GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. — For some, it's going the extra step to help a coworker.
And for others it might be sharing an encouraging message or giving someone a chance.
This Wednesday marks World Kindness Day.
Tanner Anderson says one person's kindness towards him -- changed his life.
For the first time in nearly a decade, Anderson, a Hollywood producer from Eden Prairie, is back at Holy Family Catholic High School.
Anderson, who spent the day talking to high school students, said Holy Family is where he learned life skills. The school’s basketball coach, Matt Thuli, gave him a chance.
“I was able to come here and finally find myself and be who I am, the things I used to get persecuted for at Eden Prairie and now I was now applauded,” he said. “Even as a 30-year-old man I can call him up in a second and he will be there. That is rare in life. He helped me through some of the hardest times of my life. I Discovered who I was under his guidance.”
After dealing with bullies, Anderson said he transferred to Holy Family Catholic from a large public school system in 2001. He said he was bullied because he was an undersized middle school athlete who was also sensitive and artistic.
Friday, Lionsgate releases "The Turkey Bowl," a romantic comedy Anderson produced.
He is also a central character in the movie. The film opens in theaters nationwide Friday. You can also see a special screening Friday at the Chanhassen Cinema at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Coach Thuli said he gets just as much out of his players success as they do.
"When you get into coaching you think you are gonna win games. This far beats wining any games," he said. " Seeing him come back and being successful and caring enough to come back and see me is why I coach."
And on this day of kindness Anderson hopes to inspire others they way his coach Thuli helped him. He had one message for students today: It gets better.
“Realize that you are enough and how you were born is whole and unique then you can have empathy toward the bully and see what they are going through,” he said. “It gets better. It really does.”
Anderson graduated with a bachelor's degree from Hamline University in Business Communications adn Theatre Arts. He also founded Make It Take It Productions.