Joy to be Home

After more than a year of evading capture, Valerie, the miniature dachshund, is finally caught and reunited with her loving owners. In November 2023, Valerie’s owners went camping in South Australia on an island known as Kangaroo Island. Her owners left the napping dog in a playpen and went to fish nearby. The dog escaped and has been…Read more »

Prom Joy!

It’s prom and graduation season around the country. Ella Walker is a high school senior, and she was looking forward to all of the end-of-the-senior-year events . . . until she broke her back. Ella had a horrific accident at a trampoline park. She had surgery, was hospitalized, and going to miss the prom. Then…Read more »

Hope & Pasta

As the world gets to know Pope Leo, we remember the final gift of Pope Francis. Pope Francis donated his remaining funds to a pasta factory. Pastificio Futuro is a special pasta factory. It employs current and former inmates of a nearby detention center. It gives people a second chance. It brings them hope. As…Read more »

Field of Joy

Did you give your mom flowers yesterday in celebration of Mother’s Day? How about a field of flowers? Better yet, a Field of Joy! There’s an annual event in Carlsbad, California that will take your breath away. Its beauty will leave you speechless, and many volunteers make it possible. The flowers may only last ten…Read more »

A Very Special Mother’s Day

It’ll be a very special Mother’s Day at Ashley and Spencer’s home on Sunday, and it all started with a message on Facebook. That message said, “I hope this isn’t weird.” Ashley and Spencer struggled with infertility for years. Out of the blue, Ashley received an offer . . . someone volunteering to be a…Read more »

Human Chain of Joy

Michelle Toplin, owner of Serendipity Books in Michigan, created a human conveyor belt to move all her books to a new location. Young and old joined in the 300-foot-long human chain of joy to transport her books from hand to hand. In alphabetical order, no less! Click the link below to watch how Michelle created…Read more »

Making People Happy

Art + Accounting = Joy?! Melody Morrow never expected the bills for therapy for a hurt foot would bring her joy. Click the link below to watch how one artistic accounting clerk brought healing through acts of kindness by creating original art for Melody’s receipt envelopes. The joy has spread because her artwork is on display, and school…Read more »

Good Deeds Bring Joy

A small good deed can go a long way.  The story linked below highlights how kids are learning this firsthand.  We receive joy in helping others, so what better way to teach our kids than by having them get involved.  The Loukoumi Make a Difference Foundation is empowering kids around the world to make a difference one small…Read more »

The NuWray Way

The NuWray Hotel has served the residents and visitors of Burnsville, North Carolina for more than 190 years. Six months ago the historic hotel served the people in a new way. You might call it The NuWray Way. After Hurricane Helene devastated the area, folks started gathering at the hotel. Amanda and James Keith, owners…Read more »

Dying to Serve

This is National Volunteer Week, a good time for all us to thank volunteers and to find a way to volunteer. Doug Ruch is doing just that. His motto is Dying to Serve, and there’s quite a story behind it. Doug is dying of cancer. When he learned he only had a limited amount of…Read more »