Buzz
As the week winds down, here’s a selection meant to bring some joy. If you're looking to start with a bit of a puzzled look, check out the quirky list here.
This week, we shine a light on children doing remarkable things. One young girl is raising funds to safeguard police dogs, while a boy gives up his Disney World trip to provide meals for hurricane evacuees. On the other hand, we celebrate an officer who has served the community for nearly seventy years, and marvel at a veteran who, on his 96th birthday, became the world's oldest scuba diver.
10. Oldest Scuba Diver on Earth
Ray Woolley, a former World War II radio operator, marked his 96th birthday last week by setting a new milestone as the world’s oldest active scuba diver, surpassing the record he set just a year ago.
Woolley joined a group of 47 swimmers to dive to a depth of 42.4 meters (139 ft) for 48 minutes, exploring the wreck of the Zenobia, a cargo ship that sank off Cyprus in 1980.
With 59 years of underwater exploration under his belt, the veteran has held the record as the oldest diver for three consecutive years. He’s hopeful he’ll break the record again next year, provided his diving “buddies” are still eager to join him.
9. Dog Protection
Thanks to a generous 10-year-old girl, the K-9 units of Wright County, Minnesota, are now better protected with special vests, all thanks to the funds she raised through a lemonade stand.
A few weeks ago, fifth-grader Josie Larson from Monticello discovered that police dogs needed protective vests just like their human counterparts, but the sheriff’s department lacked the funds. She took matters into her own hands by doing what she does best—selling lemonade.
Josie initially aimed to raise $1,000, but she ended up making over $1,600. Last Friday, she handed the Wright County Sheriff’s Office a check for $1,500. The remaining funds were used to buy extra toys and treats for the K-9 pups.
8. A Big Finish
The final Weengallon Pink Ladies Day concluded on a high note, breaking records for the charity event that has been held for two decades.
Typically, Weengallon, an Australian town located between larger cities on the Queensland-New South Wales border, is a small blip on the map. Once a year, however, it becomes the venue for a women's charity luncheon that has only grown in size and raised increasingly larger amounts of money.
The Weengallon Pink Ladies Day began in 2000 when 60 local women organized a barbecue and tennis event to fundraise for a kindergarten. This year, a record 740 tickets were sold within just 10 minutes, and more than 900 people attended, raising over $60,000 for local breast and prostate cancer services.
Although the luncheon had always been run solely by local volunteers, the organizing committee decided that this would be the final year due to the event’s remarkable growth. However, a third party has expressed interest in taking over. While nothing is certain, the Weengallon Pink Ladies Day might continue in the future.
7. Dorian Beats Disney
A six-year-old boy decided to use the money he had saved for his birthday trip to Disney World to feed people forced to evacuate their homes due to Hurricane Dorian.
Today marks Jermaine Bell’s seventh birthday. His family had been saving for a trip to Disney World, but the young boy from Allendale, South Carolina, thought there were better ways to use the money.
Jermaine had been thinking about all the evacuees who had to leave their homes along the coast to escape the massive storm. He wanted to ensure they had food and drinks to help make their journey more comfortable.
Jermaine purchased hot dogs, water, and chips. He set up a stand along Highway 125, offering free food to evacuees driving by. He started on Labor Day, serving over 100 people, and says he has served “a lot” more since, promising to continue until the week’s end.
As for Disney World, Jermaine wasn’t too upset. He says he’ll simply visit it another time.
6. A Reunion Long Awaited
A New Jersey transit officer helped bring a homeless man back together with his two daughters, whom he hadn’t seen in 24 years.
Years ago, Jose Lopez had separated from his wife and moved to Florida. After suffering multiple strokes, which left him unable to work, he lost contact with his family and became homeless.
Recently, Lopez’s situation improved enough that he was determined to reconnect with his daughters. He made his way to New Jersey, where he was at the Secaucus Junction train station when Crisis Outreach Officer Sean Pfeifer approached him and asked if he needed assistance.
Indeed, he did. Lopez needed to get to Bradley Beach and, more importantly, find a way to reconnect with his daughters. Pfeifer started making calls. It wasn’t long before he located Kristy and Angela Viviani, who were eager to see their father again. The transit officer also arranged for Lopez to get a shave and a haircut.
Earlier this month, after more than two decades apart, Lopez and his daughters finally reunited. Lopez even had the chance to meet his grandchildren for the first time. He described the reunion as being 'in heaven.' Pfeifer, who was present for the moment, admitted he 'teared up' behind the camera.
5. Serving The Community
Ohio recently honored 91-year-old Howard Mullen, recognizing him as the state’s 'longest-serving officer.'
Having spent nearly his entire life in Pomeroy, Mullen has devoted 67 years to serving his community. Recently, he attended a retirement party at the Meigs County Courthouse, but it wasn’t for him.
As his 68th year approaches, Howard hopes to continue working. He is passionate about his work and firmly believes that if he slows down and starts lounging on the couch, he’ll shorten his life.
Mullen became a member of the Pomeroy Fire Department in 1952 and soon after became a deputy. After 50 years of service, he couldn’t continue working full-time but didn’t stop serving. He’s been volunteering with the North Fort Myers Fire Department ever since.
A few weeks ago, a sergeant from the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office mentioned that Mullen responded with him to a disturbance call. Mullen was the first to spot a woman with a gun and immediately informed the sheriff.
4. Max The Tiny Hero
A six-year-old boy is being recognized as a hero after he saved his teacher’s life when she collapsed in front of the classroom.
Joyce Darr was substitute teaching at Frostproof Elementary School in Polk County, Florida, when she suddenly became ill and collapsed in front of the class.
Max Meza, one of the students, remained calm instead of panicking. He quickly ran out of the classroom to find an adult who could call 911. His quick thinking helped emergency services arrive in time to save Darr’s life.
Max later visited Darr in the hospital, where her son Derek expressed his thanks. He called Max the 'real MVP' and gifted him his first pair of Air Jordans.
Max received further recognition from Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, who praised the young boy for his quick thinking that saved his teacher’s life. The 'tiny hero' was awarded a citizen’s certificate and a brand-new bike.
3. Breakthrough for Malaria
Scientists in Kenya are celebrating a potential breakthrough in the fight against malaria as they prepare to begin human trials for a new class of drugs that may be available in under two years.
The new treatment is based on Ivermectin, a drug traditionally used to treat parasitic diseases. Trials in Burkina Faso demonstrated that Ivermectin not only alleviates symptoms but also reduces transmission by making the blood of those vaccinated toxic to mosquitoes. The drug has also been shown to kill Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite responsible for malaria, which is spread by female mosquitoes.
The development of the new class of malaria drugs is taking place in Kenya, with the human trials set to be carried out by the US-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr. Simon Kariuki, who leads Kenya's malaria research programs at Kemri, highlighted that the focus will be on children and pregnant women, as they are the most vulnerable.
This is especially promising news as the World Health Organization recently reported an increase in resistance to traditional malaria medications.
2. Love Letters Returned
A shoebox filled with 70-year-old love letters was successfully returned to its rightful owner thanks to an online campaign and the persistence of a stranger with a strong sense of romance.
Twenty years ago, Cherry Vallance received a box of letters from her neighbor, who had found them in the attic and was about to throw them away. The letters were then stored in Cherry's attic and forgotten until her daughter, Kim Rowe, came across them again.
The Internet worked its magic and tracked down Norma Beasley, who was living in Lincoln. She was shocked to find out that her treasured love letters had survived, and even more so to learn they were still in the original shoebox.
The moment is filled with mixed emotions. Norma confesses she hasn’t been able to read the letters yet. Her husband Bob passed away late last year, and she’s not ready to go through the memories without him by her side.
1. Act Of Kindness Rewarded
A Missouri police officer succeeded in his mission to locate and reward a young man after his random act of kindness, which was caught on camera, went viral.
Last week, Officer Joe Holt from the Independence Police Department was parked in his vehicle at a grocery store parking lot, watching a heavy rainstorm pour down. He then saw a teenager sprint across the lot, jacket in hand, rushing to assist an elderly woman and escort her to her car, shielding her from the rain.
Moved by the teen’s kindness, Holt took a photo of the young man in action. He then followed him to his car, where the teenager’s mother was waiting, and shared the heartwarming story, telling her she should be proud of her son's good deed.
An update revealed that the teenager was 14-year-old Tyrea, and that he and his mother had gone out for dinner with Officer Holt over the weekend.
