Taylor Swift Phone Call / Skipping Prom for the Homeless / Peace and a $1,000 Tip: OUR LOOK BACK

Stories that make the news usually involve tales of the aberrant and abhorrent, of unusual goings on and people doing wrong, of miserable, shocking episodes and ridiculous shenanigans. Which is why we begin our look back at 2015 on the Patch Chicago network with the stories that made us believe in the goodness of human nature.

“How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a weary world,” wrote William Shakespeare.

We live in a weary world, indeed. But the helpful acts of kindness, compassion and purpose chronicled in these stories offer the light of hope. Let’s look back at these stories — shared hundreds, thousands and tens of thousands of times by our Facebook fans.

Taylor Swift Calls Chicago Girl Battling Cancer

Before brave, young Emily Beazley died, the 12-year-old girl who inspired her entire neighborhood heard from her hero. Many said Taylor Swift would simply be too busy with stardom and her upcoming world tour to even call the Mt. Greenwood girl battled cancer for four years. As days passed with no call, some began to hate, hate, hate, hate, hate on Taylor’s apparent lack of response. And then—the phone rang.

High School Senior Skips Prom to Help the Homeless

A couple of YouTube videos inspired Hinsdale South High School senior Ashley Yong to skip her prom to help the homeless, but it was the video she posted that motivated more than 200 people to help her start a nonprofit for the cause.

Blackhawks’ Duncan Keith Helps a Little Girl Score a Goal

Unable to walk or speak, 5-year-old Cammy Babiarz of Wheaton was born with Rett syndrome, a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects one in every 10,000 girls. She dreamed of scoring a goal on the ice with an assist from her favorite Chicago Blackhawk, defenseman Duncan Keith. He made that dream come true.

Stranger Tells Server ‘Peace Be With You’ and Leaves $1,000 Tip

Brendan Motill spent 10 minutes talking to restaurant customer—if even that. They chit-chatted about life, the man’s recent move to the Frankfort area, even taxes. When the man left, his server was speechless.

‘He’s Still Alive.’ Firefighters Rescue Dog from Oak Park House Fire

Watching these firefighters carry a large, limp dog to the ground outside a burning Oak Park home is heartbreaking — until the man in black turns to face the camera and says, “Ma’am, he’s still alive.”

Downers Grove Teen with Autism Petitions School for Awareness

Zach Steele’s petition to create an Autism awareness program at school has collected signatures from more than 1,600 people — because they have family members with Autism, because they’re Downers Grove North alumni and because Zach’s leadership and passion for this cause has touched them in some way.

Secret Santa Gives Fast-Food Workers $500

White Castle workers were stunned when a diner who once worked at a White Castle gave each an envelope with $500. “He said we did a great job,” the manager told Patch.

Special Needs Children Can Finally Get Personalized Books to Help Find Acceptance

It was an idea, then a business. It became a fundraiser, and now it’s a reality. A pair of friends, entrepreneurs and Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School teachers have successfully begun putting customized books in the hands of children with special needs.

What One School’s Cheerleaders Said to Another’s

A touching gesture from Richards High School’s cheerleaders in Oak Lawn showed empathy and compassion to the girls at Lincoln-Way North in Frankfort, who will lose their high school next year.