kindness

Shaquille O’Neal, known for his generosity, transformed into “Shaq-a-Claus” one December, spreading joy to low-income students during the Christmas season. On a podcast with Gary Vaynerchuk, he shared that he purchased 1,000 PlayStation 5 consoles, another 1,000 Nintendo Switches, and an undisclosed number of bicycles, all of which were delivered to children in Georgia. Reflecting on his upbringing, O’Neal stated, “My father was a drill sergeant, my mother just was a hard-working woman. They had little, but they taught me the value of giving back and helping those in need.” He recounted his recent visit to an elementary school in McDonough, Georgia, where the sight of happy children receiving gifts brought him immense joy. “Kids were crying, kids were happy. And that’s what it’s all about,” he remarked. In addition to his efforts in Georgia, O’Neal collaborated with various organizations like Tonka and ‘Pepsi Stronger Together’ to distribute toys and meals to schools in Las Vegas. His foundation also opened a new basketball court where kids can try on his shoes for fun. This is part of his ongoing “Shaq to School” initiative, which provides school supplies annually to 5,000 children in need. O’Neal emphasized the connection he shares with children: “Kids gravitate to me because I am the simple gateway. When kids see me, they say, ‘I can relate to Shaq; he’s silly.’” His commitment to philanthropy has been well-documented throughout his career. In one notable instance, after hearing about a young man struggling to pay for his wife’s engagement ring, O’Neal stepped in and covered the balance himself. He also helped a woman whose car had crashed in Florida and surprised the family of a 12-year-old boy paralyzed by gunfire by purchasing them a wheelchair-accessible home. O’Neal’s own childhood experiences shaped his giving nature; when he was unable to find shoes that fit, a local cobbler provided him with a free pair. In gratitude, O’Neal has since bought over 2,000 pairs of shoes for himself and for children facing similar challenges today. May our experiences cause us to have hearts that radiate kindness.

A man noticed the sign and felt compelled to enter the charity shop. He often enjoyed browsing through such places, as they were known for hiding unexpected treasures. Recently, a worker had been in his home, admiring the cafetière he owned. The worker expressed a desire to purchase one for his family but was unable to find an affordable option, leaving him somewhat disappointed. That encounter had taken place four months prior. Now, while exploring the charity shop, he stumbled upon a cafetière that was even better than his own. It was second-hand but in perfect condition and offered at a very reasonable price. He decided to buy it as a gift for the worker. He anticipated that the worker would likely return to do more jobs for him in the future. However, even if that didn’t happen, he knew that the worker’s brother was employed by a friend of his, making it possible to pass on the gift regardless. He was confident that the recipient would be delighted by this thoughtful gesture.

Sometime ago students in Western Pennsylvania experienced a snow day on Monday, but rather than staying indoors or engaging in indoor workouts, members of a high school football team were directed by their coach to assist their neighbors. Coach Brian DeLallo from Bethel Park High School, located near Pittsburgh, announced via Twitter that the scheduled weightlifting session was canceled due to the severe weather. Instead, he encouraged the students to “find an elderly or disabled neighbor and shovel their driveway… that’s our Monday workout.” He also instructed them not to accept any payment for their efforts. By mid-morning, over 27 athletes had begun sending photos to the coach, with some reporting they were already on their sixth driveway. One student shared that his elderly neighbors insisted on giving a donation despite the non-payment directive. Braedon Del Duca, a junior on the team, expressed enthusiasm about the initiative: “What better workout than shoveling driveways? It’s just nice getting out here, helping out the community, just helping out others that need help,” he said while working alongside teammate Colton Pfeuffer. Del Duca added, “We’d love to do it for everybody that we can.”

Some time ago, a local individual purchased a pair of school shoes for a 15-year-old boy who often loiters with friends at a nearby shopping mall, where they engage in low-level begging for change. This group of boys had dropped out of school following the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. While the individual typically refrains from giving them money, they do take the time to converse and occasionally offer small jobs, such as cleaning sidewalks, in exchange for payment. This approach allows the boys to earn money for food while maintaining their dignity. For two years, this angel of a man had been encouraging the boy to return to school and had previously promised assistance if he showed genuine interest. After a period of doubt regarding the boy’s commitment, he unexpectedly announced that he had re-enrolled in school but was unable to attend without a uniform and black shoes. In response, this kindhearted man accompanied him to a store and purchased a new pair of shoes immediately. Since that day, the boy has not been seen on the streets, leading the individual to hope that he is now attending school regularly. Reflecting on the past month, this kind soul realized that aside from buying those shoes, little else stood out in their memory. They expressed concern that as time passes, they might forget this year of their life as well. However, they felt certain that they would remember this small act of kindness—buying shoes for a child in hopes of helping him step toward a better future.

A distressing situation unfolded on U.S. Interstate 95 as a winter storm trapped hundreds of motorists in Virginia, leading to an unexpected act of kindness from a local baking company. Stranded for nearly 21 hours without food or water, many drivers faced not only the bitter cold but also the discomfort of hunger. Among those stuck were Casey Holihan and her husband, who had gone without food for 37 hours. Their plight took a hopeful turn when they spotted a Schmidt Baking Company truck also caught in the snow. Desperate for assistance, Casey decided to reach out to Schmidt Baking Company, hoping for a miracle. She called the company’s customer service line, not expecting much, but within 20 minutes, she received a surprise call from Chuck Paterakis, the CEO. He instructed the truck driver, Ron Hill, to distribute bread and rolls to the stranded motorists. This generous gesture was not merely an act of charity; it was a lifeline for those in dire need of sustenance during the harrowing ordeal. With the help of Casey and her husband, Ron Hill opened the truck and began passing out over 300 packages of bread to more than 50 cars. The scene was heartwarming as grateful motorists expressed their relief and appreciation for the unexpected food supply. Casey later shared on social media how incredible it felt to witness the joy of people finally receiving nourishment after enduring such a challenging experience. The simple act of sharing bread transformed a miserable day into one filled with gratitude and community spirit. This incident sure highlights the resilience of individuals during emergencies as well as the impact that compassion can have in times of crisis. As people struggled with the harsh conditions brought on by the storm, the actions of Schmidt Baking Company and its CEO brought hope and renewed faith in humanity. In a moment when many felt isolated and helpless, this act of generosity provided both physical sustenance and emotional comfort to those stranded on I-95.

Amy Schmitt and her son have a cherished tradition of dressing up for Halloween, transforming their home into a festive hub adorned with decorations. The local community recognizes their house as a must-visit stop for trick-or-treaters, eagerly anticipating the delightful experience each year. However, this Halloween was different. Just two days before the holiday, Schmitt’s son Jacob was hospitalized, leaving her unable to partake in the festivities. In her disappointment, she left a simple note on the door explaining their absence and apologizing for not handing out candy. As the evening progressed and darkness enveloped the neighborhood, Schmitt received an unexpected notification from her Ring doorbell camera. To her surprise, a group of children had gathered at her porch, generously emptying their own candy bags into a bucket she had placed there for Jacob. This heartwarming gesture filled Schmitt with gratitude and joy, as she realized the kindness of her community. “It’s overwhelming, all the love we’ve got… and I don’t know half these people,” she shared with local news outlets. Among the young benefactors was 6-year-old Mia, who had just finished trick-or-treating but felt compelled to return with more candy specifically for Jacob. Her father, James Sayen, recounted how Mia expressed concern that no child should miss out on candy during Halloween. This act of compassion exemplified the values instilled in these children by their parents and highlighted the spirit of community support that shone amidst Schmitt’s challenging circumstances. Schmitt expressed her admiration for the considerate young neighbors who took it upon themselves to ensure that Jacob would not feel left out this Halloween

A young girl from Africa named Fudia underwent life-changing surgery to correct her bow-legged condition, resulting in a significant increase in her height—five-and-a-half inches (14 cm). Born with a progressive orthopedic issue that caused her legs to turn inward at a severe angle, Fudia faced immense challenges in walking, which led to considerable pain and difficulty in her daily life. Local hospitals in Sierra Leone were unable to provide the necessary treatment, but her uncle Joseph recognized a glimmer of hope through Mercy Ships, an international charity that offers surgical care aboard hospital ships. Joseph took the initiative to relocate with Fudia to Freetown, where they could seek assistance from Mercy Ships when it next docked. After a six-year wait, Fudia was finally seen by medical professionals in 2023 and diagnosed with Blount’s disease, a condition that leads to severe leg deformities. British volunteer surgeon Rachel Buckingham performed a four-hour surgery in January that successfully straightened Fudia’s legs, allowing her to walk with newfound confidence. Joseph recalled the moment of realization about Fudia’s condition, noting the social isolation and mockery she faced from peers due to her physical appearance. The recovery process for Fudia was not without its difficulties; she encountered unexpected delays and required additional wound care. Nevertheless, she demonstrated remarkable resilience and is now able to stand tall and walk freely. Dr. Buckingham expressed her admiration for Fudia’s courage throughout this journey, emphasizing how painful it was for the young girl before the surgery. The success of the operation has transformed Fudia’s physical capabilities as well as uplifted her spirit, enabling her to engage more fully in life. Fudia’s aunt Massa shared how the surgery has positively impacted the girl’s social interactions and self-esteem. No longer ashamed to attend school, Fudia now enjoys playing with friends and has even developed aspirations of becoming a doctor herself, inspired by the care she received from the Mercy Ships team.

On a fateful day in 2019, Charlotte found herself standing on the train tracks, contemplating ending her life. She was overwhelmed by her mental health struggles and felt a sense of despair as she waited for a train to come and end it all. However, the driver of that train, 47-year-old Dave Lay, had a different fate in mind. Upon receiving an alert about a pedestrian on the tracks, he immediately slammed the brakes, bringing the train to a halt. Lay then disembarked and spent nearly half an hour talking to Charlotte, patiently reassuring her until she felt safe enough to step away from the edge. After they spoke, local police arrived and assisted Charlotte in connecting with mental health support services right on site. Though shaken by the experience, Dave felt a sense of fulfillment knowing he had made a difference that day. He left the station believing that his intervention had brought closure to the incident. However, Charlotte had other intentions; the next day, she sought out Dave on Facebook to express her gratitude for his kindness during such a critical moment in her life. In her message, Charlotte recounted how she had been feeling lost and hopeless before Dave’s intervention. She described how his calm demeanor and willingness to engage in conversation helped alleviate her immediate crisis. Their exchange continued as they began messaging each other regularly. After two months of communication, they finally met for coffee, marking the beginning of a deep connection that would eventually lead to marriage. Fast forward three years later, Charlotte and Dave tied the knot while expecting their first child together. Charlotte, who works as a nurse for the NHS and has faced t mental health challenges in her past, reflected on how that day changed her life forever. She recognized that Dave’s approach during their conversation was akin to de-escalation techniques used in mental health crises. Their story is as a reminder of how one person’s compassion can impact another’s life, even in moments of darkness, hope and connection can emerge.

As I was driving along Interstate 75, I noticed a state trooper parked in a turnout, but a quick check of my speed reassured me that I was in the clear. Moments later, however, my attention was drawn to a distressed dog lying in the ditch near the exit 20 sign. Torn between my commitment to an appointment and a sense of urgency for the animal’s welfare, I made the decision to turn around and head southbound, fully aware that I might face a ticket for doing so. To my relief, when I arrived back at the turnout, the trooper was still there. He rolled down his window and acknowledged me with a friendly “Yep! I’m here.” I quickly explained the situation regarding the dog and expressed my willingness to accept a ticket if it meant I could help her. The trooper simply asked where the dog was and promptly set off to find her. We soon discovered her still in the same spot, panting heavily and clearly in distress. The trooper sprang into action, pouring out his water jug to create a makeshift bowl for the frightened dog. As she cautiously approached, she sniffed at the water before realizing it was meant for her; she drank eagerly. The trooper didn’t stop there—he fetched more water and even offered her a Little Debbie snack. Despite her initial wariness, she slowly began to trust him. Demonstrating patience and kindness, he retrieved a chair and an umbrella, vowing to stay by her side until she felt safe enough to be taken to a shelter or even adopted. This encounter with Trooper Tudors of the Tennessee State Highway Patrol is indeed a reminder of the goodness that exists in our world when we least expect it.

A 21-year-old, Bailey-Greetham Clark, is making a significant impact by offering boxing lessons to seniors in care homes, promoting both fitness and enjoyment. His journey began at the age of 17 when he spoke at a day center for adults with educational needs. This experience opened his eyes to the lack of access to sports and fitness for vulnerable populations, prompting him to establish a wellbeing initiative called ‘Be Great Fitness’. Now, Bailey travels throughout Lincolnshire, England, ensuring that schools, hospitals, community centers, and senior care homes have access to fitness activities. His mission became even more urgent during the COVID-19 pandemic, as he recognized the need for joy and physical activity among these groups. “Sport and exercise cheer people up; we make jokes and have a laugh with everyone, enhancing their day,” he explains. His efforts have led him to conduct fitness classes in 20-30 different care homes, where he guides residents through engaging one-hour sessions that include boxing drills and hand-eye coordination games. Participants don vibrant neon pink, yellow, and green gloves during these activities. Bailey has gained popularity through heartwarming videos shared on social media, which have garnered numerous views. This exposure has resulted in an overwhelming number of inquiries about his sessions. “My calendar is insane at the moment! We’re working on expanding our team and rolling out sessions nationally,” he shares. His passion for helping the elderly stems from his own challenging upbringing; after being raised by his grandparents, he developed a strong desire to support older individuals. At 14, after taking a year off school due to personal struggles, he found boxing as a means to improve his fitness and outlook on life. “Seeing firsthand the genuine impact we make is incredible. We can uplift not just the residents but also the staff,” Bailey notes. He recalls a moment when a care home shared a video expressing their enjoyment of his session, highlighting how one resident even complimented his legs. Bailey’s commitment to this cause reflects a unique fulfillment that is often absent in other fields. “It’s beautiful and it keeps me going,” he concludes with heartfelt sincerity.