Kindness is free

Anyone who knew him would tell you Henry “Hank” Furman was one of the greatest people they’d ever met. He was genuine, caring, compassionate, kind, and so much more. 

When Hank passed in 2021, his son Bill Furman wanted to recognize and honor his dad’s legacy in a manner that paid fitting tribute to the impact he’d made on the world.

A serendipitous event involving one local business and the idea of paying it forward was the catalyst for what would become Random Acts of Kindness Day, which, thanks to Bill’s efforts, now happens on March 6, Hank’s birthday. 

“This initiative not only keeps me connected to my dad, but it also has inspired countless other people to make meaningful connections to those they come in contact with every day,” Bill says.

The idea behind Random Acts of Kindness Day has resonated so loudly with area communities, many have created or are in the process of creating proclamations to recognize it.

Churches, chambers of commerce and numerous others have also embraced the idea, and the best part is, it doesn’t have to cost a dime. “An act of kindness can be as simple as holding the door for someone or sharing a smile,” Bill suggests. 

Bill says the Random Acts of Kindness idea is perfect for teachers to introduce as part of their classroom curriculum. “As a lesson plan, students can perform random acts of kindness and then talk about the results with their classmates,” he notes. 

Other ways to be kind include tipping a little extra or buying a cup of coffee for a stranger. “Being kind is habit-forming, and in a time when tensions can run high for a number of different reasons, leaning into giving back seems like an easy solution,” he says. 



As word of Random Acts of Kindness Day continues to spread, Bill has been invited to speak on the topic at a number of different venues, and he’s happy to come to yours. Simply contact him at the email address or phone number below, and he’ll bring some kindness to your corner of the world. 

To reach Bill Furman of Random Acts of Kindness Northeast Ohio, call 440-221-9279 or email him at bof3820@gmail.com. You can find Random Acts of Kindness Northeast Ohio on Facebook under the same name.