Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Were you the Recipient of an "Act Of Kindness?"


Over the next few weeks, teams of family and friends will be canvassing their communities with "acts of kindness" in memory of Sadie.

The majority of participants will be in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago. As part of a Life Celebration for Sadie, teams of four will be provided with a list of "Acts of Kindness." The list will include acts such donating items to a local food pantry or paying for the person's coffee behind you in line. Each recipient will then be given a card that states the act of kindness was done in memory of Sadie (see image).

Sadie taught us so much during her short life. One of the most important lessons she taught us was to be kind to everyone, for everyone is fighting a battle we know nothing about. We can think of no better way to honor her life than to shower our community with kindness.

In addition to the large contingent of participants in the Chicago area, there will be remote teams performing acts of kindness in 20 different cities throughout the U.S. and Canada - from Los Angeles to New York.

Visit Sadie's Facebook page to see photos of some of our Acts of Kindness.

So...were YOU a recipient of an "acts of kindness?" Share your story in the comments below!

29 comments:

  1. The Honor Sadie Shedd Campaign has been progressing "swimmingly"! I get choked up everytime I tell a new couple her story. Each couple has been instructed to enjoy their aquarium visit as much as a joyful three year old. Hopefully, it's making Sadie smile.

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  2. Hi. My name is Stacye. I work at Boeing in Everett WA as an ESC attendant. I was ringing up a gentlemans order when out of nowhere came this young woman begging to pay for his order. He tried to resist but she was determined. She gave him a little flyer and said it was an act of kindness to celebrate Sadie's 3rd Birthday. He finally relented and thanked her. He suggested she treat herself to something and when she did he paid for her order. It was amazing! Happy Birthday Sadie, I know you're dancing in Heaven. Thanks for sharing you're beautiful spirit with me :)

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  3. My friends and I were at Chipotle when a man started handing out giftcards to everyone in line. It made our day, and I'm sure all the ND students there were very grateful and we will keep Sadie and her family in our prayers.

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  4. I went in to pay for my daughter's birthday cake and the baker at my local Jewel told me their was a story behind the cake. She explained that a lady came into Jewel on 4/29 and wanted to pay for someone's birthday cake. But nobody had any cakes that day so they picked the Friday and my daughter's cake was the one chosen and her name is Mercedes. I am so thankful for this and what a beautiful girl. It really lets you know to be thankful for the precious things in life and I made sure my daughter and family know about Sadie and her story. Thank you so much! God bless!

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  5. What a beautiful way to remember such a beautiful little girl!

    I was at the library and saw a lottery ticket hiding in the selves.

    I will defiantly pass an act of kindness along with the card remembering Sadie!

    God Bless!

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  6. What a fantastic surprise i received at Marianos in Lake Zurich IL today! Thank you very much for my coffee today! I made sure to pay for the next person in line! This random act made my day!

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  7. Thank you so much for donating to our bill at Chili's in Westfield, IN. We were out with three of our girls, Annika, Elizabeth, and Sadie! It was such a touching surprise as we were out to celebrate Elizabeth's First Communion. What a wonderful surprise. Praying for your family. The Kintzel Family

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  8. What a wonderful gift I received today. I was in line at the Shop & Save Market in Des Plaines with a cart full of flowers and a few grocery items. The people in the line next to me only had 3 items in their cart. I asked them if they would like to go in front of me, little did I know that asking them would bring me to tears. They accepted my offer and then told me that they wanted to help pay for my order. I told them it was not necessary. Then then told me their story about Sadie and spreading acts of kindness. When I plant and look at my flowers in the garden I will think of Sadie who will be my Garden Angel. Thank you so much for your generous act of kindness. I will pay it forward.
    Val

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  9. My 2 yr. old son and I were shopping at Horrocks Farm Market in Lansing, Michigan this morning. After searching for something on the shelf, I turned around to find a small flyer about Sadie and an envelope sitting in my cart. Someone was sneaky... At first I didn't know what it was. I handed it off to a Horrocks clerk, concerned that someone accidentally dropped it. When she approached me again a few minutes later, she told me to read it more carefully. She said it was a random act of kindness and it was meant for me and my son. I was so touched that someone reached out to us in our favorite grocery store! I'm sure I'm not the only one who experienced the whole-body tingle upon this realization. My son and I used our Horrocks gift card toward our purchase and were very grateful to the stranger who chose to honor Sadie's memory by sneaking it into our cart. I plan to pay this forward tomorrow at my favorite local coffee shop and will make sure to send them to this site. It's so amazing to see how all of you are coming together to create this amazing community of individuals keeping Sadie's memory alive. God bless!!

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  10. It was a huge surprise to me to walk into the gent's room at my favorite Starbucks and see, taped to the mirror, a gift-card envelope with a sticker on it of a star smiling. After doing what I had initially set out to do, I washed my hands and took the envelope down--finding inside, to my surprise, a gift card labelled "$5--Enjoy a latte in memory of Sadie McCann--Post pics! thx! XOXO" with a link to this blog. I have been dealing with a fairly horrible bout of depression of late, but it made me smile to look down and see that someone wanted to give a stranger a little gift in the memory of this Ms. McCann. After perusing the blog, I am deeply touched by this family and their beautiful girl. I was blessed, moved, and in some small way healed by this kind act done in her memory. May that God bless you all, especially in your time of crisis--I will be sure to keep you all in my prayers in the coming weeks, and I have no doubt that your daughter is dancing and loving being in the presence of the Most High.

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  11. Hello there!

    My wife and I were recipients of an act of kindness. We were going to try to catch back up with the folks that gave us Sadie's card to give them something in return. Were not able to catch back up with these kind-hearted folks as they were most likely off for another act of kindness! These acts truly bring joy to others!......The next best thing we can do in return is communicate to Sadie's parents that the Bible PROMISES a hope of a resurrection to see our loved ones again (John 5:28, 29).

    http://www.jw.org/en/publications/books/bible-teach/real-hope-for-your-loved-ones-who-have-died/

    Thank you SO much for your act of kindness!

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  12. My wife and I received a random act of kindness at a gas station today. The food we were about to purchase was payed for by a very kind lady. We had just come home after been in a car accident that totaled our car and realized that we had nothing to eat for dinner.
    This was a big surprise on such an otherwise awful day.
    Thank you for your kindness.

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  13. My 2 friends and I were recipients of an act of kindness in Louisville, KY. The three of us a from Pittsburgh. The Penguins had a playoff game Friday, so we were wearing some Penguins shirts in Louisville Friday aafternoon. We were in the gift shop of the Louisville Slugger museum when 2 women in front of us told us they were from Sidney Crosby's hometown. They asked if we were in Louisville for the Kentucky Derby. We said yes. They told us they had tickets if we wanted them. We figured we could buy theirs for $50 and save ourselves from wasting time waiting in line at the track. They then told us the tickets were completely free for us and explained Sadie's story. Thank you so much! We have each told this story to all of our friends already.

    PS. I'm excited for you to upload our picture!

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    1. Hi Garrett - so glad you got to enjoy the Derby with your friends. Check out the Facebook page: www.facebook.com/friendsofsadiemccann
      Your photo is posted there! Go Penguins!

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  14. Thanks to the kind person in the Minivan at McDonald's in Louisville, Kentucky. It hit me like a ton of bricks. I have 2 grandsons that are 3 yrs. and another 6 mo. Kids are the world to me and I know your Sadie was very special and you cherished every moment. The one that is Sadie's age I have thought this before...that he lives life to the fullest almost as if he is carrying on the spirit of someone he never knew like Sadie. The act of kindness was more than something that made my day. It is one of those rare moments that can make you make the right changes or steps in your life and in turn this will help countless others.

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  15. Hi Sadie's parents! I was your waitress this morning at Bad Dog. Sorry again for tripping around Baxter so much. :-) Also thank you so much for the tip. I glanced at the card quickly and saw your beautiful daughter. Then I read it and burst into tears. I am a single mama to Vivienne, born Oct. 18 2013. I cannot even imagine losing her. I am so sorry for your loss of your sweet little girl! Reading about her, I keep crying again. What an incredible and incredibly painful journey you have all been on. Thank you for the tip. It will help me keep my little lady clothed and a roof over our heads. It means so, so much! And Vivienne was an owl for Halloween, too! This project is such a lovely tribute to Sadie. Thank you for turning such a terrible tragedy into something truly beautiful!

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  16. Dear McCann family:

    My 6 year old daughter received a random act of kindness today while she was at the playground. A little girl left her a package of twistable crayons and a sketch book secretly on the playground steps. We found Sadie's card inside the package of crayons. I was so touched by this. It was a perfect way to teach my daughter the purpose of random acts of kindness.
    Before my daughter went to bed, she wrote her own little note that she plans to leave for her pay it forward recipient. Not only did my daughter receive a message of kindness today, but I too am blessed my this giving act. Sometimes we all get consumed by the events of our day and let our upsets affect our mood. Being kind to others can change the energy of a moment and also make you count your blessings. My daughter can't wait to pay it forward!!! Thank you for sharing Sadie's story.

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  17. Big Dog Ranch Rescue in Wellington, Florida received $185 from a six year old girl named Meredith and some of her friends and family members. Meredith organized this generous donation in memory of Sadie. As a result, many people became aware of Aicardi Syndrome, Sadie and the legacy that lives on in the random acts of kindness that are being perpetuated in her memory. Here at Big Dog Ranch Rescue, we save the lives of dogs and puppies who would not have a chance to live without intervention and would just be euthanized if no one came to their aid. Many of the ones we take have severe medical problems that are expensive to treat. We are dedicated to healing their bodies and souls as they deserve to be loved and accepted just as they are and just as Sadie was. Please visit our Facebook page for some happy tales and tails. Thank you for allowing us to be part of this journey of giving back and paying forward in the name of Sophie. With deep appreciation and respect for your family from our family here at Big Dog Ranch Rescue.

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  20. My friend and I experienced a random act of kindness this weekend at a concert in Indianapolis. We were sitting on the lawn in the back of the amphitheater when a couple approached us. They shared Sadie's story and asked if wanted to accompany them for the rest of the concert, all the way in the front!! My friend and I are newly graduated occupational therapists, so we had some riveting conversation with the couple about Aicardi syndrome, Down syndrome, therapy, and of course, the phenomenal OneRepublic!
    Thanks again to the couple for sharing Sadie's story with us and for the kindness. It was amazing to learn about how many lives Sadie has touched.

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  21. This past Sunday, I was a recipient of a random act of kindness at my home parish in Salem, OR. On Friday, I will be leaving to serve as a lay missionary at an orphanage in Honduras called the Farm of the Child. I was answering questions and fundraising after Mass when a lady handed me Sadie's card and a donation. I was so touched and inspired by this gift of a story and the spread of random acts of kindness in Sadie's memory. I hope to spread Sadie's love and joy with the kids at the orphanage. PS. I also just graduated from ND (what a small world!). Praying for the McCann family.

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  22. I received a bouquet of flowers! Totally made my day! So sorry for the loss of little Sadie. My heartfelt sympathies to the family.
    Lynne from Manitoba Canada

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  23. Walking into work today, I never would have imagined that a silent, smiling guest would leave me a gift and an amazing story. The tip was so appreciated, and will help me as I travel to Germany in two weeks to start a new life, but even more important is this story.

    My own brother passed away five years ago, and, like Sadie's family, we haved tried to pay his love forward into the world through supporting the local music he so cherished. This story, Sadie's, touches me especially, and reminds me that it is not the number of years in your life, but the amount of life in your years. Thank you for the story, the gift, and the reinforced hope for a kind and giving world.

    I don't know how he knew I needed it, but this stranger and your project changed my life today. Thank you. I look forward to passing this act along and keep Sadie and her family in friends in my thoughts. <3

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  25. I was a blessed recipient of an act of kindness in Sadie's memory the other day. I received a beautiful bouquet of flowers and a thoughtful note. Thank you so much for brightening my day!

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  26. I'm honored to have been a recipient of an act of kindness honoring little Sadie. I was really humbled. Thank you so much.

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  28. A long term friend of mine and I stopped into Rockcreek Coffee House in Sauk Rapids, MN for coffee and nibbles. We were blessed with Sadie's Random Act of Kindness when we tried to pay our bill.

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