Cool to be kind: How thoughtful deeds have shaped our team

In 1998, the World Kindness Movement—initiated by an international group of non-governmental organizations focused on spreading good will across the world—acknowledged the first World Kindness Day, now celebrated annually on November 13.

Meant to call attention to all the ways we can spread care and love to those in need throughout our communities, the day is now observed in multiple countries and reminds all of us of the real impact a random act of kindness can have on our neighbors—and each other.

These acts have stayed with some of us throughout our lives and have influenced the way we think about the world, raise our children, or assist our communities. For others, recent experiences are still fresh in our minds and hearts, and are helping us to make an impact in the lives of friends and strangers alike. Kindness can make a difference, and at The Martin Group, we believe in making this difference whenever we can.

In honor of this year’s World Kindness Day, our team is taking some time to reflect on specific instances of kindness that have impacted on our lives, and how a simple act has affected the way we live every day—and take care of each other.

Here you go:   

Steve Soroka, Project Director

I have a very distinct memory from when I was 10 or 11 years old. I was out on a bike ride with my dad and brother and it started to rain hard. We were a few miles from our house, but as we approached an intersection, a lovely older woman was sitting on her front porch. She saw us in the rain and invited us up onto her porch.

We stayed there for 15-20 minutes until the rain stopped. I remember feeling so thankful that she offered us a spot to wait out the rain. I was also very thankful for the cookies she offered us while we were waiting.

It’s little acts like this that can make someone’s day, and in my case, stick with me for years afterwards. I love when an opportunity arises for me to do this, especially when my kids are around so they can learn how impactful helping someone can be.

Sarah Warner, Senior Account Manager

One of my favorite random acts of kindness examples is when West Herr Automotive CEO Scott Bieler spoke at the Buffalo Renaissance Foundation’s annual luncheon inside Buffalo’s Kleinhans Music Hall, and surprised the crowd of 500 people by giving away $100,000 in cash to all in attendance. Bieler presented each attendee with an envelope with $200 cash in $20 bills and asked that all take the money to pay it forward with small acts of kindness across our Western New York community.

Over the following weeks and months, my husband and I had a ball blessing people with dozens of small $5 or $10 gifts, like picking up someone’s coffee in the Tim Hortons drive-thru line, paying for someone’s item at a drugstore in depressed areas of the city, or giving an extra-large tip to our waiter at a restaurant.

Bieler’s donation and instructions that day had ripple effects across our Buffalo-area neighborhoods for months and months—all of which he received no direct credit for. That’s a true act of humility and kindness, and it’s something I’ll never forget.

Tim Coppola, Chief Financial Officer

I once blew out a tire while driving home on the 219 after a round of golf. After I pulled off on the Genesee Street exit and called AAA, a 17-year-old boy pulled up and asked if I needed help. When I told him I was waiting for AAA to arrive in 60 to 90 minutes, he offered to change the tire for me. It only took him 15 minutes—but we ended up chatting through his work and after for about 45 minutes.

I found out a lot about him, including that his family had come to the U.S. from Russia and started a farm in [nearby] Gowanda.

When the work and conversation was done, I tried to pay him for his work, but he refused. He said his father would kill him if he took money for simply helping someone out. Instead, he shook my hand—and thanked me. He said he appreciated our conversation and talking about business; and based on details about my previous job stops in Florida and Kansas, he said he couldn’t wait to tell his family that he had met someone who lived there and share my stories about those places.

The next day, I called Gowanda High School and spoke with the principal there about this young man’s act of kindness. I didn’t know his full name, but the principal knew who it was. Their graduation was a couple weeks later, and he told me that he was going to retell the story during the ceremony. 

In the end, it made me stop and realize that even a lousy situation like getting a flat tire on the 219 can lead to an awesome human interaction. You just never know what’s next in life—but it all happens for a reason.

Taylor Augustyn, Senior Account Manager

When [my daughter] was a newborn, I took the train from Schenectady to Buffalo, alone. I’d had a rough recovery and was nervous about being able to carry our bags while keeping my precious cargo asleep.

When I boarded, I faced a sea of people, not a seat to be had. I clumsily navigated the tight aisle with my suitcase and car seat, trying not to bruise too many knees. But when I crossed the exposed gangway into the next car, I was dismayed to see the same packed scene—car after car. I started to panic when the train lurched into motion and I still hadn’t found anywhere for us to sit. It was hot and stuffy and everyone had their eyes locked on their phones with no conductor or helping hand in sight.

I started to tear up and struggled through the door of the last car when suddenly a man with a warm smile appeared, waving us toward a pair of open seats. He’d seen us coming and jumped up to help without a second thought. He offered to lift my suitcase and blocked the aisle without me needing to ask just so I could take a moment to get Lucy settled. He shared that he was heading home from visiting his own daughter and granddaughter, and wished me the best of luck before disappearing back to his seat.

His actions were objectively small, but they completely turned our trip around. I left that interaction feeling calm, confident, and supported. To have a basic need met by a stranger without question is a gift I hope everyone can experience.

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