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ACTS OF KINDNESS

Student receives $300 for study abroad

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By Terry Alexander - email
By Sabrina Squire - bio | email

  • Acts of KindnessActs of Kindness

  • Tuesday, May 15 2012 5:31 PM EDT2012-05-15 21:31:52 GMT
    Sometimes it takes a village to pay it forward. I hit the streets in Henrico at the White Oak Shopping Village to find someone ready on the spot to pass on a $300 Act of Kindness. I was certain my
    I hit the streets in Henrico at the White Oak Shopping Village and met with Michelle Johnson, a bus driver with Henrico Public Schools.

  • Tuesday, May 8 2012 6:25 PM EDT2012-05-08 22:25:37 GMT
    Nominations for our $300 Acts of Kindness segment usually come via phone or e-mail. But for the next few weeks, I'm hitting the streets all around town, to catch people willing to pay it forward on the spot.
    Nominations for our $300 Acts of Kindness segment usually come via phone or e-mail. But for the next few weeks, I'm hitting the streets all around town, to catch people willing to pay it forward on the spot to someone in need or reward someone's good deeds.

  • Tuesday, May 1 2012 5:34 PM EDT2012-05-01 21:34:51 GMT
    After the sudden death of a Prince George police officer three weeks ago, loved ones wanted to honor her memory with an Act of Kindness for the people she called "her" heroes.
    After the sudden death of a Prince George police officer three weeks ago, loved ones wanted to honor her memory with an Act of Kindness for the people she called "her" heroes.

  • Tuesday, April 24 2012 6:28 PM EDT2012-04-24 22:28:17 GMT
    RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) - Sometimes family ties can test us in ways we never imagine. We're paying it forward to a bachelor who suddenly found himself being a surrogate parent to an active pre-teen, while
    We're paying it forward to a bachelor who suddenly found himself being a surrogate parent to an active pre-teen, while also caring for his own critically ill mother. His friend calls him a strong, inspiring role model who deserves an Act of Kindness.

  • Tuesday, April 17 2012 5:40 PM EDT2012-04-17 21:40:56 GMT
    We're paying it forward in Chesterfield to a woman her neighbor calls "the most compassionate caretaker." Not only is she managing her own family's serious medical issues, she's opened her home to displaced families and pets, and looks after kids around the apartment complex.

  • Tuesday, April 10 2012 5:57 PM EDT2012-04-10 21:57:21 GMT
    A knit hat warmed a local woman's "heart" so much, she tracked down the person who knitted it and nominated her for today's Acts of Kindness.

  • Tuesday, April 3 2012 8:05 PM EDT2012-04-04 00:05:02 GMT
    We're paying it forward to a woman who takes care of seven hundred children and dozens of adults several days a week. She's such a great asset to her school and everyone in it, she's been voted support staff person of the year several years in a row and today she's our Act of Kindness recipient. 

  • ACTS OF KINDNESS

    Tuesday, March 27 2012 6:25 PM EDT2012-03-27 22:25:37 GMT
    Lots of us remember an exceptional teacher who made us believe we could succeed at anything. Today a grandmother and cancer survivor is paying it forward to the educator she says has given her confidence that she absolutely will earn the diploma she's been longing for. Their teacher-student bond is this week's "Acts of Kindness."

  • ACTS OF KINDNESS

    Wednesday, March 21 2012 8:10 AM EDT2012-03-21 12:10:09 GMT
    In this week's Acts of Kindness, we pay it forward to someone who opened their heart and their home to one of our viewers.

  • ACTS OF KINDNESS

    Tuesday, March 13 2012 5:13 PM EDT2012-03-13 21:13:10 GMT
    Today we're paying it forward to a dynamic young CEO who is passionate about children, education and empowerment. She committed to nurturing future generations of local leaders and today a loyal supporter is making a three hundred dollar Act of Kindness investment.

By Sabrina Squire - bio | email
Posted by Terry Alexander - email

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) – We don't typically pass it on with orchestral fanfare, but then 13-year-old Jake Phillips isn't your average eighth grader. When he not's making music in middle school, he's taking high school Latin, going the distance with the cross country team, scaling new heights with his boy scout troop, coaching kids at church or helping serve the homeless.   

"He goes and helps with serving the food, preparing the food, sitting and talking with guests that we have there at church," said Jake's mother Lisa Phillips. 

And when Jacob reached out across the pond for an exchange trip to England, his parents were as excited as the oldest son.  

"He came home and said ‘Dad, I got accepted to the trip,'" said Steve Phillips, Jake's father. "The foundation that this is going to build for him and his educational and professional career, this is going to open up so many doors for him." 

But the exchange program's $1,600 cost gave them sticker shock. 

"It actually did, because we're at a place right now where that's a difficult thing for us," Lisa said. 

Jake's mom teaches special education and tutors evenings, and his dad is starting his own business after losing his job with the recession. Their fellow church member, Larry Davis, contacted Acts of Kindness.

"He's a good young man; he's kind of struggling to get to where he needs to be on this trip. Everyone these days could use a helping hand," said Larry Davis. 

Sabrina Squire: "$300 for an upstanding young man's education abroad."
Larry Davis: "Thank you. I appreciate your program and I've seen where it benefits many folks." 

It takes a village to pass this on - Jake's parents, principal, counselor, librarian and church member all surprise him in class. 

Sabrina Squire: "We're looking for Jacob. We're with channel 12 and we do a program called Acts of Kindness. You're our recipient Jacob, congratulations."
Larry Davis: "Mr. Jacob you know you've done such a god job in scouting, band, track and field, you also do coaching at the church. I felt you were well deserving, so we wrote you a letter, we nominated you and you're the winner buddy, you've going to England. On behalf of Channel 12 I'd like to give you this $300."
Sabrina Squire: "We hope it helps."  

Jake was understandably shell shocked. 

Jake Phillips: "I'm really excited."
Sabrina Squire: "What are you most looking forward to about this trip?" 
Jake Phillips: "Getting to see what the culture is like over in England." 
Sabrina Squire: "What attraction, landmarks do you want to see most?"
Jake Phillips: "Big Ben."
Sabrina Squire: "Ok."  

Jake and 15 other students will spend ten days in England this July, until then he'll keep busy fundraising. He and his classmates will keep the lesson of the power of one Act of Kindness. 

"So if you hear one person can't make a difference, Jake obviously made a difference that letter made a difference too and it's led to all of this. Now you all are going to be on TV," BBMS Principal Mike Gill said. 

If you think someone you know deserves an Act of Kindness, send your nomination to kindness@nbc12.com. 

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