Stealing Jesus, Warming Others, Marching On: Best Of Patch 2017

Scrolling through our Patch sites, we found evidence in 2017 of some really great kids across the country. Some of them made us smile, others touched our hearts and still others who filled us with admiration for their big, beautiful brains or their desire to make the world better.

Below, we’ll look back at 2017 at some of the best stories about kids from across the Patch network.

We’ll start with the smile worthy stories, because that’s how we think everybody should start their day:

This Little Girl Steals Baby Jesus. Then This Happened.

If you missed this story, you missed a lot. A little girl playing a part in a Christmas pageant in Tennessee decided she had to have the baby in the manger. Watch the video to see the hilarious chain of events when she stole the baby Jesus.

This Boy Gave Up Christmas Wish To Help Others

Mikah Frye, 9, knows what it’s like to be cold. His family spent some time in a shelter before they got back on their feet. Though he really wanted an XBox gaming center, he wanted others to stay warm more. So the Ohio boy gave up his own Christmas gifts so his parents could buy blankets for the homeless. Read more to see how his sacrifice was rewarded.

This Target Worker Helps Frazzled Mom In Dance Off With Toddler

What mother hasn’t regretted taking her toddler shopping? In California, Stefanie Bradbard Elloitt was having trouble with her “unusually rambunctious” 2-year-old, Evallyn, when a sympathetic worker stepped in with some smooth moves and and brightened Mom’s day — and the days of a lot of other folks, too.

This Toddler Nails Ohio State Marching Band Routine

Nolan Martin, 2½, didn’t start walking; he started marching. "Ever since he could walk, Nolan has loved marching to the Ohio State band," the toddler’s mother, Kate Nolan, told Patch. "He didn't start walking, he started marching." He dressed as a member of the legendary band, and marched with incredible precision, even dotting the “i” on cue in a video that brought the internet to a full swoon.

This Baby Couldn’t Wait to Come Into The World

No one believed the story of a Brooklyn mom whose son, Charlie, came into the world in the front seat of his parents’ SUV outside a local pizzeria only two blocks from their home. As Eric Hillman helped his wife, Tiara Puglisi, give birth to their son, cellphone cameras lit up — meaning there is proof the deliver occurred. The couple want to find the pictures. No one believed Charlie came into the world as they described.

This Terminally Boy’s Dream Comes True

An 8-year-old terminally ill boy's dreams of protecting and serving his community one day as a firefighter came true sooner than he thought. The Santa Clara County Fire Department in California rang its alarm and put in an urgent call to Yeshua Thrower. "Yeshua, I'm short one firefighter and we need your help," said Battalion Chief Mark Shumate said. "I want to know if you can step in to help protect our citizens?" The boy responded, “Yes sir. I can.” Watch what happened.

This Teen Was Accepted To All 8 Ivy League Schools

College acceptance season is one of the most nerve-wracking times in a high schooler's career, but for a New Jersey teen, it’s a time of choices. Morris Hills High School senior Ifeoma White-Thorpe was accepted to all eight Ivy League schools — and Stanford, too.

This Kid Is Impressive On And Off The Tennis Court

Andrew Ton, 17, of Milpitas, California, is impressive on the tennis court and off. He has won a ton of titles, but he was also among a handful of tennis players nationwide recognized for their leadership and character. "These players truly are role models who exhibit character well beyond their years, both on the tennis court and in the community," said Bill Mountford, the USTA's Director of Junior Tournaments. "We're happy to have a way to give them some of the recognition they truly deserve with the USTA Junior Leadership Team."

Photo courtesy of Kate Martin