TORONTO – A stranger walks into a Tim Hortons in Edmonton and purchases coffees for the next 500 customers, sparking others to do the same in cities nationwide.
In San Francisco, thousands come together to make a wish come true for a five-year-old leukemia patient, now known simply as “Batkid.”
We take a look back at some of the most heartwarming and “feel-good” news stories of 2013.
1. Batkid saves Gotham City
On November 16, 2013, thousands of volunteers gathered to transform the city of San Francisco into Gotham City in order to fulfill the wish of Miles Scott, a five-year-old leukemia patient who dreamed of being “Batkid” for a day.
In one day, Miles became a social media sensation and attracted fans around the world, including President Barack Obama.
READ MORE: Thousands rally to turn San Francisco into Gotham City for young leukemia patient
“Way to go, Miles! Way to save Gotham!” said Obama.
VIDEO: Obama thanks Batkid for saving Gotham
Miles was able to fulfill his dream through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the city and volunteers who stepped forward to help. He was diagnosed three years ago, underwent chemotherapy treatment and is now in remission.
2. Volunteers come together to help Alberta flood victims
Following the devastating flood that hit southern Alberta in July, residents in and around Calgary quickly came to the aid of their fellow Albertans.
VIDEO: Calgary Mayor shares heartwarming stories of community support
Many spent hours helping strangers, cleaning up debris and dropping off supplies for those in need.
The support also extended to the online world.
On social media, users on Twitter, Facebook and Reddit reached out to offer help for those in need of shelter, food and dry clothing while dozens of Canadian companies offered donations and support to help the recovery efforts.
3. Man buys 500 free coffees, sparks ‘pay it forward’ movement
Days after an Edmonton man walked into a Tim Hortons in July and paid $860 for coffee for the next 500 customers, an anonymous man in Calgary did the same. This was followed by two others who repeated the gesture in Ottawa and Red Deer, as well as many other cities across Canada.
Shortly after, we asked you to share your stories of acts of kindness on our Facebook pages and this page here. Stories ranged from “simple” gestures as having one’s bus fare paid by a fellow commuter, to “grand” acts of kindness, such as gifting rent money back as a down payment for a house.
4. Time-lapse video of homeless U.S. Army veteran undergoing physical transformation
In November, a time-lapse video of a U.S. Army veteran receiving a physical transformation went viral.
READ MORE: Video of homeless U.S. Army veteran undergoing physical transformation
Inspired by Dove’s “Evolution” ad campaign, the clip showed Jim Wolf sitting in a chair as he gets his beard trimmed, a new haircut and new clothes.
VIDEO: U.S. Army Veteran undergoes physical transformation
According to the video, Wolf has struggled with poverty, homelessness and alcoholism for decades.
While many users commented that a physical transformation was not enough to help veterans in need of support, some argued it was a start.
5. Victoria man’s “Random Acts of Coolness”
In August, a Victoria man began to receive thousands of views on YouTube for his “Random Acts of Coolness” video.
Motocross blogger Kim Faganello filmed a video of himself helping out a woman in a motorized wheelchair who had got stuck on a curb. After posting the clip, he encouraged people to do good deeds and created the “Random Acts of Coolness” contest.
READ MORE: Victoria man’s random act of kindness goes viral on YouTube
“Kindness had been done, I wanted to do something that younger guys would be more into saying or doing,” he said. “They will say ‘cool,’ but you’re not going to hear a 24-year-old guy say, ‘that was really kind.’ ”
With files from Global News and The Associated Press
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