Finally, Some Good News for the Holidays!

I was watching the news recently and couldn't help but wonder why this time of year seems to bring more bad news than usual? Sometimes you have to dig a little, but the good news is out there. In amongst all the holiday craziness, we can all use a bit of happy news this Christmas season. 

Here are a few articles that may not have made the front page, but might help to remind you that there is plenty of goodness out there. And... most of these are from the Las Vegas area.

Foster a Las Vegas Shelter Dog - Home for the Holidays

This is a wonderful program that allows approved applicants to take a dog home between Dec. 20-23 so it doesn't have to spend Christmas alone at the shelter. This same program was offered over Thanksgiving when 41 dogs left the shelter and 18 were officially adopted!

Prospective fosters are encouraged to contact the Animal Foundation’s foster team via email at foster@animalfoundation.com to fill out an application. Once approved, the shelter foster team will help to match the most suitable dog with their holiday foster.

Downtown Las Vegas Motel Owner Offers Rooms & Jobs for the Homeless

The new owner of the Towne and Country Motel offered people accommodation in exchange for renovation work. Workers are paid $10 an hour and work 40 hours per week, with funds credited toward a room stay and income. He was completely overwhelmed with the response.

People who were not hired were referred to other employment programs. The goal is to help residents find permanent jobs in 30 days. Read complete article here

Walker Furniture's "Delivers Home for the Holidays"

A Las Vegas mother of four received a houseful of Christmas love from Walker Furniture. Nominated for the prize, the Vegas Golden Knights surprised them with a delivery of new beds, toys, dressers and sports gear for the whole family. All of this supplied by Walker Furniture. That's a Christmas they won't forget. Read complete article here

Florida Man Pays off Utility Bills for 36 Families

Remembering what it was like to spend a Christmas low on cash, with no power, Florida business owner decided to pay it forward. Michael Esmond, a small business owner in Gulf Breeze, Florida obtained a list of past due utility accounts and paid off all 36 of them - totaling $4,600. What a great story, I think I'll go pay forward a coffee at Starbucks. Read complete article here

Eight Macaroni Penguins Hatch at Kansas City Zoo

For the first time in the zoo's 110-year history, the zoo is home to Macaroni penguins from eggs provided by SeaWorld San Diego, that hatched eight fluffy chicks in incubators. How cute is this! Read complete story here