Tuesday, November 5, 2019

51 Acts of Kindness (11)

From Keleigh in Frisco:

One of my student’s flair pens were stolen and she has been upset about it for a week. Today was a great day to replace them for her! 💕


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From Head for the Cure in Kansas City:

Events and Operations Manager, Kelsi Seely, purchased coffee for two people behind her in line today! Thanks for being #DammKind!


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From Holly in Frisco:

Tiff’s Treats is my DammKind tradition of remembering your amazing husband. You and your family are amazing! ❤️



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From Heather in Frisco:

Brought drinks and/or food for 3 of my coworkers and mentioned it was in honor of Steve. #dammkind


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From Greg in Detroit, Mich.:

After wiping away tears explaining what was happening, I picked up lunch for someone at Jersey Mike's. The recipient took a card & happily offered to pay it forward. #dammkind

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From Jennie in Ann Arbor, Mich.:

Based on the pleasantly surprised reaction I got, people don't randomly deliver donuts to the fire hall often enough. #dammkind

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From Madison in Irving:


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From Aunt Debby on Whidbey Island, Wash.:

There were lots of people needing big hugs ðŸ¤— I had to start over the weekend still giving them away today too! xoxo 
Sharing the love
Happy Birthday ðŸŽ‚🎉 ðŸŽˆ Steve Damm

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From Aunt Ami in Austin:

Rich & I donated to Community First Village in honor of our late nephew Steve Damm. He was an amazing beloved man.  https://mlf.org/community-first/

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From Pearson Middle School in Frisco:

Students wrote and posted positive messages on lockers in the 7th-grade hall.


51 Acts of Kindness (10)

A veteran student shared a lovely story with me this morning that has encouraged me all day. She was at basketball practice in Plano. After practice, a coach from another team approached her and complimented her work on the court and encouraged her. He then gave her a 51 Acts of Kindness card. She told him that she knows me, and he replied that he doesn't know our family but was the recipient of an act of kindness last year and wanted to pay it forward.

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From Angie in Frisco:

This lady is always ready to help anyone in need and makes me laugh every time I see her. Treasa Costello is one of a kind and she’s #dammkind


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From Nicole in Frisco:

Had a lot of fun buying dinner and drinks for a few Cowboys fans even though my Giants lost. So great you share this with us. Thank you. 😘😘

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From Kathy of Carrollton in Charleston, S.C.:

This morning a young man in the local grocery store in Charleston, SC walked around the store with me to help me find an item. He was very helpful and so kind - I gave him a gift card for the store and told his manager about my experience. I also gave him the #Dammkind paper with the explanation. Thank you for encouraging us to look for ways to share kindness.

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From Kristy in Frisco:

>Gave a person a free BK Whopper >Several thank you and thinking about you notes/cards sent >Donated 1 coat, 2 hoodies, 3 sweaters

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From Amanda in Frisco:

Paid it forward at the concession stand last night #Dammkind


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From Lori in Frisco:

I gave pro-bono sessions at work today. 

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From Ashley in Frisco:

Bouquets and notes of gratitude for the therapists at Envision Hope.



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From Kimberly in Frisco:

We paid for another table at La Hacienda Ranch. Turns out the ladies were school counselors from East Texas. ðŸ˜Š


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From Lauren in Frisco:

Paid for someone’s starbucks order in the drive through today, made and passed out multiple earring gifts to co workers, wrote notes and passed out candy to some students today! Also received all the kindness today from students and the local coffee place! Strive to be kind every single day!! Happy Birthday, Steve Damm. It has been an honor to work with your wife and to have taught one of your kids! #dammkind #teenagerscare#changingtheworld





Monday, November 4, 2019

51 Acts of Kindness (9)

Here are some of the ways that Katie, Cooper and I celebrated Steve's 51st birthday.

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I attended Walnut Hill Elementary School in Dallas for kindergarten and first grade. It's where I lost my first tooth (eating an apple) and learned about Elvis (he died just before I started kindergarten, and one of my classmates was obsessed). I remember skipping down the halls, I was so happy to be there. I loved Mrs. Green and Mrs. Jones. I loved the playground and my friends. (I did not love the day that a sixth-grader stole my red purse, embroidered with my name and accessorized with a smiley face zipper pull.)

Walnut Hill was also Steve's school in sixth grade. We didn't overlap; we missed each other by a year. But we loved that we had that connection. We liked to drive by the Midway Road campus. I would tell the purse theft story, and he would tell the story of the day he tried a Superman move on the swing set and soared straight into gravel and tore up his face -- on the same day as the Student Council picnic.

I was devastated when the Oct. 20 Dallas tornados destroyed the venerable Walnut Hill campus.

The staff and students have relocated to another building for now. I wanted to do something for the staff, to provide comfort as they try to comfort children. Julianne volunteered to drive something to Dallas while I was teaching. So we put together a basket of hot chocolate supplies, and Julianne made sure the gift arrived on Nov. 4.





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Katie gave Starbucks gift cards to teachers and homemade cowboy cookies to friends. She also rode her bike after school to our local coffee shop to give cookies to the shop's owner, Michael, who always makes us smile.



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We delivered flowers to our neighborhood assisted living center. The director told us that someone else had delivered cookies, which the residents were enjoying with dinner, and that someone else had painted decorative rocks. He had a small "peace" rock in his pocket.


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We tipped generously over the weekend and treated a stranger to dinner. We delivered doughnuts to Hosp and Reedy.





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I gave cookies and gift cards and Kind bars to colleagues, and I placed hand soap in staff restrooms (the industrial stuff is hard on the hands over winter).


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We gave art supplies to two tiny friends new to our country, just adopted from Burundi.


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We delivered cookies to neighbors.


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Cooper treated a couple of Auburn friends to a nice dinner (his shrimp and grits sound a step above dorm food).


51 Acts of Kindness (8)

From Shari in Lucas:

Loved spending my birthday blessing others by spreading kindness for Steve. I hope you and your kids have been blessed by all the acts being done today!  My fav day!!!!  


Paid for a Starbucks for the car behind me in Lucas Tx 


Rashee was in his way to work and I paid for his lunch at CFA in Allen. 


Treated these boys to some dessert!  CFA in Allen TX


Blessed the Lucas Fire Department with Nothing Bundt Cakes! 


Happy 51st Steve!💙💙💙

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From Katy in Prosper:

Picked a random stranger at the finish line of the 3 day walk and handed this to them. Happy Birthday, Steve!!


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From Laura of Frisco:


Started my day with a visit at Cook's Children's Hospital, taking a prayer blanket made by our Prayer Shawl Group. #dammkind

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From Head for the Cure in Kansas City:

One of our Regional Relationship Coordinators, Michaela Olberding, was #DammKind today! She and her boyfriend made “Sunshine Gift Bags” and delivered them to a local hospice care center. Thanks for spreading some kindness today!  

Share your kind gestures with us and the Damm family today by posting with #DammKind!


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From Suzanne in Frisco:

Sharing kindness with the librarians at Frisco Public Library.


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From Mary in Bedford:

Hello, Tyra! Just wanted to share that in honor of Steve and #dammkind day, I just made a contribution to BridgesWork, a local program that provides tutoring, mentoring, cultural opportunities and more to underprivileged kids in the Hurst-Euless-Bedford school district. Bless you and your family for making #dammkind day such a wonderful, day-brightening tradition.

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From Melissa in Helotes:

Donated online to a fabulous organization ThriveWell Cancer Foundationin San Antonio in honor of one of my employees who is a cancer survivor AND in memory of Steve. 
Finished off the evening by dropping off a thank you card & gift card on a friend’s porch who has had several stressful weeks but still manages to do all & be everything for everyone around her. So wanted to share some of Steve’s life with her!

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From Penny in Frisco:

After hearing your story in Laura's sermon yesterday at Grace Ave, and learning you taught at Chandler's school my 2nd grader decided to do something kind for Mrs. Maria at Bledsoe in Steve's honor ❤️ the rest of our family did other things but I was so impressed with my sweet girl's choice I wanted to share it with you


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From Linda in Dallas:

With the lovingkindness of all of the Damm family in mind, I made a donation to RAICES in Steve's memory.


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From Kelly in Frisco:

Complimentary Sunday breakfast for a couple, a gift card for our hardworking custodian & a lunch gift card for a sweet teacher! #dammkind

51 Acts of Kindness (7)

From Reena in Frisco:

So blessed to be part of Acts of Kindness! Navvya baked and shared cookies for families and staff of BeeHive Homes of Frisco



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From Haley in Lille, France:

Brought homemade oatmeal scotchies to work for my colleagues at the University. Many of them are expat Americans teaching English in France, so I think they'll enjoy them (as you see by the hand reaching for one in the picture!). I bet they're all gone by now! Happy birthday, Steve. Love to all the Damms. ♥️


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From Laura in Mansfield:

Hi Tyra! This event really brightens up a Monday. I channeled Steve’s love of running and sent gift cards to our track coach. I also had gift cards for a science teacher, our longtime babysitter and a friend who is an inspiring mom and teacher.

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From a friend:

While visiting our younger daughter in Stillwater, OK, at the grocery store I gave three college kids in line behind us $5 each. While visiting our older daughter daughter in San Marcos, TX, I made a goodie bag full of girlie things for her roommate. I included gum, face mask, lip balm, hand lotion, etc. She had been sick and had gone home for the weekend. We left it in front of her bedroom door for her to find.

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From Jamie in Carrollton:

Panera gift cards for co-workers, cookies for the always-cheerful reception and security team and a nice to the Panera delivery driver.



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From Aunt Marilyn in Charlottesville, Va.:

To celebrate the life of my nephew, Steve Damm, I donated pre-packaged boxes of food to our local food bank and, so the critters wouldn't feel left out, I took (many) cans of dog and cat food to our local SPCA. I also plan to repay an act of kindness shown to me by the sweet cashier at Kroger who gave me 50 cents out of her own pocket rather than make me rewrite my check for the third time by giving her a Starbucks gift card the next time I'm in the store. Happy Birthday Steve! We all miss you! 

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From Wendy in Frisco:

I bought lunch for a random stranger and gave a well deserved larger than usual tip to a hard working Frisco kid at Kroger in honor of Steve. Cody and I are grateful to be inspired by this special day. #dammkind

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From Kyla in Frisco:


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From Beth in Richardson: 

I donated to the North Texas Food Bank in honor of Steve and my mom, who share a birthday. Thank you, Tyra, Cooper and Katie for making this a day of blessings.

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From Jackie in McKinney:

Freddy’s Custard for sweet neighbors.  #DammKind 51 Acts of Kindness


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From Erin in Frisco:

I bought donuts for our amazing staff!