CBS News reports “that winning that content ‘was really just the catalyst to something so much bigger. It started out as an idea but here we are today, the race to kindness was born,'” in 2021.

The outlet reports that Jean donated toys to the Dallas Children’s hospital with his $500 in prize money thanks to winning the contest.

In addition, with the helping hand of family, communities, and partnerships his initiative has reportedly distributed 100,000 meals and collected 120,000 books for those in need.

“Some kids don’t have access to any books, really. I mean, they live in areas that we call book deserts. And I wanted to—maybe not eliminate them, but—make those areas smaller, or at least get books out to those areas. I wanted to be able to partner with organizations in those communities,“ Jean said, according to TIME.

He continued: “I did not do this by myself, it took a whole team behind me: my parents, my family, all of the generous corporate donors and organizations that we partnered with and strangers that I’ve never even met. They are all donating because they feel compelled to help those in their community.”

Orion Jean

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