July 24th, 2015

a note from gpp founder, lauren burgoyne

Bob Votruba drives the only bus you would ever hope to be stuck  behind during rush hour. The bus' exterior is a colorful billboard of inspiring quotes and meaningful messages. The inside of the bus is the home to the founder of One Million Acts of Kindness  and his rescue pup, Bogart. After the Virginia Tech massacre, Bob sold his house and all of his belongings to fulfill his Greater Purpose of promoting kindness. Bob and Bogart are touring the country and stopping off at schools across the U.S  to fulfill their kindness mission and goal of  putting a stop to bullying.   I had the honor of meeting, interviewing and becoming buddies with Bob and Bogart while they were  traveling through Arizona.  Bob is a is a real life Mr. Rogers, just instead of a trolley he has a bike, which he's riding thousands of miles in every city they stop in to promote his goal.  Kindness is catching on as Bob's been invited to the White House  and most recently London to share his "Greater Purpose." Now he needs our help to keep on pedaling!!! Please read Bob's message below  and share! 

---

Source:  
https://fundly.com/one-million-acts-of-kindness-2015-2016-school-year

Hi, my name is Bob Votruba. Motivated by the tragic Virginia Tech shootings in 2007, I sensed the urgent need to help put an end to bullying, violence, and feelings of helplessness that affect so many people (especially children). 

Six years ago I decided to sell my house and all of my belongings and take up residence on the Kindness Bus in order to give 100% of my efforts to the goal of spreading One Million Acts of Kindness.

Bogart and I have visited hundreds of schools across the countryteaching about kindness, compassion, respect, and gratitude.

What motivates us to continue is the visible impact we are having on so many people.

Children and adults have thanked us for giving them the confidence and tools to believe in themselves and not be victims or bystanders of bullying. 

One Million Acts of Kindness is a goal for each person to individually perform One Million Acts Of Kindness in their lifetime. Think of the huge impact this would have on our world if we all adopted this idea that kindness is the greatest gift we can give to others and to ourselves.

Visit OneMillionActsOfKindness.org for more information and to follow our journey so far. Also, here is a CNN article about our mission.

Fundraising transparency: the goal of $23,859 is to cover the following planned (and unplanned) expenses:

$3,859 for the immediate emergency mechanical work on the Kindness Bus. Without this amount, we will not be able to start our tour for the 2015-2016 school year.

$20,000 is for one school year's expenses: fuel, insurance, licensing, registration, scheduled maintenance, tolls, parking, cell phone, school materials, emergency repairs, continual Kindness Bicycle repairs, Bogart's needs, taxes, accounting, occasional lodging, occasional airfare, illustrating and printing of Bogart's next children's book, and further promotion and outreach so that we can reach out to as many people as possible.

We cannot not do this without your help!