Sometimes the news can be, well, not so inspiring. When headlines get you down, it’s important to remember that positive things are still happening all around us. Here are five hopeful and encouraging stories to pay attention to this week:
Waterboy Becomes Football Star
High school senior Robby Heil, who has Down Syndrome, got to live out his dream of running a touchdown into the end zone. Although the play didn’t affect the score at all, Heil, the team’s water boy, became a part of something that he will never forget. Heil’s mother, who is terminally ill with bone cancer, was overcome with emotion as she watched her son out on the field. “I dropped to the ground because I was so emotional when I saw him make that touchdown,” Robby’s mom, Debbie Heil said. “I’ve always been proud of him being the waterboy, or as people call him ‘the hydration manager,’ but this was incredible, he’s Rudy tonight, he’s Rudy.” Read more.
Clipping Coupons to Feed the Hungry
Lauren Puryear of Woodbridge, Virginia, started an organization called “For The Love of Others” that is focused on giving food to those in need. Puryear started the organization in 2012 to honor her grandmother who had recently passed away. With the help of her friends and her community, she has been able to feed more than 5,000 people. Puryear’s devotion to helping others can be seen in the long hours she spends finding coupons that help to fund her shopping trips. And it pays off. She can feed as many as 150 people on $20. Read more.
Rescue Puppies Steal the Show at Wedding
One bride had a creative idea to include her love of rescue puppies in her wedding. Instead of flowers, Sarah Mallouk Crain decided that she and her bridal party would hold puppies from the shelter she works at. Not only did this make for some adorable pictures, but the puppies also got to spend some time playing and cuddling with the bridal party. Read more.
Super Nuns Take on Human Trafficking
In times of hardship, many turn to prayer. But one group of Buddhist nuns decided that prayer wasn’t enough. A group of nuns known as the Drupka Order completed a 2,485-mile bike trek from Nepal to India to raise awareness about a human trafficking epidemic in the region. After twin earthquakes in Nepal left thousands of families devastated and without a means of income, there was an increase in human trafficking and kidnapping that put thousands of women and children at risk. This is actually the fourth such journey that the nuns have made, earning them a reputation as “Kung Fu Nuns,” in part for their extensive training in martial arts. Read more.
After Attack, New Yorkers Have Each Other’s Backs
After the frightening scene this past weekend when a bomb went off in the Chelsea neighborhood of New York City, neighbors chose to respond by spreading hope rather than giving in to the fear. New Yorkers in the area stopped by to thank first responders for their hard work with coffee, pastries and pizza. In addition, the Standard High Line, a popular hotel, opened its doors to people displaced by the attack with an offer for a free room and dinner on the house. Read more.