By *George Rath

How one man's love for his great niece led to an ongoing ministry!

If you have children you may have used a bumble seat. They are a softshell seat that supports a child on a chair. It helps them sit upright. When Marty Parzynski’s great niece, Bella, was diagnosed with spina bifida, he came up with an idea to use a bumble seat to build a mini wheelchair. He lovingly called it Bella’s Bumba.

(* This is one of the last stories produced by Air1's George Rath before his untimely passing in the summer of 2019. We believe his story work is a lasting testament to his faith in Christ and caring for others.)

By Susan Miller

You grew way too many tomatoes this year. Your zucchini went crazy. And what in world will you do with all those cucumbers?

What if you could donate all your extra veggies?

“The gardeners across America hate wasting food,” says Gary Oppenheimer founder of an innovative online matching service called AmpleHarvest.org. He is a lifelong gardener who once saw his own bountiful backyard as both a blessing and a curse. “I found out the hard way,” he laughs, “you can only give so much zucchini to friends and still call the them a friend.” So along with fellow growers he devised a solution: connect local backyard gardeners with food pantries, women’s shelters or feeding programs that would welcome fresh vegetables.

By Billie Branham

A garage in Texas is fixing women’s cars for free. God’s Garage also provides cars to women who are in need. Pastor Chris Williams says he wants to help so those who need it don’t end up at dishonest repair shops. God’s Garage serves women from all over the area. He says the garage serves, “Single mothers with 16-year-old children or younger, living at home with them. Widows and wives of deployed military. And they’re from every walk of life. We just want to help these ladies get a foot up in life.”

When soldiers trade their uniforms for civvies, they lose access to the human bonds unique to military service. Vets are forging new friendships and finding new purpose through Christian-based Celebrate Recovery 'Welcome Home' groups. Air1's Frank Hammond talks with Quint Pitts, Iraq war veteran and National Dir. of CR Welcome Home.

U.S. Dept of Veterans Affairs has struggled with public trust after years of inefficient VA hospitals and slow response to a rising tide of soldier suicides. But comprehensive new laws seem to be making a difference in quality of care. Air1's Ed Lenane checks in with the VA’s cabinet-level commander.

By Richard Hunt

A regional grocery chain invests in customized shopping carts after a heartfelt request from a mom! Parents, who have children with special needs, can often face an uphill challenge doing everyday things, like shopping for food. Wegmans Food Markets listened to an idea, an appeal, offered by a mom in Buffalo, New York.

Barely a month after racing boss J.D. Gibbs died of a devastating neurological disease, his team made NASCAR history by finishing 1st-2nd-3rd at Daytona 500. His legendary dad, NFL Coach Joe Gibbs celebrates J.D. as one of his personal faith heroes. Air1's Ed Lenane has that story.

Welcome Home Initiative retreats are entirely free for a veteran or their spouse to attend, meals and hotels provided. “One of the biggest things we do is to anoint the trigger finger of the veteran or the thumbs of a 50 cal gunner,” says Rev. Nigel Mumford, a symbolic act he told Air1's Ed Lenane has delivered many men from painful memories.

By Richard Hunt

Instead of a black trash bag for their personal things, kids removed from their homes can get a ‘Comfort Kit’ courtesy of the encouraging people at Love Modesto.

“When you think about it, you’re being taken away from everything you’ve ever known and placed in a home with strangers.” Children may be separated from a brother or sister and “you don’t know what’s happening next. You don’t know when you’re going to be able to go back home – if you ever are. And it can be very traumatic.” -- Crystal McKiernan

"Change in a city comes through loving the city, being kind." Planners aspire to create a space where low-income families feel loved and accepted adding fun services like nail salons, kid zones and free family portraits to the festivities. Volunteers are committed to treating attendees with dignity and respect, which begins with an enthusiastic welcome at the gate. Air1's Richard Hunt talks with Jeff Nene, national spokesman for Convoy of Hope and Michael Redmond, Vice President of Community Events.