45 Acts of Kindness, Part 6

From Betsy in Frisco:

Liam and I shared some kindness at Starbucks and Target. Happy Birthday Steve! I never met you but you left quite a legacy with your family. They are amazing!!

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From Shannon in Carrollton:

I made and delivered lunch to the caregivers and staff at my dad's Memory Care facility (they are angels!).

I took my disabled neighbor a pot of homemade soup.

I deposited some extra money in my college student's account to help pay for care of the 2 orphaned 3-week old kittens he and his girlfriend found during the floods in Austin.

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From Tammy in Frisco:

Bought breakfast at Chik-Fil-A for a harried mom and her three little ones.

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From Mike in Carrollton:

I took dessert to the healthcare workers at an assisted living facility in Lewisville. They took wonderful care of my mom for several years before she passed away.

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From Paul in Ann Arbor:

I bought lunch for my co-worker, Karen, who has been an awesome friend to me this year. Her sandwich came from a Panera Cares store, which allows customers to pay what they can (I overpaid by about 20 percent today). Happy Birthday, Steve!

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From Angie in Frisco:

Our girls LOVE Chipotle so we delivered lunch to Frisco Fire station on Stonebrook! They were so grateful! Thank you Tyra, Cooper and Katie for allowing us to honor your family! xoxo

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From Christina in Frisco:

The two friendly gentlemen working at the meat counter at Tom Thumb we're talking about how much they could both use a cup of coffee today. I was so happy to have a few flyers in my purse! Coffee on me today!

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From Jessica in North Texas:

Stopped at Chic Fil A (very slow day) and got 2 $10.00 gift cards. I gave them back to the cashier with the 45 Acts cards and asked him to please give them out to the next guests. He said it was a crazy nice thing to do. I hope he has fun helping me pay it forward!

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From Lauren in Frisco:

We left a big tip in honor of Steve.

My mom bought this nice man behind us lunch. He does Nuero monitoring and was touched by Steve's story.

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From Tammy in Frisco:

Tyra told me that one of Steve's favorite classical pieces was Pachebel's Canon in D. I will be playing it with a trio tonight at our classical open mic in Steve's honor. Also, one unsuspecting customer will receive this flyer instead of their bill at the Lemon Bar/Grill tonight!!

45 Acts of Kindness, Part 5

From Joyce in Dallas:

Brought doughnuts to my co-workers at Children's and to Dr. Ray Tsai and his staff at MyChildren's, the amazing medical-home network that Steve Damm dreamed up and called Physicians for Children.

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From Jessica in North Texas:

Brought bagels for my co-workers with the note about Steve.

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From Julie in Karnes City:

My acts of kindness are several-fold. We do these things regularly, but I mentioned the effort to others involved to honor Steve's birthday and your efforts.

Almost all of the moms of eighth-grade football players got together Wednesday night to make goody bags packed with fruit, cheese crackers, granola bars, Gatorade and some candy to give to our boys, plus the cheerleaders and twirlers and the seventh-grade football players after their game Thursday. This week, for the final junior high game and a two-hour rode trip to Dilley, we will make sandwiches and pack drinks, etc.

Aside from football mom stuff, my family and I, along with the Panna Maria 4-H Club we belong to, bought toiletries and assembled them to give to elderly residents of a Karnes City apartment complex. The kids colored and wrote messages in cards. This one is so much more important because it involves helping shut-ins who can't get out to get these essentials -- and I hope our kids continue to learn about service, compassion and respect for our elders.

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From Melane (my sister) in Anna:

Brooke made goody bags for each of her teachers and school nurse filled with chocolate, snacks, gum and individually painted marbles to match their interests. She attached an anonymous personalized note expressing her gratitude for them and will be sneaking these in their teacher boxes. Happy Birthday, Uncle Steve!

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From Stephen in Dallas:

Brought donuts to the KERA news meeting. Hope it still counts if some of that kindness circled back to me in the form of a donut... Either way, this is a great idea.

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From Stacey in D.C.:

For my first act of kindness for the day, I brought in a big sack of bagels for my Deloitte coworkers at our client site. Several of them said they plan to pay it forward today and I will look for other opportunities as the day progresses, as well.

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From Janet in Frisco:

Emily and I made dinner for a neighbor who was just released from the hospital.

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From Usha in Frisco:

I was thrilled to get the 4th grade teachers their fav Sonic drink!!!!!

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From Patricia in Oxnard, Calif.:

My Act of Kindness was an act of silliness. I posted this photo on Instagram with a message for a photographer friend who is battling cancer. According to his blog, www.trevorcarpenter.com, yesterday was a particularly bad day for him, so I really hope this cheers him up.

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From Harriet in Grapevine:

Organized our church school kids & parents to help landscape a Habitat house in Fort Worth.

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From Lauren in Frisco:

Started a chain reaction at Starbucks. After we bought coffee for the car behind us, she I turn did it for the car behind her :)

45 Acts of Kindness, Part 4

From the Mathesons in Carrollton:

My husband and I hosted a dinner for our neighbors this past Saturday to kick off the thanksgiving month and to let them know they are wonderful neighbors! We made salmon on the grill and a yummy seafood bisque!!


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From Brad in Missouri City:

Took a couple dozen breakfast tacos to the Missouri City, TX Fire Department, and 3 dozen donuts to the Missouri City Police Department. They were very appreciate (and very hungry). But the best part of the story is when I was buying the donuts, the guy next to me in line asked what I was doing with 3 dozen donuts. I told him and showed him one of the cards. He took the card, and paid for my donuts!

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From Michelle in Missouri City:

My name is Michelle Braswell, and I am a Battalion Chief at the Missouri City Fire Department. This morning we recieved a wonderful breakfast of breakfast taco's that had a "45 Acts of Kindness" tag. I wanted to say thank you on behalf of the fire department for the suprise breakfast. The tacos were left at the front office of the Police Department, so we did not get to meet the man who delivered them. Steve sounds like he would have made an excellent fire fighter! Especially because it sounds as if he was an an active, fun loving person who enjoyed the outdoors. I regret we never got to meet. Thank you for the breakfast. 

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From Karen in Atlanta:

In honor of Steve Damm, we celebrated with an Act of Kindness by making a donation to a great non-profit in Atlanta founded by Kris Shock called Supporting Others Achieve Recovery (S.O.A.R)

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From Angie in Frisco:

These two kind people were welcoming and helpful when I started my new job, so I made them breakfast in honor of Steve Damm. Thank you Gary Wise and Marina Miller for all that you do!

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From Beth in Carrollton:

Flowers for each teacher at our preschool and elementary school

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From Derek in Frisco:

Surprised someone in line at Starbucks today with a gift card and Steve's note. :) This is fun!

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From Kristen in Frisco:

I gave an AMC gift card to my Sonic car hop. He always greats me with a smile. Riley put an AMC gift card in a random mail box. :)

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From Jasmine in Frisco:

My morning was opened with Steve's 45 Acts of Kindness..
I delivered donuts and Starbuks to 3 familes and they were very touched with Steve's story

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From Ann in Frisco:

Mailed a big box of baby clothes to a friend in Oregon.

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From Judith in Frisco:

Just treated all my soldiers today to Starbucks and asked them to wish
Steve a Happy Birthday!!!!! Pretty cool idea for today. Gonna try to do
more before the day is out!!
So HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEVE!!!!

*Judith Christians*
*LTC, CA, US Army*
*REGION 6 REPLO OPERATIONS OFFICER*

45 Acts of Kindness, Part 3

From Alison in Frisco:

I did not know Steve and I do not know you.  But your beautiful memorial "45 Acts of Kindness" touched me this morning.  It was a bit of a rough morning - everyone at my house is still adjusting to the time change so the morning routine was stressful.  After getting my kids dressed, ready and off to school I decided to get a Starbucks, which is a rare treat for me.  A kind stranger in the drive thru anonymously bought a $45 gift card for me and accompanying it was the flyer stating that the gift was given in memory of Steve on his 45th birthday.  

At first I was just shocked and thankful, but then I felt the need to pay it forward.  I immediately felt drawn to the mention that Steve loved baseball.  My husband played baseball most of his childhood and in college. He now he shares his love of the game with our son as he coaches his team in Frisco.  Our whole family truly loves the sport.  So, today I made a donation to the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation in Steve's memory.  

The foundation provides scholarships, grants and camps for children in need as well as trips to Rangers Ballpark for children battling cancer.  Read more here:http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/tex/community/foundation_programs.jsp#grant

God Bless

***

From Kelly in Oklahoma:

In honor of a former parent of some really great students, I brought donuts to my staff today! Steve Damm was taken too soon by brain cancer. He loved kindness! Each year on his birthday, his family organizes an Acts of Kindness day! Steve Damm made a difference while he was here and his legacy will live in through his kids, Cooper and Katie!

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From Jennifer in Frisco:

Good way to start a Monday!!!!

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From Jessica in North Texas:

Dropped bagels and coffee at Baylor's ER. 

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From Jenny in Frisco:

Chicken Biscuits with angel wings ready for delivery.

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From Naida in Frisco:

Five bags of donations going out today in honor of Steve and the Damm family!

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From Robin in Dallas:

Having flowers delivered to a single mom who is rarely appreciated enough! Happy Birthday, Steve.

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From Caren in Plano:

I bought a stranger breakfast in the McDonalds drive thru. When I told the cashier what I wanted to do, he looked at me like I was crazy and asked "Are you sure?"

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From Jason in Lewisville: 

Paid for breakfast for a mom and her son. Forgot to print the cards, but told her the story and she pledged to return the act of kindness for someone else!

45 Acts of Kindness, Part 2

From Sharon in Dallas:

When I passed a "grumbly senior citizen" in the Albertson's today, as she made not-too-kind noises about the liter bottles of soft drinks being too high for her to reach, I stopped and asked her if I could help. And I patiently waited while she made her eight selections ... and put them in her cart. I think at first she was disappointed that I had left her without anything to grumble about.

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From John in Plano:

Today I gave a Starbucks gift card to the register and asked the clerk to use it for everyone behind me until it was gone. 

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From Tammy in Lubbock:

I'm going to give blood for the 45 Acts of Kindness. I know today is the day so I wanted to let you know, but I can't donate until Tuesday. My appointment is on Tuesday, Nov. 5, at 2:30.

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From the Smiths in Frisco:

 We paid for the person behind us in line at Einstein Brothers Bagels!

 We took gift cards to favorite teachers !

We took treats to AWESOME third grade teachers!

We will leave a big tip for our carhop at Sonic after school today! 

Hugs and love to you, Cooper and Katie!  You can feel the love in the air to honor your sweet Steve today!! 

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From Kalvin in Plano:

Slipped a donation and card into the Plano Library donation box. Libraries and librarians need our love and support!

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From Laura in North Texas:

We turned a blue Monday around. I wanted to give the gift of running in Steve's memory so I found a new mom through my neighborhood Web site and passed along my jogging stroller that's logged many miles for me. We also included a gift card for running clothes.

 

Once we did that, we couldn't stop. So we brought warm brownies to the school administration and then gave a Chuy's gift card to a couple on our way out of the restaurant.

We paid for coffee for the car behind us. She wrote Steve's name on the cup for that person.

45 Acts of Kindness, Part 1

From Jana in Frisco:

Jacob and David delivered a cake to the Frisco PD evening shift dispatchers. 

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From Roy in Abilene:

I've got a busy Monday so I "paid forward" by volunteering on a Habitat for Humanity project on Saturday. God bless the memory of Steve and all the acts of kindness that will be done in his and Christ's name!

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From Rhonda in Anna:

Small gifts of inked stamps for all of Jeran's teachers plus a couple for my favorite teachers! Not much but I hope it brightens their day.

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From Betty (Steve's mom, of course) in Dallas:

I have made cookies for our church staff and preschool staff and teachers.  They were taken to the church so they'll be there first thing in the morning.

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From Melissa in Helotes:

Carys and I decided to make Birthday Bags in honor of Steve's 45th birthday!  It seemed fitting to decorate and fill birthday treat bags for the children at Fairweather Family Lodge, where women with mental illness and their children can live and receive life skills training, employment assistance, educational help and other supportive service.  

Each month they celebrate the birthdays of the children who live there, and everyone receives a birthday bag.  We decorated 15 bags and filled them with arts & crafts kits, activity books, pencils, hair and nail accessories, stickers, glow sticks, party supplies, crayons, kid jewelry, non-perishable snacks, personal care items and other small toys.  Carys and I had a blast choosing all the loot for the bags and cleared out the Clearance aisle at Michaels! Each bag has a '45 Acts of Kindess' tag on it.  We did all of this Sunday and I will be delivering the bags Monday.

My personal act of kindness was to respond to a FB request posted by my Helotes friend Teresa Benke a few days ago: "I used to babysit this awesome teacher Taylor Karabach! Her 3rd grade class and others at her school are in desperate need of school supplies. Therefore, I will be doing a School Supply Drive for her. PLEASE HELP! Let me know if you can contribute pencils, markers, books, construction paper, etc. Let's pay it forward! Who's in?"  

I couldn't stand the thought of students doing without the basics, so I bought about $40 worth of school supplies (filler paper, construction paper, glue sticks, pencils, index cards, scissors, plus some teacher supplies).  I put all the supplies in a bag with a '45 Acts of Kindness' tag!  Teresa is collecting supplies through mid-November so I will deliver them in a few weeks. Mrs. Karabach 

teaches at a high poverty school in Detroit and 

has a DonorsChoose.org request page with more information about her school and classroom: http://www.donorschoose.org/we-teach/1518150.-488336434?supporters=true

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Katie is giving a bookmark to every child in her third-grade class.

Cooper is a giving a bookmark to every peer in his Language Arts class.

One more day!

One more day until the big day -- Steve's 45th birthday and 45 Acts of Kindness!

Cooper, Katie and I are super excited. We have been plotting strategy, and we're enjoying hearing about your plans for the big day!

Some reminders:

1. If you'd like to leave a note with your gift or kind act, you can click here for a version to print.

2. If you're comfortable sharing, please contact me with your story and a photo if you have one. You can email me at tyradamm@gmail.com. You can text me at 972-489-4344. Or you can post to the Facebook 45 Acts of Kindness page.

3. Need some ideas? Check out previous years for some heart-warming stories! Click here for 2011. Click here for 2012.

Please be patient with me on Monday. =) I'll be teaching during the day and won't have time for blogging until after dismissal. I'll update the blog as quickly as I can in the afternoon!

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At least one family we know started a little early!

From the Warhoftig family of Frisco:

Today we showed our Act of Kindness a day early by buying bagels and coffee for Zachary's hockey team after an early morning practice. Everyone was so thankful and took cards so they could pay it forward as well.

45 Acts of Kindness: What's Your Plan?

We are one week away from 45 Acts of Kindness! On Monday, Nov. 4, we will celebrate Steve's birthday with a giant celebration wherever you are!

This is our third year to celebrate Steve's birthday in such a big way, and we couldn't do it without you. Cooper, Katie and I have a goal of 450 acts of kindness this year. So far, 264 Facebook friends -- and friends of friends -- have committed to helping. If you are on Facebook but haven't signed up for the special day, you can do so here.

Some basic instructions for the big day:

1. You can print a card to leave, if you choose. So, if you buy a drink for the person behind you in line at a coffee shop, hand them the card. Or, if you deliver flowers to a nursing home, attach the card. Perhaps you're taping coins to a vending machine, to treat a stranger to a snack -- tape the card with it, too.

2. How do you get a printable version of the card? Click here!

3. If you are comfortable doing so, take a photo of the act of kindness.

4. Then email the photo to me at tyradamm@gmail.com. Or text the photo to me at 972-489-4344. Or post the photo on our Facebook page.

5. With or without a photo, when you email, text or post to Facebook, please offer a description of your act of kindness. Include your name if you like, too. =)

Need some inspiration? Here are just a few ideas from previous celebrations!

• Bake cookies and deliver them to your local police or fire station.
• Adopt a cat or dog. (One furry creature, a cat, was even named Toby Steve in memory of Steve!)
• Donate food to a food pantry.
• Support your local children's hospital with a donation.
• Leave a cheerful note for a friend or teacher or co-worker.
• Give a gift card to a cashier.
• Donate to the Red Cross.
• Tidy up grave sites at a cemetery.
• Surprise a neighbor with flowers.
• Make dinner for a friend.
• Donate blood.
• Give an extra generous tip while eating out.

We can't wait to see all the creative ways you'll be celebrating Steve's legacy! Thank you for making the day especially cheerful for our family and for making the world even brighter!

(Big thanks to Cory Jensen, for the lovely logo, and to Layne Smith, my personal technical guru.)

Save the date: Nov. 4, 2013

In two weeks -- on Monday, Nov. 4 -- we will be celebrating Steve's 45th birthday with 45 Acts of Kindness!

This will be our third year to celebrate Steve and honor his memory with a day devoted to taking care of others.

Cooper, Katie and I love, love, love this day. Last year, there were at least 350 acts of kindness performed all over the country and even the world in memory of Steve.

Do you think we can top 400 this year? How great would it be to hit 450?!

Just a few ideas, based on the past two years:

• Buy coffee or lunch for someone else
• Hold doors open longer than usual
• Surprise someone with flowers
• Clean out your closet and donate to a shelter
• Bake cookies and deliver to your neighborhood fire station
• Treat a crossing guard to hot chocolate
• Leave cheerful notes on windshields
• Deliver a meal to someone who needs some cheer
• Donate toys to a children's hospital
• Buy books for a classroom

If you want to read some really touching stories, click here for many of last year's kind acts.

Coming to the blog soon: More ideas and a note you print to leave behind.

Little reminders

Steve was notorious for underestimating time and quantity.

A typical conversation between him and me:

Me: Steve, how many miles away is (fill in the blank)?

Steve: Oh, just a couple!

Me: Does that mean "two" or "a Steve couple"? 

Steve: Definitely more than two.

"A Steve couple" could be five or eight or 15. It was difficult to know.

Our Cooper is the exact same way.

A typical conversation between him and me:

Me: Cooper, how many minutes until you finish (fill in the blank) homework?

Cooper: Oh, just five!

Me: OK. (Though I have learned this almost always means 10 or 15 or 20.)

I admit that with Steve, the squishy definition was at times irritating. With Cooper, I'm much more patient.

***

Katie took an abbreviated Myers-Briggs test in a class at school. (Tests for children don't include all four characteristics. It takes some time -- past the age of 12 -- for Sensing vs. Intuition to be clear.)

Her results: EFJ -- Extraverted Feeling Judging

Steve's results: ESFP -- Extraverted Sensing Feeling Perceiving

My results: INTJ -- Introverted Intuitive Thinking Judging

There's no doubt that she and Steve share some "E-ness" and "F-ness."


***

Katie is student of the week in her third-grade class next week. The poster includes a section for "Most Inspiring Person." She wrote about Steve:

It has to be my dad. He inspired me to draw. He was brave when he was sick. I love that my dad was so confident.

I love it, too. And I love that Cooper and Katie share his courage and confidence.