2020 - Kindness Campaign
A huge thank you to everyone, who enjoyed our kindness adventure today. Very specifically, a huge thank you to
Restore Us Foundation and
Catrina Hiller for letting us be a part of it, and kick things off. We set out today with ten $100 gift cards, a few backpacks, and a purpose – to spread kindness. Last year we watched
Catrina Hiller, Lauren Campbell Keeler and Jenny Ledman and jumped at the chance to kick things off!
Having no idea what we were going to ‘do’… we headed down 33, toward downtown in search of a little family I saw every morning, driving into work. Folks are familiar with them – as you get off 670, before turning on 33 to enter downtown. We didn’t see them… and were bummed. We turned the corner – and noticed someone at the bus stop. We thought, ok… it wasn’t until we were hiking up a hill, to Jackie’s camp – she and her dog Bubbles, were the exact little family we were hoping to see and just took a minute to put two and two together. We then met a 15 year vet, named Cowboy… and when this man prayed for us… for us – his words took your breath away. We headed downtown and came across a girl, admiring this incredible artwork… little did we know, she had just saved up and bought a car. This $300 car, while not much to someone else – meant everything to her, including the chance to explore a city she hadn’t seen in a minute… and that’s where we found her. Grateful to have enjoyed that moment with her. We met David, on the off ramp – sometimes, you just have to make the most of the moment you found yourself in! We continued down the street, remembering a mom who continues to conquer incredible challenge… after challenge, after challenge (including surgery here soon). God bless you mama – keep doing what you’re doing! We headed up high street – where we met Tony, Greg and Vince. They shared stories and they laughed. Three gentleman killing time, before they returned to the same shelter they’d been in last night – to get in line at 3pm, for a bed tonight.
Then we decided, with Giant Eagle gift cards – what better place to go, then a local Giant Eagle (High Street). Of course, on the way – we looked over, and saw a mom at a stoplight (the car seat and pile of Amazon boxes gave it away, assuming she was delivering for work). We pulled in next to her at the gas station, gave her the gift card thinking we'd help pay for gas. As did most people – she tossed the gift card on the front seat, without even looking at it. Most we spoke to… had no idea?!? We’d walk away thinking – man, this is awesome. Always trying to remember, we’re really strangers to these folks… and to be cognizant of that. And then we arrive at Giant Eagle. Not sure if we’d approach someone checking out, offering them the card to assist. Maybe we’d find a parent in the baby aisle debating which you could do without, or someone with those two necessities until pay day… you just know. Erin and I… we’ve both been there – both places, a time or few.
We arrived to a small, frail women at the pharmacy who was working with the pharmacist to see if there was anything they could do to reduce the cost. We waited, until she walked away from the counter and handed her a gift card to assist her with the few groceries she had in her cart. Quiet, cautious, and to herself… we were just glad she ‘let us in’ at all. As we walked out… Erin noticed a woman, with a few necessities in her cart. A nurse, who’s former oncology unit is now a Covid floor, and who’s out of work due to injury – she was able to go back into the aisles to three things she was checking out with. We walked out, beaming and just so grateful… just so grateful. We called Cat, and we were happy to continue – also stopping at our loved Walgreens for gloves, and a few basics. Greatest needs we found - masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, and water… oh, and dog sweaters! These babies are their children, and their most devoted companions… they’d do for their four-legged babies before they did for themselves. We found pets, often a great place 'to start the conversation'.
Long story short… we continued on. Two sweet souls two miles from the food pantry, w/their wagon and on foot in Franklinton. A Columbus City Schools maintenance worker, on a Sunday downtown (at a light). We never went looking for anyone specifically, homeless or otherwise, but somehow we knew we'd just know. Every person with an individual story, no one more deserving or in more need of another.
But I share all of this… we’re so going to do this again, and again, and again. And while the gift card provides ‘entry’… it has almost nothing to do with the end result. And, I will never take a person’s name for granted again. Erin had this way about walking up to someone, asking if we could have a minute of their time, and what their name was… and I wish you could have seen that moment. Every time, there was this moment – where it didn’t matter who you were, where you came from, or how you got here… we see you. I mean… it’s just that simple.
We see you. We care. And we got you. Oh... and not only do we see you, but our friends and family see you. We asked each face if we could share them with you - to help us encourage kindness forward. Is the $100 awesome… sure is. Is the backpack awesome… sure is. But that moment… that moment was everything, for both they and for us. And if we can share just a glimpse of that, and inspire you in any way - we're grateful.
Will we do this again - sure will (we have one more).
Just... we just...we know now - we never needed a gift card. Forever grateful.
