Alumnus performs one kind deed every day in 2012

It can be as simple as smiling at passersby or as serious as becoming an organ donor.

These acts of kindness are just some of the things on Ryan Garcia’s list.
For the next 314 days, Ryan, a 2005 IU graduate, will work towards completing 366 random acts of kindness.

Two days before New Year’s, Ryan still didn’t have a resolution for 2012. Hitting the gym and eating healthier crossed his mind. But they weren’t enough, he thought. He wanted to do something more meaningful — something that his daughter could be proud of.

Inspired by the birth of his now 5-month-old daughter, Isla Quinn, Ryan set out on a mission for 2012: do a kind deed for someone each day for a year.

“She’s the reason why I started,” Ryan said. “I wanted to do something that had an impact that I could show to her and be a model for her.”

When he first told his wife, Lindsey, she didn’t think the resolution would materialize into anything significant, she said.

“I figured it would be something traditional,” she said. “When he first told me, I didn’t quite get it. At first, it didn’t seem as quite a big of a deal. I didn’t expect him to actually follow through with it because of how traditional New Year’s resolutions go.”

Since then, he’s launched his blog, “366 Random Acts of Kindness,” and an accompanying Facebook page and Twitter account.

He’s given out free hugs on a cold day in downtown Chicago. He’s cleared snow from all the cars on his block. He’s written a letter of condolence to the family of a fallen soldier, Army Spc. Brian Leonhardt of Merrillville, Ind.

Though he only had a few ideas to start, suggestions have poured in from social media sites and emails. Complete strangers have emailed him to give him well-wishes, encouragement and ideas.

“I have a list of different events, but it’s a lot of fun and it means a lot more when I get emails from other people. I feel like it’s worth more,” he said.

For one day’s act, Ryan passed out gloves, socks and food, among other items, to Chicago homeless. One homeless man told Ryan he had asked God that day for someone to help him.

Lindsey said when Ryan returned home, visibly emotional, she knew he had truly been affected, making it a moment out of the past 45 days that stands out to her. 

“It’s extremely humbling to know that I had that impact on someone where I inspired them,” he said. “It inspires me and gives me the drive.”

Since the day Isla was born, Ryan said, he’s had a lot more on his plate.

“My life has changed completely,” he said. “Rather than just looking out for myself and my wife, we have someone to set an example for. We want her to grow up in the best environment possible so she can have the best possible life.”

And while planning and performing the daily acts do take up time, Ryan said that if he’s still able to juggle his responsibilities, so can others.

“That’s the thing. I’m a busy guy. I have a full-time job. I have a family. I have commitments outside of that,” he said. “But I still have time to do these acts.”

Ryan said he receives anywhere from 65 to 75 emails daily, which can be overwhelming at times.

Lindsey enjoys reading emails from those affected by Ryan’s actions, she said.
“I just think it’s amazing and really inspiring, especially when we get these emails from people,” she said.

In one email, a woman who said she was sick of  hearing negative news told Ryan she was moved by his actions.

“Things like that are things he never expected, and he’s totally blown away,”
Lindsey said.

Ryan also feels pressure from the growing number of online followers. The blog has been read by more than 60,000 people in more than 100 countries.

“That’s one of the things that has come with it — I do feel more pressure,” he said. “I sometimes feel like I have to outdo myself, but I know I don’t have to. It’s just me putting on that pressure.”

Regardless, Ryan will continue to devote his attention to his two main priorities.

“I’m always going to make sure my family and my job come first,” he said. “I have to be able to provide for them and take care of them and spend time with them.”

With more than 300 days — and acts — left to go, Ryan said he will complete his goal, 100 percent.
 
“My only goal for this, besides setting a goal for Isla,” he said, “is to set an example for other people, for them to take the torch and run with it.”