Need A Smile? Dive Right Into 11 Good News Stories From Across Patch

ACROSS AMERICA — “You would do the same,” a New Jersey man said after he jumped in a lagoon to save a drowning fawn.

Perhaps. But Cara Wallace knew that’s what her husband, Chad, would do, and she had the video camera on her cell phone ready to capture the action — her husband diving in, as well as the frantic cries of spectators gathered on the docks and bulkheads of homes.

Chad Wallace reassured a woman distraught the fawn would not perish in water that is 20 feet deep in some places, telling her, “I’m not going to let him die.”

Not only did Wallace not let the fawn die, he searched Google Maps to find out where it might have come from. Google maps showed a wooded area near the lagoon where the fawn had been swimming, and when Wallace took it there, “the mother deer was by the side of the road screaming for her baby.” By Karen Wall for Toms River, New Jersey, Patch

Teacher’s 1 Cent Worth

Destinee Freeman is starting her professional teaching career with a crowdfunding campaign so she can ensure her students, many of them from families living below the poverty line, have the supplies they’re required to have. She also wants them to have access books and other resources that more affluent parents are able to provide their children. “Reading can take you places,” Freeman said, encouraging people to donate to her campaign on GoFundMe. “I know times are tough for a lot of families right now,” she said. “I’d take a penny if you offered it.” By Michael O’Connell for Arlington, Virginia, Patch

They Did And They Do

Ron Schaar was smitten the first time he saw Virginia Prillwitz skate by at a rollerskating rink in suburban Chicago. The now-84-year-old Schaar turned to his friend and said, “That’s the girl I’m going to marry.” They did marry, on Aug. 18, 1956. Fast-forward 65 years to their anniversary, where the high school sweethearts renewed their vows before their children and grandchildren. By Lorraine Swanson for Oak Lawn, Illinois, Patch

1974 All Over Again

Jim McAllister had a day last week that was as full of ups and downs as the high tide he was swimming in along the Jersey Shore. McAllister, who was visiting from Pennsylvania, was swimming at the Plymouth Place Beach when, whoosh, a powerful wave swept away the wedding ring that hadn’t left his finger since his wife put it there in 1974. Fortunately, there’s a fellow by the name of John Favano who’s known locally as “the ring finder,” and seven hours later, the ring was back on McAllister’s finger. “You have to be like a detective,” Favano told Patch, explaining there’s a lot more to his job than combing the beach with a metal detector. By Kimberlee Bongard for Ocean City, New Jersey, Patch

A Step At A Time To Alaska

In the seven years since JP Kealy has known he has multiple myeloma, a cancer of plasma cells, he and his wife, Anamarie, have tackled his diagnosis as a long journey traveled a step at a time. It’s appropriate, then, that they’re about to embark on a six-day expedition in Alaska, where the couple will cross over glaciers, travel through deep valleys and ascend steep peaks in a challenge that raises awareness of multiple myeloma. By RJ Scofield for Norwalk, Connecticut Patch

Full Sirens For EMS Founder

When Michael Wiederlight joined the Board of Representatives in Stamford, Connecticut, in 1971, people had to be able to recall the ambulance service phone number — not the simplified 911 in use today — in the throes of a medical emergency. The city was woefully unprepared, Wiederlight said, so he went about rectifying things. Now, 50 years later, the city is dedicating an ambulance in honor of Wiederlight and his wife, Ronnie. By Richard Kaufman for Stamford, Connecticut, Patch

‘PAWS’ And Breathe Deeply

Congress has finally passed the PAWS Act — the first official recognition that specially trained service dogs help war veterans manage the symptoms of PTSD, an invisible war injury behind the suicides of an average of 18 wartime veterans a day. “A lot of us are coming from really bad situations,” said Becca Stephens, who received her dog in an intense on campus training program operated by K9s for Warriors, “but the love and devotion is palpable from the second you walk onto campus.” By Beth Dalbey for Across America Patch

Recordings Reveal WWII Stories

In Tuscaloosa, Alabama, a voice not heard in 20 years filled the room, telling stories of World War II that his great-grandson had waited a lifetime to hear. U.S. Army Pfc. Elmo Jones told of being wounded in battle, seeing the horror of concentration camps and, in one gripping account, of helping a French mother and her young son. “Her and her little boy hadn't had nothing to eat for seven days,” he said. “It's pitiful. So, we went down and raided the mess hall. Now, I mean it just like I said ... we raided the mess hall. We got them something to eat, come back, fixed it for them." By Ryan J. Phillips for Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Patch

Coloring Outside The Lines

Susan Goldman was furloughed from the fashion industry during the first month of the pandemic and needed a creative outlet. What began as an art project using Crayons with her 6-year-old daughter, Jessie, has turned into a business, “Cre8ive Crayonz,” which sells its creations in New Jersey and Philadelphia, as well as via mail order. Jessie is the creative director and, as such, as a big say in the designs, but she also does the videos detailing them. By Caren Lissner for Hoboken, New Jersey, Patch

Athlete Returns A Conquering Hero

Andrew Capobianco may have left his South Shore hometown eight years ago, but he returned as a conquering hero. Capobianco won a silver medal at the recently held Tokyo Olympics, competing in the 3-meter synchronized diving event with teammate Michael Hixon. "It was a great experience," Capobianco told Patch. "I didn't really try to go into it with too many expectations." By Jerry Barmash for Wantagh-Seaford, New York Patch

Hope Flies Here

The cold laser therapy treatment tool by global biotech company Respond Systems is helping A Place Called Hope rehabilitate injured hawks, eagles and other birds of prey. "The many lives this device has touched are countless," the wildlife rehab noted on Facebook. "The success in treatments are noteworthy." The company’s technology is also used in holistic healing by owners and trainers of Olympic-level horses. By Ellyn Santiago for Branford, Connecticut, Patch

Find Your Patch

Patch is in more than 1,000 communities across America. Find your community and see what's happening outside your front door.