kindness

A 68-year-old widow from New Jersey became convinced of a young man’s innocence after reading about his murder conviction, prompting her to dedicate seven years and $60,000 of her retirement savings to ensure justice was served. Priscilla Read Chenoweth, an editor at the New Jersey Law Journal and a law degree holder with limited experience in criminal trials, took it upon herself to reinvestigate the case of Luis Kevin Rojas. She was struck by the fact that Rojas had no history with gangs or violence, describing him as having “no record and nice friends” and a reputation for being peaceful. Rojas, an aspiring engineer, was imprisoned at 18 after being charged with second-degree murder for allegedly supplying the gun used in a 1990 shooting that resulted in a teenager’s death in Greenwich Village. Chenoweth discovered a letter-writing campaign involving 150 of Rojas’s classmates urging the judge to reconsider his involvement, which inspired her to take action. Initially intending to assist with fundraising, she became deeply involved when she noticed that the appeal was poorly managed by a family friend who was not thoroughly investigating the evidence. This led her to meticulously review transcripts, interview witnesses, and file legal motions. Working alongside her daughter Leslie Estevao, who first introduced her to the case, Chenoweth also collaborated with retired New York City police detective Dennis O’Sullivan. O’Sullivan was so committed that he put his own house up as collateral for Rojas’s $50,000 bail. Another retired officer, Mike O’Connor, joined their efforts. Estevao earned the nickname “kitchen-table detective” as she and O’Connor found a crucial witness—a transit officer who recalled seeing Rojas just miss a train on the night of the murder. The train records indicated that Rojas could not have been at the crime scene when it occurred. Former criminal lawyer Jethro Eisenstein provided pro bono services and successfully secured an acquittal for Rojas from a Manhattan jury in October. After spending a third of his life in prison and losing his mother during his incarceration, Rojas maintained a positive outlook, sending Mother’s Day cards to Chenoweth and expressing gratitude for her support. Chenoweth admired Rojas’s patience and resilience throughout his ordeal. If kindness, generosity, and helpfulness define a Good Samaritan, Priscilla Chenoweth undoubtedly embodies this ideal in remarkable fashion.

A remarkable story of human kindness has emerged from England via Dubai, centered around a man who lost his wedding ring. Chris Brightmore was visiting family in the UAE during the week before Christmas when his wedding ring, which had been on his finger for 51 years, slipped off into the Persian Gulf near Jumeira. Desperate to find it, Chris dove about three feet into the water but was unable to locate the ring. As he surfaced, he faced the difficult task of informing his wife, Kathy, who was relaxing on the beach. Expecting disappointment, he was instead met with Kathy’s unwavering support; she immediately joined him in the search, but without masks or snorkels, they soon had to abandon their efforts. Brightmore’s son-in-law, Philip, suggested they share their predicament on a Facebook group called “British Dads Dubai” to seek assistance. “We did, and the response was overwhelming,” Brightmore recalled. “Among the many generous replies, one individual offered to lend us his underwater metal detector, while another, who owned a jewelry shop, offered to create a replacement ring for free due to its sentimental value.” Two days later, Chris and Philip returned to the beach equipped with the metal detector and snorkeling gear. Despite spending two hours searching the seabed, they struggled with buoyancy issues that made it difficult to stay submerged long enough to look for the ring. Just when it seemed they had exhausted their options among the British visitors and expats in Dubai, another couple approached them. The man introduced himself as someone who had heard about Chris’s lost ring and offered to help. “For someone married this long who has never taken off his ring until now, it would be my honor to assist you,” he said. It turned out he was a former professional diver who enjoyed diving in Dubai on weekends. Despite their best efforts with the diving gear, success eluded them until Adam Whitehead, the diver, made one final descent with the metal detector. He resurfaced triumphantly exclaiming “Eureka!”—he had found the ring buried 10 feet down in just three inches of sand. Chris Brightmore vowed never to let the ring out of his sight again and promised to take precautions whenever he plans to swim in the future. He shared this heartwarming experience on the British Dads page, which has since been flooded with comments dubbing it the “Miracle in the Gulf” and expressing renewed faith in humanity.

What a remarkable way to start February! While heading home from town, I decided to stop by Sudo Pee Supermarket Makurdi to pick up some pastries as a pre-Valentine’s treat for my taste buds. As I browsed, I spotted a nice pen and added it to my purchase along with my meat pie. Being the weekend, the supermarket was bustling with customers, and we all patiently queued as the cashiers worked diligently. When it was finally my turn, the cashier leaned in and quietly informed me that someone had offered to cover my bill. Initially, I couldn’t believe what I was hearing and asked for clarification on the amount I owed. She then pointed out the young man who had graciously decided to pay for my items. To my surprise, he also offered me a ride home, saving me the cost of transportation. This experience truly revitalized my faith in kindness and reminded me that such gestures often come when we least expect them. A heartfelt thank you to Josiah Rizama for your generosity!

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.

A New York truck driver has been honored as a ‘highway hero’ for his courageous actions in a tense situation where he helped apprehend a shooter who had injured a police officer. In June 2023, Timothy VanNostrand, who owns a logging transport company in Northville, New York, was driving on Interstate 88 when he noticed a state trooper approaching a vehicle he had pulled over. As VanNostrand prepared to pass, he witnessed the trooper suddenly move sideways, prompting him to pay closer attention. “I wasn’t 100% sure what I saw at first,” VanNostrand recounted. “But then I saw the driver pull out a gun and start shooting from the back window at the trooper, which led to a chaotic 12-minute exchange of gunfire.” In a decisive moment, VanNostrand maneuvered his logging truck in front of the shooter’s vehicle, effectively trapping him against the roadside and preventing his escape. The details surrounding the shooter’s fate were not disclosed, including whether he was captured or injured during the incident. For his bravery, VanNostrand received recognition from both the New York State Police and The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, being awarded the “Highway Hero” title. Joe Burke, vice president of Goodyear North America Commercial Business, emphasized the significance of this award in highlighting the vital role of commercial truck drivers in ensuring road safety and community well-being. VanNostrand was presented with a cash prize and an opportunity to ride in the Goodyear blimp. Reflecting on the harrowing experience, he noted that while it felt like an eternity amid the gunfire, he believed he made the right choice in intervening. “Most of the people I know would have done the same thing,” he stated. “We all look out for each other.”