#HugsFromHollyDay spreads kindness to celebrate the life of Todd Heap’s daughter

What an impact a simple idea can make.

Former Cardinal, Sun Devil and Mountain View High School product Todd Heap’s family turned a tragedy into a day that impacted those not just in Arizona and Baltimore — where the NFL tight end is most well-known — but across the country.

On April 14, Heap accidentally ran over and killed his 3-year-old daughter, Holly, and Wednesday marked what would have been her fourth birthday. In her honor, the family created HugsFromHolly.com and asked through the #HugsFromHollyDay hashtag for everyone to honor their daughter’s memory a few simple ways.

1. Wear pink.
2. Spread love and joy through hugs and other random acts of kindness.
3. Spread that love on social media using the #HugsFromHollyDay hashtag.

People responded to the sentiment and ran with it.

Those in football and even more outside of the NFL family did everything from buying a stranger coffee, to giving out a generous tip, to writing a message of encouragement to a loved one. And of course, they did it while wearing pink.

Here is a brief collection of highlights from Wednesday’s #HugsFromHollyDay.

Happy #hugsfromhollyday! pic.twitter.com/aCKZt80YX0

— Mike Leach (@MikeLeach82) May 3, 2017

Dinner for a friend who just came home after surgery. #hugsfromholly pic.twitter.com/Sp9dITVEPm

— patti sue nolan (@psnolan123) May 4, 2017

What a great blessing. I just had my Starbucks bill paid for by a mother and daughter duo on a mission to do #randomactsofkindness. When I asked why they say they were inspired by the #hugsfromhollyday started by Former Raven Todd Heap to remember her by. Pink was her favorite color. Now on a mission to #payitforward #blessed

A post shared by Ogechi A (@gechmeifyoucan) on May 3, 2017 at 2:48pm PDT

City of Mesa Parks & Recreation 💖 #hugsfromhollyday #hugsfromholly pic.twitter.com/iChGe9UOaX

— Jo Donovan (@JoJoddonovan) May 3, 2017

We are wearing pink and spreading joy through random acts of kindness in Holly's honor. #HugsFromHollyDay pic.twitter.com/YSuGvJtvmf

— Burns and Gambo (@BurnsAndGambo) May 3, 2017

We're lighting it up pink tonight. #HugsFromHollyDay pic.twitter.com/nkGpI7ULgB

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) May 4, 2017

We did our random act of kindness tonight in memory of Holly Heap. Her birthday was today, 5-3, so we left a $503 tip for our server:) Rest In Peace sweet baby girl.💕 #hugsfromhollyday

A post shared by MelissaMatson (@melissamatson) on May 3, 2017 at 6:35pm PDT

#hugsforhollyday appreciating my students a bit extra today. 💕 pic.twitter.com/k6DI4h0tKS

— Laura Porter (@MsPorterGRMS) May 3, 2017

The @QC_football team @HarkinsTheatres in QC supporting the Heap family in #HugsFromHollyDay. pic.twitter.com/8ZClf3bjZQ

— Andrew Luberda (@NVR2L8_ASU) May 4, 2017

These nice people gave out these beautiful flowers for free to strangers, in honor of Holly Heap for her birthday. These flowers brought us cheer and the message touched all of our hearts at work today. Thank you for the ray of sunshine! #hugsfromhollyday

A post shared by Katie kat (@katiekirsten) on May 3, 2017 at 6:51pm PDT

We gave HUGE #Hugsforhollyday to this amazing foster mom who just took in 6 children in desperate need of a home! #StandUp. pic.twitter.com/1kCqmiRkgc

— AZ Helping Hands (@AZHelpingHands) May 3, 2017

🌸💕#hugsfromhollyday 💕🌸 • Used my #DutchBros freebie to get the person behind me a drink ☕️ • #payitforward #bethereasonsomeonesmilestoday #passiton #wearpink

A post shared by 🍭Madison_Kai🎂 (@madison_kai) on May 3, 2017 at 3:46pm PDT

“#HugsFromHollyDay” – @eric.weddle 📷Eric Weddle/TW

A post shared by NFL Players (@nflplayers) on May 3, 2017 at 2:17pm PDT

I don't have any pink to wear but I will be dropping these off at random places for #HugsFromHollyDay pic.twitter.com/UWY1Ai9Ccx

— Trundle MacDennis (@TrundleMacD) May 3, 2017

Our hearts and prayers go out to the Heap family. Today would have been holly’s fourth birthday and in honor of her we are wearing pink and giving big hugs to our little girls. #spreadjoy #randomactsofkindness #wearpink #HugsFromHollyDay #nflfamily

A post shared by Kelly Stafford (@kbstafford89) on May 3, 2017 at 2:26pm PDT

#HugsFromHolly @TheRedMtnWay Celebrate Holly by focusing on acts of kindness. Proud of our school #Influence @mpsaz @espn pic.twitter.com/bsayRZYaBc

— Jared Ryan (@TheRedMtnWay) May 3, 2017

Munchkins for the staff and bought a stranger's order at the drive through. Practice a random act of kindness TODAY! #hugsforhollyday pic.twitter.com/QZVzzC2hi5

— your Baltimoron (@jmm3rd) May 3, 2017

Our staff came together this afternoon to honor Holly and the Heap family. 🎀 #HugsFromHollyDay pic.twitter.com/ShXy078t1E

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) May 3, 2017

Coach McDermott spread hugs and kindness at One Bills Drive today in the spirit of #HugsFromHollyDay. #FootballIsFamily Here’s how YOU can join in support: hugsfromholly.com

A post shared by Buffalo Bills (@buffalobills) on May 3, 2017 at 8:38am PDT

In honor of Holly Heap’s Birthday we’re showing our pink and giving out lots of hugs for the little girl lost too soon. 💗 #hugsfromhollyday Look for us tomorrow around 11am in Director Park!

A post shared by SCOUT // Portland, OR (@scoutgoldenretriever) on May 3, 2017 at 3:20pm PDT

Follow @AZSports