Good Words, Good Deeds, Good News

Neighbors Harvest Crop For Sick Friend

Mark’s neighbors found out that he’d been diagnosed with ALS in July, and it was very aggressive. They knew he wouldn’t be able to harvest his sugar beet crop. His sons would harvest, but would most likely be overwhelmed. One hundred neighbors and friends got together and harvested Mark’s beets for him.

According to Mayo Clinic’s website, “ALS often begins with muscle twitching and weakness in an arm or leg, trouble swallowing or slurred speech. Eventually, ALS affects control of the muscles needed to move, speak, eat and breathe. There is no cure for this fatal disease.”

Mark said, “It is bittersweet. I wish I could do it, but God has a plan,” he stated. “I just want to say thank you to everybody… who is helping my family at a time when we are hurting.” Mark’s wife expressed her thanks as well.

Secret Santas Surprise Mom of Premature Infant

Logan was born at just 22 weeks gestation (a normal pregnancy is about 40 weeks), weighing 572 grams (1.26 pounds) and has been in the NICU in Idaho Falls, ID. His parents have experienced infertility and the loss of several children. Mom Anna drives from Blackfoot, ID to Idaho Falls every day to be with Logan, who now weighs over 1,800 grams (almost 4 pounds) after 116 days in the NICU.

Eastern Idaho News, acting on behalf of a mysterious benefactor they call Secret Santa, has gifted the family $500 in restaurant gift cards, $1,000 in gas gift cards, and a $5,000 check. Secret Santa has asked East Idaho News to help gift a million dollars to people who have fallen on hard times.

Social media members posted their hopes that Logan will be home by Christmas.

Teen Golfer Donates Proceeds to Children’s Hospital

Before Skylar was born, doctors at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia found a growth in his lung during a routine pregnancy ultrasound. When he was five months old, doctors were able to operate and remove the growth. He goes back several times a year for doctors to monitor the condition.

“Every time I’ve gone there, I’ve just been struck with how overly kind and caring the doctors and all staff are,” he said.

Now age seventeen, Skylar has been sponsoring a 100 Putt Challenge. The challenge features golfers securing pledges for every putt out of 100 they can sink in one shot, according to a player from the Portledge School varsity golf team.

“If somebody pledges two dollars a putt and hits 80 of them, that’s $160 easily made,” he explains. “People don’t realize how much it adds up.”

All the proceeds go back to the hospital. Skylar says it’s the least he can do to thank the hospital that saved his life. In the last two years, he has raised $700,000, according to the New York Post.

Officers And Good Samaritans Help Rescue Infant From Accident

In Fort Worth, TX, a woman and her child were in an accident and the car rolled. The woman and the baby were ejected from the car. Police rushed to the scene to make sure they were both all right, and found that the baby was still under the vehicle.

Two police officers and several bystanders lifted the car enough to get the baby pulled out, and the officers started CPR. The video shows one officer performing CPR and the other officer massaging the baby’s back. Eventually started crying, and she and her mother were taken to the hospital. It’s reported that they are doing well and are expected to make a full recovery.

“We are beyond proud of the lifesaving actions performed by Sgt. Nichols and Officer Bounds for their bravery and quick response to this terrible scene,” the police agency said. “We are also grateful to the Fort Worth citizens who saw someone in danger and, without hesitation, assisted our officers.”

Oklahomans Helping Clean Up After Jamaica Hurricane

Mike and eleven of his friends were in Jamaica when Hurricane Melissa hit. He says it was just a bit windy and rainy until the eye passed, and then it changed to high winds and rain that lasted for hours. The hurricane was a lot different and much worse than what he’s experienced in Oklahoma.

Since they don’t know when they will be able to leave, they have joined in to help clean up the area. “We’ve got people out here from all over the world, and we’re all helping,” he explained.

“There are some of the guests actually out in the pool trying to help with limbs and different things. We’re about to go to the east a little bit to one of the other beaches and start helping them clean up. Even though we’re on vacation, we’re all trying to chip in and do what we can to help everyone, and the workers here have been outstanding. They stayed with us when they didn’t have to,” he said.

According to NBC News, the storm is the worst in Jamaica’s history, with 185 mph winds. Although it had weakened, it was still a Category 2 hurricane.