Service dog donated to help Manatee County first responders manage stress
With four paws and a wagging tail, Rucker has become the newest member of Manatee County's first responder family.
With four paws and a wagging tail, Rucker has become the newest member of Manatee County's first responder family.
Lightning fan gets up-close look at game before he loses his sight
At just 8 years old, North Port's Mark Shymanski is losing his sight, but he really wants to be a hockey player, so his teacher submitted him for a special program that helped him reach his goal.
At just 8 years old, North Port's Mark Shymanski is losing his sight, but he really wants to be a hockey player, so his teacher submitted him for a special program that helped him reach his goal.
Young former Shriners patient returns to hospital -- with gifts
After spending years in and out of Shriners Hospital in Tampa, one 13-year-old wanted to make the holidays a little more cheerful for others like her.
After spending years in and out of Shriners Hospital in Tampa, one 13-year-old wanted to make the holidays a little more cheerful for others like her.
From lemonade to hot chocolate, girl's mission remains the same
With each hot cup Caroline pours, she is helping kids just like herself. She donates much of the proceeds to John Hopkins All Children's Hospital, where doctors successfully treated her for leukemia.
With each hot cup Caroline pours, she is helping kids just like herself. She donates much of the proceeds to John Hopkins All Children's Hospital, where doctors successfully treated her for leukemia.
Christmas surprise: Baby born in the car on the shoulder of US 301 in Bradenton
A Manatee County couple got a Christmas surprise. Their baby girl made her debut one week early and came so fast, she was delivered on the side of the road.
A Manatee County couple got a Christmas surprise. Their baby girl made her debut one week early and came so fast, she was delivered on the side of the road.
7-year-old 'garbage and recycling enthusiast' taken on dream garbage truck ride along
Christmas came early for a little boy in Odessa. 7-year-old Logan Heer's passion for garbage trucks is unmatched. His mom says he dreams of one day getting to ride one.
Christmas came early for a little boy in Odessa. 7-year-old Logan Heer's passion for garbage trucks is unmatched. His mom says he dreams of one day getting to ride one.
Tampa non-profit donates hundreds of bikes to at-risk kids
Hundreds of kids in Tampa got early Christmas gifts Thursday from the charity organization OnBikes.
Hundreds of kids in Tampa got early Christmas gifts Thursday from the charity organization OnBikes.
Brewers trade hops for hammers to help local family
Bay Area craft beer brewers gathered Wednesday to work on a house that beer built.
Bay Area craft beer brewers gathered Wednesday to work on a house that beer built.
One year after sister donates bone marrow to brother, siblings give toys to hospitalized kids
The Pickett family knows what it's like to spend Christmas in the hospital. After 7-year-old Adyn's battle with leukemia, they decided to bring some joy to kids in the same hospital where he received treatment.
The Pickett family knows what it's like to spend Christmas in the hospital. After 7-year-old Adyn's battle with leukemia, they decided to bring some joy to kids in the same hospital where he received treatment.
YMCA Live Strong program celebrates young survivor's graduation
Sam Young is used to overcoming challenges. The 6th-grader from Hillsborough County has beat cancer twice
Sam Young is used to overcoming challenges. The 6th-grader from Hillsborough County has beat cancer twice
Christmas came early for students at Pizzo Elementary Tuesday afternoon
Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David surprised students with new tablets just in time for the holidays.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David surprised students with new tablets just in time for the holidays.
Dover organization re-purposes bikes for people in need
Bikes for Christ collects slightly used bikes and money to fix them up. They're hoping to donate 300 this year.
Bikes for Christ collects slightly used bikes and money to fix them up. They're hoping to donate 300 this year.
Horse therapy helps veterans deal with trauma
Most know about the power that animals can have in healing. That's why dogs are often used in therapy. But other animals, like horses, are useful, too.
Most know about the power that animals can have in healing. That's why dogs are often used in therapy. But other animals, like horses, are useful, too.
Florida boy with special needs has magical surprise visit with Santa
Christmas came early for a young Florida boy with cerebral palsy when he received a surprise visit from Santa Claus at his home in Palmetto on November 27.
Christmas came early for a young Florida boy with cerebral palsy when he received a surprise visit from Santa Claus at his home in Palmetto on November 27.
St. Pete officers pay it forward by buying toys for 200 kids in time for Christmas
Police officers in St. Petersburg traded their patrol cars for shopping carts Tuesday morning.
Police officers in St. Petersburg traded their patrol cars for shopping carts Tuesday morning.
Restaurant's tradition of giving back comes full circle
Andres Bautista was last at Donatello Italian Restaurant in 2012, one of the many at-risk teens invited to its annual Thanksgiving celebration. Sitting in these same chairs today, he can remember how he felt then, and how far he's come since.
Andres Bautista was last at Donatello Italian Restaurant in 2012, one of the many at-risk teens invited to its annual Thanksgiving celebration. Sitting in these same chairs today, he can remember how he felt then, and how far he's come since.
Church pays off $1.62-million of medical debt for families
“We found out that there’s over $3 million in deferred medical debt in our city,” said Access Church’s lead pastor Jason Burns. "This $3 million is owned by people who live at less than half of the federal poverty line.”
“We found out that there’s over $3 million in deferred medical debt in our city,” said Access Church’s lead pastor Jason Burns. "This $3 million is owned by people who live at less than half of the federal poverty line.”
Wild mustangs are no match for this 18-year-old
She's only 18, but is fast developing a reputation for her skill at training mustangs. Her mom says she has a gift, and she’s using it to help find homes for these majestic horses.
She's only 18, but is fast developing a reputation for her skill at training mustangs. Her mom says she has a gift, and she’s using it to help find homes for these majestic horses.
Afternoon of free laundry takes load off for Tampa families
Dozens of Tampa families got a take a load off Tuesday with three hours of free laundry, thanks to the Tampa Police Department.
Dozens of Tampa families got a take a load off Tuesday with three hours of free laundry, thanks to the Tampa Police Department.
Gobble Wobble 5K: Girl's idea to give back becomes annual Thanksgiving tradition
In less than three days, hundreds of people will participate in the Gobble Wobble 5K in Safety Harbor. It's become an annual Thanksgiving event that started out as a class project when a third grader saw a problem in her community.
In less than three days, hundreds of people will participate in the Gobble Wobble 5K in Safety Harbor. It's become an annual Thanksgiving event that started out as a class project when a third grader saw a problem in her community.