For a blissful 36 hours beginning on Sunday night, there was no gun or knife violence reported in New York City. Officials couldn't remember the last time that happened. But it may not be as rare in the future. Homicide rates in the Big Apple have fallen continuously since the 1990's.
When she was seven, Blakely Colvin had to endure three years of chemotherapy to counter the effects of a rare auto-immune disease, but her empathy for child cancer patients really kicked-in when she was in eighth grade and heard about another student her age who was diagnosed with leukemia and forced to quit school to battle the cancer. Without even knowing the boy, she decided to help his family and give him a reason to smile again. Her inspiration came from her love of baking and cupcakes. Her desire to make a difference in the life of just one cancer kid has in five years blossomed into a cupcake charity empire spanning fifteen states that has raised more than $85,000 to help children like Kevin.
16-year-old Allyson Ahlstrom of Santa Rosa, Calif., wasn't satisfied with the idea of underprivileged teen girls settling for wearing used clothing from a thrift shop. At an age when outward pressures can easily threaten a girl's self esteem, she should be able to look her best and take pride in her appearance. That's why Allyson created Threads for Teens, a clothing boutique that gives girls in need a confidence-booster when they walk out the door with two brand new head-to-toe outfits. This month she was named one of 15 teen Huggable Heroes and awarded $10,000 in cash and a $7,500 educational scholarship for her outstanding work.
For 13 years, Bryan Martin kept the book hidden from his daughter, dutifully taking it to her teachers, coaches and school principals every year to have them append it with positive comments and messages. Finally, on the day of her graduation from high school, Brenna Martin received a special copy of the Dr. Seuss classic "Oh, the Places You'll Go!'' At first she just smiled and said, I love that book. But then he told her ‘No, open it up.'
Dr. Rajiv Parti, MD has written a book detailing his journey of overcoming personal injury, cancer and a dependence on pain medications to emerge as an alternative medicine advocate and crusader for wellness. I experienced my own ‘Dark Night of the Soul' when I was hit with prostrate cancer, surgical complications (life-threatening sepsis), chronic pain, depression and, finally, a dependence on pain medications. I had to sell my house and quit my job, all while feeling my marriage teetering and my health suffering. Healing from my ‘dark night of the soul' was not easy, but I succeeded.
In the beautiful valley of Savoie, France, Simon Beck creates patterned snow art to decorate the large expanse of frozen lakes and delight the local skiers -- until the next snowfall.
Collecting a hole-in-one on Father's Day is about as good as it gets for a golfing dad, unless his son gets one, too, right afterward. That's exactly what happened when 57-yard-old Lonnie Whitener and his 13-year-old son, according to the Houston Chronicle.
Even though his favorite team, the San Francisco 49ers, lost yesterday, Brian Rozelle, who has terminal cancer, will never forget the cheers echoing from his football idols who sent him an email after his family decided to trek up to Seattle for the playoff game.
Former East London fish seller Muhammad Shahid Nazir shot to fame this month after a video of his fish song went viral attracting more than 6.3 million views: Come on ladies/Come on ladies/One pound fish. He quit market trading after the video became so popular he was offered a recording deal, according to the BBC in early December.
A U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. who just returned from Iraq won a million dollars from a scratch-off lottery ticket, at a time when he and his bride were struggling to buy a home.
Carmen Dell'Orefice has spent her life in front of the lens since gracing the cover of Vogue magazine in 1947, and as the world's first octogenarian model, she is still turning heads, most recently on the catwalk for Norisol Ferrari during New York Fashion Week on Monday.
Texana Hollis, 101, was evicted from her Detroit home of 60 years. Good Samaritans took her in and hoped to get the foreclosed property back. Unfortunately the building was in bad condition and condemned as not fit to live in, especially for a wheelchair-bound great-grandmother. But, now her house is being given back to her – in better shape than ever – thanks to Detroit resident Mitch Albom, the best selling author of Tuesdays with Morrie.
Her granddaughter turned up the volume on an old rock and roll favorite as her grandmother was coming out of the house to meet her in the car. The dancing began small, but once this 88-year-old Nana gets grooving, she can't stop.
After being abandoned by his owner just over a year ago, a young mutt was finding it hard to fit in. The energetic hound-boxer mix would not stop jumping up on people. It took a trainer from a police K-9 group to spot the dog's real potential.
Seven-time Grammy Award-winning singer and musician John Mayer launches his first U.S. tour in two years on April 9, with 18 concerts that will raise money to benefit US veterans.
For 91 years, James Henry, a lifelong fisherman, did not know how to read and write and carried the shame of not being able to order from a menu. Now 98, the Mystic, Connecticut man has changed that and penned a memoir full of short stories from his life at sea.
After years of fruitless searching, Facebook -- along with a maiden name -- delivered the keys to a long-awaited meeting Tuesday at a restaurant in Florida. When Stephanie Phillips and her mother first saw each other, the two hugged with tears in their eyes for a long time, not letting go.
One year ago after a deadly tornado ripped through Joplin, Mo., among 161 humans killed, countless pets also lost their lives or became homeless.Since then, the ASPCA found forever homes for 745 pets and about 500 families were able to reunite with their lost pets. This week, the last unclaimed pet from the Missouri storm was claimed.
When Alma Dominguez's beloved dog, Leia, went missing from El Paso, Texas, during a rainstorm, Alma and her husband, Alberto, were devastated. The couple searched for their lost dog for more than two years, and had almost given up hope of ever finding her. Then a phone call changed everything.
Tom Frankenburg wants to give away a holiday trip for two to Malta. He booked the $1,600 trip before he and his girlfriend split, and is now hoping to pay it forward.
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