On June 7, roughly 150 to 160 neighbors and friends laced up for the Kendall's Kindness 5K Memorial Walk. It was a day to remember Kendall—and Thornwood showed up in support, and also friends in St. Louis took part in a virtual version of the 5K walk.

Donations poured in, arriving around what would have been Kendall's 26th birthday. Portillo's hosted a dine-to-donate night on June 10, with proceeds going straight to Kendall's Kindness. Two days later, on Kendall's birthday, Sweetness Cookies donated proceeds from every sugar cookie sold.

Then there are the rocks.

Painted by hand, scattered by heart—Random Rocks of Kindness have become one of the most visible ways this community keeps Kendall's spirit moving. The Maffia family and their neighbors pitched in to paint over 200 rocks, and the kids from the Boys and Girls Club helped paint a hundred more. These rocks were distributed to participants at the walk.

From there, the rocks simply travel. Someone tucks one into a friend's garden. Someone else packs one for vacation. A small, painted stone becomes a quiet way of saying kindness was here—left behind in yards, on trails, in places Kendall never got to see but somehow still reached.

And reach they have. Rocks have turned up in Italy, Mexico, England, Greece, Joshua Tree National Park, Florida, Minnesota, California, Colorado, and Iowa.

Every rock is small, but intentional. They bring together something bigger than any single walk or dine-to-donate night ever could—a network of people, near and far, choosing to carry a little bit of Kendall with them.

Mark your calendars: next year's walk is set for June 6. Join other Thornwood neighbors for a walk through the neighborhood, just a small way to spread Kendall’s Kindness around.

Until then, keep an eye out. That painted rock in your yard, on your trail, in your suitcase—it might just be one of Kendall's.

Facebook: Kendall's Kindness-Be Kind Pass it On