A Bride’s Joy

They showed up . . . and they brought her father to the wedding. Kristin Marino got married to Noah in New York City recently. The city is significant for Kristin and her family because her father, Kenneth, died there on 9/11. When his fellow firefighters heard about the wedding, they showed up to honor…Read more »

Good Food & Good Stories

Coming together over food is not uncommon, but what if more than just food was shared?  What if strangers shared stories over food? After sharing that food and those stories, what if those strangers became friends?  A group in Maine wants to start a “Potluck Movement”  that does just that! A time for people to connect…Read more »

Finding his Voice

Viraj Dhanda is headed to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. MIT knows a gifted student when they see it, but it hasn’t always been that way for Viraj. He was mistakenly diagnosed as intellectually disabled at the age of two. In fact, Viraj is a non-speaking person with autism. Once he had the right tools,…Read more »

Inspired to Help

In the last few weeks and in the coming weeks, students across the country will gather on college campuses to begin their studies. Two special students met . . . again. Ellie Koerner and Dawson Nailor recently met at medical school, but their paths crossed years ago. Their experiences as children had an impact on…Read more »

Carousel of Joy

When he was in Vietnam, joy was something Scott Harrison wasn’t sure he’d ever experience again. To escape the nightmare around him, he repeatedly returned to an image of a carousel in the mountains. Thanks to Scott, today that carousel exists in Nederland, Colorado. This Story of Joy was twenty-six years in the making, and…Read more »

Sienna’s Joy

Super shelter dog to the rescue! Click the link below for a story about a shelter dog who recognized a stranger having a seizure even though she’d never been taught how to do it.  Sienna has a gift to help others, and she was adopted by another family who will be a perfect match. Don’t…Read more »

Camp Rock

Lots of kids go to camp during the summer, but few go to a camp as special as Camp Rock. Camp Rock is sponsored by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. It’s designed for children with hand and arm differences, but it’s so much more than that. While rock climbing and doing crafts, the kids are…Read more »

Walking Duluth

In downtown Duluth, Nathan “Nate” Kesti spends his days walking up to 12 miles, not out of obligation, but out of care. As part of the Clean and Safe Team, he moves through the streets with a friendly wave, a kind word, and often a bottle of water for those who need it most. His…Read more »

Thank you, Pops!

At 65 years old, Ed Levien wondered if he was too old to start something new—but what followed became one of the great joys of his life. Defying expectations, he became a volunteer EMT, quickly earning the nickname “Pops” as he brought calm, compassion, and a spark of humor to thousands of emergency calls. Over…Read more »

Firefly Joy

We’re in the month of August, and it’s been a fantastic summer for fireflies. Fireflies? Yes! Those little bugs that light up the night sky. For several reasons, fireflies have been in abundance the last few months. They bring joy and laughter to children and adults alike. No matter your age . . . there’s…Read more »