In November 2022, Heather Schiess’s life changed forever. Her son Tristin, a young man known for his immense kindness and love for others, passed away tragically, leaving behind a legacy of compassion that Heather could not let go unnoticed. From this deep loss emerged Tristin’s Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to continuing Tristin’s spirit of giving through random acts of kindness across the Salem community.
Honoring Tristin’s Legacy
For those who knew Tristin, his kindness was legendary. Heather describes him as the type of person who “carried the weight of the world on his shoulders, especially for those closest to him.” Whether he was paying for someone’s meal without a second thought or offering an uplifting word to a friend in need, Tristin’s ability to brighten someone’s day was undeniable.
“He had several quotes in life,” Heather recalls. “One of them being, ‘find happiness and bring it to others.’ That was his standard, and that’s the mission behind Tristin’s Project.” This simple yet powerful motto now drives everything the nonprofit does.
The Birth of Tristin’s Project
After losing Tristin, Heather knew she needed to do something to honor his memory. “I kept thinking to myself, ‘What a waste of a beautiful human,’” she says. Her initial idea to start a nonprofit came from her desire to carry forward Tristin’s legacy of kindness. However, she admits to doubting herself at first.
“I thought, nobody does this. Nobody has a nonprofit based solely around kindness. How can something so simple make an impact?” Heather remembers asking herself. But after encouragement from friends and the discovery of another similar organization outside Salem, she realized that Tristin’s Project was not only possible—it was necessary.
Since then, Heather has committed herself fully to the nonprofit’s mission. “I went all in and haven’t looked back,” she says. “I’ll spend the rest of my life doing this.”
Kindness Events in the Community
Tristin’s Project focuses on organizing random acts of kindness throughout the Salem area. Heather often channels her son’s spirit when planning these events, reflecting on what he might have done. In their first year, they’ve hosted numerous events that embody Tristin’s generous heart.
One of their first major acts was feeding local firefighters, an initiative that carried special meaning for Heather and her family. Tristin had been pursuing a career as a firefighter paramedic, and the event allowed them to give back to those who had responded on the day of Tristin’s passing. Heather describes it as a “double blessing,” saying, “We were able to bless the firefighters who came to our call that day.”
Another signature event was the “Pay It Forward—Tristin Style” initiative, where volunteers patronized 12 different restaurants in downtown Salem and paid for strangers’ meals, a reflection of Tristin’s habit of doing the same. “It was such a beautiful day,” Heather recalls. “We could really feel his presence.”
In keeping with the project’s nature-inspired theme, Tristin’s love for blackbirds plays a prominent role in their work. Each spring and fall, the organization releases handcrafted blackbird ornaments into the community, each carrying a small, uplifting message. These little birds, much like Tristin, are meant to bring a moment of joy to those who find them.
“He was a lover of blackbirds,” Heather explains. “He had this incredible ability to lift people up around him. This is just another way of letting people know their worth, something my son was so good at.”
Building Community Support
Though Tristin’s Project is still in its early stages, Heather has found incredible support from friends, family, and the community. The nonprofit is run by a close-knit board of directors, made up of Tristin’s closest friends and family members, whom Heather affectionately refers to as Tristin’s “second mamas.” Together, they work tirelessly to plan and execute the kindness events.
“We’re not the standard board that just handles the business side,” Heather explains. “We all work together to plan the events and do the work because we all have a vested interest in this. It’s really close to our hearts.”
While the organization is small, Heather welcomes the involvement of the wider community. Volunteers are often needed for larger events, and donations are always appreciated. “We have a list of people interested in volunteering, and when we need help, I reach out to them first,” she says. Donations can also be made through the organization’s website, which serves as a hub for all things Tristin’s Project.
Challenges and Growth
Running a nonprofit, especially one as personal as Tristin’s Project, is no easy task. Heather juggles the demands of managing the organization while dealing with her own grief. “I work on this pretty much full-time,” she says, “but if we get any bigger, I’m going to need help.”
Despite these challenges, Heather remains committed to keeping Tristin’s Project grounded in its original mission: spreading kindness, one act at a time. Though they plan to keep the organization relatively small for now, the impact they’ve made in just their first year is already significant.
Keeping Tristin’s Memory Alive
At the heart of Tristin’s Project is Heather’s desire to keep her son’s memory alive. “I don’t want my son to be forgotten,” she says, her voice full of emotion. “This is a way—a beautiful way—of continuing his legacy so that he will be here long after I am gone.”
Through every kindness event, every volunteer effort, and every small gesture of goodwill, Tristin’s Project ensures that Tristin’s spirit continues to touch lives. As Heather and her team work tirelessly to bring happiness to others, they remind the community that even the simplest acts of kindness can have a profound impact.
Tristin’s Project isn’t just a nonprofit—it’s a movement that encourages people to slow down, appreciate the world around them, and spread joy wherever they can. “Kindness is often overlooked,” Heather reflects. “But when you spread kindness, it ignites. It’s a beautiful thing.”
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