Sometimes incredible beauty is born out of horrific tragedy. That is exactly what has happened in the wake of the senseless horror that unfolded over the weekend in El Paso, Texas.
Following the devastating shooting Saturday in a local Walmart, which claimed the lives of 22 people and injured dozens more, 11-year-old Ruben Martinez is encouraging every El Pasoan to do at least 20 good deeds in honor of the lives cut short by the deadly massacre.
“My son has been having some bad anxiety after yesterday’s event,” Ruben’s mother, Rose Gandarilla, wrote on Sunday. “After some discussion, he came to me asking if I would help him do the [El Paso Challenge]. He challenges each El Pasoan to do 20 good deeds.”
During an interview with CNN, Gandarilla said Ruben told her in the wake of the shooting he was scared and didn’t want to go into stores anymore, fearing for his life. Instead, he asked if they could use a delivery service.
“I explained to him that we could not live in fear and that people in our community are caring and loving,” she told the outlet. “I told him to try and think of something he could do to make El Paso a little better.”
After talking with his mom, Ruben went to his bedroom and concocted a plan to share kindness. And he’s already completed his first act.
“He chose to go deliver dinner to our first responders,” Gandarilla said.
Ruben and his mother have already been to several places nearby to spread the message about his El Paso Challenge.
“He seems to be doing better and says that hopefully, the world will be a better place with all these random acts of kindness,” Ruben’s mom added.