Sliver of Hope

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We all know I have a weakness for dogs.

Fishermen Save 38 Dogs From Drowning In Mississippi's Grenada Lake

Today's good news story comes from Grenada, Mississippi.

Helena native Bob Gist, a State Farm insurance agent in Jonesboro, became an unexpected hero while crappie fishing on Lake Grenada in Mississippi. What started as a peaceful fishing trip turned into a dramatic rescue mission that saved the lives of 38 distressed dogs.

Bob, accompanied by a friend and their fishing guide, set out on Lake Grenada, which spans over a mile and a half wide in some areas. As they were navigating the lake, they spotted a large number of dogs swimming far from the shore.

"These dogs were so far out the three men figured they needed to check on them," the social media post said. "Reaching the dogs they realized there were dogs everywhere. They could tell the dogs were in distress. Where the heck did all these dogs come from and how did they end up in the middle of the lake?"

Upon reaching the dogs, they discovered the animals were part of a Fox Run event at the lake. Each dog had large numbers painted on its side and wore expensive E-collars. The dogs had chased a deer into the lake and ended up lost and disoriented, unable to find the shore.

Bob and his crew sprang into action, pulling as many dogs as they could into their boat and transporting them to shore, where their anxious owners awaited. They made several trips back and forth, rescuing as many dogs as they could find.

Just as they thought their mission was complete, an owner with a GPS tracker informed them that four more dogs were still in the water. Bob and his team, accompanied by the owner, set out once more. They found the four dogs, who were nearly too exhausted to stay afloat, and managed to save them just in time.

"Bob told me they grabbed the last four dogs as they were sinking under water," the post stated.

In total, Bob, his friend, and the fishing guide rescued 38 dogs, all of whom had been treading water for nearly an hour.

Sounds like every dog was saved.

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This is a bit different as this one starts with tragedy, but it sounds like they've come a long way in a year.

KAKE - News crews were invited inside The Covenant School. It wasn't easy, but I accepted the warm invitation.

A small K-6 school in Green Hills was thrust into the spotlight after a deadly mass shooting.

The Covenant School kept a low-profile before the shooting on March 27, 2023. When six innocent members of the school community were killed on campus, everything changed.

I know firsthand that Covenant is a special place. My mother-in-law Diana Apple has worked at Covenant since it opened in 2001. She survived the shooting. When the shooter entered the building, she was taking a break off-campus.

For the first time since the senseless tragedy, the school invited news crews inside. It wasn't easy, but I accepted the warm invitation and visited the school on Tuesday.

From the moment you walk into the redesigned school, you can't help but smile. Hundreds of floating, bright origami cranes greet you just steps from the new front desk.

Trudy Waters, the new Head of School, told the pack of journalists that the beautiful paper birds were one of many gifts given to Covenant.

"When the events of March 27th happened, there was a gentleman in California who actually sent 209 to give to each of the students who were here," said Trudy Waters.

Reporters were told the point of the media tour was to show and express to everyone that the school's come a long way thanks to donations and prayers.

"We just are thankful. It's just hard to hold that really hard and really hopeful in the same space, and we've had to learn to do it, so we want to share that out," Waters said.

At times, it made me sad to be in the space where a mass shooter killed three students and three staff members. The intentional changes, like rainbows everywhere you look, lifted my spirits.

Rainbows mean a lot to the school community. Days after the shooting, a double rainbow appeared over the school. In the Bible, God set a rainbow in the sky as a sign of his covenant with every living creature.

Waters told the media she's proud of the playful, inviting feel of their school — which has been through so much.

"It has been good to be here," she said.

Some notable names like Billy Joel have made contributions to the school. The music legend's foundation donated new lighting and sound systems for the theater, technology for teaching and learning and an array of new instruments, including a piano.

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Young Stranger Spends $2,800 on Funeral for a Woman He Never Met - She Reminded Him of His Sister

When a young woman died before her time in Italy’s region of Puglia, a stranger felt compelled to help the grief-stricken family.

Paying off the major part of the woman’s funeral, he told Italian media he expected nothing in return, but was merely listening to the voice in his heart.

In the city of Fasano, southeast Italy, 25-year-old Ciela Ditano was killed when the elevator doors opened on the fourth floor of her condominium without an elevator to board. She fell four stories to her death.

In the days that followed, the devastated father and mother, Giuseppe and Giusy, received an unexpected gesture from an unknown person.

Steven Paparnesi, originally from Milan, had moved to the province of Brindisi where he works as maintenance staff at an old folks home and dreams of becoming a tattoo and street artist. He had never met Ditano, but her death “revived the tragedy” of his sister, Kimberly, who also tragically passed away at age 19.

Despite occurring 4 years ago, the pain and destabilization of that event still lingers for young Steven, and the news of Ditano’s death brought it all back again.

“I heard and saw her parents sunken in pain, and I immediately felt I had to help them,” Parpanesi told Corriere del Mezzogiorno. “Their situation touched me deeply, and in this way, I decided to make this gesture at least to take from Ciela’s family a portion of the economic burden, hoping that it will be a modicum of comfort in these circumstances.”

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Operation BBQ Relief To Serve 10,000 Free Meals Daily In Texas After Hurricane Beryl

Today's good news story comes from Texas.

Kansas City's Operation BBQ Relief has been mobilized to Texas, providing much-needed meals to those affected by Hurricane Beryl. The nonprofit organization has begun scouting the areas in the most need, with one of their key locations being Lake Jackson, TX.

Stan Hays, CEO and Founder of Operation BBQ Relief, shared that the organization could distribute between 10,000 to 15,000 meals daily during their time in Texas.

For the first few days, their efforts will focus on feeding first responders and search and rescue teams, ensuring those on the front lines are well-nourished as they aid affected communities.

"Until we start getting it really known in the community that we are there," Hays said. "We're working with the state of Texas and emergency management to ensure that where we're going is also where they see the biggest need."

Since its inception in 2011, Operation BBQ Relief has served over 11 million meals across 36 states and the Bahamas.

"At the end of the day there is something very fulfilling about the reaction you see and you feel from somebody that you know can never repay you for that act of kindness," Hays said.

Things like this always make me feel a little warm and fuzzy inside. As crazy as the world is, people still generally care about others. Especially when those people are in need after an event like this.

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We may not deserve dogs, but at times, someone steps up and makes me think that maybe a few of us do.

This Dog Wouldn't Eat After His Return To The Shelter - Then An Old Friend Saw Him On TikTok

Today's good news story comes from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

A dog named Max has found his forever home after a viral TikTok video led him to a familiar face.

The Pennsylvania SPCA shared the journey of Max, who was adopted as a puppy eight years ago but recently found himself back at the shelter due to unforeseen circumstances.

Max's return to the shelter was heartbreaking. Terrified and heartbroken, he refused to eat, showing signs of deep distress. The Pennsylvania SPCA shared photos of Max's initial return.

Then, a TikTok video of Max's story went viral, capturing the attention of thousands. Among those viewers was someone from Max's past life who recognized him immediately.

Eager to provide him with a safe and loving environment, she stepped forward to bring Max back to a place where he felt cherished and secure.

"Max's new owner had seen the original TikTok and emailed our adoptions team," Sarah Brown, a worker at the Pennsylvania SPCA, told McClatchy News. "She had known him from his old life and we were excited to reunite him with a familiar face."

Before



After



That first picture broke my heart, but the second picture put it back together.

Stepping up to love a dog like this is special. Can't imagine how that poor dog felt losing his life and everyone he knew and loved for eight years. Heck, I saw the look on my mothers oldest dog yesterday as she was a bit depressed that my mom's pup was at the vet. And that hadn't even been 12 hours away from her little friend. They're such loving creatures that show us what unconditional love looks like.

I'll choose to believe that the unforeseen circumstances were legit and not closer to simple abandonment like some do. I can't imagine anything forcing me to give up my dogs so the list is very small. But it's beautiful that someone who had some level of history with this beautiful dog stepped up to show him some love and give him a safe a loving place to live.

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More dog rescues, this one quite literal.

'Miracle' Dog Found Alive In Underground Virginia Cave

Today's good news story comes from Narrows, Virginia.

A heartwarming rescue story has emerged from Narrows, where a dog was miraculously saved after falling 50 feet into a cave.

A group of cave explorers made the discovery while exploring an underground cave littered with animal skulls and bones.

Jesse Rochette, one of the brave cavers, played a crucial role in the rescue. With a piece of salami in hand, he rappelled 50 feet down into the cave to gain the pup's trust.

"She instantly came over and sucked up the salami and she loved that," Rochette recounted. The team then wrapped the shivering dog in space blankets, foam pads, and an old jacket hood they found in the cave to keep her warm.

"Over the course of 3 HOURS, the cavers above worked to safely bring her back to the surface, while Jesse Rochette (pictured above) stayed in the darkness," Giles County Animal Shelter shared. "He spent this time gaining her trust so he could strap her to his chest and begin their ascension together. Once they reached the surface, she was rushed to Virginia Tech's Vet School."

After numerous tests and x-rays, it was determined that Sparsy had miraculously suffered no broken bones. She was diagnosed with Lyme disease, some spinal inflammation, and temporary difficulty using her back legs.

"Her HERO Jesse came by today to check on her!" the shelter said. "And has affectionately named her Sparsy (AKA SPAR-C; Small Party Assisted Rescue- Canine)."

As of now, Sparsy is doing well under the care of the veterinary team. The search for her owner is ongoing, but in the meantime, she is in good hands and receiving the best possible care.

What are the odds of stumbling across this poor baby? She seems sweet and I'm sure thankful to be back in the light.

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Wichita by EB - Wichita restaurant offering free pizza, no questions to those in need

Sterling James, the operating partner at Wichita’s Blaze Pizza at 2692 N. Greenwich Road, is stepping up for the community.

James went public over the weekend by announcing that Blaze Pizza will be reintroducing something the restaurant did in 2020 with FREE PIZZA FOR THOSE IN NEED.

It’s simple. Do you need food and can’t afford it? You can contact Sterling James on Facebook or email pizzaitforward@prlwm.com, and they will arrange for you to get some pizza at no charge, no questions asked.

I have no doubt that there will be some people who will abuse this generosity when they're not truly in need and just looking for free food.

I commend Mr. James for offering to do this for those in need in our community. I may have to go get Blaze for the first time ever to help support him and his business. I've heard it's fairly good.

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Quick-Thinking 6-Year-Old Saves The Day After Mom Collapses

Today's good news story comes from Northern Ireland.

A six-year-old boy named Aiden is being praised for his quick actions after his mother, Elizabeth Crooks, collapsed at home.

Elizabeth, a 26-year-old mother of three from Belfast, became unwell due to a neurological condition known as FND (Functional Neurological Disorder) and passed out.

Aidan, showing remarkable composure for his age, immediately sought help. He approached a delivery man named Bryan, who was dropping off a package at their home. The heartwarming moment was captured by Crooks' doorbell camera and has since gone viral.

Elizabeth shared with Belfast Live that seeing her young son remain calm and polite during the emergency was incredibly moving.

"It was so heartwarming to see how he handled the situation," she said.

Thanks to Aidan's swift actions and Bryan's kindness, Elizabeth received the help she needed. Elizabeth later managed to track down Bryan to thank him personally for his assistance.

"His sister-in-law saw the video, and I think he is still in shock, the same as me, that it has gone so viral. You can tell he's kind of a shy guy," Elizabeth said.

This story is a touching reminder of the extraordinary capabilities of children in emergency situations and the kindness of strangers. It also highlights the importance of teaching children how to respond in emergencies, which can make all the difference in critical moments.

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Charity Song Raises Money for Boy with Cancer - and Overtakes Kylie Minogue and Coldplay in Downloads

Despite being just 5 years old and suffering from stage 4 brain cancer, an adorable little boy in the UK is climbing the charts with a new song.

Jack Gyde was diagnosed with Stage 4 High-Risk Neuroblastoma earlier this year after his mom Sarah noticed him limping, and a song released to raise money for his treatment has passed Coldplay and Kylie Minogue in online downloads, raising thousands in the process.

A musician from Bristol, Daz Sims, recorded, produced, and released the single entitled Cowboy Jack, and to everyone’s surprise, it debuted at #28 on the iTunes chart. It’s since fallen to 39, but is still above names like Beyonce, Luke Combs, and Coldplay.

But before Jack had his moment in the limelight, his care team and family at a local healthcare facility called Brunelcare had launched a fundraiser to raise money for both the ongoing maintenance of the tumor and a trip to the US for life-extending treatment.

The goal was a quarter million English pounds, amounting to more than $280,000.

“Every download of “Cowboy Jack” supports fundraising efforts for 5-year-old Jack Gyde, who is battling stage 4 high-risk neuroblastoma,” a Brunelcare spokesperson said. “Jack urgently needs lifesaving treatment in the US, which costs £250,000. Your simple act of downloading this song can make a world of difference.”

I know nothing about the song, but the fact that so many have downloaded it and are helping this kid and his family try to save his life is nice to see.

To donate to Jack’s Journey visit the link here. To Download the song see this link on Amazon, and this one for iTunes.

They're a little over half way to their goal at the time of the article. Getting him to America for treatment will greatly increase his chances of survival.

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When Tornado Interrupts Wedding They Had First Dance in Basement Shelter: 'Restored my faith in humanity'

Fleeing to the basement shelter of a hotel during a tornado isn’t exactly a mood-setter for a romantic dance, but that’s exactly the bizarre situation that 25-year-old newlyweds Alex and Sarah Schilke found themselves in back in June.

Hosting their wedding at the Grand Geneva Resort and Spa Hotel in Wisconsin, the reception was already underway when a tornado warning was issued for the area.

The wedding party and the rest of the hotel’s guests took shelter in the venue’s basement.

A group of strangers heard that the newlyweds hadn’t had their first dance and offered to sing and play the guitar.

A heartwarming mobile phone video shows Alex and Sarah swaying to their first dance with strangers staying at the hotel shining their phone flashlights upon them to drive away the darkness.

“That moment of having our loved ones and strangers come together to create this beautiful moment and share it with us was so important,” said Sarah to the news outlet SWNS. “It restored my faith in humanity.”

We could feel the care and compassion from all the people in the room,” Alex comments. “After the dance I remember walking out into the crowd and I saw one of my groomsmen. We just fell into a hug and both started weeping. It was all very emotional.”

Alex and Sarah met four and half years ago when they were studying computer science at the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire.

Alex proposed to Sarah and the couple tied the knot after 15 months of planning. It could have been 15 years and they probably still wouldn’t have had contingency plans for tornado alerts.

“When we were first told everyone was moving to the shelter, I was so shocked that I didn’t even process what was happening around me,” Sarah said. “And of course, there was a moment of grieving the wedding reception that we had spent 15 months planning.”

As the 181-strong wedding party moved to the basement shelter, they were joined by members of every other ongoing party at the resort.

Things went from bad to worse for the couple when the basement was plunged into darkness when power went out, which Sarah described as a chaotic scene.

“A few people from our party braved the storm and went upstairs to grab some drinks so we had some comfort.”

Really a sweet story.

There's a one minute video at the bottom of the article.

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Oklahoma 4-H Teen Gives Away 6,000 Backpacks Packed With $1.3 Million in School Supplies to Families

An 18-year-old Oklahoma boy spent his Saturday igniting school spirit by giving away 6,000 book bags stuffed with school supplies.

It was his ninth annual Back-to-School Book Bag Giveaway, which has distributed more than 33,000 backpacks and $1.3 million in school supplies to students and families from Reed’s hometown and beyond, including across Oklahoma, Texas and Arkansas.

Yesterday’s drive-thru event is just one aspect of Reed Marcum’s uplifting work to address the needs of the McAlester community in Pittsburg County

“I want to help kids get their school year started right,” said Reed, who is a rising sophomore at Oklahoma State University. “We have been distributing book bags and school supplies for nine years now and each time it is so fulfilling to know we are playing a small part in getting kids excited about their education.”

Reed was inspired by his longtime membership in 4-H, an American youth organization whose mission is “engaging youth to reach their fullest potential to become true leaders.”

The giveaway is part of Reed’s annual 4-H service project—and its success resulted in the teen being honored with the 4-H Youth in Action Award for his community-centered projects that have collectively raised more than $3.5 million in funds and donated items.

The future looks like it's in good hands sometimes.

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4th Generation Farmer Helps Youth Flunking Out of School to Grow and Sell Food for Disadvantaged in Minnesota

A fourth-generation Black American farmer is bringing 21st-century agriculture into the lives of youth from marginalized communities, teaching them how to grow and sell nutritious food to the people who need it.

Marcus Carpenter is the founder of Route 1, an organization that focuses on introducing farming to people, and farmers to the people, through a variety of educational and business programs with a focus on addressing the challenges facing the poorest communities in Minnesota.

Carpenter grew up on 180 acres of farmland in Arkansas, bought by his great-grandmother Sally in 1914, who worked the land down a dirt road in a country house with 13 children.

Route 1 was the name of that old dirt road, but its approach to agriculture is anything but old.

The programs and facilities include the “Freight Farm” where hydroponic gardens grow a variety of food inside donated shipping containers equivalent to 4 acres of farmland. It includes the Emerging Farmers Institute, offering intensive virtual coursework on the fundamentals of farming, while also including sessions aimed at tackling the most commonly faced mental stressors of working in agriculture.

Additionally, Route 1 offers the Seeds to Success Youth Academy, where youth struggling in school can find alternatives to flunking out by pursuing agricultural excellence.

One such a success story is Anthony Rasmussen—born into a low-income family, and raised by a single mom. Route 1 had made itself known inside the school district, and Rasmussen was enrolled in the academy.

He was part of the team that helped grow part of the 7,000 lbs of produce that Route 1 recently delivered to two local community organizations.

This experience sparked Rasmussen’s interest in pursuing a career in agriculture. He realized that farming is not just about being outdoors, which he loves, but also about helping people and making a difference.

Utilizing skill and knowledge for the benefit of the next generation and help those that need it most and perhaps give some direction to those who are needing some. I approve.

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Going above and beyond.

From Teacher To Hero: The Heartwarming Story Of A Lifesaving Friendship

In a story that truly embodies the power of love, friendship, and community, a local teacher has become much more than an educator—she's become a hero.

Jamie Lynn Dorr, a devoted mother navigating the challenges of raising a son on the spectrum, shared a powerful update on her Facebook page that has touched the hearts of many: her son's teacher is a perfect match for the liver transplant her son desperately needs.

Four years ago, Jamie found herself in a new town with few friends and a son, Bowen, who required her full attention. Life was filled with uncertainty and isolation. But then Holly Allgood entered their lives, bringing with her an abundance of kindness, support, and a friendship that would prove to be life-changing.

Described as "pure sunshine and joy," Holly has been more than just a teacher to Bowen; she has become a trusted friend and a steady source of comfort for Jamie.

"If you know Holly, you know she is salt of the earth," Jamie said. "From the moment we met, she took this scared, unsure, uncertain mama and continued to remind me that God was writing his story and that even, on the hard days, we were not alone. She has caught so many of my tears, taken my late night calls, and seen some of our worst days as we shuffled him, struggling, into school. It’s hard for any mama, but one with special needs, I could only do that because I knew who had him when I walked in those doors, it was Holly."

Holly and Bowen are scheduled for the liver transplant later this month.

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If you believe it, you can achieve it.

Woman Who Left School at 15 Graduates as a Doctor at 41: 'You can 100% do the crazy things you've always dreamed'

A woman who dropped out of school at age 15 finally studied for her GED (known in the UK as GCSE)—and now has graduated as a doctor at 41.

She recalls being sick and tired of people telling her she couldn’t do things because she dropped out of school. Now, Dr. Becs Bradford officially holds a degree in Medicine from the University of Bristol.

“I don’t know if I’m just a little delusional, but I really believe that if your heart is in it, you can 100% do the crazy things you’ve always dreamed of.

“When I was young I was constantly told I would amount to nothing, that I was stupid.

“I wanted to prove that people like me do deserve good things, that they can get jobs that are fulfilling and well paid.”

Becs’ father fell from a ladder and was left paralyzed when Becs was just 12 years old, and the family lost their home. Soon, Becs ended up in foster care.

Despite this rocky start, Becs became a hard worker in various fields as a flight attendant, a personal trainer, and in sales. But she knew there was something else waiting for her, and when she realized she wanted to be a doctor, she said ‘everything just fell into place’.

At 35, she bought the books needed to self-study for her high school math and science equivalencies and earned a place in a pre-med course to which she’d drive a six-hour round trip—all while working three jobs.

Becs aced the course but was devastated when she was rejected from all the universities she applied for—until she received an offer from the University of Bristol. Despite getting financial support from the University, she still taught gym classes seven days a week and worked 12-hour assistant nursing shifts on the weekends.

She would often get up at 4am to study, driven by her desire to help people. “I just had an inner knowing that this is what I’m meant to do with my life”.

Talk about heart and dedication. When did she sleep?

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I'm a sucker for a dog, and the rescue of them.

YouTuber Rescues Senior Great Pyrenees Dog During Cross-Canada Canoe Trip

A Kiwi kayaker on a cross-country trip on Canada’s creeks and rivers took a brief detour to rescue a man’s dog who was trapped under a log.

For all her strength, Ivy, a 14-year-old Great Pyrenees had been wasted by the mud of a river in Manitoba, and after wandering too far beyond her owner’s property, was trapped and couldn’t escape.

Ivy’s fortitude had been sapped away by the heavy mud weighing down her fur, and with only enough energy to keep her head above water, Tom Hudson—a quite unlikely hero, found her just in time.

Flying to BC from his home in New Zealand Tom Hudson had crossed Canada as far as Manitoba near The Pas when he heard faint barking and decided to take a detour to investigate on the morning of July 29th.

Unbeknownst to him, Ivy’s owner had been looking for her all the previous day, but heavy brush prevented him from seeing or hearing the elderly pooch, who was stuck just a quarter of a mile from her home.

Hudson tied up his canoe, lifted the log off her back, and carried her through knee-deep mud before attempting to position her comfortably on the canoe. She had never been afloat before, and Hudson, who was documenting his cross-country canoe quest on Instagram and YouTube, snapped a self-explanatory photo of Ivy’s first impressions.

He paddled about 400 yards downstream and found a dock. He plopped the Pyrenees down and went to ring the doorbell, hoping whoever answered would be able to help.

As it happened, they could.

“She’s a pretty lucky old dog that he came by when he did,” said owner Tom Stait, who opened the door and saw the pair covered in mud. “Because he could have went the other way on the other side of the river and he would never have seen her. I probably would have never found her.”

There's a near two minute video at the end of the article on this.