Elkhart, Indiana was hit pretty hard by the recession of 2008. But now, things will run a lot smoother, after Hollywood producer David Gundlach bequeathed his entire personal fortune to the Elkhart community foundation, which supports the county. Museums, parks and senior care facilities will all benefit from the $125 million dollar gift.
A Winnipeg Transit bus driver is being hailed a Good Samaritan after stunned passengers watched him give the shoes off his feet to a man who was walking barefoot on the sidewalk.
Gerald Gronowski may owe his life to the intervention of a good Samaritan, who last week came to his rescue on the side of the road. Ohio nurse practitioner Christopher Manacci later learned that he came to their rescue eight years ago, too. Now I know it's my job to repay this by helping someone else, said Gronowski.
Before Howard Cooper sold his car dealership that he'd owned for 47 years, he stipulated that all 89 employees must keep their jobs. Workers like Bob Jenkins, a 26-year mechanic, were thrilled. But not as shocked as they were when they were handed checks worth tens of thousands of dollars -- thank you bonuses for their years of service.
Two notable women were named 2012 Good News Ambassadors last week during a sunset award ceremony aboard a river cruise on the Potomac in Washington, DC. Caroline Adams Miller and Allison Silberberg were chosen got their strong positive voices in the fields of psychology, coaching, storytelling and advocacy.
For their extraordinary efforts to help change the world and better the lives of others, 10 everyday people will receive $50,000 and a chance for much more.
Robert Thome's dream of becoming a professional athlete was shattered when he broke his neck during a high school football game. As a 15-year-old quadriplegic, he thought his life was over until in rehabilitation he learned how to use his mouth to actively pursue his second-favorite subject, art. Without the use of his hands, Robert began painting with his mouth. At age 30, he became a member of a global for-profit company that allows him to live independently with a thriving career as an artist.
An abused Filipino child who lived off a garbage dump has won a prestigious award for the work of his children's charity, which benefits his fellow street kids. Cris Kesz Valdez, aged 13, was handed this year's International Children's Peace Prize at a glittering ceremony in The Hague on Wednesday, where he received a $130,000 prize presented by Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
Two best friends in Florida after leaving jobs that no longer fulfilled them decided to pack their bags and go on a Summer Service Adventure. 56-year-old Carol Hasbrouck and 60-year-old Joyce Claflin left their St. Petersburg home in June embarking on a 33-city volunteering tour under the banner, Dames Gone Wild.
Barbara Casados only uses her sewing machine for one thing -- a very special thing. She makes sick children feel better by giving them personalized Superhero capes. It started when she tried to solve the daily fights with her son over wearing clothes to school. She bribed him with the promise of a crusader's cape. Next, she sewed them as a business. But when someone came to her about making them for kids in a cancer ward -- 65 kids -- she couldn't say no to a single one of them.
A French swimmer who lacks legs and arms has successfully swum the frigid waters separating Alaska and Russia with the aid of paddle-like prosthetics. Seeking to raise awareness of the abilities of handicapped people, Philippe Croizon, whose limbs were amputated after an accident at age 26, completed his dream of swimming between five continents.
A needle-in-a-haystack search by a New York City Parks Department worker willing to go the extra mile turned up a diamond ring lost in Battery Park. On the verge of giving up hope, a married couple searching the grounds spotted a city trash truck on the edge of the park and decided to leave a note asking that day's driver to help.