9 Good News Stories: Support For Ukraine; Eagle Scout Bookends History

ACROSS AMERICA — Nancee Tegeder spent part of her young adulthood as a missionary in Ukraine, and her heart is inextricably tied to the country, especially as fresh horrors emerge daily from Russia’s invasion.

The 43-year-old French Valley, California, woman didn’t hesitate when her friend Yulia Shvets got in touch on social media and asked for Tegeder’s help as she and her three boys, ages 9, 10 and 11, were trying to get out of the country.

Tegeder put out the message on her own social media accounts, and multiple shares later, she’s raised more than $100,000 later — enough to get Shvets and her family safely to Germany, but also other Ukrainians fleeing the brutal war.

And Tegeder, an attorney who paused her career to teach her children during pandemic school shutdowns and then delayed her return to work, is now working full time on humanitarian efforts to help Ukraine.

As she tucks her own children safely into their beds at night, Ukrainians and their children are waking up to a new day of unknowns. “It’s surreal,” she told Patch. “I’m in two different worlds.” » By Toni McAllister for Murrieta, California, Patch

‘Compelled To Help’

People across the country are supporting Ukrainians in whatever ways they can. Marin, California, restaurateur Paul Fradelizio recently told his customers that he planned to donate four days worth of sales to World Central Kitchen, renowned Chef José Andrés’ charity currently providing meals to displaced Ukrainians. “The humanitarian crisis in Ukraine has touched my wife and my family greatly,” Fradelizio told Patch. “We felt compelled to help.” » By Gideon Rubin for San Rafael, California, Patch

‘The Least I Can Do’

What would you do if you won a $1 million lottery jackpot? Tenesia Hollins, 41, of Pensacola, Florida, says she plans to pay off her mother’s house, and then she’ll decide what to do with the rest. “She’s done so much for me growing up, this is the least I can do for her,” the Florida Lottery winner said. » By Nikki Gaskins for Across Florida Patch

‘A True Community Hero’

Something as simple as taking a drink of water turned into a life-or-death experience for an East Orange, New Jersey, third grader who accidentally swallowed a bottle cap. Class was in session and his classmates were hard at work and didn’t see him clutch his throat or run to the classroom sink, where he tried unsuccessfully to cough up and spit out the bottle cap. His frantic dash to the front of the classroom to teacher JaNiece Jenkins’ desk when mostly unnoticed, too. She responded quickly, performing the Heimlich maneuver. New Jersey Congressman Donald Payne Jr. heard about Jenkins’ life-saving efforts, captured on surveillance video, and called her “a true community hero.” » By Eric Kiefer for West Orange, New Jersey, Patch

Sleuthing For Heroes

If not for a carload of strangers, 9-year-old Toni Diaz may not have survived a vicious attack by a dog that had gotten loose from its owner, her mother, Erika Rivera, recently told a New Jersey television reporter. The three young men in the car not only pried the dog off the girl but also drove her to aunt’s house before they parted ways — with no names exchanged and no way for Rivera to track them down to say thanks. Cherry Hill, New Jersey, business owner Chris Bruner heard the TV report, was impressed by the girls’ rescuers and thought their bravery deserved more than a mere pat on the back. He sleuthed until he tracked them down and gave them a VIP night out. “Thanks to the three young men who were able to help and assist her, I'm able to still have my baby here with me,” Rivera said. » By Janel Miller for Cherry Hill, New Jersey, Patch

Bookending History

As gender equality comes to Scouting organizations, Rishika Singh bookended the history of the oldest Boy Scout troop in McLean, Virginia, quite nicely earlier this week. She became its first female Eagle Scout, the highest rank of the Boy Scouts of America. McLean Boy Scout 128 Troop has seen nearly 100 young men attain the Eagle Scout rank, which Singh said is long overdue for young women. » By Emily Leayman for McLean, Virginia, Patch

History You May Not Know

"Big Train" Lavender. It's a baseball nickname that, for all its implied strength, is as smooth as the gradual, uncoiling windup of Walter Johnson that so many of us can envision, but can never say we've actually seen in real time. You’ve probably never heard of George Otis Lavender, either, despite the prowess that earned him the “Big Train” nickname in the 1940s. And while stars of the time such as Joe DiMaggio dated movie stars and made an annual salary of roughly $65,000 — nearly a million dollars when adjusted for inflation — Lavender played seemingly every day he could, living and dying in relative obscurity in the once-segregated Deep South. His story is being told now, and the measure of this man far exceeds the strength of his pitcher’s arm. » By Ryan Phillips for Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Patch

History Of A Neighborhood

The borough of Kinnelon is turning 100, and John Marshall has been around long enough to see it all. He’s 102, and remembers well what it was like “back then” when a single mud road — “a muddy, rutted, terrible road,” he called it — led into the town of 400. “Lots of people, including my father, used a horse or mule and cart back then.” Kinnelon is now a bustling borough of 11,000. » By Eric Kiefer for Tri-Boro, New Jersey, Patch

‘We Know He’s Worth It’

This is a compendium of good news, so we’ll fast-forward past the wretched details of cruelty and abuse that sent Gladstone to an animal hospital in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. We’ll just say that despite the horror of it all, the trip to the animal hospital was the one good thing that had happened in the poor pooch’s life. He received the medical attention he needed, but also the loving attention that had been so lacking in his life. He still needs help, and it’s expensive (you can assist through a GoFundMe campaign). “We know he’s worth it,” Michele Santoro, a local animal control and humane officer, told Patch, adding despite his ordeal, Gladstone has “just been wonderful. His temperament — you couldn’t ask for a better pup.” » By Alexis Tarrazi for Basking Ridge, New Jersey, 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.