Join the Caleb Smail Human Kindness Project on August 16
What began as a mother’s promise to honor her son has grown into a community movement centered on kindness, compassion and helping others.
The Caleb Smail Memorial Human Kindness Project will return on Sunday, Aug. 16, at the Community Park in Bethlehem, W.Va., bringing together families and supporters for a day that includes a 5K race, inflatables, food trucks, live entertainment, activities and much more. While the event continues to grow each year, organizer and Caleb’s mother, Beth Kennedy, says its true purpose has never changed.
“The main goal of this event is to promote kindness, support those in need, and instill love,” Kennedy said. “I hope people leave remembering a young man who left us too soon and understanding how much their support means.”
The journey began in 2019, just months after the sudden and tragic loss of her son.
The inaugural event featured a kickball tournament, which remained the centerpiece for two years. After the pandemic interrupted plans and attendance declined following COVID-19, Kennedy realized the event needed a new direction.
“I could no longer take a back seat and needed to take charge,” she said.
That decision transformed the event into what it is today.
What once consisted of a 50/50 raffle, Chinese auction, concessions, and face painting has expanded into a community celebration featuring a 5K, cornhole tournament, live music, food trucks, local sponsors and activities for all ages.
“I could not have done any of this without our wonderful team,” Kennedy said.
At the heart of every event is Caleb himself.
Kennedy describes her son as someone whose kindness came naturally. He was loyal to his friends, encouraged others and always rooted for the “underdog”. Through her work, Caleb spent time with individuals with developmental disabilities, and she said they adored him.
“He always went the extra mile to help someone,” she said.
Away from serving others, Caleb enjoyed sports, especially lacrosse and hockey, playing on both local and travel teams. He also had an eye for fashion.
“He loved dressing nice, and his hair had to be perfect,” Kennedy said with a smile. “We spent hours at Foot Locker trying to find the perfect pair of shoes.”
Today, those memories remain close. Kennedy says Caleb’s pictures fill their homes, his nieces and nephews continue learning about the uncle they never had enough time with, and his memory is woven into everyday conversations.
“We speak of him every single day,” she said.
She also believes Caleb continues to remind his family he is near through unexpected dimes, sightings of cardinals and moments when they simply feel his presence.
“I like to think he looks down with pride during our events, knowing my promise to keep his memory alive and help every time I can is being fulfilled.”
Grief, Kennedy admits, never disappears.
“I think about him every second of every day,” she said. “Love is deep, and that makes grief overwhelming at times.”
She knows there are no perfect words for parents walking the same painful path, only the hope that sharing Caleb’s story might help someone feel less alone.
“This is a journey I would never wish on anyone,” she said. “I take it one second at a time.”
As the community gathers once again on Aug. 16, the event is about far more than races, games or entertainment. It is about carrying forward the qualities that defined Caleb’s life, kindness, generosity and compassion for others.
Every participant, volunteer and sponsor helps ensure that Caleb’s legacy continues to make a difference, proving that even in the face of unimaginable loss, kindness has the power to bring people together and create lasting hope.
