This year brought a U.S. presidential election, a looming recession, wars overseas, natural disasters, and other world-changing events. But there were also less divisive and entirely positive news stories about good things that happened this year. Here are the most uplifting stories of 2024.
1. NBA player makes his dream of becoming a teacher come true
New York Knicks player Mikal Bridges grew up wanting to be a teacher. His inspiration was his own second grade teacher, Mrs. Porter. However, at 6-foot-6 and possessing superstar basketball skills, Bridges was selected 10th overall in the first round of the 2018 NBA Draft.
He gave up on another dream, to become an educator, to play in the NBA. But earlier this year, Bridges, then a Brooklyn Net. try his dream for a day When I taught at PS 134 in Brooklyn. He told CBS News that basketball is his calling for now, but he hopes to one day become a teacher or even a principal.
2. Man who was paralyzed as a teenager runs his first marathon
Mason Branstrator’s life changed when he was left paralyzed in a skiing accident at the age of 17. But that is He hasn’t stopped playing sports or running marathons. Mason, 20, completed this year’s Grandma’s Marathon wheelchair race in Duluth, Minnesota.
CBS News met with Branstrator at the University of Denver, where he is a student, to show him how he trained for the race and to talk about how the adaptive sports community cheered him up after his accident.
3. Theater employs people with disabilities and highlights their talents
The Prospector Theater in Ridgefield, Conn., employs people with disabilities in a variety of roles, from serving popcorn to ushering and picking up tickets. The theater is said to be looking for the “brilliance” of each employee, that is, the individual talent that can be utilized in their work. Some of the extravaganzas include drawing special movie posters and giving theatergoers a rap performance before the movie.
4. A “guardian angel” delivers a car to a stranger in need
Lynn Storey, a 64-year-old retiree from Fort Worth, Texas, said: I use my free time to help people in need. Story met April Goodwin, 46, who was diagnosed with uterine cancer, on the Nextdoor app. Goodwin needed someone to drive him to treatment, and Storey volunteered.
As well as regularly driving Goodwin, she began giving rides to Kevin Horrigan, a legally blind local resident who she also contacted through the app.
After David Begno shared her story last April, a Philadelphia car dealer wanted to honor her selfless act of kindness and surprised her with a new car.
5. First black astronaut candidate reaches space after more than 60 years
In 1961, Ed Dwight was selected by President John F. Kennedy to participate in NASA’s Air Force training program known as the Astronaut Pathway. After completing the program in 1963, he was offered an enlistment by the Air Force, but was not selected and entered civilian life in 1966.
he was rejected Chance to become the first African American astronaut – However, more than 60 years later, when I turned 90 years old, His dream of going to space came true That’s when I landed in my seat on a Blue Origin plane.
Dwight and his five-member crew were launched on a New Shepard rocket in May. Jeff Bezos, who founded Blue Origin, invited many history-making people onto his rocket, which flew into the Earth’s lower atmosphere. wally funk and William Shatner.
6. WNBA stars are teammates and enthusiastic.
Dewana Bonner and Alyssa Thomas are very competitive with each other during one-on-one games. But WNBA stars typically work together on the court and at home.
Two Connecticut Sun players are engaged to become the WNBA’s power couple. Before they became a couple, they played against each other. This year, they will play against each other again during the WNBA All-Star Game, and they spoke to CBS News ahead of the event about their on-court goals and each other’s goals.
7. Southern California long-distance drive-thrus give away free food
It might just be the longest drive-thru line in Southern California. But when these drivers pull up in front, there are no tellers, fast food or even cashiers.
Instead, each car is greeted by a group of volunteers who efficiently load bundles of fresh produce and two weeks’ worth of groceries into the trunk – all for free.
it is Seba Collective Food Pantry The area of Santa Ana, California is known as a food desert. There, volunteers hand out food and toys purchased by organizers themselves as a way to help communities cope with food insecurity as residents struggle to consistently access nutritious food. I started doing useless activities.
8. Mom opens a cafe that employs people with disabilities
Maureen Stanko always felt her son, Nick, had a lot to give. Nick is 20 years old and on the autism spectrum, and even though she knows he has a lot to give, what he will do after graduation keeps his mother up at night. It’s gone.
So she decided to create a job for him and opened a restaurant in Skippack, Pennsylvania. she gave it a fitting name So Mut To Give Cafe, Because, like her son, she aims to employ people with disabilities who have so much to offer.
CBS News visited the bustling cafe, where 63 people, 80% of whom have disabilities, work as ushers, food runners, sous chefs, dishwashers and servers.
9. Photographer adds nature to classroom through ceiling
A common flaw in some classrooms at Taft Elementary School in Santa Clara, California is the lack of windows. Logan Earnest’s fifth-grade classroom was no different, and he felt it was having an impact on his students.
A local photographer has found a solution – An image of the treetops is projected onto the ceiling, Helping children feel closer to nature.
Ernesto Rodríguez, a former school psychologist, told CBS News that studies show that being in and around nature can reduce anxiety and benefit students, so the lack of windows is important for children. He said it was having an impact. So he used his photography skills to capture 365-degree views of tree canopies and installed them in classrooms to help children and teachers.
10. Judge Frank Caprio is recognized for his heartfelt judgment.
Judge Frank Caprio It has become recognized all over the world. because, 88 years old We investigate traffic incidents and petty crimes and always provide guidance with compassion.
The Rhode Island judge gained attention on the popular TV show “Caught in Providence” and on social media. When David Begnaud visited Caprio in 2023, Caprio had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was undergoing treatment.
Thousands of people responded by sending letters and gifts to Caprio for the kindness and compassion he showed in court.
Earlier this year, Mr. Begnaud visited Caprio again. And this time, the judge shared an even more positive opinion than usual. He celebrated his recovery from cancer by ringing the bell at Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute.
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