Ana Márquez-Greene

Our seventh random act of kindness for the victims of the Sandy Hook tragedy was made in the memory of Ana Márquez-Greene, age 6, who was scheduled to see a heart specialist in Boston at the Children's Hospital. Her love of music and dance, hugs, dessert, and breakfast is remembered fondly by those who knew her. For Christmas, Ana's mother bought her a Kindle Fire, but she would never open it.

In Ana's memory, we donated a Kindle Fire to the Boston Children's Hospital, for a patient in the cardiac ward. It is our hope that this donation helps touch the life of a child who has many long and tiring hospital visits in their future, and that Ana's spirit of joy lives on in their ability to find comfort during their struggle.

This donation was made possible in part by the generosity of the Brushwyler family, who lost their daughter Emily at only 10 days old due to a heart defect. We wish to extend our sincere thanks to the Brushwylers for helping to honor another child's memory through the unimaginable loss of their own.

Emily Brushwyler

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Catherine Hubbard

Our sixth random act of kindness for the victims of the Sandy Hook tragedy was made in the memory of Catherine Hubbard, age 6, who was known for her love of animals and her constant smile. Catherine loved riding horses, and her family pets all stayed in her room. From the time she could speak, before she could even form a complete sentence, she asked Santa for two fish for Christmas.

Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo is celebrating its 90th birthday and is offering the sale of commemorative bricks. The purchase of each brick helps to sponsor future projects and improvements to the zoo, which is enjoyed by many children and families. The brick will be placed in the "Wild Wall" being constructed to honor all sponsors.

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Allison Wyatt

Our fifth random act of kindness for the victims of the Sandy Hook tragedy is in honor of Allison Wyatt, age 6, who enjoyed gardening with her mother. Allison loved playing outside and was known for her sense of humor, often making her parents laugh until they cried. Ironically, her parents also recall that she was fond of performing her own random acts of kindness, including giving her snack to a stranger on a plane.

In Allison's memory, we are donating $50.00 to the Connecticut Community Gardens Association, an organization that helps build communities and secure land use for gardening in Connecticut.

The funds used to sponsor this random act of kindness were generously gifted by our own Leah, who is probably best known by you for her excellent work stamping our beautiful pendants. (It's also her birthday today!) Thank you, Leah, for helping us continue to promote this amazing project, and for helping to keep Allison's spirit alive. It is especially fitting that Leah should contribute to this kind act, as Allison was known for her spontaneous generosity.

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Josephine Gay

Our fourth random act of kindness for the victims of the Sandy Hook tragedy is in honor of Josephine Gay, age 7, who was known for setting up a lemonade stand in her neighborhood every summer. She also enjoyed riding her bike down the street. Josephine's favorite color was purple.

In Josephine's memory, we are donating $50.00 to Alex's Lemonade Stand, an organization created in memory of Alex Scott, a young girl who passed away at the age of 8 and who had fundraised for childhood cancer by setting up her own lemonade stands.

A $50.00 donation funds one full hour of research for childhood cancer.

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Rachel D'Avino

Our third random act of kindness for the victims of the Sandy Hook tragedy is in honor of Rachel D’Avino, 29, whose passions were animals and helping children on the autism spectrum. Having struggled with learning disabilities in childhood, she overcame her personal struggles and went on to earn advanced degrees, determined to use her own experiences to help others. As a behavioral therapist, Rachel dedicated her life to education and advocacy. In her private life, her beloved dog meant the world to her.

In Rachel’s memory, we are donating $100.00 to ASDA, Autism Service Dogs of America. ASDA’s website states: “Our mission at Autism Service Dogs of America (ASDA) is to make a positive impact on the lives of children living with autism—and their families—by providing exceptionally well trained service dogs.”

  

$100.00 buys a graduating dog’s pack, leash and collar. One dog who graduates the intensive training program and goes home with a child with autism will have his or her equipment purchased in memory of Rachel.

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Lauren Rousseau

Our second random act of kindness for the victims of the Sandy Hook tragedy is in honor of thirty year old Lauren Rousseau. Lauren had a passion for education and had accepted a job as a building sub, which meant she filled in wherever necessary throughout the day at the school. On the evening of December 14, Lauren and her boyfriend planned to go see The Hobbit in theaters- she had made and decorated special cupcakes just for their date.

Lauren and her boyfriend were unfortunately never able to see The Hobbit, but in her memory, we are sponsoring another couple's viewing. A randomly chosen couple who attends the evening showing of The Hobbit will receive this letter with their tickets:

The cinema manager also generously gave popcorn to Cathy and Matthew. No act is too big or too small... Let the kindness continue!

 

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Dylan Hockley

Our first random act of kindness for the victims of the Sandy Hook tragedy is in honor of six year old Dylan Hockley. Dylan loved plain spaghetti and garlic bread, trampolines, and the color purple.

To commemorate Dylan's love of spaghetti and garlic bread, a randomly chosen guest who eats a meal at Olive Garden today will be treated to a meal and instead of a bill, will receive this note:

A local Olive Garden also matched our contribution and offered $50 total in gift certificates and two free children's meals coupons, which will also be presented in Dylan's memory.

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