Everybody can use a little pick me up after a long week. We know that your newsfeed gets overrun with bad news, which is why the Make a Difference Project has come to deliver you some feel-good vibes so you can decompress and transition into the weekend with ease. In honor of this week’s Boston Marathon, we’ll kick it off with an amazing story of two marathon survivors who turned tragedy into triumph.
A Dog Named Rescue
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNfcy0pL8t8&w=560&h=315]
via CBS Evening News
Shortly after they were seriously injured in the Boston Marathon attacks, newlyweds Patrick Downes and Jessica Kensky were matched with their service dog, a chocolate lab named Rescue. For Jessica, who lost both her legs, Rescue was the turning point in her recovery that gave her a new outlook on life. They decided to write a book, aptly named Rescue and Jessica: A Life-Changing Friendship about the bond between human and service dog. The book teaches children to be aware of people’s differences and to know that no matter what troubles you face, you are never alone.
Firefighters Mow Lawn of Veteran after Responding to Call
Via Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service Department
Rescue Unit 25 of the Birmingham, Alabama Fire and Rescue Service Department received a call from a 30-year military veteran experiencing chest pains while mowing his lawn. After making sure the man was okay and getting him safely to the hospital, firefighters Tommy Carter and Timothy Kennedy decided to make a quick stop back at the man’s home. They grabbed a lawn mower and finished what he had started; making sure the lawn was in perfect condition upon the veteran’s return. Now that is what we call going above and beyond duty!
6-Year-Old ‘Officer’ Spreads Kindness
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlAfs7PGULg&w=560&h=315]
Via Brandi Davis
6-year-old Oliver Davis is an aspiring police officer who has made it his mission to spread kindness and make people smile. “Officer Davis” as he’s known, travels (in full uniform) to nursing homes around Johnson County, Kansas, giving out flowers and violations for being “too cute” to the residents. Oliver has visited nine nursing homes in the past year, but his mother said it is his New Year’s resolution to visit even more. His hard work has even earned him an honorary police badge from the Leawood, Kansas police department. Keep up the great work Oliver!