A new study shows that healthy school lunches do not cost more money for administrators, and students actually like the food. (AP)
Random Act of Kindness Repaid by Stranger
Sometimes something will happen so unexpected that the event leaves us in such a state of awe that we are incapable of saying anything more than a simple thank you. We never know the depth of impact it will have on another when we practice random acts of kindness. This is what happened to me on a recent visit to the dollar store…
I was shopping at a local Dollar Tree searching for inexpensive things to use in a classroom. I was specifically looking for items that would provide hands on experiences for toddlers and pre-schoolers. As I entered the toy area there stood a grown man with a couple of friends. This man was holding one of those tubes that when twirled above the head makes a whistling type of sound.
He looked as if he wanted to try the toy but was hesitant maybe because I had walked up or maybe at his age he didn’t think he could get away with it. I don’t know why, BUT I told him to go ahead and do it. I encouraged him to let the little boy in him out and he would feel better if he did, and life is too short to be worrying about what someone else might think.
The gentleman acted on my suggestion, played with the toy and smiled from ear to ear. We both laughed.
Later the same man came up to me and asked if the items in my baskets were for the students I teach. I told him yes and explained how a couple of the items would be used.
The man reached out his hand and said, “Take this.” It was a gift card for the Dollar Tree. “I want to help you with your purchases today.”
Oh my goodness! I was speechless. I was in shock. I was not able to bring together the words to express all the emotions I was feeling.
What a testimony I was given for the goodness of man. Thank you stranger. (And, keep on playing, allowing the little boy in you to have some fun.)
Judith Swingle is from Knoxville,Tn.
Story originally appeared in the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
Grandma Gives Thanks for Political Choices
I am a grandmother and holistic practitioner. I have not been active in politics since the ‘70s. I’m sorry to admit that I just gave up hope. Well, HOPE is back! I’d like to see a story about the hope that we DO have, politically. At this point in the upcoming election we have choices, and we do have a voice.
Dog Saves Owner from the Same Fire Twice
"An abused stray dog adopted by an Idaho City resident turned out to be twice a hero, saving Candace Jennings a second time from a raging house fire in the middle of the night after Jennings risked her life to go back into the home to get keys belonging to other people." (IdahoStatesman) Thanks to Kim S. for the link!
Shoppers Rise to the Challenge to “Take the Stairs”
Attention shoppers: taking the stairs protects your heart. That’s the message researchers tried to convey at a suburban British shopping mall by putting up colorful signs along the steps of a staircase. The project worked, with use of the stairway next to an escalator more than doubling over a six-week period.
Illegal Immigrant Rescues Boy in the Desert, Jeopardizing Own Freedom
“A 9-year-old boy whose mother died in a car crash in the Arizona desert was rescued by a man entering the U.S. illegally, who stayed with him until help arrived the next day.” (cbsnews) Thanks to Kim S. for the link!
Relentless Advocate ‘Greens’ Rural China, Village by Village
"She has traveled Yunnan Province village by village showing locals how conservation can make economic sense – and save the region’s prized golden monkeys." (CS Monitor) Thanks to SG for the link!
Church Meets $1 Million Katrina Goal
"Parishioners at Fountain Baptist Church in a New York City suburb reached their goal this month: to raise $1 million for communities hit by Hurricane Katrina. It is one of the largest amounts ever raised by a single U.S. church." (AP Wire)
Pastoral Minister Has Led Prayer Services for Inmates for 20 Years
"She’s the Mother Teresa of the King County Jail, holding prayer services three times a week for 20 years, taking a bus from her tiny home to the downtown jail, and personally visiting with 35,000 individual inmates." One man said, "If I didn’t have this service, I’d sit and dwell… I come here, and the whole day is 100 percent better." (Seattle Times)
Scotland Set to Smash 30% Recycling Target
"Scotland is within touching distance of its 2008 target on recycling – more than a year ahead of schedule." (Scotsman.com)
Massive New Rainforest Reserve Opens to Protect Congo Apes
A new nature reserve in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will become the world’s largest continuous protected area for great apes, particularly the endangered bonobo species, the most human-like of all the apes. Larger than the state of Massachusetts, the new reserve encompasses 11,803 square miles of tropical rainforest, extremely rich in biodiversity and will protect both the bonobo and okapi, a rare forest giraffe found, like the bonobo, only in the DRC.
Stem-Cell Advance Opens Up the Field
The Christian Science Monitor reports: "This week’s announcement that two teams have genetically reprogrammed skin cells so that they take on the traits of embryonic stem cells suggests it will be possible for scientists to advance stem-cell research without the ethical and political difficulties of harvesting them from unused human embryos. "This is enormous," says Jesse Reynolds, a policy analyst at the liberal Center for Genetics and Society. "I can’t think of another development "that has been this big.""
More Cash to Beat School Bullies in England
"An extra £3 million is being put into anti-bullying schemes in England where older pupils are trained to step in to resolve conflicts and help victims." (BBC) Thanks to Andrew N. for the link.
Canada to Protect Northern Forest and Tundra
Canada announced Wednesday it is acting to protect two large swaths of boreal forest and tundra in the Northwest Territories from development — a total of almost 10 million hectares (24M acres)
EU Says China’s Progress on Toy Safety is Encouraging
China has made considerable progress in taking actions to ensure the safety of toys and other exported products, the European Union (EU) consumer chief said on Thursday.
I’m Giving Thanks for You Today!
Happy Thanksgiving to my beautiful American readers! (We are giving thanks for our international readers from Australia, Norway, England, New Zealand, Germany, Japan, India, Ireland, and even Congo — along with too many other locations to name. See photos and messages from dozens of our readers around the globe and see where they live on this Good News Network interactive map ! I love you all — and hope to see you on the map, in print, in person and through the airwaves. May good bless on this Thanksgiving day and into the future… from geri, who feels supported, like the top pumpkin on a huge pile. (photo: Ashville, NC)
Tired of Dry Thanksgiving Turkey? Cook it Upside Down
I just gave my Aunt Jane a full-proof recipe for roasting a turkey that will produce juicy breast meat every time. She was relieved to hear of such a solution, saying, “They hate my turkey — it’s always so dry.” If you, too, are looking for a better turkey recipe, check this out: I have been serving a wildly successful Thanksgiving meal for my extended family every holiday for 15 years, and one of my secrets is roasting the turkey upside down… (photo: Geri and her son both love to cook!)
Plan Transforms Toronto Brickyard into Green Spaces
The site design for Toronto’s Brick Works, a unique project that involves restoring nature in the city while incorporating heritage buildings and an art component, was unveiled Tuesday.
Sober California Drivers Rewarded With Turkeys
"300 sober drivers who successfully pass through a sobriety checkpoint somewhere in Salinas will be getting a turkey today." (AP via Yahoo)
India to Expand Coverage of Pension for Poor
The government said it could afford to spend almost 38 billion rupees ($1 billion) on an expanded pension plan for India’s elderly poor and would begin to do so in March. (Reuters)
