Driving every day this week from Savannah to New York City in The Kindness Bus, makes it a challenge to get much done. I am making my way north through many of the same towns I visited in the fall. Today I passed through Wilmington on my way to Jacksonville, NC. Wilmington was home to The Kindness Bus Tour during Thanksgiving week last year. The Boys and Girls Club was my main focus last year, as Thanksgiving week was the week where I volunteered to help renovate a few of the structures on their campus.
Spring break is in session and when I pulled up to the building I thought they were closed. I was very wrong. Tony was cooking lunch for the kids like he was in competition for Iron Chef. It is the only time the kids are quiet during the day as Tony wields the ladle and seems to portion more to the well behaved kids, reminds me of a Seinfeld episode. Tony is a great role model for all of these kids and it was a pleasure seeing him in action again. I left stickers for all of the kids at the club. Tony offered me lunch but I told him I was still full from his Thanksgiving dinner.

My bicycle is getting a major tune-up and will be road ready by the time I push further north, out of Savannah.
During my seventeen day stay in Savannah last December, I met a local resident named Alex, who is a big bicycling enthusiast. When Alex heard of my 6 month, 7,400 mile twice cross country Kindness Bicycle Tour, he shared with me some of the nuances of bicycling every day and riding long distances.  He was a big help, giving me a great foundation for research about long distance bicycling over the past few months. Seeing Alex again, a few days ago, he was interested in seeing the bike which will carry me cross country. The look on Alex’s face was one of, “oh man, let me help you.” Alex is a big supporter of my mission and insisted on fine tuning the bike to ready it for the road. By the time we left the bicycle shop, Alex completely transformed this bike, with his own resources, into one that will be a dream to ride.
By the time the departure date of May 14th has arrived, my bicycle will, without a doubt be road ready, me being road ready by that date may be a different story. Bogart! It’s time to start working out.
Thank you Alex, for all you do for One Million Acts Of Kindness.
***Update to April 14th blog. Apparently Andreu Powell has already helped to spread our message.  The principal from Fernandina Beach Elementary wants to dovetail One Million Acts Of Kindness’ message to curricula, for all 600 students in her school. Thank you Andreu.

Savannah is a very popular place to visit for many reasons. One reason for school age girls and their families is that the Girl Scouts of America was founded here by Juliette Gordon Low. One such group of 3 moms and 4 girls from North Carolina happened by the bus as they walked the streets of this beautiful city. I was so impressed by the connection of goodness shared by this group of 7. I told the girls that their moms would never steer them wrong, the moms immediately jumped in and told their daughters to “make sure to listen to this man.”
The Girl Scouts are all about kindness; teaching, leadership skills, supporting events like the relief effort in Japan and helping to make our world a better place. It is one of the best organizations for girls in the world.
Today was a very long day of talking with hundreds of people, many of them families, my favorite group. It was also a day of much fun. One of my favorite vignettes was when a full tour bus rounded the corner right next to The Kindness Bus, the driver said to his charge, “On your right is the One Million Acts Of Kindness bus, I don’t know if it is part of Savannah, but it should be.” Being here for seventeen days in December makes us look like we a permanent fixture.

During my travels, I meet all sorts of dedicated and talented individuals. It is clear that there are some individuals are meant for the job that they have. Today I met a very busy Andreu Powell, coordinator for prevention and intervention in the Nassau County School District. When he learned of One Million Acts Of Kindness, he invited me to his office for a half hour meeting while a number of his staff touched base with him as he and I talked. The passion this man has for his job, is second to none. He is all about helping kids in his county try to stay out of trouble and help find the right program for those who do get in trouble.
He and I talked about how simple the concept of One Million Acts Of Kindness is and how it could be a part of most of his programs, including character building. Catching kids before they get too far down the wrong path is a main goal of his. Having One Million Acts Of Kindness as a lifetime goal for kids is the perfect fit. “Like peas and carrots” as Forrest Gump so eloquently says.

Heading north over the next 2 weeks, much of my energy is being spent on planning for The Kindness Bicycle Tour. Re-working my itinerary is now complete and the updated version will be posted on the website in a few days. The route I take will remain the same, it will take double the time as I am now both the bicycle rider and the bus driver. I will do daily loops, riding west to my next destination, then circling back to pick up the bus to drive to the next destination.
My travels took me to Yulee Elementary in Florida, just south of Georgia border. The entire county school system is in the middle of their annual evaluation testing. Needless to say, no one was available. Debbie, who works in the reception area at Yulee, assured me that she would see to it that everyone at her school knew about One Million Acts Of Kindness.

Not having a bicycle to ride and having a 6 month, 7,400 mile Kindness Bicycle Tour a month away, can be a little bit unnerving. I have been getting some riding in over the past couple of months on a bike which was loaned to me by a local physical therapist named John. During this time, I have come to know nearly every bike shop owner and employee in the area because of my frequent visits to find a suitable used bike. A couple shop owners spent the time checking with their manufacturers to see if they would like to donate a bike, to no avail. Requests of this nature are quite common as there are many people who ride for many worthy causes. Enter John again, John with a very big heart. I received an email from Melinda who works with John about wanting to sell me his bike at a ridiculously low price. This bike is a high quality, top of the line bike which will serve my needs on my ride across the country. Enter Melinda again, Melinda with a very big heart. She says that there is no need in paying John because she is going to make up the difference. Two individuals with two very big hearts.

For the next 2 weeks, The Oprah Network will feature One Million Acts Of Kindness in a sixty and ninety second public service commercial. The commercials will run many times during the course of the day. Gina Fortunato filmed us for 2 days this past fall while we were in New York City. What a great way to spread the message of kindness across the world.
Thank you to the Oprah Network and Gina. I am hearing from many people who have seen the commercials. This is a huge help to my mission and my heart is filled with gratitude.