Dove of the Day - October 1, 2023

Featured on S3 Ep141: Truth and Vulnerability: Connecting with Young Adults through Faith

Dr. Beth Newton's life took a tragic turn when she lost her son in a home invasion in 2016, but she courageously turned her pain into purpose. Through the charity organization, Something for Alex, Dr. Newton leads several projects aimed at assisting others. Their mission is to change the world one random act of kindness at a time. They recently had the joy of awarding college scholarships, and their impactful work has touched countless lives. Dr. Newton recalls receiving a heartfelt letter from a stranger named Matt in Denver, Colorado. In this seven-page handwritten letter, Matt recounted a memorable trip he took with Alex back in 2012. During that trip to chilly New Orleans, Matt realized he hadn't packed appropriately and didn't have any long-sleeve shirts. Observing Matt's discomfort, Alex selflessly offered him the shirt off his back, which Matt borrowed for the entire weekend. This small act of kindness left a lasting impression on Matt, especially when he learned of Alex's tragic passing. Inspired by his friendship with Alex, Matt chose to honor him at his wedding reception by collecting coats, hats, and gloves from his guests. Together, they gathered over 180 items of clothing which were then donated to "Something for Alex."
 
The tremendous impact of Matt's gesture guided Dr. Newton towards turning her personal pain into a purposeful mission. Today, Something for Alex is a non-profit agency based in Thomson, serving the needs of the surrounding community.

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