Goodable

An elementary school's mascot turned out to be more than just a character. Sgt. Perry Chronister, concealed beneath the costume, delivered an emotional surprise to his son Eli on his first day of second grade. The heartwarming scene unfolded at DeWitt Elementary School in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, where staff orchestrated the touching reunion that marked the end of Sgt. Chronister's year-long overseas deployment.

An elementary school's mascot turned out to be more than just a character. Sgt. Perry Chronister, concealed beneath the costume, delivered an emotional surprise to his son Eli on his first day of second grade. The heartwarming scene unfolded at DeWitt Elementary School in Cuyahoga Falls, OH, where staff orchestrated the touching reunion that marked the end of Sgt. Chronister's year-long overseas deployment.An elementary school's mascot turned out to be more than just a character. Sgt. Perry Chronister, concealed beneath the costume, delivered an emotional surprise to his son Eli on his first day of second grade. The heartwarming scene unfolded at DeWitt Elementary School in Cuyahoga Falls, OH, where staff orchestrated the touching reunion that marked the end of Sgt. Chronister's year-long overseas deployment.

This Soldier Returned Home And Gave His Son an Incredible Surprise at School

When Irv Radatzke turned 100 last month, a close friend had one wish: to lift his spirits with a few Christmas cards. She got more than she ever expected.

Radatzke, a Second World War veteran from New Westminster, B.C., spent both his birthday and Remembrance Day in hospital recovering from a fall. That’s when his friend Moe Boyle stepped in with an idea she called Operation Irv — a call for the community to send him 100 Christmas cards to mark his 100th year.

The response has been overwhelming. So far, Radatzke has received more than 700 cards from across the country.

“He’s never asked for anything in return. This man is so humble,” said Boyle. “He really is the sweetest man on the Earth.”

Many of the cards came from children, often decorated with pictures of dogs — a nod to Radatzke’s well-known love for animals. One of the handwritten messages came from a Grade 5 student:
“Thank you for your service. You saved our country from evil taking over our country. I hope you get a lot of presents in the hospital. Have an eventful Christmas.”

Some letters arrived from as far away as the North Pole. According to Boyle, they even sent a card to Santa, who wrote back to inform Radatzke that he had made it onto the nice list.

“I read all the cards and he would go, ‘Oh, isn't that nice?’” Boyle said. “That’s what he would say. And I’d say, ‘Look at this one from a five-year-old,’ and I would read what the five-year-old said and [he’d say], ‘Oh, that was nice.’”

Boyle said the flood of support has helped ease Radatzke’s time in hospital and will hopefully make his transition to a care facility a little brighter.

The pair first met more than 20 years ago when Boyle was working as a crossing guard. Radatzke would walk his dogs past her post, and one day mentioned his age. Boyle was skeptical, so the next day, he brought his driver’s licence to prove it. That was the beginning of a lasting friendship.

“Whether it’s to build a fence or plant flowers, he’s always been the one you could rely on,” she said. “And he’s done it for nothing. That’s just who he is.”

To honour his milestone, the City of New Westminster officially declared November 13 “Irv Radatzke Day.” The veteran also received birthday greetings from King Charles, Governor General Mary Simon, and British Columbia Premier David Eby.

But Boyle says the Christmas card campaign has been the most touching of all.

“People just wanted to do this, they wanted the joy just to send the card,” she said. “People that don’t know him, people that do know him, people who want to meet him, people who respect him — and they were all willing to do this.”

One card, sent by a student from a local school, stood out to Boyle in particular:
“Your presence in the neighbourhood is one of the things that has always made the neighbourhood so wonderful. Your smile and laughter and generosity have affected all of us. We all smiled more because of you.”

That, she said, sums it up perfectly.

A Veteran’s 100th Birthday Sparked an Outpouring of Kindness from Across Canada

Werribee Open Range Zoo in Victoria is buzzing with excitement as it welcomes three new cheetahs just in time for the summer holidays. 

Seven-year-old sisters Mara and Mapenzi, along with 11-year-old Sansa, have settled into their new home after traveling from Monarto Safari Park and Taronga Western Plains Zoo. 

Mara is vocal and confident while Mapenzi is more reserved. Meanwhile, Sansa enjoys watching her neighbors like oryx and camels. 

This marks the first time in nearly two decades that the zoo hosts three cheetahs simultaneously!

Three new cheetahs were recently welcomed to Werribee Open Range Zoo in Victoria, just in time for the summer holidays.Zoos Victoria said seven-year-old sisters, Mara and Mapenzi, and 11-year-old Sansa were settling into their new home after embarking on a journey from Monarto Safari Park in South Australia and Taronga Western Plains Zoo in New South Wales.“Mara is quite vocal and confident and has her own mind, while Mapenzi is a little more reserved and shyer compared to her sister,” Werribee Open Range Zoo African River Trail Keeper Lydia Whiteway said.“They are both very sweet natured and are best friends. Their habitat is located next to the lions, so they are very curious and getting a good look at each other.”“Meantime, Sansa has been quite active. She’s been watching the oryx and camels in the adjoining habitat. We’re not sure if she thinks they should be lunch or if she’s just a little bit unsure about them – perhaps a little bit of both!”The sisters will live together, while Cheetah Sansa will stay in her own ‘retirement’ habitat.The arrival of the trio marks the first time in almost two decades that Werribee Open Range Zoo has been home to three Cheetahs at once.

Three Cheetahs Join Werribee Open Range Zoo, Thrilling Visitors For Australian Holidays

ABC News

A family's annual gingerbread-house competition has captured the internet’s imagination — and raised the bar for holiday crafting.

Mallory Millett shared video of the December 17 showdown, which featured a series of over-the-top, jaw-dropping designs that had commenters wondering if the entire family moonlights as architects. It turns out, at least one of them is heading in that direction.

The winning house, revealed in the final clip, was designed by one of Millett’s sisters, who is currently studying interior design. The intricate build earned praise both online and within the family, who, according to Millett, take the contest “very seriously” each year.

This was the fifth year the family staged the gingerbread competition, and based on the reactions, the creativity only gets bigger with time.

“I can’t even put the walls together,” one user joked, sharing their own gingerbread fail. Another simply asked, “Are y’all a family of architects???”

Millett says the holiday tradition started as a fun family activity but has since evolved into a full-on display of craftsmanship and competitive spirit.

With the designs now going viral, fans are already asking what next year’s builds will look like. No pressure.

Utah Family Showcases Design Skills In Fierce Gingerbread House Contest

GoodGoodGood

Every year, ninth-grade English teacher Kristina Ulmer hands each of her students a $20 bill. There's only one condition: they must use it to do something kind.

The tradition began nearly a decade ago after Ulmer’s younger sister Katie died in a car crash at the age of 29. In her wallet, Katie had left behind a $100 tip she’d earned while waitressing. Ulmer saw an opportunity to turn her grief into something meaningful.

“I wanted them to notice that, you know, people around them could possibly be struggling,” Ulmer told CBC News. “I want them to make connections to the people around them.”

So she matched the tip with her own money and handed out $20 bills to her students, asking them to spend it on an act of kindness. What began as a personal project has now become an annual tradition — and is funded by Horsham High School, where Ulmer teaches.

Over the years, her students have used the money in creative and generous ways: baking cookies for first responders, donating to food banks, buying toys for children, or crocheting tiny hats for premature babies in the hospital.

Ulmer says the project has repeatedly challenged stereotypes about teens.

“A lot of people stereotype that age, and they say they're self-centered… and I just don't see that,” she said.

Former students agree. Sydney Cassel, who was once in Ulmer’s class, told the Washington Post she still takes part in the “$20 Kindness Challenge” every year, long after graduating.

“You don’t have to have millions,” Cassel said. “Anyone can make a difference.”

And that’s exactly the point.

What started with a single act of generosity from Katie Ulmer has rippled outward — from a waitress’s wallet to hundreds of students and the communities they touch.

“I think my sister would be proud,” Ulmer said.

How This Pennsylvania Teacher is Inspiring Kindness With Annual $20 Challenge

BBC News

In the heart of the city’s busiest train station, a platform was transformed into a place of warmth, music, and compassion as 300 of Birmingham’s most vulnerable residents were treated to a Christmas celebration they won’t forget.

On Wednesday, the Midland Langar Seva Society (MLSS), in partnership with Network Rail, hosted its eighth annual Christmas meal at Birmingham New Street station, welcoming hundreds of homeless and vulnerable people for a hot, three-course vegetarian dinner.

“This event exists to remind people that they matter,” said MLSS chief executive Randhir Singh. “For one afternoon, they are not forgotten — they are our honoured guests.”

The festive afternoon included more than just food. Non-alcoholic drinks were served alongside carol singing, a live DJ, and holiday gifts. The celebration ran from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on the station’s concourse, where volunteers from MLSS and Network Rail came together to make it happen.

“A welcoming meal in the heart of the city can make a real difference for those who need extra support at Christmas,” said New Street station manager Elizabeth Graham. “It’s a chance for people to relax, enjoy themselves, and feel part of a caring community.”

The event began in 2018 and has grown each year. It’s grounded in the Sikh principle of dasvand — giving 10% of one’s time and income to serve others. For Singh and the MLSS team, the event is about more than meals.

“We know that suicide rates rise at this time of year, and for those with no family, no home, and no-one checking in on them, Christmas can feel unbearable,” Singh said. “We are there to serve them, to listen, to show care and compassion, and to make them feel truly special.”

The annual gathering is now a staple of Birmingham’s holiday season — a reminder that dignity, empathy, and kindness can shine brightest in the darkest moments.

“In our eighth year working with Network Rail,” Singh said, “this meal represents everything we stand for at MLSS: Dignity, equality, and the belief that no-one should feel alone.”

Christmas Meal Serves 300 Homeless at a New Street Station in England

People

For 30 years, Tammy Hammonds has served up plates of chili and kindness at Skyline Chili in Clifton. But on Dec. 21, the kindness came back to her — in a way she never saw coming.

A group of regular customers surprised Tammy with $27,000 after learning her husband, Randy Hammonds, had died from kidney cancer.

“This has been the darkest time of my life,” she said. “They’ve brought the light with them today.”

The effort was organized by Kyle Zimmerman and Sam Bruchell, who started eating at the Clifton Skyline back in their college days — sometimes visiting four times a week. Now living in New York and Chicago, the two never forgot Tammy’s warmth and hospitality. After hearing about her loss, Zimmerman started a fundraiser on Dec. 15. Within hours, thousands of dollars poured in.

Zimmerman explained that Tammy’s late husband was a wounded war veteran who had also worked handling hazardous waste for the U.S. government. He wanted to ease the financial burden so Tammy could focus on healing.

“Anyone who knows Tammy knows her kindness, warmth, and the way she takes care of everyone who walks through the door,” Zimmerman wrote on the GoFundMe page, which has raised more than $14,000 to date.

Tammy said she had no idea the customers she watched grow up cared for her so deeply. “I knew the impact it was having on me by being a part of their lives and watching them grow,” she said. “I would’ve never thought they would love me this much.”

The moment left her overwhelmed — not just by the donation, but by the gesture itself. “Just to show the love they have for me is enough. But to do what they’ve done with me is incredible.”

She added, “I always thought Kyle was my little angel. This time, he brought a whole army of angels with him.”

Tammy hopes the outpouring of support inspires others to show appreciation in small ways — every day.

“Show love each and every day, be happy with what you’re doing,” she said. “Sometimes it may not seem important. I can see how important it was.”

This Ohio Server Just Received a $27,000 Surprise from Customers After Husband’s Passing

When most kids pass by a Christmas inflatable, they smile and keep walking. Foster Haines stops — and studies. At just 8 years old, he’s built a collection of 173 inflatables, turning his family's yard into one of the most eye-catching holiday displays in Ontario. And thanks to TikTok, thousands are watching it grow.

What began with a single snowman in 2019 has exploded into a full-blown seasonal tradition in the Haines household — complete with cross-border shopping trips, sponsor support, and viral videos that have drawn nearly a million views.

“Foster became obsessed with a snowman inflatable at our local grocery store when he was two,” says his mom, Sara Haines. “The next Christmas, we bought him his first snowman, and it started to grow from there.”

Now, five years later, Foster’s passion has taken over their property — and the internet. His TikTok account, @fostersinflatables, has earned thousands of followers, and big brands like Canadian Tire and Gemmy (the leading inflatable manufacturer) are sending him new pieces to add to the collection.

But behind the viral fame is a kid who’s genuinely obsessed — and very hands-on.

“He previews all the new designs online every year and decides his top want lists,” says Sara. “He’s quite involved in the general planning of the display. He has ideas of what should go together, or where certain ones should be, or if he wants things like ‘character rows.’”

While Sara and others handle the setup while Foster is at school — it takes more than a week to get all 173 inflatables standing — Foster takes over once they’re up. He’s outside every morning checking that everything’s upright and cleared.

“He is the main caretaker once the inflatables are set up,” Sara says. “He goes out every morning and ensures everything is cleared and upright.”

His favorite? A shaking inflatable named “Chilly Snowman.” And of course, the very first snowman, which has never even been placed outside. “He really loves snowmen,” Sara says.

Each year, the family makes a trip to the U.S. around Foster’s November 1 birthday to find inflatables not sold in Canada. One of those trips led to a particularly meaningful moment — a search for a Little Debbie Christmas Cake inflatable in memory of Foster’s late grandfather, who helped introduce the cakes to Canada in the ’90s.

When they couldn’t find it, Gemmy stepped in and sent it as a gift. The unboxing video went viral.

Support has only grown from there. Canadian Tire now sends Foster inflatables and gift cards. Other fans drop them off, or ship them in. It’s reached the point where, as Sara puts it, “the new inflatables just seem to find their way to Foster.”

Managing the collection takes serious organization. Each inflatable is dried, sorted, and stored in numbered totes with a detailed log of where everything goes. This year, the family is planning to build a shed just to house the growing stash.

Weather is the biggest obstacle. Snow during setup slows everything down, and drying each inflatable afterward takes weeks. “You cannot pack them away when their weight bags are wet,” Sara says.

But it’s all worth it. The display has become a local favourite, especially among kids. And sharing that joy online wasn’t even Sara’s idea — it was Foster’s. “He persistently asked us to for 3 years,” she says. “Eventually, I agreed and shared a video of Foster stating he would rather go to Canadian Tire than Disney World, and it all started there.”

Now, his videos regularly earn thousands of views, and the feedback has been overwhelming.

“Hearing from people whose kids love Foster just makes us all so happy,” Sara says. “For Foster to be that for others is really a cool and beautiful thing.”

At the heart of it all is a simple message: let kids lead with what they love.

“We think that it’s important to just meet your kids where they are,” Sara says. “And let them decide what they want to love.”

Meet the 8-Year-Old in Ontario Whose 173 Christmas Inflatables Are Going Viral

Adorable footage shows a pair of four-legged hospital workers delivering ornaments and stickers to children and adults battling complex diseases at TIRR Memorial Hermann in Houston, Texas.

Annie and Pilot, facility dogs at the Houston-area medical center, brought “hope and cheer” to staffers and patients under the hospital’s care, some of whom “have endured traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and other life-altering conditions,” TIRR Memorial Hermann told Storyful on December 17.

The two dogs “assist in therapy sessions, providing remarkable physical, emotional, and psychological benefits for these patients,” a hospital representative said.

Footage shows Annie, a golden retriever, and Pilot, a black Lab/golden retriever mix, on their “festive stroll” through the hospital.

Adorable footage shows a pair of four-legged hospital workers delivering ornaments and stickers to children and adults battling complex diseases at TIRR Memorial Hermann in Houston, Texas.Annie and Pilot, facility dogs at the Houston-area medical center, brought “hope and cheer” to staffers and patients under the hospital’s care, some of whom “have endured traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and other life-altering conditions,” TIRR Memorial Hermann told Storyful on December 17.The two dogs “assist in therapy sessions, providing remarkable physical, emotional, and psychological benefits for these patients,” a hospital representative said.Footage shows Annie, a golden retriever, and Pilot, a black Lab/golden retriever mix, on their “festive stroll” through the hospital.

Therapy Dogs Spread Holiday Cheer to Patients at Houston Hospital

Fox News

Even with the NFL season in full swing, some players are making time this holiday season to give back — and remember the moments that once made them feel like the luckiest kids in the world.

As part of Raising Cane’s sixth annual holiday bike giveaway, NFL stars teamed up to donate over 4,000 bikes and helmets to children across the U.S. through charitable youth organizations. The event sparked memories of Christmas mornings past, especially for players who remembered the joy of receiving their first set of wheels — or something even better.

For Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown, it was the year he unwrapped a PlayStation 2. “Getting my PlayStation 2 from my parents was everything for me at the time,” Brown said. “I got NCAA, one of those games with the Texas Longhorns on the cover. It was very impactful to me, and it stuck to me. It was one of those peak moments as a kid that stuck out to me.”

In Cincinnati, Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins smiled as he handed out bikes at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Cincinnati — the very place that once gave him his own first ride. “When I was their age, I remember my first bike at the Boys and Girls Club,” he said. “That made me smile, so it made me the happiest boy alive.”

But his all-time favorite Christmas gift? A dirt bike from his dad. “I rode that dirt bike for like 10 days straight,” Higgins said.

Minnesota Vikings linebacker Josh Metellus remembered a gift that meant even more than fun — it meant opportunity. Growing up in North Miami, Metellus had one simple request: a basketball. He hoped it would help him make the middle school team.

“The fact that my mom was willing — I kept telling her, ‘I want a new basketball,’” Metellus said. “For her to go out of her way to use that as my gift, knowing that would make me happy instead of just giving me a toy or something any middle school kid wanted... That was a really cool moment.”

Years later, that gift still stands out. “I’ve gotten a phone for Christmas one time and that was really cool,” he said. “But the basketball stuck with me because I was going outside and I got to play immediately.”

For many players, the act of giving back during the holidays carries as much weight as any gift they ever received.

“I think life’s a lot bigger than football and us as football players,” said Dolphins linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel. “Any way that we can get back in the community and just be there for kids that have been through a lot and need that extra piece of hope that can help them get through these difficult times.”

Van Ginkel added that Christmas is about more than just celebration. “To me, Christmas is all about giving thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ and it means a lot to give back and do good works in the community. It’s a small piece about who I am and want to do as a person and the impact I want to make.”

For the children receiving new bikes, the gifts are more than just something to ride — they’re a sign that someone is thinking of them, cheering for them, and investing in their happiness.

And for the players, those smiles echo their own childhood joy — a reminder of what the holidays are really about.

NFL Stars Reflect on Their Favorite Christmas Memories While Giving Bikes to Kids in Need

In a town already known for its over-the-top holiday lights, a towering 50-foot leg lamp is proving hard to miss — and even harder to forget.

Inspired by the 1983 holiday classic A Christmas Story, the enormous sculpture now stands proudly on Main Street in Chickasha, Oklahoma, glowing brightly and drawing thousands of curious visitors each year.

The idea started as a joke. Tim Elliot, CEO of Chickasha-based Standley Systems, couldn’t stop thinking about the film’s infamous scene where Ralphie’s father unboxes the now-iconic leg lamp, calling it a “major award.” The image stuck with him. “When he pulled the leg lamp out of the box, I could not get that out of my mind,” Elliot told CBS Mornings. “I mean, that was the funniest thing I’ve ever seen.”

So, at a local economic development meeting, Elliot pulled out a replica lamp and pitched the idea: “How about a 100-foot leg lamp at the end of Main Street?”

Everyone laughed. No one thought it would happen.

But Elliot was serious. He raised over $1 million and got to work. In 2021, the leg lamp was constructed. A year later, it reopened as a permanent fixture. And now, it’s become a major draw — not just during the holidays, but year-round.

Chickasha is already home to one of the top-rated light shows in the U.S. The Chickasha Festival of Light features 3.5 million lights and a 170-foot-tall Christmas tree. But the leg lamp, despite being less than a third of the tree’s height, is stealing the show.

“There’s nothing else like it,” said Jim Cowan, Chickasha’s economic development director. “Tourism is at an all-time high, and a lot of that can be traced one way or another to a leg lamp.”

Not everyone welcomed the lamp at first. Warner Brothers, which owns the rights to A Christmas Story, sent a cease-and-desist letter shortly after the lamp was installed. They wanted the sculpture taken down.

“We were very determined,” Cowan said. “We weren’t going to let that happen. If we had to go and battle in the courts, we would, because we felt like we did things the right way.”

Chickasha officials responded by explaining that they weren’t charging people to see the lamp, and a nearby gift shop was selling officially licensed merchandise. That seemed to be enough to quiet any legal threats. “We haven’t heard from [Warner Brothers] in about a year and a half,” Elliot said.

The lamp is now part of the town’s identity — and its economy. Tourists like John Prock, who drove nearly three hours while visiting family in Oklahoma, say it’s worth the trip. “My parents mentioned it,” he said. “So we literally hopped in the car, drove almost three hours to get here, and here we are.”

The ripple effect is real. Business investor Chet Hitt, who grew up just 20 miles away, recently returned to Chickasha with plans to invest millions. He’s working on a new business park and downtown revitalization effort.

“You drive down this little town and you see kids playing and the community behind things and the support,” Hitt said. “They buy into what’s here.”

As for Elliot, the leg lamp was never about the laughs — or the legal battles. It was about giving the town something to rally around. Something fun. Something big. And it worked.

“The lamp has become a beacon,” Cowan said. “Literally.”

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