Like too many Americans, for Kevin DeSoto, 2009 was the year he got laid off.  Using social media was a tool for his job search but soon it began to evolve in to something else – a way to reach out and make a difference  for others who were facing much more challenging circumstances.  By doing so, and with a little help from some friends, he reached millions.

Kevin likes to say that …

“Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% our attitude”

JKW: So Kevin – if life is mostly about attitude – tell me a little bit about yours.  Who are you?

KJ Beach PortraitPN 2008 Good question- who am I.  (laughing) Just a regular guy who is married to an amazing person who puts up with me and all my dreams.  Helping others is something I truly believe in.  Originally from California, I now live in Rhode Island.  I’m 40 years old and come from the school of hard knocks and street smarts.  Having been laid off for the first time in my life almost 7 months ago, nothing has really ever come easy for me and I have worked hard my entire life- as many have.  My parents and grandparents tried to instill qualities in me while growing up.  They believed if you work hard & are kind to others & give more than expected it will pay off.  Work ethic, morals & deep rooted values are what I strive to display to others be it face to face or on the social web. 

JKW:  Your biggest outreach projects have been on behalf of others – tell me about them and WHY you did it.

Helping drive attention to the situation that happened to Laura Ling & Euna Lee hit my heart.  Using the social web to help  keep the story in the forefront just seemed natural and the right thing to do.  I would want someone to do that for me if I was in a similar situation.  Since their release from North Korea, I was interviewed by our local ABC6 News team.  During that time and since then, I have found myself reaching out to others to help entrepreneurs who just need that extra marketing push, branding help or marketing suggestion.

The complex situation with the 3 hikers being detained in Iran with Sarah, Shane & Josh has also pulled at my heart strings.  I have been volunteering my time helping keep the message out and about on the social web via Twitter, Facebook & YouTube. 

 

Working closely with Alex Fattal & the Free The Hikers Team has been very touching and am thankful I can assist and was asked.  This is not about me- but trying to help others. Twitter and Facebook can reach millions.  I wrote an article in the examiner entitled, “Reaching Millions”   You can sign petitions and read updates at www.freethehikers.org

“Someday all of this will be a long time ago”

One can only hope that what you do everyday helps make a difference in someone’s life.  You never know who you can help during the day by even just one act of kindness.

Kevin’s newest project is focused on children. Love Without Boundaries began in 2003, after a group of adoptive parents came together to help save the life of one tiny boy in China.  Today the Love Without Boundaries Foundation (based on Oklahoma) is a worldwide group of volunteers dedicated to improving the lives of orphaned and impoverished children in China by providing humanitarian aid in five key areas – Education, Foster Care, Healing Homes, Medical, and Orphanage Assistance – enabling children to receive families through adoption or to become self-sustaining members of their communities.

 

JKW:  Who Inspires you? 

I do not have just “one” person who inspires me.  I get inspiration from many things.  People in my life, the hard working entrepreneur, a person who has dealt with overwhelming circumstances and has endured it, a beautiful sunrise, bright stars at night and of course my wife who has stuck by me during good times and bad.  When you stop and think about it – sometimes the simplest things during the day can inspire you.  A kind act from someone, an encouraging word all goes a long way during these difficult times we face.

 

JKW:  WHY do you do what you do.

Kevin DeSotoMy belief system.  Believing that if you do good to others, maintain your honesty, morals, dignity and self-respect that it pays off.  Maybe not financially, but at the end of the day you have a clean heart knowing you tried your best in being a good, upright person.  I think that loving kindness is lacking in today’s world.  Wanting to be treated similarly also motivates me to do what I do.

“Dream it into reality”

JKW:   If you had 3 wishes – what would they be?

A righteous government, no more sickness, no more greed, no more suffering.

JKW:  If someone wanted to contact you – how can they reach you?

They can email me at kevindesoto@verizon.net or chat with me on Twitter @Kevin_DeSoto.

JKW:  Thanks Kevin for being a great example of how doing something to help others makes a difference.

Readers, I hope you enjoyed Kevin’s story. 

Stay tuned this December. I’ll be bringing you more interviews with People Making a Difference.  If YOU know someone who is making a difference, send me a note about them. They might just pop up here.

Joan Koerber-Walker