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“The simple act of caring is heroic” -- Edward Albert
Hello Everyone! We know that when we care about something or someone and show kindness, it has the potential to strengthen bonds and deepen love. Too often, we underestimate how a smile, a listening ear, or an honest compliment has the power to turn a life around. In our stories this week, we learn about a baker in England, who offers his ovens at no cost, to help others bake holiday bread and stay warm; bagfuls of fallen leaves that are picked up by those in the community for a disabled neighbor; and a public library in Finland that is fostering human convergence. May we take heart in all the heroic offerings of care happening throughout our world. And may this week bring you and your loved ones, hope, love and peace!
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DDP | Unsplash
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Like in many other parts of the world, food prices and energy costs recently hit a new high in England. After one of his customer's was shocked at the price of the ingredients needed for fruit cake, which is commonly gifted during the holiday season and takes hours to bake, he had the idea of offering his bakery oven free of charge to his community. His service even includes free pick up and drop off of the fruit cakes as customers' homes. And he had another offer - the bakery oven is running all day long and produces a lot of heat, which warms a sitting room right above it. So the bakery owner offered the space as a free sitting room for people to come in from the cold, free of charge, to enjoy a cup of tea, read a book or just relax in the warmth.
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Peter Glaser | Unsplash
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Japan's World Cup soccer team not only cleaned up their dressing room after matches but also left a thank you note for the host. Likewise, Japanese fans were seen in the stands cleaning up after games. Not only did the Japanese capture hearts with fantastically played soccer during the cup, but they also inspired their hosts and the world by being caring and thoughtful guests.
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Muzammil Soorma | Unsplash
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Researchers at MIT developed an ultra-thin and scalable solar cell that can attach to any surface. The team used nanomaterials that are printable inks. These solar cells could be the first step to power-generating clothing and could also help provide power during disaster relief operations. The next challenge is to find a way to protect these solar cells from environmental forces while keeping them lightweight and flexible.
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Mary Leach
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Kristene Whitehouse was walking with her dog when someone put a message in her mailbox: "Clean up your yard leaves!!" Born with several missing fingers, vision, and acuity problems, and on a fixed income, she felt demeaned and powerless. Whitehouse, 53, who has owned her home in Billerica, Mass., US, for 17 years, shared the note with a Facebook group called Billerica Residents. Cheryl Wesinger went over the next day with a rake and lawn mower and filled up about 10 bags of leaves. But when a family illness meant she couldn't continue, she contacted Mary Leach, who runs the Beautify Billerica Facebook group. That weekend, a dozen people arrived with rakes and leaf blowers and filled 79 bags with leaves. They also trimmed the hedges. Whitehouse said she is so touched by what her neighbors did for her.
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Risto Rimppi
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Helsinki, Finland, built a public library called Oodi that opened in 2018 and it isn't your average library; it is a blueprint for fostering human convergence. Since opening, Oodi has begun to write a new chapter in the history of public space. Instead of being merely a repository for books, it is an alternative working and learning space, a cultural and community center, and a platform for democracy and citizen initiatives. Anyone can enter and use the facilities, many of which are free, without needing to provide ID. The country's flagship library aims to "embrace technology and progressive values" to provide a variety of innovative services alongside its lending collection of books. In fact, the 17,250-square-meter building contains a relatively small number of books – around 100,000. Two thirds of its space is dedicated to public amenities including a cinema, recording studios, a maker space, and areas for hosting exhibitions and events. The library's success is the result of more than two decades of participatory planning and consultation that put the public at the center of the discussion.
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