By: Cole Miller
cmiller@klkntv.com
It's been almost two years since Cameron Freeman lost his life in a hit and run accident, and now his parents are spreading his message of kindness, hoping to make their community a more positive place.
In photos, Cameron is often seen smiling, enjoying life. He made it a point to reach out to people, offer his kindness in hopes of them passing it on.
But in November of 2010, he was killed by a drunk driver while coming home from a concert in Lawrence, and out of the hurt, his parents are finding hope through the Cameron effect.
"Oh, I think Cameron would be blown away, just blown away. I think he would be very in awe!" said Cameron's mother, Shelley Freeman.
From now until December 7th, Shelley Freeman is asking everyone to do seven acts of kindness. They've even teamed up with Positivity Matters, a local group whose goal is to make lives better.
"Out of all of the activities people can do to increase positive emotion in their life, doing acts of kindness is the best one. So, the tie in with the Cameron Effect and the acts of kindness is phenomenal," said Nick Hernandez with Positivity Matters.
A packed house filled a Nebraska Wesleyan lecture hall, where the Freeman's and their friends passed out Cameron Effect cards with "do good, feel good, pass it on," written on the top, and every time you perform an act of kindness, simply write it down.
The cards can also be picked up at city libraries and Hy–Vee food stores.
"Everybody that's working on this are volunteers and it's just amazing. The hours they put in, the dedication, the passion, they want to see an improvement in people's lives," said Shelley Freeman.
And Shelley says that's exactly what her son would want. "Cameron was human. He was a real kid and he wasn't always an angel and neither am I! just ask anybody and they will tell you I'm not an angel. But, you don't need to be an angel to do kind things and to change people's lives," she said.
On December 7th, which is also Cameron's birthday, the cards will be turned in to city libraries and Hy–Vee stores where they'll be made into a "kindness quilt." It'll be on display at the Sheldon Art Gallery.
