4 SIMPLE WORDS CAN CHANGE THE WORLD!
MEET THE BE KIND BE NICE TEAM
Meet Megan
Megan is the heart and soul behind Be Kind Be Nice—a multi-medal Special Olympian, proud advocate, and co-founder of a movement built on compassion, inclusion, and community.
Born with cerebral palsy, Megan has faced more than her share of challenges. But instead of letting those challenges define her, she’s used them to fuel her purpose. With strength, grace, and determination, Megan has proven time and again that she’s more than a diagnosis—she’s a leader, a role model, and a friend to many.
Her journey has taught her the power of perseverance and the importance of kindness. Through Be Kind Be Nice, Megan shares her mission with the world: to teach others that being a buddy, not a bully can change lives. She believes everyone deserves to feel seen, valued, and included—and she leads by example in every interaction.
Megan’s lived experience gives her a unique and powerful perspective in conversations about inclusion, overcoming adversity, and building stronger communities. Her voice is authentic, heartfelt, and rooted in real-life lessons.
Megan doesn’t just talk about kindness—she lives it. And through her efforts with Be Kind Be Nice, she’s showing the world that kindness isn’t just a nice idea—it’s a movement.
Meet Megan’s Family
When you meet Megan, you quickly see that her kindness, strength, and determination are deeply rooted in the love of her family. The Heyen family is a tight-knit team who stand by one another through everything, and Be Kind Be Nice would not be what it is today without them.
Todd (Dad): You’ll find him at every BKBN event, cheering Megan on, greeting people with a smile, and proudly sharing her mission with anyone who will listen. His quiet strength and steady presence remind us all what unconditional support looks like.
Mary Jo (Mom): The heartbeat behind the scenes, Mary Jo keeps Be Kind Be Nice connected to the world. She manages the Facebook page and website, ensuring Megan’s message of kindness continues to spread far and wide. Her words and updates reflect the deep passion she has for helping others and uplifting the community.
Kayla (Sister): Kayla is a special education teacher in Whitefish Bay, WI, where her dedication to students mirrors the compassion and kindness she brings to BKBN. Even with her busy schedule, she always finds time to lend her creativity—designing signs, merchandise, and offering fresh ideas. Most importantly, she’s Megan’s biggest cheerleader, whether in person or from afar.
Together, Todd, Mary Jo, and Kayla embody what family is all about: being there for one another, giving their best, and helping Megan shine her light. Their love, teamwork, and belief in Megan’s mission of kindness fuel the heart of Be Kind Be Nice.
Because at the end of the day, kindness starts at home—and the Heyen family proves that every single day.
Together they are BE KIND BE NICE
Be Kind Be Nice (BKBN) began with a simple idea—that kindness has the power to change lives. What started as a small effort has grown into a movement that brings people together and strengthens communities, one kind act at a time.
At BKBN, we are all about community. We’ve partnered with Mercer School to collect food for the Mercer Food Pantry, purchased meals for families during the holidays, and raised funds for buddy benches—helping children recognize when a classmate needs a friend or simply someone to listen. We’ve also stepped in when tragedy has struck local families, always asking the same question first: “How can we help?”
Our work has extended to raising money for Mercer Fire/EMS, our volunteer fire department, and helping fund playground equipment for a new all-inclusive playground—so that every child has a place to laugh, play, and belong.
Every effort, big or small, comes from the same place: a belief that kindness brings people together and makes communities stronger. Whether it’s supporting local families, uplifting schools, or helping first responders, BKBN is here to spread kindness and remind others that we can all make a difference.
Because kindness isn’t just a word—it’s a movement. And together, we can build something better, one kind act at a time.