"Life's most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?" --Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
THE GOOD NEWS
Lost and found
Many of the campers at Camp Mystic lost dear friends and counselors when catastrophic floods hit central Texas on July 4. In the rush to flee to safety, some of the girls also lost or left behind beloved stuffed animals and blankets. Now, an all-volunteer nonprofit organization that's known for "replacing the irreplaceable" is trying to give them back a bit of comfort.
After one camper's mother reached out to The Lost Stuffy Project, the organization posted a photo of a stuffed dog on its Instagram page. Ruff Ruff became lost when his owner was evacuated from the camp by helicopter. Within 10 minutes, The Lost Stuffy Project’s community of followers was able to track down a replacement for the family.
Since that successful find, more requests have been arriving daily. Several inquiries have come from grieving parents. The organization has also posted pictures of stuffed animals that volunteers found after the floodwaters receded in hopes of returning them to their people.
FMI: Click here.
Grateful for you
Elana Essers was riding her bike home from work in April 2023 when she hit some loose asphalt and flew over the handlebars. The smartwatch on her wrist sent a notification to her husband Charlie, letting him know that she had fallen.
Charlie immediately jumped in his car and drove about a mile to the spot where the notification said she'd taken a spill. When he arrived, Charlie found four cars on each side of his wife. The drivers — all women and all strangers — had used their vehicles to block traffic from the accident site. They were also sitting with Elana, keeping her safe until help arrived.
Elana had to undergo emergency surgery, but would eventually make a full recovery. And while he never got the names of the women who protected his wife that day, Charlie found his own way to thank them for their "selfless actions."
FMI: Click here.
Kindness between neighbors
(Merci, Tourisme Cantons-de-l'Est! —jw)
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THIS WEEK IN (POSITIVE) HISTORY
On July 16, 1965, the Mont Blanc Tunnel, which links France and Italy, officially opened. At the time, it was the world's longest vehicular tunnel, spanning 7.3 miles.
On July 17, 1955, Disneyland opened in Anaheim, Calif.
On July 18, 1953, Elvis Presley paid $3.98 to record his first demo at Sun Studio in Memphis, Tenn.
On July 19, 1848, the Seneca Falls Convention convened. It was the first women's rights event in the U.S.
On July 20, 1969, astronaut Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon.
On July 21, 2021, the world's fastest train debuted. The Chinese state-owned maglev (magnetic levitation) bullet train can reach speeds of 373 mph.
On July 22, 1933, aviator Wiley Post completed the first solo flight around the world in 7 days and 18.5 hours.
On July 23, 1999, astronaut Eileen Collins became the first woman to command a space shuttle mission (Columbia).
THIS WEEK’S FUN HOLIDAYS
July 16 is World Snake Day, National Cherry Day, National Corn Fritters Day, National Personal Chef Day, Fresh Spinach Day and Guinea Pig Appreciation Day
July 17 is World Emoji Day, National Hot Dog Day, National Lottery Day, National Peach Ice Cream Day, National Tattoo Day and Disneyland Day
July 18 is World Listening Day, National Caviar Day, National Dole Whip Day, National Sour Candy Day, National Tropical Fruit Day and Nelson Mandela Day
July 19 is National Football Day, National Urban Beekeeping Day, National Words With Friends Day, Flight Attendant Safety Professionals' Day and Stick Out Your Tongue Day
July 20 is International Chess Day, World Jump Day, National Fortune Cookie Day, National Lollipop Day, National Moon Day and Space Exploration Day
July 21 is National Be Someone Day, National Ice Cream Day, National Junk Food Day, National Lamington Day and Lake Superior Day
July 22 is World Brain Day, National Hammock Day, National Mango Day and Pi Approximation Day
July 23 is International Yada Yada Yada Day, National Sprinkle Day, National Vanilla Ice Cream Day, Peanut Butter and Chocolate Day and Picnic Table Day
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
FMI: Click here.
HOW TO SPREAD JOY/KINDNESS
* If you pass by someone who looks lost, offer help and/or directions.
* Offer your seat on public transportation to a person who's elderly, disabled, pregnant, a child or just someone who looks like they're having a terrible day.
* New neighbors just moved in? Stop by for a quick hello and welcome.
RECOMMENDED SUBSTACK
MOMENT OF GRATITUDE
Thanks to Mana5280, Unsplash, CBS News, the Lost Stuffy Project, Instagram, Good Morning America, KHOU 11, YouTube, The Washington Post, Apple News, NPR, Tourism Eastern Townships, Seven Days, The Moonlight Reader Society, History.com, This Day in History, Britannica, Time and Date, On This Day, the Library of Congress, IMDb, This Day in Music, National Today, National Day Calendar, Holidays Calendar, Insider Food, The Wolf Conservation Center, "Random Acts of Kindness Then & Now: The 20th Anniversary of a Simple Idea That Changes Lives" by M.J. Ryan, Beth's TV & Film Recommendations, Emily Charlotte Powell, While I Was Drawing, Counting Beans, Canva and Deposit Photos for art and story suggestions.
KEEP IN TOUCH
Read a positive/uplifting news story lately? Have an inspiring quote you want to share? Or do you just want to let me know about some of your favorite simple pleasures?