‘It’s gonna get better’: 2 boys on mission to spread kindness following Dayton shooting

DAYTON — Two boys are on a mission to spread kindness after nine people were shot and killed in Dayton’s Oregon District.

“There were nine people killed in our city and we’re spreading good things around to different people representing the nine people killed,” said 10-year-old Jayvaun Butler. “We feel like everybody can be kind if they just choose to be kind.”

The mission? The #DaytonChallenge. Nine days of random acts of kindness, a day for each of the nine victims killed in the Dayton shooting.

“We feel like it’s the right thing to do,” Butler said. “No matter what age you are, you can do anything.”

Butler and his friend Mason Moore said they were inspired by another boy in El Paso, Texas, doing a similar challenge following the mass shooting there.

“We were inspired by Ruben Martinez, who was doing the El Paso Challenge for the 22 people killed,” Moore said. “We were wanting to do a Dayton Challenge for the nine people who were killed in the Oregon District.”

THE #DAYTONCHALLENGE:

• Day 1: Pay forward to one person in line in the drive thru.
• Day 2: Give two people a hug.
• Day 3: Write and send three anonymous praise letters
• Day 4: Open the door for four people
• Day 5: Give five high fives
• Day 6: Introduce yourself to six new people
• Day 7: Give seven items to a local food bank
• Day 8: Give out eight genuine compliments
• Day 9: Tell nine people how much you love them

Since the shooting Sunday morning the boys said they’ve discussed the news with their mothers.

They hope others are inspired to join the #DaytonChallenge too, lifting spirits of fellow Daytonians one day at a time.

“It’s gonna get better,” Butler said.