The Lost Balloons That Bring Joy to Sick Kids

Entering the ‘Arrivals’ walkway of Ben Gurion airport in Israel, travelers are immediately greeted by masses of friends and family eagerly awaiting loved ones who have undoubtedly spent hours travelling en route to the Middle Eastern country. They are also greeted by an abundance of balloons, most of which were purchased as celebratory gifts for relatives.

Often times, with all of the excitement of embracing and welcoming the arrivals, the colorful balls of helium escape to the airport’s ceiling high above. With 15 million annual passengers passing through the airport, that ceiling attracts a lot of balloons. 

So, instead of waiting for the balloons to slowly wheeze down from above, Ben Gurion Airport’s staff decided to give the balloons a second purpose in the most meaningful way: at least once or twice a week, a crew member fishes down a mass of the balloons and brings the collection to Tel Hashomer Hospital’s children’s ward and divides the balls of happiness among the patients. Now that is the kind of random acts of kindness we all need more of.