YORK, Pa. — Sometimes a simple act of kindness can go a long way.
In this case, it's led to an entire movement, reaching York County and beyond.
Earlier this year, on Good Friday, Kevin Smith, a York County resident went to the grocery store, got home, and realized he was missing his wallet.
A few moments later, a young woman appeared on his porch with Kevin’s wallet in hand.
Kevin thanked her profusely and asked for her name. She gave him her first name, "Brooke."
Smith says Brooke went the extra mile for him, and he wanted to do the same for her.
He contacted local media, who picked up the story. It soon spread nationwide.
That led Kevin on a mission, and a Facebook search to find his Good Samaritan, "Brooke," and make sure she knew how far her story had spread.
He also wanted to make sure she was properly thanked.
Kevin came across a Facebook profile with a photo that showed a girl and her dog—it turned out to be the Brooke he was looking for.
On Thursday, Brooke Dubbs was recognized at the launch event for Kevin's new nonprofit, Kindness Worldwide, which was inspired by his and Brooke's heartwarming story,
“This is just something I did, not even second nature, to return something that wasn’t mine," said Dubbs.
“What the story proves is no act of kindness is too small to change a life," said Smith. "My life has been profoundly changed by this one act of kindness.”
The mission of Kindness Worldwide is to create a culture of kindness in communities locally and beyond.
During Thursday's launch event, Kevin announced he and his wife were making a sizeable donation to the York County SPCA, an organization he and Brooke both support.
He also announced the establishment of a new fund with the York County Community Foundation named “Kindness Co-Tails.”
The GIANT Company contributed a $26,000 donation to the fund.
"Through a single act of kindness on Good Friday morning and events leading to today, it’s clear that Kindness pays—literally and figuratively," said Smith. "Kindness also compels us to pay it forward. In this instance, through the establishment of 'Kindness Co-Tails,' kindness pays forever."
Kindness Worldwide will kick off its first initiative Saturday with the start of Kindness Week.
“I’m hopeful that many will embrace it from the standpoint of being more giving, perhaps donating blood, but just doing the little things," said Smith.
The City of York, as well as Adams and York Counties already recognize the week.
At Thursday's launch, a representative from Governor Josh Shapiro's office read a proclamation, recognizing Kindness Week in Pennsylvania.
Smith wants it to spread even farther.
“What we’re hoping what can be achieved here is lets shower the world with kindness and we need it now more than ever," he said.
Other organizations, businesses, counties, and states are all invited to participate in the initiative.
York City Police will give out “Kindness Citations." The first one was given to Brooke on Thursday, in recognition of the act of kindness she committed.
Give Local York is getting in on Kindness Week too, launching GLY365.
It's a new way to donate all year long.
“We see millions of dollars being donated, we see people connecting with nonprofit organizations and so we wanted to take that spirit, that fun that exists one day a year and make it available 365 days a year," said Meagan Given, executive director of the White Rose Leadership Institute, which runs Give Local York.
Starting during Kindness Week, donations made through GLY365 will support the Give Local York 2024 Stretch Pool. 26% of all donations will be applied to the “Kindness Co-Tails" fund.
When Give Local York registration opens on Nov. 20, nonprofits will be able to create a GLY365 profile, allowing people to donate directly to a nonprofit of their choosing.
“[I] left my wallet behind but I found something much more valuable, I found my purpose," said Smith.
He says that purpose is to encourage others to see the good, be the good, and go the extra mile to be kind.
“I’m more than blessed he’s been in my life after [Good Friday] and I’m grateful I returned someone’s wallet like Kevin's," added Dubs.
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