The Sam Aden Kindness Fund
Jackson “Sam” Aden came into this world on March 31, 2009, in St. Petersburg, Russia, as Frolov Igor Mikhailovich. We were blessed to have him join our family on December 1, 2010, as our amazing “Iggy.” While Sam left this earth on May 4, 2023, his 14 years were full of big love, mischief, random acts of kindness, laughter (he had the best laugh), a deep connection to his heritage and a passion for philosophical conversations about life.
Sam was full of kindness and forgiveness. There wasn’t a day that went by that he didn’t say, “I love you” — usually multiple times in a row. While we may never fully understand what led to his decision, we know this: Sam felt love, and Sam gave love. Big love.
Sam’s Gotcha Day
Every December 1, we celebrate Sam’s Gotcha Day, the anniversary of the day he joined our family. It’s a day that grounds us in love and gratitude, and it has become the heart of how we honor Sam each year. From that day, a few meaningful traditions have grown (some rooted on December 1, others carried forward throughout the year) and all are designed to reflect Sam’s spirit and keep his light moving in the world.
- Random Acts of Samness Day — Each December 1, hundreds of friends and family members across the globe take part in Random Acts of Samness, spreading kindness in ways that are joyful, creative and sometimes delightfully unexpected. Over the years, Random Acts of Samness has looked like handwritten notes hiding in library books waiting to be found, teenagers shoveling snowy driveways without being asked, families covering a stranger’s grocery bill, coworkers pooling money for mental health nonprofits, donuts showing up where they weren’t expected, coats turning into more coats for the unhoused, and small, mischievous acts of goodness that make people stop, smile and feel seen. Some acts are big. Many are small. A few are wonderfully sneaky. Every single one counts. Together, they feel exactly like Sam. Generous, curious and leading with a heart wide open.
- Sam’s Day of Stoke & Sleep In for Sam — To keep Sam’s adventurous spirit alive, we created this annual winter tradition to celebrate connection and mental health. It’s a day to pause the chaos, get outside (or stay cozy) and take care of ourselves and each other. Each year, friends and families gather at Arapahoe Basin in Colorado to share the stoke in their own way. Some ski, some sip hot chocolate, some linger over breakfast burritos or charcuterie on a snowboard, and others choose to Sleep In for Sam and participate virtually. It’s more than a ski day, it’s a mental health day. Over the past two years, nearly $40,000 has been raised, with every dollar supporting youth mental health programs, especially in mountain communities where access and isolation are real challenges.
- Investing in Youth Mental Health — Recognizing the urgent and growing need for accessible youth mental health support, The Sam Aden Kindness Fund is committed to showing up in real, lasting ways. Each December, in honor of Sam’s Gotcha Day, we award grants to organizations supporting youth mental health across schools, hospitals, community spaces and mountain towns. To date, more than $100,000 has supported children and teens navigating anxiety, depression, grief, autism and suicidal ideation; families seeking connection and care; and the educators, clinicians and mentors on the front lines. The goal is simple: to make sure young people feel seen and supported when they need it most. Through the Get Grounded Foundation’s Sam Aden Kindness Fund (Tax ID #46-5125610), 100% of all donations go directly toward youth mental health awareness and the critical resources young people and families need.
We invite you to be part of this movement, whether that means donating, joining us for Sam’s Day of Stoke, carrying out your own Random Acts of Samness or simply helping us advocate for better youth mental health resources.
If you or someone you know is struggling, you’re not alone. Please reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing 988, or text “START” to 741-741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.
Together, we create change.
~ Laura Love, Sam’s Mom
To get involved, please reach out to kindness@gfmcentertable.com or follow us on Instagram at @KindLikeSam
In the News: Highlighting Youth Mental Health
Chalkbeat Colorado – Colorado bill to make free youth therapy permanent moves forward
University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work – Transforming Youth Mental Health Care
University of Denver – Seven Grads, One Shared Goal: Make a Difference
Speak Our Minds – A Mother’s Voice: Laura Love on Loss, Hope and Preventing Youth Suicide
The “Random Acts of Samness” Day
December 1 | 2023 · 2024 · 2025
What started as a simple idea has quietly become one of our favorite traditions.
On December 1, 2023, more than 75 people participated in the very first Random Acts of Samness Day. Each person received $100 from Sam’s family with one ask: spread kindness in your own way.
And they did.
Since then, Random Acts of Samness has returned each year — on December 1, 2024 and 2025 — and each time it’s grown in ways we couldn’t have planned if we tried.
Across three years, kindness has traveled far beyond what we imagined — reaching communities across Colorado, Arkansas, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, California, Texas, Egypt, Brazil, Copenhagen, and beyond. But more importantly, it’s shown up in very real, very human moments.
We’ve seen:
- Donuts delivered to teens experiencing homelessness
- Coats purchased (and then multiplied) for families bracing for winter
- Christmas trees and decorations brought to families who simply said, “We need a tree.”
- Warm meals shared with families facing food insecurity
- Surprise gifts for teachers, coaches and mental-health champions quietly holding others up
- Donations made in Sam’s memory to nonprofits, museums, capital campaigns and community spaces, because joy comes in many forms
- Kids helping kids, siblings honoring siblings and families lifting other families
Some acts were loud. Many were quiet. All of them mattered.
What we love most about Random Acts of Samness is that there’s no “right” way to do it. The kindness looks different every year, in every place, through every person. Just like Sam would have wanted.
We can’t wait to see where it goes next.
3rd Annual Sam’s Day of Stoke & Sleep In for Sam
A Day for Joy, Connection & Mental Health
Join us for a day rooted in joy and connection as we come together to honor Sam and support everyone’s mental health. Sam’s Day of Stoke is a celebration of everything Sam loved — the mountains, skiing and snowboarding, being together and spreading kindness wherever he went.
This is more than a ski day. It’s a mental health day and a chance to pause, get outside (or stay cozy) and remind ourselves and each other that connection matters.
Event Details
- When: Friday, January 30, 2026
- Where: The Legendary Beach at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area
- What: A day to hit the slopes, gather with friends, share the stoke and celebrate life
- Skiers, non-skiers, early risers and enthusiastic sleepers welcome. There’s no right way to show up. Just show up.
How You Can Support
1. Join Us on the Slopes:
Bring your friends and family for a day of movement, laughter, hot chocolate, breakfast burritos and connection in the mountains.
2. Sleep In for Sam:
Can’t make it to A-Basin? No problem. Sleep In for Sam is our virtual fundraiser and a way to participate from wherever you are. Sam loved to sleep almost as much as he loved the snow and this option lets everyone be part of the day.
Why It Matters
Our goal is to raise $20,000 with 100% of funds supporting youth mental health programs through the Get Grounded Foundation’s Sam Aden Kindness Fund, especially in mountain communities where access and isolation are real challenges.
Whether you’re carving turns, sleeping in or simply taking a moment to check in on someone you love, the spirit is the same: celebrate life, take care of your mental health and keep kindness moving forward.
Let’s kick off 2026 with kindness in our hearts and a commitment to taking care of ourselves and others.