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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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I have to say it...it really should be 27 Acts of Kindness! That being said, why stop at that number, why don't we as a nation make a pact to just start being nicer to each other. Why stop at one community uniting together when it could be the entire country. Imagine..............
Thank you so much for this great idea. You seem like a wonderful and amazing person. I have jumped on the band-wagon and have asked all my fb to join me. This story is just too sad and tragic to just watch and do nothing. Thank you again for reminding us how blessed we are and that we should always be kind. God bless everyone who is grieving such a terrible loss.
When the producers of TODAY decided on a few minutes of news, then some sob story to send you off to work in an upbeat mode, then some crap singer, and then that utterly dreadful "The professionals" -- an idiot, a drip, and a quack, [I always turned over to GMAC at that moment] I thought their days at NBC were numbered. Instead, they canned Ann, and we are now seeing what a fabulous woman she is. God does indeed work in mysterious ways.
Hi Ann, thanks for spreading this message of love. I had the very same idea which I posted last Friday night, but you have such a larger reach and now acts of kindess are spreading all over the world.... awesome!!
Our family bought 26 10lb. hams and donated them to the local food pantry-felt great to give back and honor the students and teachers of Sandy Hook! #26 Acts!
I love this idea! Thanks Ann Curry for leading the charge and reminding us of how incredibly blessed we all are NOT to be going through what those family and friends are having to endure in Sandy Hook. 26 random acts of kindness. One for each "precious heart." Yup, great idea. Now, how about the other 20,000 "precious hearts" that get murdered every week here in the US. Please Ann, lead the charge for these equally precious hearts! Imagine what the world would be like with each of us motivated to do 20,000 RAOK per week! Or, instead of bloviating over gun laws that won't protect us one iota more, we could re-ban the murder of 20,000 precious hearts per week in these United States of America. Then we could get back to promoting the ONLY deterrent/defensive tactic that has ever worked in mass murder situations. The right of each citizen to Conceal and Carry a gun.
I think it's a lovely idea but I will be doing 27 Acts of Kindness. People seem to be forgetting that Nancy Lanza was as much a victim as the 26 at Sandy Hook. She has many family and friends grieving her loss as well.
Ann- Thank you for starting an amazing movement.
As this continues to spread - Let's not forget of all the amazing things people do everyday and have been doing long before.
The elementary school where our children attend completes service projects every month giving back.
Some include collecting books, coats, encouraging notes, complete operation christmas child packages, Create gift activity bags for local pediatric patients for endless hospital stays and chemo. And donated movies for an area facility that lodges family members of ill or injured veterans and wounded service members.
Families everywhere spread good cheer through the year.
My children in August my children ages 4,6,9 created their own event called the FunStop - drinks/food/games/jewelry/face painting And raised enough money to provide several fully stocked backpacks and Book Buddies (Books with a Stuffed animal) for lower income children in need.
Evil is Real. But Good is Real! The one we feed will Win!
Continue to feed the good.
Thank you for spreading the joy of giving! Evil is Real but Good is Real! The one you feeds-Wins. How wonderful that there are people every day that are and have been doing good for a long time.
The elementary school were our children attend do service projects every month. Collecting coats, food, books, operation christmas child. Last year they created activity gift bags for children undergoing chemo to lift spirts. Recently they collected movies to give to families at a facility for family members to stay while a loved one undergoes treatment for illness or injury while serving the country.
In August my children ages 4,6,9 created their own event called the FunStop with games, food, drinks, face painting and fun and raised money to give several Fully Stocked backpacks and book buddies (books & stuffed animals) to low income families.
Good is Real! Feed the Good and Good will win.
Celebrate those who do good everyday by doing more good.
Living in the town next to where these horrific acts happened, I think it is WONDERFUL that people are doing this... and not to diminish this AT ALL... I would say that many of these acts are easy acts. How about after these initial 26 acts we concentrate on DIFFICULT acts of kindness to those who we encounter who are 'odd' or 'different'... or toward those who are mean and nasty? Just trying to put out some food for thought. I am going to try to follow the lead of all of you here and start on my FIRST 26 acts tomorrow! Love and Blessings to all of you.
Has everyone forgot that there were 27 victims and not 26. What kind of society do we live in that we can leave a victim out just because they were not at the school. A victim is a victim no matter what....
I believe that the proliferation of private firearm ownership in the US is not the cause of gun violence, but that both are symptoms of a much more complex problem. I also believe that this movement to commit to acts of kindness, (26 or any other number), can do more to fix that problem than any amount of legislation. This not only helps heal the wounds that have recently been inflicted, it is the ounce of prevention that can realize a pound of cure.
My son brought the empty garbage cans up the driveway for our neighbor and left a note honoring Charlotte Bacon - Act of Kindness #1!
This acts of kindness is a great idea. However, everyone that is joining in are in fact showing that they can be just as heartless as the person who committed the crime here. Last I knew they said that there was 27 that died. So someone please explain to me how it is right not to count his mother as one of the people that died?
I totally agree TheRuggedThree - I just posted a similar remark before reading yours...
I don't know why there are only 26? What about the shooters mother? She was a victim of this senseless crime just like the others. She needs to be thought of just as much as anyone else that lost their lives at the hands of this killer.
We (wife and I) tried to pass out candy to children (individually wrapped) at our local mall, and we were asked to leave. The best part, we needed a $1,000,000 bond! yea, right, Nice huh!. So went to a bowling alley and passed it all out there. I can't believe societal rules are taking away good solid morals to/for strangers, especially kids after such a tragic event. At this rate, random acts of kindness will be a crime I guess. So sad. Keep up the great work everyone and Merry Christmas to you and your entire family.
For those that wish to express your disgust along with us, you can contact them here:
Bristol Mall Customer Service at 276-466-8331.
Here's how ignorant the media people, Like Ann Curry are.
Oh all of sudden this is news to NBC? What about the people who do this all year round you idiotic media? I cook for people on chemotherapy and with terminal illness throughout the year, not just at Christmas. I cooked every holiday Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas for Salvation Army for ten years and before that I cooked ten years using my Christmas and Thanksgiving for others and leaving my family for the end of the day, which they gratefully understood. My Children joined me as they got older and learned to share. This Christmas I am helping 6 families and cooking for many elderly people, which I deliver food to their house.
No, I dont want credit, I want the news people to know it doesnt take a big tragedy to recognize people who do this when there is no tragedy or national attention.
I always cook big and then I deliver part of my cooking to others, throughout the year, not just when the limelight shines. Ive spent thousands through the years to help others. Their smiles, bright eyes, and grateful "Thanks" is all well worth it. I didnt wait for national attention or for a national tragedy, Ive done this all year long, every year for many years.
Everyone needs to learn that giving and brotherhood is throughout the year not just as Christmas time or a major tragedy.
Ann Curry you suck to decide to do a new story now, only when there is a major news issue like Newtown. Get off your dead reporters butt and see the real world
My friend she did a nice thing to me by send a christmas card to me and my family. I feel so special.
I really hope is doesn't stop at 26-Acts. The thing that would really be inspiring is hearing from people that receive one of these acts of kindness. I have heard on more than one occation where an act of kindness has changed a person's life forever. And just imagine if a fewacts of kindness would change a person like Adam Lanza enough to where they didn't feel the need to retaliate in some way. It has happened.
Why only 26 acts? I thought that there were 28 people killed in Newtown that day, including the mentally ill perpetrator and his poor Mom. who probably tried for years to get some effective help for her sick son,without any success. Shouls it not be "28 Acts"? That would be the more socially mature thing.
I am starting my "Kindness Trail" by volunteering today to wrap Christmas presents for homeless children. But it doesn't stop there for me, in fact it never stops. I think some people are nicer around the holidays because they have that "holiday spirit" but then they lose the spirit a few months later. I, for one, like to keep the momentum going so I will always give up my seat to an elderly person or a mother with a child (and I'm a woman myself), or if I'm at a restaurant or store where I have a "Buy one get one free" coupon and I'm by myself, I'll look at the person behind me and ask if they want the free item. It's little things like this that actually aren't so little at all, in fact they make quite an impact on the person you're helping and the people around you that are witnessing it!
I love Ann...I love that someone has finally come up with something positive to concentrate on during the horrible times we are having in the world...people need to come together, protect, and love one another. The hatred in the world has made life unbearable to some, imagine what the families of those precious angels of Newtown are feeling and going through...I find it hard to believe that ANYONE would even say one negative word regarding the concept of 26 acts...in fact those are the people that need to do at least 27 acts...I will be paying it forward in the meantime...in as many ways as I can posssibly think of.
Why only 26? 27 people died that day.
Thank you Ann for a way to give in honor of those lost at Sandy Hook. My daughter and I chose to buy gifts for a domestic abuse shelter. Children and adults will receive gifts for Christmas and, in honor of the teachers and children we chose to give books along with other items. We all need a way to help ease the pain this tragedy caused.
I am still making my list. Instead of just 26 (27,28) items for one act, I am going to be doing 26 acts - many of which are "multples".
1) Toothpaste/HABA to the local food bank for distribution ( yo can't buy those items with food stamps)
2) Four $10 off restaurant.com certificates handed out to families at IHop
3) 2 sodas left for others at work
4) Donation to the local elementary school to the fund to help kids who do not have the money for lunch or class field trips
5) Hand made gingerbread houses for 4 neighbors to be left on their doorsteps anonymously.
6) A donation to the local volunteer fire department
7) Showed consideration to others at the stores
8) I will work on ideas to reduce the stigma of mental illness so individuals/families will reach out for treatment/care sooner ( my father was bi-polar).
9) Do my best to stay positive and proactive even when there is negative / hate around (like my co-worker who said that we should "kill all the wackos").
And more acts to follow. I have already marked on my calendar for next December 14 to repeat my acts.