44 FRONTDOORS MEDIA | MAY 2018 It’s believed that twins think alike. Justin and Scott Clarke clearly prove that. In fact, Justin’s wife, Jaime, put it well: “They’d give you the shirts off their backs!” A well-used phrase, but perfect for these identical twins. The story starts with Scott, as Justin explained. “Every Mother’s Day, Scott would give the cashier at his local Starbucks money and roses, asking the clerk to use the cash to pay for every mother’s coffee and give them a rose until both ran out. He didn’t ask for recognition or repayment of any type. His only wish was that the recipients would pay the kindness forward in some way,” Justin said. On Mother’s Day, 2011, Scott and Justin’s mother went to that same Starbucks. After ordering, she was presented with a rose and learned that someone had already paid for her coffee. Waiting for her drink, she mused about who might have done such a kind deed. The answer, of course, was her own son, Scott. Scott died unexpectedly a few weeks later, at the age of 29. During the funeral, Justin shared the story about Scott’s Mother’s Day act of kindness. Later, he was surprised to learn that the story had inspired more kindness. A group of his friends collected hundreds of dollars to pay for dads’ coffees on Father’s Day, in the same way, at the same Starbucks, in Scott’s honor. It occurred to Justin and Jaime that there should be a place for individuals to pay forward their kindness while inspiring others to do the same. So, the Honey Foundation was born on September 11, 2012, with the tagline, “Just Bee-Cause.” Not only that, they designed an innovative pay-it-forward tracking system. Here’s how it works. A participant signs up for a Honeybee ID number. When they act kindly toward a stranger, the stranger receives their ID number on a sticker, card or pen. And they’re asked to pay the kindness forward and then register the kindness at HoneyFoundation.org to inspire others. This domino effect of kind acts can then be tracked. Justin and Jaime’s dream is for their kindness map to stretch nationwide. A 2ND ACT { stories of perseverance } Judy Pearson | Contributing Writer BEE-ING KIND Like honey, it never spoils

MAY 2018 | FRONTDOORS MEDIA 45 But they went a step further. Educators contacted them, reporting that students were having a hard time understanding the “BEE Kind” concept. They asked Justin and Jaime to teach kindness in schools, so the Honey Foundation’s Kindness Education Program was launched. Schools from California to New Jersey have since implemented the program. Best of all, results indicate that the program has increased the sense of safety and security at schools, and has improved student participation, confidence, leadership and positive relationships. With this spirit of optimism, the Honey Foundation wants to “pollinate” the world with kindness. And it appears to be happening. The organization routinely receives Facebook messages from schools and students alike, thanking them for making their world kinder. Recently, the Clarkes received a letter from a 12-year-old boy who had attended one of their events. “He said he loves our mission,” Jaime said. “He wants to help us spread kindness by teaching others about it — and he enclosed a check for $100!” Scott summed it up. “We believe the world receives hope through kindness. Every member of our ‘hive’ is a part of a global colony of do-gooders who prove daily that no matter how big the problems of the world may seem, any one of us can make a difference,” he said. “All we have to do is take the time to show love, appreciation and kindness to others. Like honey, kindness never spoils.” To learn more about the Honey Foundation, visit HoneyFoundation.org. Judy Pearson is a journalist, published author, and the founder of A2ndAct.org. Her organization supports and celebrates women survivors of all cancers as they give back to the greater good in their 2nd Acts. Her passion is finding those who have healed themselves by helping others. Justin Clarke (right) started the Honey Foundation after tragically losing his twin brother Scott in 2011. BEE Kind bees teach a young do-gooder that anyone can make a difference.