No matter who you are, you have so much to give. Helping by your words and your actions help others to feel better about themselves. I was traveling today in gridlock shopping traffic, slower than The Kindness Bus with 6 flat tires, when I looked out the window of the car I was driving when I saw a Red Cross donation sign. It dawned on me that I hadn’t donated blood in a few months, I decided to stop in and give another pint, drawing me closer to the 11 gallon mark.
“Give the Gift of Life” is the motto of the Red Cross. If you can donate a pint of blood, please do, it is truly a gift from the heart.

I am in need of your Help!!

On February 13th, in less than 7 weeks, One Million Acts Of Kindness Week begins, as inspired individuals and groups work toward completing a project they have decided to undertake for the benefit of others.
I am in dire need of volunteers to call or email groups and individuals across the globe to take part in this very important week.
Please spread this message to everyone!!!

Jim McIntyre, radio personality of WDOK in Cleveland, Ohio has a Public Affairs Show which tells of local people and the difference they are trying to make in the lives of others. I had the pleasure of visiting the WDOK studios today and was interviewed for a very engaging 15 minutes. Jim blended his questions to give a representation of local issues kindness can address and national issues and The Kindness Bus Tour’s travels.
It is always great to be interviewed by such a professional in a very relaxed environment. Jim covered, with his questioning, The Kindness Bicycle Tour and its successes across the country. He tied in the local visit to the Domestic Violence and Child Advocacy Center and my 100 mile ride to honor the bravery of Johanna Orozco of Cleveland who was a victim of Teen Dating Violence. It was a very powerfully moving interview.
Thank you Jim, for including One Million Acts Of Kindness in your Public Affairs Show.

One Million Acts Of Kindness is making friends everywhere we travel and beyond. The interest in what this mission is about, is being embraced by individuals and spread to family and friends.
Bogart is the PR pooch and has the biggest following of any dog I know. He loves everyone and is a big hit in classrooms. The interest in what I am doing by individuals and then to have them to express that interest is inspiring to me and it is what keeps me moving forward.
So many people have opened their hearts and homes to me over the past 2 1/2 years and deserve recognition,  but most don’t care to be mentioned. I have 12 stories of people which I will share beginning in the very new future. People who have become friends and are a very big help along my travels. Thank you to each and everyone of you.

Fire Chief Scott Ferguson of Santa Monica, California was hard at work in his corner office as I walked by his headquarters. It was after hours, but I decided to stop by anyways to see if I could get an audience. What a great thought it was as he agreed to see me immediately. I told him of my upcoming Wounded Warrior and Safety Forces killed in the line of duty, ride. He was particularly interested in my visits to all 49 fire houses in New York City and specifically the visit The Kindness Bus made to the Liberty Street Fire Station down the ramp to Ground Zero. He then asked me if I was going to visit all his stations. I have a very good feeling that my next ride beginning on January 21st is going to be a huge success.

Today, was one of the most important days since the founding of One Million Acts Of Kindness. The culmination of 7 months of riding The Kindness Bicycle all across this great country, to raise awareness about Domestic Violence and Childhood Sexual Abuse. Today was the shortest ride of The Kindness Bus Tour to date, but one of the most fulfilling. Seven months of stories, of memories, of faces, of tears, and the people to whom they belonged. The most shocking of all the stories was on the morning of the first day, it was as if I was being told how horrific these issues are and to be prepared for what was to come. Because of not being affected as a child by these issues, it was as if I had a certain naiveté  . Boy did I get a crash course in a hurry.
I initially did this ride for the women and children directly affected, but found out almost immediately that everyone is affected. The families of the victims were so appreciative to me and it helped knowing that someone was out there fighting for this cause in such a unique way. Those who work day to day helping others in seemingly helpless situations were thrilled to see The Kindness Bicycle roll through their town, as it offered hope, knowing that they aren’t alone in this fight.
The most rewarding part of this ride were the healing conversations I had with survivors. Hearing them talk so courageously and knowing there was no shame in what has happened to them, helped them get to a place of forgiveness, so they could begin to heal.

In southern California there has been a  high quality department store for the past 40 years; one in Beverly Hills and the other in Santa Monica. I have had the honor to be “hosted” by by Fred Segal since coming to this area 10 days ago. Where to go, where to ride, what to do and who to see is just some of the advice they have offered. They have also offered overnight assistance in providing space for The Kindness Bus. Darrylynn Kaun, owner of Zero Minus Plus in Fred Segal was instrumental in arranging many of the details, even securing me an invite to tonight’s Fred Segal ice skating party.
How can you go to an ice skating party and not try to get a ride on the Zamboni, especially when Fred Segal was nice enough to supply it to the city to make this skating rink a reality.
Tomorrow morning I will do the tire dunk in the Pacific Ocean in Malibu, bringing to a close The Kindness Bicycle Tour to raise awareness about Domestic Violence and Childhood Sexual Abuse. A bicycle tour comes to a close but it is my wish that minds may have been opened to begin the healing process needed to become a survivor.