Kindness Starts With One^®

When our class was writing letters to the military, my friend had an idea to send even more to the military. She invited a few of our friends to join her. We used the school announcements to ask people to drop donations off at some of the boxes we spread around our school. Even the sixth grade teacher at our...

My coach always shows kindness to me. When I am in a lesson with my coach, he always makes it fun but also makes me work hard. He never yells at me, but pulls me aside and calmly talks to me. When he talks to me, he always tells me how good I am and then also tells me things I...

One day, my friend Jose came into class late with an injured foot. He had crutches and was trying to get his stuff. My class and I were watching the announcements. But, when I saw Jose struggling, I ran over to help him. He asked me if I could get his pencil case for him, so I got it and...

When I returned home from the hospital after a fall that broke my patella, I found that one of my neighbors had set up an account where all of my neighbors could select a day and time to walk my two Yorkies, Nicky & Gracie. For 8 weeks, 3 times a day, a neighbor walked my dogs when I could...

My current favorite act of kindness is helping the monarch butterflies. Unfortunately, they are at risk of extinction. I help by sharing native milkweed seeds with other people. I also plant milkweed in my own garden. Milkweed is the Monarchs' caterpillar host plant; the only plant they will eat. 

My act of kindness brought about the title 'Hidden Hero,' Here is the story:

HIDDEN HERO by Author, and Jessica's friend,Liz Roy

As a young boy, they called him ‘retarded’. They kicked him, threw him into ditches, shoved wasps down his back, and sexually abused him. Diagnosed an ‘idiot-savant’, he was born with a pure singing voice, but sang in...

My kindness story begins with the two kindest people I know, Wayne and Linda Vanderploeg, but I know them as Dad and Mom. I grew up with the most amazing kindness mentors. My parents were always reaching out to those in need, responding to the needs of others before their own needs, and helping in so many countless ways throughout the community....

At recess the other day a group of competitive boys were playing basketball. For some reason a boy who usually prefers to play alone took a risk and joined the other boys. This young man happens to have cerebral palsy. When the other boys saw him, they immediately welcomed him to the game and one boy even tossed him the...

I found myself recently single and somehow was left with an overall feeling of gratitude. While we may not have made a good couple for a handful of reasons, I learned to stop judging myself, others, and life for what it isn't. Rather, I have learned to appreciate myself, others, and life for what it is. I also learned that...