Uplifting Stories - February 5th, 2024

You know your healing journey will be full of ups and downs!

Healing from bad experiences becomes a bit easier when you make a conscious effort to seek out light, joy, and gratitude.

One way to do that is to pay more attention to stories of healing, hope and people helping people.

"Healing takes courage, and we all have courage, even if we have to dig a little to find it." - Tori Amos

So let's have a look at this week's uplifting stories:

• A restaurant saw booming business after customer's photo went viral
• A group of Menders offers free alterations to the homeless
• Man gets an unexpected delivery from a complete stranger
• Kindness Café helps strengthen community bonds 

Uplifting Stories - February 5th, 2024

A customer's photo changed the trajectory of an Oklahoma restaurant.

When Nick Chappell stopped in for lunch at Spirals: Hot Dogs & More in Norman, Oklahoma, he noticed the owner standing by the entrance looking for customers. 

He took a photo of Scott Hosek and shared it on social media, along with a positive recommendation of the restaurant's food and service. 

One photo changed everything, as the post went viral and people in the community showed up to support the business.

Scott was surprised by the sudden demand. He was selling more hot dogs in a single day than in weeks prior!

"One day you try to figure out what will I do, and suddenly to be resurrected, I would say one man saved the show," said Scott.

 It just goes to show how one person can make a huge impact!

Volunteers at Broad Street Ministry are mending clothes and spirits alike

Every week, a group of volunteers come together at the Broad Street Ministry to do free alterations and repairs for people experiencing homelessness.

Broad Street Ministry is a charity organization based in Philadelphia that serves people living in poverty.  

This group of talented women caters to a variety of tailoring needs, from fixing broken zippers to shortening pants to sewing backpack straps. 

With their sewing kits, dozens of buttons, pins, and needles; and all sorts of threads and ribbons, they stay ready to fix clothing items quickly and efficiently.

These women have been doing this for almost 12 years. 

“Sometimes we are dealing with the working poor, or people with little money, people confronting loneliness, added to home and food insecurity. We try to be the people of ‘yes,’” said Helen Cunningham, one of the Menders.

The Menders give a second chance to aged garments and salvage items that hold deep sentimental value for their owners. 

Amazon driver's act of kindness is winning hearts 

Don Wheeler has been in a wheelchair for 20 years. And for all that time, he's never gotten the help he needed during the snow season. He has learned to adapt the best he can, but shoveling snow can take hours, sometimes even days. 

On one snow day, Don got help from an unlikely source. 

As Don was getting ready to pick up his Amazon package, he saw the Amazon driver picking up a shovel and shoveling snow from his wheelchair ramp. 

"My heart wants to cry with joy. It does mean an awful lot. See, I'm getting emotional about it," 

“The world is changing, and it's changing fast. So, little deeds like this need to be brought forward to bring humanity back to normalcy. So god bless the kid, the gentleman, for doing it out of the kindness of his heart,” Don said.

This simple act of kindness left Don in awe. 

Kindness Café looks after families amidst the cost-of-living crisis

The Sugar Hill Primary School in Newton Aycliffe, runs a weekly kindness café to help families cope with the cost of living crisis. Families can access pre-loved uniforms, books, toiletries, and food in the cafe's swap shop. 

 "I think it's an appreciation of the enormity of the cost of living crisis upon the community, but it's also refreshing to see people come here, it gives a sense of belonging, a sense of community," said Richard Garrett, a parent.

"You don't just look after the children, you've got to look after the whole family to be able to educate the children", said Headteacher Paula O'Rourke. 

The school has been running the café for a year now and it has played a big role in encouraging children to come to school on time and have healthier meals. 

Have a Great Week Everyone! 

And there you have it! 

Don't forget - we are always looking for more Uplifting Stories! If you have a tale to tell, or want to submit one for a future article, connect with us in the comments below, or through our Instagram page. We'd love to hear from you. 

Have a great week everyone!

Photo by Momo