High 5 - Good News - WMC Action News 5 - Memphis, Tennessee

The game of Chess has been around for more than 1,500 years, but children across the country continue to use the game to learn discipline and strategy.

From a group of wild and bright-eyed critters returning to the Memphis Zoo to efforts to spread peace and combat violence in our community, here are 5 of the Great Things in the Mid-South this week.

You'll be seeing a lot of pink in October, and it's all for a good cause! 

Kroger announced a plan to eliminate hunger across the country. The grocery store chain announced its Zero Hunger | Zero Waste plan Tuesday. 

Three hundred people will visit 11 restaurants in the Cooper-Young district, and their participation will help a charred church.

A child cancer survivor with her own team for the St. Jude Walk/Run is urging more people to donate and sign up for the race this weekend.

A portion of furniture sales in Memphis will go to help Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.

Thousands of Mid-South students received free uniform shirts on Monday thanks to the generosity of a local company.

The Memphis Redbirds capped off its historic season with a Pacific Coast League championship win.

Dispatched to not one, but two major hurricane recoveries in one month. That was the reality for Memphis-based Tennessee Task Force 1, who has been deployed on the front lines of two of the worst natural disasters in U.S. history. 

A St. Jude patient got the chance of a lifetime at the Memphis Tigers game against UCLA Saturday. 

You couldn't ask for more perfect weather this year at the Cooper-Young Festival as hundreds came out to support local businesses, diversity, and food and family fun.

First responders from Tennessee Task Force 1 are back in Memphis after a deployment to help hurricane victims in Florida. 

Phillip Ashley Chocolates has been named the Official Chocolatier of the 2017 Emmy Awards Governors Ball creating 25,000 luxury chocolates at the Golden Grandeur themed event in Los Angeles, California.

We had a lot of amazing and Great Things to happen in the Mid-South this week, and here are 5 of them!

High school seniors in Tennessee are graduating at a record rate.

Nearly 200 FedEx volunteers are showing their support for military families. 

Memphis' top firefighter is hoping to inspire young girls to think outside the box when deciding on their future. 

Grab a cup of hot chocolate, put on your favorite pajamas,  pull the covers up, and allow actor Idris Elba to read you a bedtime story.  All for a good cause.

The Memphis Redbirds' historic season will continue after the team reeled off an extra inning win to propel them to the Pacific Coast League Championship.

The annual Germantown Festival begins Saturday with more than 400 vendors and even a "weenie dog race."

Sixty years after it first made it to Graceland, a significant piece of Elvis' musical history will return to Graceland.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Mid-South is looking for mentors to help children realize their full potential.

The Dentzel Grand Carousel that once ran at Liberty Land  is one step closer to returning to operation in Memphis.

Former NBA star and Memphis Native Penny Hardaway will among the attendees at the 12th annual Alpha Omega Veterans Services Golf Classic.

The Pink House provides mentorships and reassurance for the children and spouses who stand alongside their loved ones in the battle against breast cancer.

It is being called 'the passport' to the world of resources, and it's free: the little plastic wallet-size card is known to many as a library card.

The Nashville Predators are doing their part to provide aid in the Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.

A month-long concert series began Sunday afternoon at the National Civil Rights museum. The first MLK Soul Concert was supposed to be Friday, but was rescheduled because of rain. 

Harvey has caused some major devastation in Houston, and people all over have donated to the relief efforts. Locally, Collierville Cares is filling up trucks with mounds of different things to send to those in need.

It's a bold promise to make considering he lost the use of his legs in a car wreck in 2007.

A woman who turned her "selfish" past into a life of service is WMC Action News 5's latest Mid-South Hero.

Several Memphians who took their own boats to Texas to help with water rescues have been making quite an impact.

A dog who was severely abused is making a miraculous recovery.

Flooding from Harvey virtually devastated our neighbors to the south, and since Mid-Southerners are known for jumping into action when someone is in need, this week, we're sharing 5 of the Great Things the Mid-South is doing to help and honor Hurricane Harvey victims.

While Louisiana’s Cajun Navy is hard at work rescuing Texans from the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, The Cajun Gravy is making sure first responders are well fed. The Cajun Gravy is cooking up famous Louisiana dishes, including things like jambalaya and red beans and rice.

A 70-man crew from the Mid-South is in the midst of the devastation in Houston to provide help.  

The move opens a new era in cancer care, and it is all possible thanks to the work done at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Mississippi State will wear special helmet decals in honor of the victims of Hurricane Harvey in Texas.

We may be hundreds of miles away from Texas storm victims here in the Mid-South, but there are many ways you can help flooding victims get back on their feet and start to rebuild.

Memphians of all ages sweated it out and danced toward a cure on Sunday.  

With Hurricane Harvey expected to create issues for days, local groups in the Mid-South are already finalizing plans to help out. 

We're sending a HIGH 5 to a massive display of patriotism at a Mid-South cemetery. 

A project that will help beautify the tallest building in Memphis wrapped up Friday. 

The momentary thrill of the moon passing in front of the sun may be gone... but there's no "eclipsing" the 5 Great Things that happened in the Mid-South this week!  

Ballet Memphis's new Overton Square location is officially open to the public.

A Collierville nonprofit organization is making sure World War II veterans can return to the places where they trained and fought, in order to find closure and create more memories to last the rest of their lives.

DeSoto County Sheriff's Department awarded a young St. Jude patient as an honorary deputy.

A new road safety app is being tested in Memphis could soon help students find the safest route while walking to and from school.  

A 101-year-old woman in Tennessee made thousands of people smile as she expressed her excitement over the eclipse by dressing the part and preparing the perfect snacks for the event.

One local group is trying to use the power of art to unite Memphis in light of the divisive fight over Confederate monuments.  

The Memphis Zoo has yet another baby giraffe!

If ever there was a week when we all needed to hear about great things happening in the Mid-South, this is the week. So, here are 5 Great Things that happened in the Mid-South this week.

Tennessee's first freestanding school of manicuring opens this weekend in Memphis.

A Memphis comedian got big laughs on America's Got Talent on Tuesday night.

A baby born this summer in a Mid-South hospital weighing 1 pound 13 ounces.

A 95-year-old World War II veteran made "one last jump" this weekend.

The Memphis Redbirds are now the 2017 Pacific Coast League American Southern Division champions!  

We're sending a HIGH 5 to a former Germantown student lighting up the Hollywood screen in a major motion picture now out in theaters.

A woman without the ability to walk was able to not only escape herself, she was also able to save the life of her disabled aunt.  

A CrossFit athlete from DeSoto County who placed 12th overall in his division at The CrossFit Games did more than show the world he's an incredible athlete. Gus Vandervoort showed the world that he's got heart. 

Members of Memphis Police Department took the time to donate stuffed animals to children across the city.

From musically gifted teens to an entire family dedicated to saving lives, this week we discovered there are great things happening in the
Mid-South! 

The secret is out – the Czech Republic will be the country honored at the 2018 Memphis in May festival. 

A college student who lost her vehicle after a Midtown car theft and crash one week ago will be getting a new ride.  

One Memphis family, with a rich history of public service, is celebrating as another family member retires after more than 6 decades of wearing the uniform.

A Mid-South dad and his son will be on national TV, all thanks to social media.  

From his accident, to his recovery, to the incredible friendships that have been forged along the way, Otto now looks at September 24, 2016 as a day he’s grateful for.

The Memphis Zoo has yet another summer baby! The zoo announced the birth of a spot-nosed guenon named Grommet.

New businesses are boom at the newly renovated Crosstown Concourse.

A Memphis entrepreneur is being featured in Black Enterprise Magazine.

Community leaders gathered at Berclair Elementary School to make the first day of school a fun one for students. 

Attention all runners and Porter-Leath supporters, early registration for the G.E. Patterson 5K for Pre-K is now open!

The Memphis Public Library System is shining a light on one of its branches.

In light of recent federal raids targeting the immigrant community in Memphis, religious leaders are uniting in an effort to show kids of all ethnicities they are welcomed in the city.

A group of Mid-South moms set a record on Saturday, but it's the message behind the event they hope hits home with the public. 

Eleven new men and women will be hitting the streets for Memphis Police after graduating from the training academy.  

What was a tragic case of animal neglect is now turning into an inspirational story.

School has either begun or will begin soon all across the Mid-South, and many students chose to spend their last days of summer vacation making at least these 5 Great Things happen this week in the Mid-South.

We're sending a High 5 to volunteers from the Memphis Dream Center, who got the Overton Park Dog Park back open on Thursday.  

Ballet Memphis is set to move into its brand new, multimillion dollar Midtown location.

A Shelby County deputy is going above and beyond to serve the children in his community.

Hundreds of kids are ready to go back to school after getting free backpacks!  

A Shelby County Schools teacher is trying to raise money to buy shoes and shirts for his students at Belle Forest Community School. 

A 2-year-old boy was filmed by his mom boarding a plane and fist-bumping every passenger as he walked down the aisle.

Several Memphis hair stylists will be providing free services for girls to get them ready to go back to school.

It was just a few weeks ago that multiple firefighters were victims of a break-in at the Memphis firehouse on Union Avenue. On Sunday, Memphians gathered to show support in their time of need. 

Thousands of kids will go back to school in the next few weeks, and all of them need school supplies. 

A Memphis neighborhood was recognized Saturday for its connectedness and sense of community by the social network Nextdoor.

Students at Melrose High School spent the day getting ready for a new school year. 

County Mayor Mark Luttrell's blight team completed their summer of work Friday.

We're nearing the end of what has turned out to be one hot month--and not just for temperatures--it's been a pretty hot month for great things happening in the Mid-South.

Eden Antoinette is a happy, healthy baby. She was born only six days ago to two loving parents. But Eden may never comprehend the frantic hours spent trying to save her mother's life.

Good news for Tennessee high school students: TNReady scores show students improved in every subject area! 

Fifteen students sponsored by Agape Child and Family Services for the past four years received a celebratory sendoff on Tuesday to prepare them for college. 

The conference promises to teach you about treatments and the best lifestyle options that can help women live their best lives. 

A Vietnam veteran's prayers were answered this past weekend when a group from an area Frayser church showed up to give him a lending hand.