Though very cold temperature continue to trouble the US, an act of kindness has warmed   everyone. In Chicago a young man provided a homeless old man with the proper footwear—from his own feet. Jessica Bell, a passenger, saw everything and posted the story on Facebook.

According to her Facebook post, Bell was taking the train home on Friday when she noticed a homeless old man sitting across from her. Bell wrote that the man was wearing tattered shoes, and many pairs of socks to keep his feet warm, but there was blood seeping through.

On the same train was another man. According to Bell’s description, he was young, was carrying a bag and a suitcase. He was wearing big black snow boots（靴子）, which looked new and expensive. They were built for a Chicago winter. Then he did a good thing.

Bell described that the young man took off his own boots and passed them to the old man. He opened his suitcase and gave him a pair of socks as well. Then the young man put on a different pair of socks as well. After that the young man put on a different pair of shoes—not as nice as the ones he had given away. He told the old man to try them on and helped him clean his feet and change into the new boots as quickly as he could, and then left the train.

At the end of her post, Bell wrote, “I love my city. I love that in a time and place where a quiet act of kindness appears without warning.”

The story has received thousands of comments（评论）, with many people describing how moving they found the act of kindness. One wrote, “We can all learn from that young man.” Others are thanking Bell for sharing the story—there are still good people in the world.

I remember my first fire. I was the second volunteer on the scene, so there was a pretty good chance I was going to get in.

When I found the captain, he was having a conversation with the homeowner in a hurry. She was surely having one of the worst days of her life. Here it was, the middle of the night, she was standing outside in the pouring rain, under an umbrella, without shoes, while her house was in fire.

The other volunteer who had arrived just before me – let’s call him Lex Luther- came first and was asked to go inside and save the homeowner’s dog.

Well, I was next. The captain waved me over. He said, “Bezos, I need you to go into the house. I need you to go upstairs and I need you to get this woman a pair of shoes. “So, not exactly what I was hoping for, I went-up the stairs, down the hall, past the ‘real’ fire fighters, who were pretty much done putting out the fire at this point, into the master bedroom to get a pair of shoes.

Now I know what you’re thinking, but I’m no hero. A few weeks later, the department received a letter from the homeowner thanking us for the valiant effort displayed in saving her home. The act of kindness she noted above all others: someone had even got her a pair of shoes.

So as I look around this room at people who either have achieved, or are on their way to achieving, remarkable levels of success, I would offer this reminder don’t wait. Don’t wait until you make your first million to make a difference in somebody’s life. If you have something to give, give it now.

Not every day is going to offer us a chance to save somebody’s life, but every day offer us an opportunity (机会) to affect one. So get in the game. Save the shoes.

“It’s tiring, but fun, exciting, and enjoyable. Most importantly, I’m so happy to help my school,” 11-year-old Jeremy Louie said when a reporter asked him to describe the running activity (活动).

The running activity, also called Run for Education, began in 2013. Then the Pleasanton Partnerships in Education Foundation (PPIE) holds the activity every year. “Our activity raises money for schools, works to celebrate our city Pleasanton, and also brings local people together,” said Mindy Louie, the manager of PPIE. “We have more than 3,000 people taking part in the run. With the raised money, we support 15 schools in our city, including over 14, 500 students and 800 teachers and school workers.”

In 2023, the activity took place on April 30. It offered the 5K (3.1 miles), 10K (6.2 miles), and 2-mile family run.      ◆      It was for kids between the ages of 3 and 10 who were not quite ready for the longer run.

A local runners’ group called B.Y.D. took part in the activity. Jerry Wu set up the group during COVID-19 to help kids stay fit. He said, “Watching them run makes me smile every time.” 30 people of B.Y.D. ran in April’s activity. Eighth-grader Ollie Gu was one of them. He finished the match in 40 minutes and 46 seconds and won first place in the 12-15 age group. “The run was very rewarding (值得的),” Ollie said. “I’m looking forward to the run next year.”