Giving

After losing her husband, woman adopts dying dog that ‘no one wants’

There's no telling how long Melani Andrews and Jake, a senior dog dying of cancer, will have together, but he's living the "good life" now.

Watch Tim Tebow make this grandmother's day with a sweet shout-out

Tim Tebow stepped up to the plate when a fan asked him for a favor — a personal message to the teenager's grandmother, who recently suffered a stroke.

Bus driver crochets toys for 34 kids after boy's unusual dare

Wisconsin bus driver Trudy Serres crocheted toys for 34 of her pint-sized passengers in an amazing act of kindness.

Stranger helps mom soothe baby on a plane after encountering ‘rude’ passengers

Kesha Bernard's small act of kindness on a flight from Seattle to Denver has traveled all around the world.

Courtesy of George Steinbrenner High School's boy's cross country team

High school track team runs with shelter dogs — and everybody’s winning

They spend about an hour together each day, running a couple of miles, resting in the shade, then "sprinting after squirrels."

This cheerful pet adoption center will make you rethink animal shelters

At the Wallis Annenberg PetSpace, there's an education center, a cafe — even a human-sized hamster wheel — and lots of adoptable pets.

Watch Mickey Mouse share magical news of adoption with these foster kids

For Tom and Courtney Gilmour and their foster children, a trip to Disney World turned into an especially magical celebration.

‘Walking Dead’ star adopts sweet puppy, encourages others to ‘rescue a pit bull’

Actor Jon Bernthal of "The Punisher" and "The Walking Dead" has a new starring role: proud papa to a most adorable pit bull puppy.

Boy defies bullies after growing hair long to help kids with cancer: ‘Be yourself’

Joshua Scott-Hill, an 11-year-old boy, is on a mission to help people with cancer — even if it means facing some teasing at school.

Daughter surprises parents who lost wedding pics in fire with photo shoot

This couple lost their wedding photos in a fire 38 years ago. Luckily, their daughter, who's also a photographer, stepped in with an amazing surprise.

Spotted skunks? Woman rescues rare critters — see the stinkin’ cute pics

Wildlife rehabilitator Kris Porter was surprised to discover five rare, orphaned baby skunks that needed her help.

We love what this group did with flowers that were headed for the trash

This nonprofit group brighten patients' days by repurposing unsold flowers into a whopping 40,000 fresh bouquets a year.

This man proposed to 2 sisters at once — for a touching reason

Will Seaton always knew that when he proposed to his girlfriend, he'd get down on one knee not only for his bride-to-be, but her sister, too.

Hilary Swank heard about 2 shelter dogs in need and stepped right in to help

Two puppies have gone from a busy rural animal shelter to living with two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank.

This man traveled the world with $0. Here’s what he learned

Leon Logothetis relied on strangers' generosity in his globe-trotting adventure, documented in the Netflix series "The Kindness Diaries."

Professor’s empathy moves student to tears: Please bring your baby to class

The sweet response from University of Tennessee professor Sally Hunter to student Morgan King, who missed class, has gone viral.

Frugal 98-year-old vet donates $2 million to wildlife, then adopts elderly Chihuahua

In his late 90s, Russ Gremel decided it was time to donate $2 million to the Illinois Audubon Society. Then he adopted an elderly Chihuahua.

Courtesy of Sharon Lynn, Fur Angel Blessing Blanketeers

When pets are sick or dying, these strangers make prayer blankets to comfort them

A group called Fur Angel Blessing Blanketeers makes blankets full of "love and healing prayers" to sick and dying pets and their owners.

Cat, thrown into garbage after horrible abuse, still ‘loves everybody’

Even through pain, Hiro purred and sought love from the people working to help him live. A year later, he's a beloved part of this family.

Heartbreaking note left with ‘loved and cherished’ abandoned dog

This sweet labradoodle was discovered in a small cage with a note that read, "I hope I can bring joy to my new family."

Courtesy of Gremlin / Courtesy of Gremlin

Elderly pit bull gets contact lenses, now can't stop staring in the mirror

Gremlin is a pit bull who was fitted for contact lenses. It's changed her life.

Tim Tebow talks about his faith and his new book, ‘Know Who You Are’

NFL quarterback turned baseball outfielder Tim Tebow sits down with Kathie Lee Gifford to talk about his sports career, his faith and his new book, "Know Who...

Elderly dogs get sweet senior prom — who will be crowned king and queen?

The Grey Muzzle Organization, a nonprofit dedicated to helping senior shelter dogs find homes, is launching its inaugural Senior Dog Prom.

Want to be a kitten cuddler? 6 ways to help animal shelters this season

You know this time of year as spring. For folks who work with animals, it's kitten season. And these little kittens need your help.

Hairstylist pays tribute to exhausted nurse who fell asleep in her chair

A stylist hailed the hard work of nurses when one of her clients fell asleep in her chair after working a 13-hour overnight shift.

School librarian who helps children in need gets a heartwarming surprise

Our Neighbors Helping Neighbors series continues in Hemphill, Texas, where TODAY correspondent Lilliana Vazquez has a heartwarming surprise for one special...

This NFL player just helped 46 shelter dogs and cats find loving homes

Torrey Smith, a wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles, just gave a major assist to a whole lot of shelter pets.

How one grandmother is giving back to her community through music

Florida retiree Rosemary Rodriguez has been volunteering her time and karaoke skills to help brighten the lives of the elderly in her town. (TODAY's Neighbors...

See the beautiful makeovers Garden of Dreams gave to deserving kids

Garden of Dreams has made dreams come true for more than 325,000 kids and their families, and on Tuesday it hosts its fourth annual prom, where more than 100...

Meet the contractor who gives back to families in need

Sheinelle Jones spends time with contractor Jimmy Pannullo, who does free work for families in need. (TODAY's Neighbors Helping Neighbors program was created...

Football player who befriended boy eating alone at school is headed to NFL

Travis Rudolph, who made headlines for eating lunch with a boy who has autism, is now an undrafted free agent with the New York Giants.

Watch this vet sweetly sing to a scared dog before her surgery

Ruby the dog was nervous before her spay surgery. So vet Ross Henderson pulled out his guitar to comfort the pup with a sweet serenade.

Elderly dog, dropped off at shelter in a garbage bag, learns to love again

Blackie's family wrapped her in a garbage bag and dropped her at a shelter. But a rescuer of old dogs wasn't about to let her stay there.

See why everyone is talking about this powerful beer ad

The viral ad from Heineken shows how civil discussion, and a cold brew, can help people with opposing views find common ground.

Family re-creates Blockbuster for son with autism after local store closes

Blockbuster may be a blast from the past, but for the Zunigo family the video chain had been part of their routine for close to a decade.

Woman’s ex sends touching birthday card to their dog every year

Frankie Hernandez asked his dog Apollo to "continue to be there for her like you were for me." Now, could the family get back together?

Gators’ mascot uses his head — literally — to protect boy from foul ball

Albert, the alligator mascot for the University of Florida Gators, stepped into the line of fire to protect a boy at a baseball game.

Know someone improving their community? Tell us about them!

Does your co-worker regularly make dinner for an elderly neighbor? Do family members spend hours at the local animal shelter? Tell us! (Created w/our sponsor...