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A group of young people went to Jackson Park in Missouri to swim in the stream on a pleasant day. Hubble Creek, located in Jackson City Park, was a popular spot for kids to enjoy the water. However, heavy rains had recently caused flooding, creating a dangerous current beneath the bridge. Suddenly, a girl went missing from the pool while four boys were playing nearby. One of the boys, Aiden Kyle, told his friends that the little girl had left just a few minutes earlier. Despite the rain and rising water levels, everyone continued to swim and splash around, although the boys were concerned about what had happened to the little girl, Kinsley Stuart. In a matter of seconds, Aiden spotted Kinsley’s hand near the bridge area and jumped in to grab it. Realizing he needed help to rescue her from the strong current, he called his friend Isaiah Randol. Isaiah rushed over and took hold of her hand while Aiden swam alongside. The other two boys joined in, and together they managed to pull her out of the water despite the powerful current. Everyone emerged safely, and Kinsley was taken to the hospital immediately, where she was later discharged. Kinsley’s parents expressed their gratitude repeatedly for the boys who saved their daughter. They wanted to thank the staff at Kenny’s Burger Flipping Company, who always welcomed the boys to eat for free. They believed that no amount of money could compare to what the boys had done for their family. No one could imagine what might have happened if these heroes had not been there during that critical moment. We would be doing great service to humanity if we awaken the consciousness of kindness in our children, and at the earliest opportunity.

In late April, a devastating EF4 tornado struck Oklahoma, trapping nine-year-old Branson Baker and his parents, Wayne and Lindy, in their pickup truck. As they were en route to a friend’s storm shelter, the tornado uprooted a tree, crashing it into their vehicle and leaving Wayne and Lindy severely injured. In a moment of sheer bravery, Branson managed to escape the wreckage and guided by flashes of lightning, ran over a mile to seek help, all while fearing for his parents’ lives. His last words to them were a heartfelt plea: “Mom, Dad, please don’t die, I will be back.” Branson’s determination proved crucial as he located a neighbor who followed him back to the scene, where first responders were already tending to his injured parents. Wayne suffered multiple injuries, including broken ribs and a sternum, while Lindy faced even graver challenges with a punctured lung and fractures in her neck and back. Both are currently recovering at OU Medical Center, supported by their community, which has rallied to raise over $10,000 for their medical expenses. Branson’s uncle, Johnny, expressed immense pride in his nephew’s courage, noting that not many adults would have acted with such quick resolve in a crisis. The Baker family’s story has inspired many, including Branson’s baseball teammates, who wore stickers in support during a recent game. Branson channeled his emotions into the game, hitting a home run dedicated to his parents. The community’s admiration for him has been reflected in a GoFundMe campaign, celebrating him as a small but mighty hero with a bright future ahead. As the Bakers continue their recovery, they are grateful for the outpouring of support and the heroic actions of their young son who became their “Superman” in a trying moment. If and when we’re determined to do kind things, not even age can stop us. May we continue to rise to the height of kindness, regardless.

Warm and heartfelt greetings! We’re back, just as promised. Today, we’re excited to share highlights from all our activities over the past month. Sit back and enjoy this visual journey through our experiences! Thank you for your continued readership, keep a date with us, same time, same site. Keep T.A.L.K.ing

Three inmates could have taken advantage of their security supervisor’s medical emergency – but instead, they stayed by his side and ensured that he was taken care of. The Bladen County inmates from North Carolina were picking up trash on the side of the road as a part of a program that allows them to perform community service in exchange for having their jail time reduced. Their work was interrupted, however, when their supervisor James Smith started to stumble, which led him to fall into a ditch. The inmates immediately rushed to his side. When Smith was unable to answer basic questions, the men used his phone to call for an ambulance before stopping traffic and asking drivers for help, according to the sheriff department Paramedics escorted Smith to the Cape Fear Valley Medical Center where doctors were able to diagnose the episode as a stroke. While the supervisor has been recovering in the hospital, each of the three men were honoured with the sheriff department’s esteemed Life-Saving Award. The awards can dramatically improve their chances of landing employment once they are released from prison, but the men say that they are simply happy that Smith is okay. “At the end of the day, knowing he is OK, that makes you feel better,” one of the inmates told WECT, with another inmate adding: “He’s a good man. He’s more than a police officer. He’s more or less like my friend. He’s just a really good guy all the way around.” Upon presenting the awards, Sheriff Jim McVicker said: “It goes to show, if you treat people right, they’ll return the favour and treat you right, and that’s exactly what these men have done here.” At this point, it is evident that what goes around, comes around. So, let’s keep dishing out kindness.

Truly, Together Everyone Achieves More [TEAM]! This Colorado pair brings new meaning to the word “determination”. When one couldn’t walk and the other couldn’t see, they teamed up to share their love of the great outdoors. Melanie Knecht was born with spina bifida, so she uses a wheelchair to get around. Trevor Hahn only recently became blind after he contracted glaucoma five years ago. Both living in Fort Collins, Colorado, the two met at an adaptive boxing class—and they soon ran into each other again at an adaptive rock-climbing class. They immediately bonded over Knecht’s lifelong hobby of camping and Hahn’s passion for outdoor sports. When she told him about her recent trip to Easter Island, where she got the opportunity to be carried on another person’s back, it was a “eureka” moment. Even though his sight was gone, he’d been able to scale a Himalayan peak, using poles and spoken directions from his companions. They started small, but next month—with her vision and his strength—they will trek to the top of a 14,000-foot mountain. “It just seemed like common sense,” Knecht told Good Morning America. “He’s the legs, I’m the eyes — boom! Together, we’re the dream team.” At the start of each hike, a friend lifts Knecht into a carrier on Hahn’s back. From that point on, she gives him verbal directions to navigate the trail. Since February, they have been sharing their hiking adventures on Instagram. It made me so happy to help someone experience what I’ve been able to experience my whole life,” Hahn stated. “The best part is being able to make her smile—that gives me purpose.” In addition to this sense of purpose, the two share an understanding of how difficult it can be asking able-bodied or sighted people for assistance in everyday life. They get immeasurable satisfaction from being able to do this on their own. That’s the human spirit,” Hahn told Outside magazine. “If you want something bad enough, and you find the right people—who also want what you want—you can do anything. Nothing is impossible for us to achieve, if only we work together in kindness as a team.

When Andrew Levy, a real estate agent in Palm Beach Gardens, learned that over 400 children in the Jupiter area were unable to access a proper lunch due to outstanding debt, he knew he had to act. “These children that were in debt were going to either not eat or they would get just cheese sandwiches and I thought that’s crazy,” Levy said. “I thought you know something? If for a modest sum I could make that change, I’m gonna do it.” Levy promptly paid off the $944.34 debt across all nine Jupiter area public schools, ensuring that no child would go hungry. But his generosity didn’t stop there. After posting about his act of kindness on Facebook, over 200 people commented, many asking how they could help. Levy realized that his single gesture had ignited a chain reaction of compassion within the community. Determined to maintain the momentum, Levy decided to establish a quarterly fundraising initiative to prevent future lunch debt accumulation. His goal is to ensure that children never have to worry about a hot meal and parents never have to stress about the bill. Each of us has a role to play. If we view life through the lens of humanity, we would be creating a world no one has to go hungry. May we embrace kindness this day, all day and every day.

A woman who once appeared on the ‘Most Wanted List’ in Franklin County, Alabama, is expressing her gratitude to the officer who arrested her by donating a kidney to him. Jocelynn James struggled with opioid addiction and resorted to theft and other crimes to support her habit, leading to multiple arrests by Officer Terrell Potter between 2007 and 2012. Now, she strongly believes and also appreciates the fact that Potter played a crucial role in saving her life by helping her turn her life around. In November, Potter discovered that his kidneys were failing, with doctors estimating a wait of 7-8 years for a transplant. Upon learning about his situation, James felt a divine calling to donate her kidney, and as good graces would have it, they turned out to be a perfect match. The surgery was successful. Today, James leads a non-profit organization that offers drug counseling to women and is celebrating nearly eight years of sobriety. Potter now regards her as a daughter, taking pride in the strong bond that has formed between them. “It’s made a great relationship and a bond between us that can go forever.” He said. When we approach life with compassion and humanity, the Universe has a unique way of showing its gratitude. Hence, we can never overemphasize the importance of weaving kindness into every aspect of our human experience. Let’s stay kind for no reason.

Thirteen truck drivers are being commended for their remarkable teamwork after they banded together to prevent a suicidal man from jumping off a bridge. The Michigan State Police received a call around 1 AM on Tuesday about a man threatening to leap from a bridge over Interstate 696 in Oak Park. As police closed down all highway lanes, they devised a plan to enlist nearby truck drivers to position their semis beneath the bridge, creating a safety net to cushion any potential fall. State police Lt. Michael Shaw noted the selflessness of the truck drivers, stating, “There’re 13 truck drivers that didn’t even know this guy and were willing to slide underneath that overpass to help him.” After about four hours of negotiation, officers successfully persuaded the man to step back from the ledge. In times of crisis, whether it’s a natural disaster, a public health emergency, or a personal tragedy, having a strong support system can make a huge difference. Communities that come together to provide emotional, practical, and financial assistance to those in need encourage resilience, unity, and recovery. The truck drivers’ actions are a litmus indicator to the power of community support and the importance of being there for one another in difficult times. Times are truly daunting so if there’s ever a way you could make stuff soft for another, please don’t hesitate. Be kind for no reason.