Welcome to the Good News Roundup for December 8, 2025
88-year-old veteran surprised with $1.7 million after viral TikTok
Eighty-eight-year-old Ed Bambas, a veteran working at a Michigan supermarket, was surprised this week with a $1.7 million USD retirement fund raised by strangers online.
The fundraiser followed a viral TikTok by Australian ‘kindness influencer’ Sam Weidenhofer, who met Bambas during his shift and shared his story, now viewed over 10 million times.
Sam explained, “I just wanted to highlight how amazing he was for working at that age. I never thought this would happen.”
Read the full story here.
‘Abbott Elementary’ star launches fund for Philly students
Quinta Brunson, creator and star of the tv show Abbott Elementary, is bringing her character’s heart to real life by launching the Quinta Brunson Field Trip Fund.
Partnering with the School District of Philadelphia, the fund will cover costs for field trips for over 117,000 students, giving them access to museums, landmarks, and experiences outside the classroom.
A Philadelphia native, Brunson said field trips “opened my world, sparked my creativity, and helped me imagine a future beyond what I saw every day.” She also donated $25,000 USD to support students facing food insecurity.
Learn more about the field trip fund here.
Poland becomes 18th EU country to ban fur farming
Poland has officially banned fur farming, ending the suffering of millions of animals and becoming the 18th European Union country to do so.
Humane World for Animals Europe called it “an historic moment for animal protection,” noting that most citizens oppose fur farming, as reflected in opinion polls and more than 76,000 petition signatures submitted to the president.
The ban will see existing fur farms close by 2034, with incentives for early closure, helping protect animals and the environment, while moving Europe closer to a cruelty-free future.
Read the full details of the ban here.
Humanitarian award for kindness campaigner
Sebbie Hall, 22, from Staffordshire, has been awarded a World Humanitarian Award for his daily acts of kindness and fundraising efforts.
Born with a rare chromosome anomaly affecting mobility, communication, and learning, Sebbie has spent the past five years making a difference through his Sebbie Hall Kindness Foundation, raising over £100,000 GBP for community causes.
His acts include donating thousands of meals to food banks, providing laptops to children, and supporting disabled young people with communication devices. He now aims to raise £1 million for an assisted living village for young people with disabilities.
Read more on Sebbie’s story here.
