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Steve Hartman's 2023 "On the Road" stories

CBS Evening News・2 minutes read

An 11-year-old received a grand piano as a gift from a kind stranger, leading to professional lessons and a promise of lifetime tuning. Fifth-graders raised funds for adaptive playground equipment, inspiring them to help other schools in the district.

Insights

Jude Kofi, an 11-year-old from Aurora, Colorado, received a grand piano as a surprise gift from Bill Magnus, a piano tuner, who was impressed by Jude's musical talent and promised to tune the piano monthly for life.
A group of fifth-grade students at Glen Lake Elementary in Hopkins, Minnesota, raised $300,000 to purchase adaptive playground equipment for their school through various efforts, inspiring them to extend their support to other schools in the district.
Josiah Johnson, a 13-year-old from Louisville, Kentucky, born without legs, defied odds to make his middle school basketball team, showcasing his determination and skill beyond physical limitations.
Nick Maus advocates for the foster care system by donating a portion of the profits from burrito sales, inspired by Miranda to start with small acts of kindness, leading to a passion for charity and generosity.

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Recent questions

How did a group of fifth-grade students raise funds?
By collecting spare change and holding bake sales.

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Summary

00:00

Young Achievers Inspire with Acts of Kindness

Jude Kofi, an 11-year-old from Aurora, Colorado, received a grand piano as a surprise gift from Bill Magnus, a piano tuner.
Jude's father, Isaiah, discovered Jude's musical talent when he heard him play on an old keyboard in the basement.
Bill Magnus, impressed by Jude's talent, bought a grand piano worth $115,000 and promised to tune it monthly for life.
Bill also arranged for Jude to receive professional piano lessons, ensuring his musical development.
A group of fifth-grade students at Glen Lake Elementary in Hopkins, Minnesota, raised $300,000 to purchase adaptive playground equipment for their school.
The students' efforts, including collecting spare change, holding bake sales, and cold-calling businesses, culminated in reaching their fundraising goal.
Inspired by their success, the students now aim to provide adaptive playground equipment for other schools in the district.
Josiah Johnson, a 13-year-old from Louisville, Kentucky, born without legs, defied odds to make his middle school basketball team.
Josiah's determination and skill on the basketball court earned him a spot on the team, showcasing his abilities beyond physical limitations.
Peter and Lisa Marshall of Andover, Connecticut, found renewed love and joy amidst Peter's battle with early-onset Alzheimer's, culminating in a heartwarming wedding ceremony.

17:43

Acts of Kindness and Inspiration: True Stories

Nick Maus advocates for the foster care system by donating a portion of the prophets from burrito sales.
Miranda inspired Nick's selfless transformation by suggesting he start with holding a door for someone.
Nick's act of holding doors led to a passion for kindness and charity.
Tiffany Eert, an army widow, fulfills her late husband's wish by pursuing education despite challenges.
Richard Phillips, a wrongly incarcerated artist, finds success through his artwork after being exonerated.
John Scully, a basketball referee, survives a heart attack thanks to Miles Copeland's CPR.
Teens from Canterbury School in Florida volunteer to help seniors at Brookdale Senior Living with technology.
Weatherbe Elementary students in Maine become state chess champions with the guidance of custodian David Bishop.
Delaney secretly prepares to donate her kidney to her father, John, who initially refused her help.
Jenny Shren, an 80-year-old retired teacher, forms a pen-pal friendship with Lamar Johnson, a prisoner serving a life sentence.

35:27

Acts of Kindness and Heroic Deeds

Jenny corresponded with Lamar for two decades, believing in his innocence, which was confirmed after 28 years by the Midwest Innocence Project.
Lamar, exonerated at 49, embraced freedom by doing things he couldn't in prison, like visiting friends and hugging trees.
Katrina Mullen, a nurse at Community Hospital North in Indianapolis, went above and beyond for triplets and their teenage mother, showering them with gifts and support.
Katrina continued to care for the babies even after they were discharged, showing immense love and dedication.
Katrina's act of kindness led to the adoption of the teenage mother, who now plans to attend college, showcasing the impact of compassion.
Melody Maro received personalized drawings on her billing statements, which brought her immense joy and comfort during her physical therapy.
Emily Margolus, an accounting clerk, created original art on Melody's billing envelopes, showcasing the healing power of kindness.
Dylan Reeves, a seventh-grader, heroically took control of a school bus when the driver had a medical emergency, showcasing the importance of situational awareness.
Alan Mosi, an 89-year-old gravedigger, was celebrated for his 70-year career and selfless acts of kindness towards his community.
Rahan Staten, a Harvard Law student, founded a nonprofit to celebrate and honor the support staff at the school, highlighting the importance of recognition and appreciation.

53:47

Acts of Kindness Inspire Hope and Resilience

A man found a homeless guy sleeping in his old car, leading to a repeated issue of the homeless man returning due to the unlocked door.
The man, Roderick, decided to build a relationship with the homeless man, Brian Taylor, by making him coffee and helping him with clothes, an ID, and job interviews.
Despite Brian's gratitude, he sometimes fails to follow rules or maintain trust, leading Roderick to give him multiple chances.
Roderick emphasizes the importance of patience and second chances, believing in Brian's potential for a brighter future.
Another story involves a man named Ben Taylor befriending a stranger, Joel, from Liberia, helping him sell a booklet about his life to earn money.
Ben also assists a woman, Chica Ory, who needed surgery, proving that some seemingly scammy requests can be genuine.
A teenager, Xavier Jones, walked 6 miles to receive his diploma, impressing the school president who awarded him a full scholarship.
An 83-year-old man, Larry Kingsley, plays the trumpet on the street to raise money for Alzheimer's research in honor of his late wife.
An 11-year-old girl, Paisley Garder, idolizes Michael McDonald and gets to meet him backstage at a concert, showcasing the power of music appreciation.
A 103-year-old lobster woman, Virginia Oliver, continues lobstering for her 95th season, displaying resilience and determination.

01:11:26

"Antique Washing Machine Collection Seeks Museum"

Lee Maxwell has collected a vast number of antique washing machines, leading to the need for multiple warehouses to store them.
The collection began innocently with a farm auction, resulting in around 1,500 different machines in his possession.
Lee's dilemma now revolves around finding a suitable home to preserve the collection, hoping for a benefactor like Bill Gates to establish a proper Museum.
Despite efforts to find a benefactor, Lee's collection has only grown, with dozens of new machines added over the years.
Elizabeth and Jake's wedding day faced a dramatic interruption when a nearby cottage caught fire, forcing them to evacuate their reception.
Thanks to the kindness of strangers and volunteers, their reception was salvaged, and the couple was able to celebrate their anniversary with their baby Owen.
Craig Reagan, diagnosed with ALS, found solace in memories of his 73 Ford Mustang, which friends restored for him, providing a sense of gratitude and joy.
Jaylen Gray's life took a challenging turn after his mother's death, but with the help of a nonprofit, his house was renovated, and he was supported in returning to college.
Reed Moon, a former school bus driver, formed deep bonds with his students, officiating many of their weddings and leaving a lasting impact on their lives.
Doris Caldwell, a housekeeper at a hospital for 50 years, exemplifies the spirit of American workers with her dedication and positive attitude, inspiring those around her.

01:29:18

Stories of Love, Friendship, and Resilience

Marvin Jones, a 75-year-old, returned to his old high school in Virginia after decades, where he faced racial discrimination during desegregation.
Marvin wrote letters to former classmates detailing the pain they caused him, with one letter to Paul being well-received, leading to a friendship.
Marvin and Paul's friendship blossomed, leading to a ceremony honoring the Brunswick 15, symbolizing their reconciliation and acceptance.
Andrew Carr, a climber, embarked on a unique challenge to climb the highest point in every county in Florida, using maps and apps for guidance.
John AAL fatano held onto a chicken egg with a note for 70 years, eventually connecting with the original writer, Mary Foss, after posting about it online.
Peggy Wincowski hosts a weekly breakfast for students in honor of her late grandson, Sam, fostering healing and community among the students.
Sonia White, a teacher, created a pretend flight to Mexico for her first-grade students, showcasing the power of imagination and creativity in education.
The Bryant family honors Army Sergeant Jack Bryant Jr. every Veterans Day, passing down his memory through rituals and traditions to the younger generations.
Doris Kirks and Carl Krauss, both 96, found love and got married at Cedar Lake Village Senior Living Center in Kansas, becoming America's oldest newlyweds after a rivalry turned into romance.

01:47:08

Stories of perseverance, generosity, and kindness.

Steve Hartman shares a story about a man named Carl showing a larger apartment to Doris, sealing the deal with a walk-in closet, and expressing dedication to a happy marriage.
Zach England, born without hands or feet, pursued his dream of becoming a pilot, facing multiple rejections before finally being accepted by the Spartan College of Aeronautics in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Despite FAA rejections, Zach persisted, eventually graduating from Flight School and now teaches others, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and overcoming trials.
Dwayne Isaac facilitated the distribution of a $13 million estate left by Terry Khan, a frugal man who lived modestly but generously, benefiting numerous nonprofits in Indianapolis, including Teachers Treasures.
Students under Derek Brown's guidance in Phoenix raised $88,000 through a Secret Santa club, impacting lives by giving to those in need, learning the joy of giving and the power of kindness.

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