A 10-year-old Canadian boy's gesture of sitting with a new student in school during recess and a note from his new friend is warming hearts on social media.
Suga’s low-key image from government briefings contrasts with his behind-the-scenes work managing bureaucrats and pushing policies. As the chief Cabinet spokesman under Mr. Abe, the straight-faced Mr. Suga offered bland commentary at twice-daily televised news briefings highlighted last year when he became known as “Uncle Reiwa” for unveiling Emperor Naruhito’s imperial era name. A 10-year-old Canadian boy's gesture of sitting with a new student in school during recess and a note from his new friend is warming hearts on social media. A lawmaker from British Columbia, Ravi. The Coast Guard and others searched more than 17,000 square miles for about 84 hours before suspending the search around noon on Friday, Coast Guard officials said in a news release.
A lawmaker from British Columbia, Ravi Kahlon, shared what his son had done and the letter from the new student.
'My 10yr old son saw a new kid sitting by himself. Another friend and he decided to hang out with him over lunch,' he wrote.
'Sitting with me outside felt better than anything...thank you so much,' the new student wrote in the note. He also asked whether he could sit with them from now on.
Proud dad moment today. My 10yr old son saw a new kid sitting by himself. Another friend and he decided to hang out with him over lunch. He got this lovely note at the end of the day😢❤️ pic.twitter.com/b1MNgvMeK7
— Ravi Kahlon (@KahlonRav) January 14, 2021
People on Twitter were moved by the child's gesture and also praised the boy's father for 'raising his child right'. Many others recalled their experiences of being the 'new kid' in school and spoke about how kindness matters.
Here's how netizens reacted to the post.
This right here. Joy tears. https://t.co/ubLy6dzf5T
— SELEMA MASEKELA (@selema) January 14, 2021
You're raising an awesome kid, and shout out to this other kid who's already learned to express heart felt gratitude https://t.co/PAls7bUQnj
— Dr. Jason Johnson (@DrJasonJohnson) January 14, 2021
Strong Willed Women
Trying not to tear up. Thanks for sharing.
Enjoy the pride. It's deserved.
— Mike Armstrong (@ArmstrongGN) January 14, 2021
As someone who was the new kid at six different elementary schools, hugs to your son. 🥰❤️
— Sophie Lui | 呂婉謀 (@sophielui) January 14, 2021
I love this. We need more people like your son in our world 👏🏻👏🏻
— Terri Rolfson (@TerriRolfson) January 14, 2021
This absolutely made my day. I really needed that. Please give your son a hug for me. 🤗❤️
— Jerry Berrios (@jerryberrios) January 14, 2021
Be the person that sits with the new kid.
Strive to be the new kid brave enough to write a thank you note! 😭 https://t.co/NXQGHN3veG
— Jenn Christison (@jenn_christison) January 14, 2021
Such a great reminder that there are still millions of beautiful kindnesses and sweet moments happening in our midst.
💙🙏
— Veronica Corningstone (@Dontbeahater8) January 14, 2021
Wow... well done..good on your kiddo there..good parenting too...
I was one of those loner kids back then..ty..
— Wineguy Canmore (@Wineguy_69) January 14, 2021
Also super brave, vulnerable and cool of the new kid to write a thank you note. Your son picked another good friend. Wonder what those 3 will get up to ... :)
— Bicycle Buddha (@CarmenMills) January 14, 2021
I’d be so proud of my kid if they did this. It’s super cliche, but kindness really does go a long way, and this applies to ALL ages. What you may think is simple gesture could turn a person’s entire day around. Always be nice until it’s time to not be nice. https://t.co/MiZiazqIWj
— Joe Nü-Year 🎉 (@El_Garbagio) January 14, 2021
As a teacher this note is beautiful! Just the kind of thing we need to see from more children everyday. Thanks for being such a great parent and instilling kindness within your child
— Nadine Capolongo (@ssbcalit) January 14, 2021
My son came home in 2nd grade, told me about a kid being bullied at recess, he wanted to ask him to play but was nervous bc the kid was in 3rd grade. Anyways, he asked him to play, it all worked out. The principal, both teachers knew, stood back & watched. Kids are good. ♥️
— Mockingbird (@Mocking30266953) January 14, 2021
Make a mental note of this if you have kids - Intentional efforts to include change lives. Thanks for sharing @KahlonRavhttps://t.co/QHK6Qs3yYP
Being Strong Willed
— Tim O'Connor (@timoconnor55) January 14, 2021
This is the real unity, inclusion, and all the rest. Learn from these kids🙂 https://t.co/PYZMKqB5my
— Juha Keskinen (@MacFinn44) January 14, 2021
During her second and third years of medical school at Upstate, Evelisse Viamonte got bags of food once a month from a church-based food pantry near the university. Reducing her grocery bill helps this future pediatrician stay in school. “Education, food and transportation are all expensive,” explains Viamonte. “My educational costs take precedence.”
Growing up in Coney Island, Brooklyn, Viamonte saw neighbors die from preventable diseases. She remembers doctors who “did amazing work” helping family members with significant health problems. These experiences fueled her desire to become a doctor who cares for people in struggling communities.
At the food pantry, Viamonte saw many people who were struggling. A couple of years ago, she and several other medical students decided to offer a health screening for food pantry guests. Bruce Simmons, MD ’79, retired director of Upstate’s Employee and Student Health department and a volunteer at the food pantry, advised and oversaw the screening.
The medical students took blood pressures and conducted sleep apnea screenings, provided information on primary care services, and listened. The food pantry guests opened up to the medical students. “We talked about sexually transmitted diseases, and challenges with drugs and alcohol,” explains Viamonte. “The people we spoke with were candid and very receptive.”
During the 2020 pandemic, it has been challenging to find ways to support the food pantry community. Viamonte reached out to classmates in the Blackwell Learning Community, a student group dedicated to community engagement and named after Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell, the first woman MD in the United States and an 1849 graduate of the College of Medicine. The students wanted to help the food pantry, especially during the winter holiday season.
Viamonte learned that the people who visit the food pantry on Sunday mornings are in desperate need of warm socks and personal hygiene products. Viamonte set up a collection box at Upstate’s Geneva Tower residence hall, which gleaned 58 pairs of socks and 52 bars of soap. The medical pediatric student group donated $100 to buy additional supplies.
Now, each Sunday morning, guests of the Food Center @ 324—a vulnerable community comprised primarily of the homeless and those suffering from addiction—an count on a warm pair of socks and a bar of soap, thanks to Viamonte and her Upstate classmates.
Upstate Medical University is in the process of opening Paley’s Pantry, an on-campus pantry for students facing food insecurity.