The world can be a tough place at times, considering the rates of crime and poverty in the United States alone. Still, we should know by now that the world is a fantastic place as well. We hear stories every day about rescued animals and people helping each other out.
Unfortunately, in our society it’s easy to get caught up in news about shootings, robberies, and lies our politicians tell. But what about the family who invited the homeless man in for dinner? Or the group of rescue workers who spent almost two days rescuing a kitten from a drain pipe.
To help change our attitudes toward society, here are 16 times people around the world restored our faith in humanity.
#16 – The people who sent a terminally ill man letters and packages because opening his mail was his favorite thing to do.
Reddit user yiseowl asked the online community for help and was rewarded with hundreds of replies. While the information to send his uncle packages has been taken down, we’re betting yiseowl and his family are still smiling about the kindness Reddit users showed his uncle.
#15 – This drycleaning store who helps out the homeless.
This store is one of a few around the country who help homeless men and women get a job by drycleaning their clothes for free.
#14 – This track runner who gave up her top finishing spot to help another runner across the finish line.
When she saw a fellow competitor struggling to finish the race, Meghan Vogel helped Arden McMath limp across the finish line. McMath was struggling to finish after falling during the Division III state final in Ohio.
#13 – When this man let an elderly woman use him as a chair.
When an elevator broke down in Florida, an elderly woman informed her companions that she couldn’t stand for long periods of time. College Hunks moving company employee Cesar Larios sprang into action and acted as a human chair for the woman to sit while they waited for the elevator to move.
#12 – This Wendy’s worker who held an umbrella for an elderly man.
When he saw an elderly man with a walker slowly making his way to the car in the rain, a Wendy’s worker rushed out with an umbrella to make sure the man didn’t get wet.
#11 – When Chicago Bears player Kyle Long escorted a bully victim to school.
When nine-year-old Andrew had to switch schools because of bullying, his father asked Long for help. While he was only hoping Long could speak with Andrew, the Bears player instead offered to ride the bus with Andrew.
#10 – This barber who spends his day off giving haircuts to the homeless.
Marc Bustos may charge $150 to clients like Norah Jones, Marc Jacobs, and Phillip Lim, but he hits the sidewalk every Sunday to provide free haircuts for the homeless. He does up to 10 haircuts per day and befriends all his clients.
#9 – When Mark Wahlberg helped this elderly nun cross the street.
Mark Wahlberg may have a bit of a tough guy attitude, but that didn’t keep him from helping an elderly nun cross the street in Miami a few years ago.
#8 – When NFL linebacker LaMarr Woodley made sure his local school district’s students wouldn’t have to pay to play sports.
Woodley donated $60,000 to the Saginaw Public Schools district’s athletic departments to make sure student athletes wouldn’t have to pay to play sports. Before his donation, some high school students were forced to pay up to $75 if they wanted to participate because of budget cuts.
#7 – When Chinese soldiers turned themselves into a bridge to rescue stranded villagers.
Villagers in China were stranded when a flood took out the bridge they used to reach the main road. So, the Chinese troops responded by laying down on the bridge’s foundation and letting the villagers walk on them to reach safety.
#6 – This elderly man who takes his dog for walks in a wheelchair.
When this man’s dog couldn’t walk anymore, he gladly made a wheelchair into a dog bed. He takes the dog for a walk every day to see the sights of the city.
#5 – When this police officer saved a hurting dog.
When a police officer spotted a dog limping along on the street, he stopped to help the poor pooch out.
#4 – This girl who sold her stuffed animals to help out real ones.
This little girl sold all of her stuffed animals and sent the money to her local SPCA.
#3 – When Toronto Blue Jays fans gave all the cereal to this homeless man.
When the Blue Jays gave out free boxes of Frosted Flakes at a game, no one expected what would happen. Instead of taking them home, they donated the boxes to this homeless man.
#2 – When this police officer bought lunch for a homeless man.
When he saw a homeless man digging through the trash, this Chicago cop got his attention and motioned him inside. The cop paid for the man’s lunch and went on his way, never asking for recognition for his good deed.
#1 – When this McDonald’s employee helped a man cut up and eat his dinner.
Kenny Soriano-Garcia was manning a register at McDonald’s when he noticed a customer struggling to eat his food. He shut down the register, went to the customer, and helped him cut up and eat his meal. Soriano-Garcia was later awarded for exceptional service.
