Another Year Gone

Matt and his beloved puppy, Tyson.

Six years ago today, Matt died. It’s still impossible to believe he’s gone. Even after six years, it still feels unbelievable.  My husband, Ron, said, “In some ways, it gets worse as time goes by.” He went on to explain, that in the beginning, we had pictures of Matt that weren’t too far out of date, but every year that goes by, we are missing more and more pictures and memories that should have been. I agree, plus I felt like I could tough it out for a year or two without Matt but not 5 or 10 years.  Continue reading Another Year Gone

Help for Serious Mental Illness and Matt’s 38th Birthday

Resource Guide for Serious Mental Illness

Today, Matt would be 38 years old. We’ve had to live 5 years and 9 months without his presence in our lives, without new memories, without his touch and his effervescent smile. We’ve learned how to live and find some happiness in spite of our grief, but there’s not a day that goes by that we don’t hurt from missing him.  We’re grateful for the 32 years of wonderful memories we shared with Matt that make us smile and warm our aching hearts, but we miss him so much.   Continue reading Help for Serious Mental Illness and Matt’s 38th Birthday

We’re Celebrating!

$10,000 in kindness grants and awards


We’re thrilled to announce that we have now presented in excess of $10,000 in kindness grants and awards!  A huge thank you to the people who have won our awards and grants.  You’ve inspired all of us with your kindness and amazed us with your creativity, perseverance, and compassion, and shown us what a huge difference one person can make in the lives of so many.  

In addition, we’re grateful to every one of you for your support in believing in our mission of spreading kindness in Matt’s name and helping us keep his legacy alive.  

When we started MKRO in 2018 our goal was to highlight one person at a time four times a year by presenting 2 awards and 2 grants. 

Due to the generosity of our donors, we are now proud to announce that in 2023 we will be increasing them by committing to 4 awards and 4 grants per year.  We will also be going back to the original format of shining the spotlight on one person at a time, but instead of four times a year, we’ll post winners eight times a year.  

Our February grant winner(s) is coming up and this time you will see one winner in February and the other winner in March.  That way the entire spotlight will be on one person at a time.  

As we move forward we want to thank you for your continuing support. Matt’s kindness truly does ripple on! Keep nominating people who inspire you and submitting your kindness projects and we will keep giving our grants and awards.  

Is there someone who inspires you with their kindness?  Nominate them for the Matt Kurtz Kindness Award of $250.

Do you have an act-of-kindness project you want to do but need help funding it?  Submit your idea for the Matt Kurtz Kindness Grant of $500 and let us help you spread kindness.

Pickleball is Therapy

Ocean Pines Pickleball Community
Ocean Pines, MD, Pink Ribbon Event

Pickleball has been all over the news for the last few years. It even made it to the front page of the Washington Post. It’s been called the fastest-growing sport in America and people of all ages, shapes, and sizes have been jumping in to play. I’ve been playing pickleball for 10 years but it wasn’t until Matt died that I appreciated the therapeutic effects of pickleball.    

Continue reading Pickleball is Therapy

Help for Serious Mental Illness and Matt’s 37th Birthday

Mental Illness You are Not alone

Matt would be 37 years old today. While we’ve had to live five years without Matt and learned how to live and find some happiness in spite of our grief, there’s not a day that goes by that we don’t hurt from missing him.  We are grateful for the 32 years of wonderful memories we shared with Matt that make us smile and warm our aching hearts, but we miss him so much.  

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Matt’s Birthday and Help for Serious Mental Illness

Matt Kurtz and family
Brian, Jackie, Matt, Ron

Matt would be 36 years old today.  Oh, how I miss him.  I wish I could go back to the before times, back in the day when I lived in ignorant bliss and knew nothing about mental illness and grief.  When Matt was healthy and happy and our family was complete.  When life was easy and full of joy.  

Continue reading Matt’s Birthday and Help for Serious Mental Illness