An act of kindness can create a ripple.
We get inspired to pay it forward when we are at the receiving end of any simple act of kindness. It sparks that hopeful feeling that we can make someone’s day no matter how small. That’s how it creates a ripple, and we could only hope it goes further.
In one close community in Richmond, Indiana, a tragedy sparked a domino effect of kindness.
Police officer Seara Burton was shot on August 10 while in the line of duty, just days before her wedding. She was in the hospital for more than a month until, after 39 days, she passed away.
Officer Burton was well-loved by her community, and her death brought so much grief to them.
Nobody could even imagine that something good would come out of the incident. It was a tragedy – what good could it bring? But just as people thought it was a tragic event, the community around Officer Burton showed there would always be light in the dark.
It happened when a stranger walked into the police department and handed over a white envelope.
Information clerk Charlotte Jones received it from a man who seemed homeless. She checked the envelope, and inside it was eight crumpled $1 bills that were meant for Officer Burton’s family. On the envelope, a note read, “People from the street.”
“I told him, ‘This is like the most amazing gift that we have gotten,'” Charlotte said.
She gave the man a hug which he willingly accepted. But the homeless man told her that he and the rest of them didn’t want any other recognition. He didn’t leave a name—all he said was that Officer Burton was kind to those who were homeless.
This selfless act touched the hearts of the police department and the entire community.
“They gave that knowing they don’t know if they’re going to have another dollar tomorrow,” Richmond Police Department Lt. Donnie Benedict told CBS News in an interview.
During Officer Burton’s service, they presented that $8 donation on a frame.
But if you’re going to look closely and count the bills, there were actually nine of them. It turned out that the artist who framed it chimed in $1. And that’s how the ripple effect started.
Since then, people have been sending donations to homeless people in Richmond.
Blankets, clothing, water, and tents – all sorts of goods that homeless people need. All these were sparked because a group of people was selfless enough to give what could have been all they had in honor of the officer who showed them that same amount of kindness.
Officer Burton’s stepmom, Officer Ami Miller, said this was no surprise.
She said that Officer Burton always had that kindness in her heart and hoped that this was the legacy that her stepdaughter would leave, a legacy that she hoped people wouldn’t forget.
And for Lt. Benedict, what this story has is a ray of hope for humankind.
He said that he is hopeful since there are people in this world who are willing to give “everything.” This includes both police officers and the community members they serve and protect.
Watch the video below to see more about this bittersweet story!
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