Swandeh Terhide

A pair of Florida residents, Walter Rudder and Paula Keegan, are set to enjoy a show by former Tonight Show host Jay Leno as a well-deserved reward for saving their neighbor from the deadly grip of an American alligator. The incident occurred on a Friday evening when Rick Fingeret was walking his dogs near a pond in Naples. Suddenly, an 11-foot-long gator emerged from the darkness and attacked him. Fingeret recounted the terrifying moment to the Naples Daily News: “I tripped in all the frenzy… And the minute I fell— … He got me.” The gator dragged Fingeret across the ground, unsure what to do next. Despite being trapped, Fingeret fought back by hammering at its scales and poking its eyes but couldn’t pry open its jaws. Miraculously, Fingeret managed to keep hold of his dogs’ leashes throughout. Neighbors Rudder and Keegan happened upon them while driving by and initially thought he had fallen. However, they soon realized that an alligator was involved. In response to Fingeret’s desperate instructions, Rudder drove over the gator with his car to free him. The neighbors used makeshift materials like shirts and leashes to stop Fingeret’s bleeding until help arrived. As a testament to their bravery and quick thinking, they were awarded tickets to see Jay Leno perform at Hertz Arena after being nominated for recognition by Naples Daily News

In response to the devastating Palisades and Altadena fires, a California farm has taken remarkable steps to support those affected by donating 324,000 eggs. This generous act comes at a time when egg prices have surged, making this donation even more significant. Of the total, 54,000 eggs will be allocated to “Gather For Good,” a charity that prepares meals for first responders and others engaged in firefighting efforts. Additionally, a portion of the donation will go to Winter Fate Bakes, a Los Angeles bakery dedicated to creating birthday cakes for children whose families have lost their homes in the fire. The initiative stems not from abundance but from adversity. Rosemary Farm, a century-old family-owned business in Santa Maria, has faced its challenges due to a bird flu outbreak that devastated its flock. However, they have partnered with their unaffected sister farm in South Dakota to facilitate this donation. Linda Sanpei, a representative of the farm, shared with USA Today, “It’s been a struggle not only for us as farmers but for the entire industry,” highlighting the widespread impact of the flu on egg producers nationwide. Sanpei emphasized the importance of community support during such trying times: “With all that’s happened in Los Angeles, we believe in community and in giving back. There’s no greater time of need than right now for Southern California residents.” The eggs will be transported via refrigerated trucks to the Los Angeles Food Bank, which will manage their distribution among victims of the fires. This initiative is part of a broader effort by various companies and individuals stepping up to assist those affected; for instance, Guitar Center has established a multi-million dollar fund to replace musical instruments lost in the fires.

When Dan Dafydd, a grocer on Sanday, one of the Orkney Islands, mistakenly ordered 80 cases of Easter eggs instead of 80 individual eggs, he turned a potential problem into a successful charity event. With 720 eggs on hand for an island of only 500 residents, Dafydd decided to raffle off groups of 100 eggs to raise money for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), which provides coastal rescue services around the British Isles. The raffle proved to be very popular, raising £3,000 on Sanday. Ironically, Dafydd even had to order more eggs due to the high demand1. According to Dafydd, “We actually took a delivery of eggs yesterday because we ran out. We needed to buy more in the end. People have wanted them signed and all sorts”. Dafydd told the BBC that he was initially embarrassed by the mistake4. The story gained international attention, with people from as far away as Singapore sending letters of support. Nestlé, the manufacturer of many of the eggs, offered to match donations to the RNLI up to £10,000, aiming to raise £20,000 by Easter Sunday. Beth Lucas, Marketing Director for Confectionery at Nestlé UK & Ireland, stated, “It’s incredible to see how a simple mistake can turn into an opportunity to make a positive impact”

After the devastating California wildfire last month, Tony Nesburn, a Pacific Palisades resident, was anxious to return to his home and assess the damage inflicted by the January fire. His house, with its ocean view, held irreplaceable memories of his late wife, Cristina Kenney, who had passed away the previous year. Cristina’s belongings held deep sentimental value for Tony, and he desperately hoped they had been spared from the flames. To his and his family’s immense relief, they discovered that Tony and Crissie’s home had been miraculously saved. Upon returning on January 24, Tony found a heartfelt letter in his mailbox from four firefighters who had heroically saved his home. The firefighters wrote of their sorrow for the neighborhood’s devastation, expressing that they could only imagine the toll it had taken on everyone. They shared their relief at having saved Tony’s house, explaining how they stopped the fire from spreading from the burning house next door, protecting his side door, deck, and roof. The firefighters added that they had found solace on his deck, gazing at the Pacific Ocean, finding a moment of calm amidst the chaos. They also mentioned the pink ribbon, signifying the house was saved, and expressed pride in hanging it. The firefighters concluded by assuring Tony that he and his neighbors were in their thoughts as they rebuilt and recovered. Tony and his family contacted the firefighters in El Segundo and discovered they had taken selfies from his deck. They all met for the first time during a public ceremony in the Los Angeles beach town to honor the local heroes. Tony’s cousins told GNN that they could not express how important it was that all of his late wife’s things had been preserved. One cousin, Ana de Luna, wrote that it felt like a miracle and that they all believed Crissie was helping the firefighters from the afterlife

Ken Jeffries, like many heart disease victims, first realized he was at risk when he experienced a heart attack while waiting for a flight at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. At 57 years old, he collapsed on the airport floor, fortunate that his flight was headed to Knoxville, where Claire Cerbie, a registered nurse from a nearby heart and vascular center, was also traveling. Cerbie noticed Jeffries’ unusual breathing and snoring sounds, which prompted her to investigate. Recognizing the signs of a heart attack, she quickly initiated CPR with the help of bystanders while someone fetched a defibrillator. “We put the pads on him,” Cerbie recounted to WBTV News. “It indicated a shockable rhythm, and it shocked him in between while we were doing compressions.” After regaining his pulse, Jeffries was rushed to Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center, where Dr. William Downey performed life-saving surgery. Both Cerbie and Dr. Downey acknowledged that without the immediate CPR and defibrillation, Jeffries likely would not have survived. In an emotional television interview alongside Cerbie, Jeffries expressed his gratitude: “A ‘thank you’ is not enough, Claire. Thank you for what you did; I am so appreciative and indebted to you.” Cerbie responded with humility, stating she would help again in a heartbeat. As recognition for her heroic actions, Cerbie was upgraded to first class on her American Airlines flight. Jeffries noted he had experienced no prior symptoms before his heart attack—a common occurrence since symptoms can often be vague, such as shortness of breath or neck discomfort. Reflecting on his experience, Jeffries emphasized the importance of recognizing early signs of cardiac distress and expressed a desire to advocate for greater public awareness about CPR and AED usage to improve survival rates in similar emergencies.

Katherine Murrell, a 27-year-old emergency medical technician with the London Ambulance Service, has survived cancer three times and credits her experiences with inspiring her career path. First diagnosed with stage four lymphoma at age 16, Murrell underwent six months of chemotherapy and a month of radiotherapy. After being given the all-clear, she later faced two more cancer diagnoses. She is now cancer-free since the end of 2023.Her journey with the National Health Service (NHS) motivated her to join the London Ambulance Service, wanting to “give something back” after years of hospital appointments. Although her medical treatments disrupted her opportunity to attend university, a hospital visit as a teenager sparked an interest in emergency medicine. According to Murrell, the incredible medical staff made her realize how amazing it would be to work in that field. Now an emergency medical technician (EMT), Murrell believes her personal battles with cancer have made her more empathetic and able to connect with patients. She had a double mastectomy to minimize the risk of further cancer, after undergoing so much radiation therapy. Murrell says her cancer diagnoses have enhanced her career and made her more aware of her abilities, empathy, and compassion. She feels she can connect with cancer patients on a deeper level, understanding the physical and emotional challenges they face. Her experiences have given her a unique perspective, allowing her to provide positivity and understanding to those going through similar struggles. Murrell has chosen to reframe her experiences in a positive light and is thriving in her career. She gained significant exposure to medicine and clinical pathways during her treatments, knowledge she now uses every day. Murrell advises others in similar situations to find the good in the bad and use their experiences as a “superpower”

From a California high school comes a touching story of family, dedication, and engineering as a mob of students finished restoring a 1969 Jeep that was very special to a nearby family. Shane Porter, husband and father of two fine young men, was struggling with two cancers when he bought a 1969 Jeep Commando as a family fixer-upper. He hoped to create fond memories in what he knew could be his last few years. From 2016 to 2022 the family tinkered away, and then Porter, a 30-year employee at the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, passed away at 57. The Jeep wasn’t finished, and neither Tigger—his wife of more than 35 years, nor his sons Michael and Tim, could bring themselves to lay a finger on the car. The barely-functioning automobile sat there for months, with the family unwilling to either part with it or keep repairing it, until one day a family friend and head of the automotive technician class at Corona High School paid the family a visit and said the Jeep would be a stellar project for his students. The teacher, Bob Mauger, got a great reception from his advanced class which includes juniors and seniors, as well as from the Porter family. Once inside the school, Mauger and his class realized that the Jeep needed way more work than they first thought. The class provides free labor on cars—typically those that belong to family members of the students—provided that the owners buy any new parts. “The kids are learning how to give back,” Mauger told the Washington Post. “They’re not just learning how to fix their own car, but they’re learning how to be a good human. That’s what the world needs.” The engine needed to be rebuilt with many new parts. There were structural issues as well, and the cooling system needed refurbishing along with the transmission and transfer case. There were also electrical malfunctions and a bad infestation of rust. The rebuild took 15 months, with the class regularly involving other areas of the school’s trades program like metal shop class, and Mauger regularly paying out of pocket for parts. On July 27th, the class presented the Porter family with the car, sparkling with a new coat of metallic paint. Tim and Michael were getting ready to depart for the Army and Air Force, and were blown away by the opportunity to actually drive the car they spent so many hours working on with their father. “It was going to help the kids learn, which is what my husband was all about,” said Tigger Porter, who graduated from Corona High School in 1984. They had no idea who we were, but they did it. This was truly a work of love.”

After the death of his daughter, Sarah, Andy Emmott, a 55-year-old man from Tadcaster, UK, selflessly donated his kidney to 11-year-old Amber, who was in desperate need of a transplant.  Emmott made the decision “without hesitation” after learning of Amber’s condition and noticing the parallels between her and his late daughter. Emmott’s daughter, Sarah, had battled congenital nephrotic syndrome and other health issues since birth, spending much of her young life in hospitals and hospices.  Despite a widespread campaign that included support from soccer team Leeds United and England National Football player Kalvin Phillips, Sarah passed away from kidney disease at the age of eight, 364 days after receiving a kidney transplant. Emmott stated that he donated a kidney because a stranger had previously donated one to his daughter. Seeing Amber’s appeal, he felt compelled to help, noting the similarities between her and Sarah. Emmott is now recovering and has returned to his job at Northern Powergrid, taking on office duties until he fully recovers. Amanda White, his manager, expressed her admiration for Emmott’s selfless act. Since Sarah’s diagnosis, Emmott has been actively involved in raising funds for Theodora Children’s Charity, an organization that supported Sarah during her hospital stays by providing joy and laughter. He emphasizes the importance of donations to the charity, as they are a smaller organization competing with larger, well-known charities

In Fort Worth, Texas, a father was moved to tears when a stranger covered his family’s breakfast bill and left an emotional message on the receipt5. Dr. J. Mack Slaughter, was having breakfast with his wife and three children at Mimi’s Cafe when a secret admirer acknowledged him. As they prepared to pay, the waitress informed Slaughter that a stranger had already paid their $85 bill. He was surprised to find a handwritten note on the receipt that read, “Thank you for being a great dad”. Flipping the receipt over, Slaughter discovered another message from the stranger: “From a dad to dad. Thank you for being the dad they need you to be regardless of who’s watching. We need more men like you. Thank you for letting us all see your love for them all,” and was signed by a retired Army medic. Slaughter told SWNS.com, that he immediately teared up, unable to control his emotions. He noted that the act of kindness was especially impactful because the stranger was gone, so it was “just pure kindness”. Slaughter, an emergency room physician, had been simply playing a dot game with his children and was unaware of being observed. He stated that this act of kindness reminded him that “complete strangers can do miraculous, beautiful things when you least expect it,” and that it restored his faith in people. He also noted that the $85 was so much more to him than the stranger probably realized, and that such random acts of kindness are powerful reminders that there is still good in the world