Dayton pays it forward in response to Oregon District shooting with ‘Do Good’ wall at St. Anne the Tart

Dozens of tickets have come in since the Oregon District shooting

A local bakery and coffee shop is a gathering spot for acts of kindness in response to the mass shooting in the Oregon District last Sunday.

St. Anne the Tart, 1500 E. Fifth St. in the St. Anne’s Hill neighborhood east of downtown Dayton, put up a “Do Good” wall when they opened in March.

Our “Do Good” wall is a way for the community to give back to one another,” founder Megan Smith said. “People can purchase something for a total stranger to give them a great lift for the day.”

Since opening Monday, the wall has seen an influx of “do-gooding tags” on the wall with messages of support for people affected by the shooting — one came all the way from the Netherlands.

Some of the messages read, “A latte for a relative of a victim of the tragedy in Dayton,” “Free latte to a first responder. Thankful for you” and “A bakewell tart for someone who needs a moment of peace in a time of sadness.”

“We’ve seen the community band together and do some really special things for each other,” Smith said. “People want to do their part to give back to somebody who was affected this week.”

Linnea Albers, the lead barista at the shop, said she has been witness to acts of compassion all week. One morning strangers comforted a woman wearing an EMT uniform who broke down in the shop. She had been working early Sunday morning assisting the wounded in the Oregon District.

“It’s been pretty incredible to see people show kindness and love for each other on a regular basis,” Albers said.

Dozens of tickets cover the wall with messages of comfort. “I just love this city, and I’d do anything I can to make someone feel better,” said Amanda DeLotelle of Dayton Friday morning after purchasing a gift and writing on the tag, “$5 of fun by way of delicious treats. Love you Dayton.”

Anyone who would like to pay it forward can drop by the shop open Monday – Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. or send an email to connect@stannethetart.com.

“We want the community to know there is a spot where people can come to feel love and feel accepted and know the community is thinking of them when they come over to this wall,” Smith said.

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