News
Struthers firefighter plans "Kindness Riot" for September 11
Struthers firefighter Bill Simcox created an event for September 11, called The Kindness Riot and asked his friends to join him in doing an act of random kindness for a complete stranger.
Wednesday, September 10th 2014, 7:18 PM EDT
Updated:
Simcox said, "I chose September 11th in honor of all those people that ran into buildings in New York City, the Pentagon, Flight 93. There were so many different people that ran in to help complete strangers. I figured what a better day to honor those people we lost by doing the Kindness Riot on this day."
Simcox and his fellow firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and police officers, who respond to their share of tragedies, practice this year round and they wanted to extend that to others.
Simcox and his fellow firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and police officers, who respond to their share of tragedies, practice this year round and they wanted to extend that to others.
The Struthers firefighter said, "Recently in the news there has been fighting overseas, rioting in the Midwest, and I just thought what a great idea if people would riot by doing something nice."
It was the second week in August when Simcox told his sister about his idea, and she thought it was great and helped with the Facebook page. Initially Simcox asked about a hundred friends to join, and they asked their friends to join.
Bill Simcox says the act of random kindness doesn't have to cost money, and can be something as simple as holding a door open or buying a cup of coffee for a stranger, or volunteering to read a book to someone at a nursing home.
It was the second week in August when Simcox told his sister about his idea, and she thought it was great and helped with the Facebook page. Initially Simcox asked about a hundred friends to join, and they asked their friends to join.
Bill Simcox says the act of random kindness doesn't have to cost money, and can be something as simple as holding a door open or buying a cup of coffee for a stranger, or volunteering to read a book to someone at a nursing home.
Simcox and his friends have a project scheduled in the morning in Youngstown but wouldn't reveal what it was, saying, "This is not about me, this is about spreading kindness to others. You never know what someone is going through and what kindness can mean to them."
The event already has more than 14,000 locally and around the world pledging to take part. People from our region, the U.S.A., Australia, Ireland, India, Peru and other countries will be joining in September 11, 2014!
The event already has more than 14,000 locally and around the world pledging to take part. People from our region, the U.S.A., Australia, Ireland, India, Peru and other countries will be joining in September 11, 2014!
