Day: December 24, 2024

Gaza Christians Pray For End Of ‘Death And Destruction’  Barron’s
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What to expect from crypto airdrops in 2025  DLNews
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FOX Weather correspondent Steve Bender shares more on the toy drive for children affected by Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina on ‘Cavuto Live.’
The Advent season is about preparing our hearts, minds and souls to welcome the birth of the King of Kings. It is those magical and mystical weeks after Thanksgiving that lead to Christmas — and as Pastor Max Lucado has said, Advent is to Christmas what Lent is to Easter. 
The two big Christian holy days are eternally linked. Lucado told Fox News, “Christmas begins what Easter celebrates.”  
Christmas is about the birth of Jesus. Easter is about what He was born to do.
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In the last few decades, that knowledge has taken a back seat to the hustle and bustle of shopping, parties and Santa Claus. Even the “comfort and joy” heralded is more about general feelings of delight and glee than the meaning of the birth of the Lion of Judah.  
As one theologian said, all of these things are fine — but we should remember that they all flow from one event: the birth of the Savior.
Hope, peace, joy and love — these will “keep us laser-focused on what Christmas is all about,” writes Lauren Green of Fox News. (iStock)
Just as with the meaning of each Advent candle, there are four things to keep us laser-focused on what Christmas is all about — and what it leads us to know and understand. 
They are the hope prophesied in the Old Testament; the peace of the Incarnation; the joy it brings; the love we can experience — and Jesus Christ as the culmination of all. 
When the first candle was lit, it begins the hope that is in every human heart, that there is a love that surpasses all understanding. That hope has its origins in the Old Testament. 
Woven through the Bible’s Old Testament are hundreds of prophecies that tell of a Messiah, a Savior, that will be born sometime in the future. Many of the prophecies, like those in Isaiah, were written centuries before the birth of Jesus. 
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Cumulatively, they predict the conditions of His birth, meek and lowly; the location of His birth, Bethlehem; to whom He will be born, a virgin; and what He is coming to do — the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
Hank Hanegraaff, the Bible Answer Man, said that if we just look at the geneology of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob — through to the tribe of Judah and the royal line of King David, King Solomon and continuing up to the beginning of the New Testament, the Gospel of Matthew — Jesus is the strongest candidate for this Messianic figure. 
When the first candle was lit, it begins the hope that is in every human heart, that there is a love that surpasses all understanding.
Hanegraaff says, “The lineage is so precise that no imposter can walk through the doorway of that prophecy.”  
Theologians aren’t all in agreement as to how many of the Old Testament prophecies Jesus fulfills. It could be anywhere from 100 to 400. 
However, evangelist Anne Graham Lotz, the daughter of Billy Graham, says Isaiah’s prophetic voice is one that many are familiar with. 
One of the strongest ties from the Old Testament to the New Testament is the Exodus — in which the Israelites were told to put the blood of a lamb on the doorpost so the angel of death would pass over.  (iStock)
Says Graham, “That there would come the Messiah who would be a wonderful counselor, Almighty God, Prince of Peace, Everlasting Father — and by His stripes we would be healed.”
One of the strongest ties from the Old to New Testament, says Lotz, is the Exodus, in which the Israelites were told to put the blood of a lamb on the doorpost so the angel of death would pass over. The Israelites would be saved by putting themselves under the protection of the blood of a lamb.
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For centuries after the Exodus, Jews remembered the Passover by sacrificing a lamb. The sacrificial lambs had to be without blemish. So the shepherds, who watched after these animals, wrapped their legs with strips of cloth, aka swaddling cloths, to protect them from injury.
“Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.”
It was a dirty job, tending the sheep. It was also considered defiling. So shepherds were not allowed into the temple where the sacrifices took place.    
A little more than 2,000 years ago, the Bible says when the angels came to announce the birth of Jesus, they came first to those shepherds tending the sheep.
From Luke 2:10-14:  “Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.’”
The shepherds would know this was the long-awaited Messiah, the Lamb of God.   (iStock)
Says Lotz, “They were in the fields outside of Bethlehem. That’s where the Passover lambs were kept. And so God … was announcing to these shepherds who watched over the Passover lambs that would be sacrificed in the temple, that the Passover lamb had been born.”
As for the strips of cloth, the swaddling clothes — this is how the shepherds would know this was the long-awaited Messiah, the Lamb of God.  
There are many historians and archeologists who doubt the Bible’s account of the Exodus. That would mean, if the account of a mass migration of tens of thousands of Jews is not true, then it would also negate much of the biblical narrative, including the sacrificing of the lambs.
There is evidence “in the Old Testament … that there would need to be a sacrificial lamb.”
But investigative filmmaker Tim Mahoney says there is evidence of the Exodus. Mahoney is the director and producer of “Patterns of Evidence: Exodus.” 
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He said on a recent episode of the “Lighthouse Faith” podcast, “I can tell you that there’s archeological evidence of a smiting of the Egyptians. And then in our films, it shows that this group of people just leave.”
Mahoney added, “And so the evidence in the Old Testament is there for setting up this understanding that there would need to be a sacrificial lamb. And that is, you know, the story of Christ coming to be this pure, part-man, part-God being who would be sacrificed for our sins.”
The second Advent candle gives us the peace our heart craves. But it can only happen when we understand the Incarnation. 
While the birth of Jesus describes what happened that first Christmas, it’s the Incarnation that tells us what it means. 
It means that the Creator of the Universe took on human flesh and made His dwelling among us. 
This is the part that separates Christianity from every other religion.
While the birth of Jesus describes what happened that first Christmas, it’s the Incarnation that tells us what it means. Shown: A stained-glass window of Jesus Christ with arms outstretched, artist unknown, Czech Republic.  (iStock)
The Gospel of John tells it most poignantly by echoing the opening of Genesis, “In the beginning was the Word and the word was with God and the Word was God.” 
A more probing analysis of that line finds that the Greek word for “word” in most English translations doesn’t really get to the heart of what John is telling us. 
The Greek word for “word” is Logos. It means far more than words on a paper or even the spoken word.
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The Logos is the underlying reality that is holding up the world. It means the science, the philosophy, the nature of the physical world as well as all that we experience — they meet as one in this Logos. 
And what John is saying is that this Logos took on human flesh and made His “dwelling among us.”
Further scrutiny reveals much about the word “dwelling.” Some translations will use the word “tabernacled,” which divulges a tie to its historical context. 
“Christianity makes a claim that no other religion makes, that Jesus IS God.”
“And the Word [Logos] became flesh and Tabernacled among us.”  
The Tabernacle of Moses was the portable tent and mobile temple. It was the Israelites’ dwelling place for God as they wandered in the wilderness. The Incarnation, “God with us,” means God dwells within. He is the living and breathing Tabernacle.
Hanegraaff says this is no small matter: “This is not just an event. It’s not just a discussion. It’s the discussion. The Incarnation separates all of human history.”
Christianity makes a claim that no other religion makes, that Jesus IS God. It’s not that Jesus has divine qualities or is divinely inspired. He is God come to us in human form.
“The unique Son of God had to come and die for you and you have to put all your hope and trust in Him.” (iStock)
One pastor said, “You can reject the claims, but don’t mistakenly believe Jesus is just a teacher or adviser.”
Said Timothy Keller, “The Gospel is Good News, not good advice.” The Gospel is the Good News of what God has done to save us, not a set of teachings about how we can save ourselves.    
Keller was the founder of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City; he passed away in 2023. 
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In his 1991 sermon “God With Us,” he revealed why people shouldn’t be offended at Christianity’s exclusive claims. He also understood how those claims don’t sit well in a pluralistic culture in which all religions are treated equally.
The Gospel is the Good News of what God has done to save us — it’s not a set of teachings about how we can save ourselves.
Said Keller, “Every other religion says morality and goodness is enough … Christianity comes along and says, ‘No. Your situation is so dire that morality and goodness will never be enough. The unique Son of God had to come and die for you and you have to put all your hope and trust in Him.’”
Keller said this is not narrowness. Instead, “it’s a radically different diagnosis of your problem.”
“You know, when I go into a shopping mall and I hear ‘Silent Night’ [and other songs], there’s Gospel in those songs.” (iStock)
For example, he said, “Suppose you were sick and you’d gone to see several other doctors. And every one of them said, ‘It’s not serious, just rest and drink lots of fluids and you’ll be fine.’ But what if I came along, and I’m a doctor and I say to you, ‘The other doctors are wrong. You are terminal unless you take this particular medicine.’ How would you respond to me? Would you say, ‘I don’t want to deal with you because you’re narrow-minded’? No. You’d say, ‘You’re either right or you’re wrong, but you’re not narrow-minded. I need to find out if you’re right.'”
Said Keller, “I may be  crazy, or I may be a liar, or I may be right. But it has nothing do with narrowness.”
The third Advent candle is about Joy. 
There’s certainly a lot of it in New York City, though it’s considered one of the most secular places in the world. Yet it is known as one of the top cities to visit for Christmas, regardless of a person’s religious background.
Among the options every December, thousands attend the “Messiah” sing-along at Lincoln Center. 
People of different cultures, races and religions come together armed with their own vocal scores to sing what could be considered a divinely ordained musical masterpiece.
Father is lifting his son to put the star on the Christmas tree. Both are wearing winter sweaters. They are cheerful and smiling. Horizontal photo. Bright and cozy living room. (iStock)
The libretto of George Friedrich Handel’s “Messiah” is a version of the biblical narrative of redemption, a compilation of Old and New Testament verses of Scripture that talk of this Messiah, Christ the Lord, who comes to us. 
“He shall purify the sons of Levi” — that “surely, He has born our griefs and carried our sorrows.” And of course, “Hallelujah, the Kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ. And He shall reign forever and ever.” 
Handel’s “Messiah” is the luxury car version of the Christmas carol. But carols are just as theologically rich with the reality of Christmas.
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“Joy to the World, The Lord is come … Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns … No more let sin and sorrow grow … He comes to make these blessings flow, Far as the curse [sin] is found.”
Pastor Lucado says that while Christmas has gotten overly commercialized with all the buying and selling, the Christmas carols piped into retail outlets are opportunities for people to hear the Christmas story. Says Lucado, “You know, when I go into a shopping mall and I hear ‘Silent Night’ [and other songs], there’s Gospel in those songs.”
As the fourth Advent candle is lit and we look at Christmas Eve, it is time to see the fullness of this event.   
Lucado says forgetting that Christmas is about the birth of Jesus would be like forgetting the Fourth of July is about the founding of America. 
“That’s the message of Christmas — how far Christ would go to reach the people he loves.”
Says Lucado, “Can you imagine if all of a sudden on the 4th of July we could not mention the United States or the birth of our country? Even if you’re not pro-American, you acknowledge that the reason this event happens is the birth of our country.”
In the end, says Lucado, “the Christmas story is about a narrative that no human being could have ever imagined: It’s about our great Creator, our blessed Lord, the God who has always been, who has all power, and who holds the entire universe in the palm of his hand.” 
“If you’re poor … Jesus has been poor. If you’re forgotten … Jesus was forgotten. If you’re cold … Jesus was cold. Everything that any human could ever experience, our Savior experienced.” Vintage engraving by James Tissot of Jesus Christ’s exhortation to the Apostles.  (iStock)
He said, “God loved us so much that He chose to enter the world, but not as a king or as an emperor, but as a baby. And not just as a baby — but in the most humble circumstances imaginable.”
Lucado is a bestselling author whose books have sold over 150 million copies. He spoke on the “Lighthouse Faith” podcast recently, saying the most important thing to remember about Christmas is that this is about hope and love. 
Jesus was not born in a chalet or in a palace, or in a large city like Rome or Athens, but born instead in some forgotten little one-camel town called Bethlehem. 
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He entered the world through the birth canal of a simple Jewish girl into the calloused hands of a simple carpenter.
“For God so loved the world…”
Says Lucado, “The way He entered the world is, to me, the message of Christmas, that He would so love us, that He would become like us. And that He would so be like us. That there would never be a person who would say, ‘Jesus cannot understand me.’”
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He added, “Because if you’re poor … Jesus has been poor. If you’re forgotten … Jesus was forgotten. If you’re cold … Jesus was cold. Everything that any human could ever experience, our Savior experienced.”
Lucado also said, “That’s the message of Christmas — how far Christ would go to reach the people he loves.” The message of Christmas is, “For God so loved the world…”
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The fifth and final Advent candle, of course, is the one we light on Christmas Eve. 
This candle represents Jesus — the culmination of the previous four. He is our hope, our Peace, our Joy, and our Love.
Lauren Green currently serves as Fox News Channel’s (FNC) chief religion correspondent based in the New York bureau. She joined FNC in 1996. Her new book is “Lighthouse Faith: God as a Living Reality in a World Immersed in Fog.” She is host of Fox News Digital’s “Spirited Debate.”
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Ho ho ho! It’s that time of year again, and Christmas is here! So celebrate the holiday with some of the most fun Christmas-themed slots around. Who knows, you might even find a little holiday luck this year! So join us as we explore the best Christmas slot options on our favorite sweepstakes casinos! 
A Merry Christmas from High 5 Casino. They are by far one of the best sweepstakes casinos for the holidays. It doesn’t matter if it’s Christmas, Thanksgiving, Halloween, or the 4th of July. They have something planned for it. 
They always have some of the seasonal games, too. They have some brand-new titles just for the season and some reskinned games! It’s a great mix of games you’ve never played before and games you’ve played for hours with a Christmas twist! 
The best part is their Christmas bonuses with some free coins. You can pair the holiday bonus with the free welcome offer to get a ton of free coins! It truly is the giving time of year over at High 5 Casino! 
^{Must be 18 or older to play based on your location. Please play responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.} 
This is a tremendous little Hold and Win game on High 5 Casino. It has Christmas theming through and through if that’s what you’re looking for! It’s a basic Hold and Win title where you are trying to land at least six present symbols. If you do that you go to the bonus spin phase that can pay out massively! Alternatively, you can fill the bag at the top of the screen with enough presents to activate the bonus round. With a 95.7% return to player rate, this game also pays out fantastically when you do it. It can just take some time, considering the volatility is on the higher side! 
Crown Coins is another master of seasonal events. Right now, they’re offering an advent calendar to celebrate. The last time I logged on, they gave me some Plinko balls to use on a special Christmas tree board to win some free coins. I did okay, coming away with some sweep coins and around 20k gold coins! It’s been one of the best holiday sites we’ve found, with great deals at the coin store and free coins just for logging in during the holidays. 
They make it easy to feel welcome and have a great time. They’ll set you up right when you start there, too! With a great selection of free coins to run you off the ground! 
^{Must be 18 or older to play based on your location. Please play responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.} 
If you’re looking for a cascading slot with a Christmas flare, check out Sant’s Xmas Rush. It’s a simple little cascading slot that is a blast. The animations on it are great, and the music was decent, too, which is rare for these slots. It has an okay return-to-player rate of 94.4%, so it’s nothing to go wild about. The volatility is also very high, so you might hit huge early or get nothing all session. Spending a few minutes playing this Christmas is a great little game! 
Spree has been our breakout site at the end of 2024! They are an excellent platform with some top-notch games. Their bread and butter are their exclusive titles. They have some tremendous Spree-themed titles that have adopted Christmas theming for the holidays. It’s that bit of extra effort to add more atmosphere that has impressed us lately. Between the great games and the million coins they give you when you sign up, it’s easy to love them. 
We’ve found a couple of our favorite Christmas games on the platform, too. They might have the most Christmas-themed games on a platform this year. So, if you want many Christmas-themed options, don’t skip Spree! 
^{Must be 18 or older to play based on your location. Please play responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.} 
This is an exclusive title from Spree, with some great Christmas theming. This is one of their top holiday slots on the site out of many. It’s a reasonably basic Megaways slot, but that’s not bad. These slots can be a blast, with each roll giving you a different board. The bonus features on this one were ruthlessly hard to get, but I still walked away up on the coin despite that. This is the perfect game to cozy up next to the fire or under a blank with this Christmas. With a 96.2% return to player rate, what’s not to love?
Funrize continues to excel in its holiday games. Although it’s not the most prominent site, it puts its full effort into creating a great Christmas atmosphere. The homepage theming is excellent, and the prize wheel is decorated with garland. It’s a nice place to be this time of year. 
The game selection is excellent as well. They have plenty of titles that scratch that slot itch while keeping you in the holiday mood! Funrize continues to make thrive with its player-first approach. It always keeps you returning with great rewards, discounts at the coin shop, and daily free coins. It’s hard not to love the community at Funrize, too! They are one of the most active groups, especially during the tournaments, and we love the energy there! 
^{Must be 18 or older to play based on your location. Please play responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.} 
This may be the best Christmas-themed game of the batch! This is such a great slot, and the bonuses are some of the most fun around. This one has a couple of goals, the first of which is to collect presents. These go under the tree, and once you’ve activated enough, you can spin the jackpot wheel. You can win a massive number of coins off the wheel if you hit it too!
Alternatively you can activate the hold and spin feature that can pair with a multiplier to win massive bonuses. If you hit either of the bonuses you can come out huge on this slot!
Wow might be the largest name on this list, but they still come out for Christmas. You’ll find plenty of great slots scattered around the site with Christmas theming. It’s a nice change of pace for them; they even decorate their live dealer games with some holiday décor. Wow Vegas continually impresses us with their mass but expanding library of games. If you are looking for something specifically, they may be one of the best sweepstakes casinos to check first. Their library of games goes deep, and they have one of the best search bars in the market making it simple to find whatever you’re looking for. 
Their welcome offer could be more impressive, but they have plenty of contests where you win extra coins. They love to prompt the coin shot, though, so if you don’t mind tossing in a few bucks, they’ll hook you up with plenty of bonus coins! 
^{Must be 18 or older to play based on your location. Please play responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.} 
This is the Christmas game if you’re a fan of three-by-three hold-and-win games. It’s a simple slot with tons of win potential. All you aim to do is get three coin symbols in each column. That will activate the Hold and Win feature that can payout like crazy! However, it can be a bit hard to hit, so bring your patience when playing. The return-to-player rate could be better, but 94.5% isn’t the worst we’ve seen on these sites. Overall, this is a great, simple game you can play easily while multitasking! 
Copyright 2024, Bettors Insider, Inc. If You Or Someone You Know Has A Gambling Problem, Help Is Available. Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

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Laredo shelters advocate for responsible pet adoptions during the holiday season. Pictured is BFFL Programs Manager Michelle Ortiz dressed as Santa Claus, holding Peppermint.
Laredo shelters advocate for responsible pet adoptions during the holiday season. Pictured is BFFL Programs Manager Michelle Ortiz dressed as Santa Claus, holding Peppermint.
Laredo shelters advocate for responsible pet adoptions during the holiday season. Pictured is King, a senior dog at LAPS.
Laredo shelters advocate for responsible pet adoptions during the holiday season. Pictured is King, a senior dog at LAPS.
Laredo shelters advocate for responsible pet adoptions during the holiday season. Pictured is King, a senior dog at LAPS.
In a festive twist, the collaborative event planned for Saturday morning at the Petco on San Bernardo, organized by the Laredo Animal Protective Society and Best Friends for Life, took an unexpected turn when Michelle Ortiz, programs manager for Best Friends for Life, stepped into a new role. When the planned Santa Claus canceled, Ortiz donned the Santa suit herself, delighting children and their furry companions.
Despite her small stature and stuffing blankets under her oversized Santa suit to resemble a bowl full of jelly, Michelle Ortiz’s dedication shone as she engaged with potential adopters and volunteers, reflecting the shelters’ mission to pair pets with their forever loving homes.
“I’ll do anything for these animals,” said Michelle Ortiz, clearing her face of fibers from the fake Santa beard. “I’ll do anything to help them and to make it a merry Christmas for them. It’s out of passion.”
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Laredo shelters advocate for responsible pet adoptions during the holiday season. Pictured is King, a senior dog at LAPS.
During the holidays, adopting a pet can seem like an appealing gift option. However, local shelters emphasize that it is a commitment extending beyond a festive novelty. While both the Laredo Animal Protective Society and Best Friends for Life acknowledge that a pet can make a great Christmas gift for a family, they strongly advocate for responsible adoption.
“The responsibility is to not give pets as gifts to people who don’t even know they’re getting one,” Michelle Ortiz said.
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“It is a commitment of several years, not just a few months,” said Luisa Ortiz, shelter manager of LAPS. “It is a commitment and, aside from that, if there is no connection between the person receiving the pet and the pet itself, there is a higher chance that they will end up back at the shelter.”
According to Michelle Ortiz, contrary to widespread belief, LAPS and BFFL do not typically experience a significant increase in holiday adoptions. When there is an increase, it can often be attributed to families having more time during the holidays to visit and meet animals. Instead, the focus is on the spirit of generosity, with Laredoans making substantial donations.
“Even when January rolls around, we don’t see exaggerated numbers in returned adoptions,” Luisa Ortiz said. “You will sporadically have people here and there surrendering pets, but not ones that were adopted here.”
Laredo shelters advocate for responsible pet adoptions during the holiday season. Pictured is Peppermint, a dog at LAPS.
A robust adoption process at LAPS and BFFL, which is implemented year-round, ensures a lasting bond between pet and owner, reducing post-holiday returns and stray animals. Both encourage holiday adoptions to be undertaken by families who want a pet, rather than getting one for someone else.
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“We always ask if it’s going to be a gift and if the person receiving it knows,” Luisa Ortiz said. “We do these screenings because we want to make sure that families are ready for the pet. We give them time with the animals in the play area, especially dogs. They’re out of their kennels, unleashed, playing around and interacting with the family. That way, they too can see if it’s going to be a good fit.”
Michelle Ortiz explained that adopting a cat involves a slightly different process, since they reside at Cat Village, a free-roaming shelter. There, visitors can walk in and interact with cats, which can sometimes result in a cat “choosing” a human.
Another measure both shelters take to ensure animals find their forever homes is through fostering. Potential adopters can take animals for a couple of days, typically over the weekend, to observe how they react in an unfamiliar environment. Luisa Ortiz noted that this is when dogs truly reveal their personalities. Meanwhile, cats, accustomed to an environment resembling a house, typically face less of a challenge when adjusting to a new home.
Laredo shelters advocate for responsible pet adoptions during the holiday season. Pictured is BFFL Programs Manager Michelle Ortiz.
The rewarding and fulfilling nature of animal welfare work deeply motivates both women. For Luisa Ortiz, who has been part of LAPS for eight years, seeing animals arrive in desperate conditions ignites her natural instinct to help.
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“They come to us in pretty bad shape — skinny and full of ticks and fleas,” Luisa Ortiz said. “There are those who’ve been run over and are gravely injured. Some need amputations, while others have lost an eye. With cats, they tend to come in worse shape because of their size, making them an easy target for bigger animals.”
Michelle Ortiz, who has been part of BFFL for three years, echoed Luisa Ortiz’s sentiment, adding that witnessing animals regain health and secure loving homes is a driving force behind their commitment. They serve as a voice for animals who otherwise wouldn’t have one.
“We do this because we love these animals,” Michelle Ortiz said.
She added that these animals are capable of loving humans back the same way, highlighting the therapeutic benefits pets offer and noting a demand from people seeking companionship and bonding. While this demand is year-round, it increases even more around the holidays.
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Both women acknowledged the stark realities of unwanted litters and the critical role spaying and neutering play in controlling the stray population. They remain hopeful that if pet owners care for their animals by spaying and neutering them, as well as keeping them safe and up to date with vaccinations, eventually there won’t be any animals left to spend Christmas in a shelter.
Laredo shelters advocate for responsible pet adoptions during the holiday season. Pictured is Gypsy, a cat at BFFL.
Community involvement is essential to the sustainable operation of these shelters. Both women emphasize the need for volunteers who can offer spare hours to assist with the myriad daily tasks at the shelters, allowing them to engage directly with visitors and accurately answer questions about the personalities of each animal.
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“The more hands we have, the better,” Michelle Ortiz said. “There is a lot of work to be done, and we have a lot of animals to care for. (Volunteers) are always needed, not just during the holiday season, but year-round.”
Donations serve as a vital lifeline for the shelters. Whether monetary or in-kind, these contributions are crucial in funding essential necessities, performing needed repairs at the shelters and providing medical care for animals.
To donate, visit checkout.shelterluv.com/donate/LAPS for the Laredo Animal Protective Society and checkout.shelterluv.com/donate/bffl for Best Friends for Life.
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COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – The Mega Millions jackpot for Dec. 24 has passed the billion-dollar mark.
A news release from Mega Millions said the jackpot has been growing since the $810 million win back on Sept. 10. This is the seventh time in the history of Mega Millions that the jackpot has reached ten figures.
“The dream of that sum of money is just so much fun to think about, especially around the holidays, when there’s already a sense of magic in the air,” said Joshua Johnston, lead director for the Mega Millions Consortium. “Can you imagine going to bed and then waking up on December 25, checking your ticket and realizing you just won a $1 billion jackpot?”
Tickets for the Mega Millions game can be purchased for $2 in most states, and buyers can also add the Megaplier for an additional dollar to multiply their non-jackpot prizes.
The Christmas Eve drawing occurs at 11 p.m. Eastern time. The draw video will be posted online shortly afterward.
The largest Mega Millions jackpot to date happened in Aug. 2023 when a ticket sold in Florida landed a lucky buyer $1.602 billion.
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Dexboss
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The memecoin craze is crazy in the 2024 crypto market, where various tokens filled investors’ pockets. One such token was Pudgy Penguin’s native token, which went live with a massive PENGU airdrop, and with that airdrop, a crypto whale earned $5M.

Crypto Whale Made Earned $5M With PENGU Airdrop

The crypto market is full of opportunities to make heavy profits, and airdrops bring that to another level, as people can receive free cryptos and turn that into profits. Interestingly, a crypto whale took it to another level, as it received  116.7M PENGU from the PENGU airdrop and earned a heavy profit with that. Initially, these tokens were worth $394K, per the listing price of $0.003375. However, the same is worth $4.2M today, after the PENGU price grew 630% since its launch on December 18, 2024.
Interestingly, the crypto whale realized the Pudgy Penguin token’s worth as it is a famous NFT product and gained an instant listing on Binance. Such listing on popular crypto exchanges increases the possibility of gains. Regardless, the whale spent 5,250 SOL, worth $1M, and bought an additional 34.42M PENGU, bringing his total holdings to $5.49M.
A whale who received an airdrop of 116.7M $PENGU($3.52M) spent 5,250 $SOL($1M) to buy an additional 34.42M $PENGU today!
The whale hasn’t sold any $PENGU and now holds a total of 151.12M $PENGU($5.08M).https://t.co/p5JEeH6nUs pic.twitter.com/ZgYm5vm7Wv
— Lookonchain (@lookonchain) December 24, 2024

Similarly, another crypto trader made 14,500x returns on his Pudgy Penguin token investment. He turned $6 into $87k within a few days as he invested before the liquidity pool launched the token. Many similar incidents have amazed investors and increased the demand for Solana meme coins.
When Binance listed PENGU, its price surged 800% within a day, bringing heavy returns to the investors. Today, the popular Korean exchange Bithumb listed the Pudgy Penguin token, leading to the PENGU price surging 40%. With that, it currently trades at $0.03364, with a market capitalization of $2.6B. This happened as the trading activity increased 211% to $1.16B, clearly explaining its rising demand. However, this is just the beginning, as the token has achieved a much higher target in the past, as it is 38% away from its ATH of $0.05738, set just seven days ago.

Further analysts believe the PENGU market cap could hit $10B due to the success of PENGU airdrop and listing by various crypto exchanges. She revealed that more than 70% of airdrop tokens were claimed within 24 hours, which explains users’ interest, and the same interest is likely to push PENGU’s market cap to $10B.
Pudgy Penguin token has taken the crypto market by storm, as PENGU price rallied more than 630% in just a week. More importantly, it grabbed investors’ instant attention, as the PENGU airdrop was successful, with more than 70% of the tokens getting claimed within the first 24 hours. With that, a crypto whale earned $5M after receiving 116.7M PENGU in the airdrop and grabbing heavy profits over this period. Interestingly, analysts believe that the PENGU coin has high potential and could hit a $10B market cap in the future.
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