13 Good News Stories: Salutes To Nurses, Funeral Directors, More

We owe them. Big time. During National Nurses Week, which continues through Tuesday, Americans are taking time out to honor nurses and other health care workers who are fighting the “invisible enemy,” as the new coronavirus has been called.

Their tears are ours. Their sadness over the enormity of the coronavirus crisis is our burden. We salute the nurses, the other health care workers and all Americans on the front lines during this extraordinary time across America and around the world.

No one saluted the nurses better than Lily Bolarinho, a high school sophomore in Rhode Island who confessed she’s usually a ball of nerves before playing solos on her trumpet. But she put the instrument to her lips and all the usually anxiety was replaced with purpose as she played the national anthem.

“When I started playing the national anthem, I found I wasn't nervous at all," the 16-year-old told Patch. "It made me want to play. I was happy to play in front of everyone who works so hard, and risk their own lives, every day for their patients." By Scott Souza on East Providence Patch.

• Here at Patch, we're proud to recognize all the everyday local heroes who are making a difference during these unprecedented times. Do you have a hero you would like us to know about? Share their stories here.

Below is a small sampling of the good news stories you’ll find on Patch sites across America.

Love, Anonymous

“To the heroes of Dominican Hospital: Thank you for standing up (and staying up!) to care for our community,” began a letter to California hospital employees that included a pledge for $1 million to be divided among health care workers. "This human kindness is what makes you heroic. Please accept this donation in recognition of and with great thanks for all that you do. And please know that my heart is with you as we seek to protect and care for each other during this challenging time." By Courtney Teague on Santa Cruz Patch.

Lullaby From A Teacher

Last week was also Teacher Appreciation Week. In Connecticut, one teacher went beyond what’s expected of her. She has been caring for the newborn baby brother of one of her students after his parents tested positive for coronavirus. By RJ Scofield on Stamford Patch.

Would A Bully Do This?

The sad truth is, New Jersey teen Marquese Dukes (lead photo) has been bullied. A lot. It left him with brain damage and other injuries. But true to his character, he "turned tragedy into a triumph" and used the incident as inspiration to create his nonprofit, the Love Over Loathe Foundation. Through that foundation, he looked out for some of the forgotten heroes of the crisis — funeral home workers. By Eric Kiefer on Bloomfield Patch.

Littles Are Big Heroes

This kid: At 7, Cavanaugh Bell has accomplished more than people three times his age: He’s already launched an anti-bullying campaign, used his life savings to make coronavirus care packages for seniors, and started a community food pantry to help communities in need. The Maryland youngster has served more than 1,500 families through his food pantry, and California Sen. Kamala Harris took notice. By Alessia Grunberger on Gaithersburg Patch.

• Related: Read more from the Patch Menace of Bullies series

He Beat ‘Nightmare’ Coronavirus

David Steele, 63, a farmer known for his huge heart and dedication, defied all the odds: The New York man battled the coronavirus illness for seven weeks before his daughter jubilantly exclaimed that her dad “is a fighter” and kicked COVID-19 in the posterior anatomy. “We are so happy to have him home!” she said. And what a homecoming it was. By Lisa Finn on North Fork Patch.

Suddenly, It’s Cool To Go To Prom With Sibling

Going to prom with your sibling is, ugh, not cool under normal circumstances. But there’s nothing normal about life in the era of the coronavirus. A California teen knew his sister was disappointed her prom had been canceled, so he surprised her, saying: “I decided to take matters into my own hands and realized that though I'm not in control of the situation I'm in, I'm in control of how I deal with it.” By Kristina Houck on Oceanside-Camp Pendleton Patch.

“Just Love One Another”

The pandemic meant Joe and Bernice Forzley celebrated their 70th anniversary differently than they planned, but they were together, as they always are, for a drive-by parade. The Illinois couple’s secret to a long and happy marriage? “Just love one another.” By Andrea Earnest on Lemont Patch.

Bringing Cheer, One Sign At A Time

Meredith Rivkin had something entirely different planned for her mitzvah, or “good deed, project, but she decided to change it to spread cheer during the quarantine. She combined her art skills and love for quotes on 300 lawn signs, each featuring a bright, bold rainbow and a message such as “after every storm comes a rainbow.” The signs sold out in less than a week and can be found across the Chicago area. By Eric DeGrechie on Deerfield Patch.

Happy Birthday To WWII Vet

Drive-by birthday parades have become normal during coronavirus social distancing, but there was nothing routine about this one: A World War II veteran in Virginia turned 100, and his neighbors wanted to make sure he got a hero’s parade. By Michael O’Connell on Herndon Patch.

Inspired By A Good Deed, Family Matches It

An ice cream truck driver gave a Connecticut 2-year-old a nice surprise on his shelter-in-place birthday. His family didn’t know the driver by name, and he didn’t know them, so they dug a little deeper and found out he is behind a campaign to raise money for first responders and food for those in need. They were inspired and came up with their own way to help out during the pandemic. By Ellyn Santiago on East Haven Patch.

This Kid Has Good News, Too

Kush Maisuria, a 16-year-old Connecticut sophomore, likes good news, too, so he created a newsletter called the SunShow to spotlight uplifting messages and good news. "There's just still so many people doing good everywhere and I wanted to contribute to that," he said. By Anna Bybee-Schier, Fairfield Patch

This Poor Pooch: Firefighters To The Rescue

Firefighters rescue more than just people. At a Tucson construction site, a puppy fell 15 feet into a deep hole and was neck-deep in water and shaking when firefighters got to him. The pooch got a bath and checkup at the Pima County Animal Care shelter and is doing fine now. By Payton Potter on Tucson Patch.

• You’ll find more good news stories on your local Patch: Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters. Also, for updated coverage on national news surrounding coronavirus and other news, sign up for the Patch Across America daily newsletter.