Not All News is Bad!

SEATTLE – Fundraising efforts in Seattle, Everett, and Marysville have significantly eased school lunch debts for thousands of kids across the region.Last week, Jeffery Lew, a Seattle parent, created a gofundme account with the goal of raising $21,000 to …

Source: Father’s mission to pay off school lunch debt in Seattle inspires kindness from strangers | KOMO

Here’s where the debt comes from (from the GoFundMe page):

Many children depend on a nutritious lunch to help them through their school day. Per the 2015-16 report by Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction for Washington State, 36% of Seattle Public School District students are on free or reduced-price meals (Report). This is based on parents filling out meal applications. If a child is unable to pay for their meal, a debt has started. Families will receive an invoice from the school district to pay the debt.

Seems that by definition the very people in need of this program are those least able to be able to pay off the debt. I love the idea of independently stepping in and helping out…

“Wait…it’s been in there the entire time?”

Source: Woman unknowingly wore her engagement ring hidden in necklace for a year – ABC News

Sometimes, ya just know. Best quote, not in the news article, but in the video: “I COULD HAVE LOST IT YOU F****** IDIOT!” 🙂

Driver Phil Broussard leads a German shepherd onto the Rescue Express bus in San Fernando, Calif. The organization tries to save animals by transporting them to adoption groups in the Pacific Northwest, where euthanasia rates are lower. (Patrick T. Fallon for The Washington Post)

Source: From death row to adoption: Saving animals by car, van, bus and even plane – The Washington Post

The first rule, of course, is to spay or neuter your pets. And that message seems to be getting out there, which is great. Besides transport organizations, there are numerous formal and informal networks of pet owners that will come together to transport pets — sometimes long distances, often via relay — in order to reach their “forever homes”. Truly inspiring.

The Dublin student who mislaid his laptop in a taxi last week has been reunited with it after a viral search campaign headed by JK Rowling.

Source: A Happy Ending: Dublin student reunited with laptop following JK Rowling search campaign – Independent.ie

Quoting the student: “It’s amazing what the internet can do. … I feel so thankful to know that there are such good people in the world.” Indeed. But I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that perhaps he should have had a backup? 🙂

Freddie the tortoise is a great example of how modern technology can help disabled animals and drastically improve their lives.

Source: Tortoise Gets Hand-Painted 3D Printed Shell After Surviving Forest Fire

I think a lot of people sometimes wonder what 3D printing might be truly useful for. Tortoise shells are nice, and this is a great story, but I see this as much a proof of what kinds of things might be possible in the future. Tortoise shells today, tomorrow’s possibilities are endless….

Though Torrey Smith signed with the Philadelphia Eagles this past winter, the wide receiver is still taking care of Baltimore.

Source: Eagles WR Torrey Smith and Wife Pay Adoption Fee for 46 Baltimore Animals | Bleacher Report

This is actually one of several “sports celebs do good” stories that I’ve run across in recent days. Not only are they great stories, but they show a side of sports celebrity that doesn’t get nearly enough press.

She’s the sweetest sister ever and I love her so much, said Caitlin Sanders of the newly adopted Chloe.

Source: Forest Park family adopts six blood siblings who didn’t want to be separated – WCPO Cincinnati, OH

Adding six to five is “above and beyond”, for sure. But the goal that lead to it — keeping six siblings together — isn’t something that just anyone can, or would, do. Impressive. (Bonus goodness: the GoFundMe set up for them has blown through it’s goal. 🙂 )