A community effort to spread and inspire random acts of kindness is making its way into Ken-Ton School District classrooms. This effort is being initiated in memory of the late Oliver "Ollie" Boyd, who passed away in February four months shy of his second birthday.
Students at all grade levels are embracing this effort. At Hoover Middle, students of English as a New Language teacher Lindsey Lapidus and sixth-grade teacher Sharon Roberts made cards for residents at the McAuley Residence, a skilled nursing facility in town. At Edison Elementary, students of second-grade teacher Maria DiStefano made cards for teachers and staff members who are special to them to express how much they mean to them. And Kenmore West High School teacher Jeff Martin gave his students special cookies decorated with a smile to brighten their day and also provided them each with an extra cookie to share with someone else in order to pass that kindness on to others.
These are just some examples of how Ollie’s memory is making a difference and being felt in Ken-Ton Schools. The recipients of these acts of kindness are encouraged to pay it forward and thus make the impact even greater.
Ollie’s parents are Ken-Ton residents Christopher and Christina Boyd. Christina not only attended Ken-Ton Schools but has also worked in the district as a substitute teacher and her mother, Angela Jaworski, was a teacher aide at Franklin Middle until her retirement in 2019. Ollie was born on May 4th, 2021 and was only 20 months old when he passed away in February. He was known for his kindness, generosity, and warmth, and his family wanted to find a special way to preserve his memory after his passing.
Mr. and Mrs. Boyd began this initiative on May 4th, which would have been Ollie’s second birthday. They are asking everyone to consider doing something kind for someone else that they wouldn't have otherwise done in honor of Ollie. People throughout the community are now sharing their acts of kindness on a Facebook page entitled "Ollie - Loved to Infinity and Beyond,” which already has hundreds of followers posting information about their efforts on a daily basis.
"Ollie had the kindest, most generous soul. He had a heart of gold. He was the friendliest and warmest little boy," the family wrote on a card which is being passed from person to person. "Whenever someone came over to visit, the first thing he did was grab one of his toys or books to share with his guest. When we were out in public, he would go up to complete strangers and wave and say 'hi' to whomever he could."
It is in the spirit of his kind nature and generosity that people from all walks of life are coming together to secure for Ollie an enduring legacy and make his impact felt throughout Ken-Ton and beyond.
