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“If you can’t feed a hundred people, then just feed one.”
WEEKLY BRIGHT SPOTS
Uber friendship
In Victorville, California, Dianna Morales, a 27-year-old Uber driver, met Leroy Burdick, a 92-year-old widower, during a routine ride—and what began as a short trip bloomed into a deep friendship. Over time, Dianna stopped accepting payment whenever she drove him, helped with errands, and opened her family’s life to him. Now Leroy joins her family for outings like golf and church, and has even gifted her son lessons and equipment. Their bond reminds us that simple kindness and consistency build connection.
Kindness doesn’t need to roar
In midland, Michigan, Wally Mayton, a retired pastor, is quietly changing the fabric of his city through what he calls “neighboring.” Instead of grand campaigns, he walks streets, learns names, writes encouraging notes (he calls them “Wally-grams”), and encourages others to reach out. Over time, his simple conviction—that people flourish when they feel seen—has grown into a community habit: neighbors checking in, sharing meals, collaborating on small projects, and building trust across streets and blocks. His life shows how kindness doesn’t need to roar; it just needs to stay awake, keen, and generous.
Burgers and a place to stay
In Paris, a traveler found themselves stranded late one night after returning from a funeral—the security code for their host family’s apartment had changed, their phone was out of battery, and the idea of paying for a hotel was beyond reach. After some support from sympathetic McDonald’s staff who gave free burgers, one compassionate stranger overheard their plight—and offered his hotel room floor for them to sleep on. In that spontaneous moment, what could’ve been a long, lonely night turned into a warm reminder: kindness can come from someone you don’t even know, at exactly the moment you need it.
Small gestures in a big city
In New York City, Jose Cruz, who has struggled with mental illness, started the “World Needs Love Tour”: standing in busy spots like Times Square and the Brooklyn Bridge, holding up handmade signs with messages of encouragement, offering hugs, and simply listening. For many hurrying by, his presence has become a rare pause—someone caring enough to say, “You matter.” In a city of millions, his small gestures are soft echoes of human connection.
GOOD NEWS FROM OUR COMMUNITY
... because the best news comes from one another.
“We had the state observation/ assessment of our class and it went great.”
“I got a research paper accepted for publication!”
Where to find high-intent holiday shoppers
Let’s be real: most brands are targeting the same people this holiday season. “Shoppers 25–54 interested in gifts.” Sound familiar? That's why CPMs spike and conversion rates tank.
Speedeon’s Holiday Audience Guide breaks down the specific digital audience segments that actually perform—from early-bird deal hunters actively comparing prices to last-minute panic buyers with high purchase intent. These aren't demographic guesses.
And our behavioral audiences are built on actual shopping signals and real-world data —the same approach we use for clients like FanDuel and HelloFresh."
You'll get the exact audiences, when to deploy them, which platforms work best, and what kind of performance to expect.
Download the guide and get smarter about your holiday targeting before the holiday rush hits.