Positively Uplifting Stories | February 23 2026

Acts of kindness benefit us just as much as they benefit others. Even the simplest act of giving can make us happier, help us heal, and make our lives feel richer.

Every day, we have opportunities to make a positive difference in small but meaningful ways.

By prioritizing our human connections and empathy, we nurture our own well-being while also contributing to a more compassionate, connected community.

“In separateness lies the world’s greatest misery; in compassion lies the world’s true strength.” — Buddha

Let’s explore a few stories that illustrate the healing power of kindness.

• A firefighter adopts the puppies he rescued from a house fire
• A teen cashier steps up to help an elderly woman
• An eleven-year-old ice skater skates for a greater cause
• A man helps the community by clearing roads after extreme weather

Positively Uplifting Stories | February 23 2026

Puppies find a loving home with the firefighter who saved them.

Pickens County firefighter Lieutenant Isaac Holaway adopted one of the seven newborn puppies he rescued from a burning home last March.

The remaining puppies were taken to two rescue organizations, Pup and Cat Company and Bosley’s Place, where they received care and were eventually placed in loving homes.

All but one puppy was adopted. Recently, Lieutenant Holaway welcomed the final pup into his home, reuniting him with his brother for good. The two are now happily together, named Lieutenant Pee Wee (Lou) and Creed.

“These dogs, I have had a connection with from the moment I rescued them. It means everything to me,” said Lieutenant Holaway.

Teen cashier gets recognized for his act of kindness.

Brent Cabahug is a senior at Stillwater Area High School and works part-time at Walmart, his very first job. One day, an elderly woman came through his checkout line and struggled to pay for her groceries after her credit card was declined several times. Brent just quietly paid for her items.

Another customer in line, Dani Dircks, witnessed the moment and felt he deserved recognition for his kindness. She later started a GoFundMe campaign to help Brent buy a car and pursue nursing school after graduation.

"What a great addition to our community. How great for him to step up and show our community and Stillwater how great we can be," said Dani.

Young ice skater uses her talent for a greater purpose.

 Eleven-year-old McKenna Fuller has been skating for years, but over the past two years, the sport has taken on a deeper meaning for her.

When her younger sister, Cora, was diagnosed with cancer at the age of four, McKenna found a new purpose in skating, using it as a way to help others. She began skating for the Scott Hamilton CARES Foundation to raise funds and performed heartfelt tributes in honor of her sister.

Today, six-year-old Cora is doing much better and is now in remission from leukemia.

"It felt very special, and I knew it was helping. I knew it was helping a whole bunch of people out there," said McKenna.

Man plows streets for free after extreme winter weather.

Kenneth Harrell wanted to make it easier for people to get around after a snowfall, so he stepped up to plow the streets of St. Louis’s Dogtown neighborhood for free.

He rented a Bobcat-style skid steer loader using money he earned from hand-shoveling sidewalks alongside his sister and nephew.

Kenneth focused on clearing narrow streets that many drivers couldn’t navigate, helping residents move safely through the neighborhood.

His dedication and love for the community have earned him widespread praise!