Here’s a link to Bob Welch’s blog in the RegisterGuard.  We’re providing this link because Welch is running a three-part story that is just incredible.  

An anonymous donor gave Welch $1,000 with the requirement that every cent be given away in random acts of kindness.  Welch is documenting the different acts (from a hot meal for a homeless man to bus far to helping buy groceries) and the reactions are priceless.

In these tough times, the reminder that something as simple as 20 dollars can mean so much to someone else.

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Check out this piece from the Trib.  It profiles Greg Oden’s intense and personal dedication to serving his local community.  Even better, this isn’t some show he’s putting on for the camera’s . . . this type of service has been a part of Oden’s M-O for years.

Go Rip City

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This story out of the Register Guard offers a more personal look at the families being helped by charities like Toys for Tots.  

While the story is a bit of a tear jerker, look a bit deeper at the figures.  Despite the economic crash, Toys for Tots met their goal of 30,000 toys this year.  Their biggest problem is getting the toys to the families in need. . . not a bad problem to have, eh?

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Officers in Marion and Polk counties took to the Wal Mart aisles once again this year for the annual Shop with a Cop program.

460 kids were paired with an officer and a $25.00 gift card, allowing the young participants the opportunity to pick out gifts for themselves and their loved ones.

Beyond the presents, officers love Shop with a Cop because it gives them a chance to interact with at-risk kids in a friendly manner.  Many of these children only see police officers in negative situations so this program provides an opportunity for kids to see that the police are their friend and there to help

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The latest GoodNews Update has been posted for your enjoyment.  While the snow pours down, take five minutes and enjoy some GOOD news

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I’m sorry.  Even in our mid-20’s, finding out at 5 PM on a Sunday night that the powers that be are declaring a snow day on Monday is AWESOME.  

Every district in the Portland Metro Area and Vicinity is shut down tomorrow and most companies are keeping their doors shuttered.  Hot Chocolate and a Grilled Cheese Sandwich anyone?

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Are you hunkered down in your home, stack of DVDs ready to be watched, enjoying the gentle falling of the flakes as they pile up outside your house?  or, are you staring at a fridge full of spoiled milk and rotten fruit with nothng to watch bu Friends reruns?

See, if you signed up for the News You Can Use feature, TWO warnings about the impending blizzards would have popped up in your inbox.  Do you want to be stuck next time?  Just e-mail news@goodnewspdx.com  with “News You Can Use” in the subject line.  We’ll handle the rest.

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There are 138 “small towns” in the US according to Farmer’s Insurance.  And out of all 138, Corvallis Oregon is the safest.

Farmers bases the verdict on things like air quality, foreclosures, crime stats, extreme weather, risk of a natural disaster, life expectancy and job loss numbers.  Each town’s population had to be under 150,000.

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Here’s a great piece out of the Register Guard.  Apparently it’s tradition at Willamette High School to host local Senior Citizen’s for an annual Holiday breakfast including musical entertainment by the students themselves.

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Shop lifters should be advised not to try running off with major electronics in the Roseburg area any time soon.  The thing is, not only will you face security from the store from which you’re thieving . . . but the odds are good other stores will join in the hunt to protect their retail brethern.

Don’t believe us?  Ask 26-year-old Kelly McKelvey.  McKelvey, allegedly, tried to steal a TV set from the Roseburg Wal-Mart (we believe he had it in a shopping cart and was not simply carrying it out the door).  When Wal-Mart workers gave chase, some nearby stores including Sherm’s grocery and the Red Robin restaurant took notice . . . and THEIR employees pursued as well.  Soon bystanders were, racing after McKelvey in a scene reminiscent of the cross country marathon run by Forest Gump.

McKelvey reportedly ditched the set and gave himself up when threatened with a police stun gun.  Besides theft charges, he’s charged with possession of heroin and violating parole.

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