Day 124: Passed Out Laminated Signs to the Homeless

Around the time I started doing my random acts, I began to notice homeless people around the city with laminated signs that read "Homeless" "Please Help" or "Veteran."  One day, about 3 weeks ago, I asked one of the homeless people where they received the sign, and they said that a man was going around the city and passing out these signs so that people would notice the homeless rather than pass by as though they are invisible.  After doing some research, I found the man responsible for the tremendous act of kindness.  His name is Christopher Devine, and he is the founder of Homeless Signs.  Christopher started this project with a couple of his friends in an effort to bring about more consciousness to the homeless around the Chicagoland area.  Rather than have people continuously pass by the homeless with ragged and torn cardboard signs, he gave them a vehicle with which to gain the attention of passersby.  I asked Christopher if I could join him on one of his days where he passed out the signs and he happily obliged.  So today, for my random act of kindness, I am going to join Christopher in passing out laminated signs to the homeless.  Homelessness does not equal a lack of humanity, so please, if you are passing by someone, try to make eye contact or at least acknowledge that they are there.

Day 123: Supported Running Joe

I love getting random act suggestions.  I actually like doing random acts that are suggested more than the ones I come up with on my own because typically they are things that are important to someone.  I also love doing things to help support the men and women of the Armed Forces.  Recently a reader (Thanks Chelsea P!) suggested a random act that involved a member of the Armed Forces, so I knew it was too good to pass up.

Joseph Lee Ortiz a.k.a. Running Joe is a veteran of the United States Navy.  Due to the physical toll of active duty, as well as a car accident, Joe suffered from hip and back pain that "took control of his life."  In 2010, Joe decided to make a change and began running, which surprisingly left him with little to no pain.  When he saw the benefits that running had on his well-being and health, he decided he would make a habit of it.  Since 2010, Joe has 3 Ultra Marathons, 11 Marathons and 8 Half-Marathons.  Recently, however, he has decided to take it one step thousands of steps further.  Joe recently embarked on a journey to support The Wounded Warrior Project, The American Diabetes Association, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and Karno's Kids which battles childhood obesity.  This journey, dubbed The Trot to Texas, will see Joe run from Mission Beach, San Diego to his hometown of Aransas Pass, Texas.  In 31 days, Joe will have run over 1500 miles crossing through 4 states.  So today, for my random act of kindness, I left words of encouragement on Joe's Facebook page.  I am also purchasing one of his wristbands to support The Wounded Warrior project.  Good luck Joe!  I will be following the whole way.

Day 122: Became A Voice For The Voiceless

Today is a milestone day for the journey.  Today officially marks the 1/3rd mark of 366 Random Acts of Kindness.  It is exciting in the fact that we have been able to make it this far without missing a single day, but is scary because, although I have plenty of ideas.....I NEED MORE!!!  If you have any suggestions for random acts, please don't hesitate in reaching out to me at 366RandomActs@gmail.com.  I am open to ideas both big and small and will try to get to as many of them as possible.  Now, on to Day 122...

Having a child is obviously a wonderful thing.  It brings my wife and I so much happiness, and we look forward to seeing my daughter grow everyday and seeing what new things she learns, does and hopefully soon, says.  One thing that I didn't expect when my daughter was born was that on top of all of the joy and happiness that she brought us, I would also experience fear like I never have before.  Fear that she may not be protected and safe at all times.  Fear that something may happen to her.  I don't live my life constantly fearful, but every so often, I see a news story or read something online that sickens me and brings fear to the forefront.  Yesterday as I walked in the Chicago Loop, I had some of these fears after learning some shocking statistics, and today for my random act, I want to do something about it.

It is estimated that 3,000 cases of childhood sexual abuse go unreported in the Chicagoland area every year.  These children have to live in silence and fear that if they speak up, they will be harmed or injured, all while the abuse continues.  The Chicago Children's Advocacy Center's mission is to eliminate the suffering of abused children in Chicago by uniting public, private and community partners to ensure their well-being.  Yesterday, the group took over Chicago's Daley Plaza for a program called Voices for 3000.  They asked people to pledge their "voice" for the voiceless children who, due to fear, can not speak out about their own abuse.  It is a way to stand up for these children and raise awareness for this serious problem.  So today, for my random act of kindness, I visited their website and pledged my voice.  Please visit Voices For 3000 and pledge your voice to help eliminate childhood sexual abuse.