I started following Ricky Smith on social media to find out about RAKE (Random Acts of Kindness Everywhere) and why he was doing this. I watched every day as he went out of his way to make people happy. It wasn’t long before I became a huge fan and met up with Ricky in Cincinnati during his first RAKE tour. I was just hoping to lend a small hand to his big plan of bringing random acts of kindness across the country, but what I got was so much more.
I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Ricky in action several times since we first met. I have introduced him to courageous children battling life-threatening illnesses. He has organized shopping sprees, dinners, magic shows and balloon artist visits to bring these kids a little bit of happiness through his random acts of kindness.
A true kid at heart with an energizing spirit, contagious laugh and heart of gold, Ricky is quite a character. A character, that is, with a message that all children and adults need to hear:
“Figure out what you like to do and what makes you happy then do that. Start small. It doesn’t take much to help others. I started RAKE because I genuinely care about people because I know what it’s like to be sad, down and upset. I just want everyone to be happy and we ALL have the ability to make others happy.”
This book is based on the true story of how RAKE began. I hope it inspires you as much as Ricky has inspired me. If perfect strangers extend acts of kindness to one another, it will soon be happening everywhere. But, it has to start somewhere, and that’s where you can make a difference by joining the efforts of RAKE. For more information visit rakenow.org.
Gratefully,
Sarah