Kindness Project
Dear friends and family,
We are beyond touched by the overwhelming display of kindness in honor of Jackson. Thank you all for spreading loving kindness throughout your communities in such meaningful and often creative ways. Jackson’s kindness traveled throughout the United States, up to Canada, across the Caribbean to Puerto Rico, and even made it to London, Sri Lanka, India, Germany, Malawi, and other areas in Africa. Together, and in memory of Jackson, we have touched the lives of many individuals, communities, and wonderful organizations. We are so grateful for you all and your endless display of love and support for us as we grieve the loss of our precious Jackson and find meaningful ways to keep his spirit alive.
We will continue to update this page as more Kindness Acts roll in, so it’s never too late to send us yours. Please let us know if you would like more kindness cards; we have hundreds and can mail them to you easily - or we have a print-at-home sheet here. (Also, if we’re missing your Act here, please let us know!)
If you’re new to the Kindness Project, you can learn more here, and take a look at the kindness acts below.
With loving kindness,
Natalia, Bryan, and Jackson, who is always in our hearts.
Kindness Acts
After the flower walk, bought hot cocoa for the next person in line behind them. Ellie plans to invite someone from "the buddy bench" to play with her at recess.
"i was remembering jackson this week by collecting and buying donations for a youth homeless shelter i volunteer with and refreshing their hygiene products."
Gave a basket of fresh tomatoes from our garden and a box of fig bars to our housekeeper who loves figs.
Bought extra carousel tickets at the zoo to give to other families in line (one of Bryan's last-big-memories-of-Jackson is riding that carousel).
Gift for a prenatal nurse’s 2yo son — she’d seen notes about Jackson in N’s charts and had a caring, supportive conversation about it. When healthcare workers are this stretched-thin, it meant a lot that she showed up this way.
Made zucchini bread (Jackson’s favorite) with a zucchini from a neighbor’s garden and shared the finished product with that neighbor on Jackson’s birthday.
Dropped off Michele Obama quotation pens for a neighbor who is a single mama juggling working and homeschooling her kids.
Headed out to our regular Northgate exit homeless lady. Cohens idea! He was worried they might get sick and not have a bed 😭
Helped support one of Owen’s teachers who lost her job in the midst of quarantine.
Baby shower gift for a stranger (friend of a friend) who's expecting 2nd baby after losing her first baby
Saw this fall gift card and it reminded me of Jackson. Saw someone in scrubs who I’m sure can always use some coffee. 💗 She was so appreciative.
Painted this rock to put in a public space (TBD) to inspire strangers who find it. I was inspired by a a similar rock found by James in Amsterdam!
Love for Jackson down in San Diego! A run down by the water and spreading kindness in the turn of purchasing breakfast for the woman behind me in line. She's ready to pass it forward 🌺
Put some extra money in a roadside sunflower stand to say thank you for sharing cheer (and their flowers) in people’s lives who drive by in Jackson’s honor.
Gave one of these sunflower solar lamps to a class of school kids sitting having lunch outside the Tate Modern today. Their teacher said they will love it and thank you Jackson for the sweet gift ☀️🌻
Donated toys and groceries at Sunnyvale Community Services, a non-profit that provides services for the homeless in our community, in honor of our dear Jackson 💕
Donations of Jackson and Owens clothes, books/toys, shoes, hats, and blankets for babies in the Tacoma WA detention centers
Made arts & crafts during lab meeting, making paper flowers to spread Jackson's kindness.
Took photos of pink flowers and created a spot for mindful meditation and quiet reflection for guests at their rental house in Lake Table Rock in the Ozarks 🌸
Washed her housemates’ sheets on a Monday morning because she knew it was on their to do lists!
Befriended a stranger at the airport who very anxious because it was her first time flying. She shared that she was going to Texas to meet her newborn grandson, but could only afford to visit for one week. It made me think of the joy of spending long stretches of time with both Jackson & Owen when they were born, and how grateful I was that I could do it.
I did my best to ease her airport anxiety and later saw her at her gate. I ended up talking to her about Jackson & our kindness project, and asked her to accept her a gift on his name, so she could enjoy some special time with her 3 grandkids in Texas ❤️
Found this website, then arranged with 10 other families to raise $1,000 for a shoe donation to students at a local school. Thirty pairs of shoes, allowing kids to play on the basketball team — including three children living in a shelter, who’d never had new shoes until now. They’ll continue to do this in years to come — an amazing gift. ♥️
“Harper is sharing her mama’s milk (to someone who could really use it) in honor of Jackson today ❤️”
Natalia’s former advisor received this framed photo with a Jackson kindness card attached — a complete coincidence; the gifter had no idea she knew Natalia personally. The gifter (a stranger to us) was inspired to do this act of kindness after hearing Natalia’s podcast.
“This photograph of Roxburough Park (in Colorado) was taken while hiking on a painful day when she herself experienced a sense of connection through this small act of kindness.”
“I visited the biggest Temple in Melbourne for the first time and in honor of Jackson, I shared his story with this monk and donated money. The Monk asked me not to put his Kindness Project card in the donation box... she wanted to keep his card at the temple and pray for him every night. In our culture, we pray for his spirit to be free.”
Bought a family a Daniel Tiger toy, since that was Jackson’s favorite show. The sweet mom he treated said "I'll pay it forward!"
Donated blood in honor of Jackson. She used her arm with her Jackson tattoo and chose a pink bandage, his favorite color. Then came over for Owen snuggles 🥰
Brought Larsen’s bakery treats for Labor and Delivery staff at UW on Owen’s 1 month “birthday”
“Extra-generous tip to a lovely young woman for a scone at the airport, on my way to meet Owen 💕. I gave her Jackson’s card & told her he was gone, but that I was meeting my new grandson today. She tried to give me my food for free! - but I told her the kindness was on my part, a gift to her ❤️”
Donated baby sleepers to Harborview Giving Tree Program for patients and families receiving care at Harborview
Donated 25 scarves, 25 pairs of socks and 20 pairs of gloves to a homeless outreach group in Spokane over break in honor of Jackson.
Adopted a family for the holidays and plans to do so every year with her daughter in honor of Jackson.
Filled two “Samaritan” gift boxes for children somewhere around the world, with toy cars, school supplies, and more.
Donated to Manuel’s “Big Brother Big Sister” fundraiser. Full-circle kindness act, since Manuel started volunteering as a “Big Brother” as his Act of Kindness in 2017.
Small pewter votive candles bought in Mittenberg and some lotion. People loved it and are going to pass on a random act of kindness in Jackson’s memory.
Homemade chocolate chip cookies (“Libby cookies”) on the anniversary of Jackson’s passing, for the firefighters who came to our aid that morning 🍪 🚒
Donated ten bags of books with her son to little libraries in their neighborhood as well as the community library 📚
Delivered 30 single stem Dahlias on the anniversary of Jackson’s passing to neighbors who remember that morning all too well.
Abuelo & Abuela donated a Woodland Park Zoo Family Passport membership to a random family in honor of Jackson & his love for the zoo.
Two gift certificates for a local paint-your-own pottery studio: one for the next family with small kids that walks through the doors, and the other to be given at whenever the store owners choose to do so, for a mom with her young son.
Gave a mom in the park a gift card to a really nice indoor kid space in Philly that offers both free play and structured classes.
Made a donation to UNICEF during training in Djibouti, after learning that child mortality rate under 5 years in Somalia is 85%
“Left these in the staff break room at my clinic. Working hard to spread Jackson’s memory in Hershey, PA!”
Sharing some Jackson kindness (Cards, flowers and harbor tour passes) with neighbors going through difficult times
Dropped a box of protein bars, other sustaining foods, and self-care items off at a Seattle tent city.
Gifted to a patient in the hospital who mentioned her niece’s upcoming 3rd birthday on September 11 (exact same birthday as Jackson who also would be turning 3).
“For the past couple years I've been driving my neighbor (and fellow violist) to orchestra rehearsal since she's not super comfortable driving at night. She's a great car companion and I look forward to our conversations. We've talked about Jackson on our rides and I'm bringing her flowers tonight.”
Donated to the Lassen Volcanic National Park on her birthday, and climbed up to Cinder Cone in honor of Jackson.
Donated books to toddler and preschool classrooms at Jackson’s school in his memory 📚
Left three special books on our doorstep with sweet inscriptions dedicated to Bryan and Natalia, Jackson, and baby brother on the way.
Made meals at Zac’s restaurant for homeless folks on Capitol Hill. Handed out burritos, chips, and Rainer Beers in honor of Jackson. ❤️
Took a dozen donuts to her favorite flower shop in Bellingham in honor of Jackson’s love of flowers 🌸
Made banana bread for her daughter’s daycare teachers and wrote them a thank you note sharing their appreciation.
“Prepared a talk and spoke at a rally for my union about climate action and how ‘loving the land is an act of loving the past, present, and future all at the same time’”
Donated a ton of diapers in Jackson’s honor to an organization called “Las Madrinas” in Sacramento that helps low income families with young kids.
Gave one of her favorite bookstores in NY money to go towards whoever buys the next children’s book there.
Volunteered with ‘Turning Wheels for Kids’ (free bike repair clinic) hosted by Milpitas Fire Department where they fixed 76 bikes and gave a away 37 helmets. Wore Jackson’s shirt to raise awareness of SUDC and mentioned to others volunteer about Jackson.
Delivered bagels to the labor and delivery staff at Kaiser hospital in Oakland where their son was born in August.
Donated to San Jose’s Heritage Home, an organization dedicated to helping pregnant women overcome homelessness, addiction, and other hardships while becoming loving mothers to their newborn babies.
“Gift certificate for a colleague who lost her son to suicide several years ago and has since become a champion for youth suicide prevention. She reminds me of another brave, badass mama I know who refuses to let her suffering go to waste.”
Thank you note and candle to the chaplain who came with first responders the morning that Jackson passed away.
“Took a big fruit salad up to Portage Bay daycare and put it in the staff room for the teachers and school who loved Jackson so much and took such good care of him, and also need lots of extra love and support this week. We also made a lot of art as a family and decorated the staff room w the Jackson themed art (flowers, pink, Js).”
Gave their friend’s daughter an e-reader she very much wanted, and shared Jackson’s picture and spoke about him. They also planted 10 begonias in memory of Jackson and his love for flowers.
Dropped off a bag of supplies for victims of the floods in North Carolina at a local shelter.
Sponsored a giraffe named Dobby in honor of Jackson - they were a favorite at the zoo (Bryan taught Jackson that giraffes say “mee-mee-mee-mee”)
Donated books to “Books to Prisoners”, as well as a donation to help pay for sending the books out to prisoners.
Bought breakfast for her medical clinic as an act of kindness in honor of Jackson, with an extra challenge for the beneficiaries...
Donated baby blankets to Mary’s Inn Maternity Home, which serves serves perinatal women in Dubuque with limited resources. Some of these blankets were used by Shep, their son, who they also lost to SUDC.
“Today we made some brownies in honor of Jackson for the firefighters in our neighborhood. They were so touched, they even let James ride in the fire truck.”
Contributed to “Front Porch Summer Arts”, a summer program focused on creativity for kids and teens in Warwick, NY.
Helped a stranger on a Moms Facebook group who lost a six week old daughter to SIDS and has been struggling emotionally and financially in the aftermath of her tragedy. “I'm hoping that giving in Jackson's name will be useful as well as help her feel less alone.”
Updated membership with KUOW and dedicated Evergreen Membership to Jackson. They called it in and spoke with the staff there about Jackson and about the kindness project and shared the website with them.
Gifted a box of chocolate truffles to a new co-worker who asked about kids and I shared with her that Jackson died. Wanted to show her she didn’t misstep in asking, and that I appreciated her kindness.
Treated a family to passes to the PAWS Discovery Farm in New Jersey. Ran into a little boy named Jackson.
Donated to the food bank in memory of Jackson’s favorite dinner combo, “rice and beans” 🍴
(This is yet-another Kindness Act recipient who paid-it-forward!)
Got called into a night shift, and paid for the person behind her - then texted Natalia “person behind me gonna meet Jackson!” ☕️
Donated to the Garden--a rare green place open for free all year round across the street from their London flat--that is somehow nearly all supported by volunteers. It even has a section of donated play toys for kids. I remember Jackson loved to be outside and it's a place we'll continue to honor his memory and celebrate his life.
Sent 28 Mother’s Day cards and “mama bear” buttons to my dearest friends and family raising young children
Left donations with Jackson's cards in the donation box at Glide Memorial Church Service after volunteering together.
Searched the SUDC website for ways to get involved and found out about a fundraising event near Philadelphia where they live. They signed up, did the walk (on a cold and rainy day!), and donated to SUDC Foundation. All in memory of Jackson 💕
Gave extra large tip to Amsterdam canal tour guide on the 6-month anniversary of Jackson’s passing
Donated to the Firefighters Burn Institute that helps burn victims and burned firefighters in Northern California. In memory of Jackson who loved fire trucks.
Donated to the preschool that Bryan, James, & Chris attended with their children, in memory of how much Jackson loved his daycare.
Planted 4 trees on the Galápagos Islands, so that Jackson’s memory can grow Tall-Like-A-Tree 🌳
Got stuck in the snowstorm while interviewing on the east coast and left a large tip for the lovely employees at Chipotle, the only restaurant open for miles!
Honored veterans on MLK day, in the spirit of citizenship, service, and Jackson’s love and kindness, by bringing coffee and donuts for 100 veterans living at the Veterans Academy at the Presidio of San Francisco.
Signed up for the bone marrow registry in order to be available for another child or adult in need.
Donated to Encompass, helping to build healthy foundations for children in their families
Dog-sat their friends’ 2 Boston Terriers (Sadie and Chloe) over Christmas when they were in a pinch, in honor of Jackson’s kindness and Stella’s sweetness
Bought and distributed a bunch of these cute little colorful balls that grow/decompose (with natural rainfall and sun) into beautiful different flowers. A way to “toss” Jackson’s kindness and love for flowers into the world.
Made a donation to Wally’s rescue org and told them about Jackson and Wally’s sweet relationship (as evidenced by this favorite ice cream sharing photo).
Donated a parent and child swim class package (10 classes) for Aquatics Levels 1 & 2 (ages 6 months-4 years) at Queen Anne pool, a place that has held a lot of fun childhood swim lesson memories for Bryan and Hayley, as well as Jackson!
Gifted a Starbucks gift card, cash, and a jar of homemade caramel popcorn to a very friendly homeless man who often greets her on the same block of the Upper West Side.
Asked Leslie Noble, owner of a wonderful family pie business in NY, to select a family for a pie donation.
Sent a refugee girl to school for a year in the U.S. in honor of Jackson’s love of school and learning.
Donated $500 to Asha, an amazing non-governmental organization in New Delhi, changing lives for families and children in New Delhi slums, helping with livelihood, higiene, and education.
"Angel" glassybaby for a friend’s mother who lost a baby over 20 years ago, in honor of both Jackson and Victor.
Made donation to SUDC, and hung the photo of Jackson on their Christmas tree, to keep his spirit close at heart.
Sent thank you cards to all the firefighters they know (which are many), thanking them for what they do and all the people they help each and every day.
Picked out these holiday pajamas with her boys to give to the Jammie Drive at school. They will go to children in the Colorado Foster care system. Their first lesson in compassionate living and sending loving-kindness is thanks to beloved Jackson.
Gift certificate for our wonderful grief counselor to take her kids to 'Paint the Town', a place I had wanted to take Jackson.
Donated holiday presents to LifeMoves, an organization that helps homeless individuals and families. Also donating to the SUDC foundation in Jackson's honor.
Headed-up a winter festival charity drive for the SUDC Foundation (including a live broadcast sharing Jackson’s story) at her work (Caffeine, a live-streaming site) which has raised over $700 to-date.
Donated to Stanford Children’s Hospital and picked out a pink ornament for our Jackson tree 💗🎄
“Adopted” a homeless family with 3 boys and fulfilled their Christmas wishes of legos and warm clothes (and surprise gifts for mom and dad).
Made a donation in Jackson’s name to support the American Red Cross, an important charity for their family, to help fire victims in a Southern California.
Provided rides to a coworker who is a young widow and recently had a heart attack herself. Her coworker is currently barred from driving and otherwise has to navigate a stressful cross-town bus commute in LA. She shared Jackson’s story and listened to Bahamas (played at Jackson’s birth and memorial service) on the long drive back home.
Gifted a candle and a poinsettia plant in Jackson’s memory to a young couple who moved in at the end of her cul-de-sac a few months ago.
Gave this book to an old friend who is an immigration lawyer. She works with an enormous heart for people who’ve come to the U.S. seeking asylum, which is even more difficult in the current political climate. Jackson’s card reminded him of her kindness, working to help people who’ve experienced too much of the opposite.
Gift cards to her son’s wonderful teachers at daycare, thanking them for the love, kindness, fun and learning they give him everyday.
Organized a team of people from work to fund and make cookies for hundreds of people at shelters and transitional homes through the FareStart organization. FareStart provides meals to this population daily, but dessert is not normally included. The cookies will be a special treat for the holiday in honor of Jackson.
Donated diapers to WestSide Baby as part of their friend's donation drive, serving low income families with babies and children in West King County.
Donation to Choose Creativity, in honor of Jackson and and Lulu & Leo. We learned about this family’s tragedy in Option B and have been inspired by their healing through meaningful work.
Reconnected with a dear friend from Germany and treated her to lunch where they shared stories about loss and talked about Jackson’s life and the kindness project.
Blessing bags (filled with toiletries, non perishable food, water, etc...) that they normally keep in their car to pass out to anyone in need. This holiday season they spruced up the blessings bags with additional festive items and made it extra special with Jackson’s heartwarming smile.
Knowing how obsessed Jackson was with all things firetrucks, they bought lots and lots of firetruck-themed toys to bring smiles to other children Jackson’s age.
In honor of Jackson's love for his lovies, they donated stuffed animals and infant blankets to Children's Hospital.
To support the research and increase of awareness of sudden unexpected deaths in children, they donated money to SUDC.
Preparing gifts in Jackson’s honor for people at my grandmothers nursing home. Each gift has a home made ornament and chocolates.
Donation to the children’s section of the Albert Wisner Public Library. They have various themed tote bags for children to read and learn about subjects that interest them. Here is a new story time tote bag with Arctic animals theme in honor of Jackson.
As part of his company’s 190lb donation to Northwest Harvest, he helped contribute to 40lb worth of kid-related nutritious items.
Gift for a fellow bereaved mother who lost her daughter. She honors her memory with Crickets.
Gifts for the children of a fellow bereaved mother. A children’s book on grieving for her 4-year-old son, a keychain in memory of her son lost to SUDC, and our favorite burp cloths for her baby on the way.
Donations to 500 Women Scientists and Center for Women & Democracy, in memory of Jackson and support of Dr. Sarah Myhre, an amazing scientist, feminist, mama, friend.
Donation to the local chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in support of her dear friend Beth and in memory of our dear Jackson.
Tin of oatmeal cookies and tea for an elderly neighbor who lives by herself after her husband passed away many years ago.
Craft supplies for her friend Donna who loves to make earrings and who has been praying for our family.
Magnets for a fellow bereaved mother who remembers her daughter Whitney when she sees ladybugs 🐞
5K Santa Run to bring their community closer together in loving memory of Jackson Antonio Clark.
Gave an extra-large tip to my masseuse who was so kind and comforting when I cried during a massage from missing Jackson.
An ornament for Abby, the fire station chaplain who supported us immediately after Jackson’s passing in the days and weeks after.
A friend recently underwent surgery to remove melanoma skin cancer on her leg. They wrote her a card and gave her gift certificate to treat herself to a manicure.
Donated to the SF Fire Department Toy Drive, with Jackson's card tucked into the Goodnight Moon book.
Prepared "kindness bags" for nursing staff helping to deliver her baby at Swedish First Hill
Gave family heirloom Christmas decorations to family friends who lost their home (and many precious memories and possessions, including their Christmas decorations) in the Santa Rosa fires.
Gave four boxes of baby clothes to a secondhand store; all proceeds go to Seattle Children's
Gave 2 cozy fleece lined hoodies to a 17yo boy, along with the card, to fill his request and put under a giving tree.
Gift for a needy family at Mary’s Place, a Center for homeless families. Plus yummy cookies. Stocking stuffers chosen by Ansel based on what he thought Jackson would like.
Organized a book club donation of socks for YouthCare - an organization that works to keep homeless youth off the street.
Adopted a family for Christmas from St. Vincent’s Day Home in Oakland, which provides early-learning programs primarily serving single-parent low-income families.
"Recently, I had the pleasure of representing an exceptionally nice client who was down on his luck. With Jackson’s Kindness Project in mind, I committed to making sure he had clean clothes and healthy meals throughout the trial. We started each morning with breakfast and a cup of coffee while we prepared for the day. After a roller coaster of a week, he was found not guilty by a jury of his peers."
Talked about Jackson over cake with other members of “The Loss Foundation”, a bereavement charity group in the U.K.
Sponsored Pramod, a child in need from Sri Lanka, in the hopes of sharing some of Jackson's joy and light and love with another little person in the world.