Local family turns tragedy into nationwide nonprofit promoting kindness

The following appeared in the fall 2021 issue of the Ocean Pines Quarterly Report:



Longtime Ocean Pines residents Jackie and Ron Kurtz, for the last three years, have worked to spread messages of hope through their "Matt's Kindness Ripples On" campaign.

Originally from the Rockville, Maryland area, the family has owned a home in Ocean Pines for about 20 years and lived in the Pines during the last dozen years.

Their son, Matt Kurtz, died tragically in 2017. He was just 32.

The "Matt's Kindness Ripples On" website and nonprofit group was started shortly after, to honor his optimism and compassion for others.

"It started as a tribute to our son, Matt, who died by suicide. But the true cause of his death was mental illness," Jackie Kurtz said. "Matt was just a super smart, really humble person who greeted everyone he met with a nonjudgmental heart. He was just a person who practiced everyday acts of kindness as a way of life."

After his passing, Kurtz said the family was overwhelmed with stories of Matt’s charitable deeds.

"So many people told us that he changed their lives with his kindness," Kurtz said. "So, we decided to do this website and blog, with the mission to keep Matt's kindness going. Really, the mission is to make our world better, one kindness at a time."

The nonprofit, since 2019, has given out roughly $6,000 in "Kindness Awards" and "Kindness Grants." The grants help support charitable acts, while the awards are given to inspirational people.

"We use the award to recognize people who make kindness a way of life, just like Matt did," Kurtz said. "Part of it is, there are so many kind and compassionate people out there, but all the attention is given to people who behave badly. We want to change the focus and share with the world these inspirational people."

Anyone can submit a nomination for the award, and winners are given a certificate of appreciation and $250.

"We ask them to spend it on themselves, because kind people tend to give so much to others and neglect themselves. So, we say, 'This is for you to take care of yourself,'" Jackie said. "And we share those people and their stories, to try and bring more attention to that."

The grants, on the other hand, are selected from a pool who have sent proposals for a kindness project.

"Anyone can submit an idea for an 'Act of Kindness' project, and we give $250 to help them with their project," Kurtz said.

Recipients for both honors have ranged from local people, to those living in Virginia, New York, Connecticut, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, Missouri, Nevada, Texas, Florida, California and Hawaii.

"The very first Kindness Award went to a local person, Linda McGean, who is a counselor at Ocean City Elementary School," Kurtz said. “Another local person, Jude Al-Hamad, read about the award and applied for a grant. She made packages for the Believe in Tomorrow organization here locally."

Kurtz said the youngest award winner was Silas Scauzillo of Rockledge, Florida, a 9-year-old who started a “Kindness Squad” at his school.

"It's amazing, all the different ideas that [grant and award winners] have come up with," she said. "It's been everything from a guy who used his stimulus check to start a nonprofit to take inner-city kids fishing and help mentor them, to people who have dealt with issues like literacy, homelessness, animal shelters, and help for cancer patients.

"It's been awesome to see the creativity that people have come up with, to help others," she continued. "It's been beautiful and inspirational, and I feel lucky that I get to read all of these nominations. The only bad part is, everybody that applies or nominates deserves an award. There's just so many amazing people and we can only give so many out."

Kurtz said the nonprofit has committed to support at least two awards and two grants each year. However, donations to the nonprofit have made it possible to expand the programs.

"We've been very lucky that people have been donating to us," she said. "One hundred percent of donations have gone to additional awards and grants. That's been really humbling too."

While donations have also come from all over the country, Kurtz said the local community of Ocean Pines has been incredibly supportive of the nonprofit.

"A lot of people have talked to me about it. They’ve reached out and shared stories, and nominated people for awards," she said. "We've also received donations. It's wonderful that so many people have supported us and what we do, and they've been there for us through the heartache and the grief.

"I feel very lucky. We have some very amazing friends and neighbors here that have been super supportive of us," she added.

Jackie's husband, Ron Kurtz, is also active locally through the Ocean Pines Pickleball Club. As the club treasurer, he’s helped raise funds for many charitable groups.

"They've been using their membership money to donate to some great organizations, which has been wonderful," Jackie said.

As for what Matt would have thought of the project, Jackie said he "would have absolutely loved it."

"He'd want to be involved so much," she said. "He was all about kindness and being a good person and spreading goodwill."

For more information, including nomination and grant applications, or to donate to Matt's Kindness Ripples On, visit www.mattskindnessrippleson.com.