RAK #20: Xavier Emmanuel Serrano Rosado

This is the twentieth of 49 random acts of kindness (RAKs) that I’m doing to honor the victims of the Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting. Hopefully each small act puts a little bit of happiness back out in the world!

Not all acts of kindness are random! I ran an errand at lunch today and grabbed lunch at La Bou on my way back. I can’t seem to leave that place with out a croissant and decided to bring one back for my sister!

This RAK is in honor of Xavier Emmanuel Serrano Rosado. He was a father to a young son and a talented dancer. He danced at Disney Live and was known for his salsa moves. He died with his boyfriend Leroy Fernandez. Rest in peace, Xavier.

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RAK # 19: Mercedez Marisol Flores

This is the nineteenth of 49 random acts of kindness (RAKs) that I’m doing to honor the victims of the Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting. Hopefully each small act puts a little bit of happiness back out in the world!

For this RAK, I bought lunch for the lady behind me in the drive through. It was simple, but her smile as I watched in my rear view mirror made my day!

This RAK is in honor of Mercedez Marisol Flores. She loved music and had a smile that could light up the room. She was a hardworking student who was interested in event planning. Rest in peace, Mercedez.

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RAK #18: Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon

This is the eighteenth of 49 random acts of kindness (RAKs) that I’m doing to honor the victims of the Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting. Hopefully each small act puts a little bit of happiness back out in the world!

I have decided that instead of giving something up for Lent this year, that I will do an act of kindness each day. This is #2. Yesterday, my work held a volunteer day (seriously, how cool is that?) in which we were encouraged to take time out of the work day to go do good in the community. I, of course, chose the horse rescue to work with. All About Equine is a local horse rescue that does amazing things. I chose to take some time afterward to provide a small monetary donation as well!

This RAK is in honor of Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon. He was known as a protector of his friends who never retaliated with hate. He died with his partner of eight years, Jean Carlos Mendez Perez and the two were inseparable. They were buried in a joint funeral. Rest in peace, Luis.

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RAK #17: Martin Benitez Torres

This is the seventeenth of 49 random acts of kindness (RAKs) that I’m doing to honor the victims of the Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting. Hopefully each small act puts a little bit of happiness back out in the world!

I have decided that instead of giving something up for Lent this year, that I will do an act of kindness each day. I’m a bit behind on posted, but this is the first one. One of my Facebook friends posted a Go Fund Me for her husband’s grandson – little Calogero who was diagnosed with Burkitt Lymphoma, with several masses throughout his body. No child should have to face what this brave little boy is going through – he started chemo already.

This RAK is in honor of Martin Benitez Torres. He was a college student visiting family in Orlando (from Puerto Rico) when he was killed. He was an avid cook and described by friends and family as diligent and hardworking. He was always smiling and well loved. Rest in peace, Martin.

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RAK #16: Amanda Alvear

This is the sixteenth of 49 random acts of kindness (RAKs) that I’m doing to honor the victims of the Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting. Hopefully each small act puts a little bit of happiness back out in the world!

I may have gone a little overboard on this one. Our church does something called the Giving Tree – you take a tag with someone’s name and wishes and buy them gifts. I chose a nine year old little boy named Malachai. I had so much fun shopping for the things he needed (some clothes) as well as a lot of games (what he wanted). I hope he has a wonderful Christmas!

This RAK is in honor of Amanda Alvear. She could have made it out of the club, but went back for her friend Mercedes (who also died). She worked as a pharmacy technician and was in school for nursing. She was known as a joyous and loving person. Rest in peace, Amanda.

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RAK #15: Franky Jimmy Dejesus Velazquez

This is the fifteenth of 49 random acts of kindness (RAKs) that I’m doing to honor the victims of the Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting. Hopefully each small act puts a little bit of happiness back out in the world!

I had done my normal Sunday morning grocery shopping and was heading over to get gas when I noticed a homeless man near the grocery store. I popped back in, grabbed a gift card, and handed it to him as I left.

This RAK is in honor of Franky “Jimmy” Dejesus Velazquez. The oldest of the victims, he was known as someone who loved being with people and always helping them. Rest in peace, Jimmy.

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RAK #14: Jean Carlos Mendez Perez

This is the fourteenth of 49 random acts of kindness (RAKs) that I’m doing to honor the victims of the Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting. Hopefully each small act puts a little bit of happiness back out in the world!

This RAK is near and dear to my heart – I support several horse rescue organizations (one via Amazon Smile, which donates a portion of every order to my charity). HiCaliber Horse Rescue is one I learned about from my friend Erin. They are located in San Diego and do some amazing work – every week they attend auctions in which horses that are not purchased are shipped for slaughter. Many of these horses are terrified, abused, and in horrifying condition. Some are what they call “compassion pulls” – horses so sick or injured that they must be euthanized – HiCaliber takes these horses and shows them love in their last days. Others are rehabilitated and adopted out. It’s a truly amazing program and I encourage you to read up and donate if you are moved!

This RAK is in honro of Jean Carlos Mendez Perez, who died with his boyfriend inside Pulse nightclub. He was a popular salesman at a local perfume outlet store and was described as a warm, funny man. Rest in peace, Jean.

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RAK #12: Alejandro Barrios Martinez

This is the twelfth of 49 random acts of kindness (RAKs) that I’m doing to honor the victims of the Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting. Hopefully each small act puts a little bit of happiness back out in the world!

I know it’s been a while, but I’m back on the RAK bandwagon. The RAKs 9-13 are all the same thing, but to five different people. I de-stashed some of my planner stickers and posted to a Facebook group that I belong to that I would be giving them away – the one catch was that people had to comment on my post and share a random act of kindness they had done. The response was amazing – there really are great people out there doing great things!

RAK #12 is in honor of Alejandro Barrios Martinez. Alejandro was from Cuba and was one of the youngest victims of the attack at just 21 years old. He was known as happy and fun loving. Rest in peace, Alejandro.

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RAK #11: Deonka Deidra Drayton

This is the eleventh of 49 random acts of kindness (RAKs) that I’m doing to honor the victims of the Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting. Hopefully each small act puts a little bit of happiness back out in the world!

I know it’s been a while, but I’m back on the RAK bandwagon. The RAKs 9-13 are all the same thing, but to five different people. I de-stashed some of my planner stickers and posted to a Facebook group that I belong to that I would be giving them away – the one catch was that people had to comment on my post and share a random act of kindness they had done. The response was amazing – there really are great people out there doing great things!

Deonka had suffered tragedy before – she was ejected from her family vehicle in an accident and had a traumatic brain injury when she was a child. She was working at the club the night of the shooting. Rest in peace, Deonka.

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RAK #10: Darryl Roman Burt II

This is the tenth of 49 random acts of kindness (RAKs) that I’m doing to honor the victims of the Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting. Hopefully each small act puts a little bit of happiness back out in the world!

I know it’s been a while, but I’m back on the RAK bandwagon. The RAKs 9-13 are all the same thing, but to five different people. I de-stashed some of my planner stickers and posted to a Facebook group that I belong to that I would be giving them away – the one catch was that people had to comment on my post and share a random act of kindness they had done. The response was amazing – there really are great people out there doing great things!

This RAK is in honor of Darryl Roman Burt II. He was a member of the Jacksonville Jaycees, a non-profit group of young professionals who help in community projects and events. He was in school, getting his masters degree and was very passionate about his volunteer work. Rest in peace, Darryl.

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