"One single act of kindness can last a lifetime!"

Ayda and Vanja Zugay were just 12 and 17-and frightened-when their parents sent them to America to escape war-torn Yugoslavia. But then a stranger showed them a kindness that gave them comfort and hope

- Bill Holton

Tracy Peck was flying home to Minneapolis after playing amateur tennis in Paris and attending the 1999 French Open, when the teenage girl in the seat beside her tapped her and said, “My sister says your dangly earrings are very pretty.”

Vanja Zugay, then 17, explained that her sister, Ayda, then 12, didn’t speak English. She went on to share that they were traveling alone—refugees fleeing war-torn Yugoslavia. Their parents had emptied their savings to send their daughters to live with their brother, Bruno, who was an exchange student in Iowa.

Tracy’s heart went out to the sisters. They must be so frightened. And their poor parents, she thought. Having three daughters of her own, Tracy couldn’t imagine sending her children across the world, not knowing if she’d ever see them again.

There must be something I can do to help, Tracy thought, and, opening her purse, she took a $100 bill—all the cash she had left—from her wallet. Finding an envelope from her hotel, she tucked the money inside, added her earrings and penned a quick message on the front.

To the two girls from Yugoslavia. I’m so sorry that the bombing of your country has caused your family problems.

I hope your stay in America will be a safe and happy e for you. She signed the note, a friend from the plane, Tracy, and drew a tiny heart.

When they landed in Minneapolis, Tracy handed the envelope to Vanja before fetching her tennis racket from the overhead and deplaning.

The girls' eyes went wide when Vanja translated the note for Ayda and they saw Tracy's gifts. They had no money of their own, and Bruno was barely making ends meet working three jobs and sharing a small apartment with roommates.