13 Good News Stories: 'Dancing Chuck'; Real-Life Clark Griswold

ACROSS AMERICA — As Americans prepare to close the book on one of the darkest years in recent history, many could be wondering how to find true joy amid the sorrow and pain that preceded the 2020 holiday season.

The answer is simple. We look to our neighbors — because the Christmas spirit of kindness, love and giving to others is alive and well in communities across the United States.

One need only look to East Goshen Township in Pennsylvania, where Brian Nowak steps in as a real-life Clark Griswold.

Not only does Nowak bring festive cheer to his community through 20,000 twinkling lights and dozens of inflatable faces, but he also uses his home to hold a Toys for Tots toy drive.

Nowak has put on the display since 2012, and he acknowledges it’s especially important this year.

"I don't just do this for my family, I do this for the community, especially this year with COVID," he told Marlene Lang for West Chester Patch.

Grab a cup of hot cocoa, put on your favorite Christmas carol, and enjoy these other ways your neighbors are bringing cheer to a Christmas amid the coronavirus:

School Bus To ‘Santa Bus’

In Fallston, Maryland, a school bus contractor has added a bright spot to the landscape this holiday season. Since school buses aren’t in use because of virtual learning, Steven Davis, who owns James G. Davis Bus in Fallston, decorated what he has called a "Santa school bus" and illuminated it from dusk until dawn each day. "All our neighbors and friends love it," Davis told Elizabeth Janney for Bel Air Patch. "We didn't realize people loved school buses as much as we do."

Classified Ad Inspires Gifts

Speaking of Santa, a classified ad on Patch led to donations of nearly 1,000 toys and other gifts to the Delaware Valley Food Pantry. When a local woman posted the ad, saying she wanted to give dozens of brand-new toys to needy children in the area, volunteers with the Lambertville, New Jersey-based group couldn't resist. "She gave her email address and I wrote to her and she donated 100 toys," Evy Inoue told Doug Gross for New Hope-Lambertville Patch. "And the rest is history. It just evolved — really evolved — from a tiny little ad in Patch."

Red-Kettle Generosity

Salvation Army red kettles are a quintessential part of the holiday season, and this year, kettles in the Chicago area have been the target of one — or perhaps several — generous donors. In recent weeks, donors have dropped 13 coins or gold bars worth about $11,000 in red kettles across the Chicago area. By Amie Schaenzer for Crystal Lake-Cary Patch

A Miracle Of Kindness

In East Haven, Connecticut, Shelly Haven had to do something for her brother, Andrew Apuzzo. Born with a rare condition, Apuzzo is 34 years old, but has the heart and mind of a 10-year-old. He can no longer walk, and Haven asked her neighbors to pray for a miracle. They responded, telling her cards and gifts were on the way. And were they ever on the way. By Ellyn Santiago for East Haven Patch

An Adorable Rescue

The spirit of kindness, hope, strength and perseverance extended well beyond the holidays last week. In Milpitas, California, police responded to a kitten stuck in a storm drain and were able to pull it to safety. While they weren’t sure how it got there, whoever adopts the kitten will certainly have a heroic “tail” to tell. By Gideon Rubin for Los Gatos Patch

A Milestone Times Two

Here's something you don't see every day: female Eagle Scouts. Especially twin female Eagle Scouts. This year is the first year that young women can earn the honor from the Boy Scouts of America, and Bridget and Morgan Lomax of Millburn, New Jersey — founding members of one of the largest all-girl Boy Scouts of America troops in their area — will receive theirs in March. By Caren Lissner for Millburn Patch

A K-9 Hero

In Illinois, a Cook County deputy's K-9 is being hailed a hero after helping to locate a Woodridge man with autism who went missing Monday. K-9 AJ followed a scent trail from the missing man's home for nearly two miles through the neighborhood. After reaching an apartment complex, deputies said AJ found the missing man walking through the complex. By Nikki Gaskins for Woodridge Patch

A Birthday To Rebuild

Also in Illinois, a tragic fire led to a bittersweet outpouring of kindness. Recently, a fire in Richton Hills left 26 families without a home and belongings, including 16-year-old Rich Township High School student Tamia Jackson and her family. For the Jacksons, this was the second time they had lost everything in a fire. While it was devastating, Jackson’s school threw her a surprise birthday party to help her family start to rebuild what they lost. By Yasmeen Sheikah for Chicago Heights Patch

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Treasure Hunter Revealed

Last spring, a mysterious person found a famous treasure chest hidden by a famous art and antiquities collector deep in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. The person's identity remained a secret for months — but on Monday, his name was finally revealed. His discovery? A treasure chest said to be worth several million dollars, hidden by the now-late Forrest Fenn, who concealed the chest as a way to encourage people to spend more time in the mountain wilderness. By Amber Fisher for Across Colorado Patch

Helping The Hungry

The pandemic has created hardships for many Americans, but in places like Vienna, Virginia, many are stepping up to help families facing food insecurity during the pandemic. At Vienna Presbyterian Church, the building doesn’t look like it normally would. Since August, the church has served as more of a food pantry, helping more than 450 families each month. By Emily Leayman for Vienna Patch

A Call To Sew

When Adrienne Gauger learned to sew in her middle school home economics class, she never imagined she'd use that skill to make masks in a pandemic. Yet with a bit of spare fabric and a sewing machine on hand, Gauger set out to help. At the end of the day, doing it makes her feel good. "I was able to help my health care family, and that mission is one of the highest callings I've ever answered,” Gauger said. By Marlene Lang for Royersford Patch

‘Dancing Chuck’ Returns

To close this week, we bust a move with "Dancing Chuck," who recently made a virtual return appearance to celebrate his upcoming 98th birthday. After his first video in April went viral, Chuck Franzke — a World War II veteran from Waukesha, Wisconsin — made a groovy comeback through a new dancing video to mark his Dec. 22 birthday. By Karen Pilarski for Waukesha Patch