
Six-year-old orphan inspires sad strangers with gifts from the heart
FREE Catholic Classes
At the age of six, Jayden Hayes is an orphan, left under the care of his aunt. He admitted he is still sad over the fact his parents are gone, but he believes people shouldn't be sad and frowning all the time. It is understandable that the young boy knows what grief looks like, and he is doing wonders with how he feels and sees the world differently.
Highlights
Catholic Online (https://www.catholic.org)
8/12/2015 (9 years ago)
Published in Marriage & Family
Keywords: Smile, Sadness, Grief, Smile Experiment, Jayden Hayes
MUNTINLUPA, PHILIPPINES (Catholic Online) - As he is tucked in bed by his aunt, Barbara DiCola, Jayden was inspired to do something to make people smile. He explained he was tired of seeing people sad and gloomy, so he went to downtown Savannah with small toys, like rubber duckies and dinosaurs, to hand out to people he thought were sad or down.
Jayden's "Smile Experiment" really did make people's days better, as they were approached and given small tokens by the boy who lost both of parents.
"It's to make you smile," he says.
According to DiCola, the activity also did something for Jayden, as he was rewarded with hugs and kisses from strangers. She explained that seeing people smile made the brave little boy more of "a ray of sunshine" that he has always been. Even during his mother's funeral, he was not all frowning despite his heart broken.
Although most people smiled back at Jayden and his wonderful little gifts, there were some overwhelmed by the kindness and happiness shining through Jayden that they cried. During coverage from a news outlet, a woman chased Jayden and gave the boy a warm hug after she was shocked with tears.
Jayden stated he collected more than 500 smiles and plans to go for more and beat 33,000. He believes he can.
---
'Help Give every Student and Teacher FREE resources for a world-class Moral Catholic Education'
Copyright 2021 - Distributed by Catholic Online
Join the Movement
When you sign up below, you don't just join an email list - you're joining an entire movement for Free world class Catholic education.

Novena for Pope Francis | FREE PDF Download
-
- Easter / Lent
- Ascension Day
- 7 Morning Prayers
- Mysteries of the Rosary
- Litany of the Bl. Virgin Mary
- Popular Saints
- Popular Prayers
- Female Saints
- Saint Feast Days by Month
- Stations of the Cross
- St. Francis of Assisi
- St. Michael the Archangel
- The Apostles' Creed
- Unfailing Prayer to St. Anthony
- Pray the Rosary

A Month for Mary – Our Mother, Our Model, Our Queen

8 Creative Ways to Get More Fiber — Without Sacrificing Flavor

Scorsese Produces Documentary on Pope Francis’ Final On-Camera Interview, Celebrating His Educational Legacy
Daily Catholic
Daily Readings for Friday, May 02, 2025
St. Athanasius: Saint of the Day for Friday, May 02, 2025
The Our Father: Prayer of the Day for Friday, May 02, 2025
Daily Readings for Thursday, May 01, 2025
St. Marculf: Saint of the Day for Thursday, May 01, 2025
- To Saint Peregrine: Prayer of the Day for Thursday, May 01, 2025
Copyright 2025 Catholic Online. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, © Copyright 2025 Catholic Online. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited.
Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.