Author: CNN

KYW

By Wakisha Bailey

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    PHILADELPHIA (KYW) — For Lt. Colonel Barbara George, the mission to make The Joy of Sharing with the Salvation Army possible isn’t just part of her work. It’s part of her family’s story.

Every time George buttons her Salvation Army uniform, she thinks about the path that brought her here.

“This uniform has opened so many doors for me,” George said. “It’s a reminder every single day of who I serve and why I serve.”

George has been connected to the Salvation Army her entire life — 62 years and counting. But her family’s relationship with the organization stretches back even further.

In 1934, George’s grandmother was suddenly widowed, pregnant with her seventh child and raising a family in Brooklyn with no support systems for widows.

“When she was 10, her dad died,” George said. “My grandmother was pregnant with her seventh child. It’s 1934, Brooklyn, New York. There are no services for widows.”

With few options, her grandmother turned to a small church for help — a church that would change everything.

That church was the Salvation Army.

The support George’s grandmother received sparked a lifelong connection. George’s mother grew up in that same church, fell in love with music and began serving others through it.

Her mother’s compassion and creativity shaped George’s childhood and ultimately inspired her own calling.

“I knew God was calling me to do something bigger,” George said, “and it involved giving back to people.”

Today, the Salvation Army provides far more than Sunday services. It offers meals, social services, emergency assistance, youth programs and spiritual support for families across the region.

During the holidays, their work becomes especially visible — and incredibly meaningful — through The Joy of Sharing campaign.

George and her husband, Lt. Colonel Edgar George, trade their uniforms for holiday hats this time of year, joining volunteers and officers who serve record numbers of families.

“Our officers work so hard. At every location, there are people in record numbers of need, and the need just continues to grow,” George said. “The joy of sharing, it’s something circumstances can’t touch.”

George met her husband in officer training college, and they were commissioned together in 1989. Their shared calling became a shared life.

Today, as divisional officers, they oversee toy distributions across the region — ensuring gifts arrive on time and spirits stay high.

“I’ll be down there next week handing out toys because that’s my joy, to be with the people,” George said.

Their commitment is generational. The George family’s legacy continues through their children, who also serve as Salvation Army officers. Even their grandson plays a role in holiday efforts.

What started as a single act of support for a struggling family in 1934 has grown into a multi-generational mission of service.

This holiday season, the George family’s story reminds us that compassion can echo through generations — and that the joy of sharing is one gift that never fades.

This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting.

Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

KCNC

By Christa Swanson

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    Colorado (KCNC) — Deputies came to the rescue earlier this week when an older Colorado woman fell and became trapped on the roof of a host home for patients with dementia and Alzheimer’s.

Arapahoe County deputies were called to the scene in the 6500 block of S. Lisbon Street on Thursday to find the 69-year-old woman lying on her back with her legs dangling over the edge of the roof. She was bracing herself on the gutter as two caretakers on ladders, afraid she would fall, held her in place.

Deputies climbed onto the roof and pulled her back from the edge before helping her back inside through a nearby window. Authorities said the caretakers were hanging Christmas lights when the woman opened the second-story window and walked out onto the roof, where she slipped and fell.

The sheriff’s department said the woman was not injured.

This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting.

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KCNC

By Justin Adams

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    LITTLETON, Colorado (KCNC) — As the Dakota Ridge Eagles prepare for their Football Friday matchup against Pueblo West, students at the school are earning attention for something far beyond the field.

During the recent federal government shutdown, Dakota Ridge High School was selected as one of several Jeffco Public Schools to operate as a temporary community food bank. The shutdown, the longest in U.S. history, left many families across Colorado struggling with delayed paychecks and reduced access to federal nutrition programs.

When five pallets of donated food arrived from a districtwide drive at Jeffco Stadium, more than 60 students from the school’s leadership team stepped in to help. The group unloaded, sorted, and organized everything from canned goods and kid-friendly snacks to personal hygiene items.

“It makes me feel good knowing that it’s not just the football team or the baseball team. Everybody is getting involved in this school,” said Breck Inmaynes, the senior class president.

Students worked for more than an hour and a half to transfer the donations from the trucks into the school, establishing a system that allows families to pick up supplies twice a week. The food bank is open on Mondays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. and again from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Any items not claimed at the school are donated to a nearby food pantry.

For many of the students who volunteered, the project was personal.

“Nothing but joy,” said student body president Jaxson Arnold. “Just knowing that what we’re doing is helping somebody else, it just makes you happy.”

The students say they plan to continue running the food bank even with the shutdown over, hoping to support neighbors who are still recovering from lost wages and unexpected financial strain.

“It makes a massive difference,” said student body president Caiden Dixon. “Any way we could help, we wanted to.”

Dakota Ridge High School, located in southwest Jefferson County, has a long history of community involvement. Staff members say the student-led food bank has become a point of pride for the school, and a reminder that the spirit of teamwork extends well beyond Friday nights under the lights.

This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate partner and does not contain original CNN reporting.

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WCCO

By John Lauritsen

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    MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota (WCCO) — As a child, she fled Ukraine during a war. Now at the age of 92, a Minneapolis woman is looking to return to her homeland and into another war.

Nadia Pishko’s childhood was about survival. Growing up in Lviv, Ukraine, she experienced mass starvation in the 1930s. And during World War II, she and her family fled the country as the Germans and Russians closed in. But her heart never left her homeland.

“How do you say it? The door never closed. The door never closed,” said Nadia Pishko.

She eventually made her way to Minneapolis where she and her husband raised four kids. Now, at the age of 92, she’s looking to return to Ukraine.

“I want to go and stay there before I die,” said Nadia Pishko.

A debilitating stroke in February has added urgency to Pishko’s wish. Her parents and her husband are buried in Lviv, which has felt the impact of the Russian and Ukrainian War.

“We said, ‘Mom, are you sure you really want to go because remember there is a war going on there?’ She goes, ‘You know, I left during a war, and I’ll be going back during a war,'” said Julian Pishko, Nadia Pishko’s son. “She really wanted to go and she started crying. She got very emotional about it.”

Nadia Pishko still has cousins there and she remembers the beauty of the country, before war took over. Her family bought her a plane ticket, and she’s planning to leave later this month.

The journey back won’t be easy. In addition to all the paperwork needed to make this happen, there’s no direct route to Nadia Pishko’s hometown.

“We are going from Iceland to Copenhagen, to Warsaw and then we are going to take a train from Warsaw to Ukraine,” said Howard Dotson.

Dotson is a chaplain and fellow church member who will be accompanying Nadia Pishko on her return home. They are currently looking for care centers around Lviv where she can stay.

“Her stories and her testimony as a refugee can inspire so many Ukrainians that have been on that journey,” said Dotson.

A homecoming more than 80 years in the making. A final trip to fulfill a lifelong dream.

“She is really determined to be there and die there. That’s what she really wants,” said Julian Pishko.

Pishko is scheduled to fly out on Nov. 23.

This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting.

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KTVT

By J.D. Miles

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    ADDISON, Texas (KTVT) — Throughout the month of November, North Texans are making special blankets for a project to help kids in pain. It’s based on an idea and personal experience of a TCU student.

When the inevitable pain sets in, Miller Kerr reaches for a fleece blanket that offers more comfort than any medicine.

“There are days that I can’t get out of bed, but I may need help showering or that I need help walking,” said Kerr.

The 22-year-old suffers from a rare condition called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, first diagnosed after a minor sports injury as a child.

“It was originally just a deep bruise to the thigh, and 6 weeks later, I lost the ability to walk, and I thought my life was over,” Kerr said. “I became extremely depressed and suicidal.”

She and 200,000 other Americans live with recurring bouts of pain that subside but never really go away.

A fleece blanket donated to the hospital where she was treated as a 10-year-old gave her hope.

“That was one of the hardest and darkest times in my life,” said Kerr. “When I got that blanket, I felt special. I felt like somebody was rooting for me.”

Through her organization, called Burning Hope, Miller wants to bring that same encouragement to other kids with CRPS by promoting a month of blanket parties, including one on Wednesday night at Venue Forty in Addison.

The TCU student has already donated over 600 blankets to hospitals across the U.S. that are made of a type of fleece that’s easier for pain sufferers to snuggle up to.

“For instance, even air, a feather to the affected limb can hurt, and so the fleece that we use is very soft,” Kerr said.

Kerr still cherishes her blanket and hopes they will help others cope with the pain.

“As well as that symbol of comfort and knowing that somebody else out somewhere in the world is caring for them, said Kerr.

This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting.

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KCNC

By Tori Mason

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    COLORADO (KCNC) — An 8-year-old Coloradan is turning his love for hockey into a way to help other kids get on the ice, especially the children of veterans.

Luke Grahame grew up in a hockey family. His grandmother worked for the Avalanche. His dad played professionally and won a Stanley Cup. His older brothers play, too.

Before he was old enough to lace up skates, he spent a lot of time in rinks watching his brothers’ practices. He’d play tag or throw tennis balls off the wall just to stay entertained. One day, frustrated, he told his mom, “I’m tired of just being a rink dude.” That’s when something clicked. Luke and his mom, Niki, turned that moment into a mission — and Rink Dude was born.

“We thought maybe we could print a hat that said Rink Dude just for him,” Niki said. “Then we thought, what if he sold a few and helped other kids who want to play hockey but can’t afford it?”

Hockey is one of the most expensive youth sports. Between gear, ice time and team fees, many families can’t afford to even start. Luke didn’t like the idea of kids missing out.

“It feels kind of sad,” he said. “Hockey is really fun. I want to help kids play.”

He started selling “Rink Dude” merch and sharing donation cards linked to nonprofits like Hockey Unlimited, which provide equipment, ice time, and support to young athletes. And last week alone, Luke raised more than $3,000.

This week, for Veterans Day, he’s focusing his giving even more to the United Heroes League. The UHL is a nonprofit that keeps military kids active by providing gear, camps, grants and special experiences.

“Our goal is $5,000 to raise for kids of veterans,” Luke said. “Veterans are heroes. They fight for our country. We wouldn’t have this country if we didn’t have them.”

His mom says the idea didn’t surprise her.

“It made me feel really proud,” she said. “He gets to feel the joy of helping others while doing something he loves. And it teaches the importance of giving back to the hockey community that’s given so much to us.”

Luke says the best part isn’t selling merch, it’s knowing another kid is stepping onto the ice because of him.

“It makes me feel good and kind of happy,” he said.

“I’m the youngest in my family, but I have a brand and they don’t,” he added proudly. “They still treat me like the little one, though. A lot.”

You can donate directly to United Heroes League, or visit the Rink Dude Instagram page @rinkdude for more information.

This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate partner and does not contain original CNN reporting.

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KTVT

By Lacey Beasley

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    NORTH TEXAS (KTVT) — A revolutionary way of education is in North Texas, and most people don’t know about it. Two private schools are powered by artificial intelligence teachers.

It’s called Alpha School for grades K-8, and it’s the most expensive private school in Texas. One campus is in Plano, where the cost of enrollment is $50,000, and the other is in Fort Worth, where it’s $40,000.

Alpha School has locations nationwide. There are four campuses in Texas, with another campus set to open this year in Houston. Its flagship is in Austin, then there’s Plano, Fort Worth and Brownsville.

Alpha School leaders claim their model fixes faults in traditional education and the technology does things humans can’t.

“Alpha School is the future of education,” said Samantha DePalo. DePalo has been called a teacher for nearly 15 years, but at Alpha School, she goes by something else. She’s now called a guide and essentially supervises the students.

The Fort Worth campus is tucked in a small room of a rec center, and students are taught by AI teachers on their laptops.

“It’s not like an AI person on the other end,” said DePalo. “It is just these lessons and questions that are being generated exactly for them.”

Kate Johanns with the Association of Texas Professional Educators is skeptical of this AI model. ATPE is the largest community of public educators in Texas with 70,000 members.

“I think with an experience like that, it may work well in some instances, but I think the benefit of a good teacher is the ability to differentiate instruction,” said Johanns. “The other thing that I think AI might miss is the ability to form relationships with parents.”

DePalo is confident in Alpha School’s model and believes it’s the way of the future.

“You cannot teach every single student exactly what they need every moment, you just can’t as a human being,” said DePalo. “That’s better left, in my opinion, to the technology.”

Below is a Q&A with CBS News Texas lead education reporter Lacey Beasley, DePalo and Jacob Vandercook, a seventh grader who attends Alpha School.

DePalo: “I don’t have to teach out of a textbook or an online curriculum. I don’t have to teach to a test and say, ‘you must get these questions right.'”

Beasley: “Well, do you teach?”

DePalo: “At Alpha School? No, I don’t teach at all. Well, what I should say is what I’m designing are workshops.”

No teaching, but at Alpha School, leaders claimed students will learn twice as much in only two hours of core subject instructional time per day, taught by AI.

When students have a question, they do not raise their hands and ask the guides. Instead, students schedule online appointments with human teachers on their laptops and ask them the questions.

The other six hours of their school day are spent off technology.

Students participate in what they call ‘life skill workshops.’ It focuses on teaching things like perseverance and independence, which Alpha School leaders believe traditional education does not teach.

Vandercook: “This workshop was about balance. Balance in our lives, minds, school, work, food, anything.”

Beasley: “Would you rather be in school or on vacation?”

Vandercook: “I would rather be in school. Alpha is the best of the best.”

DePalo: “We have nine enrolled. We have a few more starting in January.”

Beasley: “Oh, nine? Single digit nine?”

DePalo: “Single digit nine right now.”

Beasley: “The classroom that we were in, is that the whole school?”

DePalo: “As of right now, yes.”

Beasley: “If there is such a high paywall, an education like this is not accessible to everyone. Why does it cost so much?”

DePalo: “A couple of reasons. Alpha School is a high-end private school. I will say as teachers, as guides, we are paid a very livable wage. Teachers start at $100,000.”

This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate partner and does not contain original CNN reporting.

Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.