"If they've identified one soldier who has been in need of help and has not gotten enough help, then they've done a great service to us, " Mixon says.

NPR: Former Soldier Helps Others Fight Army for Help

"Providing federal funding for response, recovery and mitigation following Hurricane Sandy will maintain the nation's tradition of pulling together to help one another in times of greatest need, " the White House said earlier.

BBC: US House approves Sandy aid package of $51bn

Some wanted to cash in on the notoriety of the case, others were drunk or in need of psychiatric help, and one man, looking for his wife, confessed as he thought he would get his face in the paper and subsequently find his wife.

CNN: Famous cold cases: Police nemeses, tabloid fodder

But if everyone had a low sensitivity to social disconnection, no one would stay back, take care of others, and help those in need, even at personal expense.

CNN: Feeling lonely? Genes might be at fault

We've provided a basic safety net, because any one of us might experience hardship at some time in our lives and may need some help getting back on our feet.

WHITEHOUSE: Moving Forward on a New Foundation

It's great for getting the gist of a news story that's published in Japanese or Finnish, but if I need to write a formal letter to someone in one of those languages, I'd get human help.

CNN: Bonjour Google! Gmail adds auto-translation

One of them was the call to help in the "potentially life-threatening" situation of the woman in need of dialysis.

BBC: 4x4 rescue

One way to help bridge the gap: nonprofits like DonorsChoose.org, which matches donors with teachers in need of supplies.

FORBES: How Will Teachers Pay For Apple's New iBooks? Sites Like DonorsChoose.Org

Albro named Nolo.com one of the best sites for explaining legalese in understandable terms that can help you determine whether you really need a lawyer.

CNN: dotCOM Tools: Legal services online