kindness

Courtney Ruth Pedigo has been singing the praises of her Olive Garden waitress, Nianni Rudder, after a heartwarming encounter during dinner last month. Pedigo was dining with her father, stepmother, and 18-month-old daughter Harlynn when the toddler became restless. As Harlynn struggled to stay seated, Pedigo felt increasingly overwhelmed. “She did everything but sit in her high chair and eat her dinner like I picture in my dreams,” the frustrated mother remarked. In the heat of it, Pedigo approached Rudder to request her meal in a to-go box so she could eat in the car with Harlynn. To her surprise, Rudder firmly declined, stating, “No, she’s not bothering anybody. You’re going to go over there, you’re going to enjoy your dinner with your family, and I’m going to be over there in a second.” True to her word, Rudder soon returned with a bowl of vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce. While Pedigo finally enjoyed her meal—“still hot,” as she noted—Rudder took the time to spoon-feed Harlynn and clean up any messes. Throughout their dinner, the family engaged with Rudder, who shared that she was not only a waitress but also a full-time student aspiring to become an anesthesiologist. She had recently been coping with the loss of her mother, which made her kindness even more remarkable. Moved by Rudder’s compassion, Pedigo took to Facebook to express her gratitude. “Girl, you will never truly know how appreciative I am for tonight,” she wrote. “I seriously admire you, not only because you took the time to bribe my bratty little human with sweets so I could eat, but because you are so strong! I know your mom is looking down from Heaven with the BIGGEST smile, so incredibly proud of the woman you are.” We may be going through very unspeakable things but it shouldn’t be reason enough to dim the light of our kindness.

A 15-year-old boy, Waylon Klitzman from Evansville, Wisconsin, faced a serious challenge in overcoming his stage fright to honour his beloved teacher, Kim Katzenmeyer, who was retiring to focus on raising funds for neuroblastoma research. Heartbroken by her departure, Waylon initially attempted to bribe her with his savings of $52, but this gesture only sparked a greater realization about the joy of helping others. Inspired by Miss K’s dedication to the Beat Nb charity, which she championed after her niece was diagnosed with cancer, Waylon decided to auction off a pig he had raised, hoping to contribute to her cause. Waylon’s plan took a different turn when he reached out to local businesses, pleading with them to bid higher than the typical price of $3 to $4 per pound for his pig. The auction began, and to his astonishment, the bidding quickly escalated to $11 per pound. Dan Drozdowicz, one of the bidders, proposed a remarkable idea: he would win the bid and then donate the pig back to be auctioned again. This act of generosity set off a resonance, as subsequent bidders followed suit, each winning the pig and then returning it for another round of bidding. By the end of the auction, Waylon’s pig had been sold four times, ultimately raising a staggering total of $10,070 for the charity. The final bid came in at $5.50 per pound, but the cumulative effect of the bidders’ kindness transformed what Waylon initially thought would be a modest contribution into a reasonably huge donation. He expressed disbelief at the generosity shown by the community, stating, “I did not see that happening. My dream got bigger and bigger every time they said, ‘Give it back.’” Waylon’s kind efforts did not stop with the pig auction. He is now preparing to sell pumpkins from his three-acre patch, with plans to donate all proceeds to Beat Nb. His teacher, Miss K, expressed immense pride in Waylon’s thoughtfulness, and the impact he is making in the fight against childhood cancer. She said, “He doesn’t know the impact that he is having… Someday he will.” May neither age nor social status deter us from acting kindly.

For nearly three decades, John and Stella Chhan have opened their beloved donut shop, Donut City, in Seal Beach, California, at the crack of dawn, serving customers with warmth and a smile. However, a recent health crisis changed everything when Stella suffered a brain aneurysm last month, leading to her recovery at a nursing care facility. As Stella began her recovery journey, John took on the responsibility of running the shop alone, supported by Stella’s sister. The couple’s loyal customers quickly noticed Stella’s absence and were shocked to learn of her condition. In response, they threw their weight behind John, coming up with a plan to buy donuts in bulk, allowing him to close the shop earlier each day and spend more time with his wife. This grassroots effort took off on social media, prompting locals to purchase dozens of donuts, croissants, and muffins. As a result, John often found himself selling out of pastries hours earlier than usual, sometimes closing as early as 10 AM. He couldn’t conceal his gratitude for the community’s support, stating, “We are so thankful,” while clutching his heart in appreciation. Despite offers to set up a GoFundMe page, John declined, emphasizing that he had enough financial support and simply wanted to be by Stella’s side during her recovery. The Seal Beach community, deeply connected to the Chhans and their shop, kept raining love and support on him, ensuring that Donut City maintains its spot as their top choice shop for pastries. The deeds of men sure live with them, so let’s stay true to the propagation of love and kindness.

Hassan Al Kontar, a Syrian refugee, has finally found a home in Canada after enduring a harrowing seven-month ordeal living in a Malaysian airport. At 37 years old, he fled Syria in 2011, seeking safety from the civil war. Initially working as an insurance manager in the United Arab Emirates, his visa was not renewed, prompting him to seek refuge in Malaysia. Unfortunately, a flight cancellation led to the expiration of his work permit, leaving him stranded. His attempts to escape deportation included a failed journey to Cambodia, where he was sent back to Malaysia, ultimately forcing him to live in the airport’s “Arrivals” section. During his time in the airport, Kontar shared his experiences on social media, gaining thousands of followers. He documented daily life, from tending to plants and crocheting stuffed animals to using the airport’s automated walkway as a treadmill. Compassionate airport staff provided him with meals, while he expressed his yearning for a country that would accept him. His plight caught the attention of Laurie Cooper, a Canadian woman from Whistler, British Columbia, who felt compelled to help him after seeing his videos. With the support of her community, they raised over $20,000 for his sponsorship and secured him a job at a local hotel. However, Kontar’s journey took a dark turn when he was arrested by Malaysian authorities and detained for two months, facing the threat of deportation. Cooper and her team worked tirelessly to negotiate his release, which was a success. Upon receiving his ticket to Canada, Kontar expressed disbelief until he arrived in Vancouver, where Cooper awaited him with open arms. Their reunion was emotional, marking the end of his prolonged struggle for safety and stability. Now settled in Canada, Kontar is living with Cooper and is grateful for the warm welcome he has received. He is excited to adapt to his new life and has expressed a desire to avoid airports in the future, humorously stating he would prefer to travel by horse. His journey from statelessness to finding a home in Canada symbolizes hope and, not just for himself but for countless other refugees seeking safety and a fresh start. May we remain kind, thoughtful and compassionate to others for no reason in particular.

In the midst of the devastating Ebola outbreak that swept across West Africa in 2014, a Nigerian physician named Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh emerged as a pillar of courage and selflessness. When the first case of Ebola arrived in Nigeria, Dr. Adadevoh’s quick thinking and dedication to public health prevented a catastrophic outbreak in the most populous country in Africa. Dr. Adadevoh correctly diagnosed the index patient, Patrick Sawyer, as Nigeria’s first case of Ebola in July 2014. Despite pressure from Liberian officials who wanted Sawyer discharged to attend a conference, Dr. Adadevoh refused to release him, stating “for the greater public good” she would not allow him to leave. Her actions were crucial in containing the virus and preventing the Nigerian index case from spreading it further. Tragically, Dr. Adadevoh contracted Ebola while caring for Sawyer and died on August 19, 2014. However, her selfless actions saved countless lives. By isolating the index patient and alerting authorities, Dr. Adadevoh set off what became Nigeria’s successful Ebola containment strategy. As a result, Nigeria was declared Ebola-free by the World Health Organization just 3 months after the first case. Dr. Adadevoh’s heroism serves as an inspiration to put the greater good above personal interests, even in the face of grave risk. Her legacy lives on through the Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh (DRASA) Health Trust, an organization working to improve public health in Nigeria. Dr. Adadevoh’s courage and dedication in the darkest of times reminds us of the power of one person to make a difference and save lives.

This story of kindness has captured the attention of many, taking into account a moment of compassion in a challenging world. Ryan Hamilton was enjoying a meal on the rooftop of Old Crow Smokehouse near Wrigley Field in Chicago when he witnessed a blind man, Yusef Dale, struggling to hail a cab after the Chicago Cubs’ 5-3 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. Dale had been trying for several minutes without success. Noticing his plight, a young woman named Casey Spelman approached Dale and asked if he needed assistance. When he affirmed that he did, Spelman stood by his side until a taxi arrived. Hamilton later shared this encounter on social media, expressing his admiration for Spelman’s kindness. “Wanted to give a shout-out to this girl,” he wrote. “Awesome to see such kindness in a world that the media portrays so much hate in.” Dale praised Spelman for her respectful approach, stating, “She did not presume I was incompetent or unable … she didn’t get in my personal space and most importantly, she didn’t touch me, which is an issue for some people with disabilities.” Spelman, a 26-year-old from Indianapolis, has since minimized her actions, insisting that such kindness should be the norm rather than an exception. When we make kindness a norm, life becomes truly beautiful.

Bilal Quintyne, a 24-year-old boxer from Smyrna, Georgia, is being praised for his selfless act of helping a woman in need. While preparing for a training session with his coach, Quintyne spotted 67-year-old Belinda Whitaker sitting in her 360-pound electric wheelchair on the side of the road. Whitaker’s wheelchair had run out of battery power, and despite being near several busy establishments, she had been stranded for nearly an hour with no one stopping to assist her. Quintyne approached Whitaker and offered to push her all the way back to her senior living home, a 30-minute journey. Without hesitation, Quintyne tirelessly pushed the heavy wheelchair, with his trainer capturing the moment on video. The footage, later uploaded to social media, quickly went viral, amassing millions of views and sparking a wave of admiration for Quintyne’s kindness. Members of Whitaker’s church reached out to Quintyne on social media, inviting him to attend one of their services. During the sermon, the pastor commended Quintyne for his community service and for using his abilities to help those in need. As a token of appreciation, Quintyne was presented with a plaque, a t-shirt, and a $25 gift card to The Cheesecake Factory, which he plans to use to take his two children out for dinner. “I just felt so much love,” Quintyne told The Washington Post. “I don’t see myself as no superhero, I don’t see myself as no great guy. I’m just a moral man doing what I was put on this Earth to do.” Quintyne’s simple act of kindness is a reminder that even the smallest gestures can have such immense impact on people’s lives. Let’s keep spreading the seeds of kindness patternlessly.

A cab driver in Xi’an, Shaanxi province, is receiving commendations for his integrity after returning a significant overpayment made by a Chinese-American tourist. Zhang Peng, the driver, discovered that a passenger had mistakenly paid 6,500 yuan (approximately $950) for a ride that only cost 65 yuan (about $9.50). Zhang suspected the payment was an error, likely made by a group of four tourists he had recently transported from the train station to a hotel. After unsuccessful attempts to contact them through his dispatchers, he went directly to the hotel to clarify the situation with the front desk clerk. When the passenger, identified only by his surname Liu, learned of the mistake, he was shocked. Liu explained that it was his first visit to China and that he was unfamiliar with the WeChat payment system, which led to the confusion. “In the US, there’s usually a space for decimal points, so I thought I had to do the same here,” he said. Despite Liu’s offer of a reward, Zhang insisted on returning the full amount of the overpayment. Grateful for Zhang’s honesty, Liu left a glowing review on WeChat, expressing his disbelief and appreciation for the driver’s integrity, especially given the substantial sum involved. “For some people, money is their only goal, and 6,500 yuan is a lot of money. I felt so excited yesterday because you returned it,” Liu wrote. Let us ensure that our pursuit of daily sustenance does not diminish our honesty and humanity. Together, let’s remain steadfast in our kindness and integrity.

Despite enduring a brutal fight against kidney failure and stage one breast cancer, Amy Pettenato has remained fiercely positive in the face of her health problems. When it finally came time for her to shave her head, however, the mother-of-one couldn’t help but feel self-conscious. Thankfully, an “angel” in a restaurant swooped in to lift her spirits right when she needed it. In addition to Pettenato undergoing dialysis and cancer treatments, she has also been working full-time at a credit union in Medford, New York—which is why she was so relieved to go out with her family for a lazy Sunday brunch at Metropolis Diner earlier this month. As she was eating, Pettenato noticed that there were four little girls dining next to her with their parents. She later recalled the incident on Facebook, saying: “At times I noticed one of the daughters looking at me and then noticed the mom looking and smiling at me.” Since it was Pettenato’s first time out in public with only her cancer survivor hat to hide her shaved head, she felt embarrassed and self-conscious. The neighboring family eventually paid their check and got up from the table, but before they left, the mother sat down next to Pettenato and began sharing her own experience as a 13-year cancer survivor. After encouraging Pettenato to stay positive, the woman left the restaurant. Not only that, Pettenato was later informed that the woman had secretly paid for their meal. Pettenato was so emotional over the heartfelt experience, she took to Facebook in hopes of tracking down the woman so she could thank her for her kindness. “She was an angel and made my day,” wrote Pettenato. “Not because she paid the bill but because she wasn’t afraid to sit next to a total stranger and share her experience and wish me the best.” Her Facebook post ended up being shared hundreds of times until the woman was finally identified as Kerry Holmes-Vallario. When asked why she reached out to Pettenato, Kerry Holmes-Vallario told News outlet: “When I saw her I knew exactly what she was feeling—I remember the day my husband shaved my head; it was the hardest day of my life. When I saw her sitting there I just wanted her to know that she isn’t alone in her fight and that ‘we’ as warriors are all here for each other. “On my journey I had met so many women who became friends from this disease and I wanted a just reach out to her and let her know I was there for her,” she added. We may forget everything else but I hope we won’t forget one vital lesson here – to be there for each other. Let’s stay fiercely kind.