Caldwells, NJ|News|
Good News In Essex County: Beers + Church + Charity + School Supplies
New Jersey is filled with humor, inspiration and kindness. Here are seven stories to make you smile from Essex County.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Good Deeds
Celebrating acts of kindness in communities across the country.
Montclair, NJ|News|
Montclair Music Venue Fights Food Insecurity With $20,000 Donation
Outpost in the Burbs boosted the Human Needs Food Pantry and Toni’s Kitchen with a pair of $10,000 donations.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Livingston, NJ|News|
Hundreds Of Kids Get Free School Supplies In Essex County
Tovah: “One of the most important parts of the Back 2 School Store is to create an environment where kids feel confident and empowered.”
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Napa Valley, CA|News|
After Years Of Fighting, A New Chapter For Napa's Contested 2,300 Acres
The renamed 2,300-acre preserve will welcome visitors in 2027 while protecting wildlife, watersheds, and rare native plants.
Angela Woodall, Patch Staff
Napa Valley, CA|News|
Napa College Approves Student Housing Awards For Stability
Foundation will provide $163,000 in rent assistance to 36 students living at River Trail Village this year.
Angela Woodall, Patch Staff
Lamorinda, CA|News|
Moraga Rib Throwdown Feast Fuels School Fundraising
Families, barbecue competitors, and local businesses will gather Saturday to support Moraga schools through friendly culinary competition.
Angela Woodall, Patch Staff
Montclair, NJ|News|
Good News In Essex County: 100th Birthday + World Cup + Music + Veggies
New Jersey is filled with humor, inspiration and kindness. Here are seven stories to make you smile from Essex County.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Walnut Creek, CA|News|
Thrifting For All Creatures Furry And Cute: Contra Costa Thrift Crawl Opens With Prizes, Cats
Joybound launches the East Bay Thrift Store Crawl with hidden prizes, adoptable cats, and nonprofit fundraising Saturday.
Angela Woodall, Patch Staff
Rohnert Park-Cotati, CA|News|
Lost Dog Reunited By CHP With Grateful Owner
A wandering dog on the freeway is home safely after busy roadway rescue.
Angela Woodall, Patch Staff
Walnut Creek, CA|News|
Bay Area Wildlife Center Seeks Lifesaving Animal Donations
Lindsay Wildlife Experience seeks food, supplies, and financial support to care for hundreds of injured raccoons annually.
Angela Woodall, Patch Staff
Healdsburg, CA|News|
Return Of Lazy Bear, Celebrating Milestone By Giving Bigger
The nonprofit marked its 30th anniversary by directing historic funding to two organizations serving LGBTQIA+ communities.
Angela Woodall, Patch Staff
Healdsburg, CA|News|
River Rescue Saves Man Swept Over North Bay Dam
Bystanders and first responders helped save a man swept over Johnson's Beach dam.
Angela Woodall, Patch Staff
Montclair, NJ|News|
Montclair Nonprofit Grows Fresh Veggies, Shares With Local Seniors
The Northeast Earth Coalition has been sharing its healthy bounty of vegetables with dozens of low-income seniors. Here’s how to help.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Santa Cruz, CA|News|
Trump Wants To Honor Teen Lifeguard After Dramatic Bay Area Beach Rescue
A witness captured video of the 16-year-old battling powerful surf to save a 10-year-old boy.
Albert Gregory, Patch Staff
Santa Cruz, CA|News|
Watch: Teen Lifeguard Battles Pounding Surf To Save Boy From Drowning At Bay Area Beach
A witness captured the dramatic rescue as a 16-year-old lifeguard fought heavy surf to save a 10-year-old boy from drowning.
Albert Gregory, Patch Staff
Bloomfield, NJ|News|
Good News In Essex County: Transplants + Sisterhood + Hidden Gems
New Jersey is filled with humor, inspiration and kindness. Here are seven stories to make you smile from Essex County.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Livingston, NJ|News|
These Donations Saved Lives In Essex County: 8 Stories Of Selflessness
Parents gave kidneys to their kids. A teacher got the “greatest gift anyone can receive.” Strangers saved the lives of other strangers.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Livingston, NJ|News|
Livingston, Wayne Women Find ‘Sisterhood’ Through Organ Donation
A nurse at Mountainside Medical Center volunteered to become a living kidney donor for someone she had never met.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Verona-Cedar Grove, NJ|News|
Verona Teen Raises Awareness For Organ Donation, Earns Scholarship
The Verona High School student has several experiences with organ donation in her personal life. She plans to study nursing.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Newark, NJ|News|
Irvington Man Saved Lives With Organ Donation, Family And Friends Honor His Memory
Born in the Dominican Republic and raised in the U.S., Ricardo Francis was known for his hardworking ethics and love of family.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Wallingford, CT|News|
New Free Summer Picnic Event Launched By Wallingford Community Dinners
The organization is hosting a free picnic lunch for those in need of food or companionship, and the homebound. Volunteers are needed.
Vincent Salzo, Patch Staff
San Rafael, CA|News|
Cat Survives 30-Mile Ride Under Truck, Rescued From Highway 101 In Marin County
CHP officers stopped freeway traffic to rescue the 14-year-old cat, who escaped with only minor injuries.
Albert Gregory, Patch Staff
West Orange, NJ|News|
Good News In Essex County: Monks + Knicks + Devils + Food
New Jersey is filled with humor, inspiration and kindness. Here are seven stories to make you smile from Essex County.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Newark, NJ|News|
Kids In Newark Hospital Get Visit From Pro Hockey Players [PHOTOS]
Several New Jersey Devils players and draft picks visited a local hospital – joining one child to ring the bell on a final cancer treatment.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
![Kids In Newark Hospital Get Visit From Pro Hockey Players [PHOTOS]](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/22844250/20260710/015118/styles/patch_image/public/image001___10134632719.jpg)
Newark, NJ|News|
Newark Food Pantry Shines After Supermarket-Style Makeover
"The goal of free food access isn't just to hand out groceries, but to create a place where people feel welcome, seen and empowered."
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Petaluma, CA|News|
Smoke Alarms Save Family, Fire Claims Beloved Cat In North Bay Blaze
Smoke alarms alerted sleeping residents before firefighters contained the blaze and kept it from spreading Thursday.
Angela Woodall, Patch Staff
West Orange, NJ|News|
West Orange Woman Named 'Community Hero' For Her Work With Organ Donation
Janice Campbell became heavily involved with NJ Sharing Network after her daughter passed away and became an organ donor.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Montclair, NJ|News|
Preserving History In Montclair: Local Projects, Archivists Earn Awards For 2026
The Montclair Historic Preservation Commission tipped their cap to several local projects with their annual Preservation Awards.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Maplewood, NJ|News|
EMT From Maplewood-South Orange Who Saved Life At Knicks Parade Earns Praise From Congresswoman
A New Jersey woman climbed a subway tower during the crowded parade and saved a man's life.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Belleville-Nutley, NJ|News|
Nutley Educator's Inspiring Lessons About Diversity Earn Proclamation From Township
"We all thank you for all of your efforts to build bridges rather than tear them down."
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Rohnert Park-Cotati, CA|News|
Tiny Cries Spark Unusual Storm Drain Rescue In Rohnert Park
Baby quail were rescued from a storm drain and reunited with their mother by police with neighbors' help.
Angela Woodall, Patch Staff
West Orange, NJ|News|
West Orange Project Graduation Gets $1K Boost From Lions Club
Project Graduation is a national alcohol-free initiative for seniors following their high school graduation.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Montclair, NJ|News|
Good News In Essex County: $2M Lottery Win + Fireworks Shows + Pride + Independence
New Jersey is filled with humor, inspiration and kindness. Here are seven stories to make you smile from Essex County.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Healdsburg, CA|News|
Baby Mink Surprises Sonoma County Animal Control
A tiny wild visitor turned up far from its riverbank home, sending Sonoma County Animal Services officers on an unexpected rescue.
Angela Woodall, Patch Staff
Montclair, NJ|News|
Good News In Essex County: Famous People + Helpful Scouts + Marriage Vows
New Jersey is filled with humor, inspiration and kindness. Here are seven stories to make you smile from Essex County.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Berkeley, CA|News|
Vigil Tonight As New Clues Emerge In Search For Amy Hillyard, Farley's Coffee Owner
New evidence prompts a fresh search as community marks three months since Amy Hillyard vanished.
Angela Woodall and Corey Washington, Patch Staff
Maplewood, NJ|News|
Maplewood Scouts Earn Prestigious Eagle Rank With Community Projects
Four members of Troop 5 Maplewood earned the rank of Eagle Scout: the highest honor in Scouting America.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Healdsburg, CA|News|
Healdsburg Barber Shop Builds Business Behind The Chair Through Relationships
A young entrepreneur turned a curiosity into a thriving barber shop in Healdsburg where community connections matter as much as haircuts.
Angela Woodall, Patch Staff
Rohnert Park-Cotati, CA|News|
Rohnert Park Grad Turns Barbershop Into Business Built On Relationships
A young Rohnert Park entrepreneur turned a curiosity into a thriving barber shop where community connections matter as much as haircuts.
Angela Woodall, Patch Staff
Maplewood, NJ|News|
NJ Hall Of Fame’s New Inductees Include SZA, Lawrence Taylor, Former Governor
This year’s honorees include a Grammy-winning musician, a football legend and New Jersey’s first woman governor.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
