Random Acts of Kindness

For me, this time of year is always synonymous with stringing paper hearts and mailing Valentine notes to the people I love. But, I’ve also found it to be a period of reflection, forever pondering how I can spread kindness in meaningful ways throughout my community. With strife perpetually pervading our world, it’s important to remember the myriad of opportunities we have to do good for others and bring joy into the lives of those around us:

• From serving patrons to stocking shelves, soup kitchens and food banks request assistance with numerous tasks on a daily basis. Contribute to their supply and volunteer to fight hunger.
• Every city and small town boasts a handful of charities that provide clothes for those in need. These spots are especially important during the winter months when so many require socks, coats, hats, gloves, and scarves to get through the cold and snow. Donate new or gently used items. Reach out to these places and help sort goods at their base of operations.
• Nursing homes and programs for elderly services are very often overlooked. Help out with their day-to-day needs and activities. Ask the organizations to provide you with a list of first names and spread some cheer by crafting and sending homemade cards to residents.
• Contact the principals and/or resource coordinators in your school district to inquire after the needs of their teachers and classrooms. Gather up and make a drop of those books, school supplies, and cleaning products, as well as whatever else is on their list.
• Bring goodies to the firehouses near you, such as cookies and brownies, as well as healthy options like granola bars and dried fruits. And remember, as much fun as it is to cook and bake for others, many stations will only accept unopened, packaged items. This is out of the utmost concern for the health and safety of their firefighters. Store-bought is the way to go.
• The ones who deliver your mail. Those that pick up your recycling. Your favorite librarians. The helpers at your local market with whom you often share a smile and pleasant exchange. There are so many incredible humans we cross paths with regularly. Give your thanks for all they do by writing them a little note and treating them with a gift card to a bakery or ice cream shop.
• Provide funding and/or pet food to an animal shelter near you.
• Help community literacy groups by donating books and offering your time to organize their stock.
• Send care packages to those in your life that are going through a hard time or having health issues.
• Reach out to your neighbor friends. See if there are any home DIY or gardening projects you can help them with over the weekend. And help the housebound by shoveling walks, taking the trash in/out, and tending to the grass.
• If nothing else, always remember to be kind to every person you meet because you never know what others are going through. You might just be the bright spot in someone’s day.