"26 Acts" of Kindness Offered to Bethesda's Homeless

Homeless services group Bethesda Cares on Friday received 26 gift bags for the community's needy, an act of kindess intended to honor the victims slain in the elementary school massacre in Newtown, CT.

The gift bags, for men, women, and children, were given to the group by an anonymous local donor.

Each bag contained a name of one of the victims.

In the wake of Newtown, people across the nation are honoring the victims with "26 Acts" of kindness, and many are sharing their good deeds on Twitter under the hashtag #26Acts and on a Facebook page that has garnered more than 93,000 "likes."

The viral movement began with a tweet by television personality Ann Curry.

“It’s one of those things that’s just a perfect idea,” said Susan Kirk, Bethesda Cares executive director. “Newtown doesn’t need any more teddy bears, but you can make an impact in your local community and show caring at the same time.”

Kirk, who is planning on donating 26 books to a local elementary school, said she hoped the idea would catch on in Bethesda.

Newtown victims were also honored locally with wooden angels placed outside the Children's Inn in Bethesda and paper angels at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC.

For ideas on "26 Acts" of kindness you can contribute to your community, check out this article from USA Today.

Do you plan on spreading kindness in the community in honor of the Newtown victims? What will your "26 Acts" be? Tell us in the comments.