Seasonal & Holidays

Best Of Patch 2019: Holiday Stories From Across America

Here are stories from across the 1,200-plus hyperlocal Patch sites that intersected the holidays and people in special ways.

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Alex Kern knows what it feels like to be alone during the holidays. He opened his home to make sure others don't have to.
Alex Kern knows what it feels like to be alone during the holidays. He opened his home to make sure others don't have to. (Photo courtesy of Alex Kern)

Patch has had a collection of powerful stories this year from our network of hyperlocal news sites across America. A common theme this holiday season has been the ways in which moments of goodness can change entire lives.

Holidays have a way of bringing people together, highlighting the values held dearest and serving as a springboard for personal reflection.

Below is a sampling of the many Patch stories that demonstrate what makes holidays so special.

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Glen Clove Man Opens Home On Thanksgiving So Others Aren't Alone: Alex Kern knows what it feels like to be alone during the holidays, and that's why he chose to open his home this Thanksgiving to complete strangers. They didn't have to bring anything but a smile.

Alex Kern knows what it feels like to be alone during the holidays. He opened his home to make sure others don't have to. (Alex Kern)
Alex Kern knows what it feels like to be alone during the holidays. He opened his home to make sure others don't have to. (Alex Kern)

Miami's Forgotten 'Babies' Await Another Christmas: Back in the late '80s, there were 15 babies born who would never grow up with a mother's touch and anything resembling a normal childhood. This is the story of where they are now.

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James Tracey (left) has been at Baby House since 2005. His smile brightened Santa's day. (Photo by Paul Sciccitano)
James Tracey has been at Baby House since 2005. His smile brightened Santa's day. (Photo by Paul Sciccitano)

Newark's HotDogLady Inspires 'Ujamaa' In Her Community: The recently opened HotDogLady truck at Bergen Street and Madison Avenue has some seriously tasty eats. But its proprietor is also dispensing something much more valuable to the Newark community: "ujamaa."

On the fourth day of Kwanzaa, which takes place from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1 this year, the South Ward SID paid tribute to the concept of ujamaa. Photo used with permission from South Ward SID
On the fourth day of Kwanzaa, which takes place from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1 this year, the South Ward SID paid tribute to the concept of ujamaa. Photo used with permission from South Ward SID

California Nativity A Shocker To Make An Immigration Point: A Southern California Methodist church's depiction of a modern refugee Nativity scene got an international audience talking. Find out why.

Claremont United Methodist Church's refugee nativity scene sparked international attention this weekend. (Photo via Rev Karen/Claremont UMC)
Claremont United Methodist Church's refugee nativity scene sparked international attention this weekend. (Photo via Rev Karen/Claremont UMC)

Santa's Sweet Act Brings Joy To Boy With Autism: An 8-year-old Grayslake boy, who has extreme anxiety and autism, has been trying for years to get close to Santa. This year the meeting finally happened.

The Santa Claugh at Gurnee Mills, comforts Baiz, 8. (Photo submitted to Patch)
The Santa Clause at Gurnee Mills, offers comfort. (Photo submitted to Patch)

Mother's Day Gift Credited With Saving Florida Woman's Life: Retired pediatric nurse Dee Arch credits the Mother's Day gift her husband Michael gave her last year with saving her life. Find out what it was.

Retired pediatric nurse Dee Arch credits a Mother’s Day with saving her life. (Courtesy Arch family)
Retired pediatric nurse Dee Arch credits a Mother’s Day with saving her life. (Courtesy Arch family)

Funds Raised To Get Homeless Man Off Streets Before Christmas: Bill, a man who was homeless, now has a warm apartment thanks to the generosity of a Patch community.

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