Jason Wright is the vehicle to an inspiring movement that’s all about giving back and spreading kindness.
It’s called the Kindness Card Movement, and it all started with a simple yet profound gesture.
Jason has been on this incredible journey, along with all those who have contributed, and this collective story is nothing short of heartwarming.
Jason grew up in a family where giving was second nature.
However, it didn’t come as easily to him until about two years ago when he spoke at Fairviews Church in Steven City, Virginia. After his talk, he received an unexpected gift—a leather wallet filled with almost $400 in gift cards.
The congregation encouraged him to use these cards to help those in need during his travels. And that’s exactly what he did.
From fast food chains to drug stores, Jason handed out these cards to people who could use a little help, and his posts on social media caught fire.
“You can be that one person that saves someone.”
Soon enough, people started sending him money through Venmo and PayPal, wanting to be a part of this wave of kindness.
Jason became the vehicle for this generosity, distributing gift cards across 28 states. But what makes this movement truly special isn’t just the act of giving; it’s the conversations that come with it.
Jason doesn’t just hand out a card and walk away. He takes the time to listen to people’s stories, to look them in the eye, and to let them know they are seen.
It’s this human connection that makes all the difference.
“Connecting costs nothing; to be nice is free.”
Now, let’s get real here, folks.
The Kindness Card Movement isn’t going to solve world hunger.
Jason himself admits to that.
“I don’t want anyone to think we’re solving world hunger here.”
But what it does is give someone a bit of hope, a bridge to get through another day.
Sometimes, all a person needs is a meal or a kind word to keep going. It’s about making someone feel valued and heard, even if just for a moment.
And honestly, isn’t that something we all can do?
So how can we incorporate a bit of this kindness into our own lives?
It’s simpler than you might think.
You can contribute to this movement monetarily if you have the means.
Or, simply take a moment to genuinely ask someone how they’re doing and then wait for their answer. Listen. Truly listen. And empathize. Then respond with compassion.
All this costs you nothing.
We all have the power to make someone’s day a little brighter. Let’s use it and collectively change the world!
TRANSCRIPT OF VIDEO ABOVE
Now to the inspiring Cool To Be Kind mission, spreading hope and compassion to people in need across the country.
Now, what started out from his own pocket has grown to hundreds of people online contributing to the cause. Here to tell us all about the Kindness Card Movement is founder Jason Wright. Good to see you. Let’s give him a round of applause just for being here in our studio. So this was some generosity that you’ve been doing for years, though. But what it was about two years ago that you spoke to a congregation. You got an unexpected gift. Tell us how we got to where we are today.
Yeah, really unexpected. I grew up in a home where giving and giving the ride to someone, loaning a few dollars to someone, giving money to somebody on a corner was a natural thing for my family, for my parents to do. Not as easy for me growing up as it was for them. Then I speak in this church, Fairviews Church. I got out to them in Steven City, Virginia. At the end of my remarks, they hand me this leather wallet, and I’ve gotten a lot of thank you gifts. I’ve never gotten one that made me weep. I wept in front of their congregation as I found almost $400 in gift cards, the fast food restaurants, drug stores, things like that. They Look, here’s what we want you to do. Take this on the road with you in your travels. As you travel and do speaking engagements in schools, businesses, whatever, around the country, take this wallet. And when you see someone a little hungry, give them a meal. Maybe hear a little bit about their story and how they ended up in that situation. Well, the wallet emptied pretty quickly. I’ve given cards away, I think, in 28 states now from here to California.
And when the wallet emptied and I was posting stories on social media, people then began to Venmo me money and PayPal me money. I’m the vehicle for your kindness and for people around the country that have given me these cards.
You describe the Kindness Card Movement as a bridge of hope to the next day and not a mission that’s going to solve major issues. But it’s also a heavy mission that you carry. These are not light conversations that you have with people.
No, these are often… In fact, the most meaningful conversations I’ve had over the last couple of years have been with strangers on street corners who are going through the hardest thing that any of us can ever I imagine. I often tell them, and I’m glad you asked this question, I don’t want anyone to think we’re solving world hunger here. That’s not the point. These are serious issues that lead to homelessness across the country. What we’re doing is giving somebody one more day because often People are at the end of the road. I’ve talked to people who said, If I don’t eat today, I might just give up. I just need a meal or a conversation or for someone to ask even what their name is. Many people have told me they never have a conversation where anyone even looks him in the eye and says, I see you.
And you can be that one person that saved someone. I love that you said that. And speaking of that, how can we incorporate kindness into our own lives?
Great question. There might be someone watching that says, I’d like to give a card away. Like, I’d like to give five bucks to the person with the sign at the corner of the intersection, but maybe they feel a little bit uncomfortable. I get that. What you can do is just look at people, see people, ask people how they’re doing. Like, genuinely ask someone, How are you doing today? And then wait. So often When we have these interactions where it’s good morning and we take off, how about saying, Good morning, how are you? And then waiting, How are you? How are you, by the way?
Chaotic today. Thank you for the truth.
But in a good way, she’s just going through some You’ve told me the truth.
I don’t want to lie.
I can handle the truth.
I love your honesty there.
No, but it’s so true, and it’s something that all of us can do. It doesn’t cost us any money.
It cost you nothing to be nice. Jason Wright, thank you very much. We appreciate it. And thanks for being here and reminding us that we should all be kind.
A joy to be here.
Of course.
Kurt Francom
Guest Author
