Introducing Cayden Taipalus, a remarkable 8-year-old from Michigan who has a kind heart. After seeing his friend at Challenger Elementary School in Howell, Michigan, be denied a hot lunch because there wasn’t enough money in his account, Cayden, a third-grader, started an inspiring campaign.

Unsettling Event Encourages Compassion: Cayden’s goal was inspired by an unsettling incident in which his friend was served a cheese sandwich rather than a heated meal. Alarmed by the unfairness, Cayden went to his mother Amber Melke-Peters and said he wanted to support his friend and make sure that things like this didn’t happen again.

Cayden’s Creative Fundraising Website: Amber helped Cayden address his worry by developing a fundraising website called “Pay It Forward: No Kid Goes Hungry.” Cayden made contact with his

“I am so very proud of my son,” Amber said. “He is only 8 years old and to grasp the concept around this is just amazing in my eyes. He has a heart of gold.”