Christine and John Sheppard of Jefferson County, Missouri, are getting ready to move closer to their daughter, Kim. While packing up their home, Christine and John found some boxes filled with Kim’s childhood Beanie Baby collection.

They asked Kim if she wanted to keep the toys that were collected in the 1990s. Inspired by a social media video, Kim suggested giving the plushies to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, where they were handed off to the department's Crisis Intervention Unit.

It was a win all around. Deputies now keep the toys in their patrol cars to hand out to kids during scary or traumatic emergency calls. And the Sheppard family was able to declutter — all while feeling great that these special toys are getting a second life, calming children during bumpy times.

Christine and John Sheppard of Jefferson County, Missouri, are getting ready to move closer to their daughter, Kim. While packing up their home, Christine and John found some boxes filled with Kim&rsquo;s childhood Beanie Baby collection.
They asked Kim if she wanted to keep the toys that were collected in the 1990s. Inspired by a social media video, Kim suggested&nbsp;<a href="https://www.firstalert4.com/2026/08/14/jefferson-county-family-donates-hundreds-beanie-babies-collection-sheriffs-office/">giving the plushies to the Jefferson County Sheriff&rsquo;s Office</a>, where they were handed off to the department's Crisis Intervention Unit.
It was a win all around. Deputies now keep the toys in their patrol cars to hand out to kids during scary or traumatic emergency calls. And the Sheppard family was able to declutter &mdash; all while feeling great that these special toys are getting a second life, calming children during bumpy times.

Need a break from the news? Zack East rounds up the best GOOD NEWS stories out there, the kind of stuff that reminds you people are still pretty great. New episodes every weekday on 98.3 The Coast.

Need a break from the news? Zack East rounds up the best GOOD NEWS stories out there, the kind of stuff that reminds you people are still pretty great. New episodes every weekday on 98.3 The Coast.

Zack East rounds up the best GOOD NEWS stories out there, the kind of stuff that reminds you people are still pretty great.

Zack's Good News

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We're focused on Lake Life, Wine Culture, and Modern Hits for Southwest Michigan.

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Family Donates Beanie Babies to Sheriff's Office to Comfort Kids in Crisis - Zack's Good News

South Florida teenagers Aashrita Kaza and her brother, Anish, designed a charity app called "Pizza for a Purpose" to help local pizzerias, businesses, and individual donors deliver fresh meals directly to neighborhood nonprofit groups.

Aashrita and Anish started the project in 2024 after they spent some time volunteering at food banks and noticed young children showing up for food. The siblings wanted to give a boost to the kids by making it easier for people in the community to make donations.

So they developed an app that streamlines the donation process, allowing anyone to send fresh pizzas from nearby restaurants to charities like The Pantry of Broward. The platform has already resulted in the delivery of over 25,000 pizza slices to families and seniors across Broward County, turning everyday takeout orders into hot, weekly meals for neighbors in need.

“The reaction really warms our hearts," said Aashrita. "Their faces just light up the second they get the pizza. It’s very rewarding because it makes everything we do worth it.

South Florida teenagers Aashrita Kaza and her brother, Anish, designed a charity app called "Pizza for a Purpose" to help local pizzerias, businesses, and individual donors&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/miami-proud-pizza-for-a-purpose-ashrita-anish-kaza/">deliver fresh meals</a>&nbsp;directly to neighborhood nonprofit groups.
Aashrita and Anish started the project in 2024 after they spent some time volunteering at food banks and noticed young children showing up for food. The siblings wanted to give a boost to the kids by making it easier for people in the community to make donations.
So they developed an app that streamlines the donation process, allowing anyone to send fresh pizzas from nearby restaurants to charities like The Pantry of Broward. The platform has already resulted in the delivery of over 25,000 pizza slices to families and seniors across Broward County, turning everyday takeout orders into hot, weekly meals for neighbors in need.
&ldquo;The reaction really warms our hearts," said Aashrita. "Their faces just light up the second they get the pizza. It&rsquo;s very rewarding because it makes everything we do worth it.

Siblings Launch an App to Feed Families In Need - Zack's Good News

An Arizona father and son work side-by-side in their garage, fixing cars at deeply discounted prices to make sure no one gets left stranded by outrageous repair bills.

Nearly 11 years ago, when Michael Kuba faced a $4000 estimate to fix the broken air conditioner in his family's van, he bought some tools, turned to YouTube tutorials, and learned to fix it himself.

That repair job inspired Michael to keep learning — and to offer his services to those who otherwise couldn't afford it. These days, he and his 16-year-old son, Matthew, operate The Junkie Garage, a nonprofit organization where Kuba fix cars for whatever customers can afford to donate — no income checks or paperwork required.

Working mostly on essential maintenance like brakes, alternators, and A/C systems, Kuba and Matthew slash typical repair costs from thousands down to an average of under $300, keeping families safe on the road — and giving the two men plenty of quality father-son time.

An Arizona father and son work side-by-side in their garage,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.12news.com/article/news/community/meet-the-father-son-team-fixing-cars-for-whatever-you-can-afford-glendale/75-6a0ad027-d193-4d5d-97bc-2da500a7c194">fixing cars at deeply discounted prices</a>&nbsp;to make sure no one gets left stranded by outrageous repair bills.
Nearly 11 years ago, when Michael Kuba faced a $4000 estimate to fix the broken air conditioner in his family's van, he bought some tools, turned to YouTube tutorials, and learned to fix it himself.
That repair job inspired Michael to keep learning &mdash; and to offer his services to those who otherwise couldn't afford it. These days, he and his 16-year-old son, Matthew, operate The Junkie Garage, a nonprofit organization where Kuba fix cars for whatever customers can afford to donate &mdash; no income checks or paperwork required.
Working mostly on essential maintenance like brakes, alternators, and A/C systems, Kuba and Matthew slash typical repair costs from thousands down to an average of under $300, keeping families safe on the road &mdash; and giving the two men plenty of quality father-son time.

Father-Son Duo Slashes Car Repair Costs for Local Families - Zack's Good News

A pizzeria owner in New York City is making sure no one in his neighborhood has to go hungry. 

Daniel Romano, owner of D’Romano’s Pizza in the Bronx, started offering free slices after he saw a woman searching through the restaurant’s trash for food. Romano brought her inside, gave her a fresh slice, and told her she never needed to be embarrassed to ask for help.

The experience inspired him to put a handwritten sign on the window inviting anyone who’s hungry to come in for a free slice of pizza and water. The message has resonated far beyond the Bronx, with people from across the country calling to donate and help cover the cost of meals for those in need.

Romano says his late mother used to always tell him, "A desperate person will always make a better decision on a full stomach than on an empty one."

What began with one act of compassion has grown into a community effort, with Romano hoping to remind people that everyone deserves not only a hot meal, but also dignity and kindness. 

A pizzeria owner in New York City is making sure&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sunnyskyz.com/good-news/6293/Pizza-Shop-Owner-Sees-Woman-Eating-From-the-Trash-Gives-Her-a-Fresh-Slice-and-Makes-a-Promise-to-Feed-Anyone-Who-Is-Hungry">no one in his neighborhood has to go hungry</a>.&nbsp;
Daniel Romano, owner of D&rsquo;Romano&rsquo;s Pizza in the Bronx, started offering free slices after he saw a woman searching through the restaurant&rsquo;s trash for food. Romano brought her inside, gave her a fresh slice, and told her she never needed to be embarrassed to ask for help.
The experience inspired him to put a handwritten sign on the window inviting anyone who&rsquo;s hungry to come in for a free slice of pizza and water. The message has resonated far beyond the Bronx, with people from across the country calling to donate and help cover the cost of meals for those in need.
Romano says his late mother used to always tell him, "A desperate person will always make a better decision on a full stomach than on an empty one."
What began with one act of compassion has grown into a community effort, with Romano hoping to remind people that everyone deserves not only a hot meal, but also dignity and kindness.&nbsp;

Family Donates Beanie Babies to Sheriff's Office to Comfort Kids in Crisis - Zack's Good News

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