ACROSS AMERICA — Most teachers are hardwired to go the extra mile to help a student thrive in ways that aren't addressed in their job descriptions. What a Virginia school teacher is doing for one of her former students goes far beyond offering extra help with tutoring or a sympathetic ear.

A former student suffered multiple organ failure and bleeding in the brain at birth. Her other organs eventually recovered, but her kidneys did not. She's been on and off dialysis her entire life.

Read more about this in Mark Hand's originally reported story on Leesburg, Virginia, Patch: Teacher Takes Part In Kidney Exchange For Former Student

Teachers are an inspiring group, and Wolf Cukier no doubt got plenty of it along the way. The Scarsdale, New York, kid was in his third day of an internship at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland when he made a startling discovery: a previously unknown planet about the size of Neptune or Saturn. Read more about that in Michael Woyton's story from Scarsdale, New York, Patch.

It took him the better part of a year and the help of internet strangers, friends, family and the Coolidge Corner Theatre, but Lee Loechler made a proposal his high school sweetheart — or anyone else who was in on it — won't soon forget. Read Jenna Fisher's story on Brookline, Massachusetts, Patch.

The new year couldn't have had a better start than it did for Brian and Ashley Cotter. Baby Ruby, the Wading River, New York, couple's 6-month-old daughter, is home after receiving a life-saving heart transplant just before Christmas. The little girl's release is bittersweet, though. Read why in Lisa Finn's originally reported story on Riverhead, New York, Patch.

Weighted By Work Boots, He Swims To Save Drowning Boy

Some of the guys remodeling a North Carolina lake house thought the screaming they heard was a squalling cat, but as a father, Scott Lingerfelt knew it was a child. Without hesitating, he dove into a frigid lake, still wearing his heavy work boots, and swam to save the 6-year-old. Read what the local sheriff's office did to honor him and others who rushed to the boy's assistance in Beth Dalbey's originally reported story on Charlotte, North Carolina, Patch.

A 6-year-old boy fell from a pier and into cold water of Lake Hickory in Alexander County, North Carolina. (Courtesy of Alexander County Sheriff's Office

Meet Michigan's Rising 9-Year-Old Fashion Designer



A 9-year-old Michigan girl who dreams of becoming a fashion designer is getting some help from Barbie. Nevaeh Woods fashions new creations for her dolls using everything from socks to ribbon, glue and gemstones. Read more in Jessica Strachan's originally reported story on Clinton Township, Michigan, Patch.

Michigan's 9-year-old Nevaeh Woods dreams of being a fashion designer. (Photo courtesy of GoFundMe, a Patch promotional partner)

Kid Finds $900 Cash: What He Did With It

Anyone who thinks good deeds are tough to come by these days may think again after hearing what 10-year-old Foster Dudley did after finding $900 in cash while shopping at Target in The Grove shopping center in Hoover, Alabama. Find out what he did in Michael Seale's story on Hoover, Alabama, Patch.

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Brave Dog Gets Something He Never Had



Some uplifting stories on Patch last week involved animals. While there's nothing uplifting about the injuries suffered by a dog named Champ — shelter workers in Williamson County, Texas, say it was one of the worst cases of animal abuse they've ever encountered — the bull terrier beat the odds against his survival. He's getting a new, loving home, but that's not all. Read Tony Cantu's story on Round Rock, Texas, Patch.

How A Parrot Named Rambo Called 911

A talkative parrot named Rambo managed to bring about a 911 call to his Florida home without using his beak to peck out the numbers. Police sent four deputies to investigate the "Help me!" cries, and what they learned is pretty darned hilarious. Read Beth Dalbey's account on West Palm Beach, Florida, Patch.

A parrot helped solve a mystery for a team of Palm Beach County deputies sent to a Lake Worth Beach, Florida, residence after a neighbor's 911 call. (AP Photo/Carlos Giusti, File)

There's A New Sloth In Town



If ever a species had a name that doesn't do its adorableness justice, it's the sloth. The Philadelphia Zoo announced this week that its 7-year-old Kayla and 6-year-old Bhalu are the parents of a cub born in December. Everyone's doing fine. Read Max Bennett's story about when the public can expect to meet the new baby on Philadelphia Patch.

Kayla and Bhalu look like they're in love, don't they? (Photo courtesy of Philadelphia Zoo)

Forget Baby Shark: It's All About Baby Dolphins



Before you leave this week, soak in some of the delight of whale watchers who were treated to the sight of a baby Pacific white sided dolphin swimming alongside its mother near Dana Point, California. Read more about this particular kind of dolphin in Ashley Ludwig's story on Laguna Niguel-Dana Point, California, Patch.