Our 8th Act of Kindness belongs to Collin Adams of Lebanon High School. This story deserves to be told slowly. It speaks volumes about the heart behind the action.

Collin is our only student from Lebanon High School. He stepped into a CEO class full of unfamiliar faces, yet his joyful presence was felt immediately. He’s lighthearted and fun, but beneath that is a soft, deeply loving heart. The kind that forms real connections, values relationships, and makes others feel like they belong.

That heart shaped his act of kindness this Christmas.

Since he was six years old, Collin’s stepmom has chosen him — loving him, providing for him, and showing up in ways that go far beyond obligation. She didn’t have to step into that role, but she did it fully. Long before anything was written down, she was his mom.

Collin turned 18 in November, and with his first adult decision, he chose to give her something no material gift could ever replace. Hidden inside a Christmas box, underneath an ordinary towel, were adoption papers — not for attention, but as a quiet, intentional way to say thank you.

This wasn’t about paperwork. It was about gratitude. About recognizing years of sacrifice and love. About a young man choosing to make official what had already been true for most of his life.

This act of kindness didn’t just impact one person — it changed the tone of an entire Christmas. It brought tears, joy, and a deeper sense of family to everyone in the room, creating a moment that will be remembered long after the gifts are put away.

We are incredibly proud of Collin, and grateful to witness a reminder that the most meaningful acts of kindness are the ones that make family feel whole. ❤️