Frank Russo says he had the honor of calling the recipients to tell them the good news in advance."Some of them are crying over this, they're just so happy,” Russo says. “They're just hysterical over this," he adds.
The anonymous donor says he wants others to pay it forward as well. In an email he wrote, “They don't have to spend 2K to help someone. Even $5 can make a huge difference for someone, just knowing someone cares.”
Source: fox17online.com
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