The Joseph Middlemiss
  BIG HEART   Foundation​

May 31, 2019

My family decided we would pay for a few random birthday cakes today in honor of Joey’s birthday. I ran to the grocery store on my lunch break and explained to the woman at the bakery what I was doing and why. She only had one large cake that she was finishing and it was due to be picked up later today. I asked if after I paid for it the cake, could I take a few pictures of it and leave a mission card behind to share the message - she was excited to be part of the plan!

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Here is where things get more amazing - as I was walking back to the bakery, a couple approached the counter. They were there to pick up the cake. The woman ran to me and gave me a hug saying she was in shock and just could not believe how special this was! I told them the story of Joseph and why today we were honoring him in this special way. I also told them about The Joseph Middlemiss Big Heart Foundation’s donation of a swing to a sweet boy with a chromosome deletion disorder.

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She said “stop right there. Do you have any idea who this cake is for? We are members of the...

October 9, 2017

"Today marks 10 years since our friend Jackson received the gift of life through a heart transplant. In honor of his courageous journey and the beautiful gift the donor family made in their darkest hour we carried out our own kindness mission this morning at ML Shaw's in Dracut. We continue to be so moved by the power of kindness!"

September 1, 2017

"A friend just texted and shared that she found two of these at Veteran's Memorial Park in Dracut. This means so much, especially today. Today marks the first day of the most difficult month of the year. It helps to know that someone was thinking of Joseph today and spreading his message of love and kindness."

August 29, 2017

"Today while babysitting my two Grandsons we decided to perform a random act of kindness. We did yard work for an older couple in the neighborhood. The kids picked up sticks and swept debris. They were thrilled to do something kind for someone else. We did this in honor of The Joseph Middlemiss Big Heart Foundation."

August 28, 2017

"Thank you Molly, Chole and Matty!!! These three beautiful and big-hearted children are my nieces and nephew. They spent one of their last summer days thinking of others and spreading kindness to their community. Free popcorn, lemonade, smiles and cheer! These are the things that make a huge difference! Every neighborhood needs love like this! Donations were accepted and have been directed to the Joseph Middlemiss Big Heart Foundation, Inc. to help with kindness education, Cardiomyopathy research and support of parent/patients on the cardiac floor at Boston Children's Hospital in memory of their cousin Joe Joe. Thank you Molly, Chlo and Matty!!! The three of you brought joy to many today and created a ripple of kindness that will spread near and far!

December 3, 2015

"A few weeks ago one of our good clients brought in a donation and this brochure and asked us to help her pass on an act of kindness and to honor Joseph's mission. She asked us to help her find a family that was having difficultly affording their pet's veterinary bills. Our staff was honored to help and they talked it over and decided on a patient that would benefit greatly from her generous donation.

Lily is a 9 year old Pug who suffers from Addison's disease and requires a monthly hormone injection to supplement a hormone her body no longer produces. Without these injections and some daily oral medications Lily would not be with us. Unfortunately these injections are very costly and Lily has several other medical problems over the last few years in addition.

Lily's father, sadly, has fallen on hard times and struggles to afford her care. He absolutlely adores her and she means everything to him.

This evening Lily's father was overjoyed to receive an act of kindness on behalf of Joseph and he looks forward passing on the love to someone else in need.

Thank you for such a wonderful organization and we were honored to have participated in this act of love."

June 4,2015

As some may know, Kate has a special connection to the Thomson School, as she was a teacher there not so long ago.  Not only did Thomson receive a buddy bench but the teachers were able to carry out a special All You Need is Love mission in honor of Joseph. Each class received a Bucket Filler book and certificates so kids can spread kindness in the classrooms for many years to come.  The idea behind it is that everyone has an invisible bucket that can be filled or dipped based on how we treat others.  I felt blessed to have  been able to share Joseph's story today and remind the kids to make it their "best day ever"!!!!

~Jen O'Soro Afarian 

May 31, 2015

The mission we completed today honored Joe's birthday by sponsoring a child through a program called "The Birthday Box".  We heard about the program through our church.  This group works in conjuction with Catie's Closet and Lowell Public Schools to provide birthday gifts for children who might not otherwise receive presents. We chose to sponsor a boy who was turning eight who, like Joe, loved superheros.  In the card, we explained the "All You Need Is Love" mission and asked the recipient to perform a random act of kindness for someone else.

May 31, 2015

"Happy 8th Birthday Joe!"

"I asled my two kids for ideas of what we could do to celebrate your special day and we ended up going to Shaw's and buying someone's bday cake for them.  So when they pick it up I hope it warms their heart and they have the best day ever.  Joe, Nicolas really, really wanted to send you toys but I am sure you are having too much fun up in heaven.  Juliana is going to listen to lots of music with you in mind. xoxo"

May 31, 2015

"Thinking of Joseph, Kate, Scott and Jack a little more today.  We are honoring all that they have done by doing a random act of kindness.

May 31, 2015

"I paid it forward in your honor today, Joseph, for the person behind me at Dunkin Donuts this morning.  Happy 8th Birthday in Heaven Sweet Joseph.  While pulling out of their parking lot this morning the car in front of me had a "Beatles Bumper Sticker" on it.  Coincidence, I think not.  I'll take it as a sign of Joe's ever presence especially today on his 8th Birthday.

December 4, 2013

We kicked off our mission at Lily Mack Farm tonight.  Joseph loved celebrating the Christmas season.  To memorialize this, we decided to buy a tree and a special sign that holds a lot of symbolism for Joe.  We prepaid the items and left one of Joe's Mission cards/keychain with the Guthrie's.  During the next day or two, a lucky family will go to pay for their tree and find out that it has already been purchased for them.  They will also be given the keychain/card that explains Joe's mission and will be asked to pass the goodness on.  It feels great to "give" in Joseph's name and we look forward to watching this spread.

March 16, 2014

Mr. M,

I was thinking of a way that I could show people outside my communtiy what an amazing and inspiring person Joseph was. I am currently attending Lawrence Academy in Groton.  There is a program at LA that is called Winterim, Winterim is 2 weeks long, you can either stay on campus for your Winterim or you can travel almost anywhere in the world. I was lucky enough to travel to the Domician Republic to teach kids and to build a community center for 2 weeks. I gave the kids some of my favorite books with copies of Joey's card in every one.

I hope these cards impact the kids just as much as Joseph has impacted my life.  Without you as my teacher all those years ago I wouldn't be at LA today.

Thank you,

Travis Anctil

March 27,2014

Florence Roche Elementary School is participating in the All You Need is Love Mission by Reading-it-Forward.  Each grade level is finding a local school to partner with and share their favorite books with.  Each receiving school will enjoy the books and then forward them to another school.  Our hope is to share these books with as many children as possible.  At the end of the year the books will be sorted and cleaned up, some coloring and activity books will be added and donated to Boston Children's Hospital.  Thank you Joseph for reminding us to share often, to love unconditonally and of course to read whenever we can!!!