Good News In America: Wrestling Pin; American Girl; Layaway Angel

Every week, Patch editors across the country write stories showcasing humanity’s better nature. Stories about people doing good things and uplifting their communities sometimes get lost in the busy news cycle, so we regularly collect a few of them in “Good News In America” to start your week off on a bright, encouraging note.

Some middle school students in Iowa learned what they hope and dream for isn’t that different from what a classmate living with cerebral palsy, autism and other disorders wants: to be one of the team and compete in a wrestling meet.

The moment 14-year-old Lucas Lacina got the pin has been shared around the world in ESPN video, and with it messages in compassion and empathy, sportsmanship, and inclusion. Other kids, Lucas’ mother said, “get to realize how blessed they are to ... have the abilities that they have as well."

Video: Kid With Cerebral Palsy Pins Wrestler, Compassion Wins

Illinois Girl With Down Syndrome Models For American Girl

Featured Photo: Showcasing “the unique qualities of all girls,” American Girl magazine featured 9-year-old Annie Osterhues, an Illinois girl living with Down Syndrome, among the models in the magazine’s holiday catalog. This is the third-grader’s second time modeling for American Girl, which began including girls with Down Syndrome in its advertisements in 2014. Read the full story from Arlington Heights Patch.

Harvard Soccer Team Has 8-Year-Old’s Back

Charlie Peary, an 8-year-old Massachusetts boy, is the newest member of the Harvard Men’s Soccer team. He signed a letter of intent as a member of Team IMPACT, a program pairing children with chronic illnesses with college sports teams with a goal of creating lifelong bonds and life-changing outcomes. Read the full story on Needham Patch.

Entire Kindergarten Class Shows Up For Michigan Boy’s Adoption

About three dozen foster children were adopted in a ceremony that filled a Michigan courtroom with joy. One kindergartner named Michael invited his entire class to see him officially become part of a family, and the judge’s eyes were as moist as everyone else’s. “Sometimes their journeys have been very long, they've included miracle and change for the children and family and incredible community support, as you're able to see today in Michael's adoption hearing,” she said. Read the full story on Grand Rapids Patch.

Abandoned At Dumpster As Newborn, Entrepreneur Worth $62M

Adoptions change lives. Just look at the life of Freddie Figgers, a 30-year-old Florida technology entrepreneur who was thrown out with the trash when he took his first breath. A foster family took him in when he was two days old and adopted him at 13 days. Figgers, who took apart his first computer and reassembled it to working order when he was 9, is now worth $62.3 million. He credits his success to his parents. Read the full story on Boca Raton Patch.

Layaway Angel ‘Saved My Son’s Christmas’

The federal government shutdown, an injury and a disabled car threatened to derail a New York mother’s plan to make Christmas magical for her 3-year-old son. She had $342 in gifts reserved on layaway at Walmart, but was unsure how she would pay them off until a layaway angel stepped in. Read the full story on Riverhead Patch.

Jail Inmates Make Toys For Needy Children

More than 500 handcrafted doll houses, rocking horses, work benches, spinning carousels, baby cradles, and toy tractor, car and train sets are among the items some needy area children will find under the tree, thanks to the work of inmates at a California correctional facility. They also refurbished 90 bicycles. Read the full story on Lamorinda Patch.

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