Volunteer Jeff Mendelsohn, right, helps distribute toys during a raffle. Mendelsohn, a leukemia survivor, says the Shyann Kindness Project has given him a renewed sense of purpose.

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In the past few months, volunteering with The Shyann Kindness Project has helped Jeff Mendelsohn find something he lost years ago: himself.

"I had been sick and recovering for a long time, and through my efforts with The Shyann Kindness Project I feel like the old me again. I get to see kindness in action, and it is just incredible. ... It has really touched me," said Mendelsohn, a 15-year survivor of leukemia and a bone-marrow transplant. He spends one to two hours every week as the fundraising coordinator for The Shyann Kindness Project.

Mendelsohn, 56, is coordinating benefits that include a speech at the Executive Inn & Suites, a Metro Car Wash fundraiser, an August barbecue at Sunflower Farmers Market and a Classic Car Rally through Garner Automotive on Oct. 4. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, a fact that he attributes to the unique nature of the organization.

The Shyann Kindness Project is dedicated to passing on kindness, one act at a time. The all-volunteer non-profit was founded in 2006 by Sandy and Glenn Rosati in memory of their daughter, Shyann, to serve children and caregivers in stressful situations due to illness or other traumatic events. Shyann, who was born with multiple birth defects, died in 2005 at age 7.

Since inception, the project has provided gift packages, books, clothing, backpacks, school supplies and other items to more than 4,300 children in hospital emergency rooms, clinics, homeless-feeding programs, shelters, after-school programs for low-income families and other locations where children are "in need of a reason to smile."

Shyann's Mentors Program offers parents and caregivers of children with special needs free support via social workers, specialists and volunteers. Shyann's Helping Hands promotes social responsibility through youth volunteerism.

In the past year, the size and scope of events in clinics, shelters and after-school programs has exploded, according to Sandy Rosati. She said the most significant aspect is not the gifts the children receive, but the "kindness talk," in which she discusses acceptance of differences in others and those with disabilities.

"The feedback I get is that the kindness talk really makes an impact on the children," Sandy said.

Mendelsohn emphasized that while the program assists children in need, the focus is "passing on kindness." Children are encouraged to do the same.

Mendelsohn views volunteerism as an opportunity to relate advice his father gave him many years ago.

"He taught me that if you take from the community, you must also give back, and with support of The Shyann Kindness Project, I feel like I am honoring my father's request. That makes me feel wonderful inside," he said.

His involvement has also given his life renewed meaning.

"For many years after my transplant, I wondered, 'Why am I here? What is my special plan?' I think maybe I am coming close to finding out. … Maybe this is my purpose," he said.