The mayor of a Chicago suburb is in the spotlight for her absurd expenditures on the taxpayers dime.

John Anthony Castro‚ a Republican candidate from Texas who unsuccessfully attempted to run for presidential office in 2024 and who has been campaigning to have former President Donald Trump disqualified from the ballot on the grounds of the 14th Amendment’s “insurrection clause‚” was arrested on charges of federal tax fraud on Tuesday.

This week Love What Matters had to opportunity to interview Jason Wright‚ founder of the Kindness Card Movement‚ to learn more about how his inspiring mission to spread hope to unhoused individuals came to fruition. Read on to learn more about the growing movement that has amassed nearly 50‚000 followers on social media. What is the Kindness Card Movement and how did it start? Jason: “A few years ago‚ I did a documentary called Getting a Lift which entailed me taking homeless people and hitchhikers where they needed to go. In those videos‚ we’d often end up having lunch together. It kind of grew into me having really interesting discussions with people I’d just met on park benches‚ airports‚ and hotel lobbies. Courtesy of Jason Wright One day I was speaking at this church for a non-denominational kind of a gig and they gave me a wallet that had about $400 worth of gift cards in it. They said‚ ‘We want you to have a vehicle‚ a tool to be able to give and feed more people in your travels in a slightly more organized way to continue doing what you’re doing.’ And I was like‚ ‘Oh my gosh‚ that’s awesome!’ That was 18 months ago. Together we came up with this kind of kindness card thing. I gave those out over the next couple months of my travels and began posting the stories online. Soon‚ people started to respond; I’d go to a book signing‚ or to a speaking gig‚ or whatever‚ some event‚ and people would come up to me and give me a Taco Bell gift card with their initials on the back or their favorite inspiring quote and say‚ ‘Hey‚ will you give this away for me on your travels?’ From there‚ it just kind of grew and grew until people started saying‚ ‘Hey‚ can I just Venmo you money‚ and you go buy the cards in my name.’ Today I’ve given away $15‚000 worth of kindness cards in my neighborhood‚ $5‚ $10‚ $15‚ $25 at a time. I always have them handy in my travels.” Courtesy of Jason Wright What is a recent Kindness Card story that sticks out to you? Jason: “I was in Salt Lake City when I saw Raymond near my hotel. It took a little while to get him to open up. Of the hundreds and hundreds of interactions I’ve had‚ I’ve never had one where the person I talked to was so completely hopeless. It was utterly heartbreaking. So‚ I gave him the rest of everything I had‚ and I tried to get him to use my room for a couple of hours. He was not comfortable with accepting offers‚ so it was hard to get him to even accept the meals. He didn’t like asking for help. I usually don’t get emotional when I meet people‚ but Raymond was a really good‚ sweet guy in need of hope. While I’ve had a few meetings where I got emotional‚ with Raymond I just full cried as that guy pushed his home away in that shopping cart. It was in the snow; it was rough. That story in particular really resonated with people online‚ I think‚ because of the heartbreaking nature of his kind of journey.” What is your reasoning behind the Kindness Card movement? Jason: “99 percent of the people I meet and give cards to are actually pretty flipping hopeful. Like‚ they’re grateful to be fed. They’re grateful to be seen. They’re like‚ ‘You know what? I’m gonna make it.’ They just feel they need a meal or two‚ a job interview‚ and better government assistance. This kindness card movement has kind of become this bridge from hungry to hope. Like‚ how can we just help someone get another day or two? Courtesy of Jason Wright Because we’re not going to solve all of the homelessness problem with Taco Bell gift cards‚ right? That’s not the mission of it. We’re not tackling‚ and I don’t want anyone to think we’re trying to tackle‚ major‚ extremely complicated unhoused problems across the country. That’s not it at all. It’s just me being a vehicle for other people who‚ in most cases‚ are too shy to directly offer these acts of kindness. As my family tells me‚ I’m the ‘obnoxiously friendly’ kind. I understand that not everyone is like this‚ and so I’m happy to have those conversations with the homeless. Yes‚ we’re feeding people‚ but more importantly‚ we’re really feeding people’s souls. And we do that by giving a little bit of a bridge from hungry to hope. Just tonight on the way to Seattle I conversed with the sweetest man in a wheelchair. We talked for about 10 minutes and I realized it was the conversation that mattered a lot more to him than the two cards to McDonald’s. So‚ that’s the scoop.” Courtesy of Jason Wright How can people support the Kindness Card Movement? Jason: “You may donate funds electronically for cards to be purchased on your behalf‚ or you may send cards to the address below. (The most common cards are for Taco Bell‚ McDonald’s‚ Walmart‚ Target‚ etc.) Venmo: @authorjasonwright (6111) PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/jasonfwright Cash App: $authorjasonwright PO Box: Jason Wright Post Office Box 669 Woodstock‚ VA 22664” Courtesy of Jason Wright This interview was conducted and transcribed by Kelsie Radziski and edited by Sophia San Filippo. You can follow Jason’s journey on Facebook and Instagram. Have a story of love‚ kindness‚ or healing to share? Visit our submissions portal to submit today. Read more interviews like this: An Interview With The Adeline Movement: The Group Of Kids Re-Building Burned Home Of Hate Crime Victim ‘Every baby deserves a home.’: An interview with Carried To Full Term‚ the organization housing pregnant women without shelter Do you know someone who could benefit from reading this? SHARE this story on social media with family and friends.

Bill Belichick is out as head coach of the New England Patriots after 24 years and leading the team to nine Super Bowl trips and six rings. The veteran coach took to the podium on Thursday and told members of the press he would be a Patriot forever as he thanked the fans and the organization‚ ESPN reported. “[Patriots owner] Robert [Kraft] and I‚ after a series of discussions‚ have mutually agreed to part ways‚” Belichick said. “For me‚ this is a day of gratitude and celebration.” “We had a vision of building a championship football team that has exceeded my wildest dreams and expectations‚” he added. “I’m very proud of that. I’ll always have those great memories‚ I’ll carry those with me the rest of my life.” LIVE: Robert Kraft and Bill Belichick media availability 1/11: https://t.co/A3htiZoUin — New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 11‚ 2024 “It’s with so many fond memories and thoughts that I think about the Patriots‚ and I’ll always be a Patriot‚” Belichick continued. “I look forward to coming back here‚ but at this time‚ we’re going to move on. And I’m excited for the future.” Kraft followed Belichick at the press conference and said‚ “This is a move that we mutually agreed that is needed at this time. What Bill accomplished‚ in my opinion‚ will never be duplicated.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP “Coach Belichick will forever be celebrated as a legendary sports icon here in New England‚ and I believe go in as a Pro Football Hall of Famer on the first ballot‚” Kraft added. “Why? Because he is the greatest coach of all time. Which makes this decision to part ways so hard.” Belichick will undoubtedly be in the NFL Hall of Fame for the incredible run he had in New England‚ which includes six Super Bowl titles‚ 333 career victories (including playoffs)‚ second only to Don Shula’s 347‚ and nine conference championships‚ the most by a head coach in the Super Bowl era. Speculation that Belichick’s reign in New England would end has been trickling out all week as reports surfaced that the coach and Kraft had met several times throughout the week. Belichick leaves the team after a dismal season as New England finished with a 4-13 record. Since the Super Bowl-winning QB Tom Brady left the Patriots after the 2019 season‚ the Patriots have had a losing record three of the last four years‚ ESPN noted.