People Doing Good

Stories of people making a difference in the world

A cart full of books beneath various tables with more books atop them, beside a sign that says: "Give Like Dolly" with Dolly Parton smiling on it

Dolly Parton fans celebrate the first '9 to 5' day by honoring her love of literacy

September 25 marked the first official Dolly Parton Day — a playful nod to the late country singer’s world-renowned hit.

A man in a plaid shirt speaks at a microphone while holding a guitar in an indoor venue. Four other people sit on stools behind him, listening.

After 20 years on death row for a crime he didn't commit, this man found freedom. Now, he's helping others like him

The Innocence Center will take cases in Idaho to try and free people incarcerated for crimes they didn’t commit.

On the left, a black and white photograph displays a person standing outdoors in a wooded winter setting wearing a light-colored hat and dark jacket. On the right, an older person wearing a gray knit beanie and dark green shirt smiles at the camera.

Missing 70-year-old hiker rescued from remote island after being spotted on trail cameras

70-year-old Craig Berg’s hike through Isle Royale National Park turned into a survival story earlier this month.

A photo collage of inmates seated and smiling at the camera, a man working with solar panels at a solar farm, vials of tuberculosis vaccines, a river, and a solar panel farm

Good News This Week: September 19, 2026 - Salmon, Potholes, & Waterways

Your weekly roundup of the best good news worth celebrating...

A shark lies on wet sand near the shore with several people standing nearby observing it.

Indigenous community trades shark-fishing for conservation in Colombia: 'From hunter to protector'

While Indigenous communities still see shark as a valuable source of protein, their fishing methods have changed drastically.

A photo collage of a man pushing a load of cargo, people releasing sea turtles into the ocean, a building made with volcanic rock exoskeleton, and two men digging a hole with shovels

Good News This Week: September 12, 2026 - Turtles, Trees, & Exoskeletons

Your weekly roundup of the best good news worth celebrating...

Group of men wearing light blue work shirts seated and standing in rows in an institutional cafeteria setting with vending machines and large windows visible in the background.

Kansas inmates raise over $4,000 to pay off school lunch debt: 'They made a difference for kids they don’t even know'

The One Big Beautiful Bill caused over 1 million children to lose food assistance.

A group of volunteers wearing blue t-shirts dig and plant in a garden under trees on a sunny day, with a red wheelbarrow visible to the left.

In effort to achieve 1M good deeds in remembrance of 9/11, thousands of trees will be planted nationwide

The effort is part of 9/11 Day, which mobilizes millions to do good in honor of the lives lost on September 11, 2001.

Blurry Gradient For Hispanic Heritage Month

24 ways to thoughtfully celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in 2026

Hispanic Heritage Month (or Latino Heritage Month) is a month-long celebration that kicks off on September 15th. We’ve put together great ideas to help you celebrate it...

Left: Woman in red off-shoulder dress holding a red fan stands with man in black tuxedo indoors. Right: Dolly Parton, a woman with blonde wavy hair and bangs wearing white cardigan smiles at camera outdoors against tree bark.

Couple that won $155M lottery prize gives half to charity. They were inspired by Dolly Parton

Frances Connolly, who won the lottery with her husband in 2019, believes giving back is simply human nature.

Two photos of a sea turtle with orange and tan shell patterns. Left: Two people in blue uniforms holding the turtle on a boat. Right: Close-up of the turtle's head and front flippers resting on a dark surface.

Coast Guard saves distressed sea turtle in Florida Keys: 'Every life, every call, we're here for them all'

Nearby veterinarians found a tear in the turtle’s lung that kept the marine creature from diving properly.

American flag planted on a dark memorial wall engraved with names including "Frederick T. Varacchi" and "Glenn Davis Kirwin," with an urban plaza and trees visible in the background.

25 years after 9/11, experts say Americans have a shocking ability to reconnect after trauma

Amid tremendous hardship and loss, people reach for connection and find strength in community, experts say.