A family who lost their son in a car accident honors him by spreading kindness. A family recognized by “People” magazine as one of the kindest families in America in their annual Kindness issue is honoring their late son by continuing his legacy of doing good. The DeBarros family knew their 23-year-old son, Chase Soares, was kind and generous, but it wasn’t until after he died in a tragic car accident in 2020 that they realized how profound of an impact Chase had on those around him.
In the days after his passing, friends and strangers across their community in Teaticket, Massachusetts, began reaching out to the family to share how Chase had been there for them when they needed help. "So many people have told me things he's done,” says Chase’s mom Brooke DeBarros, “How he helped with this, or got them through that."
To continue Chase’s legacy and to ensure that he would never be forgotten, the family started the nonprofit Team Chase Foundation to carry out and encourage random acts of kindness. Since its launch, they’ve handed out six college scholarships, helped kids attend athletic camps, and funded new park benches in their hometown. They’re also inspiring acts of kindness around the world with their Chase Kindness Ball initiative. The family plans to continue growing their son’s legacy and Chase’s step-dad Norman DeBarros hopes that he would be proud of what they’ve done, saying, "With this foundation, his kindness will persevere, for not just our lifetime but future lifetimes."
Source: People