Archive for January, 2013

A Goal of Kindness

Thursday, January 10th, 2013

Some of the creative ways that groups and individuals are participating in One Million Acts Of Kindness Week will be posted over the next few days.
The following is listed under Kindness Goal
Project Description:
Students will perform acts of kindness all year at school and at home.  The school will try to reach One Million Acts Of Kindness by the end of the year

Paradise Found

Thursday, January 10th, 2013

1-10-13Saint Armand’s Key in Florida is a slice of paradise. Located just west of the crowded downtown area of Sarasota, the foot traffic is just perfect for conversations as I make my way around on The Kindness Bicycle.
Great conversations ensued with people from all throughout the United States and Europe. Many of the social issues with respect to Bullying and Adolescent Suicide are the same throughout western culture.
From the moment I arrived, shopkeepers and residents alike welcomed me with open arms. Looks like I’ll be “setting up shop” for the next few days in this area, it is truly paradise found.

Travel Day

Wednesday, January 9th, 2013

The Kindness Bus Tour headed north to Sarasota, Florida today. There are many coastal towns along the way that I will research and visit in future years. For the remainder of the time I am on the west coast of Florida, I will concentrate my efforts on the Sarasota and Naples areas.
A debt of gratitude to the doctor who bought my dinner as I went to pay my bill. Thank you to Elks Lodge #2495 for extending the hospitality of an overnight stay.

Never Too Far From My Mind

Tuesday, January 8th, 2013

1-8-13This current Kindness Bicycle ride I am on is my third. My previous ride was to honor Wounded Warriors and Police & Firefighters killed in the line of duty and before that, a ride to raise awareness about Domestic Violence and Childhood Sexual Abuse. On my rides in every town I visit, I try to visit these groups and individuals as often as possible, as they are never too far from my mind.
Today’s ride was all about being as visible as possible while riding as many miles as possible. I rode through all the heavily traveled areas of this island, talking with groups every time I turned around.
I visited the Marco Island Fire Department just as 3 pieces of their equipment were going out on a call. I met with Tom, a Firefighter who was on house watch. He loved hearing about my cross country ride honoring heroes.

Marco Island, Florida

Monday, January 7th, 2013

1-7-13I headed south to Marco Island, Florida for the first of two days. The reception could not have been any better. My early morning visits were to area schools. I have been asked to return to give interviews about my travels to the students on their weekly school radio show.

I stopped in at the Coastal Breeze newspaper and found a very interested Natalie Strom and Val Simon who interviewed me for the next two upcoming issues. They loved the fact that The Kindness Bus Tour made its way down to their island.
The Marco Island City Hall was very helpful in recommending that I stop at the  Chamber of Commerce so they could email blast their members.
Late in the day I visited Seacrest Country Day School in Naples. Evan, the girl’s soccer coach who had read about One Million Acts Of Kindness in the local newspaper, asked me if I would give an inspirational talk to his players. What a nice group of girls. They asked great questions after my talk and are going to write a quote on The Kindness Bus.

Kindness, Charity and Service

Sunday, January 6th, 2013
1-6-13The most important wage we earn, is that which is used for charity.
Naples is a very charitable town. Every day there is an event in the news about an individual or company helping those in need. They give from the cost of individual meals to tens of millions of dollars to the Children’s Hospital.  Alicia, Gloria, Diana and the rest of the staff and customers at King’s Lake Hair Design held a small, impromptu fundraiser for One Million Acts Of Kindness today. What a much needed pleasant surprise. Thank you to the Marks family for their heartfelt interest in my mission and their generosity in helping to keep me rolling along in The Kindness Bus. This town loves to help others.

Work of Art

Saturday, January 5th, 2013

1-5-13A captive audience was in my sights today as I made my way to an Art Fair in Naples, Florida sponsored by The von Liebig Art Center. The Kindness Bicycle weaved through the crowd of very interested art patrons.
The conversations were many and there was much interest from the thousands who walked this show in the perfect weather. Primarily parents and grandparents were in attendance and shared their viewpoints and life experiences of Bullying and Adolescent Suicide. I even came across 3 retired Firefighters from the Princeton Street Firehouse in Queens, New York. They loved the story of my ride for Heroes and of visiting their Firehouse this past summer.
The Kindness Bus had a prime parking spot for all to view as well. Every time I rolled by, someone was photographing the work of art.
Earlier in the day I talked with Chuck from the East Naples Fire Department. He loved the fact I dropped by to thank his house for the work they do.