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Texas 5th-grader in “race of kindness” to get 100,000 meals to the hungry before Thanksgiving

4 min read

Good Stuff
Texas 5th-grader in “race of kindness” to get 100,000 meals to the hungry before Thanksgiving
Source: CBS/MSN

10-year-old Orion Jean—the 2020 National Kindness Speech Contest Winner—is on a mission to donate 100,000 meals to people in need in time for the Thanksgiving celebrations.

“I’m asking everyone to join me in a race to kindness,”

North Texas 5th-grader Orion Jean is on a mission. The goal of this young but determined public champion: donating 100,000 meals to those in need by Thanksgiving. “I’m asking everyone to join me in a Race to Kindness,” 10-yo Jean told CBS. “This has been a rough year for everybody, and now it’s more important than ever to show support and love to anyone who needs it.”

“We’ve heard about the families hurting from this pandemic; the communities suffering injustice, and the people being OVER virtual learning… We could really use a big hug right now. And that’s just it. Kindness is like spreading hugs around the world to those who need it and those who might not even know they need it.”
“The difficult situations impacting our world has shown us that kindness is more important now than ever before,” said Orion. “We’ve heard about the families hurting from this pandemic; the communities suffering injustice, and the people being OVER virtual learning… We could really use a big hug right now. And that’s just it. Kindness is like spreading hugs around the world to those who need it and those who might not even know they need it.” Source: KCEN-TV

Orion began collecting donations last month and has already received thousands of meals

Earlier this year, Chisholm Ridge Elementary student Orion Jean collected and donated hundreds of toys to hospitalised children in Dallas through his Race to 500 Toys drive. Now, he’s started another drive with the goal of donating thousands of meals to people in need by Thanksgiving.

In addition to the work Orion is doing on his own, the Race to 100,000 Meals food drive has been accepting food donations from the public on certain dates. 

Those making donations are asked to bring packed meals containing:

  • 1 bottle of water
  • 2 tangerines or 1 apple in a zipped sandwich bag
  • 1 applesauce cup or tuna pouch
  • 1 packaged granola bar. 

The contents should be inside a brown paper bag with a positive message written on it.

Orion began collecting donations last month and has already received thousands of meals.

During the summer, Orion won the Think Kindness National Speech contest, where he urged others to show compassion through action (see below for speech). As champion, Orion was given $500 to start his own kindness project where he went on to collect toys for hospitalised children.

Race to 100,000 Meals has a website and Instagram page.

Source: CBS-DFW/MSN

Those making donations are asked to bring packed meals containing 1 bottle of water, 2 tangerines or 1 apple in a zipped sandwich bag, 1 applesauce cup or tuna pouch, and 1 packaged granola bar. The contents should be inside a brown paper bag with a positive message written on it.
Bags of Love & Kindness: Those making donations are asked to bring packed meals containing 1 bottle of water, 2 tangerines or 1 apple in a zipped sandwich bag, 1 applesauce cup or tuna pouch, and 1 packaged granola bar. The contents should be inside a brown paper bag with a positive message written on it. Source: Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD/CBS DallasFW
“You can go out and do something kind for somebody today for free,” Jean said. “It doesn’t cost any money and it’s probably going to make someone’s life a whole lot easier and a whole lot better. Why not go and do it right now?”
Orion and his family drop off more than 600 toys for Children’s Health Dallas. “You can go out and do something kind for somebody today for free,” Jean said. “It doesn’t cost any money and it’s probably going to make someone’s life a whole lot easier and a whole lot better. Why not go and do it right now?” Source: Kherri Jean/NBCDFW
He said it was made possible through a team effort and a grand prize he won for, once again, being kind. Source: Kherri Jean/NBCDFW
The goal was to donate 500 toys. People heard Orion's story and he donated 619 toys.
Orion also decided to do an event where people donated new toys for the Children’s Health Hospital in Dallas. The goal was to donate 500 toys. People heard Orion’s story and he donated 619 toys. Source: TheBuzz
My name is Orion Jean. I am 10 years old and in the 5th grade. I enjoy reading, listening to music and playing with my little brother. In July 2020, I was selected as the National Kindness Speech Contest Winner. Upon winning, I decided I wanted to create my own
Orion says “I know that we can change this world just by being kind!” My name is Orion Jean. I am 10 years old and in the 5th grade. I enjoy reading, listening to music and playing with my little brother. In July 2020, I was selected as the National Kindness Speech Contest Winner. Upon winning, I decided I wanted to create my own “Race to Kindness” events to help spread kindness around the world. I know that we can change this world just by being kind! So, please join me in the “Race to Kindness!” — I’ll be the first one to cheer you on! Source: RaceToKindness.com
Kindness Can Change a Nation: Kindness Speech By 9-Year-Old Hi, I’m Orion Jean and this is my submission for the ‘Kindness Can Change a Nation - National Kindness Speech Contest’, Presented By Think Kindness & Top Youth Speakers. Source: YouTube/McDonald Jean
Make an Impact

WILL YOU JOIN ORION IN THE RACE TO KINDNESS? EVERYBODY WINS!

“I have already seen how kindness can change a nation. Whether it is a wave to a stranger, saying a kind word to others or even offering to pay for someone's meal, every gesture can go a long way in helping to brighten someone else's day. <br /> Join me in the ‘Race to Kindness,’ the best part is, ‘Everybody Wins!’” — Orion Jean