The Five Most Popular Feel-Good Friday Stories of 2025 – RedState
The first Feel-Good Friday of 2026, and I’m so excited about the stories that will be uncovered this year. As is the new tradition (thanks, Sarcastic Frog reader/commenter), we’re looking back at the most read Feel-Good Friday stories of 2025!
This is my family’s Christmas card in the featured image, as these are our 2025 feel-good moments. One of the reasons I love sending Christmas cards is that it feels like physical contact, as well as an exercise in goodwill. The world has become far too immersed in the digital world, sending virtual greetings on Facebook and other social media because it’s convenient, doesn’t involve much effort and doesn’t require a buffer.
How often do we receive greeting cards in the mail these days? I find it so much more rewarding to do it. It’s our special way of reaching out to all the friends and family who have shaped our lives, many of whom are no longer regularly seen. He also invites others to celebrate this time and celebrate God’s blessings with us for another year.
Every Feel-Good Friday looks a lot like this. It’s a celebration of America and Americans. Our stories, our sacrifices and the attitudes and actions that make us exceptional. Our ability to show unconditional love, offer charity in the midst of difficulty, and continue to strive for good has been discovered, brought to light, and gratefully celebrated.
So, without further ado, here are the Top 5 Feel-Good Fridays of 2025 which resonated.
No. 5: This 9-year-old boy dressed for success to adopt his new best friend
Cairo Hall, now 10 years old, had the maturity and motivation to take animal adoption seriously. Cairo researched, prepared, got his parents’ permission, then dressed for his successful encounter with Waylon the Pit Bull. It was love at first sight, and the rest is history! This also received the most comments. As commenter Patrick said:
What a marvel of history! Cairo Hall is the kind of kid who gives you hope for the future – thoughtful, prepared, and full of heart. In a world where instant gratification and selfies often reign supreme, here is a young man who slowed down, got dressed, did his homework, and approached dog adoption with the seriousness and respect it truly deserves. This level of maturity, empathy and responsibility at just nine years old? Outstanding.
Well said. I took a look at Cairo and Waylon’s Instagram, and they are still going strong, a dog and his boy living their best lives. Cairo’s message to its supporters embodies the very spirit of Feel-Good Friday.
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I am so grateful for our incredible community on this platform this year! Your kind words and encouragement in the comments meant everything. Here are some highlights from my year: #1 adopting Waylon @pawsshelter, spending #bestdayever with Ringo and the Texas Stars @txstarshockey thanks to @bestday.tv, sharing my story with @careforequity, and being inspired to spread kindness at the @bestday.tv gala. I’m also grateful to have done a podcast with @lilleaders and of course to share what I’m learning with you all! 📹 Honorable mentions include our exchange student 🇮🇹 from Italy who visited me again and graduated with his speech degree after 5 years (sharing videos with you all has greatly improved my speech). And much more! Thanks to @purina, @nulopetfood, @treaty.pet, @goodboybiscuitco and @petlife.unlimited for treating Waylon like the amazing dog he is. To those who have shared my story and videos to promote shelter adoptions and dog training, thank you. There are so many! And to the amazing dog trainers at @charmingbuddiesdogtraining and @petprojectdogtraining, for teaching me how to take care of Waylon. In 2026, I’m committing to #52weeksofkindness inspired by @bestday.tv: doing one kind thing for an animal or person every week. Who is with me? You can join us by supporting awesome organizations or finding your own ways to spread kindness! What are your plans for 2026? Kindness can change the world, no act is too small. #smile 🌍 ❤️ #waylonandcai #2025 #2026 #dogsofinstagram #52weeksofkindness
No. 4: GA teen who dropped out of college to work in fast food and reaps surprising rewards
There were so many fun stories about the 2025 graduation season featured on Feel-Good Friday, and they worked well; but this one has reached the stratosphere for several reasons. Mykale Baker, an 18-year-old high school graduate, put others above himself by going to work at Burger King right after its commencement ceremony to help his co-workers. Mykale wasn’t even scheduled to work! He could have celebrated with family and friends, but he chose to be a good co-worker and employee.
A mother named Maria Mendoza, whose daughter also graduated from Mykale, saw him in the drive-thru line while waiting for her food, and was so touched by Mykale’s spirit, work ethic and act of service that she decided to start a GoFundMe called “From Burger King to a College Dream” to raise money for her college. Then there’s the so-called evil corporation that was anything but. Burger King not only matched this mother’s generous act by providing a $10,000 financial donation to Mykale, but they also offered the same scholarship to Mendoza’s daughter for her college!
As of this writing, the GoFundMe Mendoza launched for Mykale has raised $237,156. Thanks to the generosity of the community and the nation, Mykale, who had planned to take a year off to earn money for college, was able to go immediately. Mykale is studying auto mechanics at Gwinnett Technical College. When he graduates, I would like him to work on my automobile – he has already proven his worth and his work ethic.
Goodness all around. As commenter Ironhead1970 wrote:
This story made me cry. Such kindness, good old ethics and dedication to helping another person have been missing from the majority of our society for many years. All it takes is a spark to show that there are still people ready to do for others without asking for anything in return.
No. 3: Boy injured in Philadelphia plane crash asks after surgery: ‘Dad, did I save my sister?’
Air tragedies were a horrible way to start 2025, but the country has seen quite a few. One was particularly sad: a Medivac flight crashed over Philadelphia, killing the pilot and passengers (six), as well as one person on the ground, and injuring at least 19 others. Andre (Trey) Howard III was among the injured.
The 10-year-old was in a car with his father and siblings and became a hero for protecting his sister from falling debris. Trey suffered a serious head injury and required emergency surgery. When he woke up, one of the first things he asked was, “Dad, did I save my sister?” A month after the tragic accident, his father spoke with ABC News about Trey’s condition and the moment that made him cry.
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How valuable is this? Trey not only survived the surgery, but also made steady progress and was able to be transferred to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for rehab. A huge Eagles fan (duh), Trey was able to watch the Super Bowl from his hospital room to see his favorite player, wide receiver AJ Brown, help his team to victory. Brown promised on X and radio that he would visit Trey, and AJ Brown kept that promise. Despite doctors’ predictions that Trey might no longer walk and his speech might be impaired, Trey was not only able to walk, but he also conversed with Brown during this visit.
“Just with my son walking around and being able to have a conversation with AJ Brown,” Howard said. “These are things that I look at as a father. … These are iconic moments.”
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Trey is still recovering and has a long road ahead. But with the love of his family and the boost of emotion from a player he admires, there’s a good chance this hero will go on to do great things. Commentator Ray Dunn agrees:
This kind of story gives me hope for the future of the country! Great job kid!
No. 2: A bride who grew up without a father gets an unlikely friend to walk her down the aisle
This one turned out to be my favorite because it is so similar to my own story (as I mention in the article). But it also takes topics that the left likes to use to divide us: race, class, family and loss, and turns them on their head. A young black woman named Noir met her prince charming and they were going to get married. But Black had no family or anyone to walk him down the aisle, until Bill – an older white man who was also his landlord and friend – offered to fill that void. As I concluded in the article: “These deep spiritual connections create bonds that go beyond the skin and transcend blood. »
Commenter Truth Always Wins expressed:
Wow, just wow! If only the media could focus on stories like this instead of always trying to divide us. Your story brought tears to my eyes.
No. 1: Homeless vet donates his last dollar. Then a kind stranger transforms her life
The most popular and most read Feel-Good Friday story of 2025 really comes as no surprise. Navy veteran Jeff Daley represents not only the best of our country, but how we as Americans must stand up for those who fought for our freedoms. Jeff’s homelessness crisis, coupled with his determination to refuse to give up and move forward, is inspiring. Jeff was just going about his business and doing his job at Sprouts when he came across internet influencer Jimmy Darts. Jeff gave Jimmy Darts his last dollar, and through that act of kindness, Jimmy Darts helped change the trajectory of his life.
The story resonated with many people and was the most commented on Feel-Good Friday of 2025.
Commentator Ornery Coot said:
That’s how it is. Charity should come from the people, helping those who are ready to help themselves. Jeff Daley was willing to work, made an effort to provide for himself, and proved to be a kind man regardless of his circumstances. Perfect example of a man who deserves a helping hand. He didn’t even ask for it. I love it.
I’m still researching how Jeff is doing, but I’m hoping that with this helping hand from Jimmy Darts, Jeff’s 2026 is shaping up to be a lot better than last year.
Looking forward to sharing more of the feel-good stories this year brings.
Good year!
Editor’s note: At RedState, it’s not just about politics and policy. We love to bring attention to what’s good in the world, with features like “Feel-Good Friday,” “Start Your Weekend Right” and “Hoge’s Heroes.”
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