Magical Kindness Ripples

I believe in magical thinking.

I have always known that I do, and it is something I rather enjoy (most of the time).  My magical thinking manifests itself in a variety of ways and I embrace it.  I do not believe that it makes me irrational or childish (as some might say) – I think it is an extension of my creative brain.

My magical thinking has played a part in a mystery this year.  One that I feared to solve, because perhaps knowing the true answer would make the magic disappear (or maybe cause it to be “less magical” if that makes sense).

 

Here is the mystery:

 

We had another secret donor to the Little Yellow Free Pantry.

 

Boxes and bags would arrive with the same name on the Amazon slips over and over – a first initial and a last name. 

 

Of course I NOTICED it.  I mean, how could I NOT?  The mystery gifts arrived so frequently.  The boxes often contained fun, unusual items from the Pantry wish list, things that more “practical” donors might not choose.  A jar of salted nuts.  Pancake syrup.  Spices.  Chocolate chip cookie mix.  Not things that are strictly NECESSITIES, but items that make eating more enjoyable, and “level the playing field” a bit for those who are food insecure (and make their dinners much, much less boring).

 

Now, in the back of my mind, of course I was curious who was sending these donations.  There were never any NOTES on the Amazon slips, just the same initial and last name – box after box.  After a few months my curiosity got the best of me.  I worked up some courage and sent awkward messages to anyone I knew whose first initial and last name matched the Amazon slips.  I sent a neighbor this odd message, “Are these amazing donations for the Little Yellow Free Pantry that come with Amazon slips saying (first initial last name) from YOU?  I just opened another one - sunflower seeds, ramen, OLD BAY, spices, and hot sauce!!”.  I soon got this reply, “I'm sorry to say, not me. I know there are many of us with this initial and name!”.  I asked another possible contender, and after denying it was her, she said, “Aww. I wish I could claim it”.

 

And I will go ahead and confess here that in my heart of hearts, I connected this mystery donor to the other donor that I became long-distance mystery friends with – E.A. Raven.  She, like this new person, sent box after box of delightfully chosen items for the pantry.  Only, she included NOTES, which upped the ante and always made me smile.  And back then, Amazon was much more civilized and had a feature where recipients of gifts (me in these instances) could scan a QR code and write a short thank you back to the giver!!  So of course, with each E.A. Raven delivery, I would excitedly scan the QR code and send her (or was it a him???) a note back.  I didn’t know who I was writing, but I knew I was very grateful for them.

 

I didn’t find out who E.A. Raven was until after she had passed away.  Her sister Ann emailed me telling me of the death.  The email was so kind – “My sister Betty Raven loved donating items to your charity. Sadly, she passed a week ago. I wanted to inform you so that you understand why she stopped donating.”

 

The story of the strange long-distance friendship and the incredible woman’s kindness to a charity so far away became the topic of a piece in the Washington Post.  Talented journalist Theresa Vargas interviewed me and E.A. Raven’s family and shared the beautiful story of kindness.  And when the piece was published – boxes flooded in.  People from all around the country read the piece, were inspired by E.A. Raven’s kindness, and joined in the magic.

 

Just some of the MANY boxes that arrived after the first E.A. Raven story was published in
the Washington Post (December 2023)

I didn’t know it at the time, but one person who saw that Washington Post article about E.A. Raven realized that perhaps supporting the Little Yellow Free Pantry was just the thing she was looking for.  She was not a “people person”, but wanted to give back to the world.  She, like almost every person I have ever met, WANTED to be kind, but needed an outlet.  Could the Little Yellow Free Pantry and Kindness Activist fill the need??

 

Ironically, E.A. Raven had also found out about Kindness Activist through a story written by Theresa Vargas and published in the Washington Post.  The one she read was about the Santa Project – the delightful (and large) project we undertake each December.  Children write letters to Santa and mail them in a special box at our home, and Santa writes each child a letter back (there’s no AI in kindness, these are all written from the heart).  Each child also receives a gift/gifts that they requested.

 

Sweet letter writing finishing up his note to Santa (2025)

E.A. Raven had seen that story, been enthralled by our mission, and wholeheartedly jumped on board.

 

And now, it seemed, another person had seen the E.A.RAVEN story and been inspired to join in!  Talk about a kindness ripple!

 

But it was not my amateur sleuthing that solved the mystery.  You see, one day I woke up to an email that revealed the answer…  Someone had contacted Kindness Activist to ask what was the best way to make a monetary donation.  They signed the email with a single initial…  And the email address included the same last name as the mystery Amazon slips.

 

My heart leapt!!!  Could this be the person????  I replied far too quickly (and wrote far too much…):

 

“MYSTERY SOLVED!!

 

(Initial and last name) - you do not know how hard I have tried to find you!!!  

 

The donations - oh the beautiful pantry donations!!  All with the same first initial and last name.  

 

Every time I open one (or a pantry crew member opens one), the mystery:  SAME NAME.  Who is this person?  Do I know them???  Are they a neighbor?  Are they someone I have met in passing???

 

Are YOU the person of the mystery pantry donations????  If so, THANK YOU!  You have sent so many amazing donations for the pantry and helped us feed the community.  You have helped refill the storage shelves when they were getting low, and you have made so many people happy with the thoughtful choices you send.  And you have made ME happy (not that that is the goal...) by being so supportive of our mission.  THANK YOU!

 

Thank you for reaching out.  This was the BEST morning email to wake up to!! “

 

I sent that overly long email July 15^th.

 

And I waited.

 

And waited.

 

No reply.

 

Did I scare her away??  Oh, I shouldn’t have been so effusive.  But I couldn’t help it – I was so EXCITED!!

 

So, I kept waiting.

 

And 8 days later, a reply came…

 

“Yes, (first initial last name) is me.  I’m happy to have provided you a mystery.  I can’t resist them, too!

 

I should thank you for providing me with a way to help.  I’m not at all a “people person”, so volunteering seemed impossible.  But the December, 2023, W. Post article about your pantry showed me a way.  I donated via another user name through 2024 and into 2025 when I opened this new account.

 

The “shopping” is strangely soothing for me; very useful when I’m stressed.  Also, it has made me reconsider my attitudes toward food.

 

Anyway, please send me an address or your Venmo information.  Either way is fine. Thanks!”

 

THE MYSTERY WAS SOLVED!

 

Of course, there were still so many questions I wanted to ask.  But I also wanted to be respectful of her time, and didn’t want to overwhelm her.  I wrote back:

 

“I am so glad that you replied.  And am so happy to have solved the mystery!!

 

And you referenced the Washington Post article from December 2023, the one about the OTHER mystery donor, E.A. Raven, right.  Seeing that reference made me tear up.  Secretly, quietly, I called you the "new" E.A. Raven.  I didn't want to say it out loud for fear of jinxing anything, but your kindness is so reminiscent of her that I couldn't help but think of her.  Because of that article, I got to meet her sister.  She and her husband even came to visit the pantry while they were on a trip!  And the story of her sister's generosity lives on through that Post story.  

 

I get the not being a people person thing.  I get "over peopled" sometimes and just need a break.  I am glad that we can provide this outlet for you to give back.  Without people like YOU, we could not feed the village.

 

I was doing an interview last evening and I tried to explain that running a program based on donations not only helps the recipients, but it also provides an outlet for the donors.  That is something we never considered when starting Kindness Activist, and honestly, I still have to stop myself sometimes and try and reframe it for me.  I worry that I ask too much, I don't want it to seem like we are begging.  But a kind supporter recently said, "Susan, stop.  Your asks provide an avenue for people to help.".  And that is true.  I really believe that deep down, we all want to be kind.  Sometimes it is just hard to find avenues to do it.

 

Thanks for revealing yourself.  As much as I adore a good mystery, this reveal was lovely!!”.

 

She wrote, “The E.A. Raven article made me think that I could help in a way that worked for me.   Like her, I think food shouldn’t be boring, so I buy all the spices, hot sauces and peppers that I can to make these prepared foods more interesting and to allow the people who can cook to be able to be creative.

 

Now, in 2026, I buy from Amazon only for your pantry.  I try to organize my orders so that I never pay a penny in shipping (without Prime) and make Amazon deliver on as many days as possible. For example, I place a $35-plus-change order late in an evening and then have 24 hours to contemplate what other items/timing of subsequent orders would necessitate separate shipments.  My “best” order last month required shipments on 4 different days. See how much amusement your wishlist provides!”.

 

Oh how I giggled.  That last nugget of information solved another part of the mystery – why when we got donations from this lovely woman, we would get them 2 or 3 days in a row.  It was because she was sticking it to the man!!!  Working the Amazon system in her favor.  I love it!

 

In the month since this lovely story developed, this amazing human has also sent a monetary donation to Kindness Activist.  It is hard to express how thankful we are for the support. 

 

And the whole experience has been a reminder of how important KINDNESS RIPPLES are.

 

Little did E.A. Raven know, when she was resting in bed in Indiana ordering food for a pantry some 500 miles away, what a PROFOUND impact her kindness would have.  I reckon she thought she was sending just ketchup.  Or sardines.  Or cake frosting.

 

But what she was really sending was love.  And hope.  And, of course, kindness.

 

Her generosity inspired so many others.  The stories shared in the Washington Post have been read by many and resulted in the pantry receiving box after box of much needed supplies.

 

Thank you, Theresa Vargas for sharing the stories of kindness.

 

Thank you, E.A. Raven for being a beacon of love and light in what sometimes feels like a dark world.

 

And thank YOU, no longer a mystery donor.  Your kindness means the world to us.  We are grateful for your support and delighted to have solved the mystery!  Who knows, maybe someday we will end up in the same place at the same time…  Perhaps if I magical think it – it will happen!

 

Oh, and another amazing wrinkle to the kindness story.  We will be seeing E.A. Raven’s sister and brother-in-law again soon.  They are passing through our area and we will get together.

Meeting E.A. Raven's sister Ann the first time

 

I am smiling even writing this story.  It all seems so improbable. 

 

But it is true – I swear it is all true.

 

Because kindness begets kindness begets kindness.  Ripple after ripple.

 

The end (but never really the end…).

 

(Name of donor kept a secret to respect her privacy, and as one of my favorite songs says, to “Let the Mystery Be”.)

 

Washington Post article about the Santa Project:  Letters to Santa are left daily at this home. Mrs. Claus is ready. - The Washington Post

Washington Post article about E.A. Raven:  Boxes kept arriving from a mystery donor. An obituary revealed her name. - The Washington Post

Iris Dement singing “Let the Mystery Be”:  Let The Mystery Be - Iris DeMent H.Q.

Just some of the amazing donations that came in after Washington Post ran
Theresa Vargas' final column, which included the magical story of E.A. Raven and her kindness
(June 2024)

World Kindness Day 2025

Well, World Kindness Day was this week.

And people. It.  Was.  Spectacular.

I went into it not feeling my best.  Last weekend I had a 24-hour bug, and I still have a cold that just will not go away.  So, my nose was running, I had a cough, but y’all, I could not let that get in the way of this holiday.  I mean, come on, it only rolls around once a year, right?  So, it was a “fill your fanny pack with Kleenex, put on your Kind is Cool hoodie, and let’s roll!” kind of day.

First up – put the big sign out.  I loved the artwork this year and was very excited to display it.  There was a prompt asking passersby to leave a note saying how they would make the world a kinder place.  We got some sweet ones, including this:

If I see somebody being left out I will talk to them or invite them to join me.

Sign encouraging passersby to leave notes

Next – GIFT CARDS!  We had 25 gift cards, 5 each to:  Home Depot, grocery stores (Safeway, Giant, and Trader Joes), and Starbucks.  Kind neighbor Christy rang our doorbell at exactly 10 am, the time we had set for meeting.  I wasn’t quite ready but that worked – she had time to add her note to the board!  10:05 am and off we went to find CONSTRUCTION WORKERS!

But first – a stop at the high school down the street, the Career Center.  That was Christy’s idea.  You see, very recently she was out jogging and got hit by a car! Not to worry – she is ok.  The car was going very slowly, but it hit her and then KEPT GOING.  Grrrrrr.  That is not legal or kind, nor is it the “Arlington way”.  But here is the kind part:  a teacher from the Career Center saw what had happened and rushed over to talk to Christy and make sure she was ok.  He had been sweet to her, and now we were going to return the favor by giving him a gift card and wishing him a happy World Kindness Day.

Only one glitch…  She only knew his first name…

That’s ok – we knew we could find him!

We got buzzed into the school and while we were waiting for the receptionist to get to us, another employee asked what we needed. 

“We are looking for a teacher here.  We have a present for him.  His name is Jason,” Christy explained.

“OH!  Jason the PE teacher??”.

YESSSSSSSSSS – that’s him!! 

Got it in one try!!  Just a couple of minutes later there came Jason.  As soon as he saw Christy he seemed to recognize her. 

“Hey!  How ARE YOU??” he asked.

She explained that she was well and why we were stopping by.  He was very happy to get a gift card, a bag of candy, and a postcard of the World Kindness Day art.  And I think he was even happier that Christy had taken the time to come to say hello and that he could see her healthy and not shook up – the opposite of the day that they met a couple of weeks ago.

Since the library was next door, we decided to pop in there.  We handed out bags of candy quietly (it’s a LIBRARY, you have to be quiet 😊 ), and as we were ready to leave I noticed a woman at a corner table on her phone.  We approached her and held out a bag of candy.  I could see she was crying.  Maybe she was having a bad day, maybe she had just gotten bad news on the phone, I don’t know.  But I DO KNOW that I have been the person crying in public before.  I have cried walking down grocery store aisles.  I have cried in airports.  I have cried in coffee shops.  And I have had the experience of people seeing me – people NOTICING my tears – and making a conscious decision to pretend they didn’t see.  I decided years ago that any time I see a person crying in public, I will not look away.  I won’t pretend it is not happening.  I will acknowledge the sadness and pain.  I will relate.  So, I quietly asked, “May I give you a hug?” and her eyes said, “Yes, please.”  Christy also gave her a hug.  I hope that the hugs and the candy helped her day get a bit better.

Next we headed out to find construction workers, which is an easy task in our neighborhood since they are building a huge new high school and there is major road construction on Columbia Pike.  Each time we saw a construction worker we approached with a handful of gift cards and gave them their choice.  It was so fun!!  They were happy and thankful (and also loved the candy bags).

Take a quick break from work for KINDNESS.

Happy construction workers. They have been doing construction on "The Pike" for a very long time and I am sure get many complaints from angry drivers for the delays. 
It was fun to THANK THEM for their hard work.

It took us about an hour to hand out 25 gift cards.  As we walked back, we handed out the rest of the candy bags in our basket.  We passed the local grocery store as a woman was coming out with her cart.  “Hey, that was nice what you did.  Giving gift cards to construction workers – that was really kind,” she said.

What a perfect example of how kindness affects more than just the person receiving it!  It affects the person GIVING the kindness (in this case, Christy and I). And it even affects the person WITNESSING the kind act.  We had no idea that anyone was watching or noticing us as we talked to the construction crew.  But not only were they watching, they were being inspired to go out into the world and spread kindness, too.

It was a great day to be outside in the sunshine (even though I was not feeling 100%).  I spent some time painting new chairs for the upcoming Santa Project and working on things for the Little Yellow Free Pantry, and then it was time for the next event – A BRIDGE BRIGADE!

I had never been able to join a bridge brigade before but I love when I drive under them.  What happens is:  people stand on an overpass and hold huge letters up to spell something out.  Drivers passing by can read the message and honk approval.  I had been on the driving by side, but never on the holding signs side. 

But all that changed on World Kindness Day!!

We met up at 3:30 pm and got to work.  Our letters spelled JUST BE KIND.  One person also made a cute heart to add to the display.  It was so fun!!  Each time a car honked it gave us more energy!!  We got waves!  We got headlights flashed!  It was fabulous!!

JUST BE KIND! When we started, we didn't have quite enough people to hold the letters but we
made do!

This is what a bridge brigade looks like from behind :) 

We also had a basket of candy bags to hand out to people walking by and stopped in cars.  I tried that task for a while but after a few rejections I gave up.  But Charlotte, oh Charlotte was NOT afraid of the rejections!  While we held letters and waved at cars whizzing by underneath us, Charlotte handed out candy bags to cars stopped at the red lights. 

Bridge Brigade crew hard at work (that's Charlotte with the big heart - literally and figuratively)

“Hey, I got a $10 donation!!” she reported as she handed over the money.  “And only ONE PERSON flipped me off!” she said (as if that was a good thing 😊 ). 

We stayed until the sun set and it got chilly.  By then I was feeling pretty crappy.  I had been going, going, going all day and my energy was zapped.  My nose was runnier and my cough was worse.  But we had one more task for the day – a run to the grocery store.  I still had the basket of candy bags in the car, so after we were done getting what we needed, my partner David suggested we take candy back in and hand it out to the Trader Joe’s staff.  What a great idea!!

We walked around giving each employee a bag of candy and a World Kindness Day postcard.  It made them so happy! 

“Hey, you were kind to us, we want to be kind to YOU!” two employees said as they handed us a bouquet of flowers. 

Kindness begets kindness.  Kindness ripples.  They are everywhere!

World Kindness Day.  A day set aside to remind us all that being kind is important.  It is needed.  It is imperative. 

I like to think that everyday is “World Kindness Day” at the Big Yellow House.  But even so, it is good to have one special day marked on the calendar.  So, MARK YOUR CALENDARS, friends.  November 13, 2026 will be World Kindness Day again.  Let’s celebrate it together.

P.S. – As I was writing this, someone knocked very quietly on our front door.  I answered it even though I am still dressed in my red flannel pajamas and saw someone I didn’t recognize was standing on our porch. 

“Good morning, can I help you?” I asked.

“Hi.  Yes…  Ummm, I am new to Arlington.  I lived in DC but just came here.  I am a substance abuse counselor.  Just got myself a job here.  But I need some food,” they said, standing next to a wagon full of amazing donations that someone left on our porch while I was still sleeping.

I welcomed them to Arlington and asked about food likes, dislikes, allergies, how many people needed to eat, etc.  I learned that the person did not have housing yet but did have a vehicle.  “Got a can opener??” I questioned. 

“Nope.”

“Go into 7-11 and use the microwave?” I clarified.

“Yes ma’am.”

“I got you,” I told them.  “And hey – do you want hot chocolate or coffee??”.

They sat on the porch as I ran down to gather food.  Because we have had so many donations lately, it was easy to find super tasty options.  I came back out to the porch with a basket so overflowing that I had to get a back-up basket.  They gasped when they saw how much food there was.

“Here.  You look through this while I make the hot chocolate,” I told them.  “Whatever you want - put in this bag.  What you do not want leave in a pile here.”

Oh, my goodness they were happy.  Thankful for the hot chocolate.  Grateful for the food.  Happy to get deodorant, wipes, and lotion.  And a can opener.

“You don’t want this RICE?  Don’t like rice??” I asked when I saw the cups of rice in the “do not take” pile.

 

“No ma’am, I do like rice.  But how would I COOK it?” they asked.

“IT IS COOKED!” I told them excitedly.  “You can heat it and eat it right out of the cup, or you can just eat it cold!  Hey – this pasta is already cooked, too!” I showed them.  With this new information that the items were pre-cooked, they decided to take them.

“But how will I EAT it?” they wondered out loud.  “I don’t have a bowl… I will figure it out.”

“Wait!  I have that!  We got it for another guest but they haven’t come for it yet.  Let me grab it.”  And with that, they now have a plate, cup, bowl, and 2 dishtowels that we had grabbed at Ikea.

I asked how they had found us.  “Well, I needed food.  So I decided to ask my phone.  And it showed me THE YELLOW HOUSE and said I was only 5 minutes from here,” they explained.

“Ahhh, you found us online!  You know, we tried to keep it quiet and not get online…  We are really busy and have a lot of people coming and we didn’t want tooooo many people to find us.  But hey – someone put us online and now we have 5-star reviews!” I laughed.  Seriously though, we have 5-star reviews!

I showed them the pantry (which they had walked right past to get to our front door but hadn’t noticed).  I explained that they could come anytime day or night, and that the system is to take what you need and leave enough to share with others.  “We all have to take care of one another,” I said.

“Yes ma’am.  Yes, we do.”

This person is a substance abuse counselor.  Had a good job in DC, but lost it when the administration cut funding for vital programming.  Now they are starting over.

“Thanks for your work,” I told them.  “I have loved ones who have addictions.  What you do is important.”

“Thank YOU,” they said. 

“You are welcome here anytime.  Keep coming back.” 

Kindness Activist funds used for World Kindness Day 2025: $272.70

Kindness Activist funds raised in a totally unexpected donation:  $10

Hearts warmed by kindness spread - too many to count

Kindness Around the World

Kindness Activist began as a simple blog in December 2015 as a way to share stories of kindness with the few people who found their way to the site.  But in the 8 ½ years since this project began, it has grown much more than I could have ever imagined and afforded me opportunities to share stories of kindness with people literally around the entire world.  

You see, this simple act of talking openly about kindness has caught on!  And it has opened doors for me with major media outlets.  But some of my favorite Kindness Activist “bookings” are talks with real people.  Talks with troops of Girl Scouts, helping them brainstorm on what their kindness project should be about.  Talks with groups of high school students.  And recently, a virtual talk to university students around the world.

Heram is a beautiful young woman from Afghanistan.  She and her family stayed with us in our basement apartment as they were getting their lives together and starting over after fleeing Kabul during the war.  Heram is now in university and was part of a program which required her to organize an event as the final project.  She reached out and asked if I could give a Kindness Activist talk, and of course I said yes!  I was honored to be invited to speak. 

The talk was early Mother’s Day morning, and there were technical glitches with the video platform, so turn-out was low.  But as so often happens in life, just the right people were present!  You see, as part of the talk, I offered to sponsor some Kindness Activism.  I said that if anyone would like to host a Kindness Activist project, I would give them $100 to fund it.  The only stipulation was that they had to agree to write a story about the project afterwards and share photos or drawings so that I could post about it here on the blog and account for how the money had been used.  And three people contacted me shortly after the talk and expressed interest in joining in the activism.  One sent me this email:

“Dear Ms. Susan,

I hope this email finds you well. This is Sitara. I want to express my sincere appreciation for the activism you have demonstrated. Your efforts have truly inspired me, and I hope to follow in your footsteps to make a positive impact in my own community.

Currently, I am in Kyrgyzstan, and I am deeply committed to helping children in need in my country (Afghanistan). I would greatly appreciate your guidance and support as I embark on this journey.

My goal is to bring smiles to the faces of as many children as possible, and I am eager to contribute in any way that I can. I would be honored if you could provide me with any advice or resources that could help me achieve my goals.

Once I have helped the children in my community, I would be more than happy to share their stories and photos with you.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon.”

See???  This movement is spreading around the world!!  Here was a young Afghan woman, now living in Kyrgyzstan, reaching out wanting to do a Kindness Activist project!!

I replied, and her next message said this:

“I hope this email finds you well. I apologize for the delayed response, as I was occupied with my final exams. Firstly, I wanted to express my admiration for your idea of having genuine conversations with children. It truly resonated with me, and I have actually put it into action.

Recently, I initiated a hybrid project for high school girls in Afghanistan. Unfortunately, due to current circumstances, they are unable to attend regular schools. However, I discovered that engaging in small conversations, actively listening to them, and understanding their perspectives creates a profoundly positive experience for both parties involved.

While I am currently not in Afghanistan, I am fortunate to have my sister who consistently supports me in implementing projects back home. With the potential funding you may provide, I plan to channel it towards assisting children under the age of 15 who are working on the streets. These children have never had the opportunity or resources to indulge in simple pleasures such as toys and candies.

Thank you for considering my proposal, and I eagerly look forward to discussing it further with you.”

Of course, I said yes to this amazing proposal and we set about getting funds to her.  Only, how does one get money to Kyrgyzstan??  Turns out, you do it via Western Union!  I decided that a project of this scope needed more than the proposed $100, so I doubled it and Sitara picked it up at a bank in Kyrgyzstan and set about spreading kindness!!

And, just as she had promised, when she had completed her project, she wrote to me and sent photos (which are beautiful).  Here is the report she sent of her amazing act of kindness in Afghanistan:

Bringing Smiles and Joy: Kindness Activism Program in Balkh, Afghanistan

“On May 28th 2023, Mazar staged an exceptional Kindness Activism Program – meant to make poor street children happy and spread joy amongst those in need at Balkh province in Afghanistan. With a budget worth approximately $200, diligent volunteers put together various entertaining toys coupled with delicious goodies enough for about 30 worthy recipients aged between 4 and 13 years old. This report provides a comprehensive narrative around this impactful event showcasing its effects on beneficiaries' grateful expressions especially among its main stakeholders: vulnerable street children within the locality. 

The Kindness Activism Program rose from committed volunteers who shared an intense yearning to bring forth transformation within underprivileged children's lives. The communal initiative kicked off early in the morning, at a central location, with volunteers organizing various assortments of exciting toys – from dolls, cars, puzzles to sports equipment coupled with pleasantly flavored snacks that truly delighted their young beneficiaries.  The team ventured out on a journey through the city streets seeking deserving kids living in tough conditions or those often witnessed on city streets. 

It was an eye-opening experience for both beneficiaries and volunteers since they met numerous youngsters who endured hardship beyond their age but still sustained remarkable resilience and optimism. Indeed, this Kindness Activism Program had profound effects; it touched almost every recipient's heart as they expressed an open flow of gratitude while sharing inspiring stories with all those involved. For instance, eight-year-old Ali cherished his first-ever toy gift profoundly and pledged always to take good care of it! Such affirmations highlight the power of kindness and how it can transform people's lives even when faced with adverse challenges.

The Kindness Activism program in Balkh province, Afghanistan, was a resounding success, leaving a small but lasting impact on the lives of a group of street and poor children in Mazar Sharif. The distribution of toys and snacks brought smiles, a sense of belonging, self-worth, and hope. The heartwarming gratitudes from Ali, Omar, and Sajjad showcased the transformative power of kindness. The program highlights the importance of collective action and partnerships. The program's success calls for continued efforts to bring joy, hope, and empowerment to underprivileged youth, creating a world where everyone has equal opportunities to thrive.”

Isn’t it so perfect??  This project touched so many lives!  It brought joy to children whose lives have been filled with war and uncertainty.  And it allowed a group of volunteers to come together with a common goal to spread kindness.  This act of kindness stretched across 3 countries:  funding from the United States of America, project management from Kyrgyzstan, and execution by volunteers in Afghanistan!

If you haven’t believed me before when I said over and over that talking openly about kindness starts kindness ripples, perhaps this story will convince you!

Two other attendees of the virtual talk on Mother’s Day will also have projects funded by Kindness Activist.  One woman, an American, would like to buy books to distribute to children in UGANDA, where she is currently living.  I am looking for someone who has an in to a website where we can get a good deal on BOOKS and make the funding for her project go further.  If you know of a good discount online book ordering site, please email me at kindnessactivist@gmail.com .  The other upcoming project is yet to be determined but will be run by two brilliant children in Virginia.  I am guessing as soon as school is out for the year they will put their heads together and decide what they would like to do.

Sitara, THANK YOU for sharing your story of Kindness Activism.  It was an honor to fund your grand idea.  I am so thankful that there are young people like you in the world.  You give me hope that somehow, someway, this world will become a kinder place.

Kindness Activist funds used:  $200

Kindness Activist Funds - First Report for 2023!

One of the principles of Kindness Activist is transparency - the funds being used to spread kindness come from many people - those who donate items to the annual yard sale, those who shop at the yard sale, those who make monetary donations, those who shop at a kindness auction...  Because these funds belong to so many people (and because I have been given the honor to use them), I am careful to account for how they are used and report back to YOU!  

So, here is the most recent installment of how Kindness Activist funds are being used to create KINDNESS RIPPLES in the world!

No one gets into the “kindness business” for the thank you s, but still, sometimes when you get them, they are super sweet.  And the last bunch of thank you notes that were dropped through our mail slot were just that – SWEET.

We used Kindness Activist funds to purchase some items for the playground of a local school whose students and staff had experienced a great loss.  Luckily, there was a wish-list of what was wanted. 

Kindness Activist gave the school a “mud kitchen” (outdoor play kitchen), pots, pans, strainer, and utensils to use with the kitchen (because how can you cook imaginary food without pots and pans??), and a really cool Tonka toy crane.  Obviously, these gifts cannot heal the sadness that everyone at the school must work through, but hopefully this small gift will bring a bit of joy to the young children.  I know that their thank you notes sure made me smile.

 

You are very welcome, little friends. 

 

Isn't this a super drawing??

And you, my friend, are womberfull, too

A heart AND a rainbow!!  Not sure what I did to deserve both!

Kindness Activist funds used:  $235.48

 

A neighbor reached out to ask if there were any books leftover from the Kindness Yard Sale that she could use to start a lending library in the teacher’s lounge at her children’s elementary school.  Well, we did not accept anything other than children’s books at the sale this year, so we didn’t have any appropriate ones to donate.  However, we DID have proceeds from the sale to buy some brand-new books to get the teacher’s lounge library started!!!  It was fun to choose a wide range of books that teachers might enjoy.  And the neighbor got some beautiful inserts to go inside the book covers, too!

Kindness Activist funds used:  $130.83 

 

Another person was looking for donations of big games that could be used for an event at a local high school.  Well, giant Jenga is fun for all, right??  So, Kindness Activist funds were used to give the school Jenga to use for the event and keep for future use.  I would say that was money well spent 😊 .

 

Kindness Activist funds used:  $125.61 

  

A local couple recently got the awful news that no one ever wants to hear…  let alone hear when you are out of town:  the pipes in their basement burst with the cold weather!  Not only that, but their bedroom and closets were in the basement, where everything was flooded. 

 

When they got back to town, they had a huge mess to clean up.  Neighbors loaned them fans, dehumidifiers and other supplies to help clean up, but even with the needed equipment that is a stressful situation to be in.  So, Kindness Activist sent a hearty lunch from Panera their way.  They were very thankful for the nourishment. 

 

Kindness Activist funds used:  $55.58

 

We have granted several pantry visitors’ grocery wish lists recently.  Guests are always very thankful to receive fresh meat, produce, and the other items they specifically request.  Special thanks to the “Pantry Crew” volunteers who often make these grocery shopping runs for guests!  It takes a village!

 

Kindness Activist funds used:  $272.88

 

And last but not least for this report – do you know those little cars that kids can sit in and actually drive?  Well, a neighbor scored one for free for her child to give as a holiday gift!  Only, it had one issue – it needed a new battery.  Kindness Activist to the rescue!!  We donated a brand new battery and a shiny big red bow to make the car look super fancy! 

 

Looks like it is on the showroom floor!  :) 

Kindness Activist funds used:  $42.50

More updates on how Kindness Activist funds are used coming up!!  In the meantime, thanks for all of your support.  Make sure you check out our website at:  Kindness Activist