5 Good News Stories: ‘Being Aware Of What You Have Is So Important’

ACROSS AMERICA — A New Jersey veteran who said embattled New York Congressman George Santos swindled him out of $3,000 in donations to save his dying service dog got some good news this week.

The North Shore Animal League America in Port Washington, New York, offered Navy veteran Rich Osthoff a new puppy and a lifetime of medical care for the dog.

It all started Monday when Osthoff was listening to Howard Stern’s radio program. The host’s wife, Beth, said she had been emotionally touched by the story, and although she didn’t mention Osthoff by name, said the shelter wanted to find the veteran and give him a puppy. Without the money donors had raised in a GoFundMe campaign, Osthoff hadn’t been able to replace Sapphire after her death.

“I was touched by the emotional impact Sapphire’s story had on her, which was evident in her voice,” Osthoff told Patch’s Jacqueline Sweet, who has led local news coverage of the Santos scandal. “It’s comforting and reassuring — there really are caring people out there.” » By Jacqueline Sweet for Port Washington Patch

• Related: Read All Of Jacqueline Sweet’s Coverage Of The George Santos Controversy

A Much Different Ending

Not all — or very many at all — crowdfunding campaigns turn into a debacle. Stories like this one are much, much more common: Fairfield, Connecticut, 15-year-old Lily Gardiner thought she had a rough time getting to school and staying happy until she met Chad Chlebowski, who has ailments that confine him to a wheelchair. She looked forward to seeing him, and that helped her enjoy it more, and she also learned to appreciate her circumstances more. She started a GoFundMe campaign this week to raise money for lifts hat will make it easier for him to get his new wheelchair into his home and van. “Being aware of what you have, and using all your power to give back to others, it’s so important,” Gardiner told Patch’s Alfred Branch. “Chad is always in a good mood, and always the best version of himself. That’s taught me a lot.” » By Alfred Branch for Fairfield Patch

You Can Call Him ‘Hollywood’

Keivonn Woodard, 9, of Bowie, Maryland, isn’t just brazing a trail on the ice, where he plays hockey, but also on the screen as a guest star of HBO’s “The Last Of Us.” He represents the sixth generation of his Black deaf family to pursue acting. Keivonn has learned a lot about himself as a regular on the show, and tells others with hearing loss not to be afraid about pursuing dreams. His coach calls him “Hollywood,” but that has more to do with the big way he celebrates when he scores a goal than his acting career. His long term goal is to make a living on the ice as the first professional Black hockey player who is deaf. » By Kristin Danley-Greiner for Bowie Patch

You May See Him In ‘The Beautiful Game’

Medford, New Jersey, native Paxten Aaronson, 19, already a soccer player to watch, is preparing for a multi-million dollar opportunity to play “the beautiful game” in Europe. He also has his sights set on making the U.S. men’s national team, as his older brother Brendan has. The Philadelphia Union recently transferred the younger Aaronson for $4 million, plus add-ons, to play for Eintracht Frankfurt in the top flight of the Bundesliga, a professional soccer league in Germany. “They weren’t just buying me to buy me. They really do have a true plan, and I fit into their system, the style they want to play,” he said. “It was a no-brainer for me.” » By Michelle Rotuno-Johnson for Moorestown Patch

Dogs Offer Comfort

The headlines out of California this week have been hard on the heart. In Monterey Park, a brigade of comfort dogs came to the aid of residents and emergency responders reeling from a mass shooting after a Lunar New Year’s celebration at a local dance hall that left 11 people dead and nine people injured. The Lutheran Charities K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry has 130 golden retrievers, known for their calming nature, in 26 states that are ready to be deployed when tragedy occurs. Launched in 2018, the ministry has dispatched its dogs to Newtown, Connecticut; Parkland, Florida; and Uvalde, Texas, after school shootings, and in the aftermath of other tragedies. » By Anna Schier for Los Angeles Patch

---