Leon Logothetis's Blog, page 26
October 31, 2011
Friendly and Free (and Going Across the Country)
Originally published on The New York Times In Transit Blog by Dan Eldridge→
A free ride and a friendly driver aren't necessarily what New Yorkers who travel by taxi expect. But that's exactly what the author and television personality Leon Logothetis will be offering on Monday, as he begins an 11-city, 21-day cross-country road trip.
When Mr. Logothetis traversed the country on a budget of just $5 a day for his television reality show, "Amazing Adventures of a Nobody," in 2007, he relied on the kindness of strangers for necessities like food and shelter. Now, he says, it's time to give something back. So over the next three weeks, as he retraces the route he took in 2007, he'll offer free rides in a vintage English taxi, above, appropriately known as the Kindness Cab.
To request a free ride (across town, or even farther), call the Kindness Cab Hotline at 323-450-5386, or connect with Mr. Logothetis on Facebook or on Twitter (@LeonLogothetis). And you could even try flagging him down.
The meter will be running whenever a passenger is onboard, and when Mr. Logothetis arrives in Los Angeles — he's scheduled to get there on Nov. 14 after passing through Chicago, Denver, Las Vegas and six other cities — he will donate the amount of the total accrued fare to ClassWish, a New York nonprofit organization that provides schools with books and other much-needed classroom supplies.
The money for the donation will come from proceeds from his recently published book, also titled "Amazing Adventures of a Nobody" (Bettie Youngs Books), which documents his transformation from an uninspired employee of a London brokerage firm to an altruistic world traveler.
'Kindness Cab' Hands Out Free Rides and Free Books
Originally published on Good.is October 19th.
Need a ride? Starting October 24, television host Leon Logothetis will drive from New York City to Los Angeles in a vintage cab, offering free rides to strangers along the way. He'll keep the meter running the whole way, and the total accrued fare will be donated to charity.
Logothetis previously traveled across the country on just $5 a day for National Geographic's 2006 series Amazing Adventures of a Nobody, which aired in more than 100 countries. He often relied on the selflessness of others for food, shelter, and transportation. Now, he's retracing his steps, winding his "Kindness Cab" through 11 cities, including Chicago, Denver, and Las Vegas. The total amount on the meter from each city will be donated to a local school to help them buy books through the nonprofit ClassWish. Proceeds from Logothetis' new bookdocumenting his cross-country travels will cover the donations, with any leftover cash coming from his own pocket.
"I was so inspired when I crossed America on the kindness of strangers," Logothetis says. "I think this new trip can also serve as inspiration, and it's a great way for me to give back to the communities that helped me so much. Even if only one child is inspired to become a lifelong reader, I feel my book giveaway will have been a success."
Want to hitch a free ride yourself? Tweet Logothetis with the hashtag #thekindnesscab or write to him on Facebook, and he could be picking you up in no time.
In the meantime, track the trek to Los Angeles:
New York – October 24
Washington, D.C. – October 26
Cincinnatti – October 28
Indianapolis – October 29
Chicago – October 31
St. Louis – November 3
Denver – November 7
Santa Fe – November 9
Phoenix – November 11
Las Vegas – November 12
Los Angeles – November 14
The Kindness Cab visits Indy, inspires Indiana Humanities
Originally published on Indiana Humanities →
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Leon Logothetis, who is driving his "Kindness Cab" across America provided visitors and residents in Indianapolis with free cab rides today. But, first, he was met by a group at Indiana Humanities intent on matching his kindness.
An author and TV host, Leon departed New York City's Times Square on Oct. 24 in a drive across America in his British-style cab. In each city he visits, he offers free cab rides to anyone who hails or calls him. At the end of his travels, he'll make donations to American schools – including a $500 donation to help one school in Indiana.
When Indiana Humanities heard about Logothetis' journey, we decided to match his $500 Indiana gift. We were inspired to match the donation to draw attention to something that will cause people to think a little differently and talk to someone new. Plus, we wanted to showcase our famous Hoosier hospitality. When Leon's done, we want him to look back and say, 'Indianapolis was by far the friendliest place I visited.'
Leon is re-tracing the route he took in his National Geographic TV series "Amazing Adventures of a Nobody," for which he crossed American with $5 in his pocket, relying entirely on the kindness of strangers. Now in his Kindness Cab, he'll give back to the cities and communities that offered him kindness. In each city, he'll offer free rides to strangers, but keep a running total of the local fares he accrues. He will arrive in Los Angeles for World Kindness Week Nov. 14.
Leon picked up Kristen and Kristin during a visit to Indiana Humanities' offices in the historic Meredith Nicholson House at 1500 N. Delaware. He also received a "kindness package" and posed with a giant check before giving them a free cab ride to the Super Street Food Showdown at City Market.
Indiana schools can register by Nov. 14 for a random drawing of $1,000 by registering atwww.ClassWish.org/freebooks.
The Kindness Cab: Hoosier style!
The Kindness cab arrived safely in Indy, the hiccup of breaking down on the freeway a distant memory. Now it was time to give the good people of Indianapolis some old fashioned English kindness. All right Guvnor!
The first stop was local charity Indiana Humanities who kindly offered to donate another $500 worth of books to a local school*. We all drove to a food fare and gobbled down a scrumptious lunch. With lunch gobbled, it was off to give more kindness. Oh what fun!
Then history was made.
We had our first celebrity in the cab! 'Blue' the world famous mascot of Butler University slobbered his way into the back. We loved having 'Blue' as he was bubbly and surprisingly talkative…The Kindness Cab drove him to his favorite pet store where he normally has a pre lunch nibble.
Next stop. Ice Cream.
We drove 15 minutes out of town and picked up two young girls for an ice cream run at Dairy Queen. This was quite an event and the Kindness Cab most certainly did its job: A job that is simply to make people smile. Both girls loved their ice creams and their mother was thrilled that the Kindness Cab had battled through traffic to keep its promise of brightening a child's day.
Next stop. Teenage party.
After the successful ice cream run it was time to drive across town and pick up a young chap. Andy was 13 and ready to party the night away. His mother was ready to see the back of him. Just for a few hours though.
Our final destination was a dinner invitation from a local lady called Sue. She graciously cooked a scrumptious Indian dinner and then it was time for the Kindness Cab to pack up and head off to sleep. It was late and the next day we had to head out to Chicago for Halloween.
Don't forget that The Kindness Cab is on its way. Be sure you are there when he stops by…
*You can win $500 worth of books for your school or library by visiting www.classwish.org/freebooks
For information on the whereabouts of the Kindness Cab and the chance to get a lift please visit: www.kindnesscab.com
