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A nonprofit marked a huge milestone—its 5,000th adoption—after helping unite three brothers at risk of separation with a new forever family.

‘Gift Of Adoption’ Marks 5,000th Child Given A Home–Covering The Fees To Keep Siblings Together

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"I was given the opportunity to have the American Dream!" 

Watch: He Escaped Communism In Vietnam, Honors U.S. Soldiers Who Sacrificed For Him And Others

detroit-students-build-a-house-then-deliver-it-by-truck-for-low-income-housing

The program, which includes working alongside tradesmen, prepares the students for their own careers in construction and carpentry

Detroit Students Build a House–Then Deliver it By Truck For Low Income Housing

87-year-old-crossing-guard-retires-after-55-years-and-gets-a-sweet-send-off

87-year-old crossing guard retires after 55 years of service

Young students celebrated their school crossing guard Sandra Bellew, who is retiring.

87-Year-Old Crossing Guard Retires After 55 Years And Gets A Sweet Send-Off

hit-with-cancer-and-homelessness-former-teacher-now-has-an-apartment-and-lifelong-friend

“When I ran out of money, I was evicted from my home of 14 years. I was looking at the reality of nowhere to go, except for sleeping at a bus stop.”

Hit With Cancer & Homelessness, Former Teacher Now Has an Apartment And Lifelong Friend

paralyzed-23-year-old-relearns-to-walk-and-climbs-mount-hood

A bodysurfing accident last year paralyzed Vishal Shukla at 23 years old from the waist down, but just over a year later he climbed to the top of Mount Hood.

Paralyzed 23-Year-Old Relearns To Walk... And Climbs Mount Hood

animal-shelter-trying-to-help-its-longest-resident-find-a-home

This sweet boy as been passed over for the last four years.

Animal Shelter Trying To Help Its Longest Resident Find A Home

mom-reunites-with-first-responder-who-saved-her-sons-life

Taveras family meets first responders who saved their 2-year-old

“I just want to say thank you. You guys are truly angels. God sent you guys for a reason.” 

Mom Reunites With First Responder Who Saved Her Son's Life

watch-food-bank-offers-culturally-familiar-foods-for-arriving-migrants

Specific types of rice and beans, corn husks, masa flour, chili peppers, plantain chips, and tortillas are now regular staples, alongside travel snacks.

To help them feel at home as they transition to life in a new place

Watch: Food Bank Offers 'Culturally Familiar' Foods For Arriving Migrants

portlands-stephen-zipprich-north-americas-911-dispatcher-of-the-year

Attendees heard the dramatic audio recording of Zipprich assisting a caller who had attempted to harm herself and expressed regret. Zipprich remained focused on proper procedure yet was also compassionate 

Portland's Stephen Zipprich 'North America's 911 Dispatcher Of The Year'

george-clooneys-fathers-historic-church-project-honors-life-of-freed-slave-who-freed-others

A former slave living in Ripley, Ohio, would work in darkness to free hundreds of enslaved people.

George Clooney's Father's Historic Church Project Honors Life Of Freed Slave Who Freed Others

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) — Tom Hanks told graduates of Harvard Universityto be superheroes in their defense of truth and American ideals, and to resist those who twist the truth for their own gain.“For the truth to some is no longer empirical. It's no longer based on data, nor common sense, nor even common decency," said the two-time Academy Award winner during his keynote address. He invoked the Latin word for truth is “veritas,” Harvard’s motto.“Telling the truth is no longer the benchmark for public service," he said. "It’s no longer the salve to our fears, or the guide to our actions. Truth is now considered malleable, by opinion and by zero sum endgames."That left the more than 9,000 graduates at Harvard's 372nd commencement with a choice to make, said the Hollywood icon, who has played an astronaut, a soldier, a little boy in a man's body and even a Harvard professor in a decades-long movie career.“It’s the same option for all grownups who have to decide to be one of three types of Americans: Those who embrace liberty and freedom for all; those who won’t; or those who are indifferent," he said. “Only the first do the work of creating a more perfect union, a nation indivisible. The others get in the way."Near the end of the speech, he drove the point home to a group that included not just undergraduates but those who graduated from Harvard’s professional and extension schools.<figure class="image text-center"><img src="https://cdn.corpemf.com/news/57660.jpg" alt="Graduating Harvard University students celebrate their graduate degrees in public policy during Harvard commencement ceremonies"><figcaption>[Photo Credit: AP Photo/Steven Senne] Graduating Harvard University students celebrate their graduate degrees in public policy during Harvard commencement ceremonies</figcaption></figure>“The responsibility is yours. Ours. The effort is optional. But the truth, the truth is sacred. Unalterable. Chiseled into the stone and the foundation of our republic,” he said.Hanks, who was awarded an honorary doctor of arts degree, poked fun at his own lack of academic credentials on a stage filled with some of the world's brightest minds and most accomplished scientists.“It’s not fair, but please don’t be embittered by this fact,” Hanks said. “Now, without having done a lick of work, without having spent any time in class, without once walking into that library — in order to have anything to do with the graduating class of Harvard, its faculty, or its distinguished alumni — I make a ____ good living playing someone who did," he said in reference to his depiction of fictional Harvard professor Robert Langdon in three movies based on Dan Brown’s novels — “The Da Vinci Code,” “Angels &amp; Demons” and “Inferno.”“It’s the way of the world, kids,” he said to a chorus of laughter.<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn.corpemf.com/news/57661.jpg" alt="Actor Tom Hanks, center, greets people as he walks in a procession though Harvard Yard "><figcaption>[Photo Credit: AP Photo/Steven Senne] Actor Tom Hanks, center, greets people as he walks in a procession though Harvard Yard</figcaption></figure>Before Hanks headed to the podium to give his speech, Harvard President Lawrence Bacow, presiding over his last commencement before stepping down, called Hanks, “Wilson's bestie, Buzz's buddy, Ryan's savior, America's dad," and presented him with a Harvard volleyball, in tribute to his role in “Cast Away,” where to stay sane his character talks to an old volleyball.<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn.corpemf.com/news/57659.jpg" alt="Actor Tom Hanks examines a ball as part of a spoof during Harvard University commencement exercises on the school"><figcaption>[Photo Credit: AP Photo/Steven Senne] Actor Tom Hanks examines a ball as part of a spoof during Harvard University commencement exercises on the school's campus</figcaption></figure>Hanks proved to be the most popular person on stage, posing for selfies with faculty members before the ceremony and giving congratulatory fist bumps to dozens of Harvard students who graduated summa cum laude.“May goodness and mercy follow you all the days," he said, referencing a biblical verse. “All the days of your lives. Godspeed."<blockquote><figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn.corpemf.com/news/57662.jpg" alt="Actor Tom Hanks delivers a commencement address during Harvard University"><figcaption>[Photo Credit: AP Photo/Steven Senne] Actor Tom Hanks delivers a commencement address during Harvard University</figcaption></figure></blockquote>

tom-hanks-urges-harvard-grads-defend-truth-and-resist-indifference

“May goodness and mercy follow you all the days..."

“For the truth to some is no longer empirical. It's no longer based on data, nor common sense, nor even common decency."

Tom Hanks Urges Harvard Grads: Defend Truth & Resist Indifference

butterfly-populations-grew-by-200-higher-in-people-s-gardens-than-in-other-habitats

There was also an increase in butterfly populations across the wider countryside but on average the increases seen in gardens were bigger.

Butterfly Populations Grew By 200% Higher In People’s Gardens Than In Other Habitats

big-white-dogs-save-the-world-s-smallest-penguin-in-australia

Big white dog looking after two little penguins

A local chicken farmer named Swampy Marsh had no professional background in conservation, but what he did understand how to outfox foxes

Big White Dogs Save The World’s Smallest Penguin In Australia

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