Simple acts of service
Vol. 3, Issue 43
THE GOOD NEWS
Her pictures of you
When Tropical Storm Helene hit western North Carolina last month, it damaged or destroyed more than 100,000 homes and roughly 400 commercial buildings. Early estimates have put the cost at about $53 billion.
Taylor Schenker traveled to Asheville, N.C., after Helene blew through to help her friend sign up for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. But once on-site, Schenker noticed dozens of family photos scattered throughout the storm-damaged area. These snapshots featured brides in wedding gowns, beloved pets, Christmas celebrations, teens in prom dresses and school portraits. Many were torn and covered in mud.
Although Schenker didn’t know any of the people in the pictures, she decided to help return them to their owners. She collected a large pile of snapshots from the debris and posted them on an Instagram page hoping to reconnect the snaps with Helene survivors. When search and rescue teams heard about her project, they also began sending her the images they found in the mud.
To date, dozens of families have recognized themselves or their loved ones in the pictures on her Instagram. And Schenker’s kindness is giving hope -- and what was thought to be lost memories -- to people who've lost so much.
"The process is definitely fulfilling. It's fun to see the moment that a photograph is reunited and to see the people in the comments tagging each other and saying, 'Hey, is this you?' or 'Oh my gosh, you just reminded me of this moment in my life that I had totally forgotten about,'" Schenker told CBS News.
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Right place, right time
Life can change in an instant. Jessi Lawhorn learned that lesson last month while she was delivering Amazon packages in Placer County, Calif.
The 24-year-old was approaching a home to bring some boxes to an elderly resident when the man started to walk toward her, fell and hit his head on the concrete. Lawhorn immediately rushed to his side to offer aid. She then called 911 and helped to staunch the bleeding. While waiting for first responders to arrive, she also kept him talking.
"I didn't want him to feel alone," she told The Sacramento Bee.
Five minutes later, the man was taken to a local hospital where he spent the night in the ICU while medical personnel treated his brain bleed. He has since been released and is back home to recover.
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What happens to unclaimed baggage
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THIS WEEK’S POLL
LAST WEEK’S POLL
THIS WEEK IN (POSITIVE) HISTORY
On November 20, 1866, French inventor Pierre Lallement received a U.S. patent for the modern pedal bicycle.
On November 21, 1941, the cartoon canary Tweety Bird debuted in "A Tale of Two Kitties."
On November 22, 1862, Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi's opera "La Forza del Destino" debuted at the Bolshoi Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia.
On November 23, 2020, Charlie D'Amelio became the first person to hit 100 million followers on TikTok.
On November 24, 1859, British naturalist Charles Darwin published "On the Origin of Species," which explained his theory of evolution.
On November 25, 1952, Agatha Christie's "The Mousetrap" opened in London's West End. It is now the longest-running show in history.
On November 26, 1832, the first streetcar railway in America began operating in New York City. The fare was 12 cents.
On November 27, 2000, Norway opened the world's longest road tunnel. Lærdalstunnelen (The Lærdal Tunnel), which links Oslo and Bergen, is 15.3 miles long.
THIS WEEK'S BIRTHDAYS
November 20: Swedish writer Selma Lagerlof, Russian ballerina Alexandra Danilova and President Joe Biden
November 21: writer/producer/actor Harold Ramis, actress Goldie Hawn and Malaysian comedian/"Daily Show" correspondent/host Ronny Chieng
November 22: tennis player Billie Jean King, guitarist/songwriter/actor "Little" Steven Van Zandt and Australian actor Dacre Montgomery
November 23: oceanographer Rita Rossi Colwell, Israeli actor Oded Fehr and "A Bit of Good News" editor Jade Walker :)
November 24: President Zachary Taylor, actress Katherine Heigl and comedian Stephen Merchant
November 25: author Helen Hooven Santmyer, baseball player Joe DiMaggio and actor Joel Kinnaman
November 26: rapper DJ Khaled, British singer Natasha Bedingfield and co-founder of Facebook Chris Hughes
November 27: martial artist/actor Bruce Lee, singer/songwriter/guitarist Jimi Hendrix and director Kathryn Bigelow
THIS WEEK’S FUN HOLIDAYS
November 20 is International Hug a Runner Day, National Absurdity Day, National Child's Day, National Education Support Professionals Day, National Peanut Butter Fudge Day, Future Teachers of America Day, Geographic Information Systems Day and Name Your PC Day
November 21 is World Fisheries Day, World Hello Day, World Philosophy Day, World Television Day, National Gingerbread Cookie Day, National Red Mitten Day, National Rural Health Day, National Stuffing Day and Use Less Stuff Day
November 22 is National Cranberry Relish Day, National Larimar Day, Flossing Day, Go For a Ride Day and Love Your Freckles Day
November 23 is National Adoption Day, National Cashew Day, National Eat a Cranberry Day, National Espresso Day, Aura Awareness Day, Family Volunteer Day, Fibonacci Day and Thankful for My Dog Day
November 24 is National Sardines Day and Celebrate Your Unique Talent Day
November 25 is National Play Day With Dad and National Parfait Day
November 26 is International Cake Day, National Law Day and Good Grief Day
November 27 is National Bavarian Cream Pie Day, National Craft Jerky Day, National Jukebox Day and Turtle Adoption Day
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SIMPLE PLEASURES
* Make a wish on a birthday candle
* Receive a gift in the mail from a friend who lives far away
* Writing thank you notes
HOW TO SPREAD JOY/KINDNESS
* Keep some leaves in your backyard to provide ground cover for wildlife
* Invite friends to Thanksgiving dinner
* Make a dish for someone that matches their special dietary needs
RECOMMENDED SUBSTACK
MY LITTLE ONES - PAST & PRESENT
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"It's not said enough and I'll say it again. The world is a good place full of good people. And when we act out of that, when we act out of hope and optimism and faith in our fellow man, we act out of our best selves and we are capable of doing great things." --Stuart McLean
MOMENT OF GRATITUDE
Thanks to The Citizen-Times, Photos From Helene, Instagram, CBS News, YouTube, The News & Observer, Apple News, The Sacramento Bee, Great Big Story, The Moonlight Reader Society, America's Test Kitchen, History.com, This Day in History, Britannica, Time and Date, On This Day, the Library of Congress, IMDb, Famous Birthdays, This Day in Music, National Today, National Day Calendar, Holidays Calendar, the USO, The Written Word, A Momentary Happiness, 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?
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I absolutely adore this post! The photos from Helene story is so beautiful, what a way to spread joy and hope. Thank you also for the recommendation!