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Elderly woman selling baking goods outside and an elderly woman with glasses.
Uplifting News

Grandma Forced to Sell Homemade Goods To Get By - Then, a Stranger Walks Up to Her

Every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday without fail, Inez Hudson can be found stationed outside Super Choice Foods supermarket in Lakeland, Florida.The 73-year-old woman sells homemade pies and cakes to support herself as her fixed income isn't enough to cover her living expenses.She has her good days and bad days. That is, until now. Because thanks to the kindness of a stranger and the power of social media she just became a viral sensation. And now? Her baked goods are selling like hotcakes.

Little boy making and selling rolls on the streets in Delhi.
Stories

Mom Leaves Kids After Husband's Death - So Her 10-Year-Old Son Takes Charge

While other kids his age are riding bikes, playing video games, and hanging out with friends, Jaspreet Singh is bearing the weight of the world on his small shoulders. At just 10 years old, Jaspreet's life literally changed overnight. And now? The little boy is inspiring millions with his courage and strength and teaching us all a valuable lesson in the power of perseverance and resilience.

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

Boy Abandoned by His Parents Is Accused of Being a Child Witch - One Woman Completely Changes His Life
Uplifting News

Boy Abandoned by His Parents Is Accused of Being a Child Witch - One Woman Completely Changes His Life

Anja Lovén was 30 years old when she saw a British documentary about a child witch. She sat there in shock — and then in rage — as the television program detailed how these "witch children" are tortured, abandoned, even buried alive. Many countries in Africa, and around the world, have a long history of the practice of witchcraft.Historically, the elderly, the disabled, and anyone considered “different” were the main targets of accusations. But in the last 40 years, despite the practice being illegal, more and more children have been accused of being witches. Especially vulnerable, children are often unable to defend themselves and suffer the most horrific abuse.The Life of a “Child Witch”Under the guise of “exorcism,” an accused child witch in Africa can be made to ingest dangerous substances, blinded, beaten, or even set on fire. Witch doctors, shamans and religious leaders will try to coerce parents into paying large amounts of money for these exorcisms.Some parents can’t or won’t pay. Those unfortunate children carry the label of 'witch' with them for the rest of their lives — which is often quite short because they are most often abandoned.Without family, friends, shelter or food, these children are doomed to wander around the outskirts of communities. They scavenge for food in dumps. The sad truth is that they almost always die of dehydration, starvation, disease and neglect. The Boy Who Changed Her LifeThe images of these deplorable practices were burned into Anja’s brain that day when she watched the documentary. She couldn’t stop thinking about the injustice and about the leaders who were turning a blind eye to it. A few years later, she decided that she couldn’t just continue her life, knowing what she did now. She quit her job, sold everything she had, and headed to Nigeria. It was there that Anja came upon a tiny, naked, emaciated boy — a "child witch" — who stole her heart. As she knelt down next to him to gather him in her arms, someone took a picture. It went viral.But that day, Anja’s mind was on one thing only: get help for this boy. She gave him water and drove him to the nearest hospital. Later, she would admit that she didn’t have much hope that he would survive. He was literally on the brink of death, wandering around a small village, starving and alone. Anja was told that he had been abandoned by his parents eight full months ago. It was clear that he didn’t have much time left.He Has a NameJust before Anja handed the boy over to doctors, she decided to give him a name: Hope. “I was so sure he would not survive,” she remembers. “Every breath he took was a struggle, and I did not want him to die without a name, without dignity, so I named him Hope.”At the hospital, the frail child was treated for parasites and given blood transfusions. The situation looked bleak. Anja took to the internet to voice her outrage — and support poured in from all over the world.In no time at all, over a million dollars had been raised. It was enough to not only cover the boy’s medical expenses but also to start a nonprofit organization to rescue so-called child witches. Land of HopeToday, Anja is on a mission. Her nonprofit organization, called Land of Hope, raises awareness for the plight of the "child witches" and provides the accused with care, stability and love at the orphanage Anja opened with her Nigerian husband, humanitarian lawyer and worker David Umem.Two months after Anja rescued him from his life-threatening ordeal, Hope made a full recovery. He now runs around with a while pack of children at the orphanage. He has also since met his biological mother and father. Hope’s mother was only 15 years old when she gave birth to the boy, given in marriage to a village leader more than four times older than her. When her son was accused of being a child witch, she left him behind. Hope and his parents are taking steps to mend their relationship, but Hope still calls Anja his mom.Anja and David treat all the children at Land of Hope like their own, but they also have a biological son, David Jr., who grew up at the heart of his parents’ mission.“I want him to know the most important thing you can do in life is to help other people in need and be a good person,” says Anja of her son. “To listen, be empathic, and not judge other people. I hope he will remember his mother as someone who helped other people.”Indeed, on Land of Hope’s website, “hope” is an acronym: Help One Person Everyday. It’s a simple mantra with the potential for big impact that everyone in the world can implement right now.More from Goalcast:Overwhelmed Workers Sob After Manager Abandons Them – The “Host” Gives Two Customers an IdeaRed-Skinned Newborn Baby Is Abandoned by Her Parents – But a Couple Who Can’t Have Their Own Kids Take Her In17-Year-Old Mom Abandons Her Newborn Baby at Hospital – When a Priest Finds Out, He Takes Him in as His Own

Stranger Walks by Homeless Man Living on a Bus Bench - Notices a Crucial Detail Others Missed
Uplifting News

Stranger Walks by Homeless Man Living on a Bus Bench - Notices a Crucial Detail Others Missed

Life is full of ups and downs, and unfortunately, some people experience harder lows than others. Some people go through truly dark times and they need to rely on the kindness and empathy of others to get them through.That was definitely the case for one homeless man in Florida, whom everyone passed by. Everyone, that is, except for a man who took the time to look.An Important DetailIt all started when a Fort Lauderdale, Florida resident named David Beaulieu saw something that stuck out to him during one of his morning walks. He had noticed a homeless man living on a bus bench, but it wasn’t just the fact that Kenny Corbin was homeless that caught his attention. After all, he’d seen the man before.“I’ve noticed Kenny sleeping on the cement bench here, and one day I saw his mobility stick,” Beaulieu told a local news outlet. “He was holding it and actually praying. I said, 'Wow, this is crazy. This guy is blind and he’s homeless.'”Beaulieu couldn’t stop thinking about Corbin and the mysterious circumstances that brought him to that bench, so he struck up a conversation with him. It turned out that Corbin had been counting steps to get to the nearby gas station, where he would eat and use the bathroom. He also used the shower at a nearby beach.“I started talking to him and got his story, and I’m like, 'Wow, how does this guy hold up night by night?'” Beaulieu added.A Hard Turn in LifeThe more Beaulieu learned about Corbin, the more he knew he needed to help. Before he landed on that bench, Corbin had driven a semi for 35 years. He’d also always done mechanic work, but two years ago, on Christmas Eve, he was working on a van when something tragic happened.“Some kind of powder went into my eye, and it melted my corneas,” he revealed. The people he trusted cleaned him out, and he lost not only his vision but his home and most of his possessions, too.“All I have is two bags,” he continued. “A backpack and a bag. That’s it.”Once he hit the streets, Corbin had nowhere to go. A county homeless outreach found him and dropped him off at the Salvation Army, but they didn’t have a bed or a referral, so Corbin said they couldn’t help him. He packed up his stuff and left.“Someone stole two of my blankets, I’m freezing. Someone stole some of my clothes,” he said.“We tend to ignore the homeless,” Beaulieu added. “A lot of drugs and alcoholism, but that is not the case with Kenny. He’s a completely different story.”Finding New IndependenceBeaulieu stopping to chat with Corbin that day was life-changing. He wanted to help and gave the man warm blankets and some money for food. He also started a crowd-sourcing campaign to raise money for Corbin to get mobility training so that he could live on his own. However, it didn’t take off, so Beaulieu reached out to news outlets for help.“[Now] I’m at the Salvation Army in a transitional housing program,” Corbin revealed, saying it’s a “million times” better than the park bench. “It’s nice, it’s warm, it’s dry. I don’t get wet when it rains.”Corbin now has a caseworker and has applied for a few apartments through Catholic Services. He’s waiting for a portal to open to apply for Section 8 housing, in which tenants pay roughly 30 percent of their income for rent. His caseworker is also putting him in for long-term care through Social Security.“Without [the news story] and David I’d still be sitting on the bus bench on 17th Street,” he added.As for how Corbin made him feel that day he stopped to help? “It just shows me someone actually cares.”Extending CompassionCorbin is an example of how someone’s life can change in an instant and how important it is to take the time to get to know a person before judging their circumstances. No one ever really knows what someone else is going through or how they may be struggling, and this story reminds us of how far a little kindness can go.Stop and ask questions. Try not to lead with prejudice, but ask yourself what someone else may be going through before you make decisions. And when it comes to your existing relationships, always try to extend grace. Everyone goes through stuff, but it’s having people we can rely on that helps us to eventually pull through.More from Goalcast:Stranger Hands Something to Homeless Man on Metro – It Ends Up Completely Changing His LifeFreezing Homeless Man Goes to a Closed McDonald’s – Manager Defies All Rules and Does This16-Year-Old Becomes Homeless After Parents Ask Her to Move Out – Years Later, a Shocking Scene Changes Everything

Christian Bale Learns Something Shocking Following His Daughters Birth - This Inspires Him to Take Action
Uplifting News

Christian Bale Learns Something Shocking Following His Daughters Birth - This Inspires Him to Take Action

We often hear about actors’ high salaries and lavish lifestyles or follow them on social media as they hock brands and products they love. But celebrities can also give back in meaningful ways, using their money and platforms to inspire real change.That’s exactly what Batman, a.k.a. Christian Bale, decided to do with his privilege after he learned about the number of foster children living in California.A Big DreamFollowing the birth of his daughter Luka in 2005, Bale began to think about how her life would be affected if he and his wife, Sibi, weren’t around. It led him to learn more about the foster care system in California, and he was shocked to learn that the state has the largest number of foster kids in the country.Not only that, but Bale discovered that many siblings who go into the foster care system are forced to separate and are unable to grow up together. He and Sibi knew they wanted to create some good and inspire change, and learning about these circumstances inspired the couple.Bale decided to create a village where foster siblings could stay and grow up together.“Imagine the absolute pain and the trauma of losing your parents or being torn from your parents, and then losing your brothers and sisters on top of that. That’s no way to treat kids — and so, we will be the hub for that,” Bale told The Hollywood Reporter.A Plan in ActionBale decided to create this village 16 years ago, but crews finally broke ground on the location earlier this year. To get this far, Bale teamed with the non-profit Together California and found a location near McAdam Park in Palmdale, LA.“I had the very unrealistic idea that within one year I’d have created a miniature Sound of Music with kids singing on hills in an endlessly joyful environment,” Bale explained.“But I discovered no, it takes an awful long time and really well-motivated people. It’s complicated and tough to help kids,” he continued. “It should be a hell of a lot easier than it was, but I didn’t flinch for one second.”“I would have done it all if it was just me by myself here,” Bale added to The Associated Press. “It's way more complex. These are people's lives. And we need to be able to have them land on their feet when they age out. There's so much involved in this.”Once complete, the village will consist of 12 three-bedroom townhomes, each capable of housing six children. A full-time professionally trained foster parent will live in each one to offer care and support.There will also be a 7,000-square-foot community center for programs and services and studio apartments for family visits. The apartments will also serve as transitional housing for children who are aging out of foster care.“I hope that this village will be the first of many, and I hope that people, Californians and Angelenos, know to come join us in opening our eyes to what’s happening right under our noses,” Bale added to The Hollywood Reporter. “These are our children, and we must help our children.”Doing Our PartIt’s inspiring to hear about actors, sports stars, and other celebrities giving back, especially since they tend to have more money and followers who can make a big difference. However, their actions also remind us that anyone can — and should — give back when they can.Giving back doesn’t have to look like building a village for foster children. It can be volunteering at a center or with a cause that matters to you. Or, it can be even smaller acts, like donating extra food, making drop-offs at a local charity, or participating in a fundraiser.Or, if you are in a position to do more, consider fostering a child or getting involved. There are more than 400,000 children in the U.S. foster care system who are in need of a loving parent, and plenty of organizations, like Foster America, that are committed to making a difference through education and volunteerism.No matter how you help out, giving back to the community enriches your life and allows you to connect with others in deep and meaningful ways.More from Goalcast:10-Year-Old Nobody Wanted to Adopt Is Sent to Live With Foster Family – This Would Completely Change Both Their Lives11-Year-Old Foster Girl Sent to Principal’s Office for Fighting – Little Did She Know What Was Going to Happen NextChristian Bale: Get More Satisfaction Out Of Your Work

Widowed Veteran Comes Up With an Incredible Idea to Combat His Depression - And Hes Doing It for Free
Uplifting News

Widowed Veteran Comes Up With an Incredible Idea to Combat His Depression - And Hes Doing It for Free

In November 2022, Daniel Chauvin, 76, didn't just lose his wife of 53 years, he started losing himself. Stricken with grief and struggling with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from serving in the Vietnam War, Chauvin was in a dark place. He knew he needed to fill his mind by filling his time. So, he began doing odd jobs for people in his community - FOR FREE.And somewhere, along the way, not only did he fix what people needed fixing, but he also mended his own broken heart. "Idle Hands Make Fretful Minds"After his wife, Patricia, died, and with his children and grandchildren living in another state, Chauvin had only his dog, Panda, and his parrot, Zeke for company. And while pets make great companions, they're no substitute for human connection. To add to the loneliness and isolation, Chauvin was haunted by the horrors of his past. "I can't sit around the house...my wife died last year and after that, it's just sitting around. That doesn't do it, especially with being a Vietnam veteran. Stuff starts coming back to you and haunts you."Daniel Chauvin via WLOX NewsIn order to combat the ghosts and keep his sanity, Chauvin, a retired construction worker, decided to channel his depression into something meaningful. After spending more than four decades in the building industry and even more than that keeping his wife happy by checking off items from her "honey-do" list, he turned to what he knew. In September 2023, Chauvin posted a selfie in a local Facebook group, Residents & Visitors of Bay St. Louis, alongside the message: "Any single woman needing honey-do job that they can't do themselves I am willing to see if I can do it for you FREE because I lost my wife of 53 years and I am trying to stay busy by helping others !!!"The "Honey-Do Dude" was born.The Honey-Do DudeChauvin's post "spread like wildfire." Turns out, there are A LOT of people with unresolved "honey-do" lists.And now, every day, upwards of four times a day, Chauvin can be found doing various handyman jobs up and down the Mississippi coast. A jack-of-all-trades, he does everything from fixing roofs to fixing floors and everything in between.If you need it, you can bet he can do it. Need a porch swing hung? Done. Need a dishwasher or light fixture installed? Check. Need a trellis built? Pass the hammer. As for his price? It can't be beat. All he asks for in return is a picture. A visible reminder that he isn't alone. Because, as he shares, what he needs isn't money, it's friends. Contrary to his original Facebook post, Chauvin doesn't just help single women, he helps anyone who needs it. He's even offered training to people who want to learn the skills to tackle their honey-do lists on their own. Since September he's helped more than 100 very grateful people cross items off their honey-do lists. And in the process, he's made a lot of new friends. https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid023Nbn5dQ8L7QAgdK9jNU47kcgHU1g4ZiB71NcFPkJb1nDDcGdNcui8PVLU5LvMwvbl&id=61554684731702Finding Peace and Healing by Helping OthersDespite the odd person on social media questioning his motives, Chauvin has no plans of quitting. He hopes sharing his stories on his Facebook page will reassure people that it isn't a scam. He's just a lonely guy, fighting his demons, one odd job at a time. And it's working. Since starting his business, his PTSD has significantly improved. "That's what I was looking for," he tells CBS News. Proving that in the act of giving, we often find the greatest healing of all.More from Goalcast:100-Year-Old Veteran Wasn’t Interested in 96-Year-Old When They First Met – Now They’re Getting MarriedUnemployed Veteran Gets a Call From His Roommate – Then, He Finds Out 2 Girls Showed up on His Doorstep92-Year-Old Veteran Calls Police for Help – Responding Officer Makes Horrific Discovery at His Home

Stranger Learns 70-Year-Old Is Raising Grandkids by Herself - Then a Familiar Man Shows Up at Her Doorstep
Uplifting News

Stranger Learns 70-Year-Old Is Raising Grandkids by Herself - Then a Familiar Man Shows Up at Her Doorstep

No matter how much we may plan for the future, we never really know what life is going to throw at us. Sometimes, we end up far from where we thought we’d be, and we do the best we can to get by. That’s the situation a 70-year-old grandmother named Meri found herself in after she became the main caregiver to her two grandchildren.When Meri and her family stumbled upon hard times, however, the kindness of a stranger lifted her right back up.An Exemplary HumanMeri is one of those people that just wants to do right by others. According to East Idaho News, she has spent countless hours volunteering and helping others in her community, particularly the youth.Over the years, she has received awards for community service and volunteerism, including being named Idaho Falls Citizen of the Year and one of the Eight Who Make a Difference. She has also won the JC Penney Golden Rule award and been named Grand Marshall of the 4th of July parade.At home, the 70-year-old widow is also the primary caregiver to her seven and 13-year-old granddaughters due to difficult family circumstances. Meri loves her grandkids and wants to provide for them, but it isn't always easy since Meri is retired and lives on a fixed income.A Rough WinterThings got especially rough one year when the timing chain on Meri’s car went. It ruined the engine, and as a result, the car was toast. The grandmother had no way to fix it, and her income didn’t allow her to buy another one, which put the family in a tough spot.No car meant Meri had to either borrow one or walk everywhere with the girls: the store, school, and their counseling appointments. At one point, her youngest granddaughter was ill, and Meri walked to the store at 11 p.m. to get her some supplies.To make things worse, Meri had relied on her car to bring in extra income: when she needed to make ends meet, she put in hours as a DoorDash driver. Without her car, that revenue source disappeared.A Kind StrangerWhen a stranger heard about Meri’s plight, they decided to anonymously help. They contacted East Idaho News and asked for their help in gifting Meri a new car for her family. Through the outlet’s Secret Santa program, they put a plan in place.In a video shared on the outlet’s site, host Nate Eaton knocked on Meri's door.Immediately, Meri began tearing up, wondering why the familiar host was there. “There’s nothing special about me,” she said, adding that she wished the girls were there for the big moment.“You know, it was not what my retirement was supposed to look like, but sometimes things need to get broken before they can get fixed,” she explained as Eaton handed her a box with a check in it. Then, Eaton made the big reveal: Meri was the owner of a new Honda CR-V.“Oh my gosh you guys,” Meri said, fighting back tears and covering her face. “My gosh, you’re really amazing. You don’t know how ecstatic my girls are going to be… you’re totally incredible. Thank you so much. I don’t even know what to say.”We’re All Just Doing Our BestAs Meri’s story proves, sometimes our lives don’t work out exactly the way we thought they would, but that doesn’t mean we should give up. Sometimes, just by pushing through and being the best people we can be no matter what life throws at us, we can inspire others on their journeys, too.Sometimes, it’s also just nice to be seen. That’s why a stranger gifting Meri a car is so powerful: someone saw her and her struggles and did what they could to help. It’s a good takeaway for our own lives and a reminder that sometimes helping people feel seen is a strong motivator for them (and us) to keep going.We may not all be able to gift cars, but kind words are free. Offering small financial support, used items, some baked treats, or even just an ear to someone going through a hard time can be a big game changer.At the end of the day, we’re all just doing our best. And by doing our best together, we can help create the sense of community that we all need deep down. More from Goalcast:Man Walks for 3 Months With Son in Search of a Better Life – Stranger Gifts Him a New Home, but That’s Not AllSingle Mom Gives Stranger $7 for Christmas – Then, He Leads Her to the Parking Lot Where His “Special Friend” Was WaitingParents of 12 Kids Work Multiple Jobs to Make Ends Meet – So a Stranger Gives Them a New Van and $1,000 for Christmas

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

Toddler Cant Stop Screaming in Packed Dollar Tree - Cashier Surprises Mom by Doing This
Uplifting News

Toddler Cant Stop Screaming in Packed Dollar Tree - Cashier Surprises Mom by Doing This

A toddler's laugh can light up a room, but their cries make can clear one! It's not their fault, but the thing is, with a fussy toddler? No one's happy. Most strangers can't help but stare and most parents can't help but feel ashamed for not being able to get their little one to "behave."Which is exactly what happened to one woman, when she was living a mom's nightmare — a crying toddler in the massive check out line. Thankfully one cashier saved the day in the cutest way possible.When Things Go Wrong at the Worst TimeMary-Ann Byrnes, 38, was just trying to get out of the house and get her nagging errands done when the chore took a turn for the worst.It's no secret that taking your toddler out for a day of adult fun (errands, errands, and more errands) is a gamble. You're always forced to do two things at once. Trying to put a cheque through at the bank? Whatever you do, don't stop bouncing that baby. When Byrnes went to the local Dollar Tree with little Mary-Ann — yes the two Byrnes Girls are twinning with their names — she was trying get in and out as quick as possible.Little Mary-Ann was growing restless and Byrnes was trying keep everything together before she threw a tantrum.The mother made it all the way to the check out counter unscathed! If only it ended there.Of course, it didn't.She Threw a Temper Tantrum at the Checkout CounterBecause life loves to throw a wrench our way every once in a while, this wasn't just a regular Dollar Tree.No. It was a jam-packed Dollar Tree with a line the size of the Great Wall of China trailing behind Byrnes!She was flush with embarrassment as she tried to shush her little girl who was screaming bloody murder because, duh — that's the unofficial job of toddlers everywhere.This was the one time Byrnes couldn't manage to do two things at once. She couldn't soothe her little girl and unload her groceries at the same time. Thankfully, someone with a little more experience stepped in. This Amazing Cashier Had the Magic TouchMary Ann Byrnes (@maryannbyrnes), TikTok Fatimah Leftwich was one Dollar Tree cashier who knew the power of "staying in her lane" — in the best way.At the first signs of struggle, this incredible cashier asked Byrnes if she had her permission to take over. Without even thinking, Byrnes said yes.Instantly, Leftwich got creative. She used the tools she had at her disposal and the results couldn't have been better!This definitely wasn't Leftwich's first rodeo. She knew all this toddler needed was a little stimulation. Something to distract her from her out-of-control nerves.With total control and confidence, she picked Miss Mary-Ann up, rested her on her side, and gave this little girl a big girl job.In the sweetest moment captured on video, Leftwich and Little Miss Byrnes scan the grocery items together while Byrnes loads the conveyor belt — talk about team work!Watch Mary-Ann Byrnes' Video: Byrnes' video amassed over 314K views on TikTok. The sweet moment went viral and TikTokers couldn't get enough! One user @cherlaluna even gave a shout out to Leftwich who quickly became her new hometown hero, "This is my Dollar Tree and she needs to be protected at all costs!"It's safe to say, Leftwich definitely has the maternal touch! They Were Both Having a Long Day — But They Ended It With a Round of SmilesByrnes' story seems like such a simple problem on the surface with a fairly easy solution, but a closer look proves there's more than meets the eye. Chances are, a lot of us would have clammed up in Byrnes' position. Yes, we would have gotten through it, but it definitely would have put a kink in our day. In the same breath, many of us in Fatimah Leftwich's position may not have thought to act in the same way. Sometimes we may think we're being respectful by "staying out of it," but that often does more harm than good.A situation as silly as a temper tantrum can make being a parent feel like the most impossible job in the world; a job that we can literally never retire from?!If nothing else, Leftwich let Byrnes know — it wasn't that serious. Toddlers cry one minute and they're giggling the next.When she needed it most, Leftwich reminded this mom she wasn't alone. Sometimes that's all we can do — and it's more than enough.More from Goalcast:Couple Shops at Target When Their Toddler Yells at an Elderly Man Passing By – His Response Wasn’t What They Were ExpectingTechnician Notices Woman’s Fussy Toddler When He Goes to Set Up Their Internet – His Response to Her Child Overwhelms HerLittle Boys Notice Their Neighbor’s House Is on Fire – Rush to Rescue Toddlers Stuck Inside Despite Being “Really Scared”