Hello dear reader!
Thank you for following our blog. We share information here about getting out of debt, the benefits of bankruptcy, and tips on savvy financial management, saving more and spending less.
Certainly, these are critical topics for our financial futures, but this year we also want to share good things that are happening in the world. Last year we published a monthly edition of Random Acts of Kindness. Simply put, it’s a beautiful thing to be reminded of the good in the world.
Without further ado, Welcome 2018 and Welcome to our January Edition of Good Happenings in the World!
Good Happenings Gone Viral
Last year gave us a number of feel-good viral moments, spread far and wide across the internet. Here are our top 3 favorite good happenings that went viral in 2017!
Words With Friends
Rosalind Guttman, 81, retired and living in Florida, met Spencer Sleyon, a 22 year old aspiring rapper from Harlem while playing Words With Friends. Rosalind played the word “phat,” and she and Spencer became fast friends after that.
Throughout the summer they played over 300 games with each other! While playing they also shared hopes, dreams, and plans for the future. They got to know each other. In December Spencer traveled to Florida to meet Rosalind in person. Adorable photos of the unlikely duo embracing went viral.
Rabbit Rescue
During the Thomas Fire that scorched over 280,000 acres in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties, north of Los Angeles, a man pulled off to the side of the freeway to save a wild cottontail rabbit.
In the video, we watch a man frantically jumping around and chasing something. The massive wildfire blazes only inches away. He then scoops up a tiny bunny into his arms and carries her to safety. The brave rabbit rescuer was later identified as Caleb Wadnan.
Cookies for a Cause
Mark Chalifoux, comedian and writer from Cincinnati, was accidentally added to a family’s group chat. He received multiple texts, including family photos and discussions of sending care packages to a relative serving in the military.
Mark said, “I didn’t want to do just the traditional ‘This is the wrong number’ and be rude about it that way, so I assumed if I just responded with anything, that would pretty much clarify to them that they shouldn’t have included me on this,” he said.
But the texts continued. When he sent a text saying he wasn’t sure he should be a part of the thread and trying to clue them in on their mistake, he received the response: “Because you are family” followed by a string of emojis.
A member of the group thread shared how to send care packages to their relative serving in the military. The soldier’s privacy is protected by calling him “Christian.” Mark decided that he was going to put something together for Christian.
Mark set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for “Cookies for Christian.” Much to his surprise, the campaign raised over $1,600! Mark sent 40 pounds of cookies overseas to Christian and his unit, plus a second shipment of essentials like toiletries and non-perishable snacks (more nutritious than cookies).
Mark shares this heartwarming story on the GoFundMe page, and in closing, he states: “There’s a lot messed up in this world. Take a minute to put some positive energy out there. Give people something to believe in. And buy some cookies for a guy none of us has ever met.”
Mark is still receiving their group text messages.
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’“
– Martin Luther King, Jr.
It doesn’t take money or talent to do something good for another. Create your own good happenings in the world. We’d love to hear about the kindness you spread into the world! Feel free to post stories about the good things you do or witness on our Facebook page!
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We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Find out more about Bankruptcy in our guide: All About Bankruptcy.
