Author: Jack Owens

California resident Scott Kolbrenner won $145,000 on Wheel of Fortune on March 18, which makes him the fifth biggest winner in Wheel of Fortune’s 46-year history. Now, he has decided to donate every penny to charity. Kolbrenner, who is a financial advisor from Encino, California, sits on the board of directors for Uplift Family services at Hollygrove, which is one of the most comprehensive behavioral health treatment providers in California. He decided to split his winnings, giving $72,500 each to Hollygrove and the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. "Hollygrove is a wonderful place," said Kolbrenner. "It's dedicated to helping kids excel and grow. And their families as well — mental health and other services for them." When asked what motivated Scott to donate the large sum, he replied: “The fun and memories from the day will stay with me forever, but the urgent need in our community cannot wait.”

One California woman has finally passed the bar exam to become a lawyer after ten years and twelve attempts, all while raising four kids and working full-time, proving that giving up simply isn’t in her vocabulary. Evelyn Uba migrated to the United States from Nigeria in 1983 with the dream of becoming a lawyer, and almost 40 years later, that dream has come true. Thanks to a video that her daughter posted on Twitter, the special moment where Uba found out that she passed has been viewed over 400k times, and strangers everywhere are congratulating her for her hard work.

my mom finished law school in 2011 and has been studying for the california BAR exam while raising 4 kids & working full time for the past 10 years. today? SHE PASSED THE BAR!!!!! ????????????

THAT’S ESQUIRE NOW! pic.twitter.com/GHj8SiqkOP — naeche (@srrytothisman) January 9, 2021

Uba left home in Igboland, Nigeria at the age of 18 to begin college in America, but soon after, her father suffered a stroke, and due to financial difficulties, her path to law school came to a halt. Two decades later, after getting married and starting a family, Uba finally resumed studying at California Southern Law School in 2005. "I never stopped wanting to go to law school," she told "Good Morning America." "After my last child turned 2, I went to a school that I could afford that was conducive to being a mom, going to work and making payments." After graduating in 2011, Uba spent most of her time working and providing for her four children, so finding time to study for the bar exam became difficult. "I took the exam more than ten times," she said. "I stopped counting after a while but giving up certainly wasn't in my dictionary." Finally, in early 2021, Uba got the result that she wanted, and the celebration that ensued was a tear-jerking moment for family and strangers who saw the video posted to Twitter. "I started jumping up and down," she said. "I had so many reasons to give up but I knew I just had to keep pushing. I felt so relieved." Now a licensed lawyer, Uba plans to work in criminal defense to help low-income individuals in marginalized communities, and encourages those who hear her story to never give up.

NBA legend and hall-of-famer Michael Jordan has teamed up with Novant Health to donate $10 million to open two new medical clinics in his hometown in North Carolina, which is one of the largest donations by the NBA start ever. The clinics are set to open in early 2022 in New Hanover County, near Jordan’s hometown. This is not the first time Jordan has stepped up to help his community. He previously gave $7 million to open Michael Jordan Family Clinics in 2019 and 2020, which have already seen more than 4,500 patients and administered over 1,000 COVID-19 vaccines. The clinics created with this new donation will serve uninsured or underinsured residents of New Hanover County, according to a news release from Novant Health. “I am very proud to once again partner with Novant Health to expand the Family Clinic model to bring better access to critical medical services in my hometown” Jordan said in a statement. “Everyone should have access to quality health care, no matter where they live, or whether or not they have been insured.” Jordan grew up in Wilmington and went on to play basketball at University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, before winning six championships in his 15 years in the NBA. “Wilmington holds a special place in my heart, and it is truly gratifying to be able to give back to the community that supported me throughout my life” Jordan adds. Novant health has now received $17 million from Jordan to build new health care clinics.

Forced to re-model their business plan because of the pandemic, Mark and Karen Heuwetter, co-founders of the brewery in Huntington, New York thought that bringing dogs and customers together during deliveries would be a fun experience for all. “Prior to Covid, the dogs were typically at the brewery greeting customers” says Karen Heuwetter. “We knew people missed them and frankly the dogs missed our customers!” Remembering the St. Bernard who carried whiskey around its neck, the Heuwetters were inspired to put the dogs to work, and the goldens were more than happy to oblige. “The golden retriever is naturally loyal and loves to be with people” Heuwetters says.  “When we let them out of the car they instinctively want to be with the people they see in the distance.  They run straight from the car to the front door.” During deliveries, the humans, wearing masks and gloves, carry the beer while the dogs jump out to greet customers with their beer accessories. Seeking treats, hugs, and pets, the dogs quickly became a huge hit. “People smile and even laugh the moment they see the dogs running up their sidewalk - it's a fast transaction but it always leaves everyone with a warm heart” says Heuwetters. Much to the delight of customers of the brewery, the end of the pandemic will not be the end of the ‘Brew Dogs.’ The brewery is dog-friendly, and even encourages customers to bring their dogs to hang out while the humans share a beer.