How it all began
On March 9, 2005 our son Thomas was born, and the very next day he quietly slipped away. In his obituary we asked if people would consider doing something good in his memory, and every year on his birthday we make the same request. That's because we believe that every person (no matter how small) and every life (no matter how short) makes a difference - and our boy is certainly no exception. His impact is still felt through all the ways people have made the world a little nicer, a little sweeter, and a little happier every year on his birthday.
The owls
In 2015 our goal was to encourage 10,000 people to sign up to do random acts of kindness on what would have been Thomas' 10th birthday. To help spread the word we asked friends, family, and supporters to make (or purchase) an owl or two, tag them with our special tags, and "set them free" by gifting them to loved ones or by leaving them in public places to be found by strangers. The tags encouraged the recipient to participate in March 9 Random Act of Kindness Day for Thomas by doing something kind on March 9.
Thomas' owls flew literally all around the world, and we reached our goal on the evening of March 8, 2015.
Since 2015 we've had fewer people sign up for his annual celebration via our event page on Facebook, but we know that everyone who does - and all those who make owls to help spread the word each year - make a difference in this hurting world, just like Thomas continues to do.
Another flock in 2024
We aren't trying to reach a specific goal in 2024, but we are still hoping that a huge flock of owls will once again take flight and help us spread kindness on March 9 to mark Thomas' milestone 19th birthday.
On March 9, 2005 our son Thomas was born, and the very next day he quietly slipped away. In his obituary we asked if people would consider doing something good in his memory, and every year on his birthday we make the same request. That's because we believe that every person (no matter how small) and every life (no matter how short) makes a difference - and our boy is certainly no exception. His impact is still felt through all the ways people have made the world a little nicer, a little sweeter, and a little happier every year on his birthday.
The owls
In 2015 our goal was to encourage 10,000 people to sign up to do random acts of kindness on what would have been Thomas' 10th birthday. To help spread the word we asked friends, family, and supporters to make (or purchase) an owl or two, tag them with our special tags, and "set them free" by gifting them to loved ones or by leaving them in public places to be found by strangers. The tags encouraged the recipient to participate in March 9 Random Act of Kindness Day for Thomas by doing something kind on March 9.
Thomas' owls flew literally all around the world, and we reached our goal on the evening of March 8, 2015.
Since 2015 we've had fewer people sign up for his annual celebration via our event page on Facebook, but we know that everyone who does - and all those who make owls to help spread the word each year - make a difference in this hurting world, just like Thomas continues to do.
Another flock in 2024
We aren't trying to reach a specific goal in 2024, but we are still hoping that a huge flock of owls will once again take flight and help us spread kindness on March 9 to mark Thomas' milestone 19th birthday.
SPECIAL COVID-19 ANNOUNCEMENT
As you may know, in previous years we've encouraged you to send out goodwill owl ambassadors to help spread kindness on March 9. Some people may still not be comfortable with this, so make sure to visit our Facebook page for a HUGE list of ideas to help you safely spread kindness from home if you would still rather participate that way instead!