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Hello everyone and welcome back to this week's edition of Uplifting Stories!
The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do. - Steve Jobs
This week, we've collected some cheerful tales about:
Let's get into it!
Going door to door in his neighborhood to look for some friends his own age, 11-year-old Shaden found a house - and a family - that would help him find friends all over the world.
Captured in their Ring camera, the video shows Shaden Walker bravely ringing the bell and asking if the homeowner was aware of any kids his age in the neighborhood, as he was looking to make some new friends. When told the kids next door fit the bill, Shaden replied,
"Well, they're not my friends anymore 'cause um, they're bullies to me. They keep bullying me."1
The neighbor, Brennan Ray, along with his wife Angell, put the video on TikTok - where it went viral - getting over 69 million views. They also started a GoFundMe for Shaden, hoping to make his summer a little brighter, maybe enrolling him in a camp or somewhere he could make some new, healthy relationships.
The GoFundMe ended up raising $40,000 for the brave little boy. They also received hundreds of messages from others, telling Shaden that things will get better and to hang in there, as he is not alone.
"I was just looking for friends. But now, I have friends all over the world, thanks to them." Shaden Walker
It takes guts to go door to door looking for friends! And to speak up against bullying, as well as being willing to just tell people he was struggling and feeling lonely. He now has a whole community behind him.
OK, this is the most delightful thing I have seen in a long time. And I write these every week.
You know how kids are terrific at saying exactly what's on their minds? And how so much of what they say is on point and surprising? Welcome to Recess Therapy.
Recess Therapy is a hilarious and highly entertaining YouTube channel, where host/actor/comedian Julian Shapiro-Barnum asks little kids big questions about what they think about things like:
Kids are so wise in their own ways. In the crying video, many of the children say things like, "It's good to cry, just let it out," and "There's no wrong emotion, it's just how you feel."
"The idea was even someone as old as me can still learn a great deal and listen to someone that young." - Julian Shapiro-Barnum2
If you need a pick me up, or just a solid laugh, I recommend watching this channel. Host Julian has a natural curiosity and you can tell he is genuinely interested in what they say.
Yes, the kids offer wisdom, but they also talk about the most random things, display enthusiasm for everything from Komodo dragons to corn and giggle. A lot.
Knoxville Tennessee Mom and co-founder Karalyne Ley won a Mom's Choice Award this year for her Bene Buddies line, aimed at teaching kids about the importance of respect, empathy, kindness and giving.3
The Bene World toy line, including Bene Bear and his 'Bene Buddies', Sparkle the Dog and Seawhee the Turtle come equipped with a set of tokens, as well as a book to help kids understand how it works, and of course, the importance of kindness.
I teach and reinforce the character traits: RESPECT, KINDNESS, EMPATHY, and GIVING. I'm used by KIDS, PARENTS, TEACHERS, AND CHILDHOOD THERAPISTS! - from the Bene Bear website
The child puts a token in the top of the toy every time they do a good deed. Giving their time, money or kindness, such as opening a door for someone, or sharing their snack counts. Once they use all their tokens, they can take them out and get a special reward.
Each toy also teaches kids about something extra, related to the toy itself. Sparkle the Dog helps kids understand the importance of taking care of your pets. Seawhee the Turtle inspires kids to take care of our sea life, beaches and oceans.
Callie Clemons has been rescuing animals in the Houston area for 8 years. She estimates that she's saved at least 100 animals in that time, including dogs, cats and even raccoons.
A few weeks ago, she got an urgent Facebook post about someone who heard puppy calls near and in a storm drain. Rushing out to investigate late at night, Callie could hear distressed dog noises coming from underground. So, into the storm drain she went.
While she was able to see two sets of eyes with her 6-year-old son's flashlight (The only thing she had in the car at the time.), she heard them splashing away from her, potentially scared off.
She was unable to find the pups that night, but later that night and throughout the next day, others came to help, including other independent animal rescue, city workers, the local SPCA and a local engineer who drew them a map of the underground tunnels.
While they were searching, they found another puppy roaming around a dumpster, who the SPCA quickly took in.
They were happy to finally find one of the underground pups, who had managed to escape the storm drain. He was quickly taken to the city pound and then off to a foster home. Callie is intent on finding the other puppy.
“I refuse to give up,” Clemens vowed. “We are going to find it.”4
You can follow Callie and her team on their Facebook page to follow the story and many others. Lost & Found Pets of Spring Branch and Spring Valley.
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!
1 NBC News
2 ABC News
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