Stop 28: New Jersey (Mullica Hill)

Stop 28 “Sammie” visited a school in Mullica, New Jersey

“A few things about visit and pictures taken:

• We have a buddy bench on our playground (metal though-wish it was plastic)

• Our class mascots Felix and Oscar enjoyed a visit form someone their size

• My favorite spot in my classroom for our daily read aloud time

• We threw ‘kindness’ snowballs to each of our classmates by writing something nice to each of them on paper snowball for their buckets.

We are continuing to collect items for the local animal shelter over the next few weeks to donate to animals in need.

Thank you for a wonderful learning opportunity with my class. I know Sammie will continue to inspire on her journey!” Laurie

Stop 27: Maryland (Hagerstown)

Stop 27 “Sammie” visited 2 schools in Hagerstown, Maryland

“I am a Gifted Education Teacher and I work at two schools in Hagerstown. My job is to work with small groups of students to help them stretch their brains and think creatively and deeply about their learning. I work with students in PreK through 5th grade.

The first school you visited was Potomac Heights Elementary School. Our school mascot is a Dragon! At our school, students can ear SOAR bucks for Staying Safe, Being Responsible and Respectful.

When “Sammie” visited she arrived during our first snow of the year. Since this snow stated over the weekend, we didn’t get a snow day but our playground was covered in snow at Potomac Heights.

I shared Sammie’s story with my 2nd grade group. They enjoyed the book and were very interested in how Sammie got her book published. This group of kids decided that they will create a Kindness Rocks garden for our school.

My other school in Pangborn Elementary School. Recently we had a large snowstorm come through the area and it snowed for a full day! Maryland doesn’t get a lot of snow so everyone was excited (and we had 3 days off school)!

At Pangborn the 2nd grade students that I work with have been studying the theme of Change. We read several texts about kids who make a change in their community by helping others. Prior to ‘Sammie’ arriving at Pangborn we had read about Sammie in a Time for Kids article, so it was exciting when ‘Sammie’ and her book arrived. What a great connection for the kids!

At Pangborn, the students want to start collecting bottle caps so we can get a Buddy Bench for the playground.

Thank you for visiting and sharing your story with us in Maryland!”

Stop 26: Wisconsin

Stop 26: “Sammie” visited Evie in Wisconsin over winter break and got to go to the zoo to spread some kindness.

“When we opened the package, Evie immediately said ‘I know where to take Sammie, to the zoo’. Our zoo also happens to have a giving tree of items the animals would like for Christmas (enrichment items!) so we decided to pick 2 ornaments form the tree and Eco Evie will be gifting enrichment items to the bonobos and the penguins!

Good luck on your mission, Sammie! We are cheering for you every step of the way!

A couple years ago we connected with Sammie and immediately resonated with her mission to spread kindness through buddy benches made from recycled plastic bottle caps! We had to stop while driving through Fort Wayne, Indiana to check out one of Sammie’s benches!” Evie’s mom

Stop 25: New Hampshire (Plaistow)

Stop 25 “Sammie” visited Pollard School in New Hampshire

“Sammie” met a 2nd grade class, explored the library, came out to recess and sat on our Buddy Bench, saw our new Gaga Pit and helped with some chalk art. She was also there when we voted for our sate book award, the Ladybug Picture Book Award. We enjoyed her visit and were inspired by her message”

Stop 24: Virginia (Charlottesville)

Stop 24 “Sammie” visits a school in Charlottesville, VA

This was perfect timing for the students to not only read her book and learn about kindness but also participate in her Giving Tuesday Spark initiative to send encouraging letters and smiles to people for Giving Tuesday!

“Sammie” loved hanging out int he library and meeting everyone.

Stop 23: Virginia (Warrenton)

Stop 23 “Sammie” visits a school in Warrenton, VA

“We started a pull tab collection for Ronald McDonald House in August. I’ve tried to get the word out but still many of our 500 students don’t collect tabs. Since this we have gotten so many to participate.

I shared Sammie’s book with 4th and 5th graders in the library and asked them to be my pull tab ambassadors. They made signs to hang at home, at family businesses and at a local business to ask others to help.

The reading experience was pretty amazing. They all listened without any talking and were truly impressed with what she accomplished.

Sammie is a remarkable young lady!” Linda (teacher)

Stop 22: Nebraska

Stop 22 “Sammie” visits Pender Public School in Nebraska

During her visit she got to meet so many incredible kids that thought of a lot of ways to be a friend to those that needed one. She helped them collect the ways and helped send off a book full of their ideas to Sammie in Indiana!

Fun Fact: Sammie helped Pender’s Kindness Council back in 2019 get 2 buddy benches for their school.

Stop 21: Minnesota

Stop 21 “Sammie” visited Nika in Minnesota

“Sammie” got to hang out with Nika for a few days and help clear some branches from a neighbor’s yard!

Everyone that “Sammie” visits is encouraged to do a good deed before sending her to the next location(:

Nika likes to spread kindness like Sammie and was even a guest on her Sammie Smiles Podcast

Stop 20: Arizona

Stop 20 “Sammie” visited Pravneet in Arizona and had an Amazing time!

“Check out all the fun fellow Giving Tuesday Spark leader ‘Sammie’ had in Arizona with Project Smile AZ. From seeing a Giant Saguaro Cactus, to packing smile cards, sharing books at a little library and finally inspiring young kids that age is just a number to make change. Thank you Sammie for going state to state and inspiring youth”

Stop 19: Alabama (Birmingham)

Stop 19 “Sammie” got to visit Ethan in Birmingham, Alabama

Ethan took her to school and on a historical journey of the Civil Rights District. What a fantastic time!

Fun to Note:

• Ethan & Sammie were both featured by Disney during holiday specials (2022)

• Ethan was a guest on Sammie Smiles Podcast

• Sammie & Ethan met in person last summer during Giving Tuesday Sparks Sparkcon in NYC

Stop 18: Washington

“Sammie’s” 18th Stop she visited Victory and her grandmother in Washington!

“We shared a visit with Sammie to our favorite chocolate and candy factory here in our city of Issaquah. The chocolates are hand made here and it has a Swiss history in this once upon a time home, where his ski friends would stop by on their way to the mountains. (We come here often, but for the sweet chocolates)

We also brought Sammie to our favorite swimming beach here on Lake Sammamish, we swim, play and picnic here, and hike and bike through the trails here as well. It is just down the street form our home, and it is named Sunset Beach because you enjoy beautiful sunsets here.

We have enjoyed bringing Sammie to our favorite places in our city and hope she can come visit again. We have plans to request Sammie’s book to our local library (another favorite place to visit) and gifted a copy to Victory’s 1st grade teacher this week.

Thank you for this fun opportunity! We will write a letter soon, including our review of this great book.”

Fun note: Sammie and Victory first connected 6 years ago when Sammie sent her an encouraging video message!

Stop 17: Connecticut

“Sammie’s” 17th stop was visiting a great family in Connecticut

She got to go to camp and her book was read and enjoyed at bedtime!

Also she got to hand and learn about Miss O Cool Girls NFT

Fun Fact: Sammie was a “Miss O and Friends” Ambassador and had founder Juliette Blake on her podcast.

Love that “Sammie” got to hang out with this amazing family for a few days!

Watch podcast here

Stop 16: California (Garden Grove)

“Sammie’s” 16th stop was having a “berry” good time in Garden Grove, California with Andrea

Here is what they did according to Andrea

“Earlier this week, we took a hard hat tour of the Ronald McDonald House in Orange County and had a special guest with us “Sammie” with Sammie’s Buddy Bench Project. Sammie Vance is traveling the country to promote her buddy bench, book, acts of kindness, recycling and community. She is AMAZING!

“Sammie stopped by to visit the Garden Grove Strawberry Festival Mascot. Next, she visited the Young adult group @steelcraftgg. She was quite busy making the rounds in Garden Grove.

Thank you Sammie for visiting our BERRY great city!”

This was Sammie’s 4th stop in California. Now off to another C state (Connecticut)

Stop 15: California (Los Angeles)

“Sammie’s” 15th stop was spending a fun day in Los Angeles, Californa with Zach

This is what Zach had to say about “Sammie’s” Visit

“Just want to thank you for sending “Sammie” to hang out with me. We had a lot of fun

• Sammie helped me pick some blueberries for a snack

• Sammie helped me compost

• I had to write some podcast notes, so Sammie jumped in the podcast chair to help. Sammie was obviously quite comfortable podcasting

• We finished our day with some of my favorite ice cream, mint chip. I know Sammie’s favorite dessert is pie, but we didn’t have any. Next Time, Sammie

Thank you for coming to hang out!! Hope you enjoy the rest of your adventures!

-Zach”

Zach’s kind deed was donating a bunch of lego’s to a school (:

Stop 14: California (Ladera Ranch)

“Sammie’s” 14th stop she got to hang with Kaylani in Ladera Ranch, California

“Sammie” got to spend 4th of July in California!

She had a fun busy few days with Kaylani!

She got to help with a beach clean up at Dana Point, visit a surf shop, stop by a skate park (where Kaylani suprised a friend with a copy of Sammie’s book), met a cute bunny, met lots of new people and even got Starbucks!

Kaylani is doing a lot of great work to help the environment and so glad “Sammie” got to check it out and help!

Stop 13: California (San Juan Capistrano)

“Sammie’s” 13th stop was San Juan Capistrano to visit her pen pal Ryan Hickman!

“Sammie” got to go on a campout with Ryan!

The real Sammie and Ryan have been friends for years and last year Ryan visited Sammie in Indiana. Until we can make it out in person to CA glad “Sammie” could hang out for a few days.

Ryan was a great host!

Stop 12: New York (Canandaigua)

“Sammie’s” 12th stop was and elementary school in Canandaigua, New York

The students painted kindess rocks with “Sammie” and were so inspired by her book that they are going to work to get a Buddy Bench next school year.

Sammie loved recieveing a package from one class with letters and a beautiful painted rock!

Schools are now all on summer break so next up “Sammie” will be visiting some families over the summer!

Next up California!

Stop 11: New York (PS 174)

“Sammie’s” 11th stop was PS 174 in New York

This stop was extra special because Sammie has been in contact with the school for almost 2 years through letters, zooms and cheering them on as they collected caps for their own buddy bench!

So glad “Sammie” got to visit and see her book in their library and visit their buddy bench.

Stop 10: Wyoming

“Sammie’s” 10th stop was an elementary school in Wyoming

The students loved her book and painted kindness rocks to hide for others to find.

She also got to see their school’s buddy bench that they got in remembrance of a past teacher.

Now off to New York to visit 2 schools before their summer break!

Stop 9: Arizona

“Sammie’s” 9th stop was Moon Mountain School in Arizona

The students loved hearing Sammie’s book and thinking of differenct ways to spread kindness.

She loved being invited to play with a few special needs kids and sharing a hug when someone was down.

A little act of kindness can make a big difference!

Fun Fact: The school she visited has a buddy bench and the teacher “Sammie” visited sent “Every cap Counts” shirts to her and her mom years ago during the start of Sammie’s project!

Next Stop Wyoming