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Subscribe to RSSA massive, unexpected wave of goodwill began online with a simple idea: "Imagine if we all committed 20 acts of kindness to honor the lost children of Newtown." NBC News National and International Correspondent Ann Curry sent the message on Twitter and Facebook. The idea has evolved into a viral effort known as "26 Acts of Kindness," in honor of the students and faculty who died at Sandy Hook Elementary.
After being in Newtown, I woke up the next morning and thought about what could be done. What is the answer to this kind of national suffering? And I remembered a moment on the edge of Darfur, when I came upon a woman who was elderly and in the hospital, recovering from burns after an attack by Janjaweed militias. She was surrounded in the hospital, by younger women carrying babies, and I asked her to tell the story of how she had suffered these terrible burns all over her body. I learned that she had tried to rescue her invalid husband when her village was attacked and her house was set on fire. She tried to carry her husband out of her house and stayed so long that the thatched roof of her house came down, the hot embers giving her 3rd degree burns. But she was unable to save her husband. Her husband died.
Antoine Sanfuentes
Ann Curry's inspiration for #26Acts of Kindness dates back to an experience she had while reporting on the genocide in Darfur in 2007, and the joy that giving Polaroid pictures of children brought to mothers who had never held a photograph of their kids.
I remember walking out of that hospital, and the producer saw the look on my face. He said, “Are you okay?” And I said, “No.” And without even thinking, I remember going to our team van and pulling out a Polaroid camera I had brought on that trip. And then I went to all of these women with their children who were in the courtyard of the hospital, knowing that they had never owned a photograph – ever – of their child. I went around from woman to woman, and I took pictures of them, I took pictures of them with their child, or just of their child alone – without even thinking, just snapping pictures. The first time I did it, I remember giving a photograph to a woman, and she looked at this black square with this quizzed look on her face, and I said, “Just wait one minute! Just wait one minute,” holding up one finger. And then I watched her face melt as she watched her child’s face slowly appear on that Polaroid.
It made me feel better. So I went from mother to mother to mother until I ran out of film.
After the experience in Newtown. I thought, “What if? Imagine if everyone could commit to doing one act of kindness for every one of those children killed in Newtown.” So that’s what I tweeted. And guess what? People committed. I said in my tweet, “I’m in. RT if you’re in.” Not only did they commit to 20 acts of kindness, they wanted to up it to 26 acts of kindness for every child and adult who was lost at the school. Some even debated maybe we should include the mother, who died, at 27 acts. Some debated maybe we should include the killer as well as he was struggling and in pain.
What’s really remarkable to me is how many people responded. They are the ones who carried the ball. They are the ones who chose what to do. People would tweet back, “I’ve done two!” “I bought coffee for a guy in line!” “I bought toys for homeless children!” “I’ve got 18 more to go!” or “24 more to go!” – whatever number they were trying to reach.
I was inspired by them. So I started tweeting about what people were doing. Some people thought it was boasting when they would say “I’ve done this” or “I’ve done that.” I don’t think so. I think that whenever you show by example an act of kindness – big or small – something that spends a lot of money, or because you don’t have the money, something that doesn’t, all of it is welcome.
There is no judgment. I think that’s the key. If people want to do it, great. But I think that if they do it, something great happens to you.
When I was tweeting, I noticed that the number one trending topic was something like "ThingsIlikeaboutmyself." I thought, “Well, if you do act of kindness, I bet you’ll like even more about yourself.” So that’s what I tweeted.
I know the truth: if you do good, you feel good. It’s the most selfish thing you can do. Right now, this country wants to heal. I think the only thing comforting in the face of a tragedy like this is to do something good with it if you can. Be a part of that wave.
Here are some ideas to get you started:
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What a wonderful idea! Maybe people will throw 26 semi-automatic weapons with clips that shoot 100 rounds or more to the garbage!
Hey Ann. How are you doing? Mat is a Pric!. Hope you're doing well.
Can I buy those at Walmart..at a discount, made by child labor and imported by a company that quit manufacturing in America because they had to pay minimum wages and follow environmental laws but gets a big tax break and plenty of tax credits by importing them from a 3rd world country so the owners can become millionares and pay only 14% income tax on their spoils of war ? Just wondered.
excellent point, bigal... but probably not the right place to post it!
My first act of kindness will be to forgive these posters above me and hope they never suffer a loss as devastating as Newtown Ct has.
IRESPOND-2315268 Yeah so they can be picked up by anoyone walking by and used in a crime. Friggin genius you must be a liberal.
I reckon that every cloud has a silver lining, the media sure seems pleased with themselves.
I reckon that every cloud has a silver lining, the media sure seems pleased with themselves.
This artical gave me some hope until I saw your comment . does everything with this case have to come back to guns???
BUT Since you mentioned it I'll say:
Guns have been around since this country started. The founding fathers thought the right to bear arms was so important we have the 2nd amendment. But all of a sudden america is unable to handle the evil gun?????
What about personel responsiblity
what about basic civics
What about giving your kid a smack and tell them to straightin up if they need it
What about owning up to the fact of our falure to treat mental illness
What about owning up to our falure to Lock up / punish people the FIRST time they do wrong and show not acceptable
What about realizing that bad people will do bad things with or without the evil Gun
What about parents teaching thier kids respect of others
What about parents teaching kids the golden rule - To Love Others As You Love Yourself
What about ......
But no lets take the easy way out and Blame a object (the gun) that cant do anything by it self.
But no lets take away RIGHTS of the law abiding person to own a gun
I have had a gun for about 25year it never killed anyone, its a good gun, why are you blaming it?????
too bad people only get into "act of kindness" or "giving" mood around the holidays. two months later, the same people who showed you "kindness" and "gave" you stuff will end up cutting you off in traffic after giving you the bird.
realofit, isn't it the truth? Pretty bad when doing good has become a forced effort, when in truth, it should come natural.
Went with best friend to buy food to fill backpacks for needy students to have over the holidays. disposable razors for men's shelter, books to fill wishes of holiday gifts for school children, gave money to have trees planted in Israel in memory of Noah Pozner, supported organization that builds fences and dog pens for dogs that are chained up 24 hours a day to give the animals freedom to roam.....going out to surprise others with random acts of kindness!
Sandy Hook Elementary School holds a VERY special place in my heart. Although I did not personally know any of the victims, this tragedy has struck my soul in a very profound way. For the last week, I've searched for a way that I could give back to honor these precious angels. I came across this page and was so inspired by everything that I read. I feel that an outpouring of love, kindness, and genuine compassion is exactly what our world needs. I had begun my "26 acts" two days ago and it has been very rewarding so far. I plan to make my new years resolution to do (at least) 26 acts daily. Today was a very meaningful, special day in this journey and I couldn't be anymore proud of my nieces. Molly(8) & Meg(7) came across my "26 Acts" random acts of kindness checklist honoring the victims of Sandy Hook Elementary School, and wanted to participate. Today we decided to make goodie bags full of candy and the checklist honoring each one of the victims. They decorated each checklist and wrote phrases of their choice. We had extra candy so we made a total of 43 bags. We decided to give them out to random people at the mall. They did however, specially decorate a checklist for "the cookie lady" including a drawing of a big pink cookie. It's a ritual, and special treat to visit the cookie shop at our local mall each time we stop, so Megan wanted to decorate a special bag, specifically for the ladies at the cookie shop. As they walked up to each person to give the goodie bag to, they said "This is a gift to show love and kindness." The smiles on each persons' face were priceless. They were welcomed with many smiles, hugs, a few tears, and two MUCH appreciated free cookies. It was nice to share a little love and cheer. Plus my nieces learned how good it feels to be selfless and kind. Megan explained to me that "Because we gave our bags and showed kindness, that other people will show kindness, and then the whole world will know love.". Out of the mouth of babes, I simply couldn't have said it any better myself. We plan to carry on this spirit throughout the year. Are you in? www.facebook.com/26acts
Beautiful Idea!
I will start on my 26 Acts Of Kindness!
Irespond- Why do you have to make this positive idea a negative thing? GRINCH!
I do not see it that way! I see it as a beautiful thing! It all depends where your heart is.
AMEN... irespond!
Ya...beautiful thing..right. Let's make sure to throw out all our fertilizer and gasoline to avoid make@!$%# explosives too! Point being..attacking a means to an end is pointless unless you want to live in a bubble all your life ;)
makeshift* - not sure why that was censored.
I do my best to do good, and be good, every single day. And I always feel good about that. This is a wonderful idea, and I hope it spreads.
Not only do acts of kindness make us feel good, they make us healthier. A study was done on older people who had a heart attack. Some volunteered for an organization that helped people. The others just did the usual thing. The ones who volunteered healed faster!
We should do more acts of kindness. Not to make ourselves feel better, but because it's the right thing to do. Not everyone has it as good as many of us do. So why not pay it forward?? It shouldn't take a tragedy to inspire selfless acts of kindness.
But don't get me wrong. I am GLAD to see people stepping up, and reaching out to others!!! It's awesome.
I won $200.00 for losing 15lbs. I donated 50.00 to our local Humane Society, bought 13 gifts for the mentally challenged students at our school. Tomorrow, I am icing 200 cupcakes on my lunch hour for our school fundraiser, sorting cans after school for our can drive. Thursday, I am delivering cans to families in needs and spending the evening with my 92 year old mum listening to the girl guides sing carols. I feel good!!
Dear Wendy. Bravo.
Such a senseless tragedy unfolded at Sandy Hook on so many levels. The only time I was remotely "soothed" in hearing the SH reports, were when Emily's Dad spoke about his sparkling daughter and when Ann Curry's calm and caring voice reached the airwaves. I was immediately hurting for both Mr. Parker and Ann as both have experienced hurt by others actions. And yet they both showed me that true Love rises above the pain to produce GOOD in this world, give us hope in humanity and yes, even inspire us all to DO acts of kindness. I know that God gifted them first and that they know just how to pay it forward that He might delight in them. Thank you
God bless you and Merry Christmas. You sound like an angel...
Sounds like you are bragging about how good you are. I hear that bell ringing. I bet you are real happy now that millions of people might know how good you are.
A truly random act of kindness comes with not having to tell everyone what you did. These things should always be done anonymously. Some on in our county, paid off 30 peoples lay a ways.
It ain't braggin' if it's the truth!
not true! if it ain't true, it's just lyin. if it's true, it's braggin!
This is so touching. I hope people join in on this cause nationwide. You may think of it as silly and insignificant, but you have no idea how appreciative and touching it is to the recipient. Whether you're doing it in memory of the 26 people lost or if it's one of the factors that makes do this, I hope everyone that participates continue even after the holidays and make selflessness, love and giving a regular thing all year-round. Not only does it make you feel good doing it, it impacts others' lives for the better and having a positive, kind society may help those feeling hopeless, depressed and so on from doing something awful, whether to themselves or others.
The fog kept getting heavier throughout the day. Taken around 4:50, looking south across Bonifant Street in downtown Silver Spring.
As long as we feel better, I'm sure those who lost family members in Connecticut will feel better too. Well done.
Or perhaps that through this great tragedy those people who lost loved ones will know that people all over this nation care. That the loss that they have suffered may have sparked something in this country and that something deep and meaningful can come from something so senseless and crazy. Perhaps it might give those people that have lost their loved ones hope to continue on in their lives. While giving us the chance to make it up to those that have paid the heaviest of price in the only way we can.
Finally a sign that there is still good in this world!
What a tremendous article, stories of caring and love! it warms my heart and re-kindles the fire that there is good still in this dark world!
When Abraham Lincoln was asked about his religious beliefs, he replied: "When I do good I feel good; when I do bad I feel bad. That is my religion." I couldn't agree more. Today, people twist religion and misrepresent it so often many cease to be religions at all. All major religions, despite alll the rhetoric and lies have this simple belief at their cores. I know a lot of people that consider themselves very "religious," but they are not "good" people. I also know self-proclaimed agnostics and atheists that are very good people. I'll take good and decent people any day over "religious" ones, if their religion does not lead them to goodness.
Just be sure that you don't try to make excuses for rejecting Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour by finding people who you believe are Christian and don't measure up in your estimation.
That would be a self inflicted tragedy.
John you are absolutely right!
Many who scream the loudest about being Christians... conduct themselves in the LEAST "Christ" like ways!
Dear Ann, YOU are what is good in this world. What a wonderful idea--and with your influence, kindness is once again being spread across this country and the world. Godbless you, and NBC exec's were FOOLS to let you go. Sorry Matt, was the pressure just a little to hard to take--someone who might be a little better than you??
"to those who much is given much is expected"
I agree, Mary! I have always admired Ann highly for her soothing and beautiful voice and spirit. I don't watch TV much, but last week, I was able to catch Today and wondered where she she was. Now, I know. It's their loss. The show is silly now. The two fill-ins don't match one Ann. Kudos to you, Ann, for being a human and compassionate person. Your acts have sparked a flame that I hope continues in this country. Lord knows, we need to give kindness a chance! Your story about Darfur and how you were affected was inspirational, as well. I always felt that you were authentic.
Dear Bubbawny. There is and always will be good in the world. Good, however, is not news worthy. It's unfortunate because bad news sells; good news does not. A wise man once told me that we must always be on the look out for good, because nobody else will point it out to us.
Great idea. Seven big kindnesses behind us, an eighth biggie on the way.
I cry for the parents who have lost their children. A Texan,Republican, teacher, I CANNOT condone the loss of innocent lives.I believe in the Constitution but I vowed to my English husband I will fight for gun control. Being mentally ill is not the reason these children were lost- possession of a firearm is the reason.Having been in the classroom after Columbine I remember telling a parent in my very "unsafe" school I would lay down my life for the kids.I meant it and any teacher would. We lock our doors but it cannot keep out evil.
Paying for someone at Starbucks is irrelevant- they wouldn't be in line if they couldn't afford $5.00- and I own twice split stock. Do something meaningful- give to a shelter, Salvation Army, Red Cross, help a neighbor who is old, pickup trash, visit a nursing home-comb an old person's hair, most old people just want human contact- people at Starbucks could care less- i know I am in line many days. Make your act REALLY count.
I went to my local Wal-Mart and paid out six random lay-aways that were past the dead-line and going to be returned to stock. They all contained toys & gifts for children! The lady in lay-away was so sweet to help me find ones that I could afford to pay out.
I agree.. but if you spend time having sex with young girls or spend your allowance on pot, you too will feel good. So helping others is a good thing and probably better for you and society than sleeping with young girls or buying pot (unless you are sick and need medical MJ in Michigan).
Doing good and doing for others is your payback for all the opportunities you got by being born in the U.S of A. You may think you are poor or disadvantaged or lack opportunities but everyday millions of poor (and some rich and many students) think about coming to America, the land of opportunity, to get rich, be safer, avoid ditctators, own a home, have schools available to their kids and so much more. Grow up, quit whining about poor you and do something with your life. Your are an American and despite Bush, Obama, a lousy congress, billionares that don't care about you and bad parents..you have opportunites that much of the rest of the world can only dream about. Life is what YOU make it, so quit waiting for the government to give you something for free.
this is about 20 innocent children that lost there lives for no reason and yet people cant stop bashing each other. what the hell????????
Some of those people who are getting something free from the government contributed to it for decades of their working life. Some of them are getting something for free because this great USofA has left millions of its valued citizens behind in its quest to value the wealthy. Some of those people are getting something for free because they risked their lives and the sanity of their families to fight overseas. Some of them are homelless men who, after fighting overseas, have lost their center. Some of them are children who, because of an abusive father, are living with a mom who is struggling to take care of them. Some of them are disabled, who without the help of their American brothers and sisters, would be homeless and desperate. We are not the only great country in the world, and people around the world are doing their best to make their own countries better. We are trying to do the same here. You with all your blah, blah, blah have done nothing to contribute to that.
Great Idea, but let's start with the victims in the Aurora Theatre shooting, Agent Terry's family, Ambassador Stevens family and his fellow American Patriots that died in Libya and the Amish victims survivors families.
It ticks me off that Ann has to do these kind of assignments when she paid her dues out in the trenches many years ago. NBC really sucks.
I completely agree. So TODAY SHOW, how does it feel to have given ann curry the boot because she was "too sympathetic". Apparently, Twitters are coming in on the #20 or #26 acts of kindness from as far away as Russia and south Africa. Maybe you should have kept her after all; she's alot better than Matt Lauer.
i know this might sound silly in light of the huge tragedy in Connecticut, but here is my story.
I have a cat that is almost eighteen years old. He is really the love of my life. He had a bad tumor come up almost overnight. I was laid off from my job at Ethan Allen in 2008 and it has been rough, but this vet just looked at my cat and said well lets take care of the cat today and we will worry about money tomorrow.
I was still upset because it would be the first year in my life (65) that I did not have a Christmas tree and every year I take my pets under the tree and read a book that my mother read to me "The Littlest Angel" She died when I was sixteen, so this was sort of a big deal to me and I am worried this might be my last Christmas with m cat.
Last night i was walking my dog and a neighbor saw me and asked why I was crying and I just blurted out all my problems....well guess what...I opened up my door today and on the porch was a beautiful Noble Christmas tree ...seven feet tall and perfect.
I know this is trivial in light of all of has occured in the last week, but this one act of kindness has restored my faith in the good in this world.
I don't have much but I am having an "open house" on the 23rd for the neighbors and we can all share a cup of coffee and a cookie or what ever anyone wants to bring.
I have my cat, I have a tree and I am happy for these two things.
Last night I was walking the dog and a neighbor saw me crying and I just blurted out everything....well guess
It's not trite, at all, Elizabeth. We need to hear stories of good to counter all the ugly and evil that pervades us every day. Perhaps you were on that person's list of 26! Whatever the case, yours is a beautiful story. Blessed Christmas to you.
haha, Elizabeth, i just happened upon this, your story, n it warmed my heart, thank you... it is wonderful to hear the results of good deeds, wonderful... merry Christmas to you n your fine feline n dandy dawg
Thank you to all of you who have decided to act with kindness
It's about time NBC recognized Ann Curry. They certainly have done their best to minimize the contributions of one of the most sensitive reporters in the industry.
I'd like to give credit to Jesus Christ, who said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive", and then gave His life so others may live, forever.
What a lovely idea! and the reminder that in other places in the world... people endur the unspeakable everyday... and try to find hope and peace... these acts of kindness are what it truly means to be "Christ" like!
hey Annie...didn't even think about the 27 acts today...just gave two customers an ornament that I'd made and put on our tree at work. in the process of making something to send to the school, once all my supplies arrive. check my FB page in a couple of weeks...should be pix there.
miss seeing you in the AM...you still rock, woman!!
This is a nice concept, however, it does not replace the love we all should hold in our hearts each day. The blessings that have been bestowed upon us. So, random acts of kindness are acts that we should not have to give a new name to. If you have been blessed in any way, then try to help others- simple as that.
Ann, you are awesome and we miss you.... but soooo glad you are not doing that dumbed-down today show any more. Hope you get to keep doing the reporting that truely matters!!!