In a year marked by rising hate crimes, political turmoil and the deaths of beloved icons, it’s easy to lose hope for the future.
But in spite of everything, there are many vestiges of goodness in humanity. This is especially clear when it comes to children.
As 2016 nears its end, we looked back at some of the most inspiring acts of kindness, courage and creativity from kids this year. Keep scrolling to read about 16 big and small ways kids made a difference in the world.
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1
The boy who dedicated his 5th birthday to helping animals in need
Stephanie Shaw
2
The 6-year-old whose act of kindness toward a homeless man warmed hearts
Kenyatta Lewis
3
The girl with brain cancer who used her Make-A-Wish to clean up her city's parks
41 Action News - KSHB-TV/Facebook
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4
The 11-year-old who performed for an elderly veteran who showed up to a canceled Memorial Day parade
Mary DeGregorio
5
The little girl who showed you don't have to choose between princesses and badass action heroines
Steven Lamb
6
The girl who used Google Translate to invite a new classmate to sit with her at lunch
Kimber Kinard
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7
The 10-year-old boy who grew out his hair to make wigs for kids with cancer
Amber Ray and Angie Pulos
8
The boy who used his allowance to buy sandwiches for the police
Winslow Township Police Department
9
The 5-year-old who had the best response to a problematic "dress like an Indian" school assignment
Tremeka Greeenhouse
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10
The toddler with the facial birthmark who already knows it's OK to be different
Kelly Wilson Bosley
11
The 11-year-old who mowed lawns to raise money to buy a gravestone for the father he never met
Keegan Kistenmacher
12
The 9-year-old girl who made an inspiring speech about autism
Sarah and Greg Charles
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13
The 8-year-old who left a cooler full of cold drinks for the mailman on a scorching summer day
Terra McDaniel/Facebook
14
The 5-year-old who invited local police officers to his family's Thanksgiving dinner
Facebook Walton County Sheriffs Office
15
The 4-year-old who formed a sweet friendship with an elderly man at the grocery store
Tara Wood
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16
The little girl who wore a hot dog costume during "princess week" at her dance school