This Is Iowa: Finding joy by lifting others up

On this episode of This Is Iowa, we feature stories of how people brighten others' days, no matter the circumstance.In Newton, The Big Game is a chance for everyone to shine. Students in the special education program play an electric game of basketball — fueled by the pep band, cheerleaders, a packed student section and their parents. Two men are riding in a covered wagon from Lamoni all the way to Minnesota. The journey is all part of a special surprise for one woman's 93rd birthday.In Warren County, a home built in the memory of a loved one provides a special sanctuary for people with cancer and their families.Newton's prize pig Joy — a fixture at the theater on the town square for most of her life — is a bigger attraction for some than whatever movie is playing on the big screen. Oh yeah, no big deal but the "diva" pig is also a Guinness World Record-holder.Watch the full special, which first aired June 22, 2023, above and be sure to catch up on more This Is Iowa stories here.