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  • Sophie Babinski

    Sophie Babinski is a Montreal-based lifestyle writer, wellness enthusiast, and Real Housewives historian.
FedEx Always Notices One Boy on Her Route - Decides to Leave Him Something at His House When Hes Not There
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FedEx Always Notices One Boy on Her Route - Decides to Leave Him Something at His House When Hes Not There

Sportsmanship is defined as the fair and generous treatment of others. It is something we learn as children in extracurricular activities, and something we hopefully build on throughout our lives as we become better people.The Unbelievable Story About a Boy, a Basketball and a Kind FedEx DriverAubrey Robinson is a FedEx driver who services rural Indiana and does more or less the same route every day. Because of this, she often sees the same people over again, and feels like part of the community. One day on her run, she saw a young boy, 11-year-old Elijah Maines, playing basketball outside of his residence on a rusty old basketball net. Aubrey had seen the boy often, working on his jump shot. It was immediately obvious to her that Elijah was passionate about the sport, so she decided to do something to help fuel his passion.Aubrey was working hard during the holiday rush, but decided to do something amazing when she finally got a day off. Heading to the Target near her home in Ohio, she purchased a brand new basketball net for Elijah. She spent hours assembling it, then rented a truck from a friend and drove 25 miles away from Ohio to Elijah’s home. When she got there, nobody was home -- which was perfect for her plan. Aubrey set up the basketball net and left a note for Elijah encouraging him to keep up his good work and continue shooting hoops and having fun with friends. She also left instructions on how to secure the base to the net and left a note signed form Aubrey -- “Just one of the FedEx drivers for the area.”I wanted that kid to know what it’s like to watch a ball roll around the hoop a little bit before it drops in. I wanted him to have the best hoop I could find and experience that anticipation.Aubrey RobinsonThe Young Boy’s Reaction to the FedEx Driver’s Gift Is HeartwarmingWhen Coledo Wheeler, Elijah’s mother, came home and stumbled across Aubrey’s gift, she burst into tears. She had been out working all day and was concerned about her son due to her recent divorce with his father. The act of kindness stunned Coledo, who had been worrying about making ends meet and being able to provide Christmas gifts for her two young sons, her two adult children, and her seven grandchildren.The gift was an amazing relief as she was able to give Elijah something that meant alot to him. When Elijah saw the net, he was also stunned and immensely grateful. Aubrey didn’t stop there: A few days later, she dropped off a bag of sand so that she could be sure the net would be secure. We recently got divorced, and it’s been a hard year for Elijah and his little brother, Zachary. Basketball means the world to him. There’s nothing he loves more -- it’s the thing that makes him the most happy.Coledo WheelerHow a FedEx Delivery Person Proved Good People Still ExistAubrey Robinson gave Wheeler and her son Elijah more than just the gift of a basketball net. She gave them the gift of hope and an understanding that there are good people in our communities who are looking out for us and who are willing to go out of their way to help us. That is the greatest gift of all!More from Goalcast:Woman Hears FedEx Driver at the Door While Her Fiancé Is Away – Is Shocked When She Catches Him Doing ThisUPS Customers Trick Delivery Driver, Blindfold Her… and Then Do Something Truly ShockingStranger Walks By Homeless Poet – Her Kindness Leads to an Unexpected Reunion

Bullies Throw Boys Shoes in the Toilet at School - Little Did He Know, a Student Would Then Show Up at His House
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Bullies Throw Boys Shoes in the Toilet at School - Little Did He Know, a Student Would Then Show Up at His House

Bullying is a sad reality faced daily by many children in school. Usually they feel ashamed of their circumstances and do not know how to reach out and ask for help. Luckily, there are some in school who do the right thing and stand up for victims, like in the case of Skyler Carter, who went above and beyond to help his classmate. Shoes in the ToiletTanner Hendrix was being bullied at school. One day, it got so bad that the bullies took Tanner’s shoes and threw them into the toilet. Tanner’s parents took the issue to the school, and they disciplined the children responsible for the incident. However, Tanner was still hurt. The week after the attack, a senior from his school, Skyler Carter, showed up to the Hendrix house with a kind surprise.Brand New PairSkyler had heard about what happened to Tanner, and he decided to use his own money to buy a pair of replacement shoes for his classmate. Tanner’s mother, Meghan, was blown away by the act of kindness. Last week at school Tanner had someone take his shoes and put them in the toilet. This absolutely broke my mama heart…Meghan Hendrix“I am forever grateful to this boy for being there for Tanner and for reminding us all what it means to just be a good person. #imnotcryingyourecrying #okimcrying #blessedandgrateful #spreadpositivevibes,” she wrote on Facebook.A Wonderful ExampleThe story of Skyler’s kindness towards Tanner went viral on social media, and for good reason. In a sea of depressing news stories, it gives us hope to hear about such kind and selfless actions. Acts of kindness, no matter how small, can have a big impact on us all. So, thank you Skyler!More from Goalcast:Bullied Teen Feels “Worthless” Before Prom – Little Did She Know 300 Bikers Were About to Give Her a Night She’d Never ForgetBullied Student Finds a Crowd Gathered at the School Gym – The Reason Why Goes ViralBullied Boy Loses Hope After a Priceless Gift From His Grandmother Is Stolen – But His Best Friends Feel Otherwise

Airport Security Forces Crying Man to Throw Away a Package - Its Contents Take 2 Strangers by Surprise
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Airport Security Forces Crying Man to Throw Away a Package - Its Contents Take 2 Strangers by Surprise

*Featured image contains photo by Beyzanur K.Of all of the five love languages, gift giving is the most misunderstood. While some gifts are certainly given with only materialism in mind, many are priceless items filled with sentimental value, and they cannot be replaced. One such gift was given in the case of a Florida couple, who without the help of two strangers would have had to part from a gift that was dear to their hearts. Incident at the AirportMichael Moore was at the St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport when he was stopped by TSA and was forced to throw away the package he had been carrying. Devastated, he threw it into the garbage, even shedding a few tears. Luckily, Amarri Hernandez and her boyfriend witnessed the incident and decided to grab the package and try to reunite it with the man. Once they actually opened the package to see what was inside, their resolve hardened.Amarri saw that inside the package was a snow globe with photos of an elderly couple and a young girl. The gift was engraved with, “We love you Katie, Nana and Papa 1/25/16.” Amarri realized that the gift must hold significant meaning for the couple, who she now knew as Nana and Papa, and posted to Facebook asking her network to share her story and help connect her with the couple. Like many of us, she was motivated to do the right thing. Fortunately, her pleas worked and she was able to find the couple in the snow globe -- Bill and Linda Modry! The company that made the custom gift was able to track down the contact information of the people who had ordered the item.Symbol of LoveOnce Amarri returned the snow globe to Linda and Bill, she learned just how special it really was. As it turned out, the person mentioned in the snow globe, Katie, had been adopted on January 25, and the couple wanted to give her the gift on that same day to remind her that they would always love her. They had given the gift to their son -- Michael, who had been visiting them -- to give to Katie.She’s just amazing, people are basically really good, and she’s just exceptional.Linda Modry about Amarii HernandezIt is easy to see items as just items, but sometimes things have a deeper meaning than what meets the eye. Amarri thought she was simply returning a gift to a couple, but really she was returning a powerful reminder of the lasting love of family -- and that is priceless!More from Goalcast:Mom Sleeps on Airport Bathroom Floor With Her Kids – Stranger Hears Her Cries and Makes an Instant Decision78-Year-Old Doctor Proposes to High School Crush After 60 Years Apart in an Airport – Proving the Power of True LoveBeauty Queen Was Left at an Airport When She Was a Baby – 40 Years Later, She Learns Her Mom Never Meant to Abandon Her

Man Who Bought His Homeless Friend a Coffee Every Week Gets a Surprise From Him - But Then He Finds Out the Truth
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Man Who Bought His Homeless Friend a Coffee Every Week Gets a Surprise From Him - But Then He Finds Out the Truth

Homelessness is a phenomenon that can feel far away for most of us, but is sometimes closer than we think. All it takes is one bout of bad luck, an illness, or a job loss. It can be easy to judge those who find themselves living on the street, but it should be even easier to show the less fortunate some kindness.This was the case with Joe Wilson, who would stop and chat every weekend with a homeless man who stood outside of his favorite weekend breakfast spot. Weekly EncounterOne of Joe Wilson’s most treasured weekend rituals is grabbing a special breakfast from his go-to cafe in Glasgow called Old Salty’s.Each time he goes to pick up his breakfast, he buys an extra coffee, which he gives to a homeless man who sells a magazine called Big Issue, outside of the restaurant. The man, named Daniel, and Joe chat every weekend, and have developed a friendship over time.Before falling into homelessness, Daniel was a chef. Unfortunately, he lost his job and was living on the streets selling magazines to get by. "Joe is such a nice guy, he comes down every week and always comes over for a chat and buys me a coffee. He isn’t a rich guy or anything, he is just a brilliant, kind man," Daniel said.Paying It ForwardOne Saturday morning, Joe went into Old Salty’s as usual to get his special breakfast, when he was told by the cashier ringing him up that his meal had already been paid for -- by Daniel! Joe was stunned, but still bought Daniel his usual coffee. Joe thanked Daniel, who was smiling ear to ear, for his kindness and generosity. Daniel told Joe that he had won some money from a scratch lottery ticket, and he had decided to use his winnings to treat Joe for all of the kindness he had been shown throughout their friendship. Joe was stunned when he later learned that Daniel had not actually won any money, he had been putting money aside to be able to show Joe how much he appreciated his weekly chats and coffee. Today, I did the same as usual but when I went to pay for my breakfast, the girl in the cafe told me it had already been paid for...by Daniel. He’d won £20 on a scratch card and decided he was going to treat me for a wee change.Joe WilsonShowing Appreciation Even though Daniel barely makes enough to get by, he wanted to show his appreciation for the kindness shown to him. We can all take a cue from Daniel and be more thoughtful about how we show our love and gratitude to those who improve our lives. More from Goalcast:Strangers Call Mom a “Whale” in Front of Everyone – Instead of Getting Angry, She Buys Them CoffeeHomeless Man With Photographic Memory Gets a Cup of Coffee at McDonald’s – Unexpectedly Ends Up With $100,000Thieves Vandalize 65-Year-Old Starbucks Barista’s Car – So Fellow Employees Take Matters Into Their Own Hands

Overworked and Exhausted Taxi Driver Refuses to Give Customer a Ride - So, She Gets Into the Car and Does This
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Overworked and Exhausted Taxi Driver Refuses to Give Customer a Ride - So, She Gets Into the Car and Does This

Sometimes making a living is hard and can be extremely tiring. Throughout the pandemic, everyone has gotten a little taste of exhaustion, whether emotional or physical. One Filipino woman saw firsthand the toll being overworked takes on someone, and she decided to do something about it. Getting a LiftCristina Tan, a young professional, was on her way home and looking for a lift, trying to hail a cab. When she finally hailed the cab and tracked it down, she saw that the driver was very elderly and looked quite tired. When she asked the cabbie if he could give her a lift home, he answered that he wasn’t able to, as he was too tired and was not able to drive properly. Cristina was concerned and desperate for a way to get home -- so she made him an offer.Taking ChargeCristina offered to drive herself home in the man’s taxi while the man took a nap in the car. At first, the elderly man was concerned about Cristina, mistakenly assuming that she was not able to drive a car with a manual transmission. Cristina ended up behind the wheel, and the taxi driver immediately fell asleep.A few potential passengers tried to flag down the cab, and they were tickled when they realized the driver was a woman taking herself home!Empathetic FriendCristina was not frustrated when the driver couldn’t take her home -- she showed empathy instead. She talked with the driver, who she found out was 70 years old and had been driving taxis since the 1960s. He was working into old age to take care of his family. Many people would benefit from showing the same type of empathy Cristina did and finding solutions that work for everybody instead of simply getting frustrated. More from Goalcast:Taxi Driver Goes Back to Passenger’s Home and Returns $731 She Forgot in His Cab – Her and Her Family Can’t Hold Back TearsMan Finds Out Cab Driver Has Never Been To Amusement Park So He Invites Him

Controlling Bride Disinvites Her Own Cousin From Wedding for Being Fat - Her Response Has People Talking for the Right Reasons
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Controlling Bride Disinvites Her Own Cousin From Wedding for Being Fat - Her Response Has People Talking for the Right Reasons

There are countless articles and pop culture references to bridezillas and brides who want to look the best for their wedding day. There are even television shows devoted to the bridal “glow up.” Of course, aesthetics are important, but not more important than celebrating with the people who love and support you. For one TikToker, this proved to be a problem.Rude RequestUnsplash/ Jeremy Wong Weddings Lia, whose TikTok handle is @liainlouisiana, posted a video showcasing how far her cousin, the bride, was willing to go to have the “wedding of her dreams." Filming herself eating Chick-fil-A, Lia showed a series of text messages from her cousin, berating her for being fat and unhealthy, and even demoting her from her position of maid of honor because of her weight. The bride told her cousin that she was being generous even letting her stay on as a bridesmaid, given that she “...[didn’t] have any control over [herself] to go on a diet." Throughout the conversation, Lia stayed gracious and kind, even ending the exchange with “Goodnight love you."I’ve cried all afternoon. I’m uninvited.LiaUnnecessary EscalationFollowing her rude attack on Lia’s weight, the bride continued her controlling behavior, telling her cousin to wear a pair of classy shoes to the wedding. Only, the bride was not that polite, insinuating that Lia would don a trashy pair of heels. The bride told her not to wear any “w**re shoes," meaning shoes with glitter, sparkles, or high heels. After the series of horrible messages, Lia posted another TikTok with a devastating update. Apparently, she has been uninvited from the wedding. TikTok users came in droves to uplift Lia, telling her that she did nothing wrong and encouraging her to stand up for herself. You guys said I should respect myself and not let people treat me like trash [...] I’m doing my best.LiaThe Right ReasonsBoth marriage and weddings can be wonderful. Weddings are a great opportunity to bring together all of your loved ones and celebrate the beginning of new life as a couple. We expect those we ask to be in our bridal party to bring their best selves, emotionally and in how they support us. It’s a lesson we learn as early as primary school: you can be as beautiful as you want on the outside, if you are ugly on the inside you will always be unhappy. We hope the bride in this case eventually learns that lesson, at least for the sake of her marriage! More from Goalcast:Brave Employee Is Fired After He Stands Up to the Thieves Who Stole From His Store – Outraged Strangers Have the Best ResponseIrritated Diners Stare at Dad as He Carries Screaming 2-Year-Old Outside – He Hits Back With the Perfect Response

Scared Mom Alone at Home Hears a Stranger Knock on the Door - What Security Camera Reveals Makes Her Chase After Him
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Scared Mom Alone at Home Hears a Stranger Knock on the Door - What Security Camera Reveals Makes Her Chase After Him

Teenagers can be unpredictable, especially teenage boys who are known for testing the limits and acting out. One young mother of two was expecting a negative experience when a young teen boy knocked on her door.Pleasant SurprisePhoto by EVG KowalievskaMelissa Vang was home alone with her two daughters when she heard an ominous knock at the door. Being a small woman at home alone, the visit frightened her. She ran to check the security cameras in her home and ensure her safety. Expecting to see a someone up to no good, she was surprised by what she saw.On her doorstep was a teenager she had never seen before, someone new to the neighborhood. The boy was waving an item at the security camera and when Melissa saw what it was, she was floored. The boy was holding up a wallet, complete with cards and $1,500 cash. He waved the wallet in front of the camera, set it down, and walked away. Melissa went to investigate. It was her husband’s wallet, still intact, without even a dollar bill missing. A Big Thank YouMelissa chased after the anonymous do-gooder to thank him. As it turns out, the boy, Tyler Opdyke, was passing out flyers in the neighborhood and saw the abandoned wallet in the driveway, where Melissa’s husband had accidentally dropped it. I’ve been raised in the Church all my life and I just felt this is not mine.- Tyler OpdykeFor Tyler, returning the wallet intact was the right thing to do, a no-brainer. On her end, Melissa was overcome with gratitude and though she forgot to give the boy a reward initially, she later tracked him down and blessed him for his kindness.Random Acts of KindnessYou never know what kind of day someone is having until you are in their shoes. What Tyler Opdyke did was one of the most compassionate things anyone can do for another person: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. It is the golden rule after all!Treat others how you would like to be treated. More from Goalcast:Manager Finds His Employee Working Only in Socks – But Security Camera Footage Reveals the Entire TruthTeacher Goes Viral Online After His Interactions With His Students Is Caught on CameraHidden Cameras Catch a Homeless Man Finding $2,000 in the Street – No One Could Predict What the Footage Reveals Next

Surviving Vietnam POWs Are Honored With a Banquet 50 Years After Being Set Free And the Details Are Incredible
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Surviving Vietnam POWs Are Honored With a Banquet 50 Years After Being Set Free And the Details Are Incredible

Many things have changed since the 70s -- technology is far ahead of where it was, diplomatic relations have shifted, and new wars have started and ended. The Vietnam War is one of the most haunting events of that decade -- it changed warfare and shifted American culture forever. An entire generation of people were shaped by the experience of fighting the war, or fighting against it and protesting for peace in the streets. Now, few people will remember the 591 prisoners of war -- including the late Senator John McCain -- who were captured and held in Hanoi Hilton prison and finally released in 1973. Then, in May of that year, the Nixon government threw a banquet in their honor. The Biggest Banquet in White House HistoryOn May 24th 1973, 1,600 people gathered to celebrate the freedom of their comrades in arms. The dinner was hosted in a grand tent by the President himself, decorated with sparkling chandeliers and fresh flowers. Icons Sammy Davis Jr. and Bob Hope provided the entertainment that night, and food and drink flowed freely. People were happy to celebrate the end of the war, and even happier to celebrate the release of the prisoners who had suffered so long and fought so bravely for freedom ad democracy. The 50-Year Anniversary Dinner Was Almost IdenticalThe dinner held to commemorate the survivors in 2023 was more like a reenactment than an anniversary. The organizers made sure that every detail mirrored the amazing event 50 years ago -- down to identical centrepieces and the same menu!Many of the 591 prisoners of war were still alive to remember the events of 50 years ago and celebrate their freedom. When President Nixon signed the Paris peace deal to end the Vietnam war on February 12, 1973, his government got to work extracting the prisoners who had been tortured and brutalized. By April, most POWs were home. Survivors Ranged From 75 to 91 Years OldMany of the survivors were able to tell their story, remembering it in vivid detail even 50 years later. Hal Kushner, an army surgeon, was on a mission to deliver medical supplies when his aircraft crashed into the hills of Vietnam. He was severely injured after a machine gun exploded and its bullets hit him -- his arm and collarbone were also broken. Kushner’s co-pilot was also in dire condition, and the crew chief left them alone together as he went to try and get help. Kushner’s co-pilot died after three days, and Kushner was captured.He was held in jungle camps first and then eventually transferred to Hanoi Hilton. Along the way, many fellow prisoners died in Kushner's arms. In total, he was held for 1,973 days. When he was finally free and returned home, he met his son -- who he didn’t even know existed. His wife was in the early stages of pregnancy when Kushner left for the war, unbeknownst to both of them. Conditions Eventually Improved at Hanoi HiltonAs outrage over the capture of prisoners of war grew stateside, the prisoners themselves were bonding and their morale was slowly improving. Their shared trauma was bringing them closer together. “Having roommates who know everything good or bad about you, you can’t pretend. We talked about our guilt, our shame, our anger." Leon "Lee" EllisThe soldiers were able to rebound and live somewhat happily when they returned, and many prisoners, like Captain Leon “Lee” Ellis, credits their emotional closeness with their recovery. “We knew that if we came home bitter, we would still be in handcuffs and leg irons," Ellis added.Celebrate Those Who Survived the WarEven though many survivors were able to live normal and happy lives after the end of the war, they never forgot what they lived through in Vietnam.One soldier, Ken Wallingford, was chained and kept in a tiger cage like an animal. He and six others were kept in the cages for almost a full year. “They put me in this cage by myself. I had to bend down to get into it. I couldn’t stand because it was five feet high.”Ken Wallingford50 years after these prisoners of war were saved, the celebratory banquet is a great reminder to us all to never forget the sacrifices those who fight for democracy have made for us. It is of course important to remember the hard things, the violence and pain. It is also important to celebrate the good things -- resilience, friendship, and bravery embodied by these amazing soldiers. More from Goalcast:WWII Veteran Has Kept a Photograph of a 14-Year-Old in His Pocket for 78 Years – Then His Mystery Girl Showed UpYoung Girl Tells Worried Mom She Talks to a Veteran Every Morning — Their Shared Conversations Are SurprisingVeteran Spends 70 Years Searching for the Lost Love of His Life – At 91, He Finally Finds Her

Little Boy Invites Friends to His Birthday Party, but No One Attends - Then a Cop Shows Up and Asks Him to Get in the Car
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Little Boy Invites Friends to His Birthday Party, but No One Attends - Then a Cop Shows Up and Asks Him to Get in the Car

When we are little kids, birthday parties are momentous occasions. They are our time to shine, spend time with the people we love, and of course, eat birthday cake!So, when Westyn Ziegler had to choose a theme for his seventh birthday party -- he went with his favorite: the police! He excitedly invited 25 of his friends to the party and anxiously awaited the day.Unfortunately, none of the 25 kids who were invited could make it to the party, and nobody RSVPed. How Some Local Heroes Came to the RescuePhoto by Kindel MediaWestyn’s mom Kelly wrestled with the challenging decision: should she cancel the party and save Westyn the humiliation of an empty party room? He had been looking forward to the party and chattering about it daily, so it would break his heart to cancel it, and it would break Kelly’s heart to see her beloved son so sad. Officer Jeremy Elliot, who has already coordinated with Kelly and agreed to take Westyn in his police cruiser for the party, heard that it was going to be canceled due to attendance. That’s when he decided to save the day -- he is a police officer after all! His duty is to serve and protect, and he decided to protect Westyn from having a bad day, and serve him the most amazing seventh birthday party!“We like to be involved in our community. Its not just about enforcing the law, we like to be there in the good times as well,” he said.Officer Elliot got the whole local police and fire departments to pitch in. On the day of Westyn’s party, Officer Elliot picked him up in his police cruiser. Westyn didn’t know where they were going, but was excited.How a Police Officer Went Above and Beyond for a 7-Year-OldThe duo stopped at Town Hall, where a group of first responders and police were waiting to wish Westyn a happy birthday and usher him into the building.There, a party was waiting for him. The hall was decorated and brimming with pizza, cake, ice cream, presents, friends -- and a pinata! “There aren’t enough words to say how touched we were that all of these officers, firefighters, and friends all came out to share this day,” Kelly Ziegler said.The icing on the cake? Westyn was named honorary officer for the day. What would have been a crushing disappointment for Westyn turned into one of the best days of his young life thanks to the local heroes who made it their mission to give him the seventh birthday party he deserved. We often think of police in intense and sometimes violent situations, risking their lives to protect us from physical harm.However, there are also many local heroes who help by being part of the community and inspiring us in small -- but impactful -- ways every single day. It’s no wonder Westyn wanted a police-themed birthday!More from Goalcast:No One Shows Up to Excited 5-Year-Old’s Birthday Party – Until a Heartbreaking Post Gave Strangers an Idea9-Year-Old Invited Classmates To His Birthday Party, But No One Showed Up – Cop Steps In With Best Response