There's no denying that 2015 has been a year of horrific news. From the terror attacks on Paris to the Ebola crisis and migrant crisis, there's no doubt that 2015 has been a year where terrible things have happened. But sometimes, it's nice to remember the heartwarming events that also happened this year. While they don't negate the sad events of 2015, they certainly prove that human beings are capable of doing good.
1. When Snoop Dogg gave 1,500 turkeys out to families in need during Thanksgiving
The rapper spent the day in Inglewood, California, handing out turkeys and posing for pictures and giving out hugs, after asking the city's mayor what he could do to give back to the community. Snoop said he considers the city, where his production crew are headquartered, as his 'second home.'
2. The girl who spent her pocket money on presents for a refuge
Emily Clarke, 12, from Bloxwich in the West Midlands, used her pocket money to buy two items a week to donate to a women's refuge. She even appealed on Facebook for people to donate unwanted gifts and has given 200 presents to the refuge. She came up with the idea opening her own Christmas presents last year, telling the BBC: 'I just thought it's not fair that kids don't get stuff.'
3. Canadian PM Justin Trudeau welcoming refugees
Canada pushed ahead with their pledge to resettle 25,000 Syrian refugees by the end of February. And as the first plane load arrived in Canada on Friday December 11, Trudeau greeted the first two families to come through processing, giving them winter coats.'This is a wonderful night, where we get to show not just a planeload of new Canadians what Canada is all about, we get to show the world how to open our hearts and welcome in people who are fleeing extraordinarily difficult situations,' Trudeau said to staff and volunteers who were waiting to process the refugees.
4. #YouAintNoMuslimBruv
The hashtag became a rallying cry on social media after an attacker wielding a knife injured two people and shouted 'This is for Syria' before being subdued by authorities in Leytonstone Underground Station. In videos of the event circulating online, an onlooker can be heard shouting 'You ain't no Muslim bruv.' The phrase quickly became used by Brits as a defiant cry against terrorists using Islam to justify attacks, and a way to show support for Muslims in Britain. At a time where Muslim hate crimes are soaring in Britain, the hashtag was a positive act of defiance.
**5. Supermarkets tried not to be so wasteful **
Stories of supermarkets wasting billions of pounds worth of food after it's 'gone off' and been unsold is incredibly depressing. Thankfully steps are being made to stop food waste. Morrisons pledged to donate all unwanted food to charity instead of throwing it away - instead they would give it to local community groups in need. In France, it was made illegal to destroy edible food in an attempt to cut waste. Chains were made to donate products to charity or send it for recycling.
**6. Sierra Leone being declared Ebola free **
After the tragic Ebola epidemic that killed over 4,000 in Sierra Leone alone, the World Health Organisation announced that the country was free of the virus after 17 months of the outbreak. The country celebrated with parties, carnivals, candlelit vigils and prayers, alongside a moving ceremony tinged with sadness for the lives lost.
7. This Israeli Hummus Cafe
A hummus bar in Kfar Vitkin in Israel, offered tables 50% off their bill when Arabs and Jews sat and ate together. With daily attacks escalting between the two communities, the cafe was trying to spread a bit of peace. Owner Kobi Tzafrir said the offer had been well received and the restaurant had served a number of tables with both Arabs and Jews, adding: 'If there's anything that can bring together these people, it's hummus.'
8. This man who decorated an old man's house after hearing some kids talk shit about it
Track inspector Josh Cyganik from Oregon's good deed went viral after he enlisted the local community to help fix up retired forklifter Leonard Bullock's house. One day, meeting his colleagues Josh heard two teenagers commenting that Leonard's house should be burned down because it looked so run down. Leonard, who sits on his front porch every day, looked devastated, so Josh decided to do something about it. Asking a few colleagues to help out, and a friend at a hardware store to donate some paint and supplies, Josh then put his plea on Facebook asking for help. It got shared 6,000 times and hundreds of people turned up to transform the home. Other made donations if they couldn't make it along.
'Yeah, it was a random act of kindness, but to me it's more about respect,' Josh said of his good deed. 'I was raised to respect the people who came before you, to help others out who don't have much. Leonard can now sit on his front porch for the rest of his years while feeling good about his home...Anyone would have done the same thing. Everyone has it in their heart to do things like this.'
**9. The dog that has a very special toy **
Luca, an adorable Alaskan Malamute dog, became an internet sensation after her owner shared a story of how from puppy age to fully grown dog, he kept hold of one toy - a stuffed animal that looks just like her as a puppy. Writing on Imgur, Karissa Lerch wrote: 'Then and now. She destroys every studded animal except this one. :)'
Apparently Karissa bought the toy when she couldn't afford a dog - and passed the toy onto the pup. ‘I passed the stuffed animal down to her and she has kept it by her side at all times ever since...It’s her baby :) She carries it around everywhere and always has it with her when she goes to bed.’
**10. The world's oldest married couple celebrated their 90th wedding anniversary **
In a year of high profile celebrity break-ups, we loved this story about Karam Chand, 110 and Kartari Chand, 103 from Bradford, who with a combined age of 213, are the world's oldest married couple. They married in 1925 in India when the country was still under British rule and have eight children, 27 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. Their son, Paul said: 'To be aged 110 and to be so healthy is a huge milestone for anyone…We are still trying to come up with names for what you would call a 90th anniversary, as it is such an achievement...I am also proud of the my whole for family for helping us keep my parents in such good health. It is a blessing to have them still around and to have them still telling me what to do.’
11. This boy's birthday party went viral on Reddit
A ten year-old boy in Roanoke, Virginia called Camden Eubank, wanted a water balloon fight for his birthday party but was worried nobody would come because he is home-schooled and has Apraxia, a speech issue. So Camden's Mum posted the event on Facebook. The post quickly gained more than 5,000 likes, then went viral on Reddit, and 300 people turned up to the event - including a bunch of firefighters who made the water fight REALLY fun. After the story became a Reddit hit, the Eubanks also received more than 200 gifts from all over the world. The post gained so much awareness of Apraxia, Camden's father Wayne said the Apraxia Association wanted to make Camden the face of the organization. 'He is happy, the happiest I've seen him in a long time because he has people to play with,' Camden's mom Traci Eubank said.
**Liked this? You might also be interested in: **
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.