Archive for October, 2011

All You Need is Love

Monday, October 31st, 2011

10-31-11“Nowhere you can be that isn’t where you’re meant to be.” My favorite song from Yellow Submarine and my favorite lyrics in that song, sum up the lives all of us should be living. It is up to all of us to decide how we can best help others and learn where we are meant to be. It’s easy…all you need is love.
Today The Kindness Bus was put to the test. I needed to beat a double cold front headed right in my direction. I drove eight hours from Elko, Nevada to Sacramento, California through some of the most beautiful country and if it were snow covered, some of the most dangerous. The weather gods were with me as I beat this four day weather event by less than half of a day.
The next fifty days will be spent in California, meeting with various agencies from Sacramento, through San Francisco to Los Angeles. Now it’s time to put The Kindness Bicycle to the test these next fifty days. I am loving California already.

Paying Kindness Forward

Sunday, October 30th, 2011

10-29-11The better part of the day today was spent brainstorming with Pay It Forward Foundation president, Charley Johnson. Charley and I talked about growing our Kindness projects to students through education departments on the state and national levels. Kindness and doing kind acts for others is a cure-all for bullying. A year-long, full-time kindness program needs to play a major roll in each day of school, for every student.
The Kindness Bus found its way to a semi-legal parking spot directly across from the main entrance to “Boo at the Zoo” in Salt Lake City. I stayed with The Kindness Bus to interact with crowds, take a cat-nap and to be vigilant if it needed to be move; I slept with one eye open.
This evening I was invited to an 80th birthday party of the mother and mother-in-law of my overnight hosts in Salt Lake City, Wade and Leigha. How very thoughtful it was to be included in such a joyous occasion. What a very full day in this great city.   The photo today is from my travels west of Salt Lake City to Elko, Nevada. Angel took this photo of his wife Katie and me, posing with The Kindness Bicycle, on the salt flats of Nevada. Katie is in school to be a social worker to help those affected by Domestic Violence. Very serendipitous!

Everyone Should Know Dan King

Saturday, October 29th, 2011

10-30-11I want the world to know about Dan King. He has the biggest heart. During One Million Acts Of Kindness’ recent visit to Boulder, Colorado, Dan bent over backwards to accommodate us and helped with overnight parking in his hotel parking lot at The Boulder Outlook Hotel. Without asking for anything in return and even when my planned stay grew from one week to more than five, Dan just kept wanting to do more. He and his entire staff were gracious hosts even though I stayed well beyond what I had ever expected.
Thank you Dan, for making my visit to Boulder so much easier than having to search for a place for The Kindness Bus each and every night.
If you ever are planning a trip to Boulder, Colorado, book a room at Dan’s hotel. You can find them at; www.boulderoutlook.com

Kindness Within Reach

Friday, October 28th, 2011

10-28-11Marc Homer, Director of Kids Count in Laramie, Wyoming has his finger on the pulse of everything happening in his hometown, he seems to know most everyone as well. This is the best scenario for someone in his position, whose job it is to keep kids safe.
Marc pulled some last minute strings this morning and had Laramie Boomerang newspaper reporter, Aaron LeClair meet us for an early morning interview. This is a great way of spreading word of One Million Acts Of Kindness throughout this town in a hurry. Aaron didn’t say no when I requested the article be printed above the fold on the front page. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.
Marc also worked some major last minute magic in having 3 different classrooms from the University of Wyoming Lab School, which is part of the Albany County School District, visit The Kindness Bus just outside their classrooms. Bogart was once again the main draw and the story behind the meaning of most of the sayings on The Kindness Bus was of great interest as well.
This afternoon was spent driving to Salt Lake City for a meeting tomorrow with Pay It Forward President, Charley Johnson. Great things are on the horizon.

The Wyoming Children’s Action Alliance

Thursday, October 27th, 2011

10-27-11“God bless you, you’re nuts!,” Deanna Frey, Executive Director of the WCAA here in Cheyenne, Wyoming, said in the most appreciative way. Riding The Kindness Bicycle and driving The Kindness Bus to accomplish as much as I can for the good of children struck a chord with Deanna. She is working in many ways to make the lives of children, here in Wyoming, as safe as humanly possible.
The WCAA oversees Professional Development for child care workers, Data Collection to protect children and they are a member of Voices for America’s Children helping to better serve the needs of children through active advocacy. Deanna is very active in any legislation that has the possibility of adversely or positively affecting children, especially on the state level. She is the perfect person for the job.
My ride today, took me into the downtown area of Cheyenne. Being the state seat, I decided to stop by Governor Matt Mead’s office and drop off some of the material I distribute. I have been hearing about the budget cuts in Wyoming affecting women and children. Cutting funding to Domestic Violence and Childhood Sexual Abuse programs is something that should not take place.

Thank You Oprah!

Wednesday, October 26th, 2011

10-26-11Oprah’s network, OWN, is featuring One Million Acts Of Kindness again. These 90 second Public Service Announcements originally ran this past Spring. The response was strong from viewers, and they will once again run for another two week period. I am already receiving well wishes from across the nation for this mission because of these PSAs. Thank you from the bottom of my heart Oprah.
Kindness needs to start reaching children at the very first moment of their lives. Children born into this world need to receive positive core values, every step of the way. I can think of no better way than for everyone to take The Kindness Challenge by deciding to perform One Million Acts Of Kindness in their lives. Having OWN embrace this mission is proving to be a huge boost in spreading this philosophy.
Today’s snowstorm, which totaled nearly 12 inches, made riding The Kindness Bicycle a challenge at times. Sleeping in The Kindness Bus with no heat in the winter or air conditioning in the summer is worth the sacrifice to spread this mission.

Crossroads Safehouse

Tuesday, October 25th, 2011

10-25-11Vicki Lutz, Executive Director of Crossroads Safehouse in Fort Collins, Colorado took the time to meet with me on very short notice. I called the morning of my arrival and talked with Laura Williams, Volunteer Coordinator at this Domestic Violence Center, in existence for 30 years. She helped arrange today’s meeting. Vicki walked me through this beautiful facility which opened just over a month ago. I could see the pride in Vicki as she talked about all aspects of acquiring this former nursing home and transforming it into this state-of-the-art facility which will now house families, displaced because of Domestic Violence.
Crossroads Safehouse has received a grant to help families throughout the State of Colorado who have been made homeless because of Domestic Violence. They will be obtaining a vehicle to transport families to their facility from all corners of the state, helping them to build lives without violence.
I was able to meet most of the staff as we walked through the “neighborhoods” as they are called in this facility. Gayle, Pat and Mary Anne took the time to talk with me as well and then were nice enough to pose for today’s picture. Thank you to everyone who work hard to help those in desperate need of help. You are making a huge difference in people’s lives. For more detailed information, visit their website at; www.crossroadssafehouse.org