Ordinary Nevadans who performed extraordinary acts of kindness in 2025
Ordinary Nevadans of all ages spread kindness to their Silver State communities in 2025. Let’s hope their kindness is contagious for 2026.
‘Tis the season of giving. As another year draws to a close, we’d like to take a moment to recognize some ordinary Nevadans who performed extraordinary acts of kindness in 2025.
From a Reno resident on a quest to reduce road rage on Nevada roads to an 8-year-old Las Vegan who’s ensuring no student at her school gets bullied, these Nevadans made headlines by going above and beyond to spread kindness in their communities without expecting anything in return.
Since kindness is contagious, we hope these stories will inspire you to perform your own acts of kindness in 2026. Check out this post on the Nevada Moms website for some family-friendly ideas to get you started.
Cindy Ford: Boulder City diner owner feeds local families
When the 43-day government shutdown loomed large in October and November, some Nevada families struggled to put food on the table. One Boulder City resident took bold action to make sure no one went hungry.
First, Southwest Diner owner Cindy Ford served free meals to kids. She explains via phone: “I don’t think kids need to be put in the middle” of a political fight, “so I did something about it.”
With the disruption of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) causing Nevadans to face extra stress, she expanded the offer to adults as well, no questions asked.
A member of the small Southern Nevada community for 33 years and a single mom, Ford knows what it’s like to be down on your luck when times are tough, but through good times and bad, she’s always felt supported by her neighbors; providing free meals was the least she could do, calling it “a hand up, not a hand out.”
Ford made a similar gesture of goodwill at Southwest Diner, 761 Nevada Way, when schools were closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. “For some kids, school is the only place they get food,” she explains.
Elizabeth Whittaker: Grassroots initiative brings message of kindness to Nevada roads
If you ever feel frustrated while driving on a Nevada road, you’re not alone. The Silver State ranked among the Top 10 U.S. states for road rage incidents in 2025, according to Consumer Affairs.
Also frustrated by the increasingly busy roads in the nation’s Biggest Little City, Reno resident Elizabeth Whittaker. She told us via Instagram messenger that she wanted to turn that negative “energy into something more positive and, in turn, safe for everyone.” Whittaker created Drive Kind NV, a grassroots initiative that encourages local drivers to choose kindness over anger.
Her message is simple: “Kindness is contagious. Pass it on.” The message has been shared by local media, on social media, and on billboards and signage donated by partners like Lamar Advertising, The Nugget Casino Resort, The Atlantis Casino Resort, and the Reno–Sparks Convention Center. Whittaker hopes this message will effect a cultural shift among Reno drivers, helping to prevent accidents, frustration, aggression, and violence.
“The community has really rallied around the simple message of ‘driving kind,’ and the support has been amazing,” Whittaker told us. “People keep telling me it feels like a simple but powerful reminder, almost a reset, to be kind …. Instead of giving in to frustration or rushing around, they’re choosing patience and compassion behind the wheel.”
Pam and Robb Wagner: Online platform spreads kindness to neighbors in need
It can be hard to ask for help. Nevadans Pam and Robb Wagner are helping to ease that burden this holiday season, and beyond.
In November, Fox 5 Vegas reported that the Las Vegas couple launched CulDeSac, an online platform designed to connect those in the community in need with those who can help, turning strangers into neighbors.
Called the internet’s kindest neighborhood, CulDeSac allows locals who are struggling to make ends meet—such as a disabled senior who can’t afford groceries or a single mom struggling to buy holiday gifts for her several children—to ask for help anonymously. Needs can be as simple as groceries, a birthday gift, or an unpaid bill. Once posted on the platform, CulDeSac Neighbors who want to help can anonymously donate an act of kindness to the neighbor of their choice in denominations from $25 to $500.
“Helping people isn’t just about providing things,” writes Pam on the CulDeSac website. “It’s about connection, trust, and human dignity.” Wagner was a longtime volunteer when she lived in California. She created CulDeSac with Robb to continue the spirit of giving in Las Vegas.
Juliette Berkabile: Beauty queen spreads joy through handwritten notes
In the disconnected digital age, Juliette Berkabile understands the value of a handwritten note. A mother of 10, a grandmother of eight, and a beauty queen, she began a campaign this summer called “Cards of Kindness,” spreading a positive message with a personal touch.
While the Las Vegas woman first wrote to friends and family, her address book quickly expanded as people across the country flooded her social media with messages asking for handwritten letters. She has since written and sent letters to strangers as far as Florida and Massachusetts, according to Fox 5 Vegas.
Phoenix Pyle: Student raises funds for a bench to turn strangers into buddies
When 8-year-old Phoenix Pyle, an Ober Elementary School student, saw another student playing alone at recess, she felt bad. She didn’t like the idea of anyone being excluded, so she befriended the student.
But that wasn’t enough for Pyle. She wanted to prevent the situation from happening to other kids and decided to spread kindness on campus, reported News 3 Las Vegas. With her mom’s help, she launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for a “Buddy Bench,” a space where lonely students can make new friends.
“For those that don’t know what a Buddy Bench is, it’s a special seat that signals other kids to come talk or play with you,” writes Pyle’s mom, Laquel Harris, on the page for the GoFundMe campaign. “Imagine sitting on the bench and feeling lonely, and the next thing you know, someone sits next to you and becomes your friend.”
Pyle’s act of kindness quickly inspired action as her campaign successfully raised the needed funds, and the buddy bench was built for the students.
Justyn Boumah: Kid spreads kindness to expats and service members
In February, 9-year-old Justyn Boumah celebrated Random Acts of Kindness Day by hosting a creative card-making event. As KTNV Las Vegas reports, he called on schools, families, and businesses to help him create and send handmade cards to expats and servicemembers, in hopes of spreading smiles and honoring those who serve overseas.
Boumah is the founder of Heroes & Hearts, a nonprofit that empowers and educates underprivileged communities. According to the website, “His work demonstrates an extraordinary blend of youthful imagination and a profound commitment to making the world a better place for all.”
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