Publication Date: April 21, 2026
In a world often overwhelmed by negativity and division, Kindness Heroes offers something we all need: hope. This powerful and heartwarming book reminds us that goodness still exists in the everyday actions of people who choose to care and create positive ripples in their communities.
These aren’t celebrities or billionaires, they’re students, teachers, parents, and neighbors who saw a need and acted.
Rooted in the legacy of Matt Kurtz, a young man who believed deeply in the power of kindness, this book was born from grief transformed into generosity. Through Matt’s Kindness Ripples On, his family honors his memory by uplifting others who are spreading hope. This book tells their stories.
Whether you’re feeling hopeless, wondering how to make a difference, or simply needing a reminder of the good in humanity, Kindness Heroes will resonate deeply.
At its core, this book isn’t just about them; it’s about you. It’s a reminder that what you do matters. That the ripple starts with you.
Kindness Heroes by Jackie Kurtz is not your ordinary read. It grew from the grief of losing a child to mental illness, then building on the legacy of that life. A small non-profit, Matt’s Kindness Ripples On (MKRO), was born to locate ordinary people doing extraordinary things and support those efforts. This book gathers the stories of small acts of many that have expanded far beyond the first moment of kindness.
Each story is easy to read in only a few minutes, followed by a reflection question and an appropriate quote. There are more than 50 inspiring stories. The range of kindness goes from small children passionately writing notes to inventive designs that you will not be able to continue reading the next story until you open an internet search for the expanded story with photos.
One could tackle this reading night after night, without the sadness hangover of scrolling through the news. Equally, the reading could wait on a bedside table and be read leisurely, really contemplating the reflection question.
Some stories in this collection might fill your heart with hope, and others may inspire you to boldly go out and make a mark in the world.
Kindness Heroes is 50+ testimonies that prove goodness does exist and comes from the most ordinary places. 
My husband and I were enjoying retirement when our oldest son, Matt, kind, optimistic, and compassionate, was suddenly diagnosed with schizophrenia and died by suicide months later. In our grief, we heard countless stories of his impact. To honor him, we founded Matt’s Kindness Ripples On, awarding over $20,000 in kindness grants. Kindness Heroes shares their stories, ordinary people choosing compassion, and reminds readers that goodness still exists.
