


Brian Otieno
Jul 25, 2024
United States
Categories:
Philanthropy, Children, Charity, Community, Youth
At just 12 years old, Orion Jean is making a huge impact in North Texas through his "Race to Kindness" initiative. Named TIME Magazine’s 2021 Kid of the Year, Orion uses his platform to spread kindness and support his community.
Orion started his journey with a $500 prize from a kindness speech contest, which he invested in his first project: "Race to 500 Toys." He collected 619 toys for the Children’s Health Hospital in Dallas in just one month. This success led him to launch "Race to 100,000 Meals," partnering with Tango Tab to provide meals to food-insecure families.
His current mission, "Race to 500,000 Books," aims to combat literacy issues by collecting and distributing books in underserved areas known as "book deserts." Through partnerships with organizations like Reading is Fundamental and local literacy groups, Orion has successfully distributed hundreds of thousands of books and held free book fairs to support children's literacy further.
Orion’s efforts have transformed lives and highlighted the power of kindness, earning him global recognition and inspiring others to follow his lead. His ongoing work continues to touch lives and promote literacy, showing that one person's kindness can spark widespread change.
Here are 10 practical and engaging ways to bring change to your home community, inspired by Orion Jean:
1. Organize a Toy Drive: Collect new toys for local children’s hospitals or shelters. Set up collection boxes at community centers or schools and promote them through social media.
2. Host a Food Drive: Partner with local food banks or charities to collect non-perishable food for needy families. Encourage neighbors and friends to contribute.
3. Start a Book Drive: Gather new or gently used books for children and adults. Work with local libraries or schools to distribute the books where needed most.
4. Create a Community Meal Event: Collaborate with local restaurants or volunteers to provide free meals to those facing food insecurity. Host it at a community center or park.
5. Volunteer for Literacy Programs: Get involved with local literacy programs or tutoring centers to help improve reading skills in your community.
6. Set Up Free Book Fairs: Organize events where people can pick out free books. Partner with local businesses or schools to host the fairs.
7. Launch a Kindness Campaign: Encourage acts of kindness in your community. Create a social media challenge or a “Kindness Wall” where people can share their good deeds.
8. Develop a Leadership Program for Kids: Offer workshops or after-school programs that teach leadership skills and encourage young people to get involved in community service.
9. Promote Local Giving: Use your social media platforms to spotlight local charities and encourage your network to support them through donations or volunteer work.
10. Build Community Partnerships: Collaborate with local organizations, schools, and businesses to maximize the impact of your projects. Joint efforts can reach more people and provide more resources.
When adopted, these ideas not only bring tangible benefits to the community but also foster a spirit of collaboration and goodwill.
Photo Credit: Ismail Salad Osman Hajji dirir on Unsplash
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0724.113.08.072524