Student organizing books to be donated

Courtesy of family

On Your Mark, Get Set . . . Change the World!

In Orion Jean’s race to kindness, everybody wins.

As You Read, Think About: What are some ways you can help spread kindness? 

When Orion Jean entered a contest in July 2020, he had no idea how much it would change his life—or the lives of others. The contest involved writing and recording a speech, and he had only one day to do it. Luckily, the topic was something he knows a lot about.

“I talked about how important it is to spread kindness and make people feel loved,” Orion says.

The 11-year-old from Fort Worth, Texas, won the $500 grand prize. Orion knew that a lot of people were struggling because of the Covid-19 pandemic, and he wanted to help. He turned his words into action by starting a series of events called the Race to Kindness. 

Orion’s first project was a toy drive called Race to 500 Toys. Instead of using his prize money to buy video games or books for himself, Orion spent it all on toys for kids in a local hospital. He also asked for donations from people in his community. In the end, Orion surpassed his goal, delivering more than 600 toys for the young patients. After the success of his first “race,” Orion decided to keep going. 

“I hope that what I do inspires people to be kind in their own communities,” he says. “A lot of things can be fixed by simply being kind.”

Orion Jean entered a contest in July 2020. At the time, he had no idea how much it would change his life or the lives of others. The contest involved writing and recording a speech. Orion had only one day to do it. Luckily, the topic was something he knows a lot about.

“I talked about how important it is to spread kindness and make people feel loved,” Orion says.

The 11-year-old from Fort Worth, Texas, won the $500 grand prize. Orion knew that a lot of people were struggling because of the Covid-19 pandemic. He wanted to help. He turned his words into action. He started a series of events called the Race to Kindness.

Orion’s first project was a toy drive called Race to 500 Toys. Instead of using his prize money to buy video games or books for himself, Orion spent it all on toys for kids in a local hospital. He also asked for donations from people in his community. In the end, Orion surpassed his goal. He delivered more than 600 toys for the young patients. Orion decided to keep going after the success of his first “race.”

“I hope that what I do inspires people to be kind in their own communities,” he says. “A lot of things can be fixed by simply being kind.”

Courtesy of family

Orion Jean unloads food donated to his Race to 100,000 Meals project.

A Helping Hand

In October 2020, Orion started a new project with a much more ambitious goal: Race to 100,000 Meals. He planned to donate meals to families in Texas who were food insecure. That means they didn’t have access to enough affordable, nutritious food. Orion teamed up with a local organization called TangoTab to spread the word. 

People from across the country came through, donating money and food. With the help of TangoTab, Orion was able to give more than 100,000 meals to people in need.  

“I was so happy that the country was able to come together for a goal because the need is so great,” Orion says. 

In October 2020, Orion started a new project with a much more ambitious goal. It was called Race to 100,000 Meals. He planned to donate meals to families in Texas who were food insecure. That means they didn’t have access to enough affordable, nutritious food. Orion teamed up with a local organization called TangoTab to spread the word.

People from across the country came through. They donated money and food. With the help of TangoTab, Orion was able to give more than 100,000 meals to people in need.

“I was so happy that the country was able to come together for a goal because the need is so great,” Orion says. 

Courtesy of family

Orion holds a few of the donations to his Race to 500 Toys.

Spreading Joy

When the time came to plan his next race, Orion focused on one of his favorite activities: reading. 

“Books have truly changed my life,” he explains. “I wanted more kids to have that experience.” 

Launched last May, Orion’s latest mission was called Race to 500,000 Books. Along with family members and volunteers, Orion held free book fairs in Texas and the neighboring state of Oklahoma. He gave away books to kids whose families couldn’t afford them or who lived far away from libraries. He also encouraged people to start book donation drives in their own towns.

When the time came to plan his next race, Orion focused on one of his favorite activities: reading. 

“Books have truly changed my life,” he explains. “I wanted more kids to have that experience.” 

Orion’s latest mission was called Race to 500,000 Books. It was launched last May. Along with family members and volunteers, Orion held free book fairs in Texas and the neighboring state of Oklahoma. He gave away books to kids whose families couldn’t afford them or who lived far away from libraries. He also encouraged people to start book donation drives in their own towns.

Build a Better World

Last fall, Orion released his first book, A Kids Book About Leadership. He wants to inspire other kids to join his race to kindness or start their own. 

“No matter your age, you have a leader inside of you,” Orion says. “Together we can build a better world.”

Last fall, Orion released his first book. It's called A Kids Book About Leadership. He wants to inspire other kids to join his race to kindness or start their own.

“No matter your age, you have a leader inside of you,” Orion says. “Together we can build a better world.”

1. What does the author mean when she writes that Orion “turned his words into action”?

2. How did Orion surpass his goal in his Race to 500 Toys?

3. What is the main idea of the section “Spreading Joy”?

1. What does the author mean when she writes that Orion “turned his words into action”?

2. How did Orion surpass his goal in his Race to 500 Toys?

3. What is the main idea of the section “Spreading Joy”?

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