In 2013, I spent ten months working at the Discovery School of Virginia as a group leader. One student in my group, Nathan, was a veteran at the school so he helped me adapt to my new surroundings. He and I bonded pretty quick. We had a similar sense of humor and he had a laugh unlike any other. We enjoyed cooking the group’s meals together and he was always a joy to have on our nights out off campus. I learned a lot about myself and my role in the world through Nathan. I am forever grateful for my time spent with him. His laugh will always make me chuckle; one of the best. Unfortunately in 2014, we lost Nathan, putting his parents in the “club no one wants to be a part of.”
Nathan’s mother, Robin, is one of the kindest, most generous, appreciative humans on Earth. I have known her since her first visit to the school when she told me, “Nathan got mad at me during his home visit because I don’t cook like Mr Krasney.” I have stayed in touch with this sweet woman through the years. Robin, I appreciate all of your support through the years.
When I asked Robin to select a person for KustomKyle Nominated Smiles, she mentioned Laura, telling me her story. Laura is a mother in Amherst, Virginia, battling the same heartbreak of losing her son Drew at the age of 22 a year earlier. She approached Robin to share their unfortunate connection. As time continued, their friendship grew and their bond tightened. Robin had this to say about Laura, “She is a close friend and an intrinsic member of the church and community. Her husband is one of the three lay leaders of the church. Laura is involved in nearly every church aspect as well as volunteers in the community with Neighbors Helping Neighbors. Her faith is unwavering. Her friendship to everyone she knows is complete with loyalty. I could certainly go on, but I think you get the idea. She’s amazing!”
Laura, I’m so sorry for your loss, but grateful to know about such a spectacular, resilient woman. Thank you for being so strong and helping others battle such an unimaginable struggle. You are truly a special person!
]]>
Pat has a history
So full of mystery
On our first meet,
Our bond was a treat
Intrigued by the travel,
There was so much to unravel
As a friend of Cardwell Caning,
The momentum kept gaining
In Chattanooga, Tennessee,
There ain’t no place I’d rather be
Having folks like Pat in town,
It’s tough to keep a frown
If you hang around awhile,
I guarantee Pat will make you smile
Pat, I hope this box brings you joy,
Keep helping every girl and boy
The world needs people like you,
Cardwell Caning too
Always up for a pleasant chat
Thank you so much to our dear friend, Pat
]]>
Las Vegas, Nevada is a city full of vibrant people, beautiful structures, and a wild world beneath the surface. Most people visualize the Las Vegas Strip, but Freemont Street in downtown provides a much more realistic version of what’s happening around Sin City.
While walking out of 11th Street Records, I met King Jr. We leaned against bike racks, avoiding the desert heat in the August sun. King told me about his mother and her inspiration on people around the Vegas community. Trenia taught him, his siblings, and youth all over town “It’s up to the individual to make moves in their life. Don’t let your setbacks and limitations stop you from achieving your goals.”
This woman, Trenia, is amazing!!! She raised 8 children all by herself while navigating being a nurse in hospitals and an evangelist in local churches. While only a few call her Mama, many more know her as the kind, sweet, friendly, and welcoming woman that I had the pleasure of speaking with on the phone. When I told her I had a gift to drop off, she responded, “Oh baby, I’m out on Lake Mead. Mama’s on a boat today!” I felt her enthusiasm over the phone before dropping the box off with one of her other sons.
King Jr had this to say about his mother, “She taught me everything. She taught me love. She taught me friendship. She listens. She don’t judge. She has a heart. Her moments will be remembered by those that know her. She’s a caregiver. I watched her get called the N word and I saw her keep herself composed. She’s strong. She taught me patience and happiness. She taught me God. She taught me ‘am I my brother’s keeper?’ meaning to take care of one another no matter what. She was a nourisher, a provider. She’s a seeker, an elevater, and a motivator. She’s my mama.”
Thank you Trenia!
It’s nice to know humans like you exist in this world. 😃
King Jr too!
]]>Sway Wild is a music group, currently based in the state of Washington. Their sound began in the mountains of Flagstaff, Arizona, but has taken them all around the world, gaining fans with every show and album they create.
Sway Wild consists of Mandy, Dave, and Tom. I have personally known Mandy since we were teenagers. She is one of the funniest, most enthusiastic individuals and her energy is felt every time I see her. Each performance I attend allows me to further my connection with Dave and Tom. Watching them succeed, grow their fan base, and further their incredible talents gives me an excited feeling of joy.
When Mandy told me what her sister Jennie has been doing, I immediately felt a smile in my heart. The current status of the United States and the world in general is battling racial injustice. In my opinion, it is very obvious, but difficult to know how to help create a change. Jennie is dedicating her life to making an impact. Directly from her bio, “Jennie founded and facilitates Wake Up: a group for white-identified people who want to unlearn their racism and white supremacy culture from the inside out. She believes cultivating ongoing anti-racist relationships is a necessary aspect of the work white people must do in order to dismantle racism.” Also in her profile, “Jennie Pearl (she/her) is a facilitator, yoga teacher, and bodyworker who leads from emotion and embodiment in liberation work. She is committed to bridging the gap between racial justice and healing work.”
I have known Jennie personally for many years as well, but it’s so special to see her transitions throughout her adult life. She is taking pride in herself as a human being and helping as many people around her as she can. I hope receiving this Art Box will give her a big boost in confidence that people are recognizing the incredible efforts she is putting forth.
Thank you Jennie!
In 2014, the city of Asheville changed my life. I hitch-hiked into the city with no job, no place to live, and no contacts around the city. I felt a special draw to this beautiful mountain town long before I ever saw its beauty or felt its vibe. While searching for any job that would hire me, I found a home at Barleys Taproom and Pizzeria. Working at Barleys provided a family unlike anything I’d ever seen before. Staff members are even raising their children together. There is a special energy within this wonderful environment. My eyes were truly opened to this family atmosphere at my first Barley’s Christmas party where ‘Secret Santa’ created smiles, bringing everyone even closer together. At this party, I met Beth.
I first noticed Beth’s uniqueness when she was not drinking alcohol while everyone around her was. Beth has not battled issues with the substance, but instead loves life and interactions naturally. She and I connected immediately, leading to years of amazing friendship. Leaving Barleys and Asheville was especially hard in saying goodbye to people like Beth, but we consistently stay in touch and reconnect every time I return. Beth even gave me my first and only pie-to-the-face!
When I shared the Nominated Smiles idea with Beth, she immediately thought of Nicole, who founded Helping Hands of Haywood. This individual embodies exactly what K2 Nominated Smiles is all about. The Vision, on the Helping Hands of Haywood website, reads, “To be able to provide stable permanent housing and emergency shelter to those experiencing homelessness or insecure housing.” The organization focuses on homelessness, addiction, and mental health programs to be sure every human has fair access to comfort and safety on a nightly basis. Nicole has passionately dedicated her life to helping other humans. She is a prime example of #strangershelpingstrangers; my ultimate goal in this big bright world we all call home.
Thanks Nicole!
Thanks for being you!!
]]>K2 Nominated Smiles is designed to honor unique individuals doing their part to make an impact on their communities. The goal is to feature local businesses, local artists, and special people.
Shea is the perfect candidate to receive a Nominated Smiles Art Box. She is 16 years old, facing all the struggles that come with growing up battling cerebral palsy. Shea, with her positive enthusiasm, refuses to feel sorry for herself. Her goal prioritizes the forward progress that people in wheelchairs experience. She has filmed videos around Deerfield, IL proving accessibility needs continuous improvement. Shea has opened my eyes to the battles people in wheelchairs must overcome all over the world.
Shea inspired her mother to start ‘Educating Outside the Lines.’ A direct quote from Shea reads, “I feel invisible. I wish everyone could spend the day in a wheelchair, I wish everyone could see what it’s like to have a disability, because I think they could understand me better.” If all people took the time to speak with someone in a wheelchair, maybe we could find ways to help improve the world and also appreciate the every day benefits we take for granted.
Shea came into my life years ago through my sister and her family. MKA Architectural Design Group designs quality homes throughout the Chicagoland area. Having grown up in the northern suburbs, they have watched everything transition over the last four decades, from housing structures to school district priorities and designing handicap accessible homes for future generations. Their three teenage children and locally owned business have introduced them to the variety of lifestyles families face all over Chicago.
Individuals like Shea, organizations like ‘Educating Outside the Lines,’ and local businesses like MKA give me confidence that my hometown community of Deerfield, IL will lead the way in making strides to improve the struggles people with disabilities are forced to battle. Shea’s efforts will pave the way for others, making a positive impact for future generations.
Thank you so much Shea!
]]>The story of the Rowen Box is very unique. An art box order came to KustomKyle.com in which the email read Rowen, but I learned in a future email his name was spelled Rowan. This box was complete and it needed a home. I posted it on a Facebook teacher’s group and received a message from Kelsey. Kelsey’s first message was, “I know a Rowen that would love this box.” Not long after, it was in the mail to Rowen’s house in Nebraska.
The excitement became the smile on the young face in my mind. I had never seen a photo of Rowen before so when this photo of him holding the box came to me, I knew he sparked a whole new change to my life. Rowen is responsible for K2 Nominated Smiles being created. This young man courageously battles autism and Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy. Without knowing it, he changed my life.
The Rowen Box has changed the entire trajectory of Kustomkyle.com. I truly believe this new game plan will bring smiles to faces of all ages, steady income to artists around the world, and feature local businesses that nominate the recipient.
A very special thank you to Rowen for inspiring a chance to change the world. I can’t wait to meet you one day.
Enjoy life everyone! -K2
]]>