ATLANTA — Wednesday marks World Kindness Day, observed every November 13 as part of a movement to spread kindness, acts of charity and volunteerism around the globe.
The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation describes World Kindness Day as a "global reminder of how small acts of kindness can create a ripple effect that strengthens our connections to one another."
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According to the group Save the Children, the day traces its origins back to 1998, when World Kindness Day was conceived of by the World Kindness Movement.
To mark World Kindness Day, here are five stories from Georgia highlighting acts of kindness that 11Alive has reported in the past couple years:
World Kindness Day | 5 stories of kindness from Georgia
- Planting seeds of kindness: 'Guerrilla gardener' transforms Atlanta | Melly Meadows, known to many as Daffodil Lady, began planting secret "guerrilla gardens" three years ago. "You sneak in, you plant the flowers, and nobody knows you're there," she said."I am not always around when they see it, I just go to sleep at night happy knowing that it made someone happy."
- After son is teased for love of Mickey Mouse, this Gwinnett County mom started a movement | Second grader Conrad Hamric loves Mickey Mouse, and wore a Mickey short to the first day of school. After he got picked on for being "too old" for Mickey, his mom, teachers, other students and community members came together to coordinate a whole day where everyone wore their favorite Mickey shirt in solidarity.
- 'By the grace of God I was there to help': Georgia UPS driver hailed a hero after saving a woman's life during his delivery route | A Georgia UPS driver sprung into action after he noticed a woman passed out in her driveway while on his route. Raheem Cooper did not hesitate to call 911, check to see if anyone was home, and assist the woman as best as he could after seeing her lying in the driveway. Cooper left his name and number with the family, thinking that was the end of the road for him, but the community stepped in.
- After saving life of 3-year-old burned by father, troopers bring toys and support as he leaves hospital | The Georgia State Patrol troopers who saved Bennet Dornellas' life -- his guardian angels -- brought him toys and escorted him back home after he was released from the hospital following severe burns when his father allegedly kidnapped him and doused him with gasoline, and lit the car on fire.
- 'Hope met me': How a years-long friendship turned into a mission to save a friend's heart | Adam Gates and Tim Simmons have texted every day for years. Gates was working for a catering company and Simmons was experiencing homelessness when they first met through a fence. He asked Gates for something to eat. That encounter was the start of a special connection -- Simmons needed a heart transplant, and because of his history of addiction, he needed to raise $5,000 to ensure he could care for his new heart. Gates raised $5,000 for Simmons and secured post-transplant care for his friend.
