By: Priya Migneault15-year-old, Joseph Beer, from England decided to scrub and clear the area around local road and street signs. He and his mother had been taking regular walks around Cambridgeshire, when he realized that many of the signs were too covered by greenery and mud to be seen. Joseph peddled his bike and mini trailer around the community cleaning and clearing the signs almost everyday. The local community was so impressed they raised 1,000 pounds for him, which he donated all to the local food bank. Anthony Mmesoma Madu, an 11-year-old boy from Nigeria, has just been offered a scholarship to one of Manhattan's most elite dance schools. His dance instructor, Daniel Ajala Owoseni, has also been offered to learn at American school’s National Training Curriculum for instructors. Daniel self taught himself to dance after watching 'Save the Last Dance', when he was just 13-years-old. Ten years later he became a freelance dancer, however he was unable to get a scholarship to go anywhere outside of Africa. Both Anthony and Daniel are determined to beat back stereotypes that ballet is only for females. Relaxing on floating boats may be the new way to screen movies outdoors. In Paris last month there was a showing of classic and newly released movies for people outdoors on socially distanced boats. The company responsible has said that this may also become an occurrence in North America, with potential plans to launch events like this along major costal and inland cities. All boats are required to be pre-purchased and according to the company will be sanitized frequently. Stay safe everyone, Priya
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By: Priya MigneaultA group of boys in Calgary, Alberta decided to save up money to buy their single-mother a customer birthday present this year. The boys, Darius and Kobe, went around their neighbourhood mowing lawns in order to save up enough money and when their neighbours heard about why they were mowing lawns they decided to take their kindness a step further. The neighbours across the street put out their request for a basketball hoop for the boys on social media. Within two days a local business delivered a brand new basketball hoop for the boys and a family bought them new jersey's and shoes. As if this story wasn't sweet enough already, after the devastating hail storms last week the basketball hoop was destroyed and the business that had perviously bought the last one, got the boys another. Both the boys and their mother are overjoyed at their communities kindness and have shared their thanks to all parties involved on social media. In India, in the state of Uttar Pradesh, 2 million people worked together to plant 20 million trees along the Ganges River, while social distancing. The planting was carried out by volunteers, nonprofit employees, government workers, and lawmakers. The state of Uttar Pradesh did this in order to reach India's goal of having one third of the nation under the shade of trees by 2030. One third of India is 235 million acres, which approximately the size of British Colombia and Prince Edward Island combined. Many other nations have started mass tree planting to draw carbon out of the atmosphere, including China, India, Pakistan, Madagascar, etc... The country of Pakistan has meet their UN climate goals one decade before their set deadline. Despite not being a very wealthy country, Pakistan has pushed hard to get environmental regulations and climate mitigation techniques into place, as they are one of the nations most at risk of climate related disasters. From running initiatives like the 10 Billion Trees Tsunami Project, which works to reforest the areas surrounding the Hindu Kush Mountains, to the Clean Green Pakistan Index, which awards towns and cities with the best overall clean environment. The country has also been working towards transitioning to renewable energy, By: Priya MigneaultIn April, the VING project gave out $250,000 dollars to teenagers wanting to do good for someone in their community. The VING project, which started in 2014, is a youth centred foundation dedicated to helping amplify and support youth who are going above and beyond to do good. Every month the project gets video submissions from American teens, 14 to 18, asking for $1,000 dollars to support someone in their community. The money is sent to the lucky teens in a check that they deliver to their nominee. The founder, Liz Lefkofsky, said she launched the VING project in order to allow teens to experience their own special philanthropic impact. Pastor Bill Losasso spent his 73rd birthday in an ice cream truck handing out free treats. Pastor Bill runs a centre in Florida that works to help those experiencing homelessness. His organization gives out 25,000 pounds of food every weekend to the community. Over the course of the day he handed out hundreds of treats to everyone who walked by. "Out here they don't get ice cream very often," said Pastor Bill, "We had people tell us it's been a year and a half since they had any ice cream and little kids said that." Kelly Passek, a middle school librarian, has been delivering books to her students through WING's drone deliveries. The students submit an online form to request books and Passek delivers them to WING's office for delivery. The books are then transferred by drone right to the students front yard. "Our libraries are essential and unique parts of our community and it is extremely important for our students to continue to have access to the resources that are here in our libraries in order to guarantee their success," Passek said. What an amazing use of technology and innovation during a time when human contacted is extremely limited! Have an amazing and healthy week everyone, Priya By: Priya MigneaultThis past week teenager Antonio Gwynn, 18, spent 10 hours cleaning up his neighbourhood after the protests and riots. Between the hours of 2am to 12am he went out into the streets of Buffalo, USA and cleaned up broken glass, along with other discarded objects so that people could safely make it to work in the morning. But that isn't the only incredible thing about this story, once local businesses and neighbours found out what Gwynn was doing they wanted to give back. He received a red mustang and a full year of car insurance from a local businessman Bob Briceland, along with a full scholarship to the local college. Over the past two months Greg Dailey, 50, has made over 500 grocery runs for seniors in his neighbourhood of East Windsor, New Jersey. Dailey runs a newspaper route in the community and realized that some seniors struggled retrieving the paper from down their driveways, and thought about how hard it must be to go get groceries. He began directly contacting a few of those on his route to offer grocery runs free of charge and put notes in the paper offering his services, from there it took off. Dailey even received responses from people outside his typical route and has since recruited his family to help make the runs. He says he may continue with this even after the pandemic ends to help support the seniors in his community. The company Band-aid is now creating multi coloured bandages in response to the recent Black Lives Matter protests happening around the world. "We hear you. We see you. We're listening to you," Band-Aid wrote on Instagram. The bandages will now come in light, olive, and different shades of brown and black to reflect customer skin tones. Band-Aid is not the first company to create different skin toned bandages. In 2014, Tru-Colour started which offers different colours of bandages to match customers skin tones after the founder realized there were no bandages that matched his adopted sons skin. Let us know your good news in the comments below. Until next week, stay safe everyone. Priya By: Priya MigneaultA 6-year-old went and delivered ice-cream and other frosty treats around her community for her birthday this year. In Tuscany a young girl, her sister, and her parents went around in their car, that was decked out in ribbons and bows, and gave out different cold treats to those in the area and walking by. They even had dairy and nut free desserts, for those with allergies. In a quick conversation with the parents they explained that although their daughter could not have a birthday party this year, they still wanted others to celebrate with them. What an awesome way to celebrate someone's birthday! Happy Birthday to the Ice-cream girl. In graduation style, two teenagers in Calgary decided to motivate their community through inspirational posters and cards, they hung up throughout the streets. Danika, 14, and another teen, who has chosen to remain anonymous, have gone out two times over the past 14 days and put up posters and cards in their prom dresses. This year was Danika's grade 9 graduation, so the two ladies wanted to celebrate while giving back to their community in someway. By putting up posters in their prom dresses they are not only able to brighten their day, but others who pass by them and their signs. New Zealand has lifted all COVID-19 restrictions and has no new or active cases within the country. 2-days-ago Prime Minister Ardern announced that the country will reopen all previously closed businesses and facilities and that social distancing is no longer required. In less that 100 days New Zealand has beaten COVID-19 and are returning to normal, just in time for the summer. Congratulations New Zealand! This country is leading by example and giving the rest of us hope that one day, not to far away, we can all be together again too. Until then stay safe and strong, Priya By: Priya MigneaultWhen I realized the time had come for this volume of Your Weekly Dose of Hope I honestly didn't think I'd find much, but I was wrong. Even though the events of this past week have been very depressing for many, we must remember people are constantly doing good in our world and trying to make it a better place. This week there was so much good news, but I'm going to only be able to tell you about a few of my favourites, so let's get right to it. Over the past 10 days Scott Rudes, the principal of Booker T. Washington High School, traveled 1,500 miles to honour the entire graduating class of 2020. He wore a full cap and gown and went to all 240 seniors' houses to hand deliver them their diplomas. He says, "One of our core values at our school is to ignite joy, and that is what I saw on the faces of my seniors and their families. Just a few minutes of joy in the midst of all this uncertainty." Booker T. Washington High School is a school of performing and visual arts in Dallas, Texas. "Whatever presents in life, find the opportunity with that and run with it," says Rudes, "That's one of the things I think we do best at a school like ours with artists, to teach them to view the world from multiple perspectives and to be creative and expressive. I think that's what gets them through the hard times." This hybrid floating ocean platform that can generate power from wind, solar, and wave energy was just launched and it's the first of its kind. The prototype for this creation is stationed off the coast of Greece, and is believed to potentially help enable isolated islands to have clean, renewable energy. The hybrid was designed by the German company, Sinn Power, and was patented two years ago. The piece is a lightweight, scalable, durable, and easy to fix structure for maximum efficiency. It generates 26 kilowatts of energy that is mostly created through waves. The design creates the most energy through waves because it is able to move up and down depending on the tide for the maximum absorption of energy. Many nations have already visited the prototype and seem interested in its capabilities. Sinn Power is hoping to release the hybrid onto the market in the Fall of 2020. When prom was canceled for Curtis Rogers babysitter he thought otherwise. Curtis, who is seven years old from North Carolina, invited his babysitter, 17 year old Rachel Chapman, to prom. He held a mini social distancing prom in his backyard for her. Rachel had been babysitting Curtis for over a year before the COVID-19 outbreak and had become a large part of the Rogers family. Little Curtis took the phase 'go big or go home' to the max when he donned a purple suit to match Rachel's dress, used a giant handmade banner to invite her, and danced with her from six feet apart. He set up a fancy dinner table in the backyard and ordered her favourite food from Chick-Fil-A. Rachel was very surprised with the lengths Curtis took to make her mini-prom amazing and special. Curtis wins prom king in my books this year. As always stay safe everyone, Priya By: Priya MigneaultYour Weekly Dose of Hope is a segment dedicated to good news and uplifting stories, if you have any good news you like us to share let us know in the comments below. Let’s get right into the good news from this past week. Despite the pandemic and social distancing orders people are still connecting. Last Friday Calgary’s United Churches held their monthly youth worship service through an Instagram live call and a zoom meeting. For the past five months the services have been talking about the five love languages with each language getting its own one hour service. We all need love, especially now and Calgary’s United Churches along with other places of worship everywhere have been continuing to provide a sense of boundless love and connection to their members and community. 10 year old, Chelsea Phaire, has donated over 1,500 kits of art supplies to youth shelters across America since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Chelsea is from Connecticut, USA and she runs the ‘Chelsea’s Charity’, which she started in August 2019. Her mom says, “Since she was seven, she was begging me and her dad to start a charity," According to CNN. Before the pandemic Chelsea would personally deliver the art supply kits and teach a class to youth living in the centre, but since then she has switched up her approach and started mailing the kits. Chelsea’s art kits have been sent to foster homes and homeless shelters across the country. The Government of British Columbia purchased the Comfort Inn hotel in Victoria for $18.5 million this past week. They did this to open the facility up as a shelter to those experiencing homelessness during this time and to create jobs in the area. The facility is equipped with social supports and sanitation supplies, and those who are going to work in the shelter are re-hired workers who had been laid off due to the pandemic. The municipality of Price Rupert, B.C. also recently purchased a hotel and converted it into a shelter for low income individuals. Both of these purchases are apart of a province wide goal to build 3,000 low income housing units for seniors, ingenious people, low income families, students, women & children trying to escape abuse, and those who are or those who are at risk of experiencing homelessness. Over 200 individuals have come through the shelters already. Remember there is good in this complex world and you contribute to it. Priya By: Priya MigneaultCanada Health has approved the first trial for a potential COVID-19 vaccine to be tested in clinics. The process of getting vaccines approved usually takes years, but has been accelerated in this situation. Even though this information was just released there are over a hundred Canadians ready to volunteer to be test subjects. Although, only 100 subjects, ages 18-55, are going to be in the first phase and closely monitored for six months. Canada is not the only country trying to develop a new vaccine with multiple countries also trying to develop new research on COVID-19 and a vaccine. There are new scientific strides on COVID-19 everyday and we will find a solution together. Greta Thunberg recently received an award from Human Act for her fight against climate change, which entailed $100,000. All of the money she was given, she donated to UNICEF to help them in their fight against COVID-19. Both Human Act and the Greta Thunberg Foundation partnered up with UNICEF because they believe that COVID-19 can and will create child rights violations unless youth are protected. Human Act also contributed another $100,000 to match Greta Thunberg's donation. UNICEF has stated that the money will all be going to COVID-19 relief, which includes sanitation kits, hygiene products, and medical supplies. The Calgary Zoo will be reopening to the public this Saturday with permission from Alberta Health Services (AHS). There will only be one entrance to the zoo and all tickets need to be pre-purchased online. The Calgary Zoo and AHS have been working very closely to reopen the animal exhibits to the public and have designed safe and engaging activities for visitors to follow while there. Buy your timed tickets online here. Stay safe everyone, Priya By: Priya MigneaultThis past Sunday John Krasinski with Some Good News hosted a virtual graduation for all the graduates of 2020. He had those who signed up hop onto a zoom call with him and move those tassels to the other side to mark this milestone in their lives. On twitter he asked for graduating students to submit questions that would be answered during the ceremony and to everyone's suprise he didn't answer them. John had Malala Yousafzai, Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, and Jon Stewart answer the questions for him. It is so nice to see someone looking out for and celebrating all those who have made it thus far in their academic careers, so thank you John. If you are interested in watching the full video click here. Last week was my neighbours 9th birthday and she got the parade to back it up! But it isn't just my neighbourhood getting livened up, 100's if not 1000's, of people received a birthday parade this year just for them. Proving that we can still party and celebrate with each other while apart. To show that there is still beauty and community on the grey days, stores across the city have been putting up rainbows to show that there is still colour during these days. At my local grocery store the rainbows were painted by the youth council and are accompanied with the saying 'It will be okay'. It is nice to be reminded that during these times we are not alone, and we can all find strength and connection within our communities. As all ways, I hope all of you are well. Priya By: Priya MigneaultQuinn Roney, a Boy Scout from Canada, has been printing out dozens of ear guards to donate to medical professionals from his 3D printer. The guards attach to the elastics at the back of medical masks and prevent excessive tension on the ears that can sometimes result in dents, bruising, and even cuts. He printed them off his at home 3D printer and is encouraging others, if they can, to do the same. The file to print them has been shared over 277,000 times and can be located here. Another story that is closer to home has been the trending #heartsforhealthcareworkers, where families and those isolated at home are putting hearts up on their doors and windows to show support for healthcare workers on the front lines of this pandemic. These hearts have been popping up all across Alberta and the world. But that's not the only way people around the globe are celebrating healthcare workers, in Italy police officers applauded and turn their sirens on outside a hospital in an combined effort to show appreciation to the staff. There have been numerous events like this happening everywhere, from applause to donated meals people are showing up to help those in the medical field. On the other side of the globe Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern of New Zealand has announced on Monday that both the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny are essential workers during this pandemic. "I say to the children of New Zealand, if the Easter Bunny doesn't make it to your household, we have to understand that it's a bit difficult at the moment for the bunny to perhaps get everywhere," she said. PM Jacinda also announced that children should take a lead in helping the Easter Bunny by making drawings of easter egg's for their windows. |
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