Weekly Uplifting Stories - Week of July 24th

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Last Updated: July 23, 2023

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Thank you for coming back to another edition of Uplifting Stories!

“Experience is not what happens to you; it is what you do with what happens to you.” —Aldous Huxley

Every week, we find positive news stories about people who are making their own life experiences - and those of the people around them - a little bit better every day.

This week we have compiled stories about:

A small British charity where 500 people donate £1 a week to help someone in their community
A baby girl surrendered to a Safe Haven Box is adopted by the firefighter who found her
A once homeless man who now uses his social media to help others needing a boost
An animal whisperer at an animal conservation & biological reserve nurses cubs to health

500 Acts of Kindness: 500 People Donate £1 a Week and Help a Community Member in Need

There's a small charity in Manchester, in the United Kingdom called 500 Acts of Kindness, which hands out £500 (About $644 USD) to the most deserving people.

The idea is that 500 people all donate £1 ($1.29 ish) per week, then they nominate people they've come across or just heard about, who, through no real fault of their own, need a leg up or a bit of a monetary boost. They choose someone to receive the funds every Friday, then the whole process begins again.

Some may think that $1 a week won't help much, but it makes a difference for the people who need the boost. With cost of living prices increasing, for some people in need, it can mean something simple like a carpet, help with a utility bill, or some groceries.

Sometimes a little kindness at just the right moment is all people need to start seeing the world in a more positive light. We hear time and again that for people struggling, though the cash is important, it’s being seen and heard and cared for – that’s the game-changer. - Chris Malvern, Co-Founder of 500 Acts of Kindness¹

When Chris Malvern and actor Julie Hesmondhalgh started the small charity, they just wanted to get enough people to help someone. Now, their Facebook group has over 3,000 members, and they are struggling to keep up, as more and more people want to help their community, and more people need the support.

You can see their FB page here, where you can also get involved if you want to help as well.

Baby Girl Surrendered to a Safe Haven Box is Adopted by the Firefighter Who Found Her

When firefighter Vincent showed up for one of his 24 hour shifts, he didn't expect to meet his future daughter. His fire station in Florida houses a safe haven baby box, a temperature controlled unit where someone in crisis can anonymously surrender a baby safely.

Vincent was on shift when he got the first responder alarm, picked up the baby and took her immediately to the hospital.

And he fell in love with her. Leaving a note with the attending nurses, he made it clear that if it was possible, he and his wife would like to adopt the baby. 2 days later, they were able to take the baby home, with the adoption finalized weeks later.

Vincent and his wife, Katie, had been trying to have a baby of their own for a decade, but not finding success in becoming parents. The arrival of baby Zoey, as she is now named, seemed like a divine gift to them.

"She is safe, she is happy and she is very loved." - Katie, from interview on CBS News Miami

Since 2016, Safe Haven Baby Boxes have saved 130 babies nationwide in the US. You can see the whole interview - and baby Zoey - here.

Street Vendor Gives Donuts in Kindness and Gets a Big Surprise

Isaiah Garza goes out every day to make a difference in someone's life.

Once struggling with poverty and homeless himself, he now spends his time helping others in need, making videos of his good deeds and showing how kind people can be, even when they have nothing.

"I got kind of, like, obsessed with seeing people happy and seeing the reactions on people's faces who, like, maybe live on the streets or are struggling. You know, because I myself am someone who struggled for so long," Garza told CBS News.

In this video, he approaches a young woman selling donuts, saying he has no money, but asking if she would be willing to give him one for free. She smiles, offering him three for nothing, just out of the goodness of her heart, saying, "It's okay, we must help each other."

She is totally shocked when Isaiah then gives her $500 to repay her kindness. (At first she refuses.)

He quickly finds out that she has been struggling to support her family and works day and night to try and make ends meet. She is brought to tears, and comes out for a hug.

You can watch this video to get the full impact and connection between the two.

Bannerghatta Biological Park's Animal Whisperer Nurtures Cubs

India's Bannerghatta Biological Park is home to over 2,300 animals, having been rescued from dangerous or life threatening situations. They are being rehabilitated here.

As well as having a state of the art facility and equipment, the park has another secret weapon when it comes to raising healthy cubs - "Animal Whisperer" Savitriamma.

Having been offered a job with the cleaning staff after her husband passed away in 2002, she was soon recognized for her ease with many of the animals, and was transferred to the zoo's hospital to be a caretaker.

The park receives cubs who have been injured, or have lost their mothers - both situations where they are likely to die if left on their own. Savitriamma takes on a motherly role, as part of the team who helps the cubs to survive. She cuddles, massages, talks to them and feeds/nurses them in her lap, as you would a human baby.

She has nurtured nearly 80 cubs from different animals, and more cubs are being sent to the facility thanks to the wonderful veterinary and caretaking efforts.

You can watch the whole video about the park, and see Savitriamma cuddle a half dozen sweet leopard cubs.