Close Ad

Everyday Heroes

Widow Learns About Her Late Husbands Huge Debt - Then She Gets a Message From a Stranger
Everyday Heroes

Widow Learns About Her Late Husbands Huge Debt - Then She Gets a Message From a Stranger

In April 2020, Meng Rui's husband, a fisherman, tragically drowned at sea. He left behind two children, aged 8 and 7 months...and a huge boatload of debt.Meng wasn't just devasted by his death, she was terrified. A stay-at-home mom with no income, the sudden loss of her husband left her not only grieving but also struggling to make ends meet for her family.To make matters worse, the compensation she received from his employer (the equivalent of $150,000) was completely used up, paying down the debt he had accrued years before to treat his father's serious illness. The family was left destitute...until a stranger contacted Meng on WeChat.Money From Mysterious Stranger Starts Arriving Every MonthTo put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads, Meng, 29, found a job in a supermarket earning a paltry $280 a month. While something, it wasn't enough to cover all of their expenses.Meng was drowning under the weight of financial insecurity.But then, one day out of the blue, Meng received a message from a stranger on WeChat. The person, who refused to reveal their true identity, had heard about her family's plight from a social worker and wanted to help.Shortly afterward, Meng received a money transfer of $200. Then again the next month and the next...And every month for the past four years. Extra cash arrives for important festivals and holidays, like the Lunar New Year. The money, which nearly doubles her monthly income, has been life-changing. Anonymous Benefactor RevealedFor four years, Meng's mysterious benefactor remained anonymous. However, with the help of the Chinese media, the single mom of two finally uncovered her fairy godmother — or in this case, godfather.He lived 20 hours away, in Zhoushan, China.Last month, Meng, along with her mother-in-law and her four-year-old daughter, hopped aboard a coach and a train to make the long trek to thank Yu Xiaolong in person."To thank this benefactor face-to-face has been a wish in my heart for a few years," Meng said.Her wish finally came true. Meng and her entourage met Yu in person at his company, a marine technology enterprise business."Thank you so much. Without your help, we could not live. Your monthly donation gives us hope." Meng Rui to Yu XiaolongIn addition to their heartfelt gratitude, the family also came bearing gifts, a silk appreciation banner and a bag of peanuts. "We do not have precious things to give you. These peanuts were planted by us. We hope you like them," Meng told Yu.Despite his significant impact on the Meng family, Yu remains humble telling them that his generosity is "not a big deal." It also isn't stopping any time soon. He plans to continue funding the family until the kids are 18 years old. Paying It ForwardYu's monthly donations don't just positively impact the family financially, they also have a profound side effect, one that can't be measured in dollars and cents.They instill a sense of hope and security for their future. And that? Is priceless.Meng hopes to pay his kindness forward someday and is teaching her kids to follow in their benefactor's footsteps."I will regard Mr. Yu as a family member. I will educate my kids to remember his kindness and make their own contribution to society in the future," she said.Yu heard about a stranger in need and decided to do something about it. And his recurring act of kindness is the difference between making it and not for one young family. Not all of us can afford to keep another family afloat financially, but we can all commit to spreading a different kind of wealth — kindness.More from Goalcast:Widowed Veteran Comes Up With an Incredible Idea to Combat His Depression – And He’s Doing It for FreeFirefighter Tragically Kills Pastor’s Pregnant Wife – Instead of Getting Revenge, the Widower Befriends HimRich Widower Shocks Relatives by Leaving $276,000 to Hotel Bellboy After His Death – Has a Heartwarming Reason Why

Prisoner Who Earns Only 13 Cents/ Hour Donates His Entire Wage - This Completely Changes His Life
Everyday Heroes

Prisoner Who Earns Only 13 Cents/ Hour Donates His Entire Wage - This Completely Changes His Life

Forty years ago, a man simply known as Hamza, was tried, convicted, and imprisoned for accidentally firing a gun and killing his uncle. He was only 16 years old.After spending a literal lifetime in jail, it isn't a stretch to assume that he's become hardened to the plights of others.And yet, after hearing about the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Hamza desperately wanted to do something to help the civilians affected. Despite earning a meager 13 cents/hour for prison janitorial duties, he didn't let the paltry sum stop him from donating everything he could to relief efforts.And now? He's getting the ultimate payback for his compassionate gesture. One Good Turn Deserves Another"Confused and heartbroken" by the news coming out of the Middle East, Hamza turned to his friend, filmmaker Justin Mashouf, for help.Unable to donate his paycheck on his own, he sent it to Mashouf to pass on. All $17.74 of it. (The total sum payment of 136.5 HOURS of work).Mashouf, touched by Hamza's act of kindness, shared the paycheck along with his timesheet on X (formerly Twitter).The social media post went viral, triggering an unexpected outpouring of love and support. Internet denizens flocked to the comments, wanting to know how they could donate to Hamza.It prompted Mashouf to launch a GoFundMe campaign, just in time for Hamza's long-awaited prison release. After four decades behind bars, the now 56-year-old has finally been granted parole. "He has lived with the pain of losing his family member due to his own mistake every day for decades," Mashouf wrote on the page. "While in prison, he has become a devout Muslim and has been pleading for parole for decades... Hamza has finally been granted parole and is set to walk free NEXT MONTH!"He also explained that the funds raised would give Hamza a "fresh start.""Your contributions will empower him to transition back into society with dignity and security after years of isolation," he wrote. "With your help, Hamza will access essential resources, secure housing and transportation, and navigate the challenges of his new freedom."Within two days, the fund was sitting at a whopping $102,172."He gave people hope by showing how selfless he is, and then they gave him hope through their kindness."Justin Mashouf via the Washington PostPaying It ForwardAlmost as quickly as it started, the campaign ended. In an incredible twist, Hamza chose to forego fortune and redirect the support he received towards those in desperate need."He said whatever has already been donated is sufficient for him," Mashouf shared. "And that he didn't want to distract people from those who were suffering more than him."In an update on the GoFundMe, Hamza thanked everyone for their generosity and kindness. He then asked people to consider donating to victims of war and poverty in Palestine, Yemen, and Africa."Look upon and consider the suffering children, mothers and fathers of Palestine, Yemen, and Africa living under inhuman[e] conditions, being bombed every hour of the day, without water, shelter, medication and food … who are ordinary people and citizens just like all of you living their lives having not a thing to do with the politicians, but are suffering [in]humanely, please give to them,” he wrote.On a personal note, he also revealed that he is looking forward to life on the other side of the prison gates. "I look forward to the promise of life, happiness, struggles and dreams, to soar and spread my wings, to be a man, a human being once again now that I know the preciousness and the incalculable value of Life."The Impact Even the Smallest Gestures of Kindness Can HaveHamza's donation to the people of Gaza wasn't huge. In fact, it was pretty inconsequential as far as monetary contributions go. But its impact was significant. By giving what he could, he inspired thousands to rally behind him. And that $17.74? Turned into more than $100,000.An unlikely hero, Hamza is proof that empathy, compassion, and goodness can thrive in any circumstance — even in those, like the confines of a prison cell, where it seems impossible. More from Goalcast:After Spending More Than 20 Years in Prison, Ex-convict Turned Franchise Owner Is Paying It ForwardGuard Refuses to Back Down Even After Prison Forbids Her From Taking Care of Inmate’s Baby – Her Kindness Gets Her FiredShe Was Born in Prison and Then Raised by a Single Dad – Years Later, She’s Going to Harvard on a Full Scholarship

Black Couple Helped Chinese-American Family When No One Else Would Now, They Are Paying It Back in a Big Way
Everyday Heroes

Black Couple Helped Chinese-American Family When No One Else Would Now, They Are Paying It Back in a Big Way

Eighty-five years ago, Gus and Emma Thompson didn't just open the door of their home to the Dongs, they opened the door for the Chinese-American family to achieve the American Dream.The Dongs never forgot it. And now, the last two remaining Dong children are paying it forward. They're donating $5 MILLION to the Black Resource Center of San Diego State University and petitioning to have the Center renamed the Gus and Emma Thompson Black Resource Center. A Black Couple Rents Their Home to a Chinese-American FamilyIt was 1939 in Coronado, California. A ritzy resort town known for its white sandy beaches, that's not all that was white. So were nearly all of its residents. With racially restrictive housing laws prohibiting immigrants and people of color from renting and buying in town, Coronado didn't exactly welcome Chinese-American Lloyd Dong and his wife, Margaret with open arms. In fact, finding a place to live was almost impossible. That is, until a Black couple, Gus and Emma Thompson, saved the day. Gus, a former slave from Kentucky, built his house and barn in 1895 before the housing restrictions were implemented. This meant that they were exempt. He used the loophole to his full advantage.Knowing all too well the struggle of racial discrimination, Gus and his wife Emma, successful Black entrepreneurs, made it their mission to defy the law and help the marginalized. They turned the top floor of the barn into a boarding house for seasonal black workers and rented the house to the Dongs. It was the start they needed. And, ultimately, it changed their lives. “At that time, this was the only place my Chinese parents could rent in Coronado,” Lloyd and Margaret's son, Ron, told The Coronado Times. “If it wasn’t for the Thompsons, my family would not have been able to live in Coronado where my father worked as a gardener."The First Chinese-American Family to Purchase Real Estate in CoronadoThe couple rented the house at 832 C Ave. for 17 years. It's where they raised four children. And eventually, in 1955, it's where they became the first Chinese American family to own real estate in Coronado (after buying the house and barn from Emma). In 1957, Lloyd and Margaret Dong replaced the barn with an eight-unit apartment complex. Years passed and life, as it does, changed. Their children went on to university and built their careers and fortunes. Their sons, Ron and Lloyd Jr. moved away. But they continued to manage the properties from afar.Today, Ron Dong (87), his wife Janice, and Lloyd Dong Jr. (82) are the last surviving family members. And after 85 years, they're finally saying goodbye to the home they credit with changing their lives. Paying It Back by Paying It ForwardIn an incredible full-circle moment, Ron and Lloyd Jr. are selling the Coronado property and donating their $5 million proceeds back to the Black community. They hope it helps kids who otherwise might not be able to, go to college. The brothers say they owe their success in life to the opportunity the Thompsons gave them.“Because we grew up in Coronado, and got our education here, we have become financially able to donate this money to the center, and we are happy to do that,” said Lloyd Dong, Jr.“What’s important here is what was given to us, to our family, and the education that came from it, and now is the time to give it back,” said Ron Dong.The Thompsons didn't have to open their home to the Dongs. At a time when they were at risk of being persecuted for helping them, they could have easily turned a blind eye. But they did it anyway.Gus and Emma Thompson weren't afraid to stand up for what was right. And in doing so, not only did they change one family's life for the better, but now they are changing the lives of many more to come. More from Goalcast:Cop Accuses Black Women of Shoplifting After They Spent $300 at T.J. Maxx – He Instantly Regrets ItBlack Mom Is Asked if She Is Her White Daughter’s Nanny – Frustrated, She Sets the Record StraightBlack Woman Receives Hate Letters for Marrying a White Man – 58 Years Later, They’re Still Together

Friend Confides in Librarian About Her Abusive Relationship - So She Uses a Book to Come up With an Ingenious Plan
Everyday Heroes

Friend Confides in Librarian About Her Abusive Relationship - So She Uses a Book to Come up With an Ingenious Plan

*If you or someone you love is a victim of domestic violence please call 9-1-1 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE (7233)*Domestic violence is cloaked in secrecy. On the outside, it's disguised as a happy, picture-perfect home. But inside, the reality is shocking. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, one in four women and one in nine men have been the victim of physical brutality at the hands of their partner. Every 9 seconds a woman in the United States is assaulted or beaten.The statistics are staggering, not to mention incredibly disturbing. But one librarian in Westwood, Massachusetts is working to change it, one book at a time.How One Librarian Is Using Books to Help Save Victims of Domestic ViolenceMolly Riportella, 36, isn't just a librarian, she's also a domestic abuse survivor. She understands being abused, trapped, manipulated, silenced, and controlled by someone who claims to love her. And she knows just how hard it is to escape... She's done it. So when a friend in an abusive relationship confided in her and reached out for help, Riportella didn't hesitate. Knowing that abusers often closely monitor their victims' communications and movements, Riportella bought her friend a burner phone.She also created a new email account, added DV/social services contacts, and left notes on the phone to help her make a plan to escape. But they still had to come up with a way for her friend to conceal it. And that's where the books came in. "After realizing they couldn’t bring home the phone, and a meandering conversation that included Nancy Drew and spy novels, we decided I would make a book safe," Riportella said. Using a discarded book from the library, she cut out the pages and created a hidden compartment — just the right size to hold a phone.Her friend used it to connect with domestic abuse advocates who helped her get out. It was just the beginning.Book-It 2 FreedomNow, Riportella has created a "grassroots library and social justice movement." She calls it the BiblioUnderground; an underground network with the sole purpose of "checking people out of bad situations."She buys pre-paid burner phones with her own money and loads them up with resources such as safety planning, pro bono legal action, and how to get a restraining order. All the things she wish she'd known when she was trapped in an abusive relationship in her 20s. She says that working in a library is a perfect place to meet women looking for resources to help them leave dangerous situations. Her vision is to eventually "establish a network of resourceful book nerds from across the country who create Book-it 2 Freedom Kits (Bi2Fks) and pass them onto local experts," like abuse advocacy groups, OBGYNs, and health and human services departments. She's also created a GoFundMe campaign to help raise funds. So far, it's sitting at almost $15,000.Riportella knows that having access to a phone isn't the be-all, end-all solution to ending domestic violence. But having unfettered access to people and organizations who can help is a good place to start.Doing the Right Thing, Even if It’s HardAs for what motivated Riportella to take this leap despite the risk that her abuser, who stalked her for years, would show up in her life again?"I can't live in fear anymore. People have to do the right thing, even if it's hard, even if it's scary. You just have to do it anyway." Molly RiportellaMore from Goalcast:Struggling Student Hangs Up the Phone in Tears – Then Receives a Strange Note From Someone She Didn’t KnowDomino’s Manager Gets a Phone Call From Dejected Mother – Decides to Go the Extra “Mile” When He Hears the Reason WhyHigh School Sweethearts Break Up After Graduation – 63 Years Later, One Phone Call Leads to Their Marriage

9-Year-Old Girl Loses Her Mom - Years Later, She Pens a Message About Her Single Dad
Everyday Heroes

9-Year-Old Girl Loses Her Mom - Years Later, She Pens a Message About Her Single Dad

Being a parent is hard. Doing it alone can feel nearly impossible. And yet, every day, millions of single parents step up to the plate and kill it, taking on the roles of both mother and father to their children.Tiana Sheehan was only nine years old when her mother died from lung cancer and her father, Glenn, suddenly found himself thrust into single parenthood. Over the next few years, he would be her sole guardian, guiding her through all the messy bits of growing up, including the ones in which most daughters typically turn to their mothers for help. It didn't go unnoticed. At the age of 23, fourteen years after her mother passed away, Tiana penned an emotional tribute to her dad, thanking him for "fulfilling both roles."And it's a powerful message to all the single parents out there.Daughter’s Letter to Her Single Dad Goes ViralIn a Facebook post that went viral on the page, Love What Matters, Tiana shared a core memory of her dad after a routine trip to the grocery store.She explained that she had been shopping in Meijer when she overheard a mother talking to her daughter about shaving her legs."It was her first time shopping for razors, and her mom was explaining what kind of razor she needed, how to shave her legs, etc.," Tiana wrote. "I felt that little punch in the gut that I normally feel when I see a mom and daughter doing mom-and-daughter things. I can't help it."And while she felt the familiar twinge of jealousy and sorrow, it also reminded her of a similar moment she shared with her dad when she was 10, and it made her giggle. "I'll never forget the look on my dad's face when I told him I wanted to shave my legs. It was the summer after mom died and some of the girls I went to summer camp with started teasing me about my hairy legs."There are some things in parenthood that you are just never prepared for. "I remember coming up to Dad and being so embarrassed to ask him for help, but man, did he handle it like a champ!" she continued. "For a moment he put his head down; and then he turned the TV off, took me into the bathroom, gave me a new blade on his razor, gave me his shaving cream, and taught me how to shave my legs."Despite being completely out of his depth, her dad didn't try to push her off or find the nearest woman. Instead, he pulled through. And Tiana? Never forgot it. Shoutout to the Single DadsWhen it comes to single parenting, mothers tend to take on the lion's share of the role. But there are a lot of single dads out there too. And it's to these single dads that Tiana addressed the next part of her letter. "Single dads don't get the credit they deserve; especially mine and all dads who are left playing both roles," Tiana continued in her post. "There was never a time in my childhood where I truly thought I was missing out on anything. My dad was so good at fulfilling both roles and making sure my childhood was as normal as possible; that there was never a time I thought life or God had screwed me over."Her dad handled it all — periods, shaving, broken hearts, even catty girlfriends. Tiana ended her post with a heartfelt thank you to her dad for never being too embarrassed to do the "girl stuff.""Dad, I know I haven't said it enough, so here's a big public THANK YOU for never, ever, ever being too much of a man to be my mom." Her words hit home. Not just with her dad but with the more than 40,000 people who liked her post. Tiana and her dad were shocked by the response. "I never thought in a million years that so many people would see and share it — or that it would resonate with so many people," Tiana told People. Single Parents Are SuperheroesOftentimes as parents, we feel like we're failing. Like we're not doing enough. For single parents, this can hit doubly hard as they carry the weight of providing and caring for their children without the support of a partner.Taking on the roles of both mother and father is no easy feat. And yet, so many parents do it all every single day. Making sure that their kids are happy, healthy, and above all else, loved. And that is something to honor and celebrate. "Single parents rock! They deserve all the praise in the world. It’s not single moms or single dads, single PARENTS are superheroes!" Tiana Sheehan via PeopleWe couldn't agree more. More from Goalcast:Shocked Mom Finds Dozens of Notes In Her Daughter’s Drawers – Realizes Her Husband Has Given ThemGarbage Collector Wakes Up at 3 AM to Make Only $10 a Day – Years Later, His Daughter Makes His Dream Come TrueGarbage Collector Wakes Up at 3 AM to Make Only $10 a Day – Years Later, His Daughter Makes His Dream Come True

Teen With Down Syndrome Gets Cut From Cheer Team - But She Didnt Let It Stop Her
Everyday Heroes

Teen With Down Syndrome Gets Cut From Cheer Team - But She Didnt Let It Stop Her

Being cut from a school team can be a difficult experience for a kid. Sure, it can help build resilience but it comes at a cost (usually heartbreak, a sucker punch to self-esteem, and copious amounts of mint chocolate chip ice cream).But when 13-year-old Emmie Tallent (who has Down syndrome) didn't make her school's cheer squad she responded in the most epic way possible — she cheered anyway. The determined girl took to the sidelines while her Chattanooga, Tennessee school's cheer squad performed inside their gymnasium. And she danced, matching the entire routine, move for move. Her 22-year-old sister, Sydnee, captured it all on video and now? It's capturing all our hearts. After Being Cut From the Squad, 13-Year-Old Girl Comes Out CheeringIn an Instagram reel that's gone viral with over 3 million views and 87,000 likes, Emmie, dressed in a black dress and tie-dyed shoes, faces off against the official squad and slays the routine right along with them.Her performance is nothing short of inspiring. “Girl didn’t make the cheer team but she don’t care,” Sydnee captioned the post. “I aspire to have an ounce of her confidence.”(Don't we all).In a subscript, she explained:“The team did not have a lot of spots and even neurotypical girls (who were much better than Emmie) didn’t make it! Emmie’s school is super, super supportive, but there are hard decisions that have to be made sometimes.”She went on to add that "Emmie is still happy cheering with them at home games and my mom is secretly happy that she doesn’t have to drive my sister to tons of cheer stuff..."(And all the sports parents out there are nodding their heads in solidarity.)Sydnee also shared that despite Emmie not making the squad, she isn't just sitting at home. She takes gymnastics and dance, both of which she loves."I’m sure in the future Emmie will make cheer somewhere, but today she’s perfectly happy as she is :) Thank you everyone for caring about her!" she added.A Lesson in Self-Esteem and ConfidenceIn an interview with People, Emmie's mother, Lisa Tallent, shared that initially, Emmie didn't understand that she didn't make the team. She was, after all, a seasoned cheerleader, having been on the squad in grades four and five. It wasn't until about a week later that the realization finally sank in. There were some tears but not enough to dampen the sixth grader's school spirit.Thanks to her previous experience, Emmie can pick up routines and moves really quickly. A talent she proved in her now-viral video. And she has no plans of stopping. She'll continue to spread her joy, albeit from the sidelines. For now. As for her older sister Sydnee, she plans to keep on sharing snippets of Emmie's life in the hopes of spreading awareness about living with Down syndrome.“I’ve always wanted to share Emmie’s humor and positivity with others. There are a lot of people who have no exposure or experience with people with special needs and it can make them close-minded," she said. "I wanted to give a little piece of Emmie out to the world so those people can see the joy that comes with someone with special needs."She also hopes that Down syndrome aside, we can all learn a valuable lesson in self-esteem and finding joy in the face of adversity from a 13-year-old girl who refused to let rejection define her.And if there is anything to be taken away from this, it's this: If you ever find yourself in a situation where you have to choose to sit it out or dance? Choose dance.More from Goalcast:Server Overhears Customers Making a Rude Comment About a Child With Down Syndrome – Risks His Job to Does ThisFourth Grader Makes a Promise to Classmate With Down Syndrome – Years Later, He Shows Up to Fulfill the PactDesperate Mom Puts Out Ad to Hire Friends For Lonely Son With Down Syndrome — The Response is Shocking

Single Moms Driveway Is Stolen in Broad Daylight - Then a Stranger Makes an Offer She Cant Refuse
Everyday Heroes

Single Moms Driveway Is Stolen in Broad Daylight - Then a Stranger Makes an Offer She Cant Refuse

When Amanda Brochu received a ring doorbell notification on her phone, the last thing she expected to see was her driveway being "stolen" in broad daylight.The victim of a bizarre property scam, the single mom not only found herself suddenly driveway-less BUT ALSO on the hook for thousands of dollars to replace it. That is until a stranger stepped in and paved the way to renewing her faith (and ours!) in humanity. The Strange Case of the Stolen DrivewayAccording to Amanda, it all started about a week after she put her house up for sale in Orange County, Florida. Unsolicited contractors began calling her and showing up at her house, asking to measure her driveway so they could quote her the cost of replacing it.Confused, she told them she wasn't interested. But they just kept coming. By the fifth contractor, Amanda was really starting to question what was going on. When she confronted one of them she discovered that a man named "Andre" was posing as her landlord (which was impossible as Amanda owns the home) and had requested an estimate for a new driveway via text.When the now-suspicious contractor, Luiz, asked Andre for proof of ownership and payment up front, he was ghosted.However, Andre wasn't the only one who disappeared. A week later, Amanda's entire driveway did too. "While I was preparing to head out of town for my birthday and Christmas with my kids, I received a ring doorbell notification that someone was outside of my house, ripping up my driveway before my eyes," Amanda wrote on her GoFundMe page. "By the time, the cops got there the company that was tearing up my driveway had already completed the job and left my driveway with only dirt."And Amanda was left with a hefty estimate to replace it to the tune of $10,000. Already under contract on another house, it was money she didn't have. How One Stranger Restored a Single Mom’s Faith in HumanityWith the help of her real estate agent, Rocki Sanchez, Amanda created a GoFundMe campaign to try to raise money to pay for a new driveway. "The cost to replace the driveway is astronomical and I’m seeking some sort of help so I don’t lose the opportunity to purchase my forever home that my kids have already fell in love with. Thank you to anyone that can help and anything helps!" Amanda wrote.The bizarre case of the missing driveway quickly went viral, making headlines nationwide. Because...weird.And while 375 people donated more than $13,500, it was one man, retired U.S. military veteran, Mikol Rowland, who truly saved the day.Now the owner of his own concrete company, MM Concrete Specialty, Mikol was shocked when he found out what happened. He offered to replace Amanda's driveway for free. "Somebody was in need of something that we could offer," Mikol said. "We could bring some good into the world with it, so there was no question about it."In the end he estimated that the work cost his company approximately $4,000. But for Amanda? It was worth so much more.As for that stolen driveway? It turns out its not so bizarre after all. Rocki Sanchez posted about the missing driveway in a Facebook group for realtors and found out that Amanda isn't the only victim of the property scam.“I had multiple people come forward saying that they’ve seen things like this happen — whether it be driveways, roofs, painting, even outside the exterior. So it happens more often than we actually see it,” Rocki told WFTV.Single Mom Pays It ForwardAmanda was so grateful for Mikol's help that she decided to pay it forward. She disabled the GoFundMe campaign and donated the proceeds to The Russell Home — an Orlando-area nonprofit that provides housing and care for infants, children, and adults with severe disabilities.Mikol couldn't be more thrilled. "I would do it all over again. Ten times, if I could help the kids," he said. "It's just a win-win-win for everybody, and it feels good to hear a good story out in the news."What started out as a horrible act against someone turned into a heartwarming act of service and became the foundation for even more goodness. Just by helping one person with the skills and means that he could offer, Mikol ended up having a much greater impact than he could have imagined and made a difference not only in Amanda's life but the lives of so many others in his community as well. More from Goalcast: Man Finds Out a Thief Has Broken Into and Stolen From His Restaurant – His Unexpected Reaction Goes Viral Woman Finds Out Her Car Is Repeatedly Being Stolen – So She Leaves the Thieves This ‘Snarky’ Note in the Glovebox Bullied Boy Loses Hope After a Priceless Gift From His Grandmother Is Stolen – But His Best Friends Feel Otherwise

Racist Woman Refuses to Let 9-Year-Old Into a Birthday Party - Years Later, an Empty Chair Teaches an Important Lesson
Everyday Heroes

Racist Woman Refuses to Let 9-Year-Old Into a Birthday Party - Years Later, an Empty Chair Teaches an Important Lesson

Every day for fifty-three years, Dan Gill has stood in front of a classroom of students. His room is full and yet, one chair always remains empty. It sits front and center, a poignant reminder of an injustice that happened long ago. One that ended up defining his life and is now, shaping the lives of generations of students. And while the chair may be empty, it holds an invaluable lesson in inclusion. A 9-Year-Old Comes Face-To-Face With the Ugliness of RacismIt was 1956 when Gill (white) and his best friend Archie Shaw (Black) excitedly knocked on the door of their friend's New York apartment. They were there for his birthday party but when the friend's mother opened the door, she informed them that she only had one available chair.Confused, Gill told her that he could sit on the floor. "No, you don't understand," she responded. "There are no more chairs." And that's when it hit him. He was welcome but Archie wasn't."I can still see this woman's face," Gill told the Washington Post. "I felt so bad because he had been humiliated. We gave her the presents and I said we're going to go to my house, where there are plenty of chairs."The boys left, sobbing.It's a moment that's stayed with him for more than 65 years.The Empty Chair Fast forward to 1970. Gill started teaching social studies with the Montclair School District. The Vietnam War was raging and the civil rights movement had come to an end after Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination.But Gill wasn't done fighting. He was instrumental in helping to desegregate the Montclair public schools and every year, on Martin Luther King Jr. day, he would tell his story about Archie and the birthday party to his students.Sometime in the 1980s, Gill decided he needed to do more. He wanted to honor his childhood friend every day of the year. And that's when he got the idea for the empty chair. "Kids work well with symbols," Gill told CBS News. "It's a reminder that they can do better — better academically, socially, and emotionally — but also to make people feel welcome and make this a better place to live."Over the years, hundreds of students have sat in Gill's classroom and while they may not remember all of his lessons, they always remember the empty chair.Gill retired in 2023 after 53 years of teaching. At the time, he was 75 years old. A Legacy Lives OnSadly, the two friends lost touch after elementary school, and last year, Gill learned that Archie passed away in 2021. However, his legacy will live on. Gill is currently writing a picture book, "No More Chairs," that is being published by Little and Brown in 2025. He plans to dedicate it to Archie. Our lives are made up of a series of moments. Many we forget, but some live with us forever, shaping us and defining who we become. For veteran teacher Dan Gill, that moment happened in the doorway of a New York City apartment when he was just nine years old.He credits it for why he became a teacher and why it's so important to him to share Archie's story with the world. "Not all of us can become president, not all of us can become senators, but if all of us do our due diligence in how we treat other people, then this will be a better world." Dan GillNo one should ever have to experience the humiliation and heartache that Archie did that day. And while society has seemingly come a long way, we still have a long way to go when it comes to racial equality. It's up to all of us to make the people around us feel welcome, included, and accepted.After all, everyone deserves a seat...literally and otherwise.More from Goalcast: Man Sees a Couple Staring at Him and His Son at Cracker Barrel – He Finds Out Why in the Note They Give Him Racist Clerk Makes 10-Year-Old Boy Cry – When His Father Finds Out, He Decides to Confront Him Black Woman Sits Next to Man Sending Racist Texts About Her to His Family – Her Reaction Has Everyone Applauding

16-Year-Old Becomes Homeless After Parents Ask Her to Move Out - Years Later, a Shocking Scene Changes Everything
Everyday Heroes

16-Year-Old Becomes Homeless After Parents Ask Her to Move Out - Years Later, a Shocking Scene Changes Everything

Jessica Pearce knows the hardship of being homeless. Three days shy of her 16th birthday, her parents asked her to move out. Alone and living on the streets, her math teacher came to her rescue, helping her secure a place at a home for teenagers who were working to finish their education.Years later, it's an experience that's stayed with her. And now? She's taking that experience and making a profound difference in the lives of others experiencing homelessness. Coming Face-To-Face With Her City’s HomelessBack in 2016, at the age of 38, Jessica and her partner came face-to-face with Melbourne, Australia's homeless. Literally.Staying at a hotel over Christmas, the couple was shocked to find the nearby streets "lined with people sleeping on mattresses or on the ground.""I guess we felt shocked and I suppose a bit guilty — we didn't realise how bad the housing situation in Melbourne was," Jessica told ABC Radio Melbourne."I guess it just touched me and I thought that maybe there was something that we could do."Jessica PearceSo, the duo spent two nights wandering the streets, handing out $20 and $50 bills and getting to know each person's story. They even went so far as to invite one of the men they met, an estranged father of two, to stay with them, before putting him up at a motel for a month.But Jessica felt convicted to do more. Having just paid off her mortgage, she was considering buying an investment property in Melbourne. But why just buy one when you could buy four?Former Homeless Teen Buys Four Houses — Provides Free Accommodation for Families in NeedA successful business owner and mother of four, Jessica, inspired by her own brush with homelessness, decided it was time to pay it forward. Not one to sit around, she bought four houses within two weeks with the intent of providing safe and affordable housing for young people and families in need. But what started as a solo operation quickly turned into an incredible joint venture. One of the brokerage firms that helped her find the homes was so inspired by her act of philanthropy that they donated furniture.Jessica also enlisted the help of both a youth organization and a women's shelter. In an amazing full-circle moment, two of her houses are now being used to help teenagers just like her, who need a place to stay while they finish their education.The third home is allocated specifically for single mothers and the fourth is being used as transitional housing for people with children who are on a waiting list for long-term accommodation.This collaborative effort has turned Jessica's vision into a sustainable and impactful program that continues to make a lasting difference in the lives of those less fortunate.For Jessica, it's all about giving something back. “I have had good times and difficult times, but most of the time, I’ve been more fortunate than others. So it's now that I feel I am really able to give something back.”Jessica PearceAnd she hopes that others will be inspired to follow in her footsteps. How We Can Help the HomelessThe reality is that not everyone has the financial means to buy homes for the homeless. But that doesn't mean we can't make a difference. As the number of people experiencing homelessness continues to skyrocket, there are several ways we can help.Joining the fight against homelessness can take various forms, and individuals can make a meaningful impact through both direct and indirect means, including donating food, money, and various necessities to shelters and organizations, volunteering, and supporting affordable housing initiatives. The more people who step up to help those who are struggling in their communities, the closer we are to becoming a society where everyone has a place to call home.More from Goalcast:Homeless Family of 5 Lives in a Broken-Down Bus – Then a Stranger Makes an Offer That Sounds Like a “Cruel Joke” to ThemTeens Witness Homeless Man Crying in a Chick-fil-A – So They Go ShoppingCouple Passes by Homeless Man Who Has Lived on the Streets for 3 Years – Decide to Give Him a Christmas He’ll Never Forget

Stranger Shows Up at Womans House in the Middle of the Night - Her Doorbell Camera Catches the Entire Exchange
Everyday Heroes

Stranger Shows Up at Womans House in the Middle of the Night - Her Doorbell Camera Catches the Entire Exchange

A woman's purse isn't just a bag. It serves a valuable purpose — carrying important, personal items you need. Essential things like your wallet, credit cards, ID, phone, car keys, chapstick...a bag of Doritos (you know, in case of emergencies).So when U.K. resident Georgia lost hers after attending her staff Christmas party, she was understandably upset. In the words of the great Bonnie Tyler, she needed a hero. Lucky for her, she had one. He may not have been a "knight on a fiery steed" but he does know a thing or two about fire. Nyma Zadeh, an off-duty firefighter, found her purse in a gas station and then drove over an hour in the middle of the night just to return it. HERO.Not All Heroes Wear CapesFootage of Nyma's heartwarming act of kindness was captured by Georgia's ring doorbell camera and shared by her employer, Bows Boutiques, on social media where it promptly went viral (because who doesn't love a hero?)The black and white video shows Nyma standing on the front step in the dead of night saying, "I've got your bag. Are you Georgia?"After confirming that yes, she was indeed Georgia, the relieved woman tells him that she's been crying her eyes out over her lost purse. She even offers to give him a monetary reward, which in true hero form, he refuses.“Do you know what? I was going to leave it till tomorrow morning,” he responds. “But I remember my ex lost her bag on a night out, and she was under stress. And I just thought, ‘You know what, I’ll just go and drop it off now.’”This guy KNOWS.After he puts the purse in her recycling bin Georgia once again tries to offer him money. Again he refuses."Just pay it forward. Just do something nice for the next person," Nyma tells her. "I'm a firefighter, I don't need money for doing a good deed."And then, like the superhero he is, Nyma slips off into the night. However, his identity doesn't remain secret for long. Thanks to the power of social media and hordes of inquiring minds who wanna know, it doesn't take long before someone recognizes him.As for how he feels about becoming the world's newest superhero? He's just happy he could help and he hopes the purse is okay."Glad to help... hope the bag didn't get too dirty from the inside of the bin," he jokingly commented on Bows Boutiques' IG post. Once a Hero, Always a HeroIt seems Nyma is in the habit of finding and returning lost things. According to a post on X (formerly Twitter), he returned a woman's lost dog last year. For that good deed, the grateful owner donated £250 to the Firefighters Charity in Nyma's honor. As for Georgia's lost purse? It may seem insignificant but to anyone who has lost a purse or a wallet, it's a big deal. Nyma could have chosen a different way to deal with it. He could have just ignored it or left it with the gas station attendant. Instead, he chose to drive over an hour IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT to return it. As one commenter aptly put it, "What a total gent and a decent human being. Restores your faith in humanity." In an update, Bows Boutiques reveals that three days after the Christmas party Georgia and Nyma met face-to-face. And it turns out, he's just as wonderful in the light of day."He is such a genuine kind man it was an absolute pleasure to meet him. His videos had millions of views and we hope he will be a positive influence on many," they captioned their post.Nyma's sweet act of kindness proves that it doesn't take money or a grand gesture to make a real difference in someone's life. Sometimes positively impacting someone's life looks like something as simple as returning a lost purse.After all, it costs nothing to do the right thing (except maybe a tank of gas *wink*).More from Goalcast:Firefighter Tragically Kills Pastor’s Pregnant Wife – Instead of Getting Revenge, the Widower Befriends HimWaitress Hands Exhausted Firefighters a Note After Paying for Their Meal – Little Did She Know What Was Going to HappenWoman Leaves Her Newborn Baby Girl in a Drop Box – The Firefighter Who Found Her Just Became Her Dad