I want to RAK with you!

Many of you know my dad passed away in September this year. He had many faults, but he never lost his generous spirit.

My mom also passed away in 2017. She was a bright light wherever she went, and nothing brought her joy more than doing small acts of kindness for others. It’s just who she was.

I turn 52 this month. My parents are gone, but they both showed me the power of kindness, compassion, and generosity. Life can be hard, but showing up each day with a mindset and intention to share love with others will never lead us astray. As parents, this is the example they set for me.

In 2012, a few of my family members and I came up with a spur of the moment idea to spend Black Friday doing as many Random Acts of Kindness as possible.

In the US, we all know Black Friday. Ironically, we gather together on Thanksgiving to slow down, be with family, and express gratitude. And then the next day we line up for hours, fight our neighbors, and drive ourselves crazy in search of a “great deal” for the holidays. You know, because gratitude is “nice," but nothing trumps consumerism.

Yeah, I can be cynical. But, instead of judging others and condemning Black Friday, we decided to collaborate with the madness by bringing a different energy to the day.

What started out as a fun activity for family and friends, has turned into a national (and even global) tradition that we no longer control. That’s fine. We don’t need to own the movement, but we just want to spread the word to as many people as possible.

Will you help spread the RAK?

So, instead of Black Friday, we call it “RAK Friday.” The goal is do as many Random Acts of Kindness as possible, while inspiring others at the same time. It doesn’t mean you can’t participate in a Black Friday deal, but why not perform a RAK while you’re at it? This year being 2025, our goal is to perform 2,025 Random Acts of Kindness.

Want some examples? Here you go…

• Buy someone a cup of coffee. That’s a RAK!

• Hold the door for someone. That’s a RAK!

• Give someone your parking spot. That’s a RAK!

• Bake a dozen cookies and give them to strangers. That’s 12 RAKs!

• Buy the order of the car behind you in the drive-thru window. That’s a yummy RAK!

• Bring coffee and a dozen bagels to the local police department or fire house. That’s a “thank you for your service” RAK!

• Rake your neighbor’s leaves. That’s a RAK!

• Make up brown bags filled with sandwiches, chips, & a drink and hand them to the unhoused. That’s a powerful RAK!

• Leave coins in the machines at the laundromat. That’s a practical RAK!

• Hand out gift cards to anyone you seeing working on Black Friday. That’s a supportive RAK!

• Leave kindness notes on car windshields. That’s a loving RAK!

Over the years we have heard so many simple, creative, and inspiring examples of RAK’s people have performed. And, if you do something - and post it anywhere on social media using the hashtag #RAKfriday25 - I’ll find it, and count it.

This doesn’t need to consume your day (see what I did there?). It can be simple and quick, and every small act matters.

In our family –wherever we are– we invite any friends who want to join us and we make it a party!

Before my mom passed, this was one of her favorite times of the year. And every time we do another Random Act of Kindness, we feel we are celebrating her. Now that my dad is gone, we’ll try to honor him with being even more generous.

And you probably know this already, but with all the “giving” you’ll be doing on RAK Friday, you’ll be “receiving” even more good vibes. So be selfish, and see how many good vibes you can receive.

That’s it. Are you ready to RAK with us?!!!!

(Don’t forget to use #RAKfriday25 to share the love!)

-Travis