Good People Doing Good Things … Overflowing Love

Posted on by under Bits 'n Pieces, Good people doing good things, Social commentary

Some weeks putting together the good people post is a challenge, but this week … I have so many good people they are overflowing the bucket!  So, let’s jump right in …

A young man gives back …

Ashis Dhakal immigrated to the U.S., Salt Lake City, Utah, to be exact, at the age of 18 after spending years in a refugee camp in Nepal.  His first experiences were trying, being bullied at school because of both his ethnicity and his Hinduism, but Ashis dealt with it and still wanted to ‘give back’ to the community that was now his.

“I got bullied in school … they called me a terrorist and stuff like that. I practice Hinduism, and in Hinduism, service is very, very important, because, you know, we’re taught to give, and even if you don’t have anything, we try to give as much as we can.”

A few years ago, while working at a local KFC, he met a man who was homeless. While cleaning tables, Dhakal and the man connected, and the man shared his story about how he became homeless.  And all at once, an idea was born.

“One of the necessities he needed was clothes, and so that’s where I got the idea.”

Ashis Collects Clothes hosted its first clothing drive in 2019. Dhakal collected everything, including socks, hats, jackets, coats and shoes.

“With that project, I was able to bring so many people together and change so many lives. My biggest ‘why’ in my life is that as a young child, going through poverty, I was in the same shoes as they were in right now. I have a house. I have a computer now. I have a phone. But think about it. Those kids are still suffering. What I can do is better others so that, you know, they can give back to their community.”

For Dhakal, Ashis Collects Clothes is just a start: In the future, he wants to own a multimillion-dollar business that focuses on giving its money away to help others.  There is more to Ashis’ story and I encourage you to check out his Facebook page (link above) and his story as reported on MSN.

New parents … again!

I’d like to introduce you to Pam and Gary Willis.

Pam and Gary recently became new parents … to a family of seven children, ranging in age from four to fifteen.  Pam and Gary had already raised one family and were what is known as ‘empty nesters’, with their five children grown and gone from the nest, when one day Pam read an article about seven siblings from San Diego who had lost both their parents in a car crash. They needed a home, but even if they found one, they would likely be separated.  Says Pam …

“In that instant, their sweet smiling faces jumped off of the screen and into my heart. That evening I asked my husband if he’d seen the post. ‘Yes’, he said. ‘We should adopt them’. My heart stopped. ‘We should’, I said. We knew deep inside that this mission was being placed before us. If not us, then who?

They had been in foster care for a year since their parents had been killed in the car accident that they all had miraculously survived.

Who would keep them all together? Who would have the space for them? Who would have the time, and the love, and the patience for their trauma? The answer was clear… we would. Why else did we have a six bedroom house that was about to have it’s last child’s bedroom vacated? Why else would our nest that had raised our first five babies be empty just in time? It was only to make room for our new babies. They were ours from the minute we saw their faces on the news story.”

It took time and patience to go through the process, jump through the hoops, and maneuver through the mounds of red tape, but last June Pam and Gary brought the children home.

“We have never looked back since the day we met them and never doubted what we’re doing is the right thing to do. I have noticed how incredibly happy they are and that makes me so happy too, because that’s all we ask for. The oldest of the seven, Adelino, said to me recently, ‘Thank you for giving us this life,’ and there is no other feeling like that.”

Two thumbs up to these two caring, wonderful people for their courage and their love to these 7 young children.

Joshua Morris is a Delaware State Trooper … one with a huge heart!  Periodically, Trooper Morris drops by the local basketball court where the kids hang out and shoots a few baskets with them.  Recently, one of the kids on the court, 9-year-old Ra’kir Allen, shot a video of Morris and the kids having a bit of fun and the video went viral, as they say.

In the video, young Allen can be heard cheering for Trooper Morris …

“Oh that’s Curry, that’s Curry, that’s Curry!” yells Allen, comparing the officer to NBA Golden State Warrior Stephen Curry.

And it was that enthusiasm, coupled with the comparison to Curry, that inspired Trooper Morris to do what he did.  After speaking with Ra’kir’s mother, he went out and bought Ra’kir a pair of Curry sneakers (trainers for my Brit friends).  You have to see the video to feel the love, the joy, the excitement …

But that wasn’t all … he included a $50 bill in the left shoe.  Now, before joining the force, Trooper Morris earned his Master’s degree in Education, so … he understand kids and says he believes that police should never be strangers in the communities they serve.

“When he laces up those sneakers, he has somebody who believes in him. He has somebody who loves him. He has somebody that will be kind to him.”

THIS, my friends, is what police officers around the country should be doing.  They could earn so much trust and respect if only they gave some, showed they care.  My hat is off to Trooper Joshua Morris!

I had more, but I will save the rest for next week, for it’s late and I’m very tired.  I hope you enjoyed this week’s good people … I certainly did.

29 thoughts on “Good People Doing Good Things … Overflowing Love”

    • Welcome, Miriam, and thank you so much for your kind words. I’m glad you enjoyed the ‘good people’ this week. I do a similar post most every Wednesday morning, for I think it’s important for us to remember that despite everything happening today, there are still good people out there!

      Like

  5. I enjoyed these stories very much and appreciate learning about the importance of service in Hinduism through Dhakal ‘s actions. The first photo of the seven children gives glimpses of their individual personalities. It’s wonderful to see their happiness grow in the other photos. I always love stories about police officers going out of their way to help kids and elders. Good cops doing good work need all the support and recognition we can give them. Great post!

    Liked by 3 people

    • I’m glad you found something to love here! I really enjoy these Wednesday ‘good people’ posts … they remind me that the entire world isn’t greedy and filled with hatred, as one could easily believe just by staying on top of the news. My favourite was the officer who cared so much … he is the antithesis of those like Derek Chauvin of whom we hear and see so much. We need so many more like him. Hugs, my friend, and thank you!

      Like

  8. Always love these posts Jill! So heartwarming! Thanks for your work at finding the stories! I had seen tne story about the couple and the couple adopting the 7 kids last week and thought I need to show Jill this for her good people post! Glad you found it since I forgot to send it to you. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  9. Jill, these are all great stories, but as a parent of three, I must give a huge shout out to Pam and Gary Willis for taking on seven more children after raising five. Wow. I commend them. This kids will grow up in a wonderful setting. Keith

    Liked by 3 people

    • Indeed so … I know that if faced with that challenge, I would not have the courage to take on 7 children of varying ages who had just gone through the trauma of losing their parents. But isn’t it great that Pam and Gary did, and from what I see, they did so wholeheartedly! I also loved the story about the police officer, for he is the example all law enforcement should live by!

      Like

  10. We used to have our community police officer visit our playgroup ( 3&4 year olds ) and they loved him. Children need to meet good adults ( especially good men ) and get to know police officers in a positive way. Unfortunately community officers and youth clubs etc are usually the first victims of various cutbacks.
    What a great family, but that story is so poignant; parenthood brings so many fears, such as all the thousand things that might happen to your child, but also ‘What if something happens to us?’

    Liked by 2 people

    • Back in the 50s when I was growing up, we were always told that the policeman is your friend and if you’re ever in trouble or need help, find a policeman. Today, we tell our children … if you see a policeman, keep your head down and move along quickly, but not too quickly else you’ll arouse suspicion. That’s sad, isn’t it?

      Yes, that family is definitely great! I would not have the courage they have, to take on 7 children who had lost their parents! They warmed my heart, for sure.

      Like

Comments are closed.