At Samaritans we are no strangers to pain and suffering, and we know the power of sharing difficult emotions, tragic stories and deep sorrow. We are here, 24 hours a day, seven days a week to listen when no one else will. And we've learned that, in doing so, we change lives, we build bridges and we give hope - both to the people we serve, and to ourselves.

We want to do more. In addition to the thousands of lives we make better through our helpline programs, education workshops, and grief support services, we want more people to know the power that comes from bringing compassion and kindness to your everyday life.

 We are grateful that our Happier Boston campaign is getting media attention and increasing the conversation about the power of human connection to make a positive impact in people's lives. Please read the following wonderful articles that have come out in recent days in the Boston Globe and the New York Times, or watch the great interview with Gene Lavanchy on Fox News. 

Will smiling at someone you don't know on the train cure their depression? No. Will it change someone's life? Maybe. Kevin Hines, one of the only people to survive a suicide attempt from the Golden Gate bridge says that he was looking for a reason not to jump - for someone to make eye contact, to ask if he was okay. No one did.

You can make a difference in someone's life, and you can help Samaritans in our efforts to increase our community's health and happiness: consider volunteering, help us think of sponsors for this campaign to help it grow bigger, make your own donation to share your happiness with others.

Best wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season,