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In Nanchang, near a cancer hospital, two elderly individuals operate a “community cancer kitchen,” providing vital support for those caring for cancer patients. Wan Zuocheng and Hong Gengxiang have dedicated two decades to this charitable endeavor, recently gaining national recognition for their efforts. “No matter what life throws at you, you must eat good food,” Mr. Wan shared with the South China Morning Post. For just 3 RMB (approximately $0.32), anyone can utilize the kitchen facilities they have established in the alley to prepare meals. These meals often serve both patients, who seek comfort in familiar food over hospital offerings, and their caregivers. The couple initially ran a restaurant next to Jiangxi Cancer Hospital in 1993, but after its demolition, they transitioned to a breakfast stall. The inspiration for their charity kitchen arose in 2003 when a mother approached them, expressing her son’s desire for a home-cooked meal rather than treatment. This moment prompted them to open their kitchen to families in need. Over the years, they expanded their resources, adding more cooking equipment and accommodating an increasing number of users. As community support grew, donations began to exceed operational costs, allowing nearly 10,000 people to benefit from the kitchen annually. “We and the patients are inseparable now,” Wan stated to China Daily. “Without the patients, we would feel lonely; without us, they would face difficulties.” He remains committed to helping as long as he is able. In Chinese culture, food holds significant importance, often serving as a means of connection and care. The act of sharing a meal is seen as an expression of love and support during challenging times. Research indicates that positivity can enhance recovery outcomes for cancer patients, making home-cooked meals particularly meaningful. In 2019, local government funding facilitated renovations that moved the kitchen indoors and expanded its capacity with over 20 cooking stations and ventilation systems. Their work was further recognized in 2020 when they received the “People Who Move China” honor, akin to CNN Heroes.

San José is implementing a creative initiative aimed at both beautifying the city and providing employment opportunities for homeless individuals. The program will hire 25 local homeless residents at a wage of $15 per hour to engage in litter cleanup across 40 identified hotspots throughout the city. This effort seeks to enhance the cleanliness of public spaces as well as aims to offer a sense of purpose and financial stability to those involved, potentially facilitating their transition into full-time employment in the future. The management of this initiative will be handled by Downtown Streets Team, an organization dedicated to combating homelessness, alongside Goodwill. Funding for the program comes from a $200,000 litter abatement grant provided by the city. If successful, city officials are optimistic about extending the program beyond its initial phase. This approach mirrors similar efforts seen in other cities, such as Denver, where a comparable model led to over 100 homeless participants securing regular jobs after being employed for a year. By employing homeless individuals in cleanup efforts, San José hopes to reduce litter and also to foster community engagement among those experiencing homelessness. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to address homelessness in the city, which includes building emergency housing and expanding job programs for unhoused residents. When our policies are doused in kindness, we’re most certain of having a win-win situation for all parties involved. May this remind us that in all we do, KINDNESS is the prerequisite for existence.

When other passengers on the Vancouver SkyTrain distanced themselves from a man in distress, a 70-year-old woman reached out and took his hand. This simple act of kindness helped to calm the young man, who had been shouting and behaving erratically. Ehab Taha, a fellow passenger, captured the moment in a photograph and shared it on Facebook, describing it as an “incredible display of humanity.” He noted that the woman held the man’s hand tightly until he began to cry. Taha recounted how the man sat beside the woman, who provided comfort and reassurance not only to him but also to the other riders. The unidentified woman expressed her motivation for helping, saying, “I’m a mother and he needed someone to touch,” before she too was moved to tears. Simple gestures done out of love and kindness could impact those around us in more positive ways than we could ever begin to imagine.

Adele made a surprise visit to twelve-year-old Rebecca Gibney, a young fan facing serious health challenges, right at her bedside. Despite being diagnosed with cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and blindness, Rebecca has shown remarkable strength, defying doctors’ predictions that she only had six months to live. Rebecca has been largely bedridden but finds joy in listening to Adele’s music, often breaking into smiles and singing along when her favorite songs play. Her mother, Tracy, took to social media to appeal for Adele to visit after learning that the singer would be performing in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Tracy’s heartfelt request gained traction through an online petition. On Tuesday, Adele surprised the Gibney family by stopping by their home before her concert that evening. The visit was a dream come true for Rebecca and left her mother in disbelief that their appeals had reached the superstar. Tracy expressed her gratitude on Twitter, stating, “I will never forget this day and night with my Rebecca and Adele,” and shared how Adele reassured her by saying she was “the best mummy in the world.” This unforgettable encounter did bring immeasurable joy to Rebecca and also uplifted Tracy’s spirits as a mother.

The man in this photo was no pauper, not a beggar, nor a tramp. This man was Leo Tolstoy, one of the giants of Russian literature. A household name that most book enthusiasts, if not all are familiar with. Few know the extraordinary story behind this photo At the age of 50, Tolstoy fell into depression. His sadness grew day by day, for no reason. Tolstoy was a count, one of the richest men in his country, famous all over the world. But he was unhappy. “Money was nothing. Power was nothing. You could see many people who had both and were unhappy. Even health did not matter much. There were sick people full of the will to live and healthy people who withered in fear of suffering. “ One day on Afanasevsky Avenue, he saw an orphan and, moved by compassion, took him home. And for the first time in a long time, he felt good. He forgot about himself, his problems, his sadness. From that moment on, Tolstoy gave up his men’s clothes, luxuries, and privileges and began to lead a simple life, giving what he had to the needy. “Do not talk to me about religion, charity, love,” he would say, “but show me religion in your actions.” Tolstoy was also the first theoretician of nonviolence. He preached brotherhood among peoples, and his ideas inspired another great figure of the 20th century, Mahatma Gandhi. Until the day of his death, he helped others, which is why many said he was crazy. In a world where only possessions, possession of things, and even people matter, where everyone wants to take, but no one knows how to give, Tolstoy seemed madman. One day, his old friend, who, unlike Tolstoy, lived in comfort and luxury, said to him: “What is the point of all this? What do you care about others? You should think about yourself!” Tolstoy replied: “If you feel pain, you are alive, but if you feel the pain of others, you are human.”

When a judge in Miami recognized a defendant in her courtroom as a childhood friend, the burglary suspect, Arthur Booth, broke down in tears. Courtroom cameras captured the moment Judge Mindy Glazer reminisced about Booth being “the nicest kid in middle school” and their shared football games. Overcome with emotion, Booth was unable to hear his old friend ponder how things had gone so wrong. This poignant scene served as a turning point for Booth, inspiring him to reclaim his dignity and seek a fresh start. Ten months later, upon completing his sentence, he was greeted by Judge Glazer and his family, who welcomed him with open arms and encouragement to rebuild his life. “You’re going to do something good for somebody else,” Judge Glazer told Booth as he was released. “This is a group effort to see you succeed. Don’t let us down.” When kindness makes it to our every gathering, difficult situations tend to fix up without so much sweat. In our lines of duty, we can always TRY A LITTLE KINDNESS.

In Anchorage, Alaska, a harrowing scene unfolded as a man found himself trapped beneath his overturned SUV, which was rapidly engulfed in flames. The urgency of the situation was palpable as both officers and courageous bystanders sprang into action to rescue him. With smoke billowing and heat radiating from the burning vehicle, the trapped motorist’s cries for help pierced the air, amplifying the tension of the moment. Determined to save him, a group of onlookers joined forces with police officer Mitchel Veenstra, who quickly organized an impromptu rescue team. Together, they exerted all their strength to lift the massive SUV off the man’s arm, which was pinned beneath the vehicle. As adrenaline surged through their veins, the crowd’s collective effort intensified. In a remarkable display of human spirit and solidarity, they managed to free him just moments before the SUV became fully engulfed in flames. Once liberated, the man was overcome with emotion; tears streamed down his face as he expressed gratitude to those who risked their own safety for his. His heartfelt thanks resonated with everyone present, a reminder of the bravery and compassion that can emerge in life-or-death situations.