In a world that often feels overwhelmed by uncertainty and negativity, one young boy has emerged as a beacon of hope and inspiration. Maxx, now 11 years old, embarked on an extraordinary mission to complete 10 acts of kindness before his 10th birthday, turning his journey into a beautiful ripple effect of love, generosity, and community spirit. Reflecting on his mission, Maxx is proud of the impact he made—and he’s not stopping there.
(Listen to the complete interview between Crystal Thornton and Maxx and his mom Christina in the podcast below)
The idea was sparked by a powerful example set by Bryan Tsiliacos, who completed 30 acts of kindness for his 30th birthday. Maxx was deeply moved by this concept and, with the support of his family, decided to take it to heart. His goal was simple yet profound: 10 acts of kindness to celebrate his 10th birthday, a gift not just to himself, but to the world around him.
In an interview with K-LOVE's Crystal Thornton reflecting on his journey, Maxx shared that his acts of kindness were not about receiving accolades, but about the joy of helping others. "I love all of my acts," he said with a smile. "They're all very kind, and I enjoy doing them very much." His mother, Christina, nodded in agreement, recalling a moment early in their journey when Maxx looked at her in the grocery store, where he was buying ingredients for sandwiches he planned to donate to the homeless. "Mommy, this feels really good to help people," he told her, and the realization of what he was doing hit them both deeply. "We both just kind of burst into tears," Christina remembered. It was a moment of pure innocence and wisdom that would propel Maxx forward in his mission.
Maxx's first act was simple but profound. He and his family made homemade sandwiches and donated them to the largest homeless shelter in San Francisco. As Maxx shared, "It felt great to help people," and it set the tone for what would become a series of meaningful gestures. The acts ranged from collecting and donating coats to four nonprofits in need, to making Valentine's Day packages for the Ronald McDonald House Foundation. He also volunteered his time to assemble food packages for Ukraine through the organization Kids Against Hunger, a testament to his ability to think globally, even at a young age.
One of the most touching moments came when Maxx organized a fundraiser to support the Figure Skating Family Support Fund, in honor of the victims of the tragic Washington DC plane crash that took 67 lives. "We raised almost $5,000 and donated it to Kristi Yamaguchi," Maxx said, his voice filled with emotion. Kristi, a well-known figure in the ice skating community, was so moved by Maxx’s gesture that she arrived expecting a small donation, only to find the substantial amount he had raised. "She was very surprised and very thankful," Maxx recalled, with pride. The experience left a lasting impact not only on Maxx but on everyone who witnessed the kindness of his actions.
Christina spoke of the outpouring of support from their community, noting how friends, family, and even people they didn’t know were eager to help Maxx with his acts. "It was never a no," she said, reflecting on the willingness of others to get involved. "It was always, 'How can we help?'"
Maxx's kindness did not stop with the grand gestures. He also organized smaller, yet equally meaningful, acts. He brought joy to veterans through bingo games, raised money to provide wheelchairs for those in need, and cleaned up beaches in a shared effort to protect the environment. One particularly heartfelt act was a stuffed animal adoption event, where Maxx donated the proceeds to a rescue organization in honor of his late dog, Harley. "It was kind of like losing a family member," he said, his voice softening.
Despite the scale of his acts, Maxx’s humility remained constant. When asked about the challenges he faced, he acknowledged that it was not always easy to find the time or energy for his acts, but his enthusiasm and passion never wavered. His family was there every step of the way, supporting him with unwavering belief in the power of kindness.
Looking ahead, Maxx is determined to continue spreading kindness, even if his future acts are on a smaller scale. "I definitely do want to inspire a bigger movement of kindness," he said. "I hope to encourage many others." His vision is clear: kindness, no matter how small, has the power to create a ripple effect, inspiring others to pay it forward.
As Christina proudly reflected on her son's journey, she emphasized the importance of nurturing such qualities in children. "As a mom, you want to support your child in every way," she said. "But to support your child in such a loving and caring way, you look at them and go, 'Wow, I've done something right.'" The family's journey has been an emotional one, but also an incredibly rewarding one, as they've witnessed firsthand the impact of their son’s compassion on their community.
Maxx's story is a reminder that kindness is contagious, and no act, no matter how small, is ever wasted. His 10 acts of kindness have left an indelible mark on the hearts of everyone he’s touched, and as he continues to inspire others, there’s no telling how far his ripple of goodness will go.
Maxx may be just 11 years old now, but in the world of kindness, he is already making a profound difference, proving that the best way to celebrate a milestone is by giving back and helping others. And, as Maxx continues to inspire with his acts of kindness, we can only imagine the beautiful impact he’ll continue to have on the world in the years to come.