The Kindness Matters Podcast
So. Much. Division. Let's talk about how to change that. Re-engage as neighbors, friends, co-workers and family. Let's set out to change the world. Strike that. Change A World. One person at a time, make someone's life a little better and then do it again tomorrow and the day after that, through kindness.
Kindness is a Super-Power that each of us has within us. It is so powerful it has the potential to change not only your life but those around you, too. Let's talk about kindness.
The Kindness Matters Podcast
Spreading Kindness: Connor Wright's Mission to Change the World
What sparks the desire to change the world at just 12 years old? Meet Connor Wright, our incredible guest who turned a family initiative into a thriving nonprofit organization, Connor's Kindness Project. You'll hear how Connor, alongside his grandmother and mother, began crafting care packages during the pandemic to lift the spirits of children and frontline heroes. Discover the role social media played in connecting with those in need and how the power of community and creativity fueled the rapid expansion of his mission, touching countless lives. Connor not only started a movement; he ignited a beacon of hope and kindness during challenging times.
Now at 15, Connor shares the inspiring growth journey of his foundation, supported by a vibrant team and impactful partnerships with brands like Dunkin' Joy and Five Below. With a vision to spread kindness nationwide, he's set his sights on reaching schools across the country with initiatives like the Kindness Club. In this episode, Connor also opens up about being recognized by the Myra Kraft Charitable Foundation and his exciting encounters with influential figures, emphasizing the importance of connections and awareness in furthering his mission. Specifically, if you would like to donate to Connor's Kindness Project, you can do that here.
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Well, hello there and welcome. You are listening to the Kindness Matters podcast and I am your host, mike Rathbun. What is this podcast all about? It's about kindness. It's a pushback against everything negative that we see in the news and on social media today, and it's a way to highlight people, organizations that are simply striving to make their little corner of the world a little better place. If you want to join in on the conversation, feel free, Go ahead and follow us on all of your social media feeds. We're on Facebook, instagram, tiktok. We're even on LinkedIn under Mike Rathbun. Check us out. We're even on LinkedIn under Mike Rathbun. Check us out and, in the meantime, sit back, relax, enjoy and we'll get into the Kindness Matters podcast. Hey, welcome to the show everybody. This is so cool. This is a cool story and I'm sure you'll agree once you hear it. My guest today is Connor Wright, and Connor did something Well. First of all, hi, connor, hi, thanks for having me.
Speaker 1:You're welcome. Thanks for being here. It's a great, it's an honor really. You did something and I'm sure you get this all the time right and I'm sure you get this all the time right but you were 12 years old when you started this. This um amazing, and it wasn't it wasn't a non-profit then. But when you started it, it was the middle of the pandemic and you said what I want to bring joy to people Exactly.
Speaker 2:So you started now was it always called Connor's Kindness Project? Yeah, so originally when we were first doing our branding that's kind of after we did a lot of our projects we named it Connor's Kindness Project. But originally, like you said, it wasn't really a nonprofit. It was more just me and some of my family members specifically my grandmother doing projects throughout the community and that was things like doing baskets for nurses and helping out the police department and fire department and doing some work with some other non-profits, and that was before everything really started. And then, through doing that, we kind of evolved into that real nonprofit and that's when we sort of branded as Connors Counties Project.
Speaker 1:Cool. So now, when you first started, this was just for kids, right For other kids, because it was the pandemic.
Speaker 2:It was mostly kids. That being said, we did do some other things with some adults, like I said, nurses and the fire and police departments in our local community, but it was mostly kids.
Speaker 1:Okay, and what were the? I've seen pictures of them. It was like little boxes, right?
Speaker 2:The first thing that we ever did was our COVID care package. It was a little bag yellow bag with red stickers that said COVID care package. And it was a little bag yellow bag with red stickers that said COVID care package, and just filled with little toys nothing too crazy and we would drive around delivering those to kids that were stuck at home quarantining. And that was just really the first thing that we did and marked the start of our non-profit. But it's pretty cool how far we've come. Looking at those and now looking at our kindness kits, it's quite a big difference.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it's crazy. I mean, in four years you went from a kid 12-year-old kid making COVID care packages to like an official nonprofit. Do you ever look back on it and go?
Speaker 2:wow, I do. All the time I'm like how did we end up with this? I mean, like you said, I was really young 12, and obviously couldn't have done it without the people around us like my grandmother and my mom helping out, and now all of our board members and volunteers, but we never even them. We never expect this to turn into something like we have now. And, like I said, it was just two, two projects a month, maybe, maybe one, just doing what we could help our community. Um, and and we really liked what we were doing and doing that work with some other non-profits really inspired us to do something that we could call our own.
Speaker 2:And here we are, so wow definitely all just happened pretty fast and so definitely, I'm sorry, go ahead no, it's definitely like something. I look back and say, wow, yeah for sure.
Speaker 1:Um so how did you find these kids that were like stuck in quarantine and you thought could need some?
Speaker 2:need a little pick me up yeah, after the point where we decided we were going to do something and came up with the cove care package, it was just my mom and my grandmother's like facebook accounts, just reaching out. We're making these baskets. Any kids are stocking home quarantine and you think this might, you know, help them, help, make them enjoy their time a little better. And in such a tough situation for some kids, we um, we asked them to reach out to us and we would just deliver them. And that was mostly in our town to start and we went a couple towns over, but it was a really small project, but we were just trying to do what we could.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah, oh for sure, and you would pack these little packages. Yeah, yeah, oh for sure, and you would pack these little packages. I saw a news report they did on you, your local CBS affiliate there, and there was like an Etch-A-Sketch, like little tiny Etch-A-Sketches and snacks and stuff.
Speaker 2:Yeah, we did have the COVID care package. I don't think they had the Etch-A-Sketch. That's more of our kindness kit. They featured more like just trinkets and fidget toys and just something that might help a distracted kid and I think maybe there's a couple times where we did drop off like some candy maybe to kids on it. But um, it was definitely definitely a lot smaller than our kindness kits and I'm sure I'll talk more about that shortly.
Speaker 1:I'm sure we will. So did you fund this all?
Speaker 2:yourself. It was all self-funded me and my family. My grandmother did have, before the pandemic, a children's yoga business and she implemented a lot of crafts and activities to her classes, so she had a lot of stuff laying around that we could use. So it mostly came out of that to start, and then it was us buying small, nothing too expensive, but it was out of pocket. Yeah, we would just buy items from anywhere we could and put them together.
Speaker 1:So, yeah, this is, and this is so cool. So this was kind of a family thing, right? Yeah, and I don't know any 12 year olds, I don't think that would go. Hey, you know there's some kids that need cheering up. I'm gonna take care of that. But I mean you must have had a lot of support from your family. It must be. Your family must be big into giving back.
Speaker 2:Yeah, definitely From a young age I've always been giving back. My mom is really focused on that. I did a lot of volunteering at a young age with her and when the pandemic came around I noticed a lot of kids needed help and having that background in volunteering and community service is kind of what gave me that option to help others.
Speaker 1:Oh for sure, I say that a lot, I just noticed it. I say that a lot, I just noticed it. So the pandemic kind of wraps up and you keep going with this thing. Talk to me about some of the other. I mean, you were talking about the nurses and the fire Was it the fire department and the police department.
Speaker 2:You guys were doing yeah, how did that just snowball into something bigger, or yeah, it kind of like, like I said it was, it was a lot based on, oh, let's do one or two projects a month. I'm really upset in that, but that's how we started. And then we were like, oh, we're doing stuff in our community, it's great, but can we make this a little bigger? So we researched some other non-profits and picked out two to help one katie's closet and the other birthday wishes and seeing what they were doing and the other Birthday Wishes and seeing what they were doing and the impact they were having on their community, after starting from something really small and growing to something that was having massive effects on the community and really helping a lot of people, that's what really inspired us and kind of snowballed us into creating our nonprofit. And from there that was the point we were like, oh, it would be really cool to start something like this and do something that we could call our own.
Speaker 1:Oh yeah, I'll bet. And so now, okay, because there are several pieces to this to Connor's Kindness Project. It just rolls off the tongue pieces to this to connor's con. I almost screwed that up. Connor's kindness project just rolls off the tongue. Um, so there's the, the kindness package, right, and that's does that? Where does that go out to anybody that needs it, or?
Speaker 2:ever kindness kit that we. That was the first thing we came up with and we've stuck with that. It's it's our red box filled with all sorts of toys, fidget toys, um, a couple like kind of educational fun stuff, um, and a bunch of just just toys that kids would like to play with and might distract them and and that goes out to kids in hospitals and shelters all around new england. We're actually in about 50 locations and have done pretty much 10,000 of them so far in about two and a half years.
Speaker 1:Wow, 10,000? 10,000. Holy crap, yeah, wow, okay. So that's one aspect of it. What are some of the other aspects of the project?
Speaker 2:Yeah. So it was the the kindness kids going well and all, but we wanted to do more. We wanted to expand our reach and develop some other branches to our non-profit. So, just kind of discussing with our, with our board members and, and me and my grandmother and my mom, um, we came up with the idea of of a kids kindness club and, like I said, I started having a background in community service and my mom guiding me to help other people and I started from, you know, my parents teaching me, and I really had a group of supporters that guided me in the right way and allowed me to start something similar.
Speaker 2:So we were like, if that's how I started, what if we taught kids about community service? Have them do some acts. Maybe that will inspire kids to do more and be better members of their community. So we came up with the idea of the Kids Kindness Club in really young kids, elementary school age, and what we're doing now is we go into the schools, have an assembly, talk to them about what we do, what, what does it mean to be kind? Um, give them some examples of some kind acts and we have them complete 20 or 30 in about a month, a month or two, so, and then after we'll give them a certificate of kindness and some stickers and we give the school some stuff as well for participating. But just, I think having these kids do this and encouraging them and and showing them the way, like showing them how they can be better members of the community, one of the things that we believe is kind of spreads like a ripple effect, so if we do that then it will kind of snowball like like what happened with us.
Speaker 1:You're just like creating a whole new generation of you.
Speaker 2:Exactly. Not exactly what we're trying to do, but we're trying to just Well, yeah, I know.
Speaker 1:But I mean when these kids I think, and it's just my opinion, which that and four bucks will buy you a cup of coffee, when these kids receive that kindness, right, that stays with them.
Speaker 2:Exactly.
Speaker 1:And they will grow up, hopefully, and have kids of their own maybe, and they'll pass that lesson on to them. And it's just you're right, though it does ripple.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I mean like we think. Well, I know that if you implement kindness into your life at a young age, it will definitely stay and that's what happened with me. So just showing them the way at a young age, when they really don't know anything and they're still young members of society, and teaching them how to be good members and help out their community and be nice to all their classmates and teachers and parents, that will stay with them and ripple into generations to come.
Speaker 1:Yeah, for sure, I did it again. Get it again. So have you. And it's so funny to listen because you're what? 15, almost 16 right now.
Speaker 2:Yeah, 15.
Speaker 1:Okay and you go yeah, I've got board members. It's like I mean, you've got an entire staff not working for you, working with you to make this happen. Did you ever see that happening when you first came up with the idea?
Speaker 2:No, like I said, to start, there was no way, like this was a small thing that we were doing, and then you know, it kind of got going and we're going to start something. So I kind of saw it coming, but not having, like my grandmother being a full-time employee as the executive director, a group of um, awesome board members and the amount of volunteers that we have, it's just never, never saw it happening, and definitely not.
Speaker 2:Maybe in in while, but not in two years, right, because we've grown quite a lot in two years. It's crazy.
Speaker 1:So do any of your friends from school go. Hey, how can I get on in on that?
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, I've had a couple kids reach out. Now I'm a sophomore so we're starting to think more about colleges and kids need hours. So my friends know that I do this and they're like, oh, let me help out, it'll be good. But yeah, that's a lot of our volunteers are teens looking for hours and they're very helpful to us so we appreciate them.
Speaker 1:Yeah, for sure. And well, I mean, this is going to look awesome on a college application. I'm just saying yeah, it helps, and you're a hockey player, right?
Speaker 2:Yeah, I play hockey too.
Speaker 1:You know the Minnesota Golden Gophers. The University of Minnesota always has this. It seems like they've got this rivalry with Boston College. It's like they're always in the Frozen Four.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:Maybe you'll play here someday. I mean not for Minnesota, but you know, because you're back East, yeah. So now talk to me a little bit about your partnerships with these other organizations, because you've really gotten involved with some amazing Duncan Joy, for example. How did all that come about?
Speaker 2:Yeah, duncan's a big supporter and we've built a load of connections to this point, so I think we connected with Duncan. Just asking them I think it was through a grant, oh sure. And they have been great supporters ever since. They give us gift cards for our essentials kits that we put in there, so they're awesome. And then also Five Below. Actually, originally that's kind of how we got started. We were buying Five Below products, so it's cool to think that now we're getting like a five below grant and they're a big supporter of us.
Speaker 1:So it's cool, nice, and there was. There was a huge one for you right, it was the Myra Craft Charitable Foundation. Talk about that one.
Speaker 2:I did get an award recently for Myra Craft. I got nominated for that. Actually, I was one of 26 that got the award from the greater Boston area. That was pretty cool. We got to go to the Zolot Stadium and have a ceremony. I was actually the youngest one there. It was pretty cool just getting honored to go to Gillette Stadium and have a ceremony. I was actually the youngest one there, so it was pretty cool just getting honored for something that I've done.
Speaker 1:Have you ever been to a patch game? Have you been to Gillette Stadium?
Speaker 2:A couple times yeah.
Speaker 1:Okay, but you were like on the field or what.
Speaker 2:I wasn't on the field, I was like up in the private club area. It was nice Mr Kraft was there so I got to meet him.
Speaker 1:Oh was he Wow.
Speaker 2:Yeah, he's a great guy.
Speaker 1:Was Brady still playing there when that?
Speaker 2:happened. No, it was this year.
Speaker 1:This was this past year. I was going to say, with the Duncan Project, did you get to meet Ben Affleck?
Speaker 2:No.
Speaker 1:Damn it, oh well. Project um did you get to meet ben affleck? No damn it, oh well. But yeah, I mean all of these foundations, because you make connections right, you guys. Your foundation makes connections, these corporate connections, and those are really valuable to you guys.
Speaker 2:that's what it's all about building these connections, getting the word out there and getting more donations so we can do more yeah.
Speaker 1:That's all about it. So any big plans for the future as far as the foundation or the project.
Speaker 2:We always say our big plan is to go national across the countries with our kits and with our kindness club. Something that was cool is we actually had a virtual club um assembly and we had a school out in idaho participate in the kindness club. So we're branching out that way, um, but it would be cool to to have a sustained impact all around the country, and that's something that's been our goal for a while. I don't know when that's going to happen. We're going to keep growing at a steady pace, but that'd be it.
Speaker 1:Yeah, dang, it, there I go again. Yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 2:There we go.
Speaker 1:There we go. Just so amazing and so inspiring. Connor, Seriously, I look up to you and I know you probably hear this all the time, but you are a good example for all kids across this country. Thank you, and I wish you guys so much good luck. I appreciate it. I appreciate you coming on and taking the time. I know you're in school and yet you found time for this thing, so I do appreciate that.
Speaker 2:I will say I definitely missed something, oh please. Yeah, I covered most of it, but if there's anything, if people want to do more research on us and see more, everything is on our website. We do a very informative website um connor's kind of projectorg and everything about us will be there. Yeah, any like press we've received is on there. So we did a good job with that and if you, if you, want to donate, there is a link there as well.
Speaker 1:So and that will all be in the show notes so everybody can find it. If you're listening and you haven't looked through the show notes, go ahead and check it out. Connor's website is in there, connor's kindness project and, uh, we'll have links for donations and, uh, probably your social links too. Yeah, you're on.
Speaker 2:Instagram. We're on everything.
Speaker 1:You're on everything IG, TikTok, you name it. We're on everything You're on, everything IG TikTok you name it. We're looking for followers, so that'd be big Perfect. Go follow Connor's Kindness Project and get involved, and maybe you can open up a chapter in your hometown.
Speaker 2:That would be awesome.
Speaker 1:Good goal, connor. Thank you so much for your time. I really do appreciate it, and best of luck to you guys. Man, yeah, thank you so much for your time. I really do appreciate it, and best of luck to you guys man.
Speaker 2:Yeah, thank you so much for having me. I appreciate this opportunity.
Speaker 1:You're very welcome. I want to thank you for taking this time to listen to this episode with my guest, connor Wright. I hope you were able to take something positive from the time that you spent with me. Maybe you'll be inspired, maybe you'll be inspired, maybe you'll be motivated, maybe you'll be moved. If you experienced any of those positive feelings, please consider sharing this podcast with your friends and family. Also, feel free to follow us on our socials like Facebook, instagram, linkedin and TikTok. This podcast is a part of the Mayday Media Network. If you have an idea for a podcast and need some production assistance, or have a podcast and are looking for a supportive network to join, check out maydaymedianetworkcom and check out the many different shows, like Afrocentric Spoil, my Movie Generation Mixtape In a Pickle Radio Show, wake Up and Dream with D Anthony Palin and Staxo Pax. We'll be back again next week with a new episode and we would be honored if you would join us. You've been listening to the Kindness Matters Podcast. I am your host, mike Rathbun. Have a fantastic week.
