On Your Mark, Get Set . . . Change the World!

When Orion Jean entered a contest in July 2020, he had no idea how much it would change his life—or the lives of others. The contest involved writing and memorizing a speech. He had only one day to do it. Luckily for Orion, the topic was kindness, a subject he knows a lot about.

“I talked about how important it is to spread kindness and make people feel loved,” Orion says.

The 11-year-old from Fort Worth, Texas, won the $500 grand prize. Orion thought about how he had everything he needed, while others didn’t. He turned his words into action by starting an organization called Race to Kindness. 

The group’s first project was a toy drive called Race to 500 Toys. Instead of using his prize to buy video games or books for himself, Orion spent it all on toys for kids in a local hospital. He also asked for donations from his community. In the end, Orion surpassed his goal, delivering more than 600 toys to the young patients.

After the success of his first “race,” Orion kept going.  

“I hope that what I do inspires people to be kind in their own communities,” he says. “A lot of things can be fixed by simply being kind.”

Orion Jean entered a contest in July 2020. At the time, he had no idea how much it would change his life or the lives of others. The contest involved writing and memorizing a speech. He had only one day to do it. Luckily for Orion, the topic was kindness. It's a subject he knows a lot about.

“I talked about how important it is to spread kindness and make people feel loved,” Orion says.

The 11-year-old from Fort Worth, Texas, won the $500 grand prize. Orion thought about how he had everything he needed, while others didn’t. He turned his words into action by starting an organization called Race to Kindness. 

The group’s first project was a toy drive called Race to 500 Toys. Orion did not use his prize to buy video games or books for himself. Instead, he spent it all on toys for kids in a local hospital. He also asked for donations from his community. In the end, Orion surpassed his goal. He delivered more than 600 toys to the young patients.

After the success of his first “race,” Orion kept going.  

“I hope that what I do inspires people to be kind in their own communities,” he says. “A lot of things can be fixed by simply being kind.”

In October 2020, Orion started a new project with an ambitious goal: Race to 100,000 Meals. He planned to donate meals to families in Texas who didn’t have enough to eat. Orion teamed up with a local group called TangoTab to spread the word. 

People from across the country came through, donating food and money. With the help of TangoTab, Orion was able to give more than 100,000 meals to people in need.  

“I was so happy that the country was able to come together for a goal because the need is so great,” Orion says. 

In October 2020, Orion started a new project called Race to 100,000 Meals. He had an ambitious goal. He planned to donate meals to families in Texas who didn’t have enough to eat. Orion teamed up with a local group called TangoTab to spread the word. 

People from across the country came through. They donated food and money. With the help of TangoTab, Orion was able to give more than 100,000 meals to people in need.  

“I was so happy that the country was able to come together for a goal because the need is so great,” Orion says. 

When it came time for Orion to plan his next race, he thought about one of his favorite activities—reading.   

“Books have truly changed my life,” Orion explains. “I wanted more kids to have that experience.” 

Launched last May, Orion’s latest mission was called Race to 500,000 Books. Along with volunteers, Orion held free book fairs in Texas and Oklahoma. He gave away books to kids whose families can’t afford them or who live far away from libraries. Orion also encouraged people to start book donation drives in their own hometowns.

When it came time for Orion to plan his next race, he thought about one of his favorite activities—reading.   

“Books have truly changed my life,” Orion explains. “I wanted more kids to have that experience.” 

Orion started his latest mission last May. It was called Race to 500,000 Books. Along with volunteers, Orion held free book fairs in Texas and Oklahoma. He gave away books to kids whose families can’t afford them or who live far away from libraries. Orion also encouraged people to start book donation drives in their own hometowns.