Kindness and Community Presentations

From Walking across America

 It was a pleasure to hear your presentation to the Ely Lions Club in Ely, NV.  I’m sure I speak for everyone at the luncheon when I say that your message was inspirational and thought-provoking.  Best of luck on the remainder of your journey!
Marty Westland; Ely Lions Club; Ely, NV

Enjoyed hearing your intelligent commentary at the Grand Center in Moab. Nice photo of the Stolfas (above). I wish more ‘community’ would have gathered to hear and meet you….I wish more of the community would join the Lions club….thanks
Molly Taylor; Moab Lions Club; Moab, UT

Thanks so much for coming to campus and sharing your words, music, and journey with us. Great job incorporating the constitution…Senator Byrd would be proud!
Brett Miller; Director of Student Activities, Colorado Mountain College; Leadville, CO

We just had Kirk on campus and he was fantastic.  His sense of humor and stories made this a great event.  His message is a critical one and something we work with students on all the time. He is truly an inspiration and I hope he is able to continue sharing his stories with other college students across the country!
Joe Halter, Assistant Director of Student Life, University of Colorado at Denver, CO

Really enjoyed having you all stay with us in Pueblo West – hearing about your adventures and your passion. Thank you for speaking to my group at church. We all appreciated your message, fit right in with what we are working on! Be safe! (Cindy, don’t put too many rocks in your pack) Wishing you many potlucks on your journey.
Laura Craven; SonRise Methodist Church; Pueblo West, CO

We were honored to have Kirk, Cindy and Ky visit the First Congregational United Church of Christ in McPherson.  Kirk provided the sermon. One we should all hear. He spoke about the wonderment of community and despite what one hears on the news, the vast majority of humans and other species are community based and are available to respond to the needs of fellow community members.  Three areas constrict the flow of community welfare. The first is vanity. The message has been “You deserve it all,” without concern of how one’s lifestyle affects the larger body. The second is cynicism which is also fed by the media. Kirk called the third apprehension but I call it fear.  Fear that there isn’t enough. If one had faith in the abundance of life and in community, that fear would dissolve.
Annette Karr; First Congregational UCC; McPherson, KS

After you left Lawrence, it occurred to me that maybe you are part of an ancient oral tradition, bringing news and ideas on foot. There is something about this combination of exercise and sharing of ideas that is very appealing to me.
Reid Nelson; Lawyer; Lawrence, KS

We, at St Paul UCC, Hermann, MO enjoyed the opportunity of meeting Kirk & Cindy and Ky, the much needed support person for the Hiking Humanitarians. Kirk’s program presentation following the supper emphasized the necessity of each local community to step forward and organize to provide support programs to help those with Hunger, Housing and health issues in our area. Our church had identified the food challenged problems in our community and do provide support in this area, but have not investigated the housing and health issues facing many in our community. Kirk’s presentation has encouraged us to investigate these needs in our area then take action.
Jack Wendelton; St. Paul UCC; Hermann, MO

It was a delight having Kirk and Cindy at St. John. … The evening was insightful for improving our program for serving “mission meals”. Kirk shared how one community instead of just providing meals invited attendees to help prepare. This brought about a stronger sense of community. He also mentioned that city officials were also invited to share in the meals. What great ideas. Thank you Kirk and Cindy!! Prayers on your continued journey.
Pastor Ric Zuch; St. John UCC; St. Charles, MO

Kirk, Cindy and Ky were a wonderful surprise.  Kirk put together a spontaneous program with pictures, stories and music that fit the theme of gifts of the Spirit that our Young Disciples have been studying. It was interesting, inspiring and geared perfectly to his audience.
Pastor Chip Jahn; St. Peters UCC; Lamar, IN

Kirk:  just getting back to you regarding your speech to the kids…..you got some kids thinking deeply about your message.  The way you broke things into simple format was a great technique….example: the levels of “housing challenged.”  I have never heard it put quite this way.  Your voice had great confidence……singing was a great way to humanize your  talk.  For a “first-timer,” the overall message was fantastic.  I liked the one quote you used…..something about “when you can not tell the givers from the receivers…..” then you are witnessing true example of community service project.  Best wishes.  You are heroes to many people, including Mr. Cooper.
Kurt Cooper, English teacher; Perry Central School; Leopold, IN

Kirk, can you send me the quote about “confusing the giver and the receiver”?   I am finding myself thinking of ways to implement that idea into our ministries.  I am also going to lobby for a new name for the soup kitchen.  I would like us to call our renovated soup kitchen the “St Marks  Kindness Kitchen”.
Donna Robinson; New Albany Lions Club; New Albany, IN

Bethany School students and staff were privileged to meet Kirk and Cindy and hear of their journey. The students were enthralled, as was evidenced by the rapt attention they held during the presentation. Students were very interested in the backpacks and the photos of the journey, and they really took the message to heart. This was very valuable time spent for our students in whom we work to encourage good character. Thank you and all the best in your future endeavors!
Melinda Boyd, Bethany School, Glendale, OH

What a wonderful surprise we had at the Memorial Church of the Good Shepherd Parkersburg on Sunday morning! Kirk, Cindy and Ky had stayed with us, joined us for worship and then gave us inspiration by sharing their amazing journey with us. Our Outreach committee had met on Thursday to define our mission in the neighborhood in a way that builds community in our parish. I was floored as I listened to Kirk’s words about their experiences traveling the country, especially his finding that living up to expectations happens – expecting contribution and confusing givers and receivers to build community! These words seemed so perfectly timed – God speaks to us in so many ways when we are ready to listen. Bless you all – you have touched so many!!
Trish Pritchard; Memorial Church of the Good Shepherd; Parkersburg,WV

Surely you know that you’ve made an impact from coast to coast.
Gwen Heslip Justice; Memorial Church of the Good Shepherd; Parkersburg, WV

It was so wonderful to have Kirk and Cindy (Ky, too!) return to our church here in Norfolk after their year-long journey across America. Shortly after their return, Kirk preached here and offered an inspiring message built around the insights gained over this past year. In my own hearing of Kirk’s message, I was moved deeply with the stories of Gospel living and kindness embodied from California to Connecticut. If you are seeking a guest preacher this summer or beyond, I highly recommend Kirk!
Pastor Erick Olsen, Norfolk UCC, Norfolk, CT

Kirk gave a loving and inspirational speech at Northwestern Connecticut Community College on Thursday. Honestly I didn’t know what to expect but my expectations were met and then some. He delivered a message of love and kindness rarely heard in public these days . He was also entertaining and refreshingly honest. Most importantly to me, as a community worker myself, he gave me new approaches to nagging problems and ideas for future use. win/win/win
Sue Berg, Northwestern CCC, Winsted, CT