Back in 2024, a formerly homeless English man named Rhys Wynne-Jones stepped inside a church after hours and played the piano. A video of this performance went viral, which led to Rhys getting some amazing opportunities, including performing with music celebrities.

Since then, Rhys has enjoyed a stable home life — and has dedicated the last year to paying it forward. While he still does not describe himself as a professional musician or celebrity, he uses his performances to raise money for causes linked to homelessness.

Since his big breakthrough, Rhys has raised more than $54,000 and he hopes his performances — and his amazing story — inspire others to help others who might be going through some tough times.

Back in 2024, a formerly homeless English man named Rhys Wynne-Jones stepped inside a church after hours and played the piano. A video of this performance went viral, which led to Rhys getting some amazing opportunities, including performing with music celebrities.
Since then, Rhys has enjoyed a stable home life &mdash; and has dedicated the last year to <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/uk/in-january-2024-a-homeless-man-played-piano-at-a-church-in-uk-on-a-freezing-night-2-years-after-his-video-went-viral-he-has-raised-50000-for-charity-and-found-a-home/articleshow/134233771.cms">paying it forward</a>. While he still does not describe himself as a professional musician or celebrity, he uses his performances to raise money for causes linked to homelessness.
Since his big breakthrough, Rhys has raised more than $54,000 and he hopes his performances &mdash; and his amazing story &mdash; inspire others to help others who might be going through some tough 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

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

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

98.3 The Coast

Podcasts from your favorite local personalities.

Podcasts from your favorite local personalities.

Town Crier Wire

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

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

Formerly Homeless Man Raises $54k for Charity

Barbara Daniels spent 30 years as a teacher in Virginia before retiring in 2011. And instead of taking it easy, she spent the last 15 years turning a local thrift shop into a community powerhouse. Barbara runs the Cumberland Clothes Closet, where she works with volunteers to sort gently used clothes, books, and household goods to keep prices dirt cheap for local families.

Even better? Every single cent of profit gets poured right back into her town. Under her leadership, the shop has handed out $10,000 in student scholarships, funded the local library, chipped in for the volunteer fire department, and supported local food banks.

Barbara doesn't consider herself the centerpiece of the effort — or see anything extraordinary in her work. Instead, she credits the store's true success to the bond between volunteers and customers. Without them, she says, helping those in need would be impossible. As she explains, "Our community is a part of us, and we are a part of it."

Barbara Daniels spent 30 years as a teacher in Virginia before retiring in 2011. And instead of taking it easy, she spent the last 15 years turning a local thrift shop into a community powerhouse. Barbara runs the Cumberland Clothes Closet, where she works with volunteers to sort gently used clothes, books, and household goods to keep prices dirt cheap for local families.
Even better? Every single cent of profit gets <a href="https://www.clarin.com/us-news/retired-virginia-teacher-started-collecting-used-clothes-glassware-books-and-household-items-15-years-later-she-leads-volunteer-run-thrift-store-that-donates-thousands-of-dollars-to-her-community_0_soVHcTijeV.html">poured right back into her town</a>. Under her leadership, the shop has handed out $10,000 in student scholarships, funded the local library, chipped in for the volunteer fire department, and supported local food banks.
Barbara doesn't consider herself the centerpiece of the effort &mdash; or see anything extraordinary in her work. Instead, she credits the store's true success to the bond between volunteers and customers. Without them, she says, helping those in need would be impossible. As she explains, "Our community is a part of us, and we are a part of it."

Retired Teacher Funds Charities & Scholarships with Thrift Shop - Zack's Good News

A man in Boise, Idaho, who beat homelessness and addiction just won $200,000 on a lottery ticket — and his very first move was to give $20,000 back to the shelter that helped him turn his life around.

The man, who wishes to remain anonymous, walked right into the Interfaith Sanctuary shelter to hand over 10% of his cash prize, telling the staff he wanted to thank them for saving his life. Thanks to the care and compassion he received at the shelter, he has been sober for over two years and is living in his own home.

The director of the shelter, Jodi Peterson, said the donation is the largest monetary gift ever received from a former shelter guest and will fund about 500 nights of care to those in need in the community.

A man in Boise, Idaho, who beat homelessness and addiction just won $200,000 on a lottery ticket &mdash; and his very first move was to <a href="https://www.kivitv.com/news/local-news/in-your-neighborhood/northwest-boise/idaho-lottery-winner-donates-20-000-to-shelter-he-says-saved-his-life">give $20,000 back</a> to the shelter that helped him turn his life around.
The man, who wishes to remain anonymous, walked right into the Interfaith Sanctuary shelter to hand over 10% of his cash prize, telling the staff he wanted to thank them for saving his life. Thanks to the care and compassion he received at the shelter, he has been sober for over two years and is living in his own home.
The director of the shelter,&nbsp;Jodi Peterson, said the donation is the largest monetary gift ever received from a former shelter guest and will fund about 500 nights of care to those in need in the community.

Lottery Winner Gives Back - Zack's Good News

Twelve-year-old Sadie Hutson of North Carolina has turned a fun hobby into a mission to bring comfort to kids who are dealing with bumpy times.

Sadie and her mom hunt through thrift stores to rescue worn-out stuffed animals — and then Sadie gets to work washing, repairing, and re-stuffing them by hand.

When Sadie learned the local American Red Cross ran low on comfort toys for young disaster victims, she stepped up and delivered an incredible donation of 114 restored bears, bunnies, and other stuffed animal friends.

The Red Cross recently honored Sadie with a special award at a local fire station — but Sadie says she’s just happy to keep the project going so kids going through tough times know someone cares.

Sadie also hopes her project inspires other young people to make a difference in their own communities. "As long as you do it through the kindness of your heart, you can do it," she said.

Twelve-year-old Sadie Hutson of North Carolina has turned a fun hobby into a mission to bring comfort to kids who are dealing with bumpy times.
Sadie and her mom hunt through thrift stores to rescue worn-out stuffed animals &mdash; and then Sadie gets to work washing, repairing, and re-stuffing them by hand.
When Sadie learned the local American Red Cross ran low on comfort toys for young disaster victims, she stepped up and <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/a-12-year-old-north-carolina-girl-rescued-114-stuffed-animals-from-thrift-stores-she-repaired-every-one-by-hand-and-donated-them-to-children-who-lost-their-homes-in-fire/amp_articleshow/134328805.cms">delivered an incredible donation</a> of 114 restored bears, bunnies, and other stuffed animal friends.
The Red Cross recently honored Sadie with a special award at a local fire station &mdash; but Sadie says she&rsquo;s just happy to keep the project going so kids going through tough times know someone cares.
Sadie also hopes her project inspires other young people to make a difference in their own communities. "As long as you do it through the kindness of your heart, you can do it," she said.

Formerly Homeless Man Raises $54k for Charity

Zack's Good News

In 2 playlist(s)

98.3 The Coast

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips