11 Good News Stories: Boy, 9, College-Bound; ‘Super Dad’ Legit Moniker

ACROSS AMERICA — David Balogun, of Bensalem Township, Pennsylvania, hasn’t quite narrowed down a field of study when he starts college next month.

He’s already rejected becoming an astronaut. But he may decide to become a rocket engineer or an astrophysicist. The truth is, with his IQ — he’s Mensa smart — he can pursue almost any career he wants.

Did we mention David is only 9 and already a high school graduate? He has built a deep professional resume, too, and working as a dynamic software engineer for one of his father’s social media companies is just the start of it.

But he’s still a 9-year-old kid.

“He doesn’t make his bed,” his mother told Patch’s Dino Ciliberti. “He leaves his clothes all over the floor.” » By Dino Ciliberti for Bensalem Patch

‘We’re Going To Get The Baby!’

An East Marion, New York, man who teamed with a grandmother to save a baby stolen in an SUV, would do it all again in a heartbeat. Bill Gorga didn’t hesitate when he heard the woman screaming, “Someone stole my car with the baby in it!” He opened the door of his truck and said, “Get in. We’re going to get the baby!” It was a harrowing ordeal, but “I would do it again,” Gorga told Patch’s Lisa Finn. “Why wouldn’t I?” » By Lisa Finn for North Fork Patch

You Can Call Him ‘Super Dad’

Tinley Park, Illinois, firefighter Jeff Kushner can rightly be called “Super Dad.” He and his wife, Kristin, had gotten in their car and were preparing to go to the hospital for the birth of their second child when the baby started crowning. There was nothing to do but deliver the baby at home. It was the first time Kushner, who also has paramedic training, had ever helped a baby into the world. “He’s Super Dad for sure,” Kristin Kushner told Patch’s Lauren Traut. “He did so awesome; he was so calm during the delivery. He went right into work mode, knew exactly what to do.” » By Lauren Traut for Tinley Park Patch

Plastics Dilemma: See The Light

“We have a water bottle crisis and a water crisis in general,” says internationally acclaimed artist Willie Cole, a luminary when it comes to using his talents to draw attention to a problem and make people ask the critical questions that lead to conversations and potential solutions. His latest conversation starter is a pair of fancy chandeliers, “Spirit Catcher” and “Lumen-Less Lantern,” made of 6,000 plastic water bottles and installed at a landmark building in Newark, New Jersey. » By Eric Kiefer for Newark Patch

‘I Just Like To Help’

The devastating earthquake that killed more than 41,000 people in Turkey and Syria hit West Hempstead, New York, restaurateur Maxx Oliver on an extremely personal level. He emigrated from Turkey in 1999 and still has friend and relatives in the area, as do two of his employees at Anatolia, the Turkish/Mediterranean eatery he opened in 2019. He’s not sitting on the sidelines wringing his hands. Rather, he started a donation drive through the Turkish Embassy for essential supplies and a GoFundMe campaign to assist families, and booked a one-way ticket to Turkey to do what he can to help the people whose lives have been shattered by the disaster. “Everything is gone,” he told Patch’s Jerry Barmash, “so I just like to help these kinds of people.” » By Jerry Barmash for Malverne-Lynbrook Patch

‘It’s Just Priceless’

Tyneisha Gibbs has a heart for charity. For her birthday this year, she asked for the same thing she asks for every year — donations to a local charity instead of a gift. The Newark, New Jersey, native, who told Patch’s Eric Kiefer the birthday tradition is inspired by her late father, encouraged people to make donations to Opportunity Youth Newark, which offers youth education, job development and other programs. Her goal was $2,500, but she raised almost twice that amount. “It’s one thing for you to talk about an issue or for you to care about something but to be able to rally other folks around that cause – it’s just priceless,” Gibbs said. “You can’t describe that feeling because those are your people … and because you are passionate about it, and they support you, they’re willing to support that call to action.” » By Eric Kiefer for Newark Patch

‘Here In Soul And Heart’

Bill Soloway (top photo), who lives in Pennsylvania’s Lower Makefield Township, went to the Super Bowl Sunday. His purpose was greater than to cheer on the Philadelphia Eagles, though he did that. Still, the winner of the Vince Lombardi wasn’t the announcement he most anticipated; it was whether Jim Zimmerman would win NFL’s Fan of the Year award (he didn’t). Zimmerman’s son’s heart beats in the 57-year-old Soloway’s chest, and the two became friends after the transplant in 2018, bonded over sports and attended the big game together. “It’s been quite a ride for both of us,” Soloway told Patch’s Dino Ciliberti, adding that it was if Zimmerman’s son would also be along for the adventure. “He’s not here in body,” Soloway said. “But he’s here in soul and heart.” » By Dino Ciliberti for Yardley Patch

‘Multi-Generational Labor Of Love’

Eugenia A.T. Smith, and all the Smiths who died before her, would surely approve of plans for Manor of St. George, a vast estate on Long Island filled with priceless artwork and historical documents from the Revolutionary War and surrounded by trees with roots entrenched in the foundation of the United States. Now, according to the late Ms. Smith’s wishes in 1955, the 126-acre property has been donated to the Town of Brookhaven after being held in trust for 68 years by the Furman family, whose stewardship family attorney John Scott Prudenti called “Herculean,” Patch’s Peggy Spellman Hoey reported. “It’s best described as a multi-generational labor of love,” he said. » By Peggy Spellman Hoey for Shirley-Mastic Patch

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Teen Inspires Others

Thousands of seriously ill adults and children across the Washington, D.C., area received cheerful, homemade Valentine’s Day cards, thanks to the kind heart of a 14-year-old who lives in Potomac, Maryland. Patrick Kaufmann started the project with a few dozen cards in 2021 and enlisted the help of students at several schools in 2022, culminating with about 3,000 Valentine cards. This year, the project expanded to 62 schools, with students turning out 16,000 cards. » By Mark Hand for Bethesda-Chevy Chase Patch

Love For Health Care Workers

Speaking of Valentine’s Day greetings, more than 550 handmade cards and fresh flowers were delivered to frontline health care workers at Advocate Sherman Hospital in Elgin, Illinois, a surprise made possible by state Reps. Anna Moeller and Suzanne Ness. Everyone involved was overjoyed. “It’s wonderful to see the community come together to show love and appreciation for our health care workers,” said Sheri De Shazo, president at Advocate Sherman Hospital. “These heartfelt notes and vibrant flowers provide a tangible reminder to our teammates that their dedication and compassionate care are valued.” » By Amie Schaenzer for Algonquin-Lake In The Hills Patch

Valentine’s Day Surprise

A Valentine's Day work shift was sweeter for a local PSE&G utility crew, after a customer surprised them with a heart-shaped snack. They were replacing a damaged pole and underground equipment near John Beckett’s house in Haddonfield, New Jersey, when he showed up with festively-decorated heart-shaped doughnuts as a random act of kindness. “It was kind of fun,” Beckett told Patch’s Michelle Rotuno-Johnson, adding he dropped off treats for local police, too. » By Michelle Rotuno-Johnson for Haddonfield-Haddon Township Patch

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