From exotic dancing to PhD.: Houston-area author debuts new book on overcoming your past and pursuing your future
Educator, speaker, host, author, wife and mother: Those are just some of the titles belonging to Tyra Hodge, PhD., supervisor and social-emotional learning coordinator at one of the fastest growing districts in the greater Houston area.
Trae tha Truth donating $10,000 worth of holiday shopping sprees
HOUSTON โ One of our favorite hometown heroes is giving back once again during the holiday season. Houston rapper and activist Trae Tha Truth is surprising a few families in need with $10,000 worth of shopping sprees to Academy Wednesday from 4-7 p.m.Trae recently gave away 100 Christmas trees in honor of the holiday spirit. He also gave away over 100 turkeys and chickens along with sides for Thanksgiving. The rapper is widely known for philanthropic efforts.
โNot all family is bloodโ: 95-year-old veteran shares friendship with veteran generations apart
HOUSTON โ Regardless of the era, veterans share a common thread, bound by service and the idea of putting your country before yourself. Nowadays, Rodriguez shares memories with his best friend and fellow veteran Hector Giron. The call of duty and the honor of service is something veterans share, regardless of age. โWe are all pretty much family, they say not all family is blood and thatโs how it is with veterans,โ said Giron. However, he said Veteranโs Day is the exception.
One Good Thing: How a walk and wave led to an amazing friendship
Something as simple as a walk and a wave turned into so much more in one community. Every morning and afternoon, even when it rains, 94-year-old World War II veteran Oley Dotey walks outside his care facility in Woodstock, Georgia, sometimes even five miles in a single day. He started the hobby after he lost his wife of 72 years. During his walks, Oley also waves at people, including a group of school bus drivers who invited him to school. Oley says heโs grateful that his walker still moves so he can continue to bring joy to everyone.
Police give son of HPD officer killed in helicopter crash touching escort to first day of school
HOUSTON โ Cooper Knox is starting his first day of school without his father, but the Houston Police Department is making sure his day is still filled with joy. Officer Jason Knox, 35, was on a tactical flight on May 2 with senior police Officer Chase Cormier, 35, when their helicopter went down in a north Houston apartment complex. HPD and other agencies came together to host a special event from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. to escort Cooper Knox to school at Warner Elementary School and give him a fun, memorable sendoff. Jasonโs father, Councilman Mike Knox, tells KPRC 2 Jason loved adventure, he loved his family, and loved making memories with his family. Chris Cormier was in the helicopter with Jason Knox when it crashed.
One Good Thing: 109-year-old woman receives honorary degree from University of Tennessee as birthday surprise
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. A 109-year old woman from Chattanooga received a high honor from the University of Tennessee for her birthday. Halie Forstner was a freshman at the college in 1930 but had to leave after one year, due to financial reasons. The university chancellor and the head of the History Department surprised Forstner with an honorary college degree, and a certificate that made her honorary president of the schools history club. Its such a surprise and just a plain little girl from the mountains and having all this happen to me. Its wonderful, Forstner said.
One Good Thing: Kansas mother and daughter leave hospital together after COVID-19 battle
A Kansas mother and her daughter battle the coronavirus together and won. The women now get to leave the hospital together and go home. Kathryn Bouman was hospitalized in Junction City more than two weeks ago and was struggling with coronavirus symptoms. The two were placed in rooms around the corner from each other and they used Facetime to see how they were recovering. Days later, they were ready to leave together.
One Good Thing: 7-year-old and 73-year-old become pen pals during pandemic
In the worst of times, a 7-year-old and 73-year-old are becoming the best of friends. The coronavirus cut both of them off from the life they are used to and led to some loneliness. The unlikely duo was set up to be pen pals by the senior living facility where the man is a resident. Kinda helps with the more solitude life we have now. And I bring some joy to her, and she does to me, Gary, 73, said.
One Good Thing: Teens train ride a wish come true in South Dakota
HILL CITY, South Dakota A 16-year-old Wisconsin teen had his dream come true-- and its all thanks to the Make-a-Wish Foundation. Andrew Struensee was diagnosed with a cardiac condition and has been in and out of hospitals throughout his childhood. With help from Make-a-Wish, South Dakota, Andrew got to ride on the famous 1880 train from Keystone to Hill City. Andrew and his family took a tour of the engines, met with the conductor and rode in the front car. For more good news, sign up for our Something Good newsletter.
One Good Thing: Man surprises waitress with $650 tip, thanks to Venmo Challenge'
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. Sometimes the best in people come out during times of crisis. A man from Ohio decided to pay it forward while vacationing in Virginia Beach by giving a waitress a tip she'll never forget. When Dan Pew and his fiancee walked into a restaurant called Commune, waitress Aubrey Suykerbuyk could have never guessed how their interaction would end. When Pew was paying for the bill, he covered the cost of the meal and gave the waitress $650. Pew collected the money through a Venmo Challenge, where people donate money through Venmo and then it is given to someone as a surprise.
One Good Thing: Senior home in England recreates iconic album covers during lockdown
A senior care facility is making sure its residents and caregivers are still having fun during the pandemic. Robert Speker is an activities coordinator at a senior home in England that's been locked down for four months. He says its residents and caregivers have spent the time recreating classic album covers. Resident Shelia Solomons recreated one of Elvis Presleys album covers. One woman even worse a nursing outfit to recreate one of Blink 182s album covers.
One Good Thing: Teachers colorful and creative sidewalk chalk brings joy to neighbors
QUEENS, New York A teacher in Queens, New York is using chalk to uplift the spirits of students at home. Jennifer Marino-Bonventre is drawing sidewalk art. She has recreated characters from several Disney films like Cars, Toy Story and Up. Jennifer is an English teacher -- not an art teacher -- so she was surprised when her art started getting attention. People have dropped off chalk, flowers and even signs to show their gratitude to her talent and for the hope it brings.
One Good Thing: Couple shares engagement surprise with womans mother, who is battling cancer
One couple isn't letting the pandemic keep them from tying the knot in a celebration that may mean even more to the bride's mother. For the first time in months, it was supposed to be a date night out on the town. I was crying in the car and out of the car and then there was rose petals inside, Maggie Erickson said. Now, in the final stages of her own fight against stage four pancreatic cancer, Cathy couldnt be more proud of the young woman she raised. I know shes ready I just have to make sure Im ready, Cathy said.
One Good Thing: Orphaned brothers pay off home loan from donations
EDISON, New Jersey โ Thousands of people have donated money to pay off a loan so three orphan brothers can stay in their house in Edison, New Jersey after they lost their mother. Imagine being just 18 and suddenly responsible for a home loan. when that happened, it appeared he and his two brothers would also lose this house. In a matter of months, it raised $210,000, which was enough to pay off the house. Anderberg said he's most thankful for the way these donations honor his mother who he says will rest easier knowing he and his brothers have a roof over their heads.
One Good Thing: Deputy stops for game of basketball with children, video goes viral
GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Florida โ A deputy in Clay County, Florida, responded to a false alarm at a familyโs home last week. It all started when a deputy showed up to Jarvis Smithโs home because of a call from ADT, which ended up being a mistake. As the officer was leaving, Smith captured the moment the deputy stopped to play with his children, who were shooting some hoops out in the street. Smith said the interaction during these contentious times really touched him. It can be positive.โSmithโs Facebook video has been shared more than 1,000 times, including by the Clay County Sheriffโs Office.
One Good Thing: Two friends born on the same day become fathers on the same day
History is repeating itself in West Virginia. Two best friends who were born on the same day and at the same hospital found themselves back where it all started. Now, their journey to fatherhood has taken on an amazing story and added an unbelievable twist. The births of their children also occurred on the same day: Sunday, June 7th. As for future gatherings like birthday parties, both of these fathers say that will be the icing on the cake.
One Good Thing: Minneapolis baker makes pies to spread love
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota There's good news about the great value of small gestures and the woman helping make life just a little sweeter for so many during these difficult times. In Minneapolis, Rose McGee is on a mission. She and volunteers are baking sweet potato comfort pies and delivering them to neighbors while offering a shoulder to cry on. She and her son loaded her trunk full of pies and headed there. Rose is now encouraging everyone to bake some pies from their kitchen and spread love in their own community.
One Good Thing: Cute video of boy saying bye to trooper dad goes viral
A sweet video showing the son of an Illinois state trooper watching his dad leave for work is going viral. The toddler clearly does not want his dad to go. He was asking his dad for "one more kiss!" Since being posted to the departments Facebook page, the video has been shared thousands of times.
One Good Thing: Residents go for โsilly walksโ in California neighborhood
SAN LUIS ODISPO, California โ Here's some good news to share with you. Those walks can be lifesavers for some people, and for one neighborhood in California, perhaps a chance for a little silliness. Maureen Salmon got the idea from the monte python skit "the ministry of silly walks." She posted a sign in front of her house asking passers-by to "commence silly walking immediately." If you see some good news in your neighborhood, make sure to share it with us, so we can share it with you.
One Good Thing: Video shows children, constables getting into fun confetti egg fight
HOUSTON โ Hereโs some good, heartwarming news for you, and it looks like a lot of fun. A video sent from KPRC 2 viewer Lisa Holder shows a couple of Harris County Precinct 5 constables getting into a confetti egg fight with some local kiddos. Holder said theyโre always patrolling the area, and this isnโt the first time theyโve brought the fun to her neighborhood. Very appreciative and humbled by their sacrifice and dedication to the community.โWe want to see all of the fun going on in your community as well. If you see any good news going on around town, make sure to share it with us.
One Good Thing: Senior shoppers receive the gift of groceries, thanks to anonymous donor
LOUISVILLE, Kentucky โ A person in Kentucky gave the gift of groceries. The anonymous donor paid for seniorsโ food at three Louisville stores. Senior shoppers were told at the checkout that they did not have to pay anything. Others were grateful but said they didnโt need it, like shopper sue hill. but she promised to pay it forward.