By Laurie Hill
For the third year in a row, Random Acts of Capitola Kindness (RACK) has shown what truly matters — people caring for people. Led by volunteer board members Karin Andersen, Sue Campbell, Dave Aaron, Cindy Kiernan, and Gerry Jensen, RACK continues to remind the community that kindness, compassion, and showing up for one another are at the heart of a strong and connected town.
RACK recently hosted its Third Annual Holiday Party, an evening that was both joyful and deeply meaningful. Neighbors came together not only to celebrate the season, but to lift up those facing some of life’s most difficult challenges. The event raised funds for Jacob’s Heart Children’s Cancer Support Services and RACK, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to supporting families when they need it most.
The evening reflected the best of the local community. Dinner was generously catered by local chef Anthony Guajardo of Mijo’s Taqueria, bringing people together around shared food and conversation. The night concluded with music by the local band The Dig Beats, giving attendees a chance to celebrate, connect, and enjoy the spirit of the evening together.
This year’s gathering carried special meaning with a request on behalf of the Welch family. Caleb, a 14-year-old freshman, was unexpectedly diagnosed with a brain tumor just six months ago. Instead of beginning high school with excitement and plans for sports and friendships, Caleb has faced two brain surgeries, daily radiation treatments throughout the summer, and an ongoing journey of medical care no family is ever prepared for.
In a deeply moving message shared with the community, Caleb’s mother Courtney expressed both the heartbreak and the hope her family has experienced.
“Watching Caleb’s life be turned upside down has been almost unbearable at times,” she wrote. “But through this incredibly difficult season, one thing has become very clear: we are not walking through this alone.”
Courtney shared how neighbors, friends, and even strangers stepped forward with extraordinary generosity and compassion offering support when the burden felt too heavy to carry alone.
Adding to the evening’s impact, the event featured a special guest speaker, Terry Healey, a cancer survivor and local author. Terry shared his personal journey and spoke about the critical importance of having a loving, supportive community during times of illness and uncertainty. His message deeply resonated with those in attendance, reinforcing the evening’s central theme: healing is not only medical, but emotional — and no one should face it alone.
“My prayer is for complete healing for my son,” Courtney wrote. “I also pray that through this journey, Caleb grows into a man of character who one day blesses others just as he has been blessed. That is my hope for our entire family — that one day we are able to pass forward the many blessings we have received.”
Attendees described the Holiday Party as a powerful reminder of what community truly means — a space filled with love, empathy, and genuine care, where people gathered not just to give, but to stand beside a family and say, you are not alone.
“‘Thank you’ feels insufficient,” Courtney shared. “Please know that we feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for each and every one of you.”
RACK’s continued work reflects the values that matter most: compassion over convenience, community over division, and kindness put into action. In moments like these, it becomes clear that the true strength of a town is found in how it supports one another through life’s most difficult seasons.
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If you would like to support the mission of Random Acts of Capitola Kindness, please visit www.RACKcapitola.com to learn more or get involved.