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Uplifting News

Homeless Man Is On The Verge of Giving Up - But a Cup of Hot Chocolate Changes His Life

Cian Murtagh builds homes for other people, but ironically, he doesn't have one of his own.He grew up in state care and aged out at 18 years old, landing on the streets. He's lived there ever since. Now 30, he's spent the past 12 years just struggling to survive despite working a full-time job. However not anymore. Thanks to the incredible kindness of strangers and the power of GoFundMe, he finally has a place to call home.

Bullied Little Boy Begs Neighbors to Help Him Find Friends - Looking At His Plight, They Raise $40K for Him
Uplifting News

Bullied Little Boy Begs Neighbors to Help Him Find Friends - Looking At His Plight, They Raise $40K for Him

Unfortunately, bullying is still pretty common in the United States. Nearly one out of every five students (about 20%) report being bullied during the school year. Being bullied in your neighborhood is just as rough because no one wants to be uncomfortable or feel unwelcome in their own community.That’s how one little boy was feeling when he began ringing on neighborhood doorbells in Texas recently. Dejected from the continuous bullying, he was in search of friends — fast.A Desperate PlightIn July, 11-year-old Shayden Walker rang the doorbell of his neighbors Brennan and Angell Ray. He was looking for friends. “I just wanted to see if you knew any kids who are like, 11, 12, maybe cause I need some friends,” he said. “Really bad.”In the video, which Brennan later posted on TikTok, you can hear the father explaining how a couple of kids live a few houses over. “Ok, well, they’re not my friends anymore because they’re bullies to me. They keep bullying me,” Shayden explained.He then offered to be friends with Brennan and Angell’s two-year-old. Touched, Brennan promised that if he saw Shayden around, he would stop and chat with him. But he knew he needed to do more. So he and Angell started a GoFundMe to help this kid find some friends.“My main thing, I was thinking of Shayden. I was thinking about how this is going to make this kid’s summer, it’s going to change his life possibly, so he was like really what was on my mind, just making sure that he’s happy and can make some friends,” Brennan told an ABC News outlet.The Situation Goes Viral The video touched a lot of other people as well, and the story quickly went viral. Within the first hour of posting the GoFundMe link, they had raised $2,000. The initial goal was $7,000, as Brennan and Angell figured they might be able to help Shayden get a gaming system and some new clothes or maybe even a couple of amusement park tickets.Five hours later, however, they had already raised $10,000.“Before I could get off work, we had passed $20,000, and so it was honestly, it was mind-blowing how fast it happened,” Angell said. “We were honestly hoping to get to Shayden and his parents before they had seen it, but it had gone so viral that there was no way.”When Shayden’s mom, Krishna Patterson, saw the video, she was thankful for the neighbors who wanted to help her son.“When I was able to see the video and see the pain in Shayden’s eyes, I realized that these people were just good-hearted, literal walking angels who wanted to do something good for a boy they saw in pain,” she told the outlet.Putting the Money to Good UsePhoto by Mikhail NilovAs touched as Krishna was, she knew there were other families and kids out there who needed the money more than her son did. So she asked the couple to turn the fundraiser off, but not before it reached nearly $40,000.“After I and Shayden talked about it, we agreed to donate some of that,” Krishna added, explaining the funds would go towards tornado victims and to the war in Ukraine.Meanwhile, others have responded in really sweet ways. Whataburger’s official account offered to send Shayden and his new friends to get something to eat on them. Howie Mandel reached out. Jake Paul reached out and is interested in having Shayden catch a fight and do a meet-and-greet. Many random people have offered to help send him to Disney, and even more reached out with offers to help him forge new friendships through camps, classes, and sports.For Brennan, the entire experience was a lesson in compassion and understanding.“Easily, I can say off top don’t ever judge anybody by how they look, how they talk, how they act, because you never know what somebody is going through, you never know the struggles that are going on within themselves, at home, so just be kind to everybody and be aware of the situation,” he said.Everyone Can Make a DifferenceThe biggest takeaway for Angell was how it only took a couple of people to make a big difference in one little boy’s life. “We are just two normal people in Amarillo, Texas, so just one person having the courage to step out and ask for friends leads to another person having the courage to step out and ask and spread awareness on bullying, so it’s just been a great chain reaction of amazing things happening,” she said.It’s proof that if you want to make a difference, all you need is yourself. By being brave and speaking up, you can inspire many others with your words and resilience.If you see something wrong, don’t be afraid to step in for what is right. If the situation seems dangerous, call for help. And most importantly, remember that one person can make a difference by listening, helping others, and using their skills for good.Brennan and Angell did exactly that when one little boy came knocking, and they inspired a nation as a result.More from Goalcast:Teen Finds Out His Classmates Are Bullying His Best Friend for His Old Shoes – So He Saves Up $135 and Does ThisGrocery Store Worker Completely Changes This Lonely Widower’s Christmas After She Invited Him to DinnerDesperate Mom Puts Out Ad to Hire Friends For Lonely Son With Down Syndrome — The Response is Shocking

Thieves Vandalize 65-Year-Old Starbucks Baristas Car - So Fellow Employees Take Matters Into Their Own Hands
Uplifting News

Thieves Vandalize 65-Year-Old Starbucks Baristas Car - So Fellow Employees Take Matters Into Their Own Hands

It's no secret that people LOVE coffee. But for students and faculty at Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, what they love even more than their daily caffeine fix is the person who serves it. For the past 13 years, Karen Collinsworth, 65, has been a supervisor and barista at the Starbucks on campus. Affectionately dubbed "Starbucks mom" by her youthful staff and customers, she dishes out so much more than just coffee; she pours out love. So, karma being what it is when Karen needed a helping hand, an army of coffee (and Karen) lovers had her back.Starbucks Employees Rally the TroopsKaren's car, a 2004 Kia Amanti, was already on its last legs. She struggled to get it started and often had to rely on neighbors to give her a boost. Then a thief stole her catalytic converter — a part worth hundreds of dollars on the black market.To make matters worse, days later, it was broken into and several items were stolen from its interior. Upon learning about their colleague's latest car misfortunes, Karen's coworkers decided it was time to take action. "Us baristas were talking, and we decided it would be amazing to try to get Karen a reliable vehicle," Jaiden Horn, 19, a sophomore and fellow Starbucks employee told the Washington Post.What began as a casual conversation about helping her get back on her feet quickly evolved into a full-fledged fundraising campaign.The "Anonymous Baristas" started a GoFundMe campaign, simply calling it "We love you Karen."They were hoping that people would donate the cost of a venti latte or two.In the description, they wrote: "Beloved Starbucks supervisor, Karen, deserves all the love and happiness in the world! If everyone donated $5-10, even $1, we could help her buy a working car and ensure she wouldn’t have to worry about monthly bills. This way, she can continue doing what she loves (connecting with Starbucks customers) without worrying about monthly expenses :)"The original goal was set at $10,000. In just days, it reached four times that amount.GoFundMe Campaign for Starbucks Employee SkyrocketsMore than 1,200 people donated an impressive $40,115 before the organizers disabled the campaign.Karen's coworkers believe that it was so successful due to “the amount of people she has touched throughout her entire life.”And based on the comments on the GoFundMe and the university's Facebook page, this definitely rings true.“We’ve known Karen for years,” wrote one person who contributed $50. “… She always took care of us. She ‘mothered’ Lauren and Kelly while they worked at Starbucks. She’s an angel!”“Karen always made me smile when I came into Starbucks everyday! She knew my name and my order by heart,” another person wrote. “She really cared about everyone who came through the doors.”"I remember Karen. I remember when I graduated in 2013 and I was going to the campus Starbucks for a final latte and to say goodbye and she gave me a great hug across the counter."Commenter after commenter praised Karen for her kindness and for making a difference in their day."Karen is the BEST woman ever!!!!! She always brightens my day""KAREN at the campus Starbucks literally was the kindest soul I’ve ever met. She made my college experience so much better. So many early morning conversations and ice coffees in that Starbucks while I studied."The Best Way to Get Love Is to Give ItAs for Karen's response to the outpouring of love?“I was taken aback when I found out. It was very overwhelming. I knew these kids loved me because I love them,” Karen, who has one daughter, said. “But for them to be 19-year-old college students … They have so much going on in their life, but then to take care of their Starbucks mom, Karen. That’s just how big their hearts are.”But her colleagues say when it comes to big hearts, there's no heart bigger than Karen's.Initially, Karen planned to fix her car with the money but now, with the help of her daughter Lindsay, she's the proud new owner of a Kia Sportage!"She has made me realize that just being kind to somebody can really change their entire day."Jaiden HornWhen it comes to good karma, there's a saying "The best way to get love is to give it." Karen is the epitome of this truth. By showing love to all those around her, they showed her love right back.And it doesn't stop there. Her ripple of kindness has created a wave, inspiring others to spread their own positivity. More from Goalcast:Mom Pulls Up to Starbucks Drive-Thru – Is Shocked When Her Coast Guard Son Pops Out of HidingStarbucks Barista Asks a Homeless Man Eating His Meal to Leave – But a Stranger Didn’t Allow This to Happen

Man Realizes His 77-Year-Old Former Teacher Is Living in His Car - Gets Him Back on His Feet
Uplifting News

Man Realizes His 77-Year-Old Former Teacher Is Living in His Car - Gets Him Back on His Feet

En route to work every day, Steve Nava noticed something peculiar: a man sitting in a vehicle near his house. With time, he realized that he wasn't carpooling or waiting for someone. "I noticed that he had all of his belongings in his car, and that's when I realized he was homeless," Steve Nava to NBC Los Angeles.Out of PlaceWhen he looked closer, Nava realized that it wasn't just anyone, rather 77-year-old José Villaruel, affectionately known as 'Mr. V,' a former substitute teacher in Southern California.After talking to him, Nava learned that Villaruel was homeless during the pandemic and was living out of his car. Still, Nava found out that it wasn't the worst part. "I spoke to Mr. V, and he told me that the only source of income was a monthly Social Security check, and that most of that money was sent to his wife who is very ill in Mexico."The Community Rallied Around Their Favorite TeacherHearing his plight, Nava's decision was simple. "I had a mission to help the teacher who was going through a difficult time during the pandemic," Nava said. With that, he found him a hotel and gave him $300. However, Nava didn't stop there as he took to Twitter asking his peers for help along with starting a GoFundMe page. “Mr. V was a great, funny, and helpful educator and substitute teacher in the Fontana Unified School District,” Nava wrote. “He’s struggled with getting back on his feet after the pandemic hit and has been living in his car ever since, despite the brutal weather and living conditions. This fundraiser is to help him out financially and (to get him) back to normal life.” A Life-Changing Birthday GiftThe reaction was overwhelming. Former students shared fond memories of Mr. V.One former student tweeted "Made me shed a tear knowing he subbed for my classes easily a dozen times. And crazy my lil bro also got subbed by him in hs few years after 💔.""He was always so sweet when I had him as a sub :( Thank you so much for looking out for him I hope you reach your goal for him!!!" added another. Along with students, county employees, the Sheriff's office, and even the Fontana mayor's office got involved spreading the word. The efforts paid off, raising $27,000 in just three days, crushing Nava's goal of $15,000.As destiny would have it, Villaruel’s birthday was that week. So, surrounded by former students, he was presented with the check for $27,000 amidst a chorus of "Happy Birthday." It was a gift like no other. It is an experience of my life that will be kept for the rest of my life. I carry it in my heart. I felt that something was going to happen, that things were going to change, and it happened suddenly when I least expected it.José 'Mr. V' VillaruelPaying It ForwardNava told TODAY that the message sent to Mr. V meant far more than the money. "I want him to feel that he’s cared and loved by all those who he’s helped along the years," he said.We all have one or two teachers who've made a difference in our lives. They challenge us, encourage us to think bigger, and most of all, inspire us to be our best selves at times when we're still discovering who we are. And they probably have no clue. You don't need to go to Nava's length to say thank you, small gestures move mountains. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to find Mr. Ford to thank him for making Biology class a blast. More from Goalcast:Homeless Boy Who Has Nothing Begs on the Streets to Survive – Then, He Changes Two Lives With One Swift MoveHigh School Teacher Shocks His Wife by Coming Up With a “Secret” Plan Involving His Best StudentStudents Learn Their Teacher Walks 5 Miles to School Each Day – So They Come Up With This Incredible Gift

Struggling Single Mom Forced to Drop Her Studies - Then, Her Sons Secret Plan Gives Her Something She Wasnt Expecting
Uplifting News

Struggling Single Mom Forced to Drop Her Studies - Then, Her Sons Secret Plan Gives Her Something She Wasnt Expecting

Rui Da Silva’s mother Elnete worked hard for him and his sibling to have a good upbringing in the UK. Now, Da Silva wanted to do the same for her.One Son Wanted to Give His Mom What She Gave HimElnete was working as a dinner lady in London. Da Silva, a youth worker and music producer, told BuzzFeed News that his mother had been cooking for most of her life and had always wanted to study. “Coming from West Africa, formal education is of a certain importance,” he said. “But since coming to England, as a single mother, the opportunity to study has been out of reach."Da Silva said his mother was studying a dental nursing course when they first moved to the UK. But his father had died when he was five and his younger sister was one and his mother had to drop her studies.In 2013, his mother survived a battle with breast cancer. "Post her battle, she found serenity with cooking. So while some had comfort food, my mum had comfort cooking," Da Silva said.Then Elnete was given an unconditional offer from the University of West London to study professional cookery. Da Silva said she was over the moon; but she had to gain a level 2 NVQ before she could study as an undergraduate, and was disappointed to learn that she was not eligible for financial support.How a Son Supported His Mom’s Dreams for an EducationDa Silva was determined to help his mother go to university despite this obstacle. "I spent weeks searching for funds, grants, loans, but came to realise that GoFundMe is the best choice," he said.So he secretly sets up a GoFundMe page and writes: Born and raised in Sao Tome eating Jackfruit for breakfast. Catching and cooking fish for dinner. Moving to Portugal, sampling a range Afro-Portuguese food. Living in England, cooking culturally English food at work. Feeding the family with a beautiful amalgamation of Afro-Portuguese-British food. Countless attempts at appropriating every recipe she can get her hands on. Later catering to her son’s vegetarian diet for the last 3-4 years. My mother’s palette is vast, rich and still, for her, not vast enough.With 164 donations, the campaign raised £2,505 raised of £2,000 goal and many left encouraging comments for the mother.“Wow...what an amazing son you are! I hope your mum enjoys following her dreams. Thanks for making me smile by being awesome!” one donor wrote.“Good Luck!!! Moms are super heroes and your mom certainly deserves to go on her next adventure!” another one wrote."I think she’ll feel a sense of control over her life. Working for many years to pay the bills, at a workplace that doesn’t cater to her creativity. I think being in university would really fuel her to get creative and embrace her self-value as a capable individual."More from Goalcast:Mom Works Four Jobs for Five Years to Save Money for College – Now Her Son Has Received a Full Scholarship to His Dream SchoolMother of 7 Graduates College as Valedictorian After 10 Years – A Note From Her Daughter Helped Her Overcome Various Hurdles

Family Is Shocked to See 72-Year-Old Fall While Delivering Their Pizza - So They Take Her Career Into Their Own Hands
Uplifting News

Family Is Shocked to See 72-Year-Old Fall While Delivering Their Pizza - So They Take Her Career Into Their Own Hands

It can be nice to dream of retirement, but for some people, that dream is very far from reality. Unfortunately, due to life circumstances, the economy, bad luck, or a series of other events, some people are forced to work well past their retirement age. That can be hard on the body and mind, plus it's heartbreaking to see. Perhaps that's why this story about a family who wanted to help one special pizza delivery woman retire resonates.A Routine Delivery Gone WrongLacey Klein and Kevin Keighron didn’t feel like cooking for their family one night, so they ordered from a Domino's near their home in Berkeley County, South Carolina. However, around the time their pizza was due to arrive, they heard a noise outside. When they checked their front door camera, they saw a woman lying on the ground.Alarmed, they rushed outside to discover that their delivery person, a 72-year-old woman named Barbara Gillespie, had fallen as she tried to climb the front porch step with the boxes in her hands. Keighron, who works for the local fire department, helped her up and asked if she was okay.“I open the door, and there she is, just laying on the ground trying to get up,” Keighron recalled to Good Morning America. “She was more worried about [the food] than anything else. And I was like, ‘I don't care about the food. I care about you.’”Hatching a Plan to HelpKeighron and Klein knew they had to help Gillespie out. It broke their hearts to see her working so hard — and not because she wanted to, but because she had to. So they decided to share the footage of the woman’s fall and her reaction on social media. Then, they asked citizens to help them give her the biggest tip of her life.“Our Domino's delivery driver fell on our front porch today, and my heart just hurts for her,” Klein wrote in her post. “She’s clearly having a hard time. She was so worried about our food, but all we cared about was that she was okay. I’m so sad for her.”The post went viral, with millions of views. Even better? The GoFundMe page the couple set up collected more than $50,000 overnight. Keighron and Klein went to visit Gillespie the next day at work, where they told her about the fund.First, they had their daughters give her some flowers and candy. Then Klein explained what they had done. In another video posted on TikTok, Gillespie was speechless. They added her to the account, and days later, the funds swelled to more than $270,000.“We are so beyond relieved to know that Barbara can now relax,” Klein told Newsweek. “She can spend all the time she wants with her kids, grandkids, great-grandkids and not have to worry about being able to do it.”“I thought I was dreaming,” Gillespie added. “It's nice to know that there are people in this world who care.”Helping Where We CanWhile it’s nice to think that hard work pays off — and it can, depending on the context and circumstances — that isn’t always the case. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 75 and older workforce in America will grow by 96.5% by 2030, increasing from 8.9% in 2020 to 11.7%. That’s largely due to the economy, a lack of savings, and dwindling pensions.It’s an economic issue, to be sure, but thanks to this story, we’re reminded there are ways we can help. Collectively raising funds for those in our community is a great start. Or if you are in a position where you employ the elderly, try to give them jobs that minimize their risk of a fall or injury.If you’re worried about your own parents or parental figures, it’s never too early to have an open and honest discussion with them about money and savings and to assess where they’re at. Knowing and doing what you can to improve a loved one’s financial situation is the first step. Get other family members on board, look for new sources of income, and use whatever resources you have available to you.Lastly, do what you can to start your own retirement savings plan as soon as you can. Because while this story proves there are kind people in the world, we also need to try and plan for all of our futures.More from Goalcast:Elderly Driver Yells at Kids for Spraying Perfume in the School Bus – Receives $125,000 After Her Rant Is Caught on VideoWoman Notices Her Elderly Neighbor of 20 Years Is Living in a Destroyed House – Decides to Take Matters Into Her Own Hands

Homeless Man Readily Gives His Last 27 Cents to a Stranger When He Asks for Help - Little Did He Know What Was Coming Next
Uplifting News

Homeless Man Readily Gives His Last 27 Cents to a Stranger When He Asks for Help - Little Did He Know What Was Coming Next

69-year-old Roy Jurina knows what it's like to struggle. He is just one of the 38,000 veterans experiencing homelessness in the United States.And yet, despite the fact that he can barely rub two pennies together, he was willing to give everything he had to help a fellow human in need. And now? Thanks to one man and the power of social media, his tiny handful of change has just multiplied three thousand-fold.One Homeless Veteran’s Simple Act of Kindness Proves That’s All It Takes to Change a LifeIn a TikTok video that has gone viral, Roy is approached by a stranger asking him for a dollar so he can buy a donut or some bread. Roy knows he doesn't have a dollar to spare but it doesn't stop him from digging into his pocket and handing over the little he does have — 27 cents."Sometimes I wind up giving every dime and then I find more money," Roy tells the stranger.Turns out that stranger is actually social media star, Jimmy Kellogg, known as Jimmy Darts to his 14 million followers. And Roy? He is about to find a whole lot of money. On any given day, Darts, a 26-year-old Minnesota native, films himself asking a stranger for a small favor. Sometimes it's to ask for money to buy a meal or sometimes it borders on the ridiculous, like asking someone to wash his toy car or hold his fake toucan and feed it Froot Loops in Walmart.While most people refuse his request, every once in a while he meets a good samaritan willing to lend a helping hand. When he does, he rewards the unsuspecting person for their good deed with $500 cash. Or more.On this particular day, that good samaritan is Roy.Darts is so moved by Roy's selflessness that he immediately hands over $500 in cash. At first, Roy is skeptical, asking if Darts is going to report him for stealing the money. Eventually, he accepts the money, saying he'll use some of it to stay in a hotel and take a bath — but not before he makes certain that Darts is taken care of as well. "You have a place to stay too?" he asks Darts. (This man is seriously a national treasure.)Stranger Raises $68,000 for Homeless VeteranNot only does Darts give Roy $500, but he decides to go one step further. Unbeknownst to Roy, he starts a GoFundMe campaign called "Help Roy A Homeless Veteran Off The Streets!" He sets the goal to $20,000."Let’s change his life forever and raise enough funds for Roy to get a vehicle and a place to stay! No veteran should have to be homeless on the streets!" Darts writes on the page.The masses agree.Less than 12 hours later, the goal is smashed. And today, the fund is sitting at $68,000 and still climbing.One Good Turn Deserves AnotherIn a follow-up TikTok, Darts meets up with Roy 12 hours after they first met. Before sharing the life-changing news, Roy heartbreakingly tells the TikToker, "If I was to swim out there and drown, nobody would even care. I thought, well, you know, eventually my son would find out. He'd care a bit. But that's about it.""That's the biggest lie on the planet," Darts tells him before revealing that his followers are gifting him over $35,000. Shocked and fighting back tears, Roy can't believe it. "Wow...I'm glad I didn't drown, I would have missed out on a blessing I wouldn't have even realized." Roy JurinaAnd that's the thing about life, isn't it? We never know what it has in store for us. But if we just keep going...if we help each other and don't lose touch with our humanity, despite whatever it is that life throws our way...we have the power to truly make a difference, in others' lives as well as our own — one simple act of kindness at a time.More from Goalcast:8-Year-Old Passes by Homeless Woman Sleeping on the Street Every Day – This Encounter Inspires HerHomeless Couple Couldn’t Afford to Get Married for 24 Years – Then a Stranger Throws Them a Surprise Wedding

Poor Grandmother Takes in Little Boy Who Was Abandoned at Birth - So He Sells Flowers on the Street to Buy Her a Home
Uplifting News

Poor Grandmother Takes in Little Boy Who Was Abandoned at Birth - So He Sells Flowers on the Street to Buy Her a Home

Unfortunately, living in poverty is a way of life for far too many people. This is why when we hear uplifting stories like the one of Ernesto and his grandmother, it reminds us that sometimes if we step up and try to help, there are happy endings in store.A Rough UpbringingAccording to a TikToker named Aaron Murphy, Ernesto was abandoned as a baby in San Salvador. But his grandmother took him in without a single complaint and raised him the best she could. Unfortunately, they didn’t have a lot of money, and they lived in a dangerous area, but they did their best.As Ernesto grew, he began selling flowers in order to make money to support himself and his grandmother. Until one day, he came across Murphy, who documented the family and their circumstances.“No human should live like this,” he wrote in a video showcasing where Ernesto and his grandmother lived. “He was living in a shack in one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in El Salvador.”A Helping HandThat day, Murphy decided he was going to help. In addition to creating several videos on social media, he created a GoFundMe page to raise money and help the grandmother and her grandson move out of their shack and into a real house.“Ernesto sells flowers along the streets of San Salvador with his grandma to buy his school supplies and to help support his family. We visited their home built out of scrap metal and garbage found lying around the streets,” he wrote on the page.“Their home is built illegally along a slum in a dangerous neighborhood. We want to give them a real home where they own the land. We would also like to build them a small business so the grandma no longer needs her 9-year-old grandson to help support them.”Soon, more than 1,600 people donated nearly $50,000 towards the family — a life-changing number.A Huge Surprise As people donated, Murphy started the process of changing Ernesto’s life. He took the child and his grandmother on a shopping spree, letting Ernesto pick out all the books and toys he wanted. He also picked out school supplies and got to eat a meal. Then, Murphy surprised him with a tablet to help with his studies.“I could have never afforded to give him this,” the grandmother teared up in a video.But that wasn’t all. Later, after volunteers had fixed up a house, furnished it, and bought lots of food for a community housewarming, Murphy drove the pair to their new place. They had no idea it was for them, of course.“What a beautiful house,” the grandmother said before Murphy revealed that the home and the small convenience store were theirs. “Never could I imagine having a home like this,” she added through her tears while Ernesto smiled.With the family in a safe and secure house with access to a business, Ernesto could finally focus on his studies. And speaking of, the rest of the money went into a college fund for the child so that when he turns 17, he can finally pursue his dream of becoming a doctor.Making a DifferenceThere are many people around the world like Ernesto and his grandmother, who are just struggling for the daily basics they need to survive. Often these are good people who just had a hard hand in life, but they’re doing the best they can.So helping them isn’t just life-changing; it’s often super rewarding. You may not have a personal connection with someone like Ernesto, but this story reminds us of the importance of approaching others without judgment and learning their stories to see what it is they’re really going through.More often than not, there are ways to help, from donating old clothes or grabbing someone a hot meal to setting up a GoFundMe page of your own. After all, giving back helps us all attain a sense of purpose and fulfills our souls. And what’s not to love about that?

Man Receives a Rude Note in His Mailbox From a “Neighbor” - Little Did They Know the Reality of His Past
Uplifting News

Man Receives a Rude Note in His Mailbox From a “Neighbor” - Little Did They Know the Reality of His Past

You never know what someone else is going through, which is why they tell you never to judge a book by its cover. Or, as per this story, a house by its exterior.An Anonymous LetterGoFundMeJimmy and Marilyn Curcuru have lived in the same house in Gloucester, Massachusetts, for over half a century. They raised three children in that house, and for a long time they were active community members who owned a local small business.Unfortunately, life had gotten in the way, and they couldn't care for their house the way they used to. As a result, it slowly deteriorated. They felt bad about it, but they didn’t expect anyone else to make them feel bad about it.RELATED: Young Dad and His Son Are Homeless in a Brand New City – Then, They Bump Into a Mysterious StrangerBut someone did. One summer day in 2020, the couple received an anonymous letter in the mail. “Please paint me,” the note said, as per CNN, calling the house an “eyesore.”Jimmy, 71, told the publication he was upset at first. It wasn't the letter itself, but the fact that whoever sent it “didn’t have the nerve to sign it… It was cowardly of them to write a letter like that.”Setting the Record StraightOnce the couple’s daughter, Michelle Curcuru Baran, heard about the note, she decided to make the moment a teachable one. So she went on social media and shared it wide and far, explaining how her parents had fallen on hard times.In 2006, Jimmy had a heart attack and quadruple bypass surgery. As a result, he had to close his framing business for months, and it never really recovered.He also developed kidney issues due to the medication he needed to take post-surgery. He still worked part-time at a hardware store until the pandemic, when doctors told him to stop and protect himself. He then retired to “stay home more and be with [Marilyn].”RELATED: DoorDash Driver Delivers Woman’s Order at Her House – But It Comes With a Note She Wasn’t ExpectingMarilyn, meanwhile, had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and used an electric wheelchair in the past. However, by then, she had become bedridden. The couple's other daughter, Lynanne, had left her job to help care for her mom. In short, the couple was dealing with various health issues and didn’t have the finances to maintain their home the way they wanted to.“To my concerned neighbor, thank you for letting me know my house needs to be painted. Guess what? I know. I’ve been working on it for almost four years,” Baran wrote, as per CNN. “I myself always drive by houses that look like mine and wonder what’s up in their lives. I don’t judge them not knowing what they may be going through.”A Beautiful GiftOnce the family’s other neighbors heard about the note, they decided to get involved. Baran told the publication how hundreds of people reached out and asked how they could help. The Mayor of Gloucester, Sefatia Romeo Theken, even stopped by personally to see if she could lend a hand.A man named Rob Cluett also set up a GoFundMe page soliciting donations to help the Curcurus fix up their home. In the days that followed, people gave nearly $80,000 US.“The was written the day that it happened, so our original thought was anger, especially my sister who lives in the home with them and has sacrificed so much… it’s hurt and anger at the beginning,” Baran continued to CNN.RELATED: 61-Year-Old Homeless Man and His Wife Risk Freezing to Death During the Winter – So, Fourth Graders Build Them a House“But as the weeks have gone by and you see this outpouring from the community, at this point, the person who wrote the note doesn’t really matter.”According to Baran, the money raised went toward a new paint job, but they were also able to repair the leaky roof and replace rotted clapboard siding. They also updated windows that had not been replaced since the 1950s.“We don’t care who wrote [the note],” the couple’s son, Jimmy, wrote on the GoFundMe page. “We want to enjoy the love and support of this great city we live in. I want to thank everyone for everything you have done and are going to do.”Reserving JudgmentsThis family is so inspiring because they turned a bad situation into a positive one through the power of community and love. They’re right: it doesn’t matter who wrote the note because the real story here is how people responded to neighbors in need.It’s also a reminder to all of us that we should always try to remember that we never know what someone else is going through in life or why they live the way they do. Asking whether a person needs help or offering a lending hand is always better than judging them, even if there’s nothing you can actually do to help.And if you can help a neighbor through a crowdfunding campaign or other donation, remember that small acts of kindness culminate in a big difference in someone else’s life.Just ask the Curcurus. Thanks to their community, their home is once again something they're proud of.

85-Year-Old McDonald’s Employee Responsible for His Adult Grandkids Can’t Retire - But One Customer Changes Everything
Uplifting News

85-Year-Old McDonald’s Employee Responsible for His Adult Grandkids Can’t Retire - But One Customer Changes Everything

Wendall Gill had been wiping tables, stocking supplies and cleaning the bathrooms at the same Lexington, Kentucky, McDonald’s for 43 years. One August day, his life changed when his wife, Della, of 68 years stopped by the restaurant for a meal and died in the bathroom due to an aneurysm. Instead of taking time off work to grieve, Gill continued showing up to work every day. He had two special people to take care of: the special needs grandkids he and Della adopted as babies when their own parents couldn’t care for them.How a Community Stepped Up to Help a Grieving SeniorWendall Gill and Todd Oldfield // Photo by Frank GoadCustomers heard about his hardship after a friend and former co-worker, Todd Oldfield, came in for breakfast and asked Gill how he was doing.“He began telling me this story and he couldn’t go 30 seconds without his eyes welling up,” Oldfield told the Washington Post.RELATED: Man Finds 82-Year-Old Walmart Employee Still Working Long Shifts – Raises $140,000 So He Can Finally RetireOldfield decided he needed to do something to help his old friend. He set up a GoFundMe with the headline “Wendall Needs Us To Serve Him Now!” hoping to raise enough money so Gill could spend more time with his grandsons. The older one, John Columbia, 33, has autism, and the younger one, Justin Gill, 20, has physical and mental effects from fetal alcohol syndrome.Gill was grateful for the help, saying that he missed his wife and it was difficult to show up to work and take care of the boys while grieving. “They say you get over things, but when I think of her, I start crying," Gill said. "I don’t think I’ll ever get over that.”On the GoFundMe page, Oldfield wrote: “He is 85. He really needs to retire. Tomorrow is promised for none of us. He really needs to spend time with his boys and just heal . . . and not worry about where they will get their next meal from.”How a Community Restored Faith in HumanityHundreds of customers and community members donated. On the GoFundMe page, Oldfield wrote that Gill is in debt. Gill and his wife had bought a new Jeep Cherokee for her to take their grandchildren to doctor’s appointments and other activities. They also owed money on a Chrysler van. The payments on the Jeep and van were $1,200 a month, more than double Wendall Gill’s salary. He supplemented his income with social security and disability payments for the boys, but he struggled without his wife’s social security check.RELATED: Exhausted 82-Year-Old Continues to Work as She Has Only $50 – So a Customer Raises $130,000 to Help Her RetireSome of Gill’s children paid for their mother’s casket and funeral.Someone, touched by Gill’s story, offered to buy a headstone for Della Gill. And another family offered to sponsor Christmas for Gill and his boys.The GoFundMe raised $115,520 and Gill was able to pay off the Jeep, the van and his house.He retired and was able to spend time with his boys, sharing many meals with them at McDonald's.Oldfield said it's heartwarming how generous people have been.“As we get older, the world taints us a bit. I’d lost a little faith in humanity until this came along,” he said. “I can’t believe the good nature of people. It’s been kind of amazing.”