Day 37: Started Collecting Pop Tabs

Every year in elementary school, we would have a portion of the year that we collected pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald House (Noticed I said pop and not soda. This is because it is called pop.). I always looked forward to this because it meant that I had an excuse to drink insane amounts of pop. I could easily plow through a 12 pack of Dr. Pepper within a couple of days. To a young boy, the joy of ripping the tab off of the can and adding it to my ever growing pile was only matched by watching Michael Jordan play basketball and also by successfully coloring inside the lines. As I collected to tabs and eventually turned them into my teacher, I never really thought about or appreciated what I was doing. Today, I don't drink nearly as much pop as I used to. However, I do have a better understanding of the impact that the RMHC Pop Tab Collections have. An enormous amount of money (in some instances, tens of thousands of dollars per RMHC chapter) is raised for families to have a "home away from home" for little or no cost nearby their hospitalized children struggling with illness. So for today's random act of kindness, I am embarking on a side mission. From now until the end of March, I am collecting any and all pop (or beer) tabs. I hope my teeth don't fall out from all of the pop I am prepared to consume. If anyone wants to donate tabs, please let me know at 366RandomActs@gmail.com.

Day 36: Played With Older Cats & Dogs at The Anti-Cruelty Society

It is Super Bowl Sunday, which means I am only a few hours away from looking forward to the Bears winning it all next year (I am starting to feel like a Cubs fan). Before I begin my annual gorgefest, I need to perform my random act of kindness on someone...or something. Every random act of kindness done to this point has been towards another human being. However, kindness doesn't have to be directed only at people. Today, I am going to be kind to some furry friends. I am going to a local anti-cruelty society with my wife and daughter to play with dogs and cats. Any time I have ever gone to a shelter, I have always tried to find kittens and puppies and spent all of my time with them. I never really thought twice about it. However, there are numerous older animals that don't get as much attention, but would really benefit from it. Not to go all Sarah McLachlan on you, but if you get a chance, please go down to your local ASPCA, Anti-Cruelty Society or animal shelter and spend some time with (or even adopt) a pet. It is actually quite soothing and calming, which is something I need as another Chicago Bears season is on the horizon.

Day 35: Paid for Someone's Train Pass

There are some people out there that, no matter the circumstance or sacrifice, will do everything in their power to help you. They are the type of person that will do so much for others but never ask for or expect anything in return. A person so selfless and caring that 366 random acts of kindness is something that they accomplish in a week without even knowing it. Donna Lawrence is this type of person.

I have known Donna for about 2 years, and in that time, she has shown that she is one of the sweetest and most caring people that I have ever met. Her selflessness and kindness is infectious, and even on your worst day, she is someone that can pick you up with a few words and a smile. She is someone that doesn't ever expect reciprocity for her kindness, but deserves it so much. Recently, I learned that Donna has faced a couple of hardships. On top of a recent surgery, her mortgage payment was recently raised over $300 and her train pass went up 30%. So for a random act of kindness, I wanted to try to help alleviate some of that stress for her. I am going to take care of Donna's train pass. It is as more so a thank you for everything she has done for those around her than a random act of kindness, and she deserves it.