PORTLAND, Tenn. (WTVF) — A little girl’s kind gesture is inspiring dozens of people to give back to an animal rescue in Portland, Tennessee, called A Place to Bark.

The 21-year-old nonprofit is a no-kill foster and adoption rescue dedicated to the welfare of dogs.

"I take them in; I get them well. I work with any behavioral issues, and we get them ready for adoption," said A Place to Bark founder Bernie Berlin.

Berlin said in recent years, volunteers haven’t been showing up to help; it’s been difficult hiring new employees, and donations have gone down.

Berlin started the new year off a little sad until 7-year-old Lila Stephens decided to take all the money in her piggy bank and donate it: a total of $27.25.

The two met for the first time in Franklin, Tennessee, for a pet adoption event. Her mom, Samantha Stephens, posted her daughter’s kind gesture to social media, and now other people are matching Lila’s donation to give to the rescue.

“We had a family friend who lives in Texas just messaged me and said, 'I would really like to match that because that’s so sweet she’s doing that.' We didn’t know Bernie’s need. We didn’t know she was going to get the donations. Everything came together at a time that made a big difference for Bernie," Stephens said.

Berlin said Lila is such a big inspiration.

"Like, right now, I have a bill over $1,000, and we spend $5,000 to $7,000 a month to spay and neuter. This month, we had over a thousand, and Lila’s little gift turned into a big gift that pays that bill off," Berlin said.

Donations for A Place to Bark are still coming in.

If you would like to match Lila’s $27.25 and give to A Place to Bark, here are some ways to do so: PayPal, Venmo (@aplacetobark), or mail: A Place To Bark PO Box 649 Portland, TN 37148.

This article was written by Aaron Cantrell for WTVF.

BREMEN, Ky. — A tornado victim took a moment to focus on his faith and help others find hope in the tragedy.

Jordan Baize doesn't like the spotlight, but his gift is playing the piano.

Late last week, his stage was shattered when his home was destroyed amid a tornado outbreak that's killed at least 88 people in several states.

"It's been awful," Baize said.

The rural town of Bremen, Kentucky, lost around a dozen people.

"It's so small, it's close-knit," Baize said. "I had friends that Saturday who were picking up clothes out of their fields to try to launder them to have something to change into."

Baize's family was not hurt.

"We came into the basement, I have a spare mattress in the basement and I covered the five of us up," Baize said.

As the family looked around to see what he could save, Baize decided to see if his piano still worked. His sister grabbed her phone and started recording.

His rendition of "There's Something About That Name" has been viewed thousands of times on social media.

"I believe that even in the midst of trying times, there is a peace that can be found," Baize said. "My faith is very important to me. It's soothing, calming, and I think we all could use a little bit of that this weekend."

His church in nearby Madisonville, Kentucky — Victory Church — is currently accepting donations for tornado relief for those who would like to help.

Jordan Baize uses piano to spread hope following tornado

This story was originally published by Alexandra Koehn on Scripps station WTVF in Nashville.

Nick Vujicic has a passion for sharing his story across the globe. He was born in Australia without arms and legs with no medical explanation. He said wanted to give up on life at age 10 and attempted suicide.

"I didn't believe I'd get a job or get married and thought even if I got married I can't even hold my wife's hand," Vujicic said.

But he says God helped him overcome all those obstacles. He even got married and is blessed with four beautiful children. Living life without limits, on the ski slopes and in the water. He enjoys many activities that may seem impossible like swimming, golfing and fishing.

He has taken his powerful story around the world to 74 countries, 21 presidents and 10 government leaders. He wants to encourage the people of Southeast Louisiana to never give up and live with purpose regardless of the situation.

"Sometimes we wait for a miracle but sometimes God wants to use us as a miracle even if we don't get ours," Vujicic said.

Watch Nick's full story in the video above.