366 Random Acts of Kindness: Ron & Don are IN!

Listen to 366 Random Acts of Kindness

How does a self-professed 'cynic' turn into a guy standing on the street corner with a "free hugs" sign?

"I've always been kind of sarcastic and cynical. It's not like I was trying to be overwhelmingly nice," says Ryan Garcia, a 30-year old sales rep from Chicago. But, he says, everything changed when baby Isla was born in September.

Day 28: Polar Plunge for charity

"The first time I saw her I was like, 'Whoah, I have to be a better person. I have to do what I can to make the world a better place.' Just seeing her the first time was like a switch went off inside me."

The new dad was sitting on his couch trying to think what to do for his New Years resolution--Would it be another year of promising to lose weight or go to the gym more? But then, an idea struck.

"I was just looking at my daughter, and I wanted to think of something that would set a great example for her. Something she can look back on, and maybe, in the future, emulate."

So Ryan hatched a project: 366 Random Acts of Kindness, one for every day of 2012. Remember, it's a leap year.

Day 33: Took a soldier and his family to the game

They range from silly, like offering free hugs, to serious. Recently, Ryan took a veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan and his family to a basketball game. He also sent a letter to his favorite teacher thanking him for making learning fun. He also got involved in a Chicago project called "Jokes 4 Miles," helping a dad collect 5,000 jokes for his cancer-stricken son. Ryan and baby Isla submitted a joke together.

Ryan says his kindness 'targets' are usually very happy, but surprised "It's kind of disheartening to think that people would be so surprised that another person wants to do something nice for them. That's why I'm hoping this catches on."

The response online and on Facebook has been overwhelming. As the word spreads about Ryan's project, he says the acts of kindness are also spreading. He recently met a woman who had lost her job, but was still finding a way to help: "She bought a number of mylar rescue blankets for sub-zero temperatures and some food and asked me to make care packages for homeless people."

The 366 Random Acts project is up to day 41. By this time, most people have broken their new years resolutions...but Ryan promises he's not backing down. "It's just a little bit of pressure to have random acts that live up to everyone's expectations."

Ryan IS a little worried he'll start running out of ideas--if you want to help, send him suggestions at 366RandomActs.org or on his Facebook page.


Day 38: Bought lunch for firefighters

"I just want people to know that good things can happen to strangers. It's kind of a big ripple effect. Once you do something nice for somebody else, they're gonna pass it along."

***UPDATE: We were so inspired by Ryan's story today on the Ron & Don Show, we've issued a challenge for our OWN "Kindness Week" (we're not quite as ambitious as Ryan).

Starting Monday, every member of our show will do their own random act of kindness. If you have suggestions or want to join our challenge, tell us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Ron-Don-Show-Official/113101925407371

--Producer Libby Denkmann