7 good news stories from around the world to brighten your day

Sometimes catching up on daily news can be a daunting task; with a multitude of negative, fear-inducing headlines, it’s enough to make anyone feel discouraged.
While staying informed on both local and international news is necessary, it’s essential to remind ourselves that it’s not all bad in this world.
To assure you that all is not doom and gloom, we’ve rounded up a few good news stories from around the world that are sure to put a smile on your face.
Virgin Australia commemorates final international departure in style
Brisbane International! What an amazing send off to our last international departure (for a little while). Thank you team for keeping our spirits high! We can’t wait to see what the welcome back party looks like. pic.twitter.com/HASgjPD4Ri
— Virgin Australia (@VirginAustralia) March 30, 2020
Virgin Australia announced it would be temporarily suspending all international flights due to ongoing global health concerns. However, in an uplifting performance, staff members of the airline decided to commemorate the send-off in a creative and entertaining way by performing a choreographed dance to the Glee cover of Journey’s Don’t Stop Believing at Brisbane Airport. If this is any indication, the welcome back party is going to be amazing.
6th-grade student receives social-distancing homework help
My 6th grader emailed her math teacher for some help, so he came over & worked through the problem with her on our front porch. @Chriswaba9 , our neighbor, MMS teacher & MHS Wrestling Coach. #KidsFirst @MadisonMSNews @MarkOsports @dakotasportsnow @dakotanews_now @stwalter20 pic.twitter.com/aniqt2goPB
— Josh Anderson (@DakSt8Football) March 27, 2020
Josh Anderson’s sixth-grade daughter was having trouble with her math homework, so she decided to contact her teacher for some assistance. Little did she know that her teacher and neighbour, Chris Waba, would take it one step further by venturing outside, a whiteboard in tow, to walk her through it from her family’s front porch to maintain physical distancing. Hooray for teachers that go above and beyond to help their students!
Friends and family collaborate to create a special birthday surprise
so today was my 17th birthday and i was a little sad that we were stuck in quarantine… but then my friends and family put this all together just to make me feel special😭 words cannot express how thankful i am!! @GMA @TODAYshow #SomeGoodNews pic.twitter.com/2LQ8kfE2Sq
— brooklynn warner (@brooklynnwarne4) March 31, 2020
Brooklynn Warner was disappointed that she would be spending her 17th birthday in quarantine. However, unbeknownst to her, her family and friends coordinated a special surprise that allowed them to celebrate together without compromising their physical distancing. In a video posted to Twitter, ‘guests’ can be seen honking horns, cheering, and dropping off gifts on Warner’s driveway. You can tell by the smile on her face that it’s a birthday she will not soon forget.
Woman celebrates the six-month anniversary of her elective leg amputation
April 3rd is the 6-month anniversary of my elective leg amputation. Now, I’m in a prosthetic limb, walking better than I ever have, and free of pain for the first time in my life… Guys, things CAN get better. Don’t settle for your life, choose it. #SomeGoodNews @johnkrasinski pic.twitter.com/Wh7b1c557v
— Erin Vetters (@erinvetters18) April 1, 2020
Erin Vetters has Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome, a rare congenital vascular disorder that significantly affected her left leg and caused excruciating swelling, bleeding and pain. With no medication or treatment providing relief, Vetters sought the only other option, amputation. But this is a happy story, we promise! Now, six months later, Vetters has a prosthetic limb, is walking better than she ever has, and is pain-free for the first time in her life. “Guys, things CAN get better,” she says in a tweet. “Don’t settle for your life, choose it.”
Chicago dog rescue receives grant that will allow them to rescue 200 big dogs
#SomeGoodNews: We’re excited to share that @bestfriends has awarded us a 2020 Rachael Ray Save Them All Grant!
This grant will help us achieve our goal of rescuing 200 *BIG* dogs from #Chicago shelters this year (don’t worry, littles, we’re still coming for you, too 😉) pic.twitter.com/RaKzFiEXyz
— One Tail at a Time (OTAT) (@onetailatatime) April 2, 2020
One Tail at a Time (OTAT), an all-breed dog rescue in Chicago, Illinois, was awarded the 2020 Rachael Ray Save Them All Grant from Best Friends, a national animal welfare organization. The funding from the grant will aid in the organization’s goal of rescuing 200 “*BIG*” dogs from shelters around the city this year. But rest assured, OTAT is looking to help all dogs big and small. “Don’t worry, littles,” the organization said in a tweet, “we’re still coming for you, too.” You can also donate to the rescue directly through their website.
Police in Andorra entertain children during quarantine
Mientras tanto en #Andorra 🇦🇩 #QuedateEnCasa pic.twitter.com/GDUQeZ3VA1
— Fernando Lazcano (@lazcano22) March 23, 2020
Police officers in Andorra took to the streets to dance and sing along to the online viral hit “Baby Shark” to entertain children in quarantine. In a video posted to Twitter, various officers can be seen performing the choreography to the song while their vehicles are parked in the street, lights flashing, to add to the fun and playful spectacle. Residents clap and sing along from their windows in a moment of pure joy that appears to be just as much fun for adults as it was for the children.
A toddler and her grandpa had an adorable dance battle six feet apart
Six-year-old Kira Neely absolutely adores spending time with her “Papa,” even if they have to remain six feet apart. Since they are unable to visit, the pair instead have been participating in daily dance-offs. “My Dad is turning 81 years old next month, and I’ve never seen him dance,” Kira’s mom, Sherrie, said in a Facebook post, “but he’s really putting forth great effort and has some special moves.” Special moves for an even more special grandpa.
Do you know a local Good Samaritan? Send in your stories, photos, or videos of positive things you see in your community to [email protected]