E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
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:
Trouble viewing this on your device? Click here.
Leave a Comment:
The biggest act of kindness to the deceased, their families, and the world would be to ELIMINATE GUNS. A lesser act, but nonetheless one of kindness would be to ENACT STRICT GUN CONTROL LAWS!! The misquote: 'good people also have guns' until they become monsters!! How do you know who will crack & who won't. YOU DON'T KNOW!.... CALLING for ACTS of KINDNESS & ACTS of RESPONSIBILITY ....by CALLING for STRICT GUN CONTROL LAWS ...A TRUE act of meaningful kindness would be seeing that this doesn't happen again!
once again 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?????
Why would you want to take away my rights? Can I take away some of your rights?
beat your kid... yell at them... spout about guns (your phallic replacement) ...gawd i hope you do not have a litter of children, SICKENING
I really don't see where MCQ12 said he wanted to beat his kids or even mention yelling at them or spouting about guns (by the way, awesome personal attack, really gives credit to your opinion.) You, Susannnn, are exactly what's wrong with the world today. Why teach our children basic responsibilities since if they choose to not take care of themselves, someone else will. Why teach our children about consequences since if they ever do anything wrong, just blame it on someone else. The lack of good parenting in the world is infuriating. I really hope you don't have a litter of children, Susannnn. They deserve better.
susannn
Thank you for commenting,
first of all I don't need a "phallic replacement", mine is just fine thank you.
second, I didn't say "beat your kid... yell at them". I am talking about discipline teaching right/wrong, teaching accepted behavior. If you dont, leaving your child without knowing this could become a problem
Please try to put away your emotion about this traggidy and try to see the real problems.
Guns are objects they have no Evil or thought.
A remark that was pointed out about Acts of Kindness was, it should happen everyday in this country. In fact it does happen everyday, but not by the majority of the people in this country. I would love to hear more stories about people helping people who need help by giving them a hand up and not just a hand out. I was in one of our larger department stores and a TV station was advertising they needed more toys to help our low income families who couldn't afford to buy items for their children. So I stopped by the store, walked in and bought $80.00 worth of toys that the store had on special. I walk out in the lobby where the news people were and said, "here's my donation for your cause" , they were excited and of course had to interview me on for the evening news. But, I felt good inside knowing that those toys were going to some children who would not had a Christmas this season. But I don't do this just for the holidays, I help all year. I used to work for a state agency as a Veterans Representative and after I retired, I continue helping veterans and their families. With my non-profit organization, I'm able with the help of our board members, help veterans who need assistance with education and employment. We help vets with the tools they need to continue their education or keep on working. This is what I'm saying about helping with a act of kindness. I volunteer my time to help those who need help. I hope this will inspire others to do something to help others as well. We have thousands out there doing something people who need help but we need tens of thousands to get involved and help those who could use our assistance.
Anne Curry is a beautiful woman... life and growth emanates from that woman.
Savannah Guthrie is no Anne Curry... what were you thinking NBC?
You never even gave her a chance.
RIP you beautiful little angels.
this is catty, but, wow oh wow... today on a news show someone bragged stating, i held the door open for someone behind me, wow... this is how far we have come... it is true that it is a rare thing, common courtesy, politeness, it has been absent in society for at least 30 yrs, but, WOW OH WOW
the problem w/ society is ppl feel too good about themselves, often for no reason... arrogant, materialistic, vane, show-off, know it all, but dumb and selfish... lol, some have over 1000 friends on facebook (like typical weddings) where 90% of the ppl you do not know... then hidden away, at least for a while, ppl beat their children, rape their children, scream at their elderly parents, ignore (almost the worst thing really) their loved ones, on n on... ppl want to talk about this n that, why why why why why... the answer is there right in front of you, it has been all along................ i will say, some of these good-deed-doers are divine, i adore the knitted hats for the newborns
n yes, certainly i am guilty, ha, not of being full of myself, but of being intolerant of ppl who are well, lets say, slow, backward, angry, violent
Susannn
Really "the problem w/ society is ppl feel too good about themselves". So do you want people not to feel good about themselves???????
I think its Time for some self study. this post might be partly projecting, just a thought.
after your post on my comment, I senced MAYBE alot of pain in your heart, I dont know you but your words are comming accross that way. People have different views.
The problems your seeing or interprete possibly might be tanted by your views.
just a thought / observation.
mcq, get someone to read my comment to you n explain it to you ...it is okay you cannot read, it is a common thing... ppl are full of themselves, like you, n if you have no empathy or intelligence by the time you reach adulthood then imo there is no hope for you n others like you... what happened to decency, empathy, civility... beating your kids is abhorent, but, they are your property, so your choice, the same w/ all your guns... we shall have to agree to disagree
Susannnn
I really don't know where your disdain for me came from, but your right we shall have to disagree. I guess because I don't agree with you that makes me illiterate and lack empathy/intelligence.
let me guess - Liberal?
Merry Christmas (opps I forgot Happy Holidays I mean got to be PC)
The only meaningful act pertaining to this tragedy that will make any difference will be to pass (much) stricter gun laws at federal and state levels. Half the people who are posting and bragging about their acts of kindness probably have a bunch of guns in their closet.
Dear Ann, I was raised to volunteer all my life, and not to be afraid of people. To love them for who they are. I have served in the red cross, homess shelters, woman's shelters. Until I and my kids ended up in a shelter too one time to my ex-husband being abusive to us. I have helped many people in my life. I took care of 2 terminmally ill grandparents from the time I was in 8th grade to college. And during this time A sister was born to our family when i was 17 years old, and I helped raise her. We are very close. In this day and age a person needs to stop and listern to the wind, see the beautiful sights god created. i went to college got my bachelors of art degree, Got married, had to beautiful children, lost many in miscarriage. All the while having depression, and continued to raise my kids. Helping them to serve, and show them too. The beautiful way of knowing how to help someone. I have a special education child. Who has been my challenge, and a gift daughter. They are both different, but unique in their own way. While I helped my son in school. I became a teacher's aide. I gave up my career in art to raise a family. While suffering from abuse from my ex. I was recently divorced from my ex. When he cheated, and couldn't tell me it was over, and I got the papers at the door. He told his family I was crazy. Which I am not. Either do my kids. I have them now. I take them everwhere we go, and help people. I served in Americorps helping me to help students learn to read better. Now all of the students are in high school planning on going to college. My son was bullied in school many times. Once in elementary school by a kid who had a family that ignored him, and a father who had guns in the house. The kid threatened to bring a gun to school to hurt my son. I went to the principle to get help, but he did nothing. Now my son write a speech one day for a class assignment. He teacher was impressed saying what a great son I had, I know. Now my son did a school assembly where he talked about bullying, and when he was done with his spech. Everyone stood up and clapped for him. There were tears down some faces. He travels everywhere to schools with his speech. Because he was bullied throughout many schools. Some have called him gay, others names I say, and about his clothes. He has been in cousleing for many years, and is a very sweet boy to me. I am a graphic designer, and have started my career over slowly. But have had to work retail to pay for a apt, food, clothes for my kids. I was raised in a middle class family. So when I had to go to dshs for help. I held my head high. Buy recently because of my job, and child support. But food stamps were taken from me. We went from 300.00 a month to now nothing. I am scared now how to pay for food. Because of my bills. I don't think you have to chose to pay for food or the electric bill for heat. So of President Obama is out there I would like to talk to you about being a single parent on dshs.
Recently I befriend a homeless person by the name of Sarah. I came across her near my work. She is wheel-bound. It was a hot July day. I was on my way to a fast food place for lunch on my break. So I bought her lunch, and a cold drink. I got talking with the manager of the resturant, and he said he would supply her will all of the cold drinks she wanted as along as she wanted. So I to her the lunch, and met her. She was a professor at the university I graduated from. She said medical bills made her homeless. And no one out oon the street would talk to her until I came up to her. She said she was cursed at, sip on, and other things for being homeless. She never asked for one thing. Her and I are great friends now. i take her to lunch every day, and we laugh. Because I haven't laughed since my ex threw me out. I bought her new clothes, and shoes that fit better. I called a wheelchair place to see if i could get a discount for her, and they gave her a free one. When they heard my story. So everyday in retail I hear grips from customers.
All I want people to do is one nice thing for a person. And when you go shopping please don't yell at the retail associate. It just might be me. Thank you Ann for letting us comment. My nephew was in the very forst school shooting, and survived. Now they have sercurity, and have to take clear plastic backpacks to school. I heard the story of the policeman and the homeless person. It was nice to see in a bustling world like ours. Thank you.
I just gave up my paycheck to help domestic womans shelters for christmas. Makes me feel so good.
Yeah yeah...next week we'll all be back to the same ole same ole. We always get touchy feely "after" tragedy strikes. Sickening actually.
Well don't you think it's time for a change.
Steve, that's where we have to change! It's up to EACH OF US not to go back to the same 'ol same 'ol. So yes, Dot, I'm with you. It's time for a change. But we must ALL commit to it.
Steve
It use to be called Civics (not sure if I'm spelling that right)
I taught a man life sustaining skills that, along with his land, were raped from him by greedy and selfish westerners, now he doesn't need to rely on superficial and short-sighted handouts from pollution inducing, environment destroying 1st worlders. :)
This is the message I gave each of my children- along with the note I placed 27 small pieces of paper each had an individual's name on it and something about him/her.
What I’m asking for Christmas this year isn’t for me. Christmas is about giving, not getting. There are way too many shootings. And I agree a little with the theory that people are doing it as a way to go down in flames and be remembered. Instead of everyone remembering the shooter, I want you to remember the ones who died and do something in each one’s honor. There were 20 little angels and 6 heroes who died on December 14, 2012. What I’m asking for is 26(27) random acts of kindness. I’m asking for 27 because the shooter’s mom was also a victim. It wasn’t her fault. But if you have an issue with remembering her, 26 acts is just as fine. It doesn’t have to be anything huge. Ding dong ditch some flowers, shovel someone’s walk without them knowing, scrape someone’s windshield- just help someone, someone random. When you do, give them the slip that has one of the victims’ names on it so that they can remember as well. Don’t make a big deal
with the slips, just put them somewhere. In with the flowers, on a windshield that you scraped that was covered in ice- somewhere that will be seen but don’t hand it to them directly.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, Curry. I'll make a deal with you: When you and your liberal pukes start treating those whose political and social attitudes differ from yours and your diseased venomous ilk, I'll think about it. How hypocritical that this stupid ignorant woman calls for people to exercise acts of kindness as she and her cohorts continue to spew and spit their hatred, racism and bigotry on NBC on an hourly basis. Just another piece of human garbage liberal telling others how we should act as they do the compete opposite. Shut your piehole B!TCH.
Crasher.. the only hate I've seen on this post about kindness is coming from your pie hole... so why don't you take your own advice!
Ann Curry does it again. An excellent example of the good that is still possible in journalism. Thank-you!
www.craigslist.org general section
www.modestneeds.org
www.2hands.org
I have helped three families that are struggling with gifts for their children .
Ann Curry is such a wonderful person it's no surprise she started this one. I so miss her on the Today show!!!!! Way to go Ann!
WOW as I was reading I was hoping and thinking this is really great idea then I started reading the negative comments from people and thought WOW really? I'm going with my gut and standing behind a wonderful gesture in memory and spirit for the victims of this horrible tragedy. There are addresses to write to the brave first res ponders and places to send donations and bracelets and so much more I hope and pray that people get it and leave out the negativity..
Acts of kindness are wonderful. I have a bit of a problem with people telling others about it..........character is doing acts of kindness when nobody is looking. But, if it makes everyone feel better I can support it.
Too bad it won't do a thing to stop 26 acts of evil happening everyday.
How do you know Dale? I know in my heart good will always conquer evil and if we are so kind to each other, I mean really kind... we can change the world! We might make that next killer into a better person because somebody cared.... Maybe just maybe if someone is kind to them, they won't become that person...
Ann, I'm a journalist myself and I have never been more proud to state and announce this profession--and it's all because of you. Bless you dear lady! I accept this challenge and will forward this info to friends.
My husband and I drove an elderly neighbor to her daughters last night - she doesn't drive and daughter is seriously ill. I experienced an act of kindness while living in Germany as a young bride. I went to a village store and had trouble figuring out the money and had less then I needed and a kind old gentleman in front of me paid for my items. That was the beginning for me to help when I could. I have, as many have, received much more than we have given. We try to help others as much as possible in good times and bad, as I suspect most people here do. Thank you all for your acts of kindness and love, at this time and the rest of the year. We wish you a very Happy Christmas and New Year. If you are facing grieving or other unhappiness, if you are ill - you are prayed for and remembered in the hearts of Alabama.
paid the toll for the person behind me, paid for dinner for a random table in the restaurant, bought homeless person lunch, -do this kind of thing every year- we will now do 26 more in honor of the children
Jesus' Great Commandment of love: Jesus says love fulfils all the Ten
Comandments,all God's Law,and that's love God,put God first,and love others as
you love yourself. And love is voluntary,you can't pass a Law forcing people to
love one another,it's a choice you make in life.So you can't pass a Law forcing
people to love the fetus and not have an abortion,or to obey God and not engage
in homosexuality and gay marriage. People can't be forced to obey God,not even
by wars,not even by Holy Wars,or Jihads,you obey God out of love for
God,otherwise love doesn't have the value it should have. So believers in God
lead by setting an example for the world to follow.Jesus' love God,put God
first,and love others as you love yourself,covers loving
everybody,God,yourself,and others,so you can't be conservative with your love
and compassion,it doesn't cover everybody.If you don't love God and put God
first you're not going to obey Him,and if you don't love others as you love
yourself,you'll love only those who love you,and Jesus says expect no reward
from God loving who love you,even sinners love their own.
Amazing! Sounds like we are LIVING in a New Town, Newtown. Keep this up, keep it spreading, and keep it going World and we will all be living in New Towns, Newtowns.
LOVE, outflowing/outgoing concern for others is the greatest gift and is the ANSWER!
Do the foolish out there even, or ever remember that if you don't have anything positive, uplifting, or edifying to say, don't say anything at all.
I was raised by my parents to be kind and polite to everyone, everyday. It's time we all go back and rethink our core values. First, and most importantly, be kind to yourself. If you don't like the person you are, it's time for a change.
It's a great start and effort, but some who have commented on here are right that if you are doing acts of kindness for others to see and to make yourself feel good then it is with the thought of oneself more than for the other.
For the Eternal said starting in Matthew 6:2
“So when you [a]give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 3 But when you [b]give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your [c]giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
This is dumb... either you do acts of kindness all the time or don't do it. Twenty Six acts feels more like propaganda than anything else.
And donating to the Salvation Army or Komen Foundation is more an act of being a jerk, really.