Coats of Kindness (and Much More!)

How about another update on how Kindness Yard Sale funds are being used?  Thinking about where the money goes makes me feel happy and hopeful, I hope it does you, too!

Black History Month Library – Representation Matters.  And there are not a lot of children’s books for Black children.  So, when a neighbor said she was looking for books to read with her child for Black History Month, I knew where some Kindness Yard Sale money would go – a little Black History Month library for the neighborhood! 

                                                               

I ordered 16 great books from Amazon and added more that I had in my collection.  I got a plastic bin, printed up a sign-out sheet with Covid cleaning protocols, and let the neighbors know the library was open (our local county library is closed due to Covid).  Something great about this project is that it can live on – those books can be borrowed by many families over the years.  It has been fun seeing people come and borrow books, and one woman read one aloud in this awesome video!  The book she reads here was written by Meena Kamala Harris’ niece, and it is really good:  Ambitious Girl, Read Aloud - YouTube  

Kindness money spent:  $230.14

Crystals of Kindness – this was such an easy project and touched quite a few families in our neighborhood.  A friend posted that she had done a project with her kids – growing their own crystals!  They looked cool, and she posted the “recipe”, so I tried it!  And guess what – it worked!!  With the knowledge that it was both simple and fun, I asked neighbors if they had any empty jars I could have. 

That was an easy ask, because our recycling company doesn’t pick us glass like they used to, but we are all tree-huggers so never throw the jars away!  I also collected pipe cleaners from neighbors.  I had the other things I needed at home, the only thing I had to purchase was Borax.  So far 25 of these kits have been used by families to grow their own crystals, and 8 more are ready for pick up!  

Crystals after only one day!

Instructions for how to do this project yourself: 

Supplies needed:  glass jar that holds over 2 cups of water, one pipe cleaner, a stick of some sort, string, 6 tablespoons of Borax, water

Instructions:

Bend your pipe cleaner into a heart shape

Dissolve the white powder (which is 6 tablespoons of Borax) into two cups of boiling water

Pour that solution into the glass jar

Tie your heart onto the string, and the string onto the stick

Suspend the heart into the jar so that it is covered by water

Observe over the next day(s) as crystals form

Kindness money spent: $14.48

Warm Kindness – for the past 6 years I have hosted “Project Warmth” at our front gate.  The first couple of years, I hung out sweaters, coats, hats, mittens, etc. from our closets that we no longer used.  Then I realized that so many people have extras and would love to share, so I asked for donations of cold weather gear.  Oh my goodness!  So many people have donated this year, and so many pieces of winter wear have found new homes through this project!!  I check the display several times a day, and when it is empty I replace things.  One time a nice warm coat found a new home before I could even make a pot of coffee!!!  

We have given away coats, sweaters, scarves, gloves, hats, boots, mittens, neck warmers, thick socks, snow pants, jeans…  Some people see the display when they walk by, and others have pulled over in their vehicles to pick up a warm item.  Can you imagine being out in the winter weather without a heavy coat or hat?  And people have donated such NICE things!  Brand new kids’ snow pants.  Hand knit hats.  Beautiful scarves.  Barely used heavy boots.  One woman even mailed boots and coats to me from South Dakota!  Isn’t that amazing? 

I put a little note with a $20 bill in one of the coat pockets.  I hope that the person who got it could use the money to get themselves a special little treat, maybe some hot cocoa and lunch!

Kindness money spent:  $35.98 (the $20 gift and a new hook to hang items on)

Dollar Tree Kindness – One of the simplest ways to spread kindness is to pick up the tab of the person in front or behind you in a check-out line.  And that’s just what we did in the Dollar Tree.  Once we checked out, I told the lady behind us that her order was covered with Kindness money.  Even though she was wearing a mask, her smile shone through in her eyes. 

Kindness money spent:  $11.77

You Deserve a Treat Kindness – We all have days where we wish we could just go back to bed, bury our heads under the covers, and wait for a do-over the next day.  But if you have a job, chores, or kids to take care of, sometimes escaping reality just is not possible. 

And that’s where TREATS come in!  Kids get treats, so why shouldn’t adults??? 

When a neighbor expressed that she was having a super hard day, we surprised her with a bottle of wine and a slice of cake meant JUST FOR HER (no need to share, like Moms almost always have to do!!).  Little gestures like that can be huge boosts for exhausted people. 

Kindness money spent:  $21.07

And finally for this recap, Meats of Kindness – So many people have been affected by Covid-19.  Of course, many people have fallen ill and/or lost family members to the illness.  And people have also lost their jobs, meaning losing housing and having a hard time putting food on the table for their families.  One family in our community was having a hard time affording groceries, so I asked them for a $25 shopping list.  I mean, obviously they would appreciate whatever food was given, but it felt important to get what they NEEDED and WANTED.  All they asked for was MEAT.  They explained that when you are getting food from food banks, meat is very, very hard to come by.  So, they said would be super grateful for any meat we could get.  Luckily for them, we are discount shoppers!  

We got 4 different kinds of meat, then added some chips for the teenagers in the family 😊.  They were very grateful (and I bet they got a nice few meals out of it!).

 Kindness money spent:  $33.76

Thank you again to all who donated items for the sale, shopped at the sale, donated funds, gave winter gear, and provided support.  These acts of kindness may not be big enough to change

Thank you so much to everyone who has been supportive of this mission.  Thank you to those who donated items for the Kindness Yard Sale, who shopped at the sale, who donated funds, who dropped off winter gear, and who provided encouragement.  These small act of kindness are not big enough to change the world, but they are big enough to make a small dent…  And if these acts inspire YOU to go out and be kind, well, then the kindness will ripple further and further and further…

 

 

Kindness Yard Sale Update - Sleds, Food, and Hope

Here is an update on expenditures from the Kindness Yard Sale!  Check out some of the ways money raised at the sale has been used to spread kindness!

- You may have seen Little Free Libraries.  They are small “libraries” outside of homes.  The concept is that people can take a book or leave a book.  They are popular in my area and so, so fun.  Well, I saw a twist on the concept!  A woman in Omaha posted, “Sleds for Little Free Sled Library - ISO extra sleds. I know people have complained about a shortage of sleds this year, so I’m putting this on our sledding hill in Black Elk Park (above the north baseball field). If you’ve got extra sleds, I’d love to add them.”

A LITTLE FREE SLED LIBRARY!!  I contacted the woman, got her address, and used Kindness money to send her 3 shiny new sleds.  She was thrilled!  When she got them she said, “Thanking post.  Susan, you are amazing! These sleds are nicer than anything I would have bought, even for my own kids. I’ll put them out after tomorrow’s snowstorm.”

These are the sleds purchased with Kindness Yard Sale money!

Omaha has gotten a LOT of snow this year so I bet those sleds will be well used by the time Spring rolls around.

Money spent: $123.02

- The night before Thanksgiving we found ourselves in the grocery store.  As we went to pay, I noticed a couple checking out with one item:  half a pumpkin pie.  After they checked out, they stopped to peruse the beautiful live Christmas trees in pots.  They were quite tall and lush – very, very pretty.  I watched as they examined all of them, then came back to the one they obviously loved.  They talked quietly to one another, then turned to leave.  I rushed over to them, “Are you going to buy a Christmas tree?” I asked?  The woman smiled shyly and explained that they were not.  As they turned to go, carrying only half a pie, I decided that they needed the tree.  “Wait!  I have a Christmas gift for you!”.  We rang their tree out with our purchase as they looked at us with wide eyes and huge smiles.  They thanked us repeatedly as they took their new tree with them.  It was such a nice way to get into the Christmas spirit.  From the looks of things, I imagined them spending Thanksgiving with just the two of them.  I hope the Christmas tree brought them some special holiday joy.

Money used:  $25

- A woman in a local group asked if anyone had a special stroller buggy board that could hook to the back of her baby stroller.  It would allow her to have her older child stand on the back while she pushed the newborn baby.  No one replied that they had one to give her, so I ordered her one off Amazon.  She was thrilled!!  When I dropped it off her husband was outside hanging Christmas lights, and he “God Blessed” me several times.  This was money well spent.

Money used:  $105.99

- A neighbor was trying to make a Fairy Garden for two small girls who lived nearby.  She asked if anyone had any Fairy Garden supplies.  Well, that seemed like a request that needed to be filled!!  I bought supplies and several neighbors made and painted beautiful little treasures for the garden.  One woman even used a 3D printer to make a fairy house!!  We ended up supplying that garden with a lot – a Grandfather clock, 2 houses, a tiny mirror, a bed…  Those fairies had to be very pleased!!

Perhaps this is one of the fairies who visited...

Money used:  $35.58
(Value of fairies: priceless)

- Another neighbor was collecting items for a homeless shelter in Washington DC.  One thing she asked for specifically was new socks.  Homeless people often have issues with their feet because they may not change socks daily, and their feet sometimes get and stay wet inside their shoes, so clean, new socks are a premium.  I ordered 30 pairs of socks for her to hand out.  She was very thankful.  And really, doesn’t everyone deserve fresh, clean socks?

Money used:  $90.05

- Having lost 2 family members recently, I am involved in some grief support groups online.  I saw this post in one group: 

“My brother died at 47, unexpectantly, last September 12. The very next morning, I went to the school and informed all of my niece's instructors. I specifically made sure she had enough lunch money so she didn't have anxiety over not having lunch money at their cafeteria.

Last Friday, my husband had a stroke. He is still in the hospital and making progress. I now have custody of my niece and had to work the election yesterday. My daughter came home with lunch money due - I forgot to send her money. I realized that there is no one left to help, like I did. I am feeling so alone right now. There isn't anyone to run help here, or can you get this, or anything. I hate this so much. I have to pull myself together. I own my own business and time off is money, but I am emotionally so exhausted and the feelings of grief are just overwhelming.”

My heart ached for this woman.  It was not money she needed, but SUPPORT.  I contacted her and asked if I could send funds to replenish the school lunch accounts.  She was amazed that a stranger across the country would offer support.  I hope that she is feeling better these days.  Grief is a long, long journey.

Money used:  $200

- This expense was a fun one, because it turned out to be kindness begetting kindness!  As we were checking out at the grocery store one evening, I saw two young adults checking out.  They seemed to be being very deliberate with the purchases.  I approached them and asked if they minded if I paid for their groceries with Kindness money.  They stammered, smiled, and said sure!  Then they explained that THEY were being kind by shopping for their GRANDPARENTS!!  Isn’t that the quickest kindness boomerang you have ever heard of??  I loved it!

Money used:  $32.68

- I have never been an online shopper, but Covid has changed that.  And one thing I learned is – you can shop anonymously for other people’s wish lists!!!!  Talk about FUN!  One evening I was feeling down and knew that a dash of kindness would cheer me up, so I hunted for an Amazon wish to grant.  I searched for someone with my last name who had a special occasion coming up.  I found one!  Lauren appeared to be graduating from nursing school!  Here is the note I wrote with the gift, a keychain she had chosen:  “Lauren, I don't know you, but found your gift list on Amazon. I run the program "Kindness Activist" - sharing kindness with the world. I saw you're graduating this year! GO YOU!! You Believed You Could - and you DID!”

Money spent - $15.18

- Spousal abuse has skyrocketed during Covid.  Being pent up in the same space, often 24/7, has been disastrous on many relationships.  So, when I saw someone trying to find furniture to set up an apartment for a woman who had gotten out of an abusive relationship, I knew Kindness money was needed.  The woman had broken free and was setting up her new apartment with her one year old child. 

I can’t imagine how hard that situation must be.  It was almost Christmas.  It was cold.  And she was alone with her little one.  People pitched in toys, clothing and furniture.  And I used Kindness money to get a small Christmas tree, poinsettia, and grocery gift card.  Did she NEED a plant (poinsettia) in her nearly bare home?  Probably not.  But I like to think that a bit of LIFE – the green and red of the plant – brought her joy.  I hope that the support she got from the community rallying around her helped her get started on her new journey.

Money spent:  $57.98

Thanks again to everyone who shopped at the Kindness Yard Sale, donated, played 2020 Sucks Bingo, and joined in the cause in other ways.  There will be more fundraisers and opportunities to get involved soon.

I will try and do better at writing here.  There are stories of Kindness Yard Sale purchases from NOVEMBER that I still haven't shared!  I will catch up!  

And please, keep your eyes open in your own community for ways that YOU can spread kindness.  It doesn’t have to involve money.  Maybe you can hold the door open for someone.  Let someone in front of you in traffic.  Or make eye contact and smile at a stranger.  Kindness is contagious – spread some around, you will be glad you did.