Good People Doing Good Things — Holidays Bring Out The Best In People!

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

This time of year it seems the good people stories just fall into my lap.  Something about the holiday season seems to bring out the best in people – most people, anyway.  Here are just a few of the ones that touched me …

I’d like to start with a young lad I first highlighted in a ‘good people’ post in October 2022, Isaac Winfield of Redditch, Worcester in the UK.   At only 11 years of age, Isaac had started his own foodbank in his garden shed to help people in need during the pandemic.  Today, Isaac has taken his philanthropy a step further and is preparing to open a “gift bank” for moms and dads who can’t afford presents for their children, in addition to a fifth shed-born foodbank!

He went on to open additional food banks in his hometown of Redditch, in Worcestershire, England, after realizing how many people in his community needed a helping hand. His gift bank opened last week, after enlisting the help of the local Greenland Pub to store the hundreds of toys and gifts for needy families he’s received from donors.  Said his mother, Claire …

“Christmas can be a stressful time and Isaac wanted to help as many people as possible have a celebration without worrying about what is under the tree. The response has been phenomenal. We’ll be holding present bank days another three times at this same pub and put on more dates if there’s still the demand.”

Isn’t it uplifting … encouraging … heartwarming to see one so young who cares so much about other people?

Next, another young man, Reed Marcum of McAlester, Oklahoma was a shy child.  His parents divorced when he was only 7 years old and due to his shyness, he has long been a victim of bullying in school.  But a few years ago, Reed found the courage to step out of his comfort zone when he discovered that some children he went to school with and others in his town would not have any presents under the tree at Christmas.  McAlester has a poverty rate of 24% according to international statistics.

Although Reed was only ten years old at the time, in 2016, he proposed to his mother that they hold a toy drive to provide toys for those children who would not otherwise have them.  Reed’s mother, Angie Miller, posted a video on Facebook explaining her son’s intentions, and asked for donations of toys or money to buy toys for a giveaway that Reed had decided to do as a 4-H project.

“There was a great response—lots of people went out and bought new toys to donate, or they sent money for us to buy them.”

Reed is now a college freshman, but he is coming home this Christmas to participate in the toy drive that was his brainchild seven years ago.  They are estimating 10,000 toys will be distributed this year, and in addition to a special toy, each kid also receives a pair of socks, underwear, trousers, a shirt, gloves, and a hat.

Let’s head now to Sunnyside Elementary School in Cumberland County, North Carolina.  The assignment given to the third-grade class was to read the book “Think Big. Work Hard. Be Kind. No Excuses.” and then write an essay expressing their thoughts for a chance to win one of three new bicycles.

Londyn Anderson shared her aspirations of joining the WNBA in her winning essay. She was the first recipient of a shiny new bike. As two more exceptional essays were read, the last two bicycles found their deserving owners.

Amidst the initial disappointment of those who didn’t win, a surprise awaited the entire class. Unbeknownst to them, a group of 60 volunteers eagerly stood by in the hallway, ready to unveil a monumental surprise.

The assistant principal took to the microphone, exclaiming, “Everyone gets a bike!”

The generous gesture was made possible by Old Fayetteville Insurance, the company behind the donation and assembly of the bicycles. Paige Ross, representing Old Fayetteville Insurance, emphasized that these bikes were a small token of appreciation for the students’ hard work during the fall semester, focusing on their academic endeavors and character development as highlighted in the book. This was the second year the company donated bicycles – the previous year saw 80 students from Westarea Elementary School receiving the gift of new bicycles.  A company with a heart!!!  Will miracles never cease …

And last, but not least … I don’t know much about Taylor Swift, don’t listen to her music, and until recently barely knew who she was other than wondering why she didn’t wear more clothes.  But in the past year, I see her name weekly and am beginning to see that there’s more to her than I first thought.

A week and a half ago, devastating tornadoes wrought devastation on a number of towns in Tennessee including Hendersonville, where Taylor went to high school.  Her response?  She donated $1 million to Hendersonville and other towns that were affected by the tornadoes.

I’m also told that over the past year, Ms. Swift has made generous donations to food banks in every town she has visited while on tour, as well as distributing $55 million in bonuses to dancers, truck drivers, sound crew, and catering staff.  Yes, indeed … this young woman has a good heart and is a true philanthropist.  The world needs more like her!

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54 thoughts on “Good People Doing Good Things — Holidays Bring Out The Best In People!”

  1. Hi. Jill, thank you for some grand news in a time when I and I think everyone can use all the good news we can get. I hope the work is not stressful for you because it is supper enjoyable, uplifting, and need for me / others. Hugs. Scottie

    Liked by 1 person

    • Thanks, Scottie! I’m so glad you enjoy the good people posts each Wednesday and that they are uplifting for you! That’s my whole purpose in highlighting these people — to remind us all, myself included, that there really ARE lots of good people who care about others. No, once I find the people I want to write about, I find that writing the good people posts is a pleasurable break from my usual dark writing. Happy New Year, dear friend. Hugs

      Liked by 1 person

  3. There are indeed many many good people giving money, time and energy to help others. The media very rarely gives them any attention so it seems as if only bad things happen. Thank you for reminding us that that is not the case.

    Liked by 1 person

    • You are exactly right. For one thing, those good people are too busy doing good things to waste time tooting their own horns like the other sort do. And for another, good news stories aren’t what people read … they go for the dark stories, the more blood and gore, the better. That is what sells ad copy. Sigh.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Thank you for sharing!!.. and YOU do good things by sharing with others to let the world know there are much good happening and not just conflict, hate and politics!.. 🙂

    Hope you and your family have the mostest wonderfulest holiday ever, a very Merry Christmas and until we meet again..
    May peace and plenty bless your world
    with joy that long endures.
    May all life’s passing seasons
    bring the best to you and yours!
    (Irish Saying)

    Liked by 3 people

  6. This is so so beautiful! There is no greater joy than bringing joy. For a few years, I went to the two hospitals in our area on Christmas Eve and brought toys for children who could not be at home on Christmas. I took my kids along and we had so much joy leaving the toys for them. It is even more touching when kids are in the lead to organizing such amazing projects for other children.

    Liked by 3 people

    • What a wonderful thing to do, my friend! And such a great way to show your children the way to compassion and humanity. I’m glad you enjoyed these stories … they do give us hope for the future, don’t they?

      Liked by 1 person

      • It was such a joy to do so and the kids loved it too. Also, for 10 years I worked for a charity that supported street children. I organzied music events to raise money for their projects. You see, your Good People posts always reach deep in me.

        Liked by 1 person

          • Oh, well, I would say, I try to be someone I would love to become. There is so much more we could do. I don’t have the opportunity to do much here since we have a good social system and there is more or less no poverty. Years ago when Iraq got attacked, I felt the need to go there and care for the suffering children. Did I do it? No, I had (little) kids of my own plus have had two jobs. Could I do it now? Yes! Now that we are talking about it… hmm, well, I might take another attempt to get deeper into the matter again. Maybe I do have a resolution for the new year now! Thank you so much, dear Jill!

            Liked by 1 person

            • And therein lies the difference between people like you and some others — you do some deep-dive soul searching, you ask yourself what more you might be able to do for humanity, to help people. Sometimes it’s not possible to follow through … we all have limitations … but you at least look inside yourself. Others are too busy trying to make more money or pursuing their own ‘happiness’. Yes, you are a good people, my friend … never doubt that! Glad I could help with your resolution for the new year, but remember to not bite off more than you can chew … you’re only human and only one person.

              Liked by 1 person

  7. Well done to those youngsters, they have a bright future.
    I don’t know much about Miss Swift, but donating a million dollars was a worthy gesture indeed.
    (She is often criticised on social media for speaking out about Climate Change but using a private jet to travel everywhere. Then again, out Prime Minister does that too.)
    Best wishes, Pete.

    Liked by 3 people

    • I always hope, when I write about the young people doing good things, that they don’t change, don’t succumb to the lure of money and lost their humanity. Like you, I don’t know much about Taylor Swift, but I thought that spoke volumes. Yes, once could criticize every world leader for the same … President Biden, P.M. Sunak, and the rest. Perhaps they should start having important summits and meetings via Zoom!!! ‘Twould save the taxpayers a lot of money, and cut way back on carbon emissions!

      Liked by 2 people

  10. Pingback: Good People Doing Good Things — Holidays Bring Out The Best In People! | Filosofa’s Word | Ned Hamson's Second Line View of the News

  13. Every time you do a good people post I feel an uplift in your spirit conveyed in the writing which gives me an uplift. I am also often amused. Like with Ms Swift, it is as if you found a four leaf clover. An almost childlike expression of discovery. 😊They are not as rare as most people believe.

    Liked by 3 people

    • These days, finding the ‘good people’ I write about every Wednesday IS about like finding a four-leaf clover!!! You know they’re out there, but it’s rather like a game of “Where’s Waldo?” I am glad they give your spirits a lift, too, though!

      Liked by 2 people

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