kindness

A 21-year-old motorcyclist, Brandon Wright, found himself in a life-and-death situation on the bustling campus of Utah State University. It was a typical Monday around noon when disaster struck. As he rode his motorcycle, a black BMW unexpectedly pulled out in front of him, leading to a catastrophic collision. The impact was severe, sending Wright tumbling to the ground and leaving him unconscious beneath the wreckage of his bike and the burning car. As flames began to engulf the motorcycle and the BMW, chaos erupted on campus. Bystanders quickly sprang into action, their instincts kicking in as they rushed toward the scene. Among them were construction workers from a nearby site who immediately recognized the urgency of the situation. They joined forces with students, all determined to lift the heavy vehicle off Wright. Their combined strength was fueled by adrenaline and a shared sense of purpose, kindness to humanity. Meanwhile, a professor observing from an upper window of a nearby building captured the unfolding drama on his phone. The footage would later serve as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the heroism that can emerge in moments of crisis. As rescuers arrived with fire extinguishers, they feared the worst; initial assessments led them to believe that Wright might not have survived. However, their efforts were relentless. With every ounce of strength, they managed to lift the car just enough to free him from the wreckage. When they finally pulled him out, he was alive but gravely injured. The sight was harrowing: Wright lay there, his body battered but breathing, as bystanders worked to keep him calm until paramedics arrived. The flames flickered ominously in the background, but hope flickered brighter among those gathered. This incident does serve as a strong point in favour of community spirit and heroism, illustrating how ordinary people can become extraordinary when faced with adversity.

Some quick-thinking Good Samaritans became true lifesavers for a family from Richardson, Texas, whose small seaplane tragically crashed into the ocean off the coast of Roatan, a small Caribbean Island near Honduras. What began as a picturesque sightseeing adventure quickly transformed into a harrowing fight for survival. Andy Atkins, an attorney from Dallas, was strapped into his seat when the plane unexpectedly lost an engine and flipped upside down upon impact with the water. In that terrifying moment, he realized, “I’m not dead, but I’ve got to get out of here before I drown.” With adrenaline surging through him, he fought against panic as he struggled to escape the submerged aircraft. As he managed to break free from his seatbelt and swim to the surface, Andy’s heart raced with fear for his family. His wife, Jenny, and their four-year-old son, Logan, were still unaccounted for beneath the waves. Desperate to find them, he dove back underwater multiple times, searching frantically. Finally, he emerged with Logan in his arms; moments later, Jenny surfaced with the help of the pilot. Nearby boaters witnessed the crash and immediately sprang into action. A group of strangers dove into the ocean to assist the family in distress. Among them were a U.S. Navy doctor and another physician who were on a larger boat. They quickly began administering first aid to Jenny and Logan, providing oxygen and medical care until they could reach shore. Reflecting on the ordeal, Andy expressed immense gratitude for those who risked their lives to help his family: “It reaffirms your faith in people and humanity that so many people stepped in to help that didn’t have to.” After spending several days in a hospital for observation and treatment, the Atkins family returned home feeling like they had been given a second chance at life. Despite the traumatic experience, Andy stated that it would not deter them from returning to Roatan. “It only strengthens our feelings about Roatan,” he said. While they would avoid flying in small planes again, their appreciation for the island and its people remains intact as they plan another family trip in soonest.

Tornado survivors in Woodward, Oklahoma, have demonstrated that even in the face of destruction, hope can be rekindled, and precious items can be recovered. When devastating tornadoes swept through the Midwest, claiming six lives, one family narrowly escaped just before their home was obliterated. Emilee Neagle had been watching television, with her wedding ring left on the table. The following day, after an exhaustive search by friends using a metal detector for eight hours, Neagle’s wedding ring was miraculously found amid the wreckage. This discovery brought a glimmer of hope during a challenging time for the community.

A little boy in Guangdong province, China, experienced a miraculous escape after falling through an opening on a fourth-story window ledge, where he was left hanging by his neck. Fortunately, a courageous neighbor intervened, climbing through a window and gripping the building’s facade to support the child’s feet. This dramatic rescue was captured on video and later featured by a Sina news station. How truly beautiful are the hearts of those who go out there selflessly to save situations for others, they’re heroes which ought to be celebrated every minute of everyday.

A mother accumulated some positive karma by recycling her son’s old computer, a gesture that proved fortuitous when she discovered he had hidden $300 inside the device. Twelve-year-old Max had just returned from Boy Scout camp when he realized his computer’s central processing unit was missing. “He started screaming that his CPU was gone. That’s when we figured it out,” his mother recounted. Max had saved over $300 for next year’s camp, cleverly stashing the money inside the old computer to keep it away from his sister. Upon learning about the situation, the facility responsible for collecting used electronics from a New York landfill was eager to assist. “We were thrilled with Max’s mom for taking the initiative to recycle, so we wanted to do everything we could to help,” they stated. However, the challenge lay in sifting through thousands of old computers to locate Max’s hidden treasure. In the end, kindness prevailed albeit.

When individuals make mistakes, it is not the end of the road. By viewing their circumstances through a lens of kindness, we can extend compassion and support, offering pathways to redemption. With love and understanding, only a few situations are truly irredeemable. Teenagers in detention still deserve access to education. Near Washington, DC, a juvenile program for incarcerated youth has undergone a remarkable transformation, inspired by the legacy of poet Maya Angelou. At the Maya Angelou Academy, located within a juvenile correctional center surrounded by barbed wire and security personnel, 60 teenagers engage in learning within a modern educational environment. Where there were once shackles and abuse, the focus has shifted to fostering both emotional and intellectual development for these young individuals, now referred to as “scholars.”

A 7-year-old girl with autism in Brooklyn is safe after a quick-thinking neighbor intervened during a precarious situation. The young girl had crawled out of her window and was seen dancing and singing atop an air conditioner when she lost her balance and fell. Steve St. Bernard, a 52-year-old MTA bus driver, was waiting below with his arms ready to catch her. He successfully prevented what could have been a tragic accident. “I just prayed that I’d catch her,” St. Bernard recounted to the New York Daily News, explaining that he positioned himself directly underneath her as she fell.

A boy named Jamie Vautour, who uses a wheelchair, wanted to see his favorite band, Nickelback, in concert. Even though the bus workers in his town, Moncton, were on strike and not working, a kind person helped him out. This anonymous helper gave Jamie $200 to pay for a special ride that could fit his wheelchair and some extra money for souvenirs. Now, this same kind person has helped Jamie again! This time, they are sending him to see Bruce Springsteen, also known as “The Boss.” They paid for his tickets and transportation so he can enjoy the concert. Additionally, the concert is helping a local food shelter. This shelter is receiving donations because it is the official charity for Bruce Springsteen’s concert, just like it did for his concert in Toronto earlier this year.

In a moment of great need, the organization Mercy Chefs mobilized a retrofitted RV kitchen to provide hot meals to New Yorkers affected by Hurricane Sandy. “The demand there was overwhelming; I could set up six kitchens and still not meet everyone’s needs for a hot meal,” stated Gary LeBlanc, the founder of Mercy Chefs, two weeks ago. At the request of the Freeport mayor, the mobile kitchen was moved to Long Island to serve 1,000 individuals still residing in Nassau County emergency shelters, coinciding perfectly with the Thanksgiving holiday. In addition to feeding displaced families, LeBlanc’s team also offered meals to first responders and cleanup volunteers who worked tirelessly to restore affected neighborhoods. They began serving hot meals at the Freeport recreational center, with intents to provide a complete Thanksgiving feast on subsequently. Rev. Tina Baker from the Refuge Apostolic Church of Christ expressed gratitude, saying, “We asked ourselves how we could provide these families who have lost everything with a Thanksgiving meal. Mercy Chefs reached out and offered their help during this critical week. It’s truly a gift and a blessing!”

A tourist in Times Square witnessed a touching moment involving 25-year-old NYPD officer Lawrence DePrimo, who knelt on the cold sidewalk to speak with a homeless man with bare feet. Noticing blisters on the man’s feet, DePrimo inquired about his shoe size. He then entered a nearby Skechers store, where he purchased a pair of all-weather boots for $75, benefiting from a discount offered by the manager. According to the New York Times, the homeless man’s face lit up with joy upon receiving the boots. The moment was captured by Jennifer Foster, an Arizona sheriff’s office employee, who took the photo secretly as it reminded her of her father, also a police officer, who once helped a homeless person by buying them food. This incident underscores the idea that when we commit to being kind, we can find opportunities to show compassion in every situation.