After suffering the devastating loss of their son in 2012, Baldwin teachers Beth and Richard Fochtman wanted to honor him by encouraging others to be kind. This Friday is the day for their annual kindness initiative.

The Fochtmans lost their son, Logan, due to complications in Beth Fochtman’s pregnancy in February 2012. She had a previously unknown tumor that ruptured, and Logan died as a result. In essence, Beth Fochtman has said she only lived because of Logan’s death.

To celebrate their son, the Fochtmans created Be a Hero Day, a program encouraging others to spread goodness throughout the community on Logan’s birthday, Feb. 12. 

“So many people helped us in our darkest times: cards, phone calls, dinners, honoring Logan by donating money to causes, donating blood, helping the homeless, etc,” Beth Fochtman said. “We wanted to help repay some of that kindness by helping others.”

The Fochtmans themselves have performed various acts of kindness throughout the past several years, in keeping with the annual tradition.  

Richard Fochtman, among other acts of kindness, has purchased wings for his basketball team and others, and paid for a person’s haircut. This year one kindness project for Beth Fochtman is raising money for the Special Olympics Club by participating in the Polar Pop event. 

Beth Fochtman said she is excited to share kindness throughout the day and hopes the project will make a difference in someone else’s life. 

“We want as many people to participate as possible. It can be large or small. Shovel someone’s driveway or walkway, help make dinner, donate blood, play a game with your family,” she said. “Any kind deed can really make a difference.”

The Fochtmans created the hashtag #BeAHero212 for those who want to share their good deeds on social media, but said they just hope participants will use the day to help others.

“You can share it with us, but the most important thing is to do something kind for someone else,” Beth Fochtman said.