Patch Year In Review: These Are The Feel-Good NJ Stories Of 2018

NEW JERSEY, NJ — Bad news often dominates news headlines, but good news happens all the time too.

A teenager who penned a heartwarming thank you to her parents who were killed in a car crash. A Holocaust survivor who spent his life fulfilling a promise to his mother. And the men who made a human ladder to save people from a fire. These are just some of those stories.

Here are several heartwarming stories that occurred in New Jersey this year. Click on the headlines to read the stories.

The Rodriguez family (Courtesy of GoFundMe, a promotional partner of Patch)

NJ Teen Pens Tribute To Parents Who Died Together In Crash

A New Jersey teen whose parents were tragically killed in a crash on Rt. 80 penned a heartfelt and tear-jerking tribute to them on social media.

New Jersey State Trooper Rob Rohel, Jenna Rohel, and their son, Culver. (Courtesy of New Jersey State Police)

State Trooper Delivers Own Son On Side Of Sparta Highway

When Jenna Rohel went into labor Sept. 19, Rob Rohel loaded the family into their Jeep Wrangler and started driving to Denville Hospital to welcome their son. But baby Culver had other plans.

The three men who formed a human ladder to save the lives of others during a fire. (Image courtesy of Morris County)

Men Made Human Ladder To Save Billy's Red Room Owners From Fire

The men said they weren't heroes, they just did what anyone else would have done.

Raymond Fishler on a March of the Living, one of 10 he went on. (Courtesy of Laura Fishler)

A Promise To Mom Fulfilled: Holocaust Survivor From Wayne Dies

Raymond Fishler's mother told him what he should do if he somehow managed to survive the concentration camps: "Promise me you'll go to America and tell the world what they did to us."

Country music star Keith Urban and Ruth Reed. (Photo via YouTube video)

NJ Woman Who Paid Keith Urban's Tab Inspires MasterCard

Ruth Reed gave country music star Keith Urban money when she overheard him asking a woman he was with for some cash while at a Wawa in Medford. MasterCard helped Reed for helping Urban.

Gary Kelmer (Courtesy of GoFundMe, a promotional partner of Patch)

Community Sends Beloved Bus Driver To Super Bowl

More than $6,000 was donated so Gary Kelmer and his wife could see the Eagles play in, and win, Super Bowl LII.

Jack Wallace, right, of the United States celebrates winning the gold medal after winning in the ice hockey gold medal game between United States and Canada at the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Games on March 18, 2018 in Gangneung, South Korea. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

Bergen's Jack Wallace Wins Gold Medal At Paralympics

Jack Wallace, a Franklin Lakes native, and the U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team won a thrilling 2-1 game over rival Canada in PyeongChang, South Korea at the Paralympic Winter Games.

Photo: Liam and Sean Rea (Courtesy of Donna Batt, used with permission)

Brick Teen Lifeguards Save Child's Life In Jamaica

Lifeguards Liam and Sean Rea saved a boy's life after he fell into the water. The brothers were on spring break in Jamaica when they jumped into action.

Photos of Toms River High School 'elves' (Published with permission)

'Elves' Write To Kids Who Were Told Santa's Not Real

Toms River High School students wrote messages to Montville first-graders in the hopes of putting the magic back in Christmas.

Image via The Warrior Heart

Coolest Motorcycle Dudes Ever Surprise Bullied Hillsborough Teen

Tyreke had been bullied throughout the school year. But The Warrior Heart, a group that works to empower and enable others to overcome challengers and struggles, had a surprise in store for him.

Newark's Inspiring School Laundromat On 'Ellen Show' (VIDEO)

A Newark principal fought bullying in his school by installing a free laundromat for in-need students.

Buzz Aldrin's Advice On 'Failure' Brings Smiles To Twitter

Have you recently botched something up? Don't worry… it just means that you're a human being, Montclair's beloved spaceman says.

East Brook Alumnus Pens Song In Support Of Paramus Crash Victims

Christopher Sabo, an East Brook Middle School alumnus, wrote a song in memory of the two people killed in the May 17 crash and the 43 others injured.

Heartworks Sparks Kindness In Community By Helping Others

A Bernardsville local started the Basking Ridge non-profit acts of kindness group to help those in need.

30 Years Later, Legacy Of Murdered Cop From Wayne Lives On

Thirty years after his death, the legacy of Michael J. Buczek lives on in ways he could not ever have imagined.

NY Rangers Wish Comes True For Morris Co. Child Who Beat Cancer

The lifelong Rangers fan was gifted his own clubhouse from the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com