Positively Uplifting Stories | October 13 2025

Meaningful change takes time.

Help those in your community, be kind, and do what you can to inspire others.

Don’t be discouraged when results don’t show up right away. Every little effort counts! And those small steps will allow you to tap into the power of giving back with no agenda.

“He who wishes to secure the good of others, has already secured his own.” - Confucius

Let’s take a look at a few examples of people showing up and making a difference, one step at a time.

• A man is committed to a lifetime of giving 
• A 11-year-old helps the community through his translation skills
• Therapy dogs create a calm environment for vulnerable witnesses 
• An Agri-based school empowers girls from underserved communities

Positively Uplifting Stories | October 13 2025

Man continues his unwavering mission to save lives.

Leigh Stewart is one of just 21 people in Australia with a rare platelet type. He also has a rare O-negative blood type, making his donations incredibly valuable!

His blood is used to treat critically ill newborns suffering from a condition called NAIT (Neonatal Alloimmune Thrombocytopenia).

Leigh’s donations, made over more than two decades, have helped save many babies.

A recipient of Leigh’s donation, Max is now 11 years old and thriving! He and his mom met Leigh to express their gratitude.

“I always believe that, you know, give before you take,” said Leigh.

11-year-old plays a vital role in Helene recovery efforts.

Camden Byers has been learning Spanish since kindergarten and is now fluent in the language.

It really came in handy when young Camden was at his grandmother’s house during the aftermath of Hurricane Helene last year. While helping distribute supplies, his Spanish skills made a far greater impact than he ever imagined.

Thanks to his bilingual abilities, he was able to assist many people in need.

“He just went with his heart, and he just used the language for one of the best, I would say, best opportunities that he had, which is helping others,” said Camden’s previous dual language teacher, Teresa Ulloa.

Therapy dogs provide companionship to young victims and witnesses.

 Ice and Kali are professionally trained dogs who help young victims and witnesses navigate the justice system in Maine.

They offer a supportive presence and have a calming effect on traumatized victims and witnesses of crime.

This allows them to compose themselves as they go through the court process.

"Ice is the chillest dog you ever want to meet. Ice's calming presence can help people get through very difficult situations. Just having a dog there that you can pet lowers that anxiety level," said Paul Rucha, Criminal Justice Dog 4 Maine.

Agri-based school is working to address gender inequality in rural India.

The Good Harvest School in Uttar Pradesh, India, teaches young girls sustainable agriculture.

They receive hands-on training in farming practices such as growing crops, preserving native seeds, and more.

In a region where women's roles are often limited to domestic chores, the school empowers them to gain the confidence and skills to become independent decision-makers in sustainable agriculture.

“This is something where they [women] are moving into the value addition chain. By embedding agriculture into daily livelihood, this model normalizes women as leaders in farming,” said Shruchi Singh, Agricultural Expert, S M Sehgal Foundation.

Thank You for Showing Up!

These stories remind us that impact doesn't require grand gestures.

Leigh simply showed up, again and again. Camden used what he had, right where he was. Sometimes change takes twenty years to see. Sometimes you never see it at all. But someone, somewhere, feels it.

You don't need rare gifts or special skills. You just need to offer what you have to someone who needs it. Because your small act of kindness could be someone else's turning point. And that's worth showing up for.