Nobody Need Wait

Feel Good Xmas Story

2011-12-16T09:46:00.002-06:00

Who doesn't love a feel good Christmas time story?! Here is a brand new one, and something that NNW is all about!

Anonymous Donors Pay Off Kmart Layaway Accounts

Spread the holiday goodness and do something good for someone else. You never know who may be looking out for you in the future

Happy Holidays!

Another Random Act of Kindness

2011-11-23T05:42:00.000-06:00

Hey there! I haven't forgotten about Nobody Need Wait. I guess I just took a little break. But when I say this video, I knew I had to post. Maybe this has been circulating for a while (I had at least heard of the story last year), but I saw it for the first time just yesterday. What a cool story, and really well done. And I love this guy's attitude...

Touchdown!

2011-10-21T07:58:00.001-05:00

Hey readers! Happy Friday. Today's submission (the first of its kind!!) comes from Tara. She writes:

The "Life of Reilly" column in Sports Illustrated, written by Rick Reilly, way back in November 2002 was a story of absolute awesomeness. I came across it again recently and had to share it.

The article tells the story of 17-year-old Jake Porter, a special-needs high school student. His school's football team and the opposing team team-up to give him a chance to score a touchdown. It also tells of how it reverberated through the communities and inspired other acts of kindness. A very sweet story that brought tears to my eyes and warmed my heart.

From the Sports Illustrated Column:

Jake Porter is 17, but he can't read, can barely scrawl his first name and often mixes up the letters at that. So how come we're all learning something from him?

In three years on the Northwest High football team, in McDermott, Ohio, Jake had never run with the ball. Or made a tackle. He'd barely ever stepped on the field. That's about right for a kid with chromosomal fragile X syndrome, a disorder that is a common cause of mental retardation.

But every day after school Jake, who attends special-ed classes, races to Northwest team practices: football, basketball, track. Never plays, but seldom misses one.

That's why it seemed crazy when, with five seconds left in a recent game that Northwest was losing 42-0, Jake trotted out to the huddle. The plan was for him to get the handoff and take a knee.

Keywords being, that WAS the plan...

Read More

Thank you so much for sharing this Tara. It is so inspirational and heart warming. What a perfect story to end the week on.

Come on, you have an idea, a submission, a Good Samaritan story to tell, don't you!? I'd love to hear them and feature them right here on Nobody Need Wait.

A Small Act

2011-10-14T03:28:00.001-05:00

We were in the mood for a movie last night, and I was really feeling like a documentary. So I searched the top documentaries in the last year and came across this amazing story.

A Small Act, released in 2010 by HBO Documentary Films , is such a moving and awesome story. Here is the blurb taken from Roger Ebert's review. I can't wait to watch it!

"This heartwarming documentary centers on the life story of Chris Mburu, who as a small boy living in a mud house in a Kenyan village had his primary and secondary education paid for by a Swedish woman. This cost her $15 a month. They had never met. He went on to the University of Nairobi, graduated from Harvard Law School, and is today a United Nations Human Rights Commissioner.

The film shows Mburu seeking the Swedish woman "who made my life possible." She is Hilde Back. She is now 85 years old, a German Jew who was sent to Sweden as a child. Her family died in the Holocaust. She never married, was a school teacher, has lived in the same apartment for 35 years, is a tiny woman, but robust and filled with energy.

She is flown to Kenya, serenaded by the choir from Mburu's village, feasted, thanked, gowned in traditional robes. In the village the students study by the light of a single oil flame. The schools are not physically impressive; crowded classrooms with simple board benches and desks. A gym? Don't make me laugh. Hilda Back is asked if, since she never had children, she thought of Chris as a son. We see in the film that they stay in close touch. "But I have had children," she replied. "I was a teacher. I had many, many children." And one lived in a mud house in Kenya."

You have to watch the trailer!

So touching that such a small act could really change the life of a person, and therefore thousands of people. You can read more on the review here: A Small Act.

Have a great weekend, and remember, start now, nobody need wait!

Happy To Pass It On

2011-10-10T04:14:00.000-05:00

This one is one of my own. Hope you enjoy and have a great Monday!

About four years ago, a very kind stranger helped me out. I don't know his name, his family's name, but I will always remember what he did for me when I was in need.

I was driving home late from a hockey game, one that was about two hours away from where I lived. Oh the joys of being a hockey girlfriend/wife :) The highway I was one was four lanes but was very dark. I came around a bend in the road and there was a big tree branch in the middle of the lane that had fallen off of the back of someone's truck. I tried to swerve to miss it, but to no avail. My tire didn't just puncture, it shredded.

Somehow, I was able to creep along shoulder in my car and by some chance, there was an exit with an open gas station. For lack of better words, it really was like a beacon in the night.

I tried calling home to see what they suggested. We tried family in the area, but they were over an hour away. No tow trucks could come to the morning. I was screwed. And although I had learned how to change a tire, I did not feel comfortable doing so myself and then driving another hour on the highway home.

As you can imagine, I was a little upset and didn't have many options. The clerk at the store, while nice, was not the most helpful.

Right then a man, along with his wife and small daughter, came into the store. They had filled up their car and were buying a few things in the store. He overheard me talking to the clerk and immediately told me he could easily change my tire, no problem.

I was stunned. Who just volunteers like that? I asked him if he was sure, and he said it was easy and could have it done in about 10 minutes. He didn't hesitate and walked out to my car to get started. His wife and daughter chatted it up with me while he worked, made sure I was fine to drive home, and in no time he was finished and my spare tire was snugly on. I asked them if I could please pay for their gas, or even for the beer they had bought inside. It was the very least I could do.

The husband and wife politely declined. They told me that not too long ago, they found themselves in a pickle too. The husband and wife, along with the daughter, had run out of gas on the side of the road, no where close to a gas station. And out of the blue, this family rolls up and helps them out by sparing some of their extra gas. The family made it safely to the next gas station and were so grateful for the other family's act of generosity and selflessness. They told me they were happy to pass it on.

I was nearly in tears and thanked them from the bottom of my heart. What they did took hardly any effort, and maybe 10 minutes of their time. But it will stay with me forever. And that is the true power of helping others. A small gift, something almost worthless to you, can really mean the world to someone else.

Muttville

2011-10-03T05:05:00.003-05:00

I was in tears when I stumbled upon this page. Good tears. Looks like feel good stories are for the dogs. Literally :)

Muttville.Org is a non-profit organization that aids in the adoption process of older, unwanted doogies. 'Bout breaks my heart just thinking about it.

Here is what they have to say...

Why the world needs Muttville

The tragic truth is that every day, dogs in good health with wonderful personalities are euthanized. Why? They’re older. And because they’re older, they’re not considered adoptable.

Shelter workers see it everyday: a dog is brought in because he can’t jog with his guardian anymore. Or he needs a little time to get up the stairs. Or he’s simply not a puppy.

Muttville’s mission is to change the way the world thinks about and treats older dogs and to create better lives for them through rescue, foster, adoption and hospice.

We reach out to senior and special needs rescue dogs; find suitable homes for those dogs that are adoptable; and offer end of life care for those that are not. These are not just shelter dogs; every day, dogs are moved from loving homes to concrete cages because their guardians have died or moved or simply can’t care for them anymore.

If we had our way, no dog would spend its last days in a cold, dark shelter. There is so much love and joy in these dogs! Bringing these special dogs into a home is not only good for the dogs, but such loving, mellow dogs transform the quality of life for the people who adopt or foster them.

What a great effort these kind people are making for some of the most treasured companions on earth. Visit their website now to learn more.

Winning Isn't Always Everything

2011-09-26T05:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Monday! Come on, something nice must have happened to you over the weekend. Or did you do something nice for someone else?? It doesn't have to be something heroic or spectacular. No newspapers probably reported on it, and other people might not have even noticed. But knowing how good the world can be, I have a feeling you might have a story to share. So please do, and help me make this site successful and reach as many people as it can.

Just goes to show you that winning isn't always everything.

Spectators at a recent cross country meet for Andover High in Minnesota saw an act of bravery and compassion by a student that rivaled heroic qualities of many adults twice his age. Josh, a member of the junior varsity team, was running along the mapped out route when he heard a loud scream. It was during the first mile of the two-mile race that runner Mark, from competing school Lakeville South, badly injured his ankle and had dropped to the ground writhing in pain. As you could imagine, most of the other runners didn't pay much attention to the injured student, and were more worried about their race.

But not Josh. He knew he couldn't just keep going and let Mark be out there on the trail in that condition. So he headed back a bit to find the runner. Instead of running for help, Josh reacted as quickly as he could. He scooped up Mark and carried the injured runner a half a mile back to the starting line where coaches and parents were lined up.

Josh said that it was "just natural instinct. I didn't think about my race, I knew I needed to stop and help him."

Turns out that Mark's injuries were more than just a twisted ankle. He had been 'spiked' as someone stepped on the back of his foot with metal running cleats. The trauma punctured Mark's Achilles heel and he was taken to the hospital for stitches and a brace to immobilize the area.

What a selfless and compassionate act...by a junior in high school. Someone that we usually write off of being capable of something like this because of his age.

And want to know the best part of it all?

After he dropped Mark off, Josh regained his composure at the starting line, began running again and finished the race. Talk about a caring and honorable team mate.

First reported by a Anoka-Hennepin school district press release.

Papa Joe

2011-09-22T04:30:00.001-05:00

Hey guys! I want to say hi to all the readers who hopped over from TexaGermaNadian, FTLOB or anywhere else you might have made your way here.

Obviously this is a new blog, just barely starting out, so thanks for taking the time to check out Nobody Need Wait. I know that sometimes having yet another blog to follow can be overwhelming. There are so many good ones out there you already like and follow.

But the good thing about NNW is that you only have to read. Enjoy the stories, share them if you like, and and that's it. I love comments, and do feel free to comment away, but don't feel like you have to actively participate. By just reading the stories, you are doing enough. You are planting the seed for good things to happen. So sit back, enjoy a simple, heart-warming story, and then be on your way making your day the best that it can be.

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A few years back I worked for a local children's shelter. A lifetime ago, people might have referred to it as an orphanage, but it was so much more than that. It was a refuge for neglected and abused children. It was a new start for them and a chance at a healthy childhood.

As you can imagine, there were so many heart-breaking stories that came from my time working there. But there were also stories that lifted spirits and are sure to stay with me forever.

One in particular always brings a tear to my eye. It was about a boy named Manny*. You see, most children at the shelter were younger. Some were just babies. But now and again there would be older kids that were brought there. Manny was already well into Elementary school and had been in the shelter for a some time now. Not longer than the state said was ok, but still longer than any seven year old wants to be there.

While the children were waiting to be placed or returned to their homes, the workers and volunteers at the shelter did everything in their power to make the kiddos feel at home. There were lots of toys and games and activities and field trips. And there was a big backyard with a track to ride bikes on. Which, as you can imagine, was most of the kids' favorite thing to do.

An older man, that went by the name Papa Joe*, had volunteered there for years. His job was to come in fix up all the bikes that needed fixing. Although it didn't stop there. Papa Joe would help the kids and even teach them how to ride bikes.

That is what he did with Manny. He had never ridden or owned a bike, so he was nervous at first. But Papa Joe soon had him tooting around the backyard like a pro. You could tell they were both so proud of what they had accomplished.

The day came when Manny was being placed with a foster family, or maybe returned to his home, I can't remember. But I do remember hearing that Manny was crying when he left, something unusual for kids going 'home'. The helpers asked what was wrong, and Manny said "I wish Papa Joe was here. I want to say bye to him and to thank him for teaching me how to ride a bike. Please tell him I say 'thank you'".

Not a dry eye was left in the room. Manny left that day, and the message was passed on to Papa Joe. He had to have known already all he had done for so many kids, but this one, small compliment, must have meant so much to him.

Papa Joe didn't change the world. But he meant the world to Manny.

*Names and locations have been changed to protect the identities due the sensitive nature of the story

Submitted by Anonymous.

"So, I did"

2011-09-21T04:51:00.002-05:00

This gem has been floating around for a while now, but still felt like it was well worth it to share. Hope you enjoy your feel good moment of today, and don't forget to submit your story. Nobody Need Wait doesn't work without it!

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I went to a Gamestop to turn in a Playstation 2 slim that I had put towards a full preorder of Bayonetta for my brother to go with the 360 I bought him.

I noticed this raggedy looking kid that was poking around, looking real excited, and he turns to his mom, who’s wearing a gray sweatshirt with cigarette burns and gray sweatpants, obviously super poor. The kid goes “Oh wow, mom, look how cool this one looks!” and he picks up a copy of Gitaroo Man, for the PS2. I was pretty impressed, because that’s probably my second favorite game of all time.

His mom says, pretty gruffly, “That don’t look like it’ll fit in your Gameboy. That’s what we came here to get.” I guess they were Christmas shopping early. It made me kinda sad because the kid looked to be maybe 9 or 10, and he didn’t believe in Santa anymore. The kid looked kinda sad and put it back, then started staring at which GBA game he wanted.

I’ve been pretty depressed for the last couple weeks, but I was kinda happy that this was something I could do something about. So, I did. I turned around and bought the copy of Gitaroo Man, Metal Gear Solid 3 and Gungrave: Overdose (some of my favorite games) then I handed him the bag full of everything, the PS2, the two controllers I had with it and the games. He looked at me and asked why I did and told him, “Because Santa sent me.” And then I looked up at his mom and his mom was crying, and that made me cry, and I left Gamestop a blubbering mess.

Felt f*cking great, man.

VIA

Have a great Wednesday and thanks for stopping this brand, spanking new site!

Nobody Need Wait

2011-09-19T13:42:00.004-05:00

Ever see something wonderful happen?

You might not realize it, but I bet you are a part of a 'feel good moment' everyday.

Maybe it's that guy that held open the door extra long for the lady with the stroller. Or the teenager who helped a woman load groceries into her car. The sales clerk taking extra special care of a lost little girl until her mom finds her. Letting that person with one item go in front of you and your full cart at the grocery store. Donating books or food to shelters. Volunteering. Simply saying hello and asking how someone is.

For lack of better words, no matter how trite it might sound, these are all good deeds.

I believe that people are good at heart. And that they go out of their way to help others simply because they can and want to.

Nobody Need Wait is a place for any and everyone to share 'feel good moments'. Whether you witnessed it happen, read about it, or were someone's everyday hero, I want to hear your story. And I think other people do too.

After all, you never know how your story might touch others. Maybe you will inspire someone else to change the world.

I'm not sure if one person can change the world. But you can most certainly mean the world to one person.

Submit your story now.