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:
Company Gives $10,000 to Woman Who Actually Read Fine Print
Do you read the fine print on legal documents? If you’re like most people, the answer is probably no. But for one woman from Georgia, being detail-oriented paid off big time. Donelan Andrews read every single word of the fine print on her travel insurance document and won a whopping $10,000 because of it. Squaretech insurance company hid a secret sweepstakes in the fine print of their documents to highlight the importance of reading and understanding legal contracts. Andrews’ story teaches us that paying attention to the little things sometimes means a big payoff. Read more.
Passionate Principal Reads Bedtime Stories to Students Through Facebook Live
The school day may end at 4 p.m., but one principal continues her work long after the final bell rings. Belinda George, principal at Homer Drive Elementary in Beaumont, Texas, wanted to make sure all of her students have an opportunity for some nightly reading. So, she took matters into her own hands. Every Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m., she hosts “Tucked-in Tuesdays” on Facebook Live, reading bedtime stories to kids online. She makes the reading interactive by asking the students questions and adding some personal anecdotes. Both literacy levels and George’s relationship with her students have benefited from George’s creativity! Read more.
Creative App Connects College Students With Seniors in Need
Florida: the land of alligators, Disney World, and retirees. For many of Florida’s senior citizens, moving to a warmer climate also entails moving away from family and friends, so it’s easy for loneliness to set in. However, with the invention of an app called “Join Papa,” older folks are paired up with dedicated young people who help them with errands and provide companionship for a couple of hours each week. Designed for college students who would just as readily volunteer their time for free, Join Papa makes things a little easier for students by paying them and letting them choose their own hours. Read more.
Professor Holds Baby for Student Without Babysitter
When a student at Morehouse College in Georgia was unable to find a sitter for his infant daughter, he brought her along to his math class. Hoping to ensure the student could still take good notes, his professor, Nathan Alexander, offered to hold the baby while lecturing. Professor Alexander taught the entirety of the class and stayed after for questions with the baby strapped to his chest. Read more.
Selfless Veteran Inspires Others by Fixing Cars for Free
Adam Ely, a former paratrooper and helicopter mechanic for the United States Army, continues to serve his country in an especially creative way. After fixing his daughter’s friend’s car, he founded Hard Luck Automotive Services (HLAS) to provide free car service and repairs to anyone who might be in need. Those requesting his services only pay for parts, and then Adam donates his labor and time for free. Despite suffering from PTSD and walking with a cane as a result of knee and back injuries, he has still never refused service to anyone who has come to him. Read more.