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Acts of kindness and charity have the power to change lives and shine a light on a world that can sometimes feel overshadowed. While World Kindness Day is still some time away (November 13), it’s always a great opportunity to honor the quiet heroes who make a difference every day.
Over and over, everyday people step up to help one another. The selfless individuals on this list have made extraordinary sacrifices to aid others—whether through offering time, money, food, clothing, or shelter. They may not be wealthy or famous, but they still went above and beyond to assist those in need.
10. Phil Packer’s Marathon
In 2008, British soldier Phil Packer was injured in Basra, Iraq, during a rocket attack. Doctors told him that he would never walk again due to his spinal cord injury. However, Major Packer’s unwavering determination proved them wrong. Through a series of grueling training sessions, lasting up to six hours a day, the military man prepared himself for the London Marathon.
After taking around 50,000 steps and covering more than 42 kilometers (26 miles), Packer successfully crossed the finish line. Doctors had advised him to limit his walking to a mere 3 kilometers (2 miles) per day. Using only crutches and sheer determination, it took him nearly two weeks to finish the marathon. The demanding training sessions had taken their toll, though, with Packer dealing with back issues even before starting the race.
Nevertheless, all his efforts paid off. Packer raised an incredible £637,000 for Help For Heroes, a charity supporting wounded servicemen and military veterans.
But his charitable work didn’t stop there. That same year, Packer scaled El Capitan (also known as The Chief) in Yosemite National Park. The granite rock formation rises approximately 900 meters (3,000 feet) from base to summit.
In 2010, Packer completed another London Marathon and also took on the National Three Peaks Challenge to raise funds for the telethon show Sport Relief. He went on to establish his own charity, BRIT, to support struggling youth. In 2015, this extraordinary man completed the London Marathon once again, finishing in just 14 hours.
9. The 14 Cows
In the wake of the devastating events of 9/11, a tribe in Kenya sought to show their solidarity with the United States and its people. The Masai tribe decided to donate one of their most valued resources—cows. These sacred animals are crucial to the tribe’s way of life, providing milk, materials for clothing, and even being used in the waterproofing of their homes with their dung.
In 2002, the tribal elders came together to bless 14 cows. As they danced around the bewildered animals, they held signs that read, 'To the people of America, we give these cows to help you.' The herd was then entrusted to William Brancick, the former US embassy deputy head in Kenya.
This act was a profound expression of kindness. The Masai, who are unfamiliar with the large cities or towering buildings of North America, offered one of their most treasured possessions as a gift.
Unfortunately, due to logistical challenges, the cows were unable to make their way to America. After several years of deliberation, US diplomats opted to leave the cows in Kenya and instead create a scholarship program. The descendants of the cows funded 14 high school scholarships for local tribespeople, and the program continues to benefit individuals to this day.
8. Hairdresser To The Homeless
Mark Bustos is not only a renowned hairdresser to the stars, but he also dedicates his time to helping the homeless. Bustos works at Three Squares Studio, one of the most luxurious salons in New York City. The upscale establishment is known for its celebrity clientele, including Naomi Campbell, Chris Evans, and Aaron Paul.
On Sundays, this self-described 'humanit-HAIR-rian' can often be found offering free haircuts to the homeless in Union Square. He has also traveled around San Diego, seeking out people in need of help.
His Instagram is filled with 'before and after' haircut photos and touching stories of the many homeless individuals he has helped. One such photo features a Texas man named Shane, also known as Frankenstein. Shane had fallen on hard times after relocating to San Diego in search of work. Bustos first encountered him while he was writing a message on a piece of cardboard:
Just a few moments after I exited off of the freeway, Shane was right there, with a sign that had one word on it—one word that we all don’t ever want to feel... but know the feeling very well. One word that far too many human beings and living creatures die from every single day. His sign simply said, “HUNGRY.”
Bustos takes great pride in helping to restore the confidence of those who are down on their luck. Many of his clients have been able to rebuild their lives and secure employment. He recalls one homeless man’s response to receiving a free haircut: 'Do you know somebody who is hiring? I’m ready to get a job.'
The entrepreneur shares another story about a man named Joe, whom he met in Union Square. Joe was seeking shelter from the elements when Bustos offered him a fresh, stylish haircut. Years later, they were reunited under much happier circumstances:
“This year, I visited the Harlem YMCA to provide haircuts for the men living there. Coincidentally, Joe was first in line for his haircut and was in a bit of a rush because he didn’t want to be late for work.”
7. Le Book Humanitaire
Winning the Quebecois lottery completely changed Rachel Lapierre’s life. While many would use their newfound wealth for personal gain, Rachel had a more selfless vision. Upon learning of her lottery win, she left her full-time job as a nurse to pursue her philanthropic passions. With a guaranteed income of 1,000 Canadian dollars ($780 USD) per week for life, Lapierre, a former beauty queen, decided to use the funds to establish her own nonprofit foundation.
However, the success of the nonprofit isn’t measured solely by material wealth. Time and effort from volunteers are just as crucial. As Lapierre puts it: 'It’s not only about material things. You might end up driving a cancer patient to a doctor’s appointment.'
Founded in 2013, Lapierre’s nonprofit has spent approximately $70,000 on its operations and has mobilized thousands of volunteers. The organization dedicates much of its resources to improving schools, hospitals, and helping underprivileged communities.
6. The Walking Man
James Robertson went above and beyond to ensure he remained employed. The Detroit resident walked an incredible 34 kilometers (21 miles) every day to commute to and from work. No matter the weather—rain, snow, cold, wind, or sunshine—James was always ready and never missed a day of work.
James first garnered public attention when the Detroit Free Press featured his story. The article introduced readers to the 'Walking Man.' James would rise early each morning to begin his journey, which included a short bus ride, taking about five hours in total. He would make this arduous trek for nearly a decade.
Despite the hardship, James maintained a positive attitude. During his evening shifts, he worked an injection-molding machine at Schain Mold & Engineering. He loved his job, appreciated his coworkers and boss, and never complained about getting only two to three hours of sleep each night.
After hearing about James’s incredible work ethic, a local student named Evan Leedy launched a GoFundMe campaign to help ease his grueling commute. The original goal of $25,000 was quickly surpassed. In just one week, over 13,000 people donated $350,000. At that point, James, not wanting to be greedy, requested the campaign be closed early.
James was also supported by Blake Pollock, a bank vice president. The two first crossed paths when Pollock saw the factory worker trudging through the snow one morning on his way to work. Pollock frequently stopped to offer James a ride. He helped James choose a new car (a Ford Taurus) and assisted with arranging his new living situation. Pollock then requested his colleagues to establish a trust account for the GoFundMe donations.
In the end, the Suburban Ford of Sterling Heights dealership generously gave James his Ford vehicle for free.
The entire situation also shed light on the shortcomings of Detroit’s public transportation system. Thanks to the attention brought by the media, improvements were made to the city’s transport links, benefitting other Detroit residents.
5. No Good Deed Goes Unrewarded
When a homeless man gave his last $20 to a woman stranded on the highway, he could never have expected the incredible outcome.
Kate McClure found herself stuck on Philadelphia’s Interstate 95 after running out of gas. Seeing McClure in distress and without any money, Johnny Bobbitt Jr. offered to get gas from a nearby station. The kindhearted man walked 3 kilometers (2 miles) to buy fuel with his last $20. McClure later shared that Bobbitt’s selflessness was completely unexpected.
Bobbitt, a Marine veteran and aspiring paramedic, became homeless in 2016 after a job opportunity fell through. He eventually faced financial troubles, had some minor legal issues, and began using drugs.
McClure, determined to repay Bobbitt, returned to I-95 multiple times in search of him. She also gave him winter clothes, water, and extra money for food. Wanting to ensure her hero didn’t suffer in the cold, McClure set up a GoFundMe campaign to share their story.
The donations poured in quickly, far surpassing the initial $10,000 goal. With over 14,000 contributions, Kate’s campaign ended up raising more than $400,000. Some of the funds helped provide Bobbitt with housing, while the rest was placed in a series of trusts, managed by a financial advisor, as Bobbitt looked for new employment.
McClure’s “pay it forward” attitude is already making a difference, as Bobbitt has chosen to donate part of his newfound wealth to another homeless individual.
4. Paralyzed Man Chooses to Help Instead of Walk
In 2009, Daniel Black was severely injured in a cycling accident. A motorist struck his bicycle, leaving him paralyzed. For years, he relied on his mother for constant care, forcing her to quit her job to support him.
Over time, a family friend managed to raise thousands of pounds to fund Dan’s surgery, with hopes that stem cell therapy would one day help him regain the ability to walk.
However, Dan’s perspective changed when he learned about a young boy named Brecon Vaughan. At five years old, Brecon suffers from spastic diplegia cerebral palsy, a condition marked by stiff, uncoordinated muscles, particularly in the legs, due to brain damage or abnormal development in the motor function region.
When the community began raising funds for young Brecon, Black felt moved to donate a portion of his savings. He gave £20,000 towards Brecon's surgery, contributing about a third of the total goal.
Eventually, Brecon traveled to the United States to undergo his surgery. He now walks unaided and has the freedom to attend school. Meanwhile, Daniel’s selflessness was recognized at the 2013 Pride of Britain Award. Remarkably, the modest man didn’t see his donation as extraordinary:
“I don’t think I deserve an award because, for me, it wasn’t a big deal. If more people did good things like this, it wouldn’t be such a notable act.”
3. Hailey’s Harvest
At just five years old, while most kids are immersed in video games or pestering their parents for sweets, Hailey Fort from Washington stood out. She noticed a homeless man and decided she wanted to do everything she could to help.
“This is Billy Ray. I’ve known him for three years. He was the first person I gave food to from my garden. He’s a double amputee due to his military service. He’s been homeless on and off for eight years—that’s my entire life. He’s really nice.”
Hailey’s page is filled with stories of her ‘Donation Days.’ She would set targets for how much food she could gather before donating it to the homeless. As winter approached, Hailey and her mother encouraged locals in Kitsap County to donate warm clothing and sleeping bags. They would then pack their van with coats, mittens, toiletries, water, and snacks, and hand them out to those in need.
Many of Hailey’s homeless friends were veterans. Upon discovering that 40 percent of the homeless men had served in the military, Hailey made it a point to observe Veterans Day in their honor.
In 2015, Hailey made national headlines. After reading an NPR article about homelessness, she vowed to build a dozen homeless shelters. A GoFundMe campaign was created to fund this ambitious project, raising over $60,000.
With wooden pallets donated by Lowe's, Hailey set to work. Her first mobile shelter came complete with a door, windows, curtains, insulated walls, vinyl flooring, roof tiles, and drip rails. Hailey crafted every part of the shelter under the guidance of her grandfather, a contractor. Together, they coordinated with the Housing and Homelessness Program to find the perfect spot for the tiny home.
Hailey still continues her work, producing hundreds of pounds of food for the homeless. Her garden has grown immensely since then, now four times its original size.
2. Stephen’s Story
At just 15, Stephen Sutton received devastating news from doctors: he had incurable bowel cancer. In 2013, with less than a year to live, Stephen created a ‘bucket list’ of things he wanted to do before his time was up. He started Stephen’s Story, his personal blog, where he shared his list of 46 aspirations.
Stephen achieved remarkable feats, such as playing drums at London’s Wembley Stadium before thousands of football fans. He also performed a tandem skydive, crowd-surfed in a rubber dinghy at the Slam Dunk Festival, visited CERN, hugged an elephant, organized a charity soccer match, and joined a flash mob. The list of his adventures continues.
The most notable achievement on Stephen’s bucket list would bring him widespread attention. He set a goal to raise £10,000 for the Teenage Cancer Trust. Using his deep understanding of social media, the straight-A student promoted his cause far and wide. His goal was quickly exceeded, and with the support of a few celebrities, Stephen raised an astonishing £3.2 million.
Stephen passed away in 2014. His mother, Jane Sutton, received her son's MBE (Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) on his behalf. She continues his legacy by raising funds for the Teenage Cancer Trust. Jane completed the 2015 London Marathon and played a significant role in the release of a charity single titled “Hope Ain’t a Bad Thing.”
1. Cassie Swirls
Armed with an array of acrylic paints and glitter, a five-year-old girl is on a mission to assist those in need.
Cassandra Gee, also known as Cassie Swirls, began painting at the age of three. Her mother, Linda, who painted as a hobby, gave her daughter some paints and a canvas to keep her occupied. To Linda's amazement, Cassie’s work was far beyond expectations: 'Oh, my God. That’s better than mine.'
While most kids might have kept the money for themselves, Cassie chose to auction her paintings and donate the funds to a range of charitable organizations. Notable recipients include the Royal Society for the Blind, the Trailblazer Foundation, and Cancer Council Australia.
In March 2017, Cassie launched the 'Got A Pen?' campaign, providing coloring pens and pencil cases to children in need. The next month, she committed to donating $40 every month to the Bodhicitta Foundation, an organization focused on protecting vulnerable women and children across India. Additionally, Cassie made donations of $100 each to a children's hospital and a conservation charity for giant pandas.
