7 Good News Stories: Lifesaving Principal; Say ‘No’ To Say ‘Yes’

ACROSS AMERICA — In his nearly three decades in education, Ron Huggins has never had a day like he did Thursday.

Little did the assistant principal at Taylor Road Middle School in Johns Creek, Georgia, know that morning as he observed a health class learning lifesaving techniques that he’d put his own training to use in about half an hour.

It was lunchtime when it happened.

“I was walking around the cafeteria when some kids ran up to me and said, ‘Mr. Huggins, a kid is choking,’ and I'm glad they did,” Huggins said.

The sixth-grade boy was choking on a grape. Huggins said his “instincts kicked in,” and he quickly ran to the boy and performed the Heimlich maneuver. » By Andrea V. Watson for Johns Creek, Georgia, Patch

Operation Santa: Sam’s Soldiers

Trey Rolnick knows from a reliable source how much soldiers deployed overseas appreciate getting packages filled with things like toiletries and basic winter essentials, such as blankets, hats and gloves. His sister, Sam Rolnick, is a 1st lieutenant in the 173rd Airborne Brigade, nicknamed the Sky Soldiers. Operation Santa: Sam’s Soldiers gives soldiers a “morale boost,” Trey said. “They need to know that we think and care for them constantly, especially around holiday time. Most soldiers are not fortunate enough to be able to be home with their families this time of year.” » By Lanning Taliaferro for New City, New York, Patch

Let’s Give These Dads A Shout

Dozens of devoted fathers showed up in Newark, New Jersey, recently for “Dad’s Day, “celebration of male mentorship.” Desmond Jones said he knows from experience how important it is for fathers to be present in their kids’ lives. “We need to start our own community of fathers to show our children how important it is for us to get together and utilize all the resources around us to make things better for them," Jones said. "Personally, I didn't grow up with my dad, so I try to do as much as I can with my daughter." » By Eric Kiefer for Newark, New Jersey, Patch

Help From A Friend

The person 40-year-old Kim Coyne was five months ago is not who she is today. The Long Island, New York, woman who is “free-spirited and eccentric and loved life” is now bedridden and unable to care for herself, said Stacey Berzak, Coyne’s friend since childhood. What Coyne worried last spring was a case of COVID-19 turned out to be stage 4 Glioblastoma, which Coyne’s doctors say will kill her. There’s little anyone can do but provide some grace to her family, who face mounting medical bills, according to Coyle, who is raising money to help them out. » By Peggy Spellman Hoey for Sachem, New York, Patch

The Secret Life Of These Bees

The bees are in trouble (top photo). Without painting too dystopian a picture, our planet is doomed without these prodigious pollinators. Saving their species saves ours. So it’s good news that Max McCarthy, who is working toward a doctorate in ecology and evolution at Rutgers University, is studying a rare species of bee to determine how pollinator populations move around — and what we as the people who depend on them may need to plant to keep them buzzing. » By Michelle Rotuno-Johnson for New Brunswick, New Jersey, Patch

Serving Burgers And People

Husband and wife Waleed and Quiana Shamsid-Deen, co-owners of Supreme Burger in Decatur, Georgia, collected a $10,000 check in Mastercard and Bank of America's Small Business Impact Awards. When the pandemic forced them to temporarily shutter their gourmet burger shop, they continued to serve more than 15,000 meals a week to youth and older citizens who needed help getting enough to eat. "I'm still grinning from ear-to-ear," Quiana said. "It's surreal to know our struggle of dealing with this pandemic and being in the space of just trying to survive, but at the same time, being recognized for the work that we are doing in the community." » By Andrea V. Watson for Decatur, Georgia, Patch

Say ‘No’ To Say ‘Yes’

How would the world look if everyone prioritized life balance? A new mural featuring Arielle Estoria’s poem “The Beautiful Art Of No” that went up this week in Venice, California, poses that critical question as it reminds of the importance of setting boundaries and focusing on self-worth. Estoria told Patch that as an entrepreneur, she has “previously succumbed to societal pressures to say ‘yes’ when I wanted to say ‘no,’" she said. “I've since learned the strength of saying ‘no’ — not only does it alleviate stress, but it unlocks opportunities to explore new passions and achieve a healthy work-life balance.” » By Nicole Charkey for Venice, California, Patch

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