Latest news with #OnAPositiveNote
CBS News
12-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Baldwin elementary school student uses his mother's birthday to help others
A birthday gift from a child is something that parents always cherish, and one boy from Baldwin decided to give his mother a gift that is not only worth cherishing but also helps others. To understand 10-year-old Neko Marino, you first have to understand where he is coming from in life. While he likes the things any other kid would enjoy, video games, football, basketball, and other sports, he seems to be exceptional at one particular thing: being kind. R.A. Lutz Elementary School sees hundreds of kids walk through the doors every day, and one of those kids has developed a reputation that would make any parent proud. "He comes ready to learn, he's sweet, he's polite, his manners are on point," said Amanda Mainarich, Neko's teacher. What he did recently further revealed Neko as a kid with a superstar soul. "My mom's 50th came up and I didn't know what to buy her," Neko said. His mom, Melissa Marino, said what most parents would say - "I don't need anything." "If you want to give me a priceless gift, give me an act of kindness," she said. It just so happened that his school was in the middle of a coat drive, and that's when Neko began gathering coats. "I have a lot of coats and it's a good thing to give to people," Neko said. So, with more than 30 coats stuffed in a plastic bag, Neko took them to school to give to other students who may need one. "It makes it better for the community, and it helps people in need of coats," Neko said. "Sometimes, there are just people who are good eggs," Mainrich said. Mainarich is one of Neko's teachers and is constantly impressed by his kindness. "Neko was a child who was just born that way," she said. "He was born thinking of others, born with a positive heart, a caring heart, and an empathic heart." Neko also helps feed the hungry in his spare time, but it's no big deal for this kid with a big bag of coats and an even bigger heart. "I like being kind, donating coats, and being nice," Neko said. For Neko, he's providing warmth in more ways than one. You can catch On A Positive Note every Friday night on KDKA-TV News at 7:30 and again on Saturday mornings at 10.
CBS News
05-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Pirates phenom Paul Skenes once again helping veterans and the Gary Sinise Foundation
KDKA-TV is bringing back the "On A Positive Note" segment, and since we're bringing it back on the same day as the Pittsburgh Pirates' home opener, we're connecting the two. For the second year in a row, Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes is donating $100 for every strikeout he throws to the Gary Sinise Foundation to help veteran causes. Long before he threw his first pitch as a Pittsburgh Pirate or an LSU Tiger, phenom Paul Skenes was a cadet at the United States Air Force Academy, taking the mound for the academy's baseball team. "I just came into the academy trying to be a good cadet and have some fun on the baseball field," he said in a 2021 interview while he was at the USAFA. Since then, he's had a lot of fun striking out Major League batters, but it was that experience at the Air Force Academy that led the 22-year-old to help actor and musician Gary Sinise and his foundation. "That's very admirable," Sinise said. "I admire him for going to the academy. His talent is obvious." Starting in 2024, each time Skenes has struck out a batter, $100 would go to the foundation. Last year, the Fullerton, California native mowed down 170 batters, sending $17,000 to the Sinise Foundation. "He's doing incredible things to help his fellow service members and supporting us and the Gary Sinise Foundation," Sinise said. Sinise is famous for his roles in hit Hollywood movies, including the Academy Award-nominated performance as Lieutenant Dan in the 1994 film Forrest Gump. Long before that role, Sinise was helping veterans. "I just felt a lot of compassion for Vietnam veterans, I learned a lot from my wife's brother, and her sister's cousin was a combat medic," he said. To date, the Sinise Foundation has provided 94 adaptive smart homes for wounded heroes, 1,200,000-plus meals for service personnel across the nation and overseas, and so much more. "We've actually raised $515 million since we've been around," Sinise said. Skenes, meanwhile, said with the help of fan donations, he hopes to raise $100,000 more this year for the foundation. "Of course, that means 100 strikeouts," Sinise said. "I wouldn't put it past him to get there. I wouldn't be surprised to see him do all kinds of great things for services in the coming years." Finally, if you are interested in donating to the Gary Sinise Foundation and helping Skenes reach his goal, you can do so on their website at this link .
