National Be An Angel Day
August 22
About National Be An Angel Day
National Be An Angel Day takes place every year on 22 August and encourages people to do one good deed for someone else. Founded in 1993 by author and angel enthusiast Jayne Howard Feldman, the day is a simple, joyful reminder that small acts of kindness can change the course of someone’s day. There are no rules and no membership required, just the invitation to be an angel for another person.
How to Celebrate National Be An Angel Day
The whole point of the day is action, so here are plenty of ways to spread a little kindness on 22 August and beyond.
- Pay it forward – Cover the bill for the person behind you in the coffee shop queue or at a toll booth. The small surprise often inspires the recipient to do the same for someone else.
- Volunteer your time – Spend a few hours at a food bank, soup kitchen, animal shelter or care home. Hands-on help is one of the most direct ways to be someone’s angel.
- Write a heartfelt note – Send an unexpected card or message to a friend, relative or former teacher telling them why they matter to you. A few sincere lines can stay with someone for years.
- Help a neighbour – Mow a lawn, carry shopping, walk a dog or simply check in on someone who lives alone. Practical help often means the most to those who are too proud to ask.
- Donate what you no longer need – Sort through clothes, books and household items and pass the good ones to a charity shop or shelter rather than letting them gather dust.
- Offer a break to a busy parent – Babysitting for a few hours so a single mum or dad can rest is a generous and genuinely useful gift of time.
- Brighten a stranger’s day – Strike up a conversation with someone sitting alone, hold a door, give up your seat or leave a generous tip with a kind word attached.
- Forgive and say thank you – Mend a strained relationship, let go of a grudge, or simply thank the people who quietly make your life easier. Kindness in words counts just as much as kindness in deeds.
What is National Be An Angel Day?
National Be An Angel Day is an annual celebration of generosity, compassion and goodwill. The idea is straightforward: be an angel for someone by doing one selfless good deed, whether grand or tiny. It is open to absolutely everyone, regardless of age, background or belief, because the only requirement is the willingness to help another person. Many people use the day as a gentle nudge to make kindness a more regular habit rather than a once-a-year event.
When is National Be An Angel Day?
National Be An Angel Day falls on Saturday, 22 August 2026. The date is fixed and the day is observed on 22 August every year, so it never moves. Falling on a weekend in 2026, it offers an ideal opportunity to dedicate some free time to helping others or volunteering in your local community.
The History of National Be An Angel Day
National Be An Angel Day was created in 1993 by Jayne Howard Feldman, an author and speaker from Upperco, Maryland, who has written extensively about angels. The first celebration took place on 22 August 1993, at a time when interest in angels was growing rapidly in popular culture. Feldman has said she felt inspired by angels to establish a day that would encourage people everywhere to perform one good deed for another person.
The concept resonated widely because it asked so little and gave so much. Rather than promoting any single charity or cause, the day simply champions kindness in all its forms. Over the following years it spread through word of mouth, community groups and the early internet, with people organising kindness drives, fundraisers and even festivals, parades and art fairs devoted to angels in some towns.
More than three decades on, National Be An Angel Day continues to be marked across the United States and increasingly further afield. Its longevity owes much to its flexibility: anyone can take part in any way they choose, which has helped the day stay relevant as a celebration of everyday compassion. If you enjoy days that put generosity at their heart, you might also like B Kinder Day, which shares the same spirit of encouraging deliberate acts of kindness.
Fun Facts About National Be An Angel Day
- The very first Be An Angel Day was held on 22 August 1993, making it more than three decades old.
- The day was founded by a single individual, Jayne Howard Feldman, rather than a large organisation or charity.
- There is no official cost or sign-up involved, which is part of why the day has spread so widely.
- Acts of kindness need not cost a penny: a smile, a thank you or a helping hand all count.
- Some communities mark the occasion with angel-themed festivals, parades and art fairs.
- Research consistently shows that performing kind acts boosts the wellbeing of the giver as well as the receiver, so being an angel benefits you too.
Why National Be An Angel Day Matters
Kindness has a ripple effect. A single good deed can lift a struggling stranger, strengthen a community and inspire others to act generously in turn. National Be An Angel Day matters because it carves out a moment to be intentional about compassion, reminding us that we all have the power to make someone’s life a little easier. In a world where many people feel isolated or overlooked, a deliberate act of goodwill can mean far more than its size suggests.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National Be An Angel Day?
National Be An Angel Day is an annual day, observed on 22 August, that encourages everyone to perform a good deed for another person. It celebrates kindness, generosity and compassion in all their forms, from small gestures to major acts of giving.
When is National Be An Angel Day in 2026?
National Be An Angel Day is on Saturday, 22 August 2026. It is held on the same date every year.
Who started National Be An Angel Day?
The day was founded in 1993 by Jayne Howard Feldman, an author from Maryland known for her work on angels, who said she was inspired to encourage people to carry out selfless good deeds.
Spread the Word
Join the celebration and share your good deeds and kindness moments on social media with #BeAnAngelDay and #BeAnAngelDay2026. Tag your friends and challenge them to be an angel for someone too. The more people who take part, the further the kindness travels.
Related Awareness Days
- B Kinder Day – An Australian day devoted to performing deliberate acts of kindness, sharing the same generous spirit as Be An Angel Day.
- National Random Acts of Light Day – A day that encourages small, thoughtful gestures to bring light and comfort to others.
- National Day of Joy – A celebration of happiness and goodwill that pairs naturally with a day built around kindness.
Links
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