Photo compliments of Google
I have pondered for days on what my next post should be, as the tragedy from last week in Newtown seems to be so overwhelming. As I am one to definitely find comfort in food, I thought making a few holiday hors d’oeuvre that I could share with friends and then post would cheer me up. I was wrong – like the rest of the world my heart is heavy with the sadness of last Friday. Someone forwarded me an article about Ann Curry’s suggested 20 Acts of Kindness Tribute to Sandy Hook Victims, which I thought was such an amazing and uplifting idea. Here is the article below for you to read:
From Popwatch:
As a response to the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School last Friday, Ann Curry had an idea. In an article she wrote for NBC News, Curry talked about her struggles reporting from Darfur in 2007, and how, as a response to dealing with that horror, she did something small and positive, in that case, giving photographs to people. This past weekend, Curry tweeted, “Imagine if everyone could commit to doing one act of kindness for every one of those children killed in Newtown.” She originally tagged her remark #20Acts, but that’s now been bumped up to #26Acts, with some people doing 27 or 28.
Since Curry’s original tweet, the movement of kindness has taken off, with #26Acts quickly becoming a top trending topic on Twitter. Curry herself has been championing the kindness, retweeting many of the original kind ideas people all over the world are coming up with and performing.
Here are a few of the “26 Acts of Kindness” posted on Twitter by various users:
- Delivered over $2,000 worth of toys for homeless children.
- I shoveled my driveway & dug the neighbors out too. They have 2 kiddos with a third due in Feb.
- Staff and I sent emails to my elementary school teachers thanking them – I’m 32, and I am now an elementary teacher, too.
- I just donated 26 new toys to the Pediatric unit!
- I passed out 27 bags w/ Hershey Kisses today to random people – co-workers, friends & complete strangers – in honor of Charlotte Bacon.
- Surprised my coworker today with a cup of coffee on her desk (black, how she likes it 🙂 Put note of #26Acts. She hugged me.
- Surprised construction workers on a cold, rainy day with hot coffee.
- Gave my $300 Amex Costco rebate check to a young couple with 3 young kids. They had just moved back to Colorado.
- I can’t help anyone financially, but took my sweet dog to visit with my blind next-door neighbor.
- Gave a woman her second drink free at starbucks. Found out afterwards that she returned from her deployment a week earlier.
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Dear readers, as you can see the acts of kindness run the gamut, and you don’t have to be rich to participate. I know I am “In” and started my first act of kindness this morning to a homeless person nearby my local Starbucks in Seattle. With a “happy holidays to you” he now has a hot cup of coffee and scone in hand and a small Bistro Box for later today. Didn’t cost me much in time or money, but hopefully made his day a little sweeter – I know it did mine. And remember your Acts of Kindness can be directed toward family members too, as we sometimes forget to be kind to those we love the most.
Drop me a comment if you are also “In” and what acts of kindness you are going to do, have already started, or previously been involved with. Your sharing with us your acts of kindness can and will inspire others (myself included) to keep this going. I can’t think of a nicer way to celebrate the holidays than keeping Acts of Kindness in the forefront of my mind and heart.
Wishing you all the merriest of holidays – am leaving you with some uplifting and inspiring music from Handel’s Messiah.
All the best,
canapesandchocolate.com 
I had the same thoughts as you, C&C–everything that was “fun” before last Friday didn’t seem as important after the shooting. Check out my last post for my act of kindness. http://foodcommunicationservices.wordpress.com/2012/12/17/nourish-the-teachers/
This act of kindness was inspired by seeing another mom bring cookies to my daughters’ school and my mom wrote thank-you notes to teachers in the family after reading my post. Ripples ripples ripples! You’re doing a good thing:-)
Liz – thanks for stopping by and sharing your act of kindness and for including a link to your site. I went and saw that you baked loaves of (peaceful) bread for your kids teachers – what a great idea! Happy Holidays!
Beautiful.
Thanks Judy – have a wonderful and safe New Year!
I wish you a merry christmas and a wonderful new year.Thank you for sharing your blog with wonderful recipes.See you again in 2013.kisses
Thank you Tradition Is! I also wish you the happiest of holidays and a wonderful 2013 that brings you much success both professionally and personally.
A friend of the family could not afford to pick up her layaway – unknown to us and someone paid for unpicked up layaways and and my sister in law was the recipient of a free cup of coffee at Starbucks as someone paid for 27 so she is “in” and plans on going forward. We started before the shooting by sponsoring a young girl from Indonesia and being more aware of the needs within our own community and decided to act on what we believe and since I have been reading of all the random acts of kindness I am “in” and plan on doing something for the whole year. I was going to say weekly but that sounds too planned, so whenever the opportunity presents itself I will pass it on. Not only in honor of those victims but in honor of Christ our Lord, I plan to live my life serving others in practical ways. Blessings to your family this Christmas season and in the New Year. Patty
Patty, how great for the people who had gifts on lay-away. I love your idea of doing this all year and how sweet that you sponsored a girl from Indonesia – more of us could do that! Blessings to you too and your family – have a wonderful and safe New Year!
Thank you Claire – you too!
This is such a wonderful post. I love the Acts of Kindness concept. I wish the idea of giving to others would continue throughout the year, not just at Christmas. Thank you so much for following my blog. I am looking forward to seeing your future blog posts.
Thanks Anna! Yes, Patty from thoughtsfromanamericanwoman.com suggested the very same that we should continue Acts of Kindness throughout the year – I wholeheartedly agree with both of you. Wishing you the happiest of New Years!
Maybe I will create a post devoted to that…
Anna I think it a great idea and most valuable to keep the Acts of Kindness alive. Have a wonderful New Year!