The Woman Behind The World’s Soft Hug To Kids In Wildfires: Good News

It is New Jersey mom Randi Jaffe’s job to help kids through some of the worst times of their lives, whether they’re facing a surgery, have a parent who is chronically ill or are caught in some other life-and-death trauma.

A child life specialist who works with hospitals and individuals, Jaffe awoke earlier this month with a sense of urgency to help kids thousands of miles away in Los Angeles get through the trauma of the wildfires that have been upending their lives.

“I couldn’t stop thinking, what would I grab if I had to leave?” she told Patch. Then it hit Jaffe, “My 3-year-old’s stuffed animals,” she said, repeating her own advice to parents that bringing “stuffies” from home to the hospital creates a sense of normalcy in the midst of extremely challenging circumstances.

But what could she do from New Jersey?

With her sister-in-law, she turned to the internet. They set up an Instagram account to connect California families looking for certain comfort items with people elsewhere in the world who may have the exact items on hand. The network is humming along, with matches including a hippo pillow from Spain and a sock creature from the Netherlands.

It’s making life a little more normal for kids, and for their parents.

“One mom said, ‘You’re taking one thing off my plate,’” Jaffe said.

• Read the Patch Exclusive: New Jersey Mom Makes Life A Little More Normal For Kids Fleeing Wildfires

Tough Loss, Big Win For Civility

Something beautiful happened after usually sure-handed Ravens tight end Mark Andrews fumbled and dropped the ball at a critical moment in Baltimore’s playoff game against the Buffalo Bills last weekend.

The Ravens lost.

But civility won — after a come-from-behind play by the opposing team’s fans.

Andrews, the Ravens’ all-time touchdown leader, was eviscerated online. Nastiness escalated to death threats. It was too much for Mezeh Mediterranean Grill founder Saleh Mohamadi, who offered Andrews free food for life at any of the restaurant’s 52 locations.

And it was too much for a group of Buffalo fans known as the “Bills Mafia.”

One of them started a GoFundMe campaign for donations to a diabetes charity backed by Andrews, who has type 1 diabetes. As of early Friday, more than $125,000 had been raised for the charity.

• Read the story: Ravens Tight End Drops Ball In Playoff Loss, Gets Free Food For Life And $120K For Charity

Take A Page From Her Book

If you always wanted to write a book but haven’t found the inspiration, you may want to take a page from Irene Pyskir Bilak’s.

The 85-year-old retired teacher from Northbrook, Illinois, just published her first book, “Contra Spem Spero: Nadia I Hope Again.” In Latin, the phrase “Contra spem sper” translates to “against all hope, I hope.”

No spoilers here, but there are certain similarities in the lives of the author, who left her native Ukraine as a 10-year-old during World War II, and her heroine, a child living in Ukraine at the same time who is separated from her parents.

It took her eight years to write the book. She felt a prod to finish it after hearing a story about writing a book as she listened to the radio while cooking . She told Patch she was motivated by a “lifelong love of reading and writing” and the war in Ukraine.

• Read the Patch Exclusive: 85-Year-Old Publishes First Book

Ice Rink With Guinness Record Is Back

A piece of 1960s Americana — and a record-setting one at that — is open again at Santa’s Village Family Amusement Park in East Dundee, Illinois.

The Polar Dome ice rink, recognized by Guinness World Records as the largest air-supported dome stadium of its time, has reopened with hopes of restoring some of its past glory. The dome has a storied history as the home of national Olympic speed-skating competition. as well s the practice rink for the Chicago Blackhawks NHL team.

“This rink holds a special place in the hearts of so many families who’ve visited over the years, and we’re proud to revive this tradition,” said Jason Sierpien, president of Santa’s Village.

• Read the Patch Exclusive: Guinness Record-Holding Ice Rink With Olympic Past Is Back

Barber ‘Cuts’ Through Kids’ Anxiety

Nutley, New Jersey, barber Billy Dinnerstein has changed the nature of what can be a difficult trip to the barbershop for kids with ADHD, Down syndrome, social anxieties, sensory sensitivities.

He does it by being a kid himself, whether that means lying on the floor or playing with Paw Patrol toys.

His goal is simple: Gain their trust.

“If all I have to do is show up and just be Billy and help a child, I’m all in,” Dinnerstein said.

• Read the story: Barber ‘Cuts’ Through Kids’ Anxieties