kindness

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

In response to the devastating Palisades and Altadena fires, a California farm has taken remarkable steps to support those affected by donating 324,000 eggs. This generous act comes at a time when egg prices have surged, making this donation even more significant. Of the total, 54,000 eggs will be allocated to “Gather For Good,” a charity that prepares meals for first responders and others engaged in firefighting efforts. Additionally, a portion of the donation will go to Winter Fate Bakes, a Los Angeles bakery dedicated to creating birthday cakes for children whose families have lost their homes in the fire. The initiative stems not from abundance but from adversity. Rosemary Farm, a century-old family-owned business in Santa Maria, has faced its challenges due to a bird flu outbreak that devastated its flock. However, they have partnered with their unaffected sister farm in South Dakota to facilitate this donation. Linda Sanpei, a representative of the farm, shared with USA Today, “It’s been a struggle not only for us as farmers but for the entire industry,” highlighting the widespread impact of the flu on egg producers nationwide. Sanpei emphasized the importance of community support during such trying times: “With all that’s happened in Los Angeles, we believe in community and in giving back. There’s no greater time of need than right now for Southern California residents.” The eggs will be transported via refrigerated trucks to the Los Angeles Food Bank, which will manage their distribution among victims of the fires. This initiative is part of a broader effort by various companies and individuals stepping up to assist those affected; for instance, Guitar Center has established a multi-million dollar fund to replace musical instruments lost in the fires.

When Dan Dafydd, a grocer on Sanday, one of the Orkney Islands, mistakenly ordered 80 cases of Easter eggs instead of 80 individual eggs, he turned a potential problem into a successful charity event. With 720 eggs on hand for an island of only 500 residents, Dafydd decided to raffle off groups of 100 eggs to raise money for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), which provides coastal rescue services around the British Isles. The raffle proved to be very popular, raising £3,000 on Sanday. Ironically, Dafydd even had to order more eggs due to the high demand1. According to Dafydd, “We actually took a delivery of eggs yesterday because we ran out. We needed to buy more in the end. People have wanted them signed and all sorts”. Dafydd told the BBC that he was initially embarrassed by the mistake4. The story gained international attention, with people from as far away as Singapore sending letters of support. Nestlé, the manufacturer of many of the eggs, offered to match donations to the RNLI up to £10,000, aiming to raise £20,000 by Easter Sunday. Beth Lucas, Marketing Director for Confectionery at Nestlé UK & Ireland, stated, “It’s incredible to see how a simple mistake can turn into an opportunity to make a positive impact”

After the devastating California wildfire last month, Tony Nesburn, a Pacific Palisades resident, was anxious to return to his home and assess the damage inflicted by the January fire. His house, with its ocean view, held irreplaceable memories of his late wife, Cristina Kenney, who had passed away the previous year. Cristina’s belongings held deep sentimental value for Tony, and he desperately hoped they had been spared from the flames. To his and his family’s immense relief, they discovered that Tony and Crissie’s home had been miraculously saved. Upon returning on January 24, Tony found a heartfelt letter in his mailbox from four firefighters who had heroically saved his home. The firefighters wrote of their sorrow for the neighborhood’s devastation, expressing that they could only imagine the toll it had taken on everyone. They shared their relief at having saved Tony’s house, explaining how they stopped the fire from spreading from the burning house next door, protecting his side door, deck, and roof. The firefighters added that they had found solace on his deck, gazing at the Pacific Ocean, finding a moment of calm amidst the chaos. They also mentioned the pink ribbon, signifying the house was saved, and expressed pride in hanging it. The firefighters concluded by assuring Tony that he and his neighbors were in their thoughts as they rebuilt and recovered. Tony and his family contacted the firefighters in El Segundo and discovered they had taken selfies from his deck. They all met for the first time during a public ceremony in the Los Angeles beach town to honor the local heroes. Tony’s cousins told GNN that they could not express how important it was that all of his late wife’s things had been preserved. One cousin, Ana de Luna, wrote that it felt like a miracle and that they all believed Crissie was helping the firefighters from the afterlife