We never know when we will do something greater. But it usually happens when we least expect it. When John Kinney turned up at Gloria Scott's house in Woburn, Massachusetts, he thought he was there to repair the 72-year-old woman's lights.

After completing the job, John went home, but he kept thinking about Gloria and a lot of other repairs much needed-pipe damage, holes in the ceiling dangerous front steps, the leaking roof and so on. She told him that she lived alone and felt lonely.

John decided to take action. Even though he couldn't rebuild her whole house, he could make it safe and livable for her. He worked on Gloria's home by himself for free before getting some friends and volunteers involved. But there were so many repairs needed, so he looked for more help online, with a simple description of the situation: "Nice old lady needs help. "In just 24 hours, $3, 500 was already raised. And he also had loads of volunteers turning up to lend a helping hand.

While this all has been going on, Gloria has enjoyed watching the process and getting to know the volunteers. She's been here by herself for over 10 years, so it's a big change for her. She's so happy and has got all types of new friends. She's out here making lunch for these kind volunteers, laughing and joking. It's just a miracle to witness. Meanwhile, John's whole family have formed a special bond with the 72-year-old woman. Even all the repairs done, John continues visiting. “She reminds me of my grandmother,” he said. “It doesn't stop here. Gloria is a part of my life.”

About 12 years ago, Sandy Cambron noticed her mother, Pearl Walker, had become quiet after she moved into a nursing home for patients of Alzheimer's disease in Kentucky.

“We tried everything — photos, old stories — but nothing worked,” she said. “It was really hard for everyone to see how she had changed.” Then one day while Sandy was in a toy store, she had an idea: Why not give Pearl a baby doll so she could feel as if she were caring for something again? And why not give one to all the other care center seniors?

As soon as Sandy gave Pearl the doll, her mother's face lit up. “She started talking again and she never went anywhere without that baby,” Sandy said. “She took 'baby' to the dining room with her and slept with her in her arms every night. When she passed away a year later, we even buried her with that well-loved baby doll.”

In the following 10 years, Sandy and her husband, Wayne Cambron, continued to buy dolls and hand them out to the elderly of care centers near their home every New Year. Now Pearl's Memory Babies is a nonprofit (非营利) organization that has contributed more than 300 dolls to old people with Alzheimer's disease at nursing homes since February 2018.

Last year, Sandy posted New Year’s photos on Facebook, all of which are about seniors reacting to dolls that she and Wayne sent to a local nursing home. The post was shared more than 210,000 times overnight. People gave almost $15,000 online. That helped the group buy many dolls.

“The dolls offer treatment and comfort,” said Elise Hinchman, who works at a care center in Kentucky, "Some seniors cry when they get a doll. And they always rock and talk to their dolls. People with Alzheimer might lose their memories, but they don't lose their ability to love.”

Want to support animals in need? Here are three ways to show them some love.

Grounds & Hounds

When you buy any item from Jordan Karcher’s coffee company, Grounds & Hounds, part of the proceeds (收入) go to animal shelters near you. In 2015, Grounds & Hounds’ donations helped partners provide blankets, food and services for about 2,000 rescue animals.

Tel: 888-228-8914

E-mail: info @ groundsand hounds coffee.com

Fetch Eyewear and the Pixie Project

In 2004, Ann Sacks founded Fetch Eyewear, a company that sells stylish frames at affordable prices. Three years later, she launched the Pixie Project—a nonprofit project that offers free and low-cost treatment of animal diseases and injuries and rescues pets from overloaded shelters across the country—and 100 percent of Fetch’s profits now benefit the charity. To date, the two organizations have helped with more than 5,000 pet adoptions and about 1,000 surgeries (外科手术).

Adoption: 503-542-3433

Fax: 503-542-3437

Fur for the Animals

Fur for the Animals, run by the animal advocacy group Born Free USA, is a campaign (open through December 31) that collects unwanted furs and donates them to wildlife rehabilitation (康复) centers. The furs are used by injured creatures that need to feel cozy and comforted. More than 1,000 pounds of furs have already made their way to animals in need throughout the U.S.

Tel: 011-5952- 5440