NEW YORK -- The biggest surprise Monday for 10-year-old Rainn Sheppard, competing at the Junior Olympics in Houston and far from the New York City homeless shelter she shares with her two sisters and mother, wasnt the gold medal she won in the 3,000 meters.It was the arrival of her mother.Rainn and her sisters, 11-year-old Tai and 8-year-old Brooke, had hoped merely to make their mother proud, since she couldnt afford to make the trip from the Brooklyn shelter herself. But as Rainn was being interviewed by a local reporter Monday at the race venue, Tonia Handy surprised her daughter with a giant hug.I couldnt believe she was here, Rainn said in a phone interview. I still cant believe it.After The Associated Press wrote Friday about the familys challenges, a New York philanthropist contacted Handy and bought her a plane ticket.Shortly after the surprise, Rainn went on to win the gold medal in the 3,000-meter race for her age group. Brooke placed second Tuesday in a high jump competition. Her sister Tai competed in a 400-meter race but didnt place.All three sisters have more events later in the week.The girls and their mother have been homeless since early last year, when they were evicted from their Brooklyn apartment for failing to pay the rent. Handy, 46, has a job answering phones at a car service, but it hasnt been enough to support the family. She has been raising her family alone for a decade. After a stint in a motel, they wound up in a city shelter.The girls, who still have their estranged fathers last name, started competing in track in January 2015.After reading about the family, Ken Smaltz Jr., who runs an Alzheimers foundation and owns a rare coin business, reached out to Handy and offered to pay for her flight to Houston. Smaltz said he never intended to be public about the gesture, but spoke after the AP tracked him down.It just feels nice to help someone, he said.That hasnt been the only offer of help. Other people who saw her story contributed at least $7,000 to a crowd funding website that Handy had set up to raise money for the trip -- more than twice the original goal. Handy said she has since shut the site down and redirected donors to the website of their team, the Jeuness Track Club.Handy said she has also received calls from people asking for her resume with the intention of offering her a better job. The mayors office, she said, has contacted the family and asked to set up a meeting when they get back to New York. Local track teams sent gifts and cards to the girls entire team.For Handy, who had felt like she was burdening the team because she couldnt pitch in financially, the support has been extra meaningful.Now it feels like not only can I be on the team, but I can actually give to the team, she said. Kent Hrbek Jersey . It just didnt show when he hit the ice. Berra made 42 saves and Kris Russell scored at 1:32 of overtime, lifting the Calgary Flames to a 3-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday night. Bert Blyleven Twins Jersey . Kiriasis and brakeman Franziska Fritz finished two runs in one minute 55.41 seconds -- a mere 0.01 seconds ahead of Meyers and Lolo Jones, who likely bolstered her Olympic hopes by helping give USA-1 a huge push in the second heat. http://www.twinssale.com/twins-justin-morneau-jersey/ . -- When the Florida Panthers fell behind by two goals in the first period to the top team in the NHL, it appeared they were on their way to yet another loss. Kyle Gibson Twins Jersey . The 26-year-old Ireland striker, who has four goals this season, has signed a three-and-a-half year contract with his new club. Harmon Killebrew Twins Jersey . The winner Saturday will remain in the elite 10-team field next year. "We talked about wanting to be disciplined and stick with our game plan and good things will come," Draisaitl said, who had two goals for the victors. St George Illawarra prop Leeson Ah Mau faces a three-match ban for a high shot that forced Wests Tigers Tim Grant off the field in a neck brace.Ah Mau has been handed a grade three careless high tackle charge in the wake of Wests Tigers 25-12 NRL win over the Dragons at ANZ Stadium on Sunday.Grant was taken off in a medicab after he lay motionless following the Ah Mau tackle midway in the first half and did not return to the field.The former NSW forward was later cleared of serious injury by club medical staff.Ah Mau has 62 carry over points and can cop a thhree week ban with an early plea or four games if he contests the charge and loses.dddddddddddd.Newcastle forward Mitchell Barnett is set to miss two games for a second half shoulder charge on Cronullas Andrew Fifita in the Knights 36-4 loss on Sunday.He will be sidelined for a fortnight with an early plea or if he fights it.Wests Tigers Sauaso Sue will escape suspension with an early plea to a grade one dangerous contact charge. ' ' '