16 Orange County Stories That Made Us Smile In 2018

All year long we have watched residents stop to help each other out of sticky situations. Here are some of your greatest hits on how you made the world a better place in 2018. From helping a homeless mother return to her son to freeing a bunny stuck inside a watering can, across Orange County, kindness matters.

Here are 16 of our favorite tales from this past year, and remember to share your stories of kindness, hope and helpfulness with us through the new year, by signing up for free at my.patch.com.

Seal Beach Helps Doughnut Shopkeeper Get Home To Sick Wife

Have you visited Donut City lately? Residents band together and buy doughnuts to help a local store owner get home where he is needed.

Homeless Woman Reunites With Son, Thanks To Seal Beach Community

It was a tearful reunion for this family, reunited after homelessness, thanks to the community of Seal Beach

Mission Viejo Resident Receives Police Apology

Mission Viejo Police Services want to apologize to the young man they claimed stole packages Thursday, plus, the package was not was stolen.

Be A Greeter Not A Bully In Laguna Beach

Laguna Beach's rich history involves the "be a greeter" mentality. Don't be a bully. Take the pledge. Get the sticker.

WATCH Firefighters Free Bunny Trapped Inside Watering Can

Over the weekend, Orange County Firefighters rendered aid to a pet rabbit that was trapped inside a watering can. Here's what happened next.

Watch Tot's Emotional Roller Coaster Ride On Splash Mountain

A little girl finally reached that 40-inch mark and was able to go on Splash Mountain for the first time. Her reaction quickly went viral.

San Juan Capistrano Kits 4 Kindness Supports NoCal Fire Victims

These San Juan Capistrano girls wanted to give Christmas dinner to families who lost everything, but they were able to share even more

Watch: Caught Great White Returned To Ocean

A group of people in Dana Point attempted to help this baby great white shark that was caught on the OC shore recently.

Good Samaritan Rescues Girl From Alleged Kidnapping In Santa Ana

If you see something, say something, & this woman saw a girl being allegedly kidnapped and did something about it in Santa Ana.

Orange County Firefighters Fix Bike For Stranded Woman

This group of Stanton Firefighters was caught in a random act of kindness, helping a woman who was going through a difficult time.

See Whales Playing With Dolphins Off Orange County Coast

It was a beautiful day as two gray whales stopped to play with a pod of dolphins off the Orange County Coastline. See this adorable display!

Baaad Goats On The Loose...Fullerton Rookie Cop To The Rescue

These cops got a little more than they bargained for when a couple of escapee goats managed to break out of their enclosure at his OC farm.

CHP Assists Stranded Family In San Juan Capistrano

A family on vacation from Brazil received special help from the San Juan Capistrano CHP officers, this week, in a random act of kindness.

Safe Surrender Of Baby Noah: Fire Station Celebrates His Adoption

One year ago, a brave mother left "baby Noah" at a fire station within 72 hours of his birth. She gave him the greatest gift of all: Family.

Baby Gray Whale Splashes Off Seal Beach, Hundreds Watch

Hundreds gathered to see this baby gray whale splash just off-shore off the coast of Seal Beach. Did you see it?

Disneyland Magic Seen Through A Cast Member's Eyes

That Disney Magic is legendary, as is their customer service. Here's how one cast member keeps the magic he grew up with alive every day.

Do you have a random act of kindness you want to share? Let us know by emailing your Patch editor: ashley.ludwig@patch.com

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Photo, courtesy CHP