The American Bear Project

I received a comment on our blog a couple of days ago from Julia introducing me to a documentary in the works called American Bear — an adventure in the kindness of strangers. This has everything I love: 1) a grass roots kindness experiment about the goodness in human nature, 2) a couple of adventure seeking artist who love people, 3) a ukulele playing dude and young lady wise beyond her years.

Featuring projects about kindness is what String-Ring's Kindness Community blog is about. So let me help spread the word and introduce you to two young film students and their inspiring journey exploring American culture and people.

In the summer of 2010, Sarah Sellman and Greg Grano traveled across the U.S. trusting in the kindness of complete strangers to support them with a place to sleep each night during their 60 day trek. Currently, they are editing the film detailing their adventures hoping to have the American Bear documentary finished by June 2012. This is a study about trusting in strangers during a time when most of us believe others are not trustworthy. Sarah and Greg embark on a mission to prove that by trusting in others, you will find that most often that trust is returned.

Personally, whenever I experience kindness from a stranger, I feel like I've just discovered a diamond. I've peeked into their story and found it heartwarming. Have a look at the movie trailer here.

You can contribute to the production of this kindness experiment to get this film finished here. Pledges start at just $1 and are only charged if the funding is successful. Each donation level offers the donor gifts such as a signed DVD copy of the film, a Road Trip Mix, a Sticker, or a Thank You car with the artwork from Katrina Kopeloff (way cool artwork I'm looking forward to receiving!)

They have until January 21st to meet the funding deadline in order to have the documentary finished by June 2012. Good luck Sarah and Greg.