Heartwarming Good News Stories In Essex County: Year In Review

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — The world can be a scary place. But it’s also filled with humor, inspiration and beauty. Let’s focus on that second part.

Take a look at some of the most heartwarming stories of 2020 in Essex County below. (Click the headlines to read)

Free School Laundromats Boost Self-Esteem In East Orange, Newark

Schools in Newark and East Orange are inspiring their communities with free laundry rooms that help prevent bullying.

Saint Barnabas Hospital Breaks Own Record For Kidney Transplants

Saint Barnabas performed 159 "living donor kidney transplants" last year, making it one of the largest such programs in the United States.

Newark Affordable Housing Project Is 'American Dream' In Action

Give Siree Morris a vacant lot and there's a good chance he'll spin it into gold.

Nutley Girl Scout Saves Her Mother's Life: 'She Became The Adult'

Marley Madureira used the Heimlich maneuver to save a veteran troop leader – her mother – when she started choking on a pill.

Bagel Baron Teases West Orange With Long-Awaited Restaurant

Bagels By Jarrett is working some of West Orange's most dedicated foodies into a frenzy… and it's not even open, yet.

Newark 'Shero' Is Changing Future For City's Young Women

She overcame domestic violence, child abuse and homelessness. Now, Allison James is changing the lives of Newark's young women.

West Orange Couple Revive Failing Farmers Market

A NJ couple wanted their son to grow up in a town with a farmers market. Instead of complaining, they took matters into their own hands.

Shoeless In A Rainstorm: Newark Cops Assist Boy With Autism

Chasing down criminals isn't the only hat a Newark police officer is expected to wear while patrolling the streets.

Bloomfield Man Will Ride Lawnmower Across America

Bloomfield resident John Zack is about to embark on an intrepid, 3,000-mile journey as part of a reality show dubbed "The Great Grass Race."

Montclair Teen 'Too Small For Football' Rushes For 1,200 Yards

When a Montclair High School student was told he was "too small" to play the sport he loved, he used it as fuel to chase his gridiron dreams.

Belleville Artist, Teens Create Massive Cherry Blossom Mural: SEE

The painting of the wall was coordinated by Athena Zhe, an artist who settled in Belleville after moving to NJ from her native Ukraine.

Essex County Soup Kitchen Is Beacon Of Hope In Shadow Of Coronavirus

Residents and businesses are using Toni's Kitchen as a rallying point to aid their neighbors during the COVID-19 crisis.

Here's What Cancer Taught This 'Heartless' NJ Pro Wrestler

The man known as "Heartless Hellraiser Dracko" says his fight with leukemia gave him a new appreciation for the fragility of life.

Turtle Back Zoo Gives Old Christmas Trees New Life

A New Jersey zoo gave eco-minded residents a unique way to reuse their old Christmas trees: give them back to the animals.

Murals Infuse Newark Historic District With Hope, Positivity

A wave of 14 murals in downtown Newark are spreading powerful messages about social justice. Learn more about the artists and their work.

Livingston Restaurant Offers Free Food To Struggling Families

"Please don't let yourself or your kids go to sleep with an empty stomach," the owners of Calabria Restaurant and Pizzeria say.

Inspired By His Mom, West Orange Teen Earns Spot At West Point

WOHS Student Jonathan Roberson: "To me, it's more than the rank. This is something that's going to impact the rest of my life."

Bloomfield Barber Shop Reopens After Fire Destroyed Everything

A fire ravaged Kolby's Place in Bloomfield. But now it's back in business, and the community couldn't be happier.

Newark Women Defy Body-Shamers, Take Pride In Long Fingernails

VIDEO: The Newark Nail Goddesses say they've endured numerous nasty comments for having extraordinarily long fingernails.

Shelter In The Oranges Protects LGBTQ Teens During Coronavirus

Garden State Equality did a supermarket run for New Jersey's only LGBTQ youth homeless shelter. Here's how YOU can lend a hand.

Essex County Teen's Car Was Towed. These Cops Made Sure He Got A Break

Watching your car get towed away can put a sinking feeling into your stomach. But for this teen, the experience ended with a smile.

Essex County Teen Brings 200 Hot Meals To NJ Funeral Homes: WATCH

The coronavirus has hit tragically close to home for Marquese Dukes, who lost his grandfather to COVID-19.

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