Swandeh Terhide

A California fire chief demonstrated remarkable resourcefulness by saving his brother’s home and that of a neighbor during the Eaton Fire, using only a carton of milk and a couple of beers. Brian Fennessy, who has nearly 50 years of firefighting experience, described this incident as unprecedented in his career. Upon learning about the fire threatening Altadena, Fennessy rushed to check on his brother. After struggling to reach him, he received the reassuring news that his brother and family had evacuated safely. Already in the vicinity, Fennessy decided to inspect the properties. As he drove through the neighborhood, he witnessed extensive destruction, with many homes engulfed in flames. To his relief, both his brother’s house and a neighboring residence remained intact. However, he quickly noticed that the gas meter at the back of one house was on fire. Although there was a hose nearby, it was dry. “I thought I’d check the refrigerator,” Fennessy recounted, “and all that was in there was some milk and a couple of beers.” He then used these items to cool down the gas meter, which was at risk of igniting further. “I wasn’t sure if it was going to rekindle, but it was all I could do,” he added. Ultimately, his quick thinking and improvised methods proved effective; both homes were the only ones on their block that survived the blaze. Fennessy reflected on the experience, noting that such urban fires may become more common in Southern California’s future.

When a pizza delivery driver left an affluent home with just a $2 tip, he had no idea it would lead to a life-changing moment. Although $2 may seem insignificant, it caught the attention of a local police officer, who was shocked and disheartened by the lack of generosity shown to the driver. This prompted him to create a GoFundMe campaign to assist the young man. In the midst of a blizzard in Brownsburg, Indiana, Conner Stephanoff was determined to uphold the delivery standards of Rock Star Pizza. Dressed in sweats and sneakers, he trekked half a mile after the road to his destination was blocked. After delivering a $40 order, he received only $2.15 as a tip. Nearby, Officer Richard Craig was dealing with a traffic accident when he spotted Stephanoff struggling through the snow. He recorded an impromptu interview for his popular media account, expressing disbelief at the driver’s dedication. “Look at this man. This man walked through hell and high water to deliver a pizza!” Craig exclaimed. Following this encounter, Officer Craig posted another video expressing his frustration over the meager tip and announced that he had returned to his car to give Stephanoff all the cash he had on hand. He emphasized that residents in such affluent neighborhoods should have been more generous. In his video description, he shared that he had set up a GoFundMe with an initial goal of raising $500 for Stephanoff. The community responded overwhelmingly; an anonymous donor contributed $1,500, and nearly 2,000 people helped raise $39,000 by the time of publication, all to show appreciation for the dedicated delivery driver. “I still don’t believe it’s real but it is,” Stephanoff told WRTV Indianapolis. Ron Mathews, owner of Rock Star Pizza, praised Stephanoff’s commitment: “He wasn’t in the restaurant; he had no idea people were watching him. But he got out, walked it to the house, and came back without any expectations.”

You refer to them as good people, but I perceive them as the chosen ones—those entrusted with the torch of kindness to brighten our world. Adoo Eugenia Ter, the renowned entrepreneur and philanthropist from Benue, is once again making headlines with her inspiring actions. Recently, she was alerted by Krayzeetee Atu Terver, a well-known influencer, about a mentally unstable woman who had given birth on the roadside in High Level, Makurdi. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Adoo promptly took action. With the assistance of the Federal Road Safety Corps, both the newborn and her mother were transported to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital for necessary medical attention. Adoo then visited a supermarket to gather essential items, personal effects, and toiletries to support them during this challenging time. Mother and baby are all doing well, as at the time of curating this piece. And everone else is awed by the depth of prompt thoughtfulness shown by Adoo Eugenia Ter after being called by Krayzeetee Atu Terver. This situation brings to our realization a vital lesson: kindness does not require formal meetings to be dished, neither is it hinged solely on financial resources; anyone can show exceptional kindness if they dare to think and act kindly.

Hurricane Helene devastated North Carolina three months ago, but the media’s focus has shifted away from the destruction in its quaint mountain towns. However, one individual remains dedicated to helping the community, earning him the title of a “godsend” among local residents. Jake Jarvis, owner of Precision Grading construction and demolition, has undertaken tens of thousands of dollars in construction work at no cost since the hurricane struck. His efforts include demolishing damaged homes, constructing bridges, and clearing river crossings. “I couldn’t give them an estimate, so I just said: ‘Well, I’ll just do it,’” Jarvis recalled about a particularly challenging job he worked on late into a January night. In Bat Cave, North Carolina, residents are surrounded by reminders of the disaster. While many wish to move forward, the emotional burden of leaving behind their damaged homes is heavy. “It’s hard on you mentally because you see devastation every single day,” Jarvis shared, acknowledging his own struggles with witnessing the ongoing destruction. Jarvis has identified around 30 individuals in urgent need of assistance. For example, an elderly couple had to walk half a mile daily to reach town due to an impassable river crossing; Jarvis leveled the crossing and accepted only donations for his work. Additionally, he demolished a grandmother’s house while salvaging cherished items like a chandelier and a copy of The Little Prince. Bat Cave Fire Department Chief Steve Freeman praised Jarvis’s contributions, stating, “He was a Godsend coming down through. He opened the roads up so you could get through.” Jarvis has financed several bridge constructions through his personal savings and community donations, demonstrating his commitment to rebuilding the area affected by Helene’s catastrophic impacts.

From the heart of Sikhism emerges a remarkable narrative about a retired army colonel dedicated to liberating his fellow citizens from addiction through positive reinforcement. Colonel Dr. Rajinder Singh, the founder and director of the Akal Drug De-Addiction Center in Punjab, has successfully assisted over 10,000 individuals in overcoming various forms of addiction. At 91 years old, Dr. Singh remains tirelessly committed to enhancing the center’s operations and is actively working on plans to establish a third location. His approach is rooted in transformation driven by compassion and consistent reinforcement. Dr. Singh, recognized as one of the first psychiatrists in independent India, credits his military experience during the 1962 Indo-China War with shaping his understanding of addiction’s psychological underpinnings. He explains that army personnel often face intense stress and prolonged separations from home, which can significantly impact their mental health, sometimes leading to conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). At the Akal Center located in Punjab’s Sangrur district, Dr. Singh encounters a wide range of addictions, including intravenous drug use and inhalant abuse. Notably, he once treated a patient addicted to the adrenaline rush from snake bites. His treatment methodology consistently includes physical exercise, organized sports, yoga, medical intervention when necessary, and instilling a sense of service aligned with his Sikh beliefs—without resorting to nagging or preaching. Dr. Singh posits that the root causes of addiction often stem from traumatic experiences, and he aims for patients to achieve moral reconciliation with themselves or those who have wronged them as part of their recovery. He recalls a patient who had struggled with substance abuse that led to two failed marriages; through a combination of medication, individual and group counseling, and spiritual healing, this patient successfully navigated withdrawal symptoms and improved his overall well-being. Today, he is employed in a factory, happily married, and has referred over 60 others seeking help to the center. The Sikh philosophy emphasizes that human life is a continuation of existence through all living beings and should be cherished; this perspective fosters an attitude towards healing addiction that recognizes the inherent value and purpose of every life affected by addiction.

An Olympic kite surfer from Brazil, Bruno Lobo, found himself in an unexpected role as a lifesaver while testing video equipment on his board. During this session, he became the sole hope for a stranded and exhausted swimmer. Lobo, 31, described the incident as “the day that God used me as an instrument to save this young woman; all honor and glory to Him.” The husband and father recorded much of the rescue incident inadvertently while experimenting with a new camera mount attached to his board. In his Instagram post, Lobo recounted, “I went in at 17:40 to do the last test on the camera. It was a cloudy day, and the wind conditions were not ideal, but I decided to try out the new equipment. After sailing a short distance, I heard a cry for help and saw the girl who was drowning. I quickly approached her with my kite, tried to calm her down, and asked her to climb onto my back as she was very tired and powerless. I used my gear to bring her safely to shore.” After reaching the beach, the woman was examined by lifeguards and expressed her gratitude by hugging Lobo, thanking him for saving her life. Although he is set to make his Olympic debut in Paris and has won gold medals at the last two Pan-American Games, Lobo’s Instagram has primarily featured messages of appreciation for his heroic act. He humbly stated that he did what was necessary and within his capabilities.