Photo from Emily Coxhead
By Tayvie Van Eeuwen
@tayvieeee
The world is coming together during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are some uplifting, adorable, and funny stories to help get us through these times.
Local
Be still my heart. đ
Meet Bonnie and Henry, two local pups that were put up for adoption at the BC SPCA earlier this month. In a recent update on the organization’s Facebook page, it was announced that all three Corgi’s had been adopted into loving homes.
The two puppies were named after provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, who has become a beloved BC figure. Her leadership throughout the COVID-19 pandemic inspired the BC SPCA to name the pair after her.
In a general sense, the BC SPCA has been doing extremely well during the pandemic. During their 50 per cent off promotion in March, 300 animals found homes within just five days. Even after the promotion, spokesperson Lorie Chortyk has reported increased visits to their adoption site and more calls to shelters across the province.
Looks like British Columbians are searching for some furry companions to quarantine with. Sounds like a win-win!
Royal Columbian Hospital Gets an Easter Surprise: 8,000 Chocolate Eggs
Chocolate makes (almost) everything better.
On April 9, Wesgroup Properties delivered 8,000 Lindt chocolate eggs to the front-line workers at Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster.
LINDT! That’s the good stuff.
Vice President Ryan Thé told the New Westminster Record the company donated the eggs to show their appreciation to local hospital staff.
âWe understand many front-line workers wonât be able to spend time with their families this Easter long weekend and we hope that this small gesture brings a smile and a reminder that the whole community and Wesgroup Properties is here to support them.â
Worldwide
North Carolina woman can’t find a mask to wear to the grocery store, wears Buzz Lightyear Helmet instead
đđŒ And mom of the year goes to… đđŒ
Presenting Kelly Hogan Painter, a North Carolina mom and future Toy Story star.
In April, the mother-of-three realized that her family was eating oatmeal for breakfast, when none of them even liked the food. Her realization? She had to go to the grocery store.
Her husband informed her that she needed to wear a mask to go to the store, she grabbed the only thing she had: a Buzz Lightyear helmet.
“Honestly, it was put a plastic bag over my head or wear the helmet,” Painter told Insider.
Once she started grocery shopping, she quickly realized that people were laughing and taking videos of her. But it didn’t bother her.
“They might be laughing at me, or they might be laughing with me,” Painter explained. “I really don’t care either way, as long as they’re laughing.”
https://www.facebook.com/695042164/videos/10158006236937165/
So far, Painter has worn the helmet out more than a dozen times. When she gets home, she cleans it with Lysol and prepares it for her next trip.
“I hope my grandkids and great-grandkids can Google me one day and be able to say, ‘Yeah, I guess she was cool.’ It’s really crazy that people are laughing so hard about it. I think it’s neat that everybody is trying to share the smiles.”
Ohio Neighbourhood Bands Together to Create a Stuffed Animal Zoo
đŠđ»đ” Welcome to the world’s cutest zoo!
In early April, Kelsey DePompei and Jaime Taylor were struggling, as all parents are, to keep their little ones entertained. From their boredom sprung a neighbourhood pop-up: a stuffed animal zoo.
The idea came after the pair’s daughter requested to visit their local zoo. Instead of simply saying no, the moms got creative.
Taylor sent out an “old-school” digital pamphlet to the neighbourhood’s WhatsApp group to spread the word. Soon, they had almost all jumped on board.
Parent’s from around the block took their kid’s stuffed pets and made varying displays, from pegasus exhibits to penguin huddles.
As Taylor explained to WTOL, “Our go-to is going outside, we told the girls, ‘hey, we are going outside today and there is going to be a zoo out there.’ They got so excited!”
While maintaining physical distance, neighbourhood kids walked from house to house with their families to check out the displays. Each showcased a different theme, with a front lawn even referencing Game of Thrones.
âIt warmed my heart because they donât know whatâs going on, they donât understand we can’t see Grammy and Poppa. I want them to remember during these crazy times when they look back on it that although it was difficult for adults and older kids that we still made sure they had the best time possible,” Taylor explained.
“Even after we were done, we had our back door open and to see families coming by and the smiles on everyoneâs faces felt good that for everyone in our neighborhood that we gave them a piece of normalcy,” commented DePompei. “I think that’s what we need right now.”
99-Year-Old WWII Veteran Crowdfunds ÂŁ26 Million in Less Than 14 Days
Introducing Captain Tom Moore, potentially the sweetest old man of all time.
Just over a year ago, Captain Moore broke his hip, according to NBC. To keep him active, his daughter, Hannah Ingram-Moore, offered him one pound for each lap he completed around his garden by his 100th birthday.
With his birthday approaching on April 30, Captain Moore set off early in the month to complete 100 laps for NHS Charities Together— an organization for UK hospitals, healthcare staff, and volunteers. Moore planned to donate his hundred pounds to the non-profit, along with any money he could accumulate on a JustGiving page.
Originally, Captain Moore and his daughter set the page to a ÂŁ1,000 goal. In less than two weeks, Moore has raised over ÂŁ26 million and counting. That’s equivalent to $45 million CAD.
On April 16, Captain Moore completed his challenge two weeks before his big day. He walked his final 10 laps with a crowd, including a guard of honour from the 1st Battalion Yorkshire Regiment and multiple healthcare workers.
His recognition didn’t stop there. Captain Moore received a personal video message from William and Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. In the video, William exclaims, “It’s wonderful that everyone has been inspired by his story and his determination. I think he’s a one man fundraising machine.”
The cherry on top of this wholesome story is that Captain Moore even has his own Twitter page AND recently released a cover of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” with British actor Michael Ball. The song has now gone to No. 1 in the UK.
Meteorologist co-hosts at-home weather segments with his cat Betty
This is a weather forecast I would want to watch.
Meet Indiana’s 14 First Alert Chief Meteorologist, Jeff Lyons. The American news presenter has made a splash during the state’s COVID-19 lockdown by presenting with his adorable sidekick, Betty.
Lyons set up a green screen in his living room and was delivering his daily weather forecasts when in early April he decided to bring Betty along.
The fluffy kitty laid in Lyons arms during the broadcast and 14 First Alert viewers loved her cameo so much, the station made her a regular.
Now, Betty makes frequent appearances in Lyons home broadcasts– although, like most felines, she doesn’t always want to follow instructions. Sometimes she sits in the outer frame, other times she wanders right through the screen.
Whatever Betty does, I’m into it.
Watch Betty’s cameos below.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=280909912917389
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=247416563311566
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=240212400671368
Happy Suggestions
VIDEOS
Prom 2020: Some Good News with John Krasinski Ep. 4 featuring Billie Eilish, Jonas Brothers, Chance the Rapper, and Rainn Wilson.
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LINKS
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College student designs mask for deaf and hard-of-hearing folks
Tayvie is a MĂ©tis/AnihĆĄinÄpÄ and Irish/Scottish student and writer. Her circle is small, but her joy is large. She splits her time between over-thinking and visiting Disneyland. Read her articles to take a peek inside the world of mental illness and happy news, because itâs all about balance, right?
