Man Doing Good Deeds All Across America

LIVONIA, Mich. (WJBK) - In April, James Beck, a 36-year-old masseur, gave away everything he owned, left his apartment in Santa Monica, California and began a journey of kindness and service across America.

"I'm traveling all 50 states, and I'm serving one family in every state at least three days," said Beck. "Instead of asking them to give something to me, in return, I ask them to actually pay it forward and find some person ... to give a day to."

Beck's social experiment explores random acts of kindness.

"Also an experiment to see if a human being can exist in society in a constant state of charity," Beck told FOX 2's Bill Gallagher. "Everyone talks about we need to think a different way and act a different way, so it's like, well, give it a shot."

In Livonia, Beck is helping with the Senior Olympics program. He's already hit 20 states and has taught high school economics on his journey and helped a man in Tennessee write a speech. He's power washed and stained decks.

"Cooking, cleaning -- some of the most impacting things I've done haven't been the most interesting as far as camera friendly," he said.

Beck has had a few real exciting days on the road.

"Dodging tornadoes has been a really strange experience," he said. "And the floods and also seeing the impact on the families."

Friends, friends of friends and his website, www.serfbliss.com , help Beck connect with people who need a hand.

"He contacted us in Michigan and asked me if I could find something for him to do for three days. Anything I wanted, so today he's working at the senior center. Tomorrow he's going to be cleaning my sister's garage, and we're still working on Friday," said Rose Cook.

Beck finds joy in giving.

"Personally, the rewards are the fact that I don't have any anxiety. I am happier than anyone else I know," he said.