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With ongoing strife on the streets of Minneapolis since early January, local restaurants are struggling for customers. Chef and TV personality Andrew Zimmern, who calls Minneapolis home, hopes to change that.

He eats at local restaurants and urges others to do the same, admitting those businesses saved him years ago when he was fresh out of rehab and lived in a nearby halfway house. To give back, Zimmern serves at a local soup kitchen, making his grandmother’s homemade split pea soup to comfort all who enter.

Zimmern’s message: Food brings us together and reminds us of our responsibility to one another. Small, local efforts are powerful. As you have the time and resources, or even just your voice, lend a hand in your community. It matters. Every single time.

See Zimmern stirring the pot at Soup for You Cafe!

(Photo/Andrew Zimmern)

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When recent ice storms drove millions of Mid-Atlantic residents inside, Maryland teenagers Adeline Sutich and Maeve Ritchotte braved the elements instead. In front of a neighborhood home that burned down a few months ago, the friends built an igloo – one homemade ice brick at a time.

Why? To “create unity in the community and bring people together.” To show “how things can be rebuilt,” even after great challenges. Their neighbors loved sitting at the ice table and chairs inside. People even signed the guest book!

Meet the teen duo and see their creative community-building project!

(Photo/Adeline Sutich and Maeve Ritchotte)

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After losing her son, Catherine Szabad learned firsthand how isolating loss can be, especially on certain holidays. To comfort others feeling similar heartbreak, she founded “Hearts in Bloom” in Buffalo, NY. In just its second year, Szabad and over 300 volunteers surprised widows and widowers with hand-delivered, beautiful flowers and gift baskets on Valentine’s Day.

They hope to bring a smile to those who’ve lost someone and make them “feel loved, remembered and cherished.” That’s something we can all do!

Watch the volunteers in action!

(Photo/WKBW-TV, Buffalo, NY)

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What started as a birthday wish for a five-year-old has turned into a life mission.

For nearly a decade, through his nonprofit “Trent Cares,” 14-year-old Trent Cason and his family – even his basketball teammates – have made and distributed over 5,000 meals (that’s a lot of sandwiches!), blankets and much-needed supplies to housing and food insecure people in his Arizona community. Trent says it “feels great…to bring joy” to the hearts of those they help.

His goal? To give people “hope and the spirit to keep going every day.” See Trent in action!

(Photo/Melissa Cason GoFundMe)

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For Rhea Holmes, much of 2025 felt like Groundhog Day. Too proud to ask for help, she spent each day on her own securing food and necessities, then returned to the cemetery to sleep on her husband’s grave at night.

Then one cold December day, Syracuse Police Officer Jamie Pastorello noticed Holmes struggling to carry a box of groceries up a hill and offered her a ride.

That simple kindness and the incredible series of events that followed provide a shining example of the good that can happen when we take the time to reach out a hand to help someone in need!

Click to find out what happened to Holmes!

(Photo/Syracuse Police Dept Facebook)

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Toronto resident Minjae Cho felt lonely and disconnected, so he decided to get brave and do something about it.

Knowing that “little gestures can shift the whole mood,” Cho takes to the Toronto public buses and subway cars to wish commuters “Happy New Year,” “Have a good day,” or even tell them they make the world a better place.

Thousands now follow Cho – aka “Magnetic MJ” – on Instagram. Even the city’s mayor recognized that “if everyone did what [Cho] does to just one person, on one bus ride, once a week, the city would feel a lot more like a neighborhood.”

See Cho in action!

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In 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., changed the world with his 16-minute-long “I have a dream” speech. Now, his family is challenging us all to do the same – 16 minutes of service at a time.

The goal? One hundred million hours of service by the 100th anniversary of Dr. King’s birthday.

Why? To show that small actions matter, not just one day a year, but every day. Check on a neighbor, pick up litter, donate to a food pantry, or simply offer a kind word to someone you pass on the street – it all counts. There’s no better way to strengthen our communities.

Well-known brands like Doordash and Allstate, organizations like Girl Scouts, YMCA, the NFL, NBA and MLB sports leagues, and school districts across the country are all in.

Are you? Find out how to get involved!

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Maria was moved to tears when her neighbors, the Delgado family, surprised her with a birthday cake for her 80th birthday. She lives alone, so they wanted to make her “feel extra special.” They even sang happy birthday and Maria made a wish as she blew out her candles!

Nancy Delgado sums it up best: “One small gesture can bridge gaps and remind someone that they’re not alone, and restore a bit of hope and humanity. I think it’s a way of saying we’re all in this together, even if it’s in the smallest way.”

Click to see the heartwarming moment when she opened the door!

(Photo credit Nancy Delgado/TikTok)

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Once a week, New Yorker and social media influencer Bryan Reisberg takes a shelter dog from Soho’s Best Friends Animal Society for a ride.

After strapping the dog into a special backpack he created, Reisberg walks around town or jumps on the subway, showing off the dog’s social side. Then he posts their antics online in hopes someone will adopt the pooch.

Since he started last July, 10 of the 11 dogs he’s taken out have been adopted. And the shelter has secured at least 100 more adoptions than the same period last year. He’s literally saving dogs’ lives.

Reisburg says it’s “probably the most fulfilling thing I’ve ever done.”

See Reisberg and the dogs in action!

(Photo credit CBS News New York)

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Tina Hutcherson has driven a school bus in Oklahoma for over a decade, but knitting since she was 12. When her daughter gave her a knitting machine, knitting for others got much easier. So she used yarn she’d stored up for years to start making hats and ponchos for her 100 “bus babies.” The kids range from elementary to high school, and some don’t have a lot.

She wants them to be warm in the cold Oklahoma winter, but mostly, “I just hope they take away that somebody loves ’em.”

See how Tina used her hobby to do something good for others!

(Photo credit Putnam City Schools)

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Since 2005, the nonprofit Troops for Trees program has delivered more than 326,000 live Christmas trees to families and active-duty service members on U.S. military bases – for FREE.

This year, 19,000 trees – sourced from 340 farms across 28 states – are being delivered to 94 bases in just TEN days. National Guard members and community volunteers of all ages pitch in to help FedEx with the effort. They even include hand-written cards and homemade ornaments!

As one FedEx rep aptly put it: It’s “our way of saying ‘thank you.’” We help “light the holidays for service members and their loved ones” by delivering “a piece of home to [their] doorsteps.”

Click to read more about this fantastic program!

(Photo from Trees for Troops/Facebook)

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On Black Friday, when two teenage girls quickly approached his house and rang the doorbell, Martin Garcia thought it was a prank. But the San Jose, CA, homeowner quickly realized something was wrong and let them in. Turns out they were fleeing from an active shooter at the nearby mall.

Then more shoppers kept coming, until about 50 scared people filled their house. Martin and his wife Irene ordered pizza to feed them and helped coordinate pickups by friends and family, since they couldn’t go back to the mall to get their cars. The Garcias even plan to keep in touch with some of their new friends.

Why did they do it? “You just have to help. We just did what we thought was the right thing to do: Open the door.” Read about these real-life heroes here!

(Photo by Irene Garcia/Facebook)

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Sixty-nine-year-old Syrian refugee Hazaa Alabdullah is still learning English, but he already knows how to connect.

In his weekly class at Community Refugee and Immigration Services (CRIS) in Ohio, he generously brings full meals – sandwiches, chips, fruit – to share with fellow students.

“He really helps all the students start talking more and interacts with them,” one teacher notes. “He makes the class lively and fun, [it] wouldn’t be the same without him.”

Click to see Hazaa in action!

We each have something to share in our own corner of the world. What’s yours?

(Photo credit Shrea Kumar/TikTok)

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A group of 10- and 11-year-old Scottish boys are defying expectations and going viral this holiday season for all the right reasons.

Homeowner Erin Chalmers was worried when she saw the footage of the five young men approaching her front door, thinking they might be up to no good. But then they started belting out Wham’s “Last Christmas” and her heart melted.

Turns out they just wanted to help get people – even strangers – into the “Christmas spirit” before ending with a sweet “Bye! Love you!”

Watch the viral doorbell cam video!

How can you spread a little bit of joy this week?

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Socializing can be expensive, especially if food and drinks are involved. After losing her job, Chicago-based content creator Aley Clark found it hard to admit to friends that she had to cut back on going out.

But everyone feels the pinch at some point, so she got past her embarrassment and found a solution instead. She started a fast-growing movement called Black Girl Playground to help people build community without breaking the bank.

They organize walks, exercise classes, flower arranging, bracelet-making, and the list goes on! Proof that money doesn’t buy you friends. All you need is a little creativity and an openness to connect.

Meet Clark and get great ideas for connecting with others…for FREE!

(Photo credit Aley Clark)

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Every vet is legally entitled to have Taps played at their funeral. But with over 1,000 veterans passing away each day, the available military buglers simply can’t keep up. So, many families use a recorded version instead.

At least 2,500 volunteer buglers across the country think our veterans deserve better. Novices and professionials, young and old, they travel hundreds of miles on their own time to play those twenty-four somber notes. And in doing so, they pay the ultimate final respects to those who served our country so nobly. What a special gift.

See this week’s New York Times feature (if you can get past the paywall), or click to learn directly about the impressive work of Taps for Veterans and Bugles Across America.

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Scott Johnson, a STEAM teacher at Red Cross Elementary School in Kentucky, is serious about helping his students. When he saw kindergartener Jackson Farmer facing daily challenges with only one hand, Johnson set out to make another one for him using the school’s 3D printers.

Johnson worked on the design for four years, in collaboration with others in a 3D-printing networking movement called E-Nable. Eventually, he printed a new functioning hand for Jackson – now in 4th grade – with materials that cost only $20-30 (instead of thousands). The design can be easily replicated as Jackson grows or parts need to be replaced.

See how simple fishing wire and a fulcrum – and the hard work of a dedicated teacher – gave a boy hope!

(Photo credit Fiona Morgan / Kentucky Department of Education)

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With the U.S. government shutdown now well into its second month, national parks are feeling the pinch. Some are closed entirely and others are operating on a limited basis (no public buildings open or rangers on call) due to staffing issues.

Volunteers across the country are doing what they can to keep things going – from trash pickup to leading tours to providing food and supplies for furloughed park employees – while they wait for the government to reopen.

“We want to be good neighbors,” one volunteer said. “There’s lots of people coming into the park[s]…maybe for the 50th time, maybe for the first time…and we want them to experience the wonder and beauty that [we] know…”

Click to see the good they’re doing!

(Photo from Rocky Mountain Conservancy)

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For nearly a decade, 62-year-old Christophe Waggoner has spent countless hours and thousands of his own dollars to help kids in Austin, Texas dress up for Halloween. With costume prices up at least 11% since last year, that’s a huge help to families in need.

Throughout the year, Waggoner thrifts hundreds of items of clothing that he then uses to sew and create quality costumes. During the fall, he hosts events to let kids who might not otherwise be able to afford a costume come pick whichever one they’d like – for free.

“Everybody should deserve a chance to be a kid,” says Waggoner. Meet this Halloween hero!

(Photo credit Christophe Waggoner/Instagram)

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When was the last time you couldn’t take a shower for days? Unfortunately, limited shower access is a daily struggle for most unhoused people. Atlanta-based non-profit Hope Thru Soap aims to change that.

Since 2018, they’ve provided more than 6,000 showers as well as over 50,000 hot meals to unhoused folks in the Atlanta area. They also offer fresh clothes, haircuts and a sense of belonging to those in need.

Their simple mission? To make someone’s day better than the day before, one shower, meal or helping hand at a time.

Read more about Hope Thru Soap here!

(Photo credit Hope Thru Soap/Instagram)

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After Craig Clark retired from managing a chain of convenience stores, he started fixing broken, donated laptop computers – and giving them away for free!

Over the last eight years, the 79-year-old “Tech Fairy” from Sarasota, Florida, has provided at least 700 people who couldn’t otherwise afford them with much-needed laptops for work or school.

“I never had a plan,” Clark says. “It was just something that happened…but I’m so pleased it did. I love fixing computers and watching people smile.”

See more of his inspiring story!

(Photo credit Craig Clark)

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The skyrocketing cost of a four-year college education in recent years has over 40% of Gen Z choosing a different path – and posting about it on social media. To challenge the decades-old narrative that everyone must go to college to get a good job, they post “day in the life” video clips to show what trade jobs are really like.

The world needs many more qualified workers in skilled trade jobs like electricians, welders and HVAC technicians. Job seekers of all ages are drawn to the promise of lower (or no) student debt, job stability in a world feeling threatened by AI, and more hands-on tasks.

See how these young people are inspiring a new generation of skilled trade workers!

(Photo credit Andrew Salgado)

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When Chris Kolstad discovered that people were digging food out of the dumpster behind his Minnesota Pizza Man restaurant, he found a way to feed them and give them back their dignity.

He posted a message urging anyone to reach out to him if they need food and he’d provide it without them having to dive into the dumpster. He even leaves pizza outside the back door for people to pick up anonymously if they don’t want to be seen.

Since his post went viral on social media, he’s received more than $4,000 in donations and fed over 100 people in need.

“I can’t sit in a building full of food and watch somebody starve in my parking lot,” he said, determined to share what he can.

Meet Chris and see the full story!

(Photo credit Pizza Man/Facebook)

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Did you know the average college student produces up to 640 pounds of trash every year? Even lightly used clothes, small appliances and dorm/apartment supplies often just get tossed at the end of the school year. NYU students found a way to keep much of that out of landfills.

At NYU’s August “swap shop,” over 1800 students snapped up thousands of pounds of donated items – all for free! Where some see mountains of trash, NYU and other schools with similar programs see a way to help cash-strapped students and the environment at the same time.

“We all have to do our little part,” says Cecil Scheib, NYU’s chief sustainability officer. “People feel their little part doesn’t add up, but it does.”

Read more about this ingenious idea at work!

(Photo credit NBC News/NYU)

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Like all parents, John D’Eri of Florida always had high hopes and dreams for his son Andrew, who is autistic. But the world often puts limits on what it allows neurodivergent kids to do.

D’Eri didn’t want Andrew to just sit in a room being taken care of as an adult. So ten years ago, he opened the first Rising Tide Car Wash. The business has since grown from 35 to 90 employees – all on the spectrum – over soon-to-be four Florida locations.

Rising Tide provides a place where Andrew and others like him can feel the pride of hard work, their own paycheck, and a sense of belonging to something bigger than themselves.

Meet Andrew and the crew!

(Photo credit Rising Tide Car Wash/Facebook)

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After moving to New York City from the Midwest to pursue acting, Kyle Mason landed a different kind of dream job – a “Teaching Artist” at Treasure Trunk Theatre.

In a world where he hasn’t always felt free to be his true self, this job allows him to do just that. And that’s having a huge impact on the kids he teaches every day.

“I have to be my most authentic self to help them be their most authentic selves,” Mason says.

His unique teaching style has gone viral online, showing us all how important it is to live out our lives just being ourselves. See Mason in action!

(Photo credit Today Show)

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Postal workers routinely deliver mail and packages, but one mail carrier in Australia took just “one minute” to do a little bit more. Gurpreet Singh walked past the clean sheets hanging on a clothesline in the yard to deliver a package to Verrity Wandel’s door. With no one home and rain starting to fall, Singh quickly took down the sheets and put them on the covered front step next to the package.

Wandel was dumbfounded when she got home to find the mostly dry sheets on the step. Her security camera revealed the good deed: “I just had visions of my washing being wrapped round and round the line, or embedded in the garden…One in a million…this guy is so cool.”

See this mail carrier hero in action!

(Photo credit Verrity Wandel)

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When a fellow teacher sounded the alarm that her husband Brad needed a life-saving kidney transplant, Illinois art teacher Lillian Johnston got tested to see if she was a match…and gave him one of hers!

Johnston watched her mom donate blood every month when she was growing up, and then needed a life-saving blood transfusion herself when she had her third child. So although she’d never met Brad before, she “just felt really strongly about helping.”

Brad’s ground-breaking surgery took less than an hour while he was awake. Johnston wants people to know that “[organ donation] is very common and it’s very low risk,” so they’ll consider taking the same “chance to really make a difference in someone else’s life.”

Click to meet this incredible teacher hero!

(Photo credit Lillian Johnston)

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After floods devasted Kerr County, Texas last month, fellow Texan and quilt shop owner Connie Kortz jumped into action. Not only did she want to help, she wanted to help others help as well. So she started with what she knew best: sewing.

In a few short weeks, Kortz and a growing army of quilters from around the country have pieced together thousands of squares to make hundreds of poppy-patterned quilts for Kerr County residents. The goal? To show those who’ve lost so much that people care about them.

“There’s something about taking and transforming something that has been cut up, and putting it back together. It’s healing for the person doing it, and it’s healing for the person getting it.”

Learn more and find out how you can help!

(Photo credit Connie Kortz)

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At the three-game series between the Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins over the weekend, Jen Pawol simply did her job – and in doing so, she became the first woman umpire to work a Major League Baseball game. While Pawol didn’t expect or seek praise, wide support came from fans – some holding up “Way to go Jen!” signs – as well as players and coaches who recognized her quality work.

Representation matters. Congrats to Pawol on breaking through another gender barrier for women and showing the rest of us what’s possible! Read the full inspiring story here!

(Photo credit Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

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Remember when you were a kid and gazed up at the summer sky to imagine what the clouds looked like? Time seemed to stand still and the possibilities were endless.

In a world that often feels heavy, Irish artist Chris Judge is bringing back the levity. He sees creatures where others see just…clouds.

Using an app to draw fun lines around snapshots of clouds, he creates “happy cloud art” that bring smiles to the faces of over 640,000 followers of his Instagram account A Daily Cloud. You can even submit your own clouds for review, so look up and find something incredible!

(Photo credit A Daily Cloud/Instagram)

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People of a certain age remember when we could pick up a pay phone receiver, listen for a dial tone, insert our coins and make a call from most public places. But as pay phones have gone the way of the dinosaurs in recent years, in places where cell phone coverage is spotty, you’re basically out of luck.

In his rural Tunbridge, Vermont, engineer Patrick Schlott is trying to change that. He finds and fixes old pay phones, which he installs in locations where cell phones don’t work so well. And you don’t even need to search for lost change in your car seat cushions… these phones are FREE to use!

See how he turned his talent for tinkering into a real public service – and take a trip down memory lane!

(Photo credit AP/Amanda Swinhart)

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No one loves our pets more than we do, but compassion for a dying animal is universal.

When Hunter Metzger made the hard decision to put his beloved dog Iris down due to serious health issues, he was determined to make her final meal special.

He placed an online order for a New York strip steak and all the trimmings from his local Texas Roadhouse, noting the sad situation and asking that they “please prepare with love.”

The restaurant team went above and beyond to fill the order with a perfectly-cooked steak, personal messages of comfort and kindness, and even a refund of Hunter’s original payment. Simple actions that had a profound impact on Hunter and his family at an incredibly difficult time.

See the restaurant team’s compassion in action!

(Photo credit Hunter Metzger)

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British part-time minister Mark Lewis made sand castles with his kids years ago, but the hobby eventually expanded well beyond his family.

Now, he carves everyday items – like a tube of toothpaste or a giant pair of Crocs – out of sand to “bring joy to the world” and put smiles on people’s faces when they see his lifelike creations on the beach. Mark loves building with sand, but what he enjoys most is connecting with the people who stop to view his work.

Check out Mark’s impressive creations, which include a huge bathtub drain right next to the water, R2D2, Darth Vader, and even a sprawling Hogwart’s Castle that took 9 hours to build! The bigger the better!

(Photo credit SWNS)

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Teenage summer camp counselors expect to help young campers with nightmares and homesickness. They don’t usually expect to have to save kids’ lives.

But early last Friday morning, as raging flash floodwaters rose 30 feet in just one hour, the teenage counselors at legendary Camp Mystic in Texas jumped into action. Along with dedicated camp staff, they led over 700 campers to safety, using camp songs to calm the girls as they evacuated.

At least 27 campers and staff lost their lives in the floodwaters, including the camp’s longtime director Dick Eastland, who died trying to rescue campers. The search continues for more still missing.

But thanks to the quick thinking of some courageous teenagers, hundreds were saved. Click to meet them and see the full story.

(Photo credit Danielle Villasana for The Washington Post/via Getty Images)

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As a child, fourth-grade teacher Dawn Ticarich dreaded her post-Christmas birthday. “Extras” like birthday celebrations burdened her family, who struggled to make ends meet.

When she saw some of her own students felt the same way, she started giving them “birthday baskets” to help them feel special. Classmates get in on the fun by giving gift ideas for their friends, and strangers pitch in to help cover costs.

The idea then expanded to a “Blessings Closet.” Students can take anything – from toiletries to bags of food, no questions asked – to help a family member or neighbor in need.

See how Ticarich gives us a “different perspective” on helping others!

(Photo credit Dawn Ticarich)

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Don’t be fooled by their cuteness. Trained border collies Hercules and Ned do important work.

Birds and wildlife cause almost a billion dollars of damage to aircraft every year, usually affecting valuable property but sometimes seriously injuring people onboard. Hercules and Ned help keep everyone safe by chasing away critters that pose a threat to flights at a busy Charleston, West Virginia airport. See them in action here!

During long workdays, they also serve as ambassadors for the airport, greeting people inside. Hercules even has his own Instagram following @crwhercules and inspired a kids’ book!

And when the world is heavy, you might just need to look at adorable puppies. You’re welcome.

(Photo credit CRW Hercules/Instagram)

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What’s the first thing many former slaves did after being freed in 1865? They searched for long-lost family members who’d been forced to live up to hundreds of miles away. Then and now, family is everything.

This week, Juneteenth – our newest federal holiday – recognizes the official end of slavery, and allows generations to connect the present to the past by sharing their history.

Click to meet four African-American families with long legacies in Paterson, New Jersey. Their tradition of staying connected and working for the good of their community is a shining example for us all.

Celebrating both family and freedom – that’s the heart of what Juneteenth is all about.

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After losing four friends under age 45 to cardiac arrest, David Sullivan founded Code Blue CPR to teach CPR and install defibrillators across England and beyond.

Recently, he installed the “world’s highest defibrillator” at an Everest base camp. Just three weeks later, two trekkers from the Netherlands and Austria used it to save a 30-year-old French woman’s life.

“It was the proudest moment of my life when I learned what had happened,” Sullivan said. “It is incredible that something so simple can save someone’s life.”

Click to learn about Sullivan’s future plans and how to get certified to save a life!

(Photo by David Sullivan/SWNS)

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When Georgia teen Mykale Baker picked up an unscheduled shift at Burger King right after graduating high school to help out his overwhelmed coworkers with the post-graduation rush, he had no idea his life was about to change.

His kindness and dedication impressed Maria Mendoza, a parent of a fellow graduate, who saw him working from her car in the drive-through window. She posted a video of Mykale on TikTok “radiating joy” as he filled orders in his graduation attire, school medals still hanging around his neck.

A GoFundMe campaign Mendoza set up to honor Mykale’s work ethic and radiant spirit has since raised over $180,000 for his post-high school education. Read the full story here.

Mykale’s future certainly looks bright! And it all started with a selfless decision to help out his coworkers in their hour of need.

(Photo courtesy GoFundMe)

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On this unofficial first day of summer, as we gather at cookouts or shop the best sales, let us not forget the real reason for the holiday – to honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in military service to secure the freedom we enjoy.

We couldn’t be more grateful for the courageous individuals and their families who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Click to learn about some of these real-life heroes in the touching words of their loved ones.

Wishing everyone a meaningful and memorable Memorial Day!

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The spotlight shines brightly on graduates this time of year and the accolades are well-deserved. But they didn’t do it on their own. 

Indiana Wesleyan University graduates wrote letters of gratitude, revealing the huge impact their communities of family members, friends and mentors had on their journeys to the cap and gown. See them reading their letters aloud in this moving video!

Congratulations 2025 graduates…and to all those who helped get them there!

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To counter the huge number of college acceptance videos out there, students are now decorating rejection cakes announcing which schools didn’t let them in!

Finding out you didn’t get into your top college choices can be devastating. But these students want to normalize getting rejected, something we all face at times.

Even if you go to a different school than where you originally envisioned, “we are all on amazing paths.”

These kids are going to be alright.

Click to learn more from these teens!

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Good teachers help their students grow smarter in the classroom. Great teachers help them be better citizens of the world.

Every year, Pennsylvania ninth grade English teacher Kristina Ulmer gives each of her students $20 to spread kindness in the world. What started as a simple way to honor her late sister has generated more than 350 individual teenage acts of kindness. As one student put it, “You don’t have to have millions – anyone can make a difference.”

Meet Ulmer and her students and see all the good they did with their $20 bills!

To all the teachers and educators out there, we appreciate you!

(Photo credit Kristina Ulmer)

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Independent bookstores are special. Real books lining the shelves. A cat resting on the window seat. An owner greeting you by name who knows what kind of books you like. They are often vital hubs for their communities, but larger online retailers like Amazon threaten their existence. Indie supporters are pushing back.

More than 1,600 indie bookstores across the country recently celebrated the annual Independent Bookstore Day to foster connection with their patrons and promote sales. But they need our support every day.

You can still buy your books online if you prefer, but consider doing it through an independent bookstore’s website or Bookshop.org, where profits go to indie bookstores. The way you shop makes a difference!

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The passing of Pope Francis reminds the rest of us how best to live – with humility, love and respect for all. Throughout his life and papacy, he never stopped serving the poor and those in need, and even invited controversy when he urged acceptance of the most marginalized worldwide – including women serving in the church and LGBTQ+ community members.

One person, one word, one action at a time. That’s how it’s done.

Learn more about his remarkable life and legacy!

(Photo credit Nardi/Reuters)

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The trash hauler that came down nine-year-old Noah Carrigan’s street probably didn’t realize the impact he made on that young boy. Every Tuesday for years, Noah would run out and greet him and the trash hauler would honk back.

But when their Florida county changed trash providers, Noah learned they would have new trash haulers. On the last pickup day with the old company, Noah gave his trash “buddy” a toy trash truck he used to play with and a sweet note to thank him for working so hard and making trash day extra fun. Sometimes it just takes a wave and a smile to make someone’s day!

See Noah’s note and read the full heartwarming story!

(Photo credit SWNS)

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As Araba Maze read to her niece on the front steps of her Baltimore home, other kids kept dropping by to listen to her “stoop storytime.” Turns out, they didn’t have their own books or ready access to books nearby. So Araba took her own library work experience and founded “Storybook Maze” to serve urban “book deserts” like this one.

Since 2023, through free book vending machines and pop-up bookstores on the streets, she’s distributed over 7,000 books to kids. She continues stoop storytime and has almost reached her $100,000 fundraising goal to buy a mobile trolley that will bring books to more neighborhoods!

This National Library Week, read Maze’s story and learn how to support her efforts and our valuable public libraries here!

(Photo credit @Storybookmaze / Instagram)

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The worst personal circumstances can lead to the most impactful discoveries.

Massachusetts 14-year-old Sarah Wang was so shocked after seeing her grandmother have a debilitating epileptic seizure that she worked hard for months to develop the Hand Band. The wearable device senses rapid seizure-related hand movements and notifies a caregiver, which Sarah hopes will save lives. The Hand Band recently earned Sarah the title 2025 National STEM Champion.

Sarah stays curious about the world around her and offers this simple advice: “If you see a problem, if you see something happening, just think about what you can do to help the situation.”

See Sarah’s incredible story!

(Photo by CBS Boston)

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High school senior Maya Mirhage completed her first open water swim for charity at age 9 and hasn’t looked back. The Berkeley, California teen loves to swim, but says doing good for kids with cancer motivates her to keep going – even after enduring more than 100 jellyfish stings in a recent swim off the coast of New Zealand!

Maya’s raised more than $150,000 and broken several records, including being the youngest to ever complete the Triple Crown of Open Water Swiming in 2024. And she still made it back to Berkeley in time for her senior prom! Pretty impressive, no matter what her age.

Click here to see Maya in action!

(Photo credit Swim Across America / Flickr)

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When 13-year-old Natalie Gilbert Zito started to sing the National Anthem before an NBA playoff game in 2003, she forgot the words and stopped singing.

The then-head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, Maurice Cheeks, quickly stepped up beside her and helped her finish. The soldout crowd went crazy.

Kids made fun of Natalie through high school for it, but the moment gave her “so much courage to keep going” through any challenge life threw her way.

Click here to see the recent full circle moment where Natalie came back to sing the National Anthem in that same arena 22 years later, with Cheeks there cheering her on!

(Photo by Bruce Ely / Portland Trail Blazers)

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A young Jessica Campbell loved hockey so much that she played with the boys when no all girls’ teams existed. Her mom coached the mostly boys’ team at a time when that was pretty unconventional. Undeterred, Jessica went on to compete at the highest levels in college and the pros for Team Canada.

But she didn’t stop there. Last fall, she became the first on-ice female hockey coach in NHL history for the Seattle Kracken. She credits seeing her mom coach her team when she was a kid as inspiration to dream big for herself.

She takes seriously her impact as a role model for all who come after her, but especially young girls. She sees herself in them, knowing “if I could have dreamt of this opportunity [when I was younger], how incredible that would have been.”

Click here to read Jessica’s inpiring story!

(Photo credit Dean Rutz/The Seattle Times)

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Park rangers routinely issue citations to get unhoused people living in San Francisco’s public parks to move their belongings and relocate elsewhere. But often they just come back and the cycle starts again.

Park Ranger Amanda Barrows believes in a different strategy. She takes time to talk with them and then does whatever she can to help – from assisting with complex paperwork or going with them to appointments to secure housing.

“You have to actually dig in and build relationships with these people and understand their needs,” Barrows says. Only then can you find a more permanent solution.

Since 2021, her efforts have led at least 50-60 people to accept services or find housing so they can leave the park for good. It may seem like slow progress, but the extra time and effort it takes to show compassion to those in need is always worth it.

Read about Barrows’ efforts here!

(Photo credit Amanda Andrade-Rhoades/The Standard)

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We can’t solve all the world’s problems, but we can bake muffins!

Since 2015, Jacob Kaufman and Julia Levy, along with over 3,000 volunteer “Muffinteers,” have given out more than 25,000 muffins to those experiencing homelessness across the country. The muffins are either given directly to unhoused people or to a shelter or food kitchen to hand out. The donations provide food for those in need, but also, “for the receivers, it’s a nice and unexpected moment of care,” says Levy.

Muffins you make and distribute can be added to the nationwide tally through March 2nd. As an incentive, Kaufman will make a cash donation of up to $10 per volunteer to charities supporting the diaster recovery efforts in California and North Carolina.

Click for details on how to participate and start baking!

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When young TJ was trying to master some beginner moves at his local Illinois skatepark, he got some much-needed help from an older skateboarder he’d never met. Over and over during the impromptu lesson, the more experienced boarder held on to TJ as he learned to “drop in” on the sloped track.

Soon, TJ was able to do it all by himself with a proud smile on his face. TJ’s mom – pleasantly surprised by this young man’s patience with her son – recorded and posted it all in this video!

What can YOU do for someone else to celebrate Random Act of Kindness week?

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Wildfires burned much of Tony Nesburn’s Pacific Palisades neighborhood last month, but somehow El Segundo firefighters were able to save his house – the place that held countless precious memories of his late wife Christina, who died just last year.

Days later, the first responders returned to leave Tony a heartfelt, personal letter, noting how they took refuge on his deck which “offered a moment of calm amidst the chaos.”

It went on: “[Y]ou and your neighbors are in our thoughts as you rebuild and recover. With love and support, El Segundo Fire Dept. Engine 31 ‘C’ Platoon, Levi, Steve, Matt and Jason.” Strangers going above and beyond the call of duty to offer love to someone they don’t even know.

Don’t miss the touching story and video of Tony’s reunion with the firefighters who saved his home!

(Photo by Tony’s cousin Consuelo Althouse)

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When content creator Zach Dereniowski (@mdmotivator) gave young Philadelphia Eagles fan Declan Lebaron a choice between a mascot Mystery Bird plushie or $1000 cash at his local Dollar Tree store, Declan chose the stuffed animal. Little did he know what would happen next.

Dressed in full Eagles swag, Declan thought he was on his way to a party at the hospital where he receives treatment for systemic juvenile arthritis. Zach surprised Declan by giving him the $1000 anyway, along with tickets to the NFC Championship game the next day! But instead of keeping the money, Declan gave it all away to other shoppers in the store “to be kind.” This kid already has a winning attitude!

Click to see the now viral video of Declan’s impact on his fellow shoppers and even more surprises at the Eagles game!

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When her son Zachary’s disability prevented him from playing on a traditional playground, Natalie Mackay got to work.

Using her recreational management background, Natalie designed and built a playground for kids of ALL abilities – and one where Zachary could just be a kid playing with other kids, despite his physical challenges.

In the last 20 years, her nonprofit Unlimited Play has created over 100 fully accessible playgrounds around the country that foster friendships, freedom, and community for kids and parents alike. These play spaces go beyond even what traditional ADA-compliant playgrounds offer, spreading “joy and inclusion to all children.”

Click to read more about Unlimited Play’s incredible story and support their mission!

(Photo credit Unlimited Play)

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Fourteen-year-old Avery Colvert lost her middle school to the L.A. wildfires, but not her compassion and drive to help others.

In the wake of the devastation, Avery quickly started Altadena Girls in L.A. to help teen girls who have lost everything regain their confidence and sense of self. Young girls can come in to pick up new clothes, shoes, makeup, and skin care – all for free.

In moments like these, even the ordinary can feel extraordinary. As one teen patron put it, “One jacket means the absolute world when you have zero jackets!”

Altadena Girls then inspired Altadena Boys, which provides boys the same services.

Click here to see the full story of this amazing effort!

(Photo credit Dunja Dumanski)

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The wildfires that set Los Angeles ablaze six days ago rage on. Strong winds and dry conditions continue to challenge the thousands of brave firefighters and first responders battling the fires around the clock. The loss of life, homes and whole communities is heartbreaking.

Local and national organizations, along with countless volunteers and area residents – even those who’ve lost their own homes – have stepped up to see the people of LA through this. The urgent need will continue into the weeks and months ahead.

Click here for specific ways you can help those who have lost so much!

(Photo credit Kirby Lee/Getty Images)

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Mere hours after a man drove a truck into a crowded New Year’s celebration on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, killing 14 and injuring more, the first trumpet could be heard playing on the streets of the French Quarter again.

The city that’s famous for its music scene refused to let the tragedy define it. Street musicians continued playing through the day, boosting the spirits of shocked residents and tourists alike. During a horrific time, the buskers did what they do so well to give hope to the people around them.

Click here to see the moving story!

(Photo credit Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)

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Former President Jimmy Carter died yesterday at 100 years old. His full life included a political run as Governor of Georgia and President of the United States from 1976-1980. But even with some notable achievements while in office, his political career is arguably one of the least important parts of his overall legacy.

Post-presidency, alongside his long-time wife Rosalynn, President Carter’s work with the Carter Center, Habitat for Humanity and countless other endeavors gave voice to the marginalized and promoted peace and human rights all over the world.

A man of strong faith and humility, he tackled problems no one else wanted to take on and reached out to the seemingly unreachable. Well done, good and faithful servant, well done.

May we all follow his example of service and respect for others, and strive to make this world just a little better while we are in it.

Click here to see the well-deserved outpouring of public tributes to President Carter from around the world!

(Photo by David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images)

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Remember the excitement of sending a letter to Santa when you were a child? You made your Christmas list, checked it twice, and stuck it in the mail. The wait for Christmas morning seemed endless – would Santa come through for you?

Click here to see what an impressive army of volunteer elves really does with those letters!

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What do you do when your holiday flight is delayed over an hour after everyone is already on board? Endure cramped leg room and impatient people? What if you could help lighten the mood instead?

Army band vet and retired middle school band director Wayne Hoey used his love of music to do just that recently. He walked up and down the aisle taking requests and playing holiday songs on his saxophone. He even played Baby Shark for the little ones on board!

Click here to see Wayne in action!

What do you love to do that can brighten someone else’s day this holiday season?

(Photo credit Kate Dailey)

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This fall, the U.S. Navy launched its first co-ed fast attack submarine since the vessels started operating a century ago. The USS New Jersey is the “first fully integrated submarine built for [both] male and female sailors.”

The Navy first allowed women to serve in 1917 and currently enlists over 60,000 women. But not until 2011 did the Navy include women in submarine crews, and service by women on subs designed for men can be challenging.

Change often comes slower than we’d like, but it’s always worth striving for.

See the full story here!

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An eastern North Carolina chef aspiried to “change people’s hearts” last week when he organized Thanksgiving food for over 5000 hungry residents in the western part of his state, many of them still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Helene over two months ago.

What started as a smaller effort quickly grew, with people from all over the country sending in money and resources, and countless volunteers stepping up in support of the original vision.

See how one seed can grow beyond what you can even imagine – watch the full story here!

(Photo credit NBC News)

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Years ago, Minnesota mom Caroline Harrington started a simple gratitude tablecloth. Every Thanksgiving, family members write what they’re grateful for directly on the light-colored fabric. Now over 19 feet long and two decades of messages later, the family’s treasured heirloom holds precious memories and signatures of those who have since passed on, like Caroline’s dad. What a gift.

Creating and continuing regular traditions like this with family and friends is a fantastic way to build long-lasting, deep connections with those you love on Thanksgiving and every day.

Read the full story here and start your own tablecloth tradition this year!

(Photo credit Caroline Harrington)

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Cross country runner Kaylee Montgomery went into the last race of her high school career hoping to beat her own best time and place well at state championships. Her proud dad was filming her approach to the finish line.

But when a rival runner fell to the ground, Kaylee couldn’t just leave her there. Instead, she gave up her own race aspirations to help her competitor limp across the finish line in a show of great sportsmanship. Kindness and compassion matter.

Watch the now viral video here – it will make your day!

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To all the veterans out there, we salute you. Let your service – often against the odds and with great personal sacrifice – be an example to the rest of us to never give up and never settle for less than our best efforts for the good of our communities and our country.

We appreciate you and value your contributions while you serve and beyond. Check out how Hiring Our Heroes helps veterans re-enter the civilian workplace after their service is over here.

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As millions of Americans head to the polls tomorrow, the importance of those handling their ballots and ensuring the integrity of our democratic process cannot be overstated. Polling location workers and security staff shouldn’t have to endure verbal and physical harrassment to do their jobs. Please be kind and respectful to everyone around you as you cast your ballot!

See the incredible efforts being taken this year to protect poll workers and the integrity of the election here!

(Photo credit Getty Images)

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One of the best ways to make a big impact? Do what you love and share it with (over 20 million) others!

Oklahoma graphic designer Karrah Youngblood developed a special technique using light and shadows to reveal intricately carved celebrity faces in pumpkins. But the pumpkins look almost unrecognizable…until they are lit up.

Check out Karrah’s amazing creations here!

Happy Halloween!

(Photo credit Elizabeth Caldwell/NPR)

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When Siobhan Smith and her friend Noah went to the White Mountains in New Hampshire recently, it wasn’t just to look at the beautiful fall foliage. Thousands of visitors migrate to the area every year to see the leaves change, but unfortunately, they leave a lot of trash behind. Siobhan and Noah wanted to help. They picked up everything from dirty diapers to water bottles, hoping to show visitors the beauty of the area without trash.

Carry in, carry out. Enjoy your surroundings, but whether it’s a nature trail, your workplace or a public space, remember to leave it the way you found it to let the next person who comes along enjoy it, too.

Check out the full story here!

(Photo credit Siobhan Smith/Facebook)

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When their distribution center was completely destroyed by Hurricane Helene, MANNA Foodbank immediately shifted gears to continue to provide for residents across 16 counties in hardhit western North Carolina however they could.

Corporations, individuals, and grocery store owners quickly replenished MANNA’s supplies. Volunteers have shown up in droves to distribute the items at the WNC Farmer’s Market. Deliveries continue to residents and partners in more remote rural areas. They’re pushing through despite the challenges, but they still need help to address the ongoing need.

Click here to read about MANNA and learn how you can help!

(Photo credit Nathan Fish USA Today)

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Well over a week after Hurricane Helene leveled a significant portion of the Southeast, residents in the hardest hit areas are just starting the long clean up and recovery process. Rescue teams still search for missing people in remote locations. Power and water will take weeks or months to restore in some areas. But even in the face of such challenging conditions, neighbors are helping neighbors rise out of the devastation.

Read about these inspiring everyday heroes!

(Photo credit Josh Morgan USA Today)

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When middle school teacher Matt Eicheldinger started looking for Techdecks to support a club his students wanted to start, the tiny skateboards cost more than he expected. So he asked online seller Jeff if he’d be willing to help out the kids by donating a few. His response surprised Mr. Eich, who shares his amazing reaction in the link to his popular Instagram account below!

Look around. What do you have that someone else needs? Sharing it can have a huge impact!!

You don’t want to miss this 45-second video!

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After Flagstaff High School football player Stephen Dick’s team supported him through an unexpected brain cancer diagnosis, he didn’t hesitate to return the favor.

When Make-A-Wish Arizona approached Stephen, instead of requesting something for himself, the “selfless” teen gifted his team all new state-of-the-art protective helmets for this fall season. He knows how difficult brain surgery is, so he wanted to make sure their heads are protected when they play.

Who supports you? What can you do – even if it’s small – to show your appreciation?

Meet Stephen and the team!

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Even the smallest action matters to someone.

Take less than 60 seconds to read the heartwarming story linked below about how an anonymous stranger took almost no extra time to do the simplest, most relatable thing that made a 3-year-old’s day. You won’t regret it!

What tiny thing can you do today that will have an outsized impact on someone else’s day?

Read the full story!

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When traffic engineer Gilbert Chlewicki first proposed to reduce traffic congestion by having people drive on the wrong side of the road, people thought he was crazy. But he’d grown up drawing out roads for his toy cars and then pursued a career in the field, so he knew what he was talking about. He just had to get people to think outside the box with him.

Years of governmental red tape and doubters didn’t stop him. He believed in the quirky, innovative idea and got others on board. The result: less congestion, flowing traffic and fewer accidents at more than 200 intersections in over 30 states across the country.

Click here to see the diverging diamond interchange in action!

(Photo credit Joel Rose NPR)

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Twenty-seven-year-old U.S. Paralympic swimmer Morgan Stickney just won gold today in the 400m freestyle final. But despite golds in Paris and Tokyo – breaking records along the way – her path has been enormously challenging with an uncertain future.

Morgan was a top ranked able-bodied swimmer who unexpectedly became a double amputee by age 22, a crushing blow to her Olympic dreams. But she dug deep and eventually believed in herself enough to find a way. She spent a full third of last year in treatment for ongoing medical issues, but kept training in between hospital stays, laser-focused on her lofty swimming goals.

How can YOU adapt in your own life to really go after what you want?

Click here to be motivated by Morgan’s incredible story!

(Photo credit Getty Images)

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To get more women involved in a sport currently dominated by men, trail-blazing 20-year-old Maryland native Mikayla Moore builds, trains and competes on motorbikes provided by the Build.Team.Race. program. Mikayla hopes to inspire the next generation of girls racing on motorbikes. She knows how important it is for others to see someone that looks like them on the bike to visualize themselves doing it.

Who are YOU an example for in your own life? Even if you aren’t the first to do something, you can be a influential role model for others to follow to achieve their own dreams.

Click here for more about Mikayla and the fantastic Build.Train.Race. program!

(Photo credit http://www.buildtrainrace.com)

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After the last brick-and-mortar bookstore in the Bronx closed in 2016, Latanya DeVaughn quit her job and used her savings to buy a bus and open a mobile bookstore on wheels for the area neighborhoods – Bronx Bound Books. She even visits schools regularly to give away donated used and new books for free!

She believes that everyone should have access to great books, especially ones with characters that look like them and face issues relevant to them. DeVaughn wants people to feel seen and open their minds through the books she offers. Amazing impact!

What can YOU do (even without quitting your job!) to fill a need in your community?

Click here to see the full story!

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When she moved into her new neighborhood north of Dallas, Kelly McDuff’s 98-year-old across-the-street neighbor JB welcomed her with a cake. He’s lived there over 50 years and hopes she loves it as much as he has.

She was so touched by his kind gesture that she reciprocated the next day by baking him a lemon pie and exchanging phone numbers, solidifying a genuine connection. And if that isn’t enough, McDuff later took flowers (and contact info and hobbies list!) to another close neighbor who recently lost her husband.

One small action sparks another. What small thing can you do for someone else today to start a ripple effect of thoughtfulness?

Click here to read the full story and see their viral TikTok videos!

(Photo credit Kelly McDuff)

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Who do you call when an athlete loses their swim cap at the bottom of the pool in the Olympic prelims? “Bob the Cap Catcher” of course!

In the moment of need, the anonymous lifeguard casually stripped down to his flowery Speedo and dove into the pool to retrieve the cap, dad bod on full display for the world to see.

He declined to provide his name – saying he wants the focus to remain on the athletes and events – so the media nicknamed him. Whatever his real name is, he sure showed the rest of us how to be confidently and authentically yourself, without concern for what others think. Go Bob!

Click here to see his now viral video!

(AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

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When her friend and fellow gymnast Suni Lee was in trouble at the U.S. Championships after faltering on a challenging vault, Simone Biles was quick to seek her out backstage to offer the right words of support to get Suni through it. Simone battled her own similar struggles in the Tokyo Olympics, so she knew exactly what Suni was going through.

Although the two are U.S. Gymnastics teammates, they were competitors at that meet as well. Yet Simone didn’t let that get in the way of offering much-needed help. Her actions showed she’s as a good a person as she is a world-class gymnast.

Who can you take that extra step to uplift at work, at home or in your community today?

Click here for the full story!

(Photo credit Elsa, Getty Images)

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To motivate 12-year-old Zameir Davis in school, local Staten Island deli owner Wail Alselwi told him he could pick anything in his store if he made the honor roll. Zameir worked hard and did it! Their viral video will make your day!

Alselwi saw the power of connection when others supported him through his own personal and business struggles. So he pays it forward by using what he already has – his store – to help Zameir and other local students do well and build their confidence. What might seem like a small act makes a huge impact on these kids and uplifts the whole community.

How can you use what you already have to make a positive impact on someone else today?

Click here to watch their viral TikTok video!

(Photo credit Priya Shahi)

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U.S. House Rep. Jennifer Wexton made history in May when she used a voice assistive app to deliver a speech in support of legislation she was proposing. Rep. Wexton has progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), which makes it difficult to speak, but the technology allows her to continue to do her job in spite of her physical challenges.

While we still have much work to do to ensure equity between those of different abilities, Rep. Wexton’s use of text-to-voice technology goes a long way toward normalizing the differences in the way we communicate with each other. Maybe then we can appropriately shift the focus to what she and others are saying instead of the means through which they say it.

Click here to read the full story!

(Photo credit CSPAN)

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Coffee Tab’s founder Johnathan Tran believes in the power of coffee to lift up a community. Not only does the Seattle business make a great cup of coffee, it gives “underserved youth” (like Johnathan once was) a way to stay out of trouble and provide for themselves.

Through its apprenticeship program for at-risk youth, Coffee Tab aims to help “reduce the cycles of poverty and marginalization by training students with employable skills, access to community, and a safe space to spend their time.” Now that’s real impact!

Click here to meet one of the young apprentices working at Coffee Tab!

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Activist Opal Lee – the “grandmother of Juneteenth” – worked for years to get June 19^th successfully declared a federal holiday as a day of remembrance, celebration and hope. At the young age of 12, she saw firsthand the horrors of racism when a large white mob destroyed her family’s home in Texas, but that only motivated her to use her life to help make positive change. Lee believes that “we are one people” and hopes Juneteenth unifies the nation behind that idea.

Click here to learn more about Lee, the history of Juneteenth, and how it’s meant to be celebrated.

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Richmond college professor Becky Durfee would rather help “make the world a better place” than watch TV. Beyond being a parent of two young adults, a caretaker for her father, and a teacher at VCU and a local community college, Becky volunteers at a animal shelter (fostering kittens when needed) and serves the homeless. She even donated a kidney to her friend’s brother who wasn’t going to live without that selfless gift. She simply loves helping both friends and strangers.

Becky shows that being generous with your time and attitude is every bit as important as donating money to those in need.

What is one generous thing YOU can do today to help make the world a better place?

Click here for the full story.

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A racially-motivated slight to his childhood friend Archie stuck with long-time New Jersey middle school teacher Daniel Gill. After Gill was invited in, Archie was excluded from their friend’s party because “there were no more chairs,” even when Gill offered to sit on the floor. Archie was black and Gill is white.

For the last 50 years, Gill has placed an empty chair in his classroom to remind his students to always make room to include someone else. When we choose to treat other people well, we create “a better world.”

How can YOU make space for someone who might be feeling underused or left out?

Click here to learn more.

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With family connections to the armed forces, Rookie hot shot MLB Pitcher Paul Skenes started giving $10 per strikeout he pitched to the Gary Sinise Foundation to help military members and their families back when he was in college at LSU. Now just a few games into his major league baseball career, the 21-year-old has upped the donation to $100 per strikeout.

Since the start, fans have jumped on the bandwagon to support the effort as well, raising tens of thousands of dollars for the worthy cause. Skenes’ action shows how easily you can use what you are already doing to help others.

How can YOU do what you are already doing in a way that has a positive impact on someone else?

Click here to learn more.

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Philanthropist Pete Kadens gave away scholarships to ensure students from Scott High School in Toledo, Ohio could go to college, but his commitment didn’t stop there. He stays in touch and mentors students like Chris Rowland when he strayed from the college path after family tragedy. Pete’s consistent presence in the students’ lives goes beyond a monetary donation to keep them moving in a positive direction.

Giving money to worthy causes is much needed, but giving your time and energy can make an even bigger impact. Compassion paired with generosity is unstoppable.

How can you take the extra step to show someone who needs it that you really care about them today?

Click here to learn more.

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With mental health issues for our young people near crisis levels, creating the right environment for students to thrive is critical. Florida bus driver Anthony Burgess did just that. He “wanted the bus to be more of a positive place for the children.”

Mr. Burgess looked at his work surroundings – the inside of his school bus – and partnered with the students to line the walls with words of encouragement and quotes that meant something to the kids.

A little thought and creativity transformed the plain bus into a colorful, positive place for the students as they rode to and from school. In a fast-paced, social-media driven world where kids often struggle to feel like they are enough, Mr. Burgess used what he had to lift up the kids on his bus and make a real impact on their day.

What can YOU do in your own work or home environment to create a place where others feel seen, heard and worthy?

Click here to learn more.

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When retired accountant Steve Greig’s dog Wolfgang died after being hit by a car, he chose to honor Wolfgang’s memory by adopting senior dogs in need of a home.

Much like people, by the time dogs are older, Steve says, they are the “best version of themselves.” Welcoming senior dogs into his home is both rewarding and “adds another color to [his] life.”

By doing something that helped others in need, Steve created meaning out of a devastating loss and found a way to be the best version of his dog-loving self as well.

What can YOU do to be the best version of yourself today?

Click here to learn more.

(Photo by ABC News)

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After her San Francisco ice cream storefront was vandalized by pro-Palestinian supporters last fall, Robyn Fisher, the Jewish founder of Smitten Ice Cream, chose to embrace love over hate. The community donated generously to her rebuilding effort, including money to pay Smitten’s eighteen employees during the reconstruction.

When the store reopened less than a month later, customers saw a new mixed berry flavor on the menu called “I Choose Love.” Click on the link below to learn more about the inspiring story.

Smitten’s goal to “create a cascading effect of joy and humanity” through ice cream is contagious. Even those of us who aren’t lucky enough to live near a Smitten ice cream store can spread joy in our own way.

In our often divided world, what one thing can YOU do today to spread love and joy to others?

Click here to learn more.

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Rhiannon Menn’s simple act of making lasagnas to feed people who needed help in her San Diego community during the COVID shutdown quickly grew into a global nonprofit.

But Lasagna Love provides more than just meals. It aims to continue a ripple effect of kindness, one lasagna at a time, to strengthen communities around the world – over 97% of its recipients say they were inspired to pay it forward by doing another good deed for someone else after getting their lasagna. https://lasagnalove.org/impact/

Now that’s true impact!

Click here to learn more.

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Inspiring teen Charlie Jeffers took something he loves – Legos – and started a charity to help all kids have greater access to play. Passthebricks.org collects used Lego bricks that would otherwise be headed for the landfill and gives them to kids in need to build creativity.

How can you use what you love to help others?

Click here to learn more.