Conservation photographer Ami Vitale is no stranger to lending a helping hand. From shining an international spotlight on the plight of endangered rhinos to co-founding Vital Impacts, a non-profit that uses fine art photography to raise funds for environmental organizations, Vitale is always thinking of what she can do to assist others. And, in light of the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, she continues to be an example by doing what she can to help fire victims.

Currently, she is offering a free print of her image A Hopeful Sign to anyone who has lost their home in the LA fires or were impacted by other devastating climate events like the recent floods in Ashevilla, North Carolina. The image shows a black rhino resting under a rainbow at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya. One thousand copies are currently available to those who reach out to 1000prints@vitalimpacts.org, and will be shipped as soon as the person is ready to receive it. Anyone who loves the print but was not impacted by the fire, can purchase it as part of the Vital Impacts annual print sale, with proceeds going toward the protection of the Amazon.

Vitale's thoughtful gesture comes from a personal place. “My sister lost her house in the Ventura fire in 2016 and the thing that upset her the most was losing her art,” the photographer writes on Instagram. In doing her part to give back, Vitale is stepping up and showing that even the smallest gestures can have a great impact.

When someone loses their home, they not only lose the physical place but all of the items and the memories that are attached to them. This image will perhaps go a long way in making whatever new space these homeowners lost a calm, comforting space to create new memories.

If you want to help those who have been affected by the fires in the LA area, check out this list of wildfire relief initiatives. For those affected by the fires, please refer to this updated list of resources for shelter, food, clothing, pet care, and more.

Ami Vitale: Website | Instagram | Facebook
Vital Impacts: Website | Instagram | Facebook

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Vital Impacts.

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Shelters Across the U.S. Are Taking Adoptable Pets From LA To Free Space for Local Animals Affected by the Fires

READ: Renowned Conservation Photographer Offers Free Fine Art Photo Prints to LA Fire Victims

 

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Louisiana-based Joseph “Gabe” Sonnier is living proof that it’s never too late to pursue your dreams. After nearly three decades as a janitor, he decided to become a teacher, ultimately becoming the principal of the very same school he once cleaned.

Sonnier’s journey took a turn in 1985 when Westley Jones, the then-principal of Port Barre Elementary, pulled him aside for a life-changing conversation. “He said, ‘Being a janitor is a good job and it’s an honest living,’” Sonnier, now 63, recalls. “But I taught you unlimited potential. I think you’d benefit the students better as an educator. I’d rather see you grading papers than picking them up.’”

Encouraged by the principal’s belief in his potential, Sonnier enrolled at Louisiana State University Eunice and the University of Louisiana. He balanced a demanding schedule, working mornings and evenings at the school while pursuing his studies. “I’d finish there and then go home and do homework,” he says. “It was hardly much rest.”

Fortunately, Sonnier’s hard work and dedication paid off. In 2006, at age 39, he graduated with an associate’s degree in general studies from Louisiana State University Eunice, and in 2008 he received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Louisiana. He then got his first teaching job, and even went on to complete a master's degree in Science and Education.

In 2013, Sonnier became the principal of the very school he had cleaned for 27 years. Reflecting on his journey, he says, “Who would have thought 33 years ago, when I set foot on this campus, that I’d eventually be the leader of this school?”

Sonnier originally put his dreams on hold after graduating high school to help his family. Following his parents’ separation, he stepped in to help his mother with bills by taking on various jobs, including construction, grocery work, and a position at a sawmill. Eventually, he became a janitor at Port Barre Elementary, following in the footsteps of his father, who had held the same role for much of his life.

“When I first started, it was my intention to work five, maybe 10 years as a janitor and then look to do something else,” says Sonnier. Though his time as a janitor lasted longer than he initially intended, he ultimately managed to transform his life, inspiring others along the way—including fellow staff members who pursued their own master’s degrees. “Don’t let your current situation define what you’ll become later,” Sonnier recommends. “I always tell them, it’s not where you start, it’s how you finish.”

Find out more about Sonnier’s story in the video below.

After nearly three decades as a janitor, Louisiana-based Joseph “Gabe” Sonnier studied to become a teacher and ultimately became the principal of the same school he once cleaned.

Sources: La. principal's success is a lesson in perseverance; How a Louisiana Man Went from Being a School Janitor to School Principal

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READ: Man Achieves Dream of Becoming Principal After Almost 30 Years as School Janitor

 

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According to the State Bar of California, a little over half of applicants passed the July 2024 exam. Rhiannah Gordon was one of them.

Gordon, a single working mom of two young kids, was determined to transition to a career in law. Only once she returned home from her 9-to-5 day job and put her children to sleep, however, would she have the opportunity to study for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). Despite her exhaustion, she persisted, and was eventually accepted at the University of California, Davis.

While in law school, Gordon juggled a full course load along with a job at the California Department of Transportation. She also had to accommodate her children, 12-year-old Flinn and 10-year-old Rhiley, into her busy schedule.

“I did everything I could to maintain the life that we had already established,” Gordon told TODAY in an interview. “I took them to their sports practices, I was at their games, but sometimes that meant if they looked up at me in the stands, my head would be in a book.”

The years of hard work have finally paid off.

In a recent video posted by Gordon, she sits anxiously at her computer, her two children pacing behind her in anticipation. The three of them are awaiting Gordon’s California bar exam results.

“Oh, my God,” Gordon says almost blankly, as if taken by surprise, when her results finally load. Once the shock dissipates and the realization sets in: “Oh, my God. I passed!”

Flinn and Rhiley crowd their mother, crying with joy and relief as they hug her. Gordon passed her bar exam on her first try.

“Black people face more barriers and obstacles,” Gordon continued. “So it was very important for me to make sure that my kids’ odds of being successful are as high as they can be. A parent’s education level contributes to that. I did this for them. They are my reason.”

In December 2024, Gordon attended her swearing-in ceremony and, today, she works for the California Department of Justice.

To keep up to date with her adventures, you can follow Rhiannah Gordon on Instagram and TikTok.

Rhiannah Gordon, a single working mom of two, was determined to transition into a law career, studying for her LSATs and attending law school while working a full-time job.

 

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Her hard work recently paid off: she passed her bar exam on her very first try, and celebrated the accomplishment with her two children.

 

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Gordon attended her swearing-in ceremony in December 2024 and currently works for the California Department of Justice.

 

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Rhiannah Gordon: Instagram | TikTok

Source: A single mom passed the bar exam on her first try. Her kids' reaction went viral

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READ: Single Working Mom Celebrates Passing Bar Exam on First Try With Her Kids in Heartwarming Video

 

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Conditions in California have been devastating lately due to the wildfires that have ravaged the Los Angeles area. However, our faith in humanity has been restored thanks to the countless acts of kindness from across the United States and even beyond. In a video recently shared by Khalsa Aid, we're given yet another opportunity to witness selfless acts of compassion and warm-hearted hospitality. Members of Southern California’s Sikh community have been preparing hot meals for those affected by the firestorms. People are seen vigorously chopping vegetables while others stir massive pots filled with sauces, soups, and curries. The finished meals are then meticulously hand-packed and stored into cardboard boxes, which volunteers wheel away on a cart.

Since last week, Khalsa Aid, a global humanitarian organization built upon Sikh principles, has prepared hundreds of vegetarian meals for those affected by the Los Angeles wildfires. Volunteers have also distributed essential non-perishable goods to thousands of families, all while partnering with local groups like Korea Town’s YMCA and Pasadena Job Center.

In Bakersville, a city just north of Los Angeles, Sikh residents are similarly mobilizing, collecting items such as new socks, blankets, and underwear, as well as food, water, and Gatorade to redistribute to community members impacted by the fires.

“In the Sikh community I have received a lot of requests of folks wanting to help, they really felt a call to do something and help our neighbors in the Los Angeles area,” Manpreet Kaur, vice mayor of Bakersfield, told local broadcasting network KERO-TV.

In 2022, Kuar became the first Sikh Punjabi woman elected to the Bakersfield City Council. Given her cultural background, Kuar immediately understood the importance of Sikh involvement in wildfire relief efforts.

“We’ve taken all of our Gudwara’s, which are Sikh places of worship, and we have made them collection sites so that we can collect the supplies that are most needed,” Kuar continued. “One of our Sikh principles is generosity and being of service to others.”

In addition to the Sikh community, several others have rallied behind Los Angeles through mutual aid and grassroots initiatives. Based in Inglewood, It’s Bigger Than Us is a Black-led non-profit that has been delivering water and resources to first responders while simultaneously running a distribution hub. The National Day Laborer Organizing Network is similarly raising money for immigrant workers, and Lagartijas Climbing Crú, a collective of BIPOC rock climbers, has organized a crowdsourced spreadsheet for mutual aid requests.

For many Angelenos, grassroots organizing has proven more effective and reliable than that of state and federal agencies. Many organizers have expressed frustration with how, just months before the fires erupted, the city of Los Angeles cut their fire department’s budget by $17.5 million while raising that of LAPD by $126 million.

“The city started off this chain of events,” Howie Galper, a lead organizer of the political group the People’s Struggle San Fernando Valley, told The Guardian. “The politics of LA is to ignore the people, and this is the end result.”

Even so, these local efforts offer an extraordinary glimpse into the strength of community solidarity and mobilization in the face of climate disaster. As of this writing, the Los Angeles firestorms have destroyed an estimated 12,000 homes, and have forced over 100,000 residents to evacuate. In the Pacific Palisades alone, wildfires have ravaged nearly 24,000 acres of land.

If you want to help those who have been affected by the fires in the LA area, check out our list of wildfire relief initiatives. For those affected by the fires, please refer to this updated list of resources for shelter, food, clothing, pet care, and more.

Sikh communities across Southern California are organizing relief efforts for those impacted by the Los Angeles firestorms.

 

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Khalsa Aid is one such organization, having prepared hundreds of hot meals for redistribution.

 

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A post shared by Khalsa Aid USA (@khalsaaidusa)

Other marginalized communities have initiated grassroots efforts as well, such as It's Bigger Than Us and Lagartijas Climbing Crú.

 

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The Los Angeles firestorms are the most destructive in California's history, having destroyed nearly 24,000 acres of land in the Pacific Palisades alone.

The Palisades fire in Los Angeles. (Photo: CAL FIRE_Official via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

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READ: Sikh Communities in Southern California Are Organizing Relief Efforts for Victims of LA Firestorms

 

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As the Los Angeles wildfires continue to blaze, thousands of heroic firefighters have risked their lives to get the fires under control, all while saving lives and homes. There are roughly about 7,500 firefighters and emergency personnel battling the multiple fires ravaging the Greater Los Angeles area. Among them are members of the California National Guard, firefighters from countries like Mexico, and inmate firefighters.

Many of us grow up knowing that firefighters are heroes, but the catastrophic events in California have only confirmed that those thoughts. Whether comforting a scared dog or helping retrieve a family's sentimental objects, these men and women embody the best of humanity. Artists are capturing these selfless acts and transforming them into beautiful tributes to the firefighters battling the flames. We've rounded up some of our favorite illustrations that honor their heroic efforts.

If you want to support the firefighters who are tirelessly working against these fires, consider donating to the CAL FIRE Benevolent Foundation or the LA Fire Foundation. The CAL FIRE Foundation provides assistance to firefighters and their families in case of loss of life or injury, while the LA Fire Foundation “provides vital equipment and funds critical programs” to the LA Fire Department.

If you want to help those who have been affected by the fires in the LA area, check out this list of wildfire relief initiatives. For those affected by the fires, please refer to this updated list of resources for shelter, food, clothing, pet care, and more.

Firefighters and emergency personnel have been working tirelessly to control the Los Angeles fires, which have destroyed over 10,000 homes.

Embed from Getty Images

Embed from Getty Images

Artists have captured the heroism of their actions and transformed them into heartwarming tributes.

 

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READ: Artists Are Paying Tribute to the Heroism of Los Angeles Firefighters

Physical photographs are considered some of the most precious possessions for people, especially if they’re not uploaded digitally or saved on a hard drive. In Los Angeles, a group of firefighters recognized this fact, and saved photo albums from a burning home that they knew couldn’t be saved.

As flames tore through the Palisades home and leapt toward its roof, firefighters entered the blaze and retrieved what appeared to be two dozen photo albums.

When NBC4 reporter Karma Dickerson approached the crew and asked what they were doing, one firefighter said they were “trying to save something, trying to do what we can. Maybe this will give them a little bit of comfort.”

Beyond the photo albums, firefighters also saved several other antiques from the home, including a grandfather clock.

“They did try to make an effort to save some of the items that were inside the home,” Dickerson said. “I was watching them carry out the family’s keepsakes. It was pretty extraordinary for them to make that a priority, understanding that the house would likely be lost.”

Since last week, the Palisades firestorm has burned nearly 24,000 acres of land, and more than 12,000 structures remain under threat according to the Los Angeles Times. Officials estimate that over 5,300 structures, including many homes, have been damaged or destroyed.

As of this writing, the Palisades fire is 17% contained, up from 14% on Monday, January 13.

If you want to help those who have been affected by the fires in the LA area, check out this list of wildfire relief initiatives. For those affected by the fires, please refer to this updated list of resources for shelter, food, clothing, pet care, and more.

When it became clear that a burning Palisades home couldn't be saved, a group of firefighters recovered dozens of photo albums and other antiques from the blazes.

 

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The Palisades firestorm is one of the most devastating Los Angeles has ever experienced, burning nearly 24,000 acres of land in just a week.

The Palisades Fire on January 8, 2025. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Source: Firefighters save photo albums, belongings from home burning in Palisades fire

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READ: LA Firefighters Enter Burning Building To Save Photo Albums and Other Sentimental Items for Family

 

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Una publicación compartida por Agence France-Presse (@afpfr)

In August 2024, Tomiko Itooka became the oldest living person in the world. The Japanese woman, born on May 23, 1908, lived through several historical events, including both World Wars and the dawn of the new millennium. Sadly, Itooka passed away on December 29—coincidentally, the same day as President Jimmy Carter, a fellow centenarian. In her final months, Itooka revealed what she thought was the secret to her longevity.

Itooka always loved the outdoors. One of her sons, Hiroshi Kai, told Guinness World Records that she went on seaside walks and hiked mountains alone—something she did well into her 80s. By the time she turned 100, she was still in very good shape, as she climbed stone steps of her local Shinto shrine without using a cane.

Still, when asked by local media what her secret was to making it to 116, she attributed it to two things she had every morning—a banana, her favorite food, and Calpis, a milky soft drink that is very popular in Japan with a taste similar to yogurt. In tandem with her active lifestyle, these foods may have contributed to her longevity—and surely kept her happy.

Itooka only held the record for the oldest living person in the world for a few months, but she will live on in the memories of all that met her. She is survived by two of her children, as well as an undisclosed number of grandchildren. Now, the record belongs to Inah Canabarro Lucas, a 116-year-old Brazilian nun. So what’s her secret? Rather than delicious treats, Canabarro credits her Catholic faith for making it to this age.

In August 2024, Tomiko Itooka became the oldest living person in the world at age 116.

 

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Una publicación compartida por Guinness World Records (@guinnessworldrecords)

When asked by local media what was the secret to making it to 116, she attributed it to having a banana and drinking Calpis every morning.

 

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Una publicación compartida por Guinness World Records (@guinnessworldrecords)

Following Itooka's passing in December, Brazilian nun Inah Canabarro Lucas now holds the record for the oldest living person in the world.

 

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Una publicación compartida por Guinness World Records (@guinnessworldrecords)

Sources: Tomiko Itooka of Japan, World’s Oldest Person, Dies at 116; World’s oldest person Tomiko Itooka receives GWR certificate on Respect for the Aged Day; A soccer-loving nun from Brazil tops list of world’s oldest living person at nearly 117

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104-Year-Old Woman Breaks World Record for the Oldest Person to Skydive

READ: Woman Who Lived to 116 Credited These Two Things She Ate Every Day as the Secret to Her Longevity

 

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Los Angeles is continuing to battle the worst wildfires ever recorded in the area. Luckily, some inspiring figures have appeared in the face of tragedy. A video captured by ABC's Joey Ybarra shows a firefighter comforting a dog while he sprays water with a hose to put out the fire in a burning house in the Altadena area. Not only did the clip capture a tender moment in the midst of a catastrophe, but it also led to the safe rescue of a clearly traumatized dog.

The video shows the pooch, named Max, wandering around a neighborhood that is being consumed by the Eaton fire. Upon running into a firefighter, Max can be seen sticking close to the first responder who calmly scratches the pup's head while expertly maneuvering a heavy hose with his other hand, only taking his eyes away from the fire to further reassure the dog.

Ybarra shared later on in an Instagram comment that the dog had been rescued by a good samaritan, and while the pooch was scared and distraught, it was safe. The hero in question is dog trainer Christopher Abkarian, owner of the Whittier Dog Club, who has devoted himself to rescuing dogs in need over the last few days. “I rescued this dog today!” he says in a comment. “He is in my facility. I ran into the property to grab him.”

Abkarian shared the race to rescue Max through a series of Instagram stories. When he arrived, the pooch was hiding in the corner of a lawn next to a house that was burning down. The dog trainer said that Max was scared and covered in soot. Abkarian then drove Max to safety, and posted a video update showing him enjoying some treats. While the dog had some breathing issues due to the smoke, he is doing much better now. It was also revealed that the dog had run in fear, but his humans were okay and are preparing for his return. For now, Abkarian will look after Max while they get back on their feet.

The dog trainer also offered his help to the local community, not only by rescuing pets in need from danger, but also by providing pet boarding to those who had lost their homes to the fire. Abkarian also called for people to have compassion for the animals going through this tragedy, as it may be even more confusing for them, and also quite dangerous to their health.

If you too would like to help out both humans and pets affected by the fires, check out this list of wildife relief initiatives.

Los Angeles continues to battle the worst wildfires ever recorded in the area. Luckily, some inspiring figures have appeared in the face of tragedy.

 

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Una publicación compartida por Joey Ybarra (@jowiitv)

After a clip of a firefighter comforting a lost dog named Max went viral, dog trainer Christopher Abkarian retrieved the pet from a dangerous area and nursed him back to health.

 

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Una publicación compartida por Christopher Abkarian (@klutch_k9)

Sources: ABC World News Tonight on Instagram; Christopher Abkarian on Instagram

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READ: Heartwarming Video of Firefighter Comforting a Dog in the LA fires Prompts Rescue of the Lost Pet

Photo: thenews2.com/Depositphotos

Singer Post Malone had a very busy year. In 2024, he performed at the Super Bowl; released his sixth studio album, F-1 Trillion; and appeared in two of the most successful records of the year, Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter and Taylor Swift's The Tortured Poets Department. To close out the year, the performer appeared to pay it forward by changing a woman's life for the better. On Christmas, Post Malone left a $20,000 tip for a single mother working as a bartender at a dive bar in Houston.

Renee Brown, the bartender who got the generous donation, recounted the experience on Instagram. “Going into work Christmas Eve I was so sad I had to leave baby girl to go to work,” she said. It was the first time she wouldn't be at home to spend the holiday with her 9-year-old daughter, Iliana. The woman, who who works two jobs to make ends meet, lamented not getting to watch movies and bake cookies with her child. She then says, “[I was] oblivious that god would send me a Christmas miracle.”

During her late night shift at The Railyard, she caught wind that Post Malone was there with his friends. “I initially didn’t realize he was there until one of my coworkers from my second job came inside and told me that Austin [Post Malone] was outside on the patio,” Brown told Mayhem Magazine. “I thought he was kidding with me at first, then I kept seeing people go outside [and] I kept making drinks for like 30 minutes before curiosity got the best of me, and lo and behold, he was there.”

Aware that the singer may have been looking to lay low, Brown went out of her way to make sure he was comfortable. “I told all my regulars not to be weird and bug him as it’s a neighborhood dive bar, and I’m sure he picked a place like that to feel a sense of normalcy,” she says. Despite his lowkey patronage, Brown shares that Post Malone's visit lifted everyone's spirits. “It was amazing to see everyone so happy and seeing how kind he was to all the people that spend their days with me on the regular.”

As Brown got ready for closing time and the end of her late night shift, it was already Christmas morning. When Post Malone asked for his check, he didn't have one as his friends and other patrons had covered it. Still, the singer told Brown to charge him for something so he could tip her. “So he asked me to ring him up for a penny or anything, so I did. I continued my close and collected all my checks and started to enter my tips. Then I got to his. It was a tip for 20,000 dollars,” she recalls. “I immediately broke down crying.” Luckily, the mother got a chance to thank the singer in person before he left.

Brown shared that she plans to use the money to pay off rent and save a bit to hopefully open a business that allows her to spend more time with her daughter. “This is hands down the most humble personable celebrity I’ve had the pleasure of meeting,” the bartender says. “He changed my life on Christmas f—— Eve and I will forever be grateful. Thank you so much Austin.”

Singer Post Malone left a $20,000 tip for a single mother working as a bartender at a dive bar in Houston on Christmas Eve.

 

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Una publicación compartida por Renee Brown (@dazedncnfuzed)

The bartender,  Renee Brown, shared that she plans to use the money to pay off rent and save a bit to hopefully open a business that allows her to spend more time with her daughter.

 

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Una publicación compartida por Barstool Backstage (@barstoolbackstage)

Source: Post Malone Surprises Struggling Single Mom With Life-Changing $20,000 Tip: “A Christmas Miracle”; Post Malone Leaves $20,000 Tip For Single Mom Working On Christmas Eve

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Generous “Shoeshine Man” Donates $200K in Tips to Children’s Hospital Over 30 Years

READ: Singer Post Malone Leaves $20K Tip for Single Mother Working as Bartender on Christmas Eve

Photo: Bárbara Fróes

It’s been established that art and craft activities positively impact mental health. It should come as no surprise, then, that arts and culture events are equally beneficial for physical and mental well-being.

New research conducted by Britain’s Department for Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS) demonstrates that attending or participating in an arts event, even if only occasionally or every few months, alleviates health symptoms such as pain, depression, and medication dependency, among others. Researchers revealed that music had a particularly strong link to an improved quality of life.

The DCMS study focused on 13 different groups of people, all of whom ranged in age from young to old. Evidence ultimately concluded that health and wellbeing improved when pursuing or attending activities related to the arts. A cited example was “Thursday at the Museum” drawing classes, during which participants over 65 years old reported greater life satisfaction after attending weekly for three months.

“Arts engagement has diverse and tangible effects on health,” Prof. Daisy Fancourt, the director of the WHO center and a co-author of the study, told The Guardian, “from supporting cognitive development and protecting against cognitive decline, to reducing symptoms of mental illness and enhancing wellbeing, reducing pain and stress, reducing loneliness, and maintaining physical functioning.”

By enhancing a participant’s overall well-being, arts and culture initiatives also reduce strain on the healthcare system. The participants of “Thursday at the Museum,” for example, created a financial dividend of £1,310 (about $1,643) per person, given that they felt better through the drawing classes and thus visited their doctors less frequently.

“[This] suggests that not only could further arts investment be valuable for individuals and the health service as part of a preventative health agenda, but also any cuts to arts funding or provision have to be considered a public health risk,” Fancourt continues.

These findings solidify just how relevant arts and cultural engagement is not only to individuals but entire communities. To learn more, check out DCMS’s full report.

A new study solidifies that participating in arts and culture events have positive health benefits.

Photo: Ardian Lumi

Musical participation was linked most strongly with a positive impact on people's quality of life.

Photo: Alev Takil

By engaging with arts and culture, people ultimately experienced better physical and mental health, reducing the strain on the healthcare system.

Photo: Mitchell Luo

Sources: Culture And Heritage Capital: Monetising The Impact Of Culture And Heritage On Health And Wellbeing; Consuming arts and culture is good for health and wellbeing, research finds

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READ: New Research Reveals That Participating in Arts and Culture Events Positively Impacts Physical and Mental Health