Lighting Up the World: Highlights from Our #spreadjordenslight RAOK Challenge
When we launched the #spreadjordenslight RAOK (Random Acts of Kindness) Challenge, we had one simple goal: to encourage people to share light in honor of Jorden’s legacy. What we didn’t anticipate was just how far that light would travel—or how deeply it would touch the hearts of those who received it.
Over the course of the challenge, we invited people from all over the country to participate by performing random acts of kindness and sharing them with our hashtag. The goal wasn’t just to be kind, it was to be intentional. To be the reason someone smiles today and to spread Jorden’s light.
And, wow, did you show up.
We saw people buying dinner for their grateful friends, strangers’ parking meters paid, a Goodwill worker receiving a flashlight, a little cash, and a card of appreciation. There were hot coffees gifted on cold mornings and inspiring notes slipped into library books and mailboxes. One participant paid for a cart full of food at Costco. The creativity, compassion, and sheer thoughtfulness that poured out was overwhelming in the best way.
But perhaps the most powerful part? The stories that followed.
Like 6-year-old Ari, who found a small flashlight at a CVS, left by one of our participants with a message of encouragement. Ari had just lost his beloved uncle and was feeling the weight of that grief. But that flashlight? It gave him hope. He carried it with him for days and even brought it to school for show-and-tell. (You can read Ari’s full story here.)
It’s moments like these that remind us…kindness is never wasted. Even the smallest act, a kind word, a flashlight with a note—can pierce the darkness and change someone’s day. Or their life.
The winning entry in our challenge came from Sherry and her sister Michelle, who planted those inspirational flashlights around their town, one of which made its way into Ari’s hands. Their thoughtful idea became a literal light in the dark, and we’re honored to celebrate them for embodying everything this challenge was about.
To everyone who participated, whether you shared a story or acted quietly without recognition, thank you. You helped us turn grief into impact, memory into movement, and pain into purpose. You helped us carry Jorden’s light forward in the most meaningful way.
This challenge may be over, but the mission isn’t. Keep lighting the way. Keep showing up for others. And whenever you can, #spreadjordenslight.
With gratitude and love,
The Flashlight Foundation Team
