Scholarship in Honor of Father Eric Freed.

◼ HSU Religious Department seeking donations for the Fr. Eric Peace and Justice Award

Congratulations to Ashley and Humboldt County's Mad River Lightning

◼ 'A testament to Nicole'
It's like something directly out of the pages of a Disney script.

A team of 11 9-year-old girls from a small town in rural California finds itself playing in the state championship tournament.

Having bonded through the tragic death of a teammate last season, the squad exceeds all expectations, playing at a level greater than the sum of its parts.

Then, the improbable run that carried the team through the tournament's first four rounds seems to be coming to an end, as the team trails 1-0 to an opponent from the much bigger city of Santa Cruz.

But, just as hopes are dimming, something almost miraculous happens.

As the final seconds of the first half ticked down, Ashley Quigley, who lost her twin sister and teammate Nicole Lynn Quigley in an October 2008 car accident, prepared for a corner kick on the rain-soaked field. Ashley booted the ball toward a streaking teammate near the goal, whose attempt to head the ball into the goal went awry, sending the ball looping back toward Ashley in the corner....

”As the ball floats down, a big gust of wind picks up and just blows it into the goal,” said Coach Dan Johnson, who has led the team for more than half a decade. “Right after the ball went in, this rainbow occurs, framing the goal at the end of the field.

”It was weird,” Johnson continued. “All of a sudden, this rainbow comes out, (the score is) 1-1 and, from there, the girls just kicked ass.”

Of course, this was no Disney script. It's the story of how Humboldt County's Mad River Lightning -- a girls youth soccer team -- turned tragedy into triumph, traveling directly from the sentencing of two men who pleaded guilty to causing the death of their teammate, Nicole, to the California Under-10 Youth Soccer League State Cup in Livermore last weekend.

They ultimately emerged with the state title.

And, Johnson said, it was the improbable goal last Saturday that helped swing the momentum, transforming the Lightning's playoff run from good to great, from one that would have brought them home with their heads held high to one that saw them return as undisputed champions.

”(The goal) was one of those special moments in life that you'll never forget,” said Johnson, who said he's not a spiritual man, but had to turn to spiritual words to describe the moment. “People talk about angels and stuff all the time. ... I don't know about all that. I just know (Nicole) was there.”

A Sunday World Of Good Post

WHY DO THEY LOVE US?
ht: KT at The Scratching Post

This is a GREAT STORY

In the Arcata Eye - What happens when neighbors stand together to protect their neighborhood? You stop a grow house in its tracks.
Buttermilk Lane, 4 bdr, 2 bath, $425K – December 11, 2007

I nominate this for A World Of Good Award - Neighborhood style.

And here's another one: Neighbors chase down burglary suspect

World of Good Red Cross style, and more

Wollf has a World of Good post regarding the proper way to send Christmas Cards to Wounded Soldiers.
""With the support of the Department of Defense, Walter Reed Army Medical Center and with help from Pitney Bowes Government Solutions, the American Red Cross will collect, review and disseminate holiday greeting cards to wounded military personnel. "
Address your Cards or Letters to:
We Support You During Your Recovery!
c/o American Red Cross
PO Box 419 Savage
MD 20763-0419
More on the story behind this

And this in The Eureka Reporter: Socks for Soldiers sends holiday care packages to Americans in Iraq, Afghanistan For more information about Socks for Soldiers, go to socksforsoldiers.com.

***


Ever wanted to say "Thank You," but didn't? Check out The Gratitude Campaign. Watch the 'Full Movie.' Spread the word.
h/t: ep

More World of Good

KT has another World of Good Post that you don't want to miss.

It seems "San Diego is getting support from an unexpected and unbelievably generous source. Check it out here."

I haven't been watching the news the past few days, so let me know if it makes the evening news or CNN.

A World of Good, San Diego style

Blogger KTCat at the Scratching Post has a great series of posts with links to maps of the fires, and links to other bloggers who are living with the dangers. He says "San Diegans can be proud of how we handled this situation. I'm so proud of all my neighbors. What a great city to live in.
KPBS online
And Still I Persist
lots more...

And Humboldt County style:


Firefighter Mike Smith from Cal Fire’s Humboldt-Del Norte Unit was photographed Wednesday on Palomar Mountain by a Los Angeles Times photographer. Engine 1282, shown in the photo, is a reserve engine from the Garberville station. A Cal Fire spokesperson said additional personnel assigned to the engine were firefighters Dan Lomiglio and Derick Boyton and Engineer Alexis Davie. AP photo/Los Angeles Times/Wally Skalij
In the line of fire

A World of Good Post

Blogger KT has a regular feature he calls WORLD OF GOOD, highlighting some of the amazing good deeds that so often go unrecognized.

His latest link to redvand's Channel is worth checking out. Something to think about. You may want to add this guy to your favorites.



Wollf has also picked it up.