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Any parent who tells their kids that gaming doesn't pay may want to think again. A professional gamer, Aydan Conrad, surprised his mom by paying off her college loans. And she's got his gaming habit to thank for it.
'Tis the season of giving and for a lot of kids that means gifting their teachers a little something special. (Because teachers are SUPERHEROES and deserve allllllll the gifts).While the classic standbys like chocolate and coffee mugs are appreciated and treasured, one poor student came up with a gift for her teacher that'll go down in history as one of the "sweetest" gifts ever. (Get ready for your heart to explode.)A Poor Student's Unforgettable GiftRachel Uretsky-Pratt is a third-grade teacher for the Kennewick School District in Washington State. On the last day of school before the holiday break, many of her students gifted her "chocolates, sweet handmade notes, and some jewelry." However, it was one gift in particular that had such a profound effect on her that she decided to share it on Facebook.Her post went viral...for all the right reasons. "With it being the day before break and Christmas right around the corner, most teachers bring their kiddos something such as books or little treats and occasionally in return receive something from their students,” Rachel wrote on Facebook.“Today I received some chocolates, sweet handmade notes, some jewelry, but these Lucky Charm marshmallows stood out to me the most.”Rachel Uretsky-Pratt via FacebookA Student Sacrifices Her Lucky Charms MarshmallowsFor those of you who may not know, Lucky Charms are sugar-frosted oat cereal made palatable by chunks of dehydrated marshmallows.Rachel continued, "You see, 100% of my school is on free/reduced lunch. They also get free breakfast at school every day of the school week. This kiddo wanted to get me something so badly, but had nothing to give."So, rather than come to class empty-handed, the little girl decided to gift her teacher the most prized possession of the day, the marshmallows from her Lucky Charms (Because let's face it, when it comes to Lucky Charms being "magically delicious!" we all know they have the marshmallows to thank for that.)She painstakingly plucked each "pink heart, yellow moon, orange star, and green clover" out of her cereal one by one and wrapped them in the plastic packaging from her utensils. This child sacrificed something she loves to a teacher she most certainly loves. And her sweet sacrifice wasn't lost on Rachel."Everybody knows the marshmallows are the sweetest part," Rachel told the Washington Post.Those Who Have Little, Often Have the Most to GiveRachel ended her post with these words of wisdom, "Be grateful for what you have, and what others give you. It all truly comes from the deepest parts of their hearts."Rachel wasn't the only one touched by her student's creative and kind gesture. So were the hundreds of thousands of people who reacted and shared her post. It quickly went viral, making the rounds on social media and by news outlets. And although the original post is no longer available, thanks to the power of social media, it lives on.Clearly the story resonated and people came out in droves to share their own touching stories.One fellow teacher wrote: "When I worked in an elementary school a few years ago a little girl gave me three rubber bracelets as my Christmas gift. One was red, one green and one white. I had found out later that week that the police had been to her house over the weekend and discovered the living conditions weren’t good. This family had nothing. No beds for the kids to sleep in, no gifts for Christmas. The police department banded together to buy the kids beds, clothes and Christmas Gifts, but this little girl had nothing and still gave me something. It was the most meaningful gift I’ve ever received."Another teacher shared: "Other teachers/staff planned a day of celebration at school on my 50th birthday. My fifth/sixth grade students were all asked to being me 50 of something. One young lady brought me 50 little pieces of gravel. She had spent days looking for pretty small rocks, and I kept them much longer than any other gift I received I treasured them and my eyes are a little teary writing this many years later."*Sobs*Sometimes Receiving Is Better Than the GivingThis little girl's gift may not have been the most beautiful or the most expensive, but it was undoubtedly, the most priceless. While they say it's better to give than to receive, I think, in this case, the profound effect that this simple gift had on her teacher will last a lifetime. It can be so easy to get caught up in the materialistic side of the holidays. The more the merrier! The bigger the better! Yet, as one little girl proves, it isn't about the glitz and glam, or how much money we spend. What is truly precious and what ultimately means the most, are the gifts given from the heart.More from Goalcast:11-Year-Old Returns All of His Christmas Presents – Surprises Everyone With What He Does With the $95Retiring Teacher Left Stunned When Her Students – Past and Present – Surprised Her at Disney, Her Favorite PlaceThree Desperate Foster Children Are Told to Open Their Christmas Presents — The News They Receive Will Warm Your Heart
Working in the service industry is more than just taking customer's orders and hoping for a good tip. There's a lot of spinning plates — literally. Servers are typically on their feet for their entire shift. If the restaurant is short-staffed and busy? Shifts can often last 12 or 14 hours. The holidays are coming up, if you're eating out, this is your reminder to tip well! Servers routinely handle heavy trays, deal with rude customers (whoever came up with the saying 'the customer is always right,' never worked a double on New Years Eve), and are exposed to all kinds of potential diseases and sickness on a daily basis. If you've ever been a server, you get it. If you haven't — trust that it's not as "easy" as it looks, that's just a sign you have an experienced server. A lot of the job is providing service with a smile — and looking good while doing it. But there's one restaurant chain in particular that gives "looking good" a whole new meaning. Of all the restaurants a server could work at, Hooters may be the most infamous for its controversial uniform (and name). But one waitress who works at the contentious chain proved, that even though she may have big...hooters? She has an even bigger heart.The Lengths One Waitress Went for Customer ServiceInstagram/ Mariana_Tolentino7For a restaurant that's primarily known for keeping the booty shorts industry alive and their world famous "naked" chicken wings (honestly top tier eats) — an unexpected act of altruism emerged from such an unlikely place."I said, I have two kidneys...do you want one of mine?"Mariana VillarrealMariana Villarreal, works at a Hooters restaurant in Roswell, Georgia. The 22-year-old woman recently made headlines when it was discovered that she offered one customer, the gift of a lifetime...the gift of life, that is!When Mariana Villarreal had learned, a "regular" Donald Thomas was going through a health crisis, she sprung into action. 72-year-old Donald Thomas is a war veteran, who lost his beloved wife to cancer. It was a tragic twist of fate when the longtime patron lost not one, but two of his kidneys — to cancer.For Mariana, it was a no brainer.At 22 years old the incredible waitress made the brave choice to donate one of her kidneys to a longtime Hooters guest, 50 years her senior. Of course, the next step was a bit more complicated. Mariana and Don needed to know if they were a viable match. The kindney donor transplant waitlist can be anywhere from 3 to 5 years. In light of Don's dire situation, he didn't have that kind of time to lose.They Were a “Perfect” MatchFinding a kidney donor match is no easy task. Statistics say siblings have a 25% chance of being an "exact" match — not exactly comforting odds. With no living relatives to lean on, the cards were stacked against Don. Thankfully, luck was in his corner!Despite their large age gap, the pair were thrilled when doctors told them they were able to move forward with the surgery. Tests had confirmed they were the "perfect match." For a pretty terrifying scenario and daunting procedure, the results couldn't have been any better. Villarreal and Thomas both successfully underwent surgeries at the Piedmont Transplant Institute in Atlanta. Instagram/ Mariana_Tolentino7Not only was Mariana's kidney a perfect match but doctors were reportedly amazed by how quickly Thomas’ kidney began functioning post-surgery! Villarreal's incredible and quick act of bravery not only inspired her Hooters family, but her incredible story spread quickly and has touched many lives around the world.Watch The Full Video Here:She Did It for Her GrandmotherVillarreal admits, Donald's story resonated with her so deeply, because recently she lost a dear family member to kidney failure — her grandmother.Mariana hadn't been working at Hooters for very long when she offered Donald one of her kidneys. In fact, Donald revealed the two didn't even know each other that well when she came to his aid. Her surprising act may have left more than one person scratching their head, but Mariana revealed Donald's health crisis was one that was so close to her heart."I wasn't able to do anything for my grandma," Mariana said, getting emotional. "If he can live two more years, happiest he's ever been, that's completely fine to me. It's not up to me, I did my part. Now it's God's part to keep him alive."This selfless act of kindness transcends the boundaries of familiarity, proving that compassion can come in the most unexpected places. It's a shame some people look down on those who tirelessly slave away in the service industry — you can't measure someone's kindness by their paycheck or profession. Mariana's beautiful story reminds us it's important not to judge a book by its cover.Thankfully, this story has an even happier ending, when Hooters put a new spin on the old saying — sometimes those who give the most are the ones with the most to spare!The Hooters Family Doubled Down on Kindness and Donated Thousands to CharityHooters gave a whole new meaning to service with a smile. In a press release, Hooters shared how Mariana's heroic act inspired them so much that they decided to do their part. Let me to tell you, it was no small feat. The restaurant chain donated $20,000 to the National Kidney Foundation, serving Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi, in Mariana Villarreal’s name!“Mariana is an absolute inspiration, and we’re honored to call such a selfless and compassionate person one of our own.”Terry Marks, Hooters CEOIt's no secret the restaurant chain has recieved its fair share of backlash. Hooters came under fire after some staff took to TikTok to mock their new uniforms. However, it seems Hooters works even harder offset their unconventional business model, by giving back, big time. Critics of the chain may not know this, but "Hooters Girls" support and raise funds for a number of partners and nonprofit organizations that directly impact the local communities Hooters serves! The restaurant has raised over $10 million to local and national non-profits. Just last year, the chain raised over $660,000 for Breast Cancer Research.In the world of service industry superheroes, where kindness often goes unrecognized, Hooters not only redefined service with a smile but also proved that actions speak louder than uniforms.More from Goalcast:Woman Who Was on ‘Most Wanted’ List Didn’t Hesitate to Donate a Kidney to the Officer Who Threw Her in JailWoman’s Dog Saves Her Life by Sniffing Out 1-In-22 Million Kidney Donor During Trip to the BeachPastor Donates Kidney to Stranger He Just Met – During the Surgery, Doctors Make a Shocking Discovery
Shaquille O'Neal, a.k.a. the Big Diesel, a.k.a. Shaq, made a pledge last year. Every time he leaves the house, he would try to do something good.“I’m into making people happy. Whenever I leave the house, I just try to do a good deed,” he said.Recently, that good deed manifested as buying an engagement ring for a guy who was shopping for one and giving out 1,000 game consoles for Christmas. A couple of weeks ago, Shaq outdid himself yet again with another unbelievably generous gift.Shaq Took a Family of 11 to Dinner and Bought Them 2 New VehiclesHis good deed started off by taking a family with 9 kids out for dinner (got a big family? Read these family sayings). Feeding that many children and parents is undoubtedly going to cost a pretty penny, but that was just the beginning.Upon learning that the family was growing out of their 12-person van, he took them to a Mercedes dealership and bought them a custom 15-passenger van. "I have no words right now!!! Today Shaq @shaq blessed us like never before," said the Collins family on Instagram. "Like literally no words."Shaq Then Tipped a Waitress $1000 After He Learned About Her Car Trouble But that wasn't the end of it. Shaq also bought them all out for dinner at Rainforest Café and tipped the waitress $1,000 as she was experiencing car trouble. Then, he bought the father a brand new Ford truck because the A/C and heating weren't working in his old one."He also spent time encouraging us and loving on our children and speaking life into our family," the family wrote. "Somebody wake me up because I must be dreaming."Thank you @shaq times a million times!!! You have been such a blessing to us in so many ways.The Collins familyShaquille O’Neal Revealed His Parents Inspired Him to Give BackSpeaking with Gary Vaynerchuk on The Gary Vee Audio Experience podcast, Shaq said this urge to give to others came from his parents."You know for me, coming from where I come from, my father was a drill sergeant, my mother just was a hard-working woman. Didn't have a lot. But they taught me the value of giving back. They taught me the value of helping those in need," Shaq said.So a huge thank you to Shaq's parents, but a special thanks to the big man himself for showing us that kindness knows no bounds.More from Goalcast:Neighbors Call Police on Boys for Playing “Too Loudly” – Shaquille O’Neal Finds Out and Shows Up to Do ThisShaq Visits His Favorite Restaurant With an Unusual Request – Then, He Shocks the Watchful Owner With a SurpriseYoung Boy Sobs in the Middle of a Store – Little Did He Know Shaquille O’Neal Was About to Teach Him a Lesson
You may have heard of Bl Phakathi, South Africa’s “Secret Santa.” The motivational speaker and life coach is known for sharing successful, viral videos of giving and gratitude, and this past November he was at it again to bring us all to tears.Bl Phakathi’s Chance Encounter With a Boy Who Collected Cans to SurviveIn a video posted to Phakathi’s verified YouTube channel last November, the man in question meets a boy working in loneliness on the streets collecting cans while cleaning and guarding cars for cash. Phakathi introduces himself to the kid, who identifies himself as Rudy.The pair start to chat, with Phakathi asking him questions like where he stays, who he stays with, and how much he makes in a day (less than $50 in his local currency).I want to study, but my father says I must start work.Rudy“It is better than nothing,” Rudy explains over the last question, revealing he lives across the street with his father, who is separated from his mother.“I want to work, actually. Because I’m tired of standing like this. Nobody wants to give me a chance because of this corona," Rudy adds.The boy then mentions that his father was working for “small money” every week, and now he comes to the streets to make money and support his family. “I buy food and cigarettes for my father and food for me,” he adds.How a Famous YouTuber’s Generous Gift May Change a Struggling Boy’s DestinyAfter hearing Rudy’s story, Phakathi hands him a giant bag of cans and food and tells him to take it home and give it to his father. The boy is clearly blown away and thanks the man for his kindness. He puts down the cans he has been collecting to shake Phakathi’s hand in gratitude, but instead, Phakathi hands him a wad of cash.He asks Rudy to count the $350, then hands him even more bills totaling more than $1,000. “Now my heart is beating!” Rudy says, fighting back tears. When Phakathi tells the kid to bring some of the money home to his dad but to hide the rest so he can get on his feet, Rudy can no longer stop the tears from coming.It was the toughest time, what happened to me. Thank you very much.Rudy“Thank you very much,” he says, clutching the bills and wiping his tears before storing the money in the pocket of his shorts. In response, Phakathi then hands Rudy a few more hundred-dollar bills. “Take this extra. It’s going to help you.”After hugging it out and calming down, Rudy then picks up his cans and thanks the man again.How Bl Phakathi’s Kindness Can Inspire Your Own GenerosityThe fact that Rudy still picked up his cans to exchange for money after receiving such a life-altering gift just highlights how unused to any kind of help this kid is. It’s also a huge reminder that although some children desperately want an education, they need to work and help support their families instead.Phakathi records and shares these encounters to inspire others to give back, but to also highlight the reasons some people are in the situations they’re in. One of the most powerful components of this story lies in the comments section of the video itself. There, many people who are around the same age as the boy say he reminds them they have so much in their own lives and they often take it for granted.It’s always nice to help others who are less fortunate than us through a donation, a bag of food, or a warm cup of tea or coffee. But it’s also nice to get to know someone and learn about their life story.If you too want to inspire others to give and practice gratitude, sharing Rudy’s story is a good start. But also show it to kids who may not understand how those in other countries, cities, towns, and situations may live. They say you never know what a person is really going through until you walk a mile in their shoes. But thanks to Phakathi and his videos, at least we can see what an impact simple kindness can have.More from Goalcast:World’s Most Popular YouTuber Helps 1,000 Blind People See Again by Paying for Their SurgeriesMan Attacks Famous YouTuber Online – What His Dad Does Next Is Applause-WorthyMen Play Cruel Prank on 8-Year-Old at Target – Little Did He Know There Was Much More to Come
*Featured image contains photo by Esma AtakIt was just an ordinary school day when Erin Fedele's son, Jaymes, came home and asked her a question that touched her heart deeply. The simple query from this young boy ignited a chain of kindness that would inspire and move many.The Profound Question One Little Boy Asked His MotherJaymes had noticed one of his classmates struggling with old, worn-out shoes. The soles of his shoes were falling off, and he was trying to glue them back together. In contrast, Jaymes had brand new, top-of-the-line sneakers. When he saw his friend's predicament, he felt compassion welling up within him.“Today, Jaymes asked me if he could give a pair of his LeBron 13s to a friend at school because his friend's soles were falling off,” his mother Erin shared. “He said, ‘Why should I have all these nice shoes and my friend has to glue the bottoms on his?’ I’m beyond proud of the heart this kid has.”Erin was so moved by her son's empathy and generosity that she agreed to let him give his new LeBron 13 sneakers to his friend.The next day, Jaymes took the new sneakers to school and gave them to his friend. The excitement in his friend's eyes was palpable. Erin recounted, “Jaymes gave him the shoes in the hallway when it was just them two. The boy was so excited; the first thing he said was he couldn't wait to show his dad!”How the Touching Story Is Inspiring HeartsThis heartwarming story was shared by Love What Matters, and it quickly touched thousands of hearts. People from all around shared their stories of kindness and giving.One person remembered how their son's friend had once given him a pair of shoes, and the bond of friendship formed that day remains unbroken. They emphasized the beauty of kind souls showing generosity.Another shared their experiences of giving to migrants in their community, highlighting the importance of helping those in need.A touching story came from someone who recalled their childhood when they asked their grandmother to pack extra school supplies and snacks because a classmate couldn't afford them. That little girl from their pre-K class became a lifelong best friend. Their acts of kindness created a friendship that was truly invaluable.Erin mentioned that Jaymes didn't see this as a grand gesture. To him, it was just helping out a friend. He was surprised that so many people found it noteworthy when all he did was lend a hand to someone in need.How One Little Boy’s Act of Kindness Left a Deep ImpressionJaymes’ small act of kindness reminds us that when we have more than we need, extending a helping hand to alleviate someone else's suffering can make the world a better place. His friend now walks a little taller, knowing that he has a caring friend by his side, and the memory of Jaymes' kindness will likely stay with him for a lifetime.In a world often filled with stories of indifference and discord, Jaymes' compassionate and selfless act shines as a beacon of hope and inspiration. It teaches us that a single act of kindness, no matter how small, has the power to create ripples of positive change that touch lives in ways we may never fully comprehend. It's a reminder that we all have the capacity to make the world a better place, one act of kindness at a time. Jaymes' actions underscore the profound impact of empathy and the beauty of generosity, proving that it's the simplest gestures that often leave the deepest impressions. So, next time you see an opportunity to help someone in need, remember Jaymes and the extraordinary power of a kind heart.More from Goalcast:Student Is Unable to Walk at Graduation, so Teacher Gives Shoes off His Own Feet – But He Asks for a Favor in ReturnPoor 12-Year-Old Is Caught Shoplifting Shoes at Store – Police Officer Has a Unique Response to the SituationStranger Notices Homeless Man Is Wearing Torn Shoes in the Cold – Immediately Removes His Own Shoes and Gives It to Him
We spend a good chunk of our lives working. On average? At 40 hours a week, 49 weeks a year (assuming vacation time) multiplied by 45 years...I don't even want to do the math.It's A LOT. So, it would be great if, during that time, we felt appreciated and valued for the job we're doing. Unfortunately, however, oftentimes it feels like the opposite. And yet, despite this, one employee still managed to maintain such an inspiring positive attitude that he ended up changing an entire company's culture, impacted his community for good, AND got a new house. What One CEO Discovered While Going UndercoverPhoto by energepic.comIn an episode of Undercover Boss, Rick Forman, Founder and CEO of Forman Mills Inc., a quarter billion dollar A YEAR discount clothing outlet, decided to go undercover as "Brad" to see what needed to be changed before embarking on a huge expansion.Donning a mullet and mustache and giving off serious '70s vibes, Forman pretended to be a new Forman Mills management trainee.While training under maintenance supervisor, Kurtis, at his flagship store in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he really got the dirt on what working at the company was like. Literally and figuratively.From scrubbing toilets to removing urine from, well, everywhere, Kurtis's job was about as far from Forman's plushy corner office as he could get. At one point, while breaking down cardboard boxes, Forman asked, "Is morale good in this store?"Kurtis didn't hold back."This company, I feel like, don't care about their employees. There ain't a whole lot of future in a type of company like this," he said. "It would be nice if the company had some type of incentive or some type of recognition for people that does a good job. There's no incentive besides just having to feed your family."And yet, despite a lack of recognition and incentive, despite being unfairly overlooked for a promotion, despite all of it, somehow Kurtis still had the motivation to go the extra mile.When the lesser among us would have become bitter and masters of sub-par performance — after all, you give what you get — Kurtis wasn't deterred."A lot of the stuff that I do is not under my title. I treat this job like the job that I always wanted because when I do get the job I always want, I want to be ready for it...I gotta put myself in a position to achieve better."KurtisHow Being Homeless Changed One Employee’s LifePhoto by MART PRODUCTIONKurtis confided in Forman that for a period of his life, he struggled with alcoholism and bounced around from job to job. At one point, he was homeless.Eventually, he stopped drinking and surrounded himself with "good people." His life changed. But he never forgot what it was like to be at rock bottom. And he never forgot the difference one person can make.He lives by the motto, "The more I give, the better I am." And part of giving means giving back to the homeless shelter that once helped him. During his lunch break, he asked Forman to accompany him to the shelter (where he regularly volunteers as a mentor) to hand out Forman Mills gift cards, cards which he had purchased with his own meager earnings. It really hit a nerve with the CEO. Kurtis's selfless actions reminded him of why he started his business in the first place — to serve the people in inner-city communities. The effect was so profound, in fact, that it ended up sparking an entire company-wide movement.An Employee Receives a Life-Changing OfferPhoto by PhotoMIX CompanyForman was so moved and inspired by Kurtis and his attitude of giving back that he decided to implement a new community outreach program. And he appointed Kurtis to head it up, doubling his salary."When Forman Mills started, we were all about the community," Forman said. "And now I realize we've been concentrating on growing and profiting and making our stores bigger...we really need to get back to our grassroots." He then revealed that he didn't want Kurtis, or any employee of Forman Mills, to ever be homeless so he was buying him a house for up to $250,000."Five years ago man, I was just out, just roaming the streets, this is beyond my wildest dreams. My life just changed," a shocked Kurtis told the CEO, crying and hugging him.When he broke the news to his fiancée, Chinesa, she had the best response, telling him, "I told you you were worth it, I told you."Good things really do come to the people who deserve it. A Company CEO Learns a Valuable Lesson: “It’s About the People”Not only did Kurtis inspire Forman to invest a million dollars a year back into the community, but he also inspired him to give back to the people who made his company what it is today.In a town hall meeting with employees, Forman, struggling to hold back tears, announced that he was implementing a profit-sharing program. "I realized we're not going to go anyplace unless you guys have a stake in the outcome," he shared. The journey he took going undercover was a transformative one, not just for himself, but for Kurtis and his entire company as a whole.Thanks to the actions of one employee, Forman realized the ultimate truth: True success isn't measured in financial growth but in the positive impact one person can make in the lives of others.More from Goalcast:Undercover Boss Observes Struggling Employee at Work – Little Did He Know What Was Coming NextBoss Goes Undercover at Work — And a Shocking Truth About His Employee Is RevealedHardworking Employee Captivates His Undercover Boss – What Happens Next Changes His Son’s Life
*Featured image contains photo by MART PRODUCTIONBeyoncé is arguably the biggest superstar on the planet. Amassing a staggering 88 Grammy nominations with a record 32 wins, she has sold over 200 million records and is one of the world's best-selling artists of all time. And she's not slowing down. She is currently taking her 'Beyhive' by storm on her Renaissance World Tour, wowing sold-out crowds across Europe and North America. But now she's turning her sights closer to home.Say My Name: How Beyoncé Is Using Her Name to Make a Difference in Her HometownQueen Bey is teaming up with her former Destiny's Child bandmate Kelly Rowland, to use their names and influence to address the pressing issue of homelessness in their hometown of Houston.The duo has joined forces with Harris County and the nonprofit organization, Bread of Life, to convert a gym into affordable housing in Midtown, an area famous for its rampant homelessness problem.The Knowles-Rowland Project will provide 31 permanent housing units for those in need. Additionally, the community will provide residents with case managers, peer specialists, service specialists, and support services, like transportation, mental health, and physical and behavioral health support.The project will break ground in October. It is estimated to cost $8.4 million. Out of the total cost, $7.2 million will come from the American Rescue Plan; an economic stimulus package aimed at providing relief from the devastating effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.The rest of the money needed will come from other financial backers.During a press conference announcing the project, Judge Lina Hidalgo teased plans for a “bigger launch” event when Beyoncé is in town for her tour in September.Houston's Homelessness CrisisHouston, like many other major cities, faces a significant homelessness crisis. A population boom coupled with skyrocketing housing costs has created the perfect storm.According to recent reports, the number of individuals experiencing homelessness in Harris County is approximately 3200. While adding 31 housing units obviously won't fix the problem, at least it's a start.Rudy Rasmus, a local pastor and the executive director of Bread of Life, is grateful for the initiative."This will be our fifth housing development in downtown in Precinct 1 over these last 17 years, and we're just really grateful to continue to help end homelessness in our county," he told the Houston Chronicle.Rasmus also recognized the significant contributions Beyoncé, Rowland, and their fellow Destiny's Child member Michelle Williams have made over the years, including funding a youth center in 2002 with the proceeds from their hit single, "No, No, No." Beyoncé Is Known for Consistently Giving BackBeyoncé has never forgotten her roots. Over the years she has poured millions of dollars into the city she still affectionately calls "home."In 2013, she established the BeyGOOD Foundation to support various charitable initiatives in her quest to "change the world for GOOD." After Hurricane Harvey devasted the city in 2017, the foundation provided food, water, supplies, and financial support. And Queen Bey herself visited Houston and met with affected individuals, volunteering her time and resources to help rebuild communities and support evacuees.Additionally, through the Beyoncé Scholars Program, she has helped students from Houston and other parts of the country achieve their academic goals.She has also made significant donations to various local organizations, including schools, community centers, and charities focused on youth development, health, and empowerment.Not to mention this is the second housing project her name has been associated with. In 2017, Rudy Rasmus, the pastor of her childhood church, St.John's Downtown, used part of her $7 million donation to launch the Knowles-Temenos Place Apartments. The housing complex provides meals, job-prep training, and other services to the homeless.So yes, QUEEN.By publicly supporting initiatives like the Knowles-Rowland Project, Beyoncé shines a spotlight on the issue of homelessness and the importance of addressing social inequalities.And her commitment to making a positive impact within her own community inspires others to do the same. By leveraging her fame and resources for social good, the megastar continues to prove why she truly is the Queen Bey. More from Goalcast:Here’s How Beyonce and Jay-Z’s Over-The-Top $200 Million Home Purchase Generates $11 Million For The HomelessWhat Beyoncé’s Heartful Message to ‘Masterful Genius’ Madonna Teaches Us About Working TogetherWho Is Rumi and Why Did Beyoncé and Jay-Z Name Their Daughter After Him?
As the letter is read aloud in the courtroom, she is without words; with tears streaming down her face, it's a day she'll never forget.A Struggling Single MomPhoto by Victória KubiakiHe's both seen and heard it all, from the mundane to the macabre. But even this crime spree shocked Judge Caprio. In fact, it's so prolific, he has to take a deep breath before starting. Standing before him is Yesenia Fernandez, a frizzy-haired, bubbly woman sporting a lip ring. As the judge and her make eye contact, she already knows what's coming. "Oh my god," she says under her breath. "We're going to go back ten years ago," Caprio begins as he rattles off the locations. "Vinton street, East transit, Plaine, Garnett and Amherst street.""You covered the entire city," he says sternly, waving his hand. "I've been all over the place, all over the place," answers Fernandez with a guilty smile. "So what do you want to tell me?" Caprio asks her. Caprio will need oxygen for this one. A Single Mother’s Tough TaleJudge Caprio had listed the five times that Fernandez had received parking tickets, with her not showing up to court on each occasion. When asked for a simple reason why, her answer is anything but. She reveals that her mother kicked her out of the house when she was just 13 years old, and she's been on her own -- and 'all over the place' -- ever since. She had two boys aged 12 and 19 because of an abusive relationship and cares for them on her own.To support them, she works two jobs, one helping kids with disabilities and another at Dunkin' Doughnuts. Yet it's what she shares next that truly tugs at Caprio's heart. Fernandez says that she and her sons had been living in a shelter, and she'd just recently found an apartment for them to call home. "I'm trying to get my life together," she says "I've always tried to work hard and do the right thing."Fernandez adds that her unpaid bills aren't from a lack of motivation, but money. "There's just been a hard life and I want to pay the tickets but it's just been hard. I always need money for something else."At that point, Caprio's face softens as he responds. "So you've got a good brain. And in spite of the problems you may have had in the past, you know, you've got a good attitude," he says to a shocked Fernandez."I appreciate that very much," responds the mother. But not so fast, as this case is just beginning to unravel.A Surprise LetterPhoto by Scott Graham"Before you start appreciating anything, wait till I finish, because you've got some other stuff here, okay?" deadpans Caprio. He then goes on to list a series of overnight parking tickets that Fernandez has also racked up over the years. She responds that they were accrued when she was homeless and living in a shelter. At times, it was between a ticket and parking where her car would be towed. Like many parts of her life, again between a rock and a hard place. That compels Judge Caprio to go to another place for a solution, as he pulls out a letter. He says that it's from an elderly man named Danny Eltman from Chicago Illonois. Caprio tells his story and motivation to the court. "Life has been pretty good for him but he wants to help other people so he actually sent me a check for a hundred dollars to help anyone that needed help using my discretion for whom I would use this this for."And with that, he puts the money towards the mother's parking bill, bringing it down to $150. That's when tears run down her cheeks, as the courtroom breaks out in applause. "May I ask you a question?" Fernandez then asks Caprio. How Judge Caprio Reminds Us That Kindness Rules AllFernandez asks the Judge when she is expected to pay the money, as things are still tight. That's when he gives a memorable answer."I look at the world through the eyes of the people that I'm talking to. And right now I'm looking at the world through your eyes. I know the hardship you've had. I understand it. I came from a poor family, but I had a family," he says."Just don't ever give up. I don't. I haven't. I won't. Don't give up. We're rooting for you. Come back and see us. Let us know how you make out."And with it, he delivered one of the most eloquent endings to give hope to a hard knock life. It's easy to look at everyone's unpaid tickets and point a finger. It takes patience and courage to ask why and do what's right. More from Goalcast:Struggling Mom Has Parking Tickets Worth $460 – Judge Asks Her to Pay Only $200, Then Changes His MindJudge Brings Up a Serious Charge in Front of Smirking Defendant – But When He Hears His Life Story, He Dismisses the Entire FineJudge Calls Single Mom “Irresponsible” for Her 14 Parking Tickets – Then She Made a Plea That Changed His Mind
Florida mom Haley Hassell noticed that her 6-year-old daughter, Presleigh, was nervous since starting first grade. So as good moms do, she tried to make her feel better and thought she had the perfect remedy.Daughter Throws Mom’s Gift in the TrashPresleigh was asking for a LOL-brand pencil box, like the one other kids had in her class, so Haley decided to pick one up when she was out shopping for school supplies. Finally, after three stores she bought one as a surprise.But she didn't get the reaction she expected."Presleigh learned a tough love lesson today," the mom wrote in a 2019 Facebook post. "I went to 3 different stores to get that LOL pencil box you see in the trash there. When I surprised her with it this afternoon (just knowing she would be ecstatic) she stared at it and threw it in the trash and slammed the bedroom door. She yelled 'that’s stupid, everyone in my class has that..I don’t want it anymore!' ..WHHHHAT STOP COME AGAIN?"Transforming Anger Into a Valuable LessonHaley was shocked by her daughters response. "So by this time there was probably smoke coming out of my ears and I’m trying real hard not to completely lose it on this kid that I have worked so hard to completely take care of financially on my own & make sure she always gets what she needs and then some," she wrote. "BUT I thought I had always taught her to be grateful & know how lucky she was but apparently sis needed a small wake up call!!"So, Haley got creative."SO before completely going Madea mad on my child I check myself and say, 'Okay that’s fine, let me go get the one you’re going to use'...came back with her new pencil box, which is the Ziploc bag."As to be expected, the 6-year-old didn't like the Ziploc pencil box very much."She lost her mind! Suddenly the LOL Box she just trashed was good enough and the Ziploc bag was horrible...but it’s too late for all that." Instead of caving into her daughter's disappointment, the mom transformed the dramatic situation into a learning lesson about helping others."I told her to get the LOL out of the trash and we would be finding a child to give it to tomorrow..one whose mommy and daddies don’t have money for any school supplies or someone who may not even have a mommy or daddy," Haley wrote. "I explained to her she’s not entitled to anything special and she is taking for granted how lucky she is... So for now she will be using a Ziploc bag & will personally be delivering the nice box to a child that could benefit from it."Haley concluded the post with a valuable lesson about gratitude."Maybe I overreact sometimes but I would’ve done anything to have all the things she does as a child. I truly believe changing your perception & just being grateful can turn around any situation in life."Teaching the Importance of GratitudeThe mom's post has since earned more than 135,000 reactions and she was interviewed on Good Morning America. She got a lot of positive feedback, but also faced some criticism. "I got personal messages in my inbox saying that I was a monster mother ... they were saying I was a bad parent and bad parents raise bad children," she told GMA. "I was just on a rant when I wrote it. I didn't think people were going to share it. People were saying I was publicly shaming my daughter, which I don't really agree with."The pencil case story has a happy ending. Presleigh ended up mailing it to a 5-year-old girl in Utah as well as some other school supplies."Presleigh thought that was really cool. She understood once we were shopping for other children," Haley said, adding that it gave Presleigh "perspective.""Having a positive outlook can make or break you in life -- I want her to know that," she added. "Nothing is going to be easy, but when something is given to you, you've got to be grateful."It’s Always Good to Be GratefulMoney doesn't grow on trees. So it was understandable that this mom was upset when her daughter didn't want the gift she worked so hard to get. But instead of getting angry, as many of us would be, this mom did something far more constructive. She punished her daughter while at the same time showing her the importance of both giving and gratitude. And those are lessons we all need to be reminded of at any age.More from Goalcast:Two 11-Year-Olds Are Caught in the Act – “Lawnmower Man” Gifts Them New Equipment to Start a BusinessBullied Boy Loses Hope After a Priceless Gift From His Grandmother Is Stolen – But His Best Friends Feel OtherwiseAlways be grateful for the little things “Gratitude is a powerful catalyst for happiness. It’s the spark that lights a fire of joy in your soul.” – Amy Collette
