kindness

Every day, from sunrise to sunset, humanity faces numerous challenges across the globe, varying in severity and location. Yet, there are countless kind-hearted individuals who consistently demonstrate extraordinary compassion, reassuring us that kindness will ultimately prevail. An incident unfolded in Makurdi yesterday which swiftly transformed from heartbreaking to heartwarming. A family, unable to fulfill their tenancy agreement, was evicted from their home. The family’s matriarch, who had taken on patriarchal responsibilities due to her husband’s poor health, reached out to Krayzeetee Atu Terver, a prominent Benue influencer. He swiftly brought the situation to public attention, and many generous individuals responded with support. Within hours, over 400,000 naira was raised to aid the family. Krayzeetee explained the plan for using the funds: securing a new home with a rent of around 200,000 naira, providing 55,000 naira for the children’s school fees, and giving the mother 150,000 naira to enhance her fufu business. This would enable her to earn enough to cover future rent. The mother, who is somewhat educated and has teaching experience, also runs a fufu business to support her family. This rapid and compassionate response is a litmus indicator to the power of kindness. It does highlight how collective efforts can transform situations and demonstrates that humanity’s capacity for empathy and generosity will always prevail. If tis swift response of good-hearted humans isn’t the peak of kindness, then someone please educate me more. Let’s keep T.A.L.K.ing

Ava Cooper, a 10-year-old girl born with multiple heart defects, missed her school’s annual father-daughter dance while awaiting a heart transplant at the Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital in Ohio. Born in 2014, Ava underwent her first open-heart surgery just six days after birth. A severe sinus infection later led to heart failure, placing her on the transplant list. Despite spending over 200 days in the hospital, Ava’s spirit remained unbroken. Every February, Ava eagerly anticipated the father-daughter dance, but this year, her hospitalization prevented her from attending. Determined to make the moment special, the hospital staff transformed a room into a vibrant dance hall on February 12. Ava’s father, Sean, waited outside her room with a corsage, ready to escort her to the makeshift ball. As Ava entered the valentine-themed space, caregivers greeted her with applause. Together, Ava and Sean danced to a playlist of her favorite songs, curated by a music therapist. The event was deeply moving for Sean, who described it as “an unforgettable experience.” He expressed gratitude to Ava’s care team for creating such a memorable moment. Sean also reflected on the joy of being a “girl dad,” saying it inspires him to be better.

Two nonprofit organizations have joined forces to eliminate medical debt for over 1,500 families in Maine. Mainers for Working Families (MFWF) partnered with the national group Undue Medical Debt to purchase and forgive $1.8 million in unpaid medical bills. This initiative targeted low-income individuals whose medical debt exceeded 5% of their annual income or whose earnings were less than four times the federal poverty line. The effort was made possible through a donation of just $12,740 from MFWF, which allowed Undue Medical Debt to buy the debt portfolios at steep discounts—less than a penny on the dollar. Recipients of this relief were not required to take any action, as letters were sent notifying them of their cleared debts. Undue Medical Debt, formerly known as RIP Medical Debt, was founded by Wall Street investors after the Occupy Wall Street movement. Since its inception, the organization has erased $14.8 billion in medical debt across the U.S., including this first partnership in Maine. Advocates like MFWF Executive Director Evan LeBrun emphasize that while this initiative is impactful, it represents only a small fraction of the medical debt burden faced by Mainers, with an estimated 40% of residents carrying such debt.

Despite serving as student council president and being voted “most likely to succeed,” 16-year-old Shawn Moyer faced rejection when his prom invitation was declined. Left needing a backup, Moyer invited Elena Hershey, a junior with ringlet curls and a radiant smile. Little did he know, this decision would save his life 35 years later when Hershey donated a kidney through an innovative paired exchange program. The University of Pennsylvania Medical Center’s paired exchange program allows donors and recipients who are incompatible to participate in a system where kidneys are swapped between pairs, ensuring everyone involved receives a compatible organ. This program became key to Moyer’s survival. Back in high school, Hershey eagerly accepted Moyer’s invitation, as juniors could only attend prom if invited by a senior. Though the two lost touch shortly after the event, their lives reconnected decades later through mutual friends. Hershey learned that Moyer, who had already undergone two kidney transplants in his life, was back on dialysis and in desperate need of another kidney. Hershey, a health-conscious individual already considering a kidney donation, decided to help her former prom date. However, they were not biologically compatible. Through the paired exchange program, Hershey’s kidney was matched with another recipient, while Moyer was prioritized for a compatible donor. When the transplant process began, Moyer immediately informed Hershey of the good news. Reflecting on her decision, Hershey emphasized how minimally donating impacted her life—she was driving within days and back to her fitness routine within weeks. For her, the chance to save a life was an easy choice: “A few weeks of rest and discomfort to extend someone’s life? It’s a no-brainer.”

A group of strangers came together to save a truck driver after his rig skidded on a snowy Pennsylvania road, leaving the cab dangling off a steep cliff. Matthew Collins was driving through a severe winter storm on Friday when two cars ahead lost control. Attempting to brake, Collins lost control of his 18-wheeler, which smashed through 30 feet of guardrail before stopping, with the cab precariously hanging over the edge. Collins was trapped inside, unable to open his door due to obstructing tree branches, while the smell of leaking diesel raised fears of fire. Moments later, a rescuer arrived, cleared the branches, forced the door open, and pulled Collins to safety with one arm. Looking up, Collins saw eight men forming a human chain to secure their descent back up the icy slope. Truck driver Arlyn Satanek captured the dramatic rescue in a photo and described the moment as instinctive teamwork: “It was just like everyone knew—we have to get this guy up. It was awesome,” he told WTAE News. After ensuring Collins’ safety, the rescuers quietly returned to their vehicles. Although Collins didn’t get a chance to thank them immediately, he later expressed gratitude for their selflessness and remarked on their exemplary kindness, saying it’s reassuring to know such people still exist.

In the heart of Benue, a remarkable act of kindness was demonstrated by a seasoned computer scientist named Songum Paul. Moved by the hardships faced by many around him, Paul felt compelled to make a difference within his means. He chose to support local learners by helping to pay their school fees, a gesture that resonated deeply with the community. This act of kindness was not born out of abundance but from a genuine place of love and empathy. Paul’s initiative stood so tall testifying the transformative power of small acts of kindness. He approached a nearby school, igniting a ray of hope and compassion. Reflecting on the experience, Paul shared, “My wife and I were overjoyed as the children sang songs of praise, thanking God for using us to reach out to them.” This moment encapsulated the beauty of kindness, which can profoundly impact lives and chart a path way for positive things. In a world where small acts can lead to significant changes, Paul’s story serves as an inspiration for us all to embrace kindness. By spreading a little kindness here and there, we can collectively make the world a better place. Strive to TRY A LITTLE KINDNESS every day.

Susan Retik and Patti Quigley, who were both pregnant when their husbands were killed in the September 11 attacks, decided to use a significant portion of the support they received to help war widows in Afghanistan. They co-founded Beyond the 11th, a nonprofit organization that has raised substantial funds to support Afghan widows in areas devastated by conflict. In 2006, during a visit to Kabul, they met an Afghan mother who had benefited from their efforts, having established a small chicken farm with the aid provided by their foundation. A kind-hearted person could be in the most disadvantaged of positions and still be thinking of how to make a positive difference in the life of another. In all honesty, we have no just reason not to be kind to one another. May our kindness be as effortless and natural as breathing.

In a remarkable display of compassion, County Judge Donald McDonough intervened in an eviction case in Fairfax, Virginia, during June. The case involved a newly married deaf couple who were facing eviction due to a $250 shortfall in their rent. After hearing the arguments, Judge McDonough unexpectedly left the courtroom for a brief moment. Upon his return, he handed the landlord’s attorney two $100 bills and a $50 bill, effectively covering the outstanding amount. “Consider it paid,” he declared, before dismissing the case. This act of kindness was reportedly motivated by the couple’s recent discovery that their disability benefits had been significantly reduced following their marriage. The Associated Press highlighted this extraordinary gesture, showcasing Judge McDonough’s empathetic approach to justice.

A woman who saved a toddler from drowning in a pool has reunited with him for the second time—64 years later. CBS 8 San Diego covered the emotional reunion organized by Ben Colwell’s siblings, who is now 66, with his rescuer, Barbara Ribeiro, now 94. In 1961, when she was known as Barbara Urban, she made headlines in the San Diego Sentinel. During a party in her thirties, she learned that a child had gone missing. Unsure why, she chose to search one particular house, which turned out to be the right one. Colwell, just 21 months old at the time, had wandered about a block away and fallen into a pool. Ribeiro recalled the terrifying moment of seeing him lifeless at the bottom of the pool and jumped in to save him. Following instructions from a neighbor, she performed mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and CPR. Although the families maintained contact for a while, Colwell’s family eventually moved away from San Diego. During their first meeting in over six decades, Ribeiro, who anticipated being emotional, greeted Colwell warmly with “hello, hello young man!” Now a father of two and a business owner, Colwell expressed his joy at seeing Ribeiro again. He shared that he had heard from his mother that when he was found, there were no bubbles coming up from the water, indicating he might have been submerged longer than anyone realized. Reflecting on his survival, he remarked, “When I really think of it, I think ‘hand of God.’ He made sure that I made it for some reason.”

A pair of Florida residents, Walter Rudder and Paula Keegan, are set to enjoy a show by former Tonight Show host Jay Leno as a well-deserved reward for saving their neighbor from the deadly grip of an American alligator. The incident occurred on a Friday evening when Rick Fingeret was walking his dogs near a pond in Naples. Suddenly, an 11-foot-long gator emerged from the darkness and attacked him. Fingeret recounted the terrifying moment to the Naples Daily News: “I tripped in all the frenzy… And the minute I fell— … He got me.” The gator dragged Fingeret across the ground, unsure what to do next. Despite being trapped, Fingeret fought back by hammering at its scales and poking its eyes but couldn’t pry open its jaws. Miraculously, Fingeret managed to keep hold of his dogs’ leashes throughout. Neighbors Rudder and Keegan happened upon them while driving by and initially thought he had fallen. However, they soon realized that an alligator was involved. In response to Fingeret’s desperate instructions, Rudder drove over the gator with his car to free him. The neighbors used makeshift materials like shirts and leashes to stop Fingeret’s bleeding until help arrived. As a testament to their bravery and quick thinking, they were awarded tickets to see Jay Leno perform at Hertz Arena after being nominated for recognition by Naples Daily News