Tennessee's mystery benefactors, and more

Tennessee's mystery benefactors

For three decades, poor families in West Tennessee have been receiving surprise gifts of baked goods from anonymous strangers. Now, the mystery benefactors have been identified—a group of women who call themselves the “Nine Nanas” and consider it their mission to aid the unfortunate. The women, ages 54 to 72, began putting aside money to help struggling families 35 years ago, finding their targets by eavesdropping in hair salons and grocery stores. They have since given away $900,000 in food, clothes, and help with bills—always accompanied by a freshly baked pound cake left on a doorstep or windowsill before dawn. “We want people to know that someone out there cares enough to do something,” said one Nana.

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro without legs

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It’s tough enough to scale Mount Kilimanjaro when you’re an experienced climber—imagine doing it without legs. Spencer West did just that last month, conquering Africa’s highest mountain using only his hands. The 31-year-old American was born with a spinal disorder and had both legs amputated below the pelvis as a child. Now a successful motivational speaker, he decided to climb Kilimanjaro to raise $750,000 for a Kenyan charity. After a year of training, he completed the 19,300-foot climb in seven days. “We all have the ability to redefine what is possible,” he said, “whether you’re missing your legs or not.”