Many people are ready to say, “good riddance” to 2016, as it has been a year dominated by devastating notable deaths and a divisive election season. Take time to remember these inspirational stories from 2016 to help carry the giving spirit forward into the new year.
A woman in Boston who ordered a winter coat from Zulily called the company's customer service department to ask if she could return the coat for a refund. The representative confirmed that she could receive a refund, but as for the coat, the representative said, "Please don't send it back. If you know someone who needs a winter coat or if you would like to donate it to a charity, that would make us very happy."
Florida State University football players visited a middle school over the summer, and at lunchtime, wide receiver Travis Rudolph noticed a boy sitting all alone. Rudolph joined him for lunch and someone took a photo of the touching moment. The photo made it back to the boy’s mother, who was grateful for Rudolph’s act of kindness, writing on Facebook that her son eats lunch alone most days.
A teenager in Memphis took a chance on a stranger, asking him if he could carry his groceries to his car in exchange for a box of donuts. The man, Matt White, did better than just donuts, taking the boy, Chauncey Black, on a shopping spree, then setting up a GoFundMe account hoping to raise enough funds for a lawnmower so Black could earn money to help pay the family’s rent and buy food. White ended up raising over $340,000 for the family, and helped them move into a safer neighborhood. White is now helping other families in need.
A woman in New Hampshire discovered that the man working at a Dunkin’ Donuts who always knew her coffee order, also had a second job at a convenience store that he walked to because he didn’t have a car. She posted the man’s story on her Facebook page, writing, “This man walks 16 miles every day between both his jobs, making minimum wage at both. Minimum wage in New Hampshire is $7.25/hr. This man shows that if you are motivated, ambitious, and WILLING to work, it IS possible.” After hearing about his story, a local dealership gave the man, Kyle Bigler, a used car.
A day at the beach in California turned into a nightmare as a child playing in a three-foot-deep hole was buried alive after the hole collapsed. Three men attending a family reunion heard the commotion and rushed over to help. Their quick actions freed the boy just in time. The boy was expected to make a full recovery.
A girl in Georgia was celebrating her 4th birthday when she said made a connection with a stranger in need. The chance encounter between Norah Wood and 82-year-old Dan Petersen sparked a magical friendship. The girl’s mother learned the widower was still grieving the loss of his wife and that the girl’s actions had been inspiring for him. The girl and her mother now visit Petersen regularly.
An Illinois man who repossesses cars for a living showed mercy on an elderly couple who had fallen on hard times. When Jim Ford went to claim the 1998 Buick because the couple had fallen behind on payments, he learned about the couple’s financial struggles. Ford drove the couple’s car about a block before he pulled over and called the bank to find out how much the couple owed. He set up a GoFundMe account and quickly earned the money to pay off the car, and get the car some needed repairs. The couple also received a free turkey for Thanksgiving.
A Massachusetts man whose 34-year-old wife died from a severe asthma attack in September wrote a letter of gratitude to the hospital where she was treated. Peter DeMarco thanked the ICU staff for their kind and compassionate care, and for bending the rules to allow DeMarco to sneak the couple’s cat in for one last visit.
This summer in Virginia, a 6-year-old girl was leaving a store with her mother when she noticed a man sitting on the ground, crying. The girl asked the man what he was doing there and he said he had no home, but that he would be OK. The girl gave the man a few dollars and her drink, and a few bystanders followed her lead. The man was grateful for the help, and said his trailer had burnt down and he had lost everything, including his wife. The girl’s mother posted the story on Facebook, and she was proud of her daughter leading by example.
A special education teacher in Kentucky invited some special guests to her June wedding: her students who have Down syndrome. Bride Kinsey French and the students posed for an adorable photo to mark the special occasion. French said, “They were like family to me. They were my first class and they've been my only class and so I knew I couldn't have a special day without them.”
A bittersweet story, but one that touched millions around the world, a 26-year-old woman with cystic fibrosis died just five days after her 25-year-old husband, who also had cystic fibrosis. The pair had bonded over their disease and fallen in love, marrying in 2011. Many who learned of the couple's story were moved and inspired by their love and devotion to one another, even as they battled disease.
Shelter treats dogs to 'puppuccinos' with hopes of adoption
A humane society in Washington state found a clever and fun way to promote the shelter's dogs available for adoption. Each week, one of the shelter's dogs is taken on a car ride to Starbucks, where they get to enjoy a cup of whipped cream. Staff members take photos of the outing and share on social media, to the delight of dog lovers everywhere.
Maverick is a Golden Retriever battling cancer and unable to go on walks like he used to enjoy. His owner built a wagon to take Maverick on rides around town and his joyous journey has gone viral on social media.
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