5 Heartwarming Stories of Kindness to Get You in the Holiday Spirit
While the holiday season can be a time of loneliness, stress, and hopelessness, it can also be a time of joy, celebration, and love. We’re seeing everyday heroes make an enormous difference in their communities, and we hope their stories of kindness will offer you some much-needed hope as we approach the new year, as well as inspire you to make a difference.
Ordinary people making an extraordinary difference
We are honored to introduce Alison, Jeffrey,Beverley, the Good Dad Gang and the Midwest Innocence project. All of these folks recognized a need and were determined to help. They not only rallied their communities around their cause but also offered inspiration, compassion, and hope to those who needed it most. Here are their inspiring acts of kindness stories.
1. The blind olympian who gained the support of Flavor Flav
When Alison’s daughter Olivia told her she was finding it hard to read, she never imagined this would lead to her daughter being classified as legally blind by the age of 20.
After more than 300 doctors appointments, Olivia and her family still have no idea what is causing her to lose her vision. For some people, this disability may come to define them, but not Olivia. That is because Olivia has a passion and that passion is swimming. She had been dreaming of competing in the Olympics since she was 4. Despite the devastating blow of losing her vision, Olivia never lost sight of her dream.
“Admittedly, most people would have hung up their goggles through all of this, but not Olivia. Instead of crying over the things she can’t control, she works harder on what she can control.”
After Olivia qualified for the Paris Paralympics, Alison decided to launch a fundraiser to help her get there. Describing the cost of taking a support system overseas, along with the necessary accommodations for their presence as a “formidable barrier” she asked her community for a little help.
She could not have imagined what happened next. Not only did her community step up in a big way, but her fundraiser caught the eye of rapper Flavor Flav. After he shared her fundraiser with his followers it received a huge boost in donations.
Olivia smashed her goal of $15,000, and she made it to Paris!
Olivia is one of many olympians and paralympians who needed a little extra help to reach their dreams of attending the Paris Games 2024. GoFundMe isn’t just a place where communities come together to support a sport, team or player they love, it’s where championship dreams start and come true.
2. The community who came together for the Firefighters who helped them
When lightning struck a family home in Nolensville, Tennessee, the local firefighters didn’t hesitate to risk their lives to help. Unfortunately during the rescue effort, four of the heroic firefighters suffered burns and smoke inhalation injuries. This meant that they were forced to rest up, suffering lost wages and unexpected medical expenses.
The community in Nolensville decided they wanted to help the firefighters to say thank you for everything they had done for them.
“We all know that they selflessly did their duty and wouldn’t hesitate to do it again, but the healing process translates into a significant hit to their livelihood (lost wages, unexpected medical expenses).”
“We also know they won’t ask, but they deserve our support. Us fellow neighbors, veterans, law enforcement, and fellow first responders salute our four heroes.”
So far more than $3000 has been raised for the firefighting heroes.
Everyday people come together to help people in times of crisis. From lightning strikes to hurricanes to house fires and floods, you never know when tragedy may strike and you need a helping hand. Learn how you can help people who may be struggling today. If you need help with GoFundMe or are wondering how it works, take a look at these answers to common fundraising questions.
3. One woman is protecting hundreds of animals from harm
Beverley is from Memphis and she has one mission: to create a safe haven for abandoned and neglected dogs in her community.
Her journey began when she learned that there were 11 puppies at Memphis Animal Services which were scheduled for euthanasia due to minor illnesses. She decided she had to do something to stop this from happening. She managed to rescue all 11 pups and that was just the beginning. This initiative quickly grew into a larger effort to rescue more dogs, find foster homes, and eventually place them in permanent homes through adoption.
Over the past 15 years Beverley has saved hundreds of dogs but now she wants to take it one step further. She wants to create a permanent place for the dogs to go until they find their forever homes. Fortunately she has found the perfect place but she needs a little bit of help to get there.
“By working together, we can create a stronger support network and make a significant difference in the lives of dogs. It’s inspiring to see people who are passionate about making the world a better place for our furry friends.”
So far, Beverley has raised more than half her target of $100,000.
“Of all the projects we have undertaken over the last 15 years, this project is the most ambitious and the most consequential for so many. Bringing together a community of dog and animal lovers who want to make a positive impact.”
Beverley is just one of many people who is doing her bit to help the furry friends in her community. Take a look at other powerful ways you can help animals in need.
4. Dad’s coming together to provide school supplies for the whole community
In Lawrence, Machachusetts, there are some good dads. They are so good in fact that they are known as the “Good Dad Gang.” You might be wondering how they got their name. They have been providing kids in their local area with school supplies for the past ten years and this year is no different.
Every year this group of dad’s hold a giveaway where they give out backpacks stuffed with school supplies and offer free haircuts to children in need.
Alongside the backpack giveaway, the dads organize live music, food, games and prizes. The day is an opportunity for the community to come together and have a good time whilst also giving a helping hand to kids who otherwise might not have access to school supplies. It is truly a community effort.
5. The community who gave a man his freedom after three decades of wrongful imprisonment
Christopher Dunn was a young man when he was wrongly convicted of a 1990 murder in St. Louis, Missouri. His conviction was based on the word of two boys who recanted years ago but due to the prison system in his state he has remained falsely imprisoned for three decades.
When the Midwest Innocence Project heard Christopher’s story they knew they needed to prove his innocence and ensure his freedom.
Chris’ innocence has been known for years: In 2020, a Missouri circuit court judge, after hearing all the evidence, determined that no juror would convict Chris. But this wasn’t enough to ensure his freedom because in Missouri, innocence alone is not enough to overturn a person’s conviction unless they were sentenced to death. Missouri is the only state in the nation to limit innocence claims by a person’s sentence.
“For Chris, that meant he would have been freed in 2020 had he been sentenced to die. Instead, he has remained behind bars for four additional years because he was sentenced to life in prison plus 90 years. That is not justice.”
Once the Midwest Innocence Project teamed up with St. Louis’ top prosecutor they were able to file a motion to vacate Chris’ conviction and presented evidence that Chris, now 52, has spent more than half of his life in prison for a crime he did not commit. Eventually they were able to convince the court and it found him innocent and ordered his release.
However this outcome is not typical in Missouri and the Midwest Innocence Project believes the law needs to be changed.
“Until Missouri lawmakers changes the law, only a prosecutor can ask a court to free an innocent person who was sentenced to anything less than death.”
The Midwest Innocence project launched a fundraiser to help Chris re-enter into society with some financial resources. It has raised more than $30,000 so far.
Christopher’s fundraiser is one example of how people can come together to fight for social justice. You can support justice and equality causes on GoFundMe.
Big change starts with small actions
These inspirational kindness stories serve as a reminder that each and every one of us has the power to drive change. There are so many incredible stories and community causes to help. Whether you start a virtual food drive or help an animal shelter, you can inspire hope in those who need it most. Your support will benefit the millions of individuals needing help this holiday season, from housing costs to disaster relief and more. On GoFundMe You will find help on how to craft a compelling fundraiser story and tips on how to make your fundraiser have the biggest impact it can have. Start your GoFundMe today.