Do Something Nice

Not all jobs are glamorous, but they are fulfilling. A few custodians realized just how fulfilling their roles are to kids when the unexpected happened to them. Join me in this episode where we share their heart warming stories.   The quote in this episode is from Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

What would you do if you needed CPR or First Aid? What if that someone was actually relying on you? This episode involves a few short examples of someone doing something nice by saving their lives.   The quote in this episode is from William Blake: “Hindsight is a wonderful thing but foresight is better, especially when it comes to saving life, or some pain.”   AHA websites:www.heart.orginternational.heart.org

On this episode of Do Something Nice, I invite a friend of mine to share one of his stories with you to emphasize how good friends will always care about you. Listen in as he speaks and think about your friends and who they are there for you too!   The quote in this episode is from Dennis Bagley II: “Your loved ones are your light, don’t ever lose site of that”

What do Veterans, Dogs, and Adventures have in common? In this episode I talk about the connection and share a fundraiser for veterans that needs your help. Listen in and learn more about it.   The quote in this episode is from Karl Marlantes: “When the peace treaty is signed, the war isn’t over for the veterans, or the family. It’s just starting.”   PAVE’s website: http://www.paveusa.org/ Shirley Romig Fundraiser page: https://www.classy.org/fundraiser/1827363 Start your own fundraiser for PAVE: https://www.classy.org/campaign/paws-assisting-veterans/c189786

This episode came out on Father’s day so why not spend an episode to highlight those who stepped into our lives so we could call them Dad! Join me in this episode as I share why some people, including myself, love their dad.   The quote in this episode is from Ruth E. Renkel: “Sometimes the poorest man leaves his children the richest inheritance.”   Links mentioned in this show: http://fathers.com/featured-resource-center-page/kids-essays-show-the-power-of-father-figures/ https://www.elitedaily.com/life/culture/8-reasons-dad-will-always-hero/877946

I’ve been asking you to do something nice without being caught. But if you have caught someone doing something nice and would like to actually nominate someone for their hard work or volunteering efforts, this episode highlights some of the possible options as well as some tips when writing your nomination.   The quote in this episode is from Abraham Lincoln: “Don’t worry when you are not recognized, but strive to be worthy of recognition.”   Points of Light: pointsoflight.org Caring Institute: Caring.org American Legion Auxiliary: alaforveterans.org Flame of Hope: cancerresearchuk.org/flameofhopeawards Queen’s Award: qavs.culture.gove.uk

A local boy takes his family’s struggle to heart and finds a solution to help his mom. We all struggle and life isn’t easy, but this is a great example of what good can come from those who love you.   The quote in this episode is from Theodore Roosevelt: “Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty… I have never in my life envied a human being who led an easy life. I have envied a great many people who led difficult lives and led them well.” I also mentioned the the Preston Family’s Go Fund Me page. If you would like to donate to their cause, you can visit it here: https://www.gofundme.com/jpp6b-the-preston-family

Who loves foxes? I know we have many who adore foxes or many other wild animals. These episodes will introduce you to the Fox Project and the Animal Ark so listen in and get some feel good moments started for your day! The quote in this episode is from Immanuel Kant: “We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals”   For more information about these organizations you can visit these websites. The Fox Project: http://foxproject.org.uk The Animal Ark: https://www.animalark.org

This episode happens to have aired on Mother’s Day so why not take the time to thank the one person in our life who really did do something nice! The quote in this episode is from Agatha Christie: “A mother's love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity, it dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path.”

A co-worker shared this story with me and it’s about someone who helped provide temporary shelter for over 100 homeless people during the most recent Polar Vortex. There are many ways to help the homeless and in Chicago, this is one way that helped many!   The quote in this episode is from Nina Hagen: “Do some selfless service for people who are in need. Consider the whole picture, not just our little selves.”

Giving the ultimate life giving gift of donating an organ is something that can give you a bond with someone you may never even know.  This episode shares a heartwarming story about an anonymous liver donation that saved a woman’s life in her time of need. You can also learn more about donating an organ by visiting organdonor.gov. The quote in this episode is from Charles Dickens: “No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.”

Doing something nice doesn’t have to cost you any money, it could just be something that just costs a little time and that’s it! In this episode we hear a story about someone who does just that! The quote in this episode is from Richelle Goodrich: “Your efforts extend like ripples on the ocean, much further than you know.”

We all make mistakes, some bigger than others. In this episode we look at how even making mistakes in your life, specifically those of crime, still have good in them. What lessons can be learned, let’s find out together. The quote in this episode is from Dalai Lama XIV: “Time passes unhindered. When we make mistakes, we cannot turn the clock back and try again. All we can do is use the present well.”

Sometimes being prepared is a lesson that may help save your life and others. This episode talks about some heroic events that were only possible because of either having a plan or being surrounded by others who were able to help. Listen, then decide if you are prepared yourself.   The quote in this episode is from Benjamin Franklin: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

Do Something Nice has reached several listeners within just the first month of airing, so Jeff decides to share some of the emails and stories sent in by listeners. Included are some stories about helping animals, creating Blessing Bags, and helping individuals in need. If you would like to share your stories, be sure to email it in! You can send in your emails to mailbag@dosomethingnice.net

The chance that a group of people would encounter a man who’s life was in danger is a lesson that there are good people in this world. This episode takes you to New Mexico where a cross country team rescues a man in need.

When a man dedicates his life to raising money for children, a huge impact is made. This week’s story is about a shoe shiner named Albert Lexie, a man with a heart of gold who donated not just money, but love to so many children in need.

A heartfelt story that takes place in Greenville, South Carolina. This story is about a teacher who, by chance, joins one of her past students to save his father's life. The quote in this episode is from Sylvia Mathews Burwell: “Day after day, ordinary people become heroes through extraordinary and selfless actions to help their neighbors”

The first episode of the Do Something Nice Podcast with Host Jeff Bonano. This episode is about how this all started and Jeff introduces what his challenge to you is and how you can be a "Nice Ninja". The quote for this episode is from Sir Winston Churchill: "We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give."