KINDNESS WORLDWIDE INITIATVES

After a Good Samaritan woman returned his wallet moments after it was lost on Good Friday morning, Kevin Smith did not think a mere “thank you” was enough. She literally went the extra mile for him, and he figuratively wanted to go the extra mile for her. He impulsively emailed the local news which subsequently aired an uplifting story that quickly spread nationwide. Knowing only the Good Samaritan’s first name, Kevin wondered if she was even aware of the positivity her kind act had inspired. A long shot Facebook search connected when a profile picture of a young woman and her dog resonated.

Soon Inside Edition, television’s top rated longest-running news program, planned to run a story in which the Good Samaritan would be publicly acknowledged. The story never aired, which compelled Kevin to pursue other paths to ensure she ultimately would be. Thus began an unexpected adventure of a lifetime leading to a fascinating connection with the York County SPCA based upon the Good Samaritan’s Facebook profile picture. A comment “pets are the glue that bond people and communities together” subsequently led to an even broader connection that will bring multiple communities and peoples together in a broad celebration of Kindness Week showcasing the true character and inherent goodness they possess. The spirit of Kindness Week reminds us that no act of kindness is too small to make a meaningful difference, and that anyone has the power to make a lasting positive impact through kind actions.