Teens urge random acts of kindness in video

Two 16-year-olds, Kyle Nutt and Zade Abdullah, have been seen all over Sterling and Dixon donning superhero costumes. And now, the entire Internet is catching a glimpse.

“I was cringing seeing them leave the house in superhero costumes, wondering what they were up to,” Kyle’s father, Stephen, said with a laugh. “This is not their typical video, and I am proud of them.”

The blue and green avengers have been committing random acts of kindness upon strangers.

Each took turns filming recipients’ reactions to create “How to be a Super Hero,” which is quickly headed viral. Jimmy Taylor ran a second camera to help capture the reactions of surprised strangers, including a homeless man who dropped to his knees, looked toward the heavens, and clasped his hands in prayer.

His response left Zade’s mother, Maysaloon Abdullah, humbled and proud.

“When they gave him food and a coat, the homeless man started to pray,” she said. “I feel so sorry for this man. I wish I can bring more for him. I feel very proud of my son for doing this.”

Kyle’s parents also were surprised by the kindness the boys displayed and the overwhelming response they have received from co-workers, friends, family and strangers since the video was uploaded Sunday.

Accustomed to the goofy antics that are typical of the comedy work that Kyle and Zade produce, Stephen and Jessica Nutt said the new video offers a nice glimpse into the boys’ big hearts.

Jessica said she had no idea the pair was working on a serious video.

“I saw them editing, and there was a police car on the screen, and they hurried up and shut it down,” she said. “I thought, ‘Oh, my gosh! What are they up to this time?’ When I saw the video, I was pleasantly surprised.”

The YouTube partners and Dixon High School classmates, who have known each other since kindergarten, became friends in eighth grade — “and now,” they said simultaneously, “share a brain” as they “feed off of each other” to make videos.

After seeing their favorite YouTuber, VitalyzdTv, help a homeless man, they thought, “We can send a good message and help people too,” Kyle said.

Their effort is being well received, garnering about 6,000 views in its first 24 hours online.

The video is quickly making rounds on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter, and some have submitted it to TV talk show host Ellen DeGeneres.

“So many people have already come up to me said it made them cry,” Zade said. “I guess we didn’t know how it would impact them watching. I felt surprised, and it made me feel good. And I like how many people are paying it forward.”

While preparing to film inside of a store, they overheard a woman tell a cashier she didn’t have enough money to buy everything she had picked up. The boys sprang into action: They bought the DVDs the woman had to put back.

After Kyle handed her the movies, she smiled, reached her arms out and said: “Thank you so much! I have to hug you. That was very sweet of you.”

Other acts of kindness seen in the video show their silly sides, including their taking doughnuts to police officers; paying for a movie rental while recommending the lady consider “The Avengers” next time; and running up to a drive-thru window to pay for the food that a man had ordered.

“At first, we were nervous,” Kyle said. “Had butterflies in our stomachs, but after the Wendy’s one went so well, we got excited, and it felt amazing to see them be so excited for us to do that stuff. And we felt inspired to do more.

“The positive feedback fuels our fire. I especially liked the kid part. Little boys love superheroes, I always wanted to be a superhero, and knowing I was inspiring little kids just felt good. I saw myself quite a few years back in their smiles.”

The best part about this quick fame, the boys say, is they are realizing their goal.

“We keep hearing that we inspired someone to do something for someone else,” Kyle said. “That is really what we wanted it to be about, people paying it forward and giving back.”

Zade said he was surprised how “such little things can make people happy.”

His favorite part of making the video was when they arrived at a nursing home to hand out poinsettias, and they were welcomed by many smiling faces.

“Those people really made me happy,” he said. “It inspires me to do better, to be better. Watching the video makes me feel good. I guess you could say, I want to give more flowers.”

“There is faith in humanity,” Kyle added. “It’s been pretty rough with shootings, the economy, and all these bad vibes going around. We really just wanted to show people this world isn’t doomed, and that there’s still people with good hearts.”

To watch the video

Click here to watch the video "How to be a Super Hero" can be found on the HiddenReaction Channel. The YouTube Partnership program is driven by subscribing, commenting, liking and sharing videos. The more of each they receive, the larger their stipend. Jimmy Taylor's channel is DIY4FILM.