Teacher Keeps Younger Sister’s Memory Alive After Car Crash by Giving Her Students $20 and a Challenge: Do Something Kind

**Inspiring Kindness Challenge Grows from Family Tragedy**

In an extraordinary initiative rooted in personal loss, high school English teacher Kristina Ulmer has transformed her sister’s tragic death into a powerful act of kindness. This all began in 2014 when Ulmer’s sister, Katie Amodei, died in a car crash shortly before her 30th birthday. Since then, Ulmer has encouraged her students to spread kindness, turning a single event into a widespread movement.

Amodei, who had been training to become an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) while working as a waitress, was dedicated to helping those in need. She actively engaged in community service, from volunteering at food banks to advocating for animal rights through veganism. “Katie was always the fighter type,” Ulmer reflected. “She never understood why some lived in abundance while others struggled.”

The heartache of losing her only sibling hit hard for Ulmer and her family. As they arrived at the accident scene, it wasn’t until a first responder informed them of Amodei’s death that the true magnitude of their loss became clear. In the aftermath, Ulmer was determined to honour her sister’s compassion. When she discovered around $100 in tips among Amodei’s possessions, she saw an opportunity to carry forward her sister’s legacy.

Initially, Ulmer contemplated using the money for her own children, but she quickly set that thought aside, realising her family was fortunate enough. “Nothing felt right,” Ulmer stated, when assessing potential charities for the funds. Instead, she decided to hold onto the money, envisioning a more meaningful way to honour her sister.

Four years later, while teaching Ray Bradbury’s *Fahrenheit 451* to her ninth-grade class, the idea for a kindness challenge was conceived. Ulmer recognised the need to foster connections in an increasingly isolated society and decided to involve her students in a hands-on act of giving. Acknowledging her sister in the process, she provided each student with $20, instructing them to perform an act of kindness with the funds.

What began as a one-time classroom project has since blossomed into a regular initiative. Following the first challenge, Ulmer was pleasantly surprised to receive donations from individuals eager to support the cause. With increased funding, Ulmer has expanded the initiative, now offering it in both the autumn and spring terms.

Her students have embraced the challenge wholeheartedly, often pooling their resources to tackle larger projects. In one instance, a student contributed supplies to a women’s shelter, while another provided assistance to a local person facing homelessness. Individual creativity also shone through; one group crafted walker caddies for seniors, and another student designed specialised items to aid stroke patients in their recovery.

The challenge also adapted during the COVID-19 pandemic. On transitioning to remote teaching, Ulmer ensured that each student received $20 in the mail, encouraging them to continue their acts of kindness albeit at a distance. Through inventive means, she ensured the spirit of the initiative remained unbroken.

After completing their acts of kindness, students create videos detailing their projects and reflections on the experience. “Many express that they didn’t realise how simple it could be to make a positive impact,” Ulmer remarked, highlighting the educational value of the initiative.

With participation from an impressive 425 students so far, Ulmer’s challenge has developed into what is now known as the $20 Kindness Challenge Foundation. The foundation supports teachers who aim to instil similar values in their classrooms, with plans to issue its first grant to a teacher in New Jersey later this year.

Reflecting on her journey, Ulmer expressed a deep connection between the challenge and her sister’s influence. “I think she is orchestrating all this,” Ulmer said with emotion. The challenge has helped her channel her sorrow into something constructive, allowing her to focus on Amodei’s legacy rather than the tragic circumstances of her passing.

As Ulmer continues this journey, she finds peace in the knowledge that her sister’s spirit lives on through the kindness being spread by her students. This remarkable challenge not only honours Amodei’s memory but also fosters compassion among future generations. Through this initiative, Ulmer has provided a meaningful outlet for her grief, underlining the profound impact of small acts of kindness within the community.