Category: Uncategorized

  • Man Who Was Given Lottery Ticket in Get-Well Card After Open-Heart Surgery Wins $1 Million Prize
  • Alexander McLeish received three scratch-off tickets in a get-well card from a friend while he was recovering from double-bypass heart surgery surgery. As he began scratching off the letters on the lottery ticket, he noticed a good-luck sign: the first three letters were his initials; A, W, and M. As McLeish continued revealing the letters on the crossword lottery ticket, for a game called $5,000,000 100X Cashword, he unveiled the word “heart” on the bottom row. Players earn more money for how many complete words they are able to find. He won the second top prize for the game: $1 million. There are 10 total prize winners for that amount on the $20 ticket. The highest prize is $5 million. "We double-checked it, triple-checked and quadruple-checked it," McLeish told the Boston Herald. "It was a little bit of disbelief at first but then it settled in and it was like, wow, I can't believe this happened, you know?" McLeish claimed his prize last week, and he chose the cash option. Before taxes, he took home a one-time payment of $650,000. As a bonus for selling the winning ticket this time around, the Quickeez Beer, Wine and Convenience Store in Carver, Massachusetts will receive a $10,000 bonus, per the state lottery's press release. McLeish plans to share his winnings with his children, as well as give some to his friend, Larry, who purchased the ticket. Image source: People
  • NFL Star J.J. Watt Offers to Pay Funeral Costs for Waukesha Christmas Parade Victims
  • Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt offered to cover the funeral costs for all of the victims of the Waukesha Christmas parade after a car drove into the crowd. At least six people were killed and dozens more were injured at the annual parade in Watt’s Wisconsin hometown.  Five victims were initially identified as 81-year-old Wilhelm Hospel, 79-year-old Virginia Sorenson, 71-year-old LeAnna Owen, 52-year-old Tamara Durand and 52-year-old Jane Kulich. An 8-year-old child, Jackson Sparks, was identified as the sixth victim. Watt was born in Waukesha and played football at Pewaukee High School. He tweeted after learning of the tragedy. "Just now seeing what happened at the holiday parade back home in Waukesha tonight. Horrific images," he wrote. "Truly hoping everyone is going to be ok and those not involved are now safe. Thankful to everyone who rushed to action and helped the wounded." His brothers, who play for the Pittsburgh Steelers, also shared their thoughts on social media. "Thinking of all those affected by the senseless tragedy tonight back home in Waukesha, WI. This news truly is heartbreaking to see," Derek Watt wrote.  Darrell Brooks Jr. was charged with five counts of first-degree intentional homicide following the attack. Prosecutors say he will likely face additional charges. Watt has taken similar measures before, offering to cover funeral costs of the people who died in the 2018 Santa Fe High School shooting, and when Hurricane Harvey devastated Houston while he was playing for the Houston Texans. He raised $37 million out of a goal of $200,000 to help rebuild the area. Image source: The Guardian
  • Chattanooga’s ‘Conservation Kid’ Has Removed 14k Pounds of Trash, 1.5 Tons of Aluminum from Tennessee River
  • Five years ago, seven-year-old Cash Daniels learned how polluted the Tennessee River was, and just how many people depended on the water to live. He began hosting river clean-ups, and, in just four years, has removed 14,000 pounds of trash and recycled 1.5 tons of aluminum from the area.  The now-12-year-old uses money he raises to make monofilament bins that are placed along the river. According to his website, there are now 17 bins out.  From a young age, Cash was always very fascinated with marine life in his local river. He talked to his parents about picking up trash and gathered additional volunteers by contacting local news outlets and creating an Instagram page. Cash now runs a recycling program with local businesses to keep aluminum cans out of landfills and support river conservation. Cash also wrote a children's book about river pollution, which he reads to kids at school to "share how important our planet is," he said. In June, Cash was selected as one of America’s top 10 youth volunteers of 2021 by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. He earned the title of National Honoree and secured a $5,000 grant to go to a nonprofit of his choice. “If you have an idea, and don’t know where to start or how to find it, look in the trash, who knows, you may find an idea? And you can help the planet too!” says Cash. Image source: TheConservationKid.com
  • Skechers Pledges $800k+ to Support The Nature Conservancy and Launches ‘Our Planet Matters’ Recycled Collection.

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    Skechers has announced its partnership with global environment organization, The Nature Conservancy, for a multi-year commitment and minimum $800,000 pledge to help the organization’s mission of protecting the lands and waters on which all life depends. Good for your feet, good for the world - Skechers has introduced Our Planet Matters, a collection of sustainable men’s, women’s and children’s products that utilizes recycled materials in its design to help reduce the company’s environmental impact.“As a global lifestyle brand, we have a wonderful opportunity to encourage consumers of every age to become more environmentally conscious in their daily lives. And Our Planet Matters is a natural step in that direction,” said Michael Greenberg, president of Skechers. “These styles enable people of all ages to wear many of our popular designs in recycled materials—an easy, practical way to start helping our planet. From Our Planet Matters to partnering for a purpose alongside The Nature Conservancy, we look forward to improving our sustainability as we find new ways to innovate our business operations and our next generation of product.” The Nature Conservancy’s mission includes global efforts, such as reforestation, which aligns with Skechers’ commitment to reduce tree harvesting and emissions in its packaging. “We are grateful to work alongside a partner like Skechers, with a history of helping families impacted by hurricanes, fires and other natural disasters—many of which continue to increase due to our changing climate,” said Jennifer Hoyer, global director of cause marketing and brand partnerships for The Nature Conservancy. “Our Planet Matters shoes provide environmentally conscious supporters with an option to help protect our planet.” Image Source (top): © Gustavo Garcés Villa/TNC Photo Contest 2021
  • Gunshot Victim Finally Able to Thank Medical Student Who Saved His Life 25 Years Ago
  • 25 years ago, a Maryland medical student took a wrong turn after getting lost while driving and ended up answering a gunshot victim’s prayer. Earlier this month, Damon Walker reunited with the man who saved his life, Dr. Michael Franks. "I constantly think about that moment of being in the gutter and not having any hope to live, you know, knowing that death was imminent," Walker told CNN. "I said a simple prayer that it would be nice if somebody came to pick me up." Walker said he was in shock when a car drove up to him and “an angel” appeared. Franks was a medical student at the time, and saved Walker’s life on New Year's Day in 1996. This was the first time the pair had met since that night so many years ago, after Walker and his mother searched online to find the Good Samaritan that appeared that day. Once they found Franks, now a urologist in Virginia, they gave him a call. Franks was unaware of what had happened to Walker or if he even survived. "We talked, we connected, we did a little hug and then we went and had some lunch across the street from my office and just talked a little more and processed things, just not for closure, but for seeing where he is and what happened," Franks, 52, told CNN. "I assume the worst when someone has a spinal cord injury, it's a tough life. He looked really good. He had the most positive vibe ever." As they revisited what happened that night, Franks learned that Walker, then 18, was leaving a nightclub with friends when a car pulled up with several men in it. A fight broke out, and Walker was shot three times. As everyone else ran away from him, Franks came toward him. One he was released from the hospital, went through physical therapy and adjusted to his new life in a wheelchair, Walker says he dedicated himself to learning and reading, as he was "functionally illiterate" at the time. He worked as a peer counselor, and is now a violence prevention specialist at a local hospital. Walker helps gunshot or stabbing victims get jobs or assist them however he can. "If you help these people heal, you might be healing more than a bullet wound," he said. "You might be healing some aspect of not trusting the system, not trusting people that now they can offer understanding to other people that go through the same thing.” Walker wanted to reconnect with Walker to let him know he helped save him and his community. "I know I wouldn't have been able to give that (to my community) if it wasn't for him helping me that day,” said Walker. Image source: CNN
  • Full-Circle Moment: Pilot Who Fled Afghanistan as a Child is Bringing Afghan Refugees to America
  • Zak Khogyani has been all over the world and seen some of the most amazing sites to be seen — from Antelope Canyon in Northern Arizona, all the way to the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland or a stunning sunrise above the Aegean Sea on the Greek Island of Santorini.  Khogyani is a pilot for United Airlines as well as a photographer, capturing moments as he makes his way around the world. However, one of the most touching images is not something he saw in nature. Rather, it was something he saw while volunteering last summer during a nine-hour flight to the U.S. The plane was filled with Afghan refugees, and Khogyani saw something interesting as he looked around at the anxious, tired faces of children sitting with their parents: he saw himself. "I was nine years old when I experienced similar circumstances," the 53-year-old told CNN. "It all came rushing back. It was harder than I thought." Khogyani has been a pilot for United Airlines for 27 years. When the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August, the Pentagon called on the Civil Reserve Air Fleet to help supply commercial planes to evacuate Americans and Afghan allies. Khogyani wrote to the CEO of United Airlines, volunteering his help. Khogyani grew up in Afghanistan but fled the country with his family in 1977 at just nine years old. His family was involved in Afghan politics and began receiving death threats, so they decided to seek safety elsewhere. 44 years later, Khogyani accompanied 1,000 Afghan passengers on three flights to the US, acting as an interpreter for refugees, greeting them as they boarded the plane. “Welcome,” he said in Pashto, their own language. “I hope you come joyfully.” "There were a lot of kids on the flight, and every single one in one way or the other reminded me of our own escape," he said. Khogyani is proud of America and what it has meant for him. "The United States is the land of opportunity,” said Khogyani. "If you are willing to work hard no one is going to stop you from having what you want to achieve." He also said that the evacuees repeatedly told him that they gave him hope for their own futures. "A lot of them told me that they were proud of me," he said, "and that I gave them hope that the future will be bright." Image source: CNN
  • Hero of all Heroes: Dad Dies While ‘Bear-Hugging’ Daughter During Plane Crash, Saves Her Life
  • An 11-year-old girl, Laney, was the sole survivor of a plane crash in Beaver Island, Michigan earlier this month. The last thing Laney remembers is her dad, Mike Perdue, ‘bear-hugging’ her to protect her and keep her safe as the plane went down. Mike Perdue was one of four people that died in the crash. Laney was critically injured, but is in the hospital and now in stable condition. Laney’s mom, Christina Perdue, told ABC News: “He gave the best bear hugs, and I believe he grabbed our daughter and protected her.” A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help support the Perdue family, which has raised more than $155k. Dana Bensinger, a family friend who started the GoFundMe page, said Laney has “a lot of broken bones, but she’s a trooper and a fighter.” Bensinger added that Mike “loved his family, faith and Beaver Island.” She also said that Christina “is an amazing Beaver Island native. She’s been focusing on getting Laney healed and is touched by the love and support.” The small, twin-engine plane went down around 1:30 p.m. on a Saturday, and the cause of the crash is still being investigated. Image source: Up North Live
  • Children’s Author Offers to Send Free Book to Families Struggling This Christmas
  • Comedian and author Samantha Baines announced on Twitter that she would send a free, signed copy of one of her children’s books, Harriet Versus the Galaxy, or The Night the Moon Went Out, to any family that may be struggling and unable to buy their child a gift this Christmas. “DM me your address and I’ll send you a signed copy of my book (already wrapped) so they have something to open on #Xmas day,” she tweeted. Baines also asked other authors who would be willing to join in to comment on her thread. Some users asked if they could donate the cost of a book, which Baines said is possible by sending £6.99 to biggreenbookshop@hotmail.com on PayPal. Both of her books feature a female protagonist who wears a hearing aid — just like 34-year-old Baines does, as she is hearing impaired. She told Book Trust that it was important to her for children to see themselves represented in books. “When I discovered I needed hearing aids, I was an adult. Even so, I felt alone and "other", like it would hold me back in my career and social life,” she explained. “In contrast, three years on, I can honestly say that getting a hearing aid is one of the best things that ever happened to me.” “I was sitting down, doing some Black Friday shopping and seeing all the deals that were coming up… And I just thought ‘I don’t need this stuff,’” Baines told PA Media. “Some families are really struggling and I’d hate for a child to wake up on Christmas morning and have nothing to open. “But also, you know, the pressure that those parents feel to make… I’m not a parent myself, but my children’s books are comedy books so I love making kids laugh.” Baines has had over 25 requests so far, and is enjoying wrapping the books as she goes. While Baines is only able to ship within the UK, the owner of Eyewear Insight, an affordable online prescription eyeglasses shop, added that they would give away ten free pairs of prescription eyeglasses in the U.S. Image source: Good Reads
  • Fundraiser Tops $1.6 Million to Help Man Who Served 43 Years in Prison for Crime He Did Not Commit
  • Kevin Strickland left a Missouri prison last Tuesday, Nov. 23, after being exonerated in a 1978 triple homicide. However, under Missouri law, he was ineligible for compensation from the state because he was exonerated without any DNA evidence. The Midwest Innocence Project launched a GoFundMe campaign to help Strickland, and it has already reached over $1.6 million in donations as of Monday afternoon. Strickland was taken into custody at just 18 years old. Tricia Rojo Bushnell, the attorney representing Strickland and the executive director of the Midwest Innocence Project, told The Washington Post on Friday that people from all over the world have reached out in hopes of helping her client. As for state compensation, Bushnell said that only a small minority of people receive it. "The vast majority of folks who are exonerated are exonerated through non-DNA evidence and the vast majority of crimes do not involve DNA at all. So what we see in Missouri is folks get home and they are provided nothing,” said Bushnell. "He's 62 years old with physical problems. He's not going to be able to work in the way that many other folks coming home would. This has got to be something to sustain him.” Judge James Welsh ruled that Strickland’s conviction should be vacated due to no physical evidence linking him to the crime. "Under these unique circumstances, the Court's confidence in Strickland's convictions is so undermined that it cannot stand, and the judgment of conviction must be set aside," the judge wrote in ordering Strickland's immediate release, according to The Associated Press. "I'm not necessarily angry. It's a lot. I think I've created emotions that you all don't know about just yet. Joy, sorrow, fear. I am trying to figure out how to put them together," he told reporters as he left the Western Missouri Correctional Center. Upon his release, the first thing Strickland did was visit his mother’s grave. To donate, visit the GoFundMe page here. Image source: KTLA, Yahoo
  • Vending Machines Replaced with ‘Giving Machines’ in Denver
  • Giving Machines are set up in downtown Denver for a limited time and give customers the ability to purchase items for a charity in need of donations rather than for themselves. The vending machine-like devices give shoppers the choice of items they would like to give. "There's things all the way from just a few dollars to, to a goat for $75 and chickens for $25," Fred Lewis, a volunteer with the machines, told The Denver Channel. "It's so easy to be able to help someone else. The vending machines are set up at Writer Square, along the 16th Street Mall between Lawrence and Larimer. Volunteers will be on-site to help from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. Shoppers can pay with credit card or mobile pay — no cash payment options — items range from $5 to $300. The machines will be open 24/7 through New Year’s Day 2022. The Giving Machines are sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints. Organizers hope to bring together different organizations and faiths to build a positive impact during this holiday season. The four organizations working with the Giving Machines this year are the Crowley Foundation, Jewish Family Services, Project Worthmore and The Denver Rescue Mission. "When they put that money into the giving machine, it's going directly to the Denver Rescue Mission for that item that they purchased," said Nicole Tschetter, the public relations manager for the homeless outreach organization. "Those people can have a peace of mind knowing that their dollar is going exactly to that coat or to that meal." Last year, the machines raised over $650,000. This year, the goal is $1 million. "It only takes, you know, a few dollars, and you can make a difference," said Duane Smith, who oversees the Giving Machines in Denver. "It's been just a tremendous experience to bring these organizations together and provide a wonderful opportunity for families to come down here." Image source: Giving Machines Denver