2021 Heartwarming Stories From New Jersey

NEW JERSEY — Despite a second year with troubles and tribulations surrounding 2021, there were plenty of moments that made us smile in New Jersey.

Water rescues, a historic 'Sesame Street' episode, and a giant seashell peace sign were among some of the happy stories worthy of looking back on.

Bridgewater UPS Driver Saves 8 In Flooded Waters On Rt. 22: VIDEO

As floodwaters rose around them, 22-year-old Bridgewater native and UPS driverNick Dirla kept his cool using his humor to keep eight people calm during Hurricane Ida while helping to save their lives.

Dirla, a Bridgewater-Raritan High School graduate, had just started his new job with UPS a few weeks ago when Ida hit. He had finished his deliveries when he was asked to make one more in Garwood. Read More.

Tribute Grows For Hoboken Homeless Man Who 'Looked Like Jesus'

HOBOKEN, NJ — When Robert Helmeck — a tall homeless man who wandered the streets of Hoboken for four decades — passed away six weeks ago, people instantly recognized the description of him in his obituary: "Homeless man who looked like Jesus has died."

Since the death of Helmeck, whose long coat and beard added to his Jesus-like appearance, residents have been have been filling one of his favorite stoops with flowers and notes. Read More.

Adopted For The Holidays: Watch New Jersey Families Cry With Joy

NEW JERSEY — Lori Umbria now knows what it's like to have her soul "broken" … in a good way.

Umbria and her partner, David, were among the dozens of New Jersey parents who experienced a lifechanging moment last month, finalizing adoptions for their new child – or children, as in their case.

"As soon as that gavel raps, as soon as the judge announces it – it's the best feeling in the world," Umbria said. "It just breaks your soul." Read More.

Cat Found Dying In Snowbank Finds 'Furever' Family

It was February 2021 when a Good Samaritan found an elderly cat, weighing only three pounds, in a Manville snowbank. As he was being rehabilitated at the Somerset Regional Animal Shelter, "Camper" won the hearts of his foster parents, Nancy and Paul Gedbaw of Raritan. Initially intending to nurture him until he was well enough to be adopted, Nancy Gedbaw said she "fell in love immediately," when Camper crawled up onto her lap and chest, then started purring. He continued to make strides, climbing over five pounds, reaching seven pounds in November. He has mouth issues which keep him on steroids, but he's a "social eater" and "counter surfer," who Gedbaw said "has brought life to our household." Read More.

Chatham Girl Part Of Historic 'Sesame Street' Thanksgiving Show

CHATHAM, NJ — "Ji-Young," the first Asian-American Muppet, received a warm welcome to "Sesame Street" on "Thanksgiving Day from the many taking part in Sesame Street's "Neighbor Day" celebration, including a youngster from Chatham.

In the heartwarming episode "See Us Coming Together," with a focus on the customs and gifts the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities have brought to the United States, Ji-Young, with her family origins from Korea, learned more about why she has so much to give herself to the community. Read More.

Peace Sign Of Shells Keeps On Growing In Ocean City

OCEAN CITY, NJ — When it came time to take down the Christmas tree on the North Street beach, Sue McElwee felt sad. The tree McElwee's family decorated on the beach became a landmark to her family and many other Ocean City residents.

On the morning of Jan. 5, the day after the tree came down, she and her four children collected four buckets of fresh shells and assembled a giant peace sign in the sand where the tree had stood. Read More.

Short Hills Woman Is 'First Female Amputee' Fire Academy Grad

MILLBURN, NJ — New Jersey-based motivational speaker and athlete Amanda Sullivan recently graduated from a Somerset County fire academy to become "the first female amputee in the world to graduate from a fire academy," she posted victoriously on Facebook on March 21.

She added, "I will make it my mission to ensure that I'm not the last. I'm excited to give back to my community again. Here's to a new chapter of awesomeness in my new career & to never, ever giving up!!" Read More.

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