By Cheryl Conway

With winter holidays behind us and the new year already here, many may have noticed some extra kindness with more and more people giving to charities, hosting dinners, providing meals and reaching out to those struggling or needing some help to get by.

These are the type of stories that New View Media Group welcomes as good news and kindness tend to spread and creates a chain reaction that may encourage others to pitch in by donating some time, money or items that they do not need or use.

New View Media Group, it’s that new view on news that tends to steer away from anything controversial and negative, such as last year’s political debates and election. The recent election, as contentious as it was, remains uneasy for many who question the next leadership; and if the other candidate would have won, that same uneasiness would have still been present.

As readers look back at 2016, and then forward to what lies ahead, we must not forget the importance of sticking to core values, good ethics and morals, and proper etiquette which can range from being kind to others; having respect for all people; being honest and giving to those who may be struggling.

Throughout the past year, the local community has been an outreach in so many ways to help others both near and far. Readers of the “Roxbury News” were inundated with so many positive stories.  At St. Theresa School in Succasunna, students donated pajamas to support the Kindness for Christopher campaign; Roxbury Eagle Scout was honored for his Lake Club Restoration project; Kennedy Elementary School students hosted food drive; Franklin School students raised the flag to honor veterans; township supported first responders by painting street lines; Boy Scout promoted literacy through little libraries project; teens provided meals through Renewal Congregation; Roxbury police assisted in food drive; RHS students expressed inspirational messages on rocks; Boy Scout started project to beautify Ledgewood Circle; local teen hosted health fair to earn Eagle Scout badge; community supports fundraisers for home improvement project to benefit five year old boy born with Spina bofida; siblings sell lemonade to aid families of slain officers; local man picks up trash to clean community; annual talent show held to support charities; RMS students honored police with unity bike tour; students shaved heads to support pediatric cancer research; Roxbury native hosted Layups for Life for Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; local boy accepted food pantry donations in lieu of birthday presents; rival high schools wrestled for hunger; church made valentines for nursing home residents.

The list of amazing stories that detail all of the wonderful actions prompted by the local community go on and on. For 2017, let’s continue to share in all of the good that surrounds us, big or small, near or far.

Send your press releases and story ideas to me at editor@newviewmg.com. Hope happy holidays were had by all and may 2017 be bright, healthy and filled with all great things.