From Babies to Birds (And So Much More)

I have not written any stories recently of how Kindness Activist funds have been used.  I am sorry about that!  I guess I DO have a good reason – I have been busy with Kindness Activist work!

But I will pause this evening to tell the stories of how some funds have been used.  After all, that is one of the main premises of Kindness Activist – if we talk openly about kindness and share kind acts we see, do, or receive – we can spread kindness ripples.  Those ripples will continue to spread when people inspired by the stories we share go out into the world and spread some kindness of their own!  Ripple, ripple, ripple…

Here is how some Kindness Activist funds have been used.

Having a baby, the first baby, is exciting!  But it can also be scary and lonely, especially if your family lives in a different country and you and your partner are not surrounded by aunts, uncles, siblings, grandparents, and cousins.  So, when a woman in our community was expecting her first child, a sweet friend planned a baby shower.  We collected many amazing donations of items from neighbors – stroller, car seat, blankets, clothing, diapers, wipes, books, toys – it was beautiful!  So many kind donations.  One thing that we did not get was a changing pad that the organizer thought would last long enough.  Som Kindness Activist pitched in for that. 

I am happy to report that the baby arrived December 11^th and is doing well (so is mamma).  It takes a village, and this little infant will have that.

Welcome to the world little one

 Kindness Activist funds used:  $25.43

  

Sometimes, it’s the little things.  Acts of kindness don’t have to be pricey, nor do they have to be grand gestures.  Even small acts of kindness can make a person feel special.  And that’s why Kindness Activist refilled a neighbor’s bird food supply recently when he ran out.  He feeds the birds everyday, it gives him joy.  And is on a limited budget.  He was happy to get some food for his friends!

 

Kindness Activist funds used:  $10.27

 

December is an ultra-busy month here at Kindness Activist.  We have a countdown to Christmas calendar on our front that has treats for kids everyday from December 1 – 24, we host a community caroling event, and our BIG annual project, The Santa Project, is all-consuming. 

 

One evening we were at Target buying gifts for the Santa Project and fun things to put on top of the wrapped gifts.  We used a gift card when we check out, and it just so happened that it had a strange amount left on it.  “We will pay $68.96 with a gift card, credit card for the rest,” we explained to the cashier.  “Wow!!  $68.96?  I wish I had a gift card worth that much!” she said as she smiled at us.  We chatted a bit and finished up.

Only, we were not finished.  My partner David said, “Hey, wouldn’t it be fun…” and our plan was hatched!  We checked with a manager to make sure it would not get the cashier into any trouble if we gave her a gift card, then went through another aisle and purchased a gift card for the exact same amount as ours had been - $68.96.  Then we got back in line with the first cashier.

I look exhausted here, and we were only 8 days into 
the calendar and a looong way from the end of 
the Santa Project :) 

She saw us waiting and I noticed a look of slight panic on her face.  When it was our turn, she said, “Is something wrong?  Did I ring something twice??”, looking worried.  “Oh no, just the opposite!” we said before we started “serenading” her with a carol.    

She was so happy and she couldn’t believe her luck.  We saw her again a few days later and she remembered us.  I asked if she had used the gift card yet. “Nope, I am saving it to buy gifts for my family!” she said.

Kindness ripples.  We were kind to her, and she will be kind to her family.  The ripples flow.

Kindness Activist funds spent:  $68.96

 

The Washington DC Metro is a very diverse, welcoming, and growing area.  Immigrants arrive from countries all over the world – hoping to make the United States of America their home.  Recently, a mother and her sweet daughter came to the US from Cameroon right before the little 5th girl’s birthday.

 

Neighbors helped to find furniture for the apartment to make it more like a home, clothes for them, art supplies for the girl, and get them generally settled in.  But birthdays are special, so a sweet neighbor organized a little birthday party in a neighborhood park. 

 

It turned out to be a beautiful sunny day in September and the children laughed and played and ran around the park.  The birthday girl looked beautiful in her fancy attire, and the celebration was grand.  Kindness Activist pitched in for pizza and little gifts for guests. 

 

Welcome to America, little friend.  May every birthday be full of delight and wonder.

Unicorns, pizza, and much more

Kindness Activist funds used:  $97.87

I was having an online conversation one evening and the person on the other end typed this, “I am trying to save money for a trip back to the Midwest, where my mom lives.  She is in a nursing home.  She’s been diagnosed with end stage dementia and being looked after by my brother and sister who still live nearby.  Our mom is 89 and we don’t know what the future holds.  I am trying to save money for a round trip ticket to attend her death, which grieves me, but I’m here on the East Coast and she is in the Midwest.  It’s a different world.”

 

As soon as I read the message, I knew Kindness Activist would buy an airline ticket.  My mom died in 2002 and I was fortunate to get to spend lots and lots of time with her (in the Midwest) during the last year of her life.  We traveled, we laughed, we danced, we talked, and we were all around her as she took her last breaths. I realize that is a privilege that many do not have, but I wanted to ensure that this person could at least go see their mother while she was still alive.

 

So, Kindness Activist offered to cover the airfare.  As we were working out logistics, the person told me, “Susan, I would so much like to see my mom again before she dies. I love her so much, and she always loved me.  I will with so much gratitude accept the Kindness ticket…  I’ve been saving to return for a funeral visit and grieving that I can’t make another live visit.  This would be another star in my heaven.”

 

When they returned to Arlington, they wrote to me, “I am home!  I got in late last night, but with the memory if a sweet reunion!  I’m pleased to report that although my mom’s memory is fading, she recognized me instantly,”. 

What an honor to be able to grant a visit with a loved one.  Because of amazing support from people around the country, Kindness Activist could make this wish happen.  (And, if I may “preach” a bit here, please visit YOUR mother if you still have one.  Write her a card or letter and mail it via the good old fashioned postal service.  Call and talk to her on the phone.  Mothers don’t last forever here on earth, only in our hearts.  So please make sure you tell yours that you love her today.

Kindness Activist funds spent:  $368.80

 

 

P.S. – stories of the 2023 Countdown Calendar and the Santa Project coming soon!

Kindness Ripples

One thing that brings me both pride and joy is taking a moment to pause and take in the KINDNESS RIPPLES that are flowing.

Kindness Ripples are kind actions that occur because the person doing them has been inspired by other acts of kindness.  These ripples are at the heart of Kindness Activist – my belief in ripples makes me brave enough to put myself out there and talk about kindness to the world.

The longer I have been engaged in Kindness Activism, the more ripples I see.  Maybe it is because my eyes have become more astute at spotting them, I don’t know.  But what I do know is that they happen every single day:

-         A stranger drove by recently, saw me outside doing something, and made a u-turn to come back.  He explained that he met me about a decade ago when I was standing outside sharing slices of fresh peaches that we had picked from our tree.  He appreciated that gesture and has been watching the kindness emanate from the Big Yellow House ever since.  I didn’t even REMEMBER handing out peach slices, but I dug back in my photos and sure enough, on August 3, 2014 (well before the idea of Kindness Activist was conceived), I stood outside and handed out fresh fruit from our tree!!  So, this stranger who had been the recipient of kindness so many years ago reached into his pocket and donated $60 to the cause!  That was one long lasting ripple!

When your peach tree is prolific, you SHARE!  August 2014

-         People we have never met walk by and bravely take time to stop and say “Thank you.  I don’t know you, but thank you for all you do for the community.  You are an inspiration.”  I have to believe that they then carry that inspiration, that ripple, with them on their walk and do something kind for someone. 

-         A woman stops by every once in a while.  I have met her and know her name, but we have never had a chance to have a real conversation.  But she pops over to our porch or hails me to her car and gives a donation.  She recently gave $100.  She wants to see the kindness continue.  She has caught a ripple.

-         A friend told me the other day that because of what she has witnessed Kindness Activist do, she has become a kinder person.  She, too, has caught a ripple.  She explained that she is consciously trying to be more kind in her own life now.

-         Another friend is an artist and recently began selling beautiful photographs that she has taken and printed.  She could use the money – rent here in the DC metro area is very expensive and she is also dealing with some health issues which can result in big medical bills.  But instead of keeping all of her hard-earned income, she donated 10% of it to Kindness Activist.  Ripple.

-         People stop and take photos of the green neon “Just Be Kind” sign that glows from our front porch every night.  It’s funny – many people are too shy or embarrassed to come up and say hi.  Sometimes when I see them out there, I smile and wave, and they quickly put their phones down and walk away, ashamed that I “caught” them I guess.  But people – I am grateful for your photos!  Because I know they will be posted to Instagram and Twitter your friends will see them and their friends will see them ….  And that little green sign will work quietly to spread ripples all night long.

Simple message.  
I was nervous about spending Kindness Activist funds on a neon sign, but it turned out to be a great investment as it has created MANY ripples ($201.37).

And finally, one more story of an amazing ripple. 

A local father reached out to me via Facebook message and said, “Our kids have a “charity bucket” as part of their allowances.  They aren’t allowed to spend it but choose where to donate.  They chose to give half of their 2022 donation to Kindness Activist.  What’s the best way to do that?”   

THANK YOU NEIGHBORS!

Oh my goodness!!!!  Even children are catching the kindness ripples!!  The dad told me that the children earn $1 a week allowance (plus interest) and one of the “buckets” that they have for the money is charity.  When I expressed my gratitude and disbelief that 3 young kids were willing to donate $300 to Kindness Activist, he told me, “It was an easy decision for them as they see your work in the neighborhood.  And our youngest is a frequent consumer of everything you offer around the holidays”. 

Isn’t that so sweet??? Kindness Ripples in ACTION!  Makes me proud and very, very happy.  I wrote them a thank you and it was fun telling them the cool ways that their donation spread kindness.

What act of kindness can YOU do today that will inspire a Kindness Ripple?  It doesn’t have to be a big gesture – any simple act of kindness will do.  And, because of ripples, your act will beget another act which will beget another act…  And the ripples will just keep on flowing.

 

 

Another KINDNESS RIPPLE (Plus More Stories of Kindness)!

I had another reminder recently of how KINDNESS RIPPLES are real, and they work!  I checked my email and found an amazing note.  And I was reminded that being open and freely talking about kindness does indeed inspire more kindness to be spread.

 Here is the email:

 

“I read your blog periodically, which I love. I found it in an article, I’m not sure where now, possibly the Good News website. Anyway, I’ve been a believer in random acts of kindness for quite some time now. I happened to read your most recent post on July 25 & found it very enlightening. 

I’ve mostly done my acts of kindness quietly without sharing with anyone. I didn’t want to be ‘boastful’, so to speak. But after reading your blog about kindness ripples, I now think differently. If, by sharing our acts of kindness, we can inspire others to also go forth with acts of kindness, then it’s well worth sharing to others. 

We have a free community food shelf not far from us. We also have a local food bank, but I realize, especially now, that people might not qualify for the food bank for varying reasons, or the food bank food doesn’t go far enough. I like to stock up on canned & packaged sale items for the shelf when I do my grocery shopping. My husband & I are retired but we are fortunate enough to have more than enough to share. 

It always gives me such pleasure to put items on the shelf. I place them nicely, so people can see them as they drive by. When I can fill up much of the shelves, it is a real thrill. Lately, when I go, the shelf is completely empty :( So many people are hurting financially & food has become so expensive. I tend to buy things children like, since I’m a retired K/1 teacher. But I also love putting tins of coffee, etc. as a ’treat’ as well. We live in a rural area, so people will leave fresh produce from their gardens & even eggs from their chickens. 

It used to be just an open, rickety shelf that was affected by the weather. Someone around the corner from shelf built a beautiful, larger shelf, with a clear, latching door that stays dry! What an improvement.

So, that is my kindness story. I mostly wanted to thank you for the inspiration to share our acts of kindness with others so that kindness can spread. 

Thank you for all you do in making the world a better place.

Mary, White Salmon, WA”

IT WORKED!  THE KINDNESS RIPPLE SPREAD!  I was giddy when I read the email.  Inside, I know that sharing stories of kindness creates more kindness in the world.  But when someone takes time out of their busy lives to sit down and tell me about it, well, that gives me goosebumps!

Since we are all here and reading, let’s share a couple of stories of where Kindness Activist money has been used lately! 

First off, it is BACK TO SCHOOL time in America.  Sadly, for many teachers, that means spending money out of their own pockets to buy supplies for their classrooms.  Teachers are already overworked and underpaid, and the thought of them having to stock their classrooms, too, frustrates me.  So, when a couple of local teachers posted that they were looking for classroom items, I knew Kindness Activist funds were perfect to help meet the requests.

Amazon really makes shopping for things like classrooms so easy!  I just took a peek at the teachers’ Amazon Wish Lists, chose some items, and shipped them directly to the educators.  Easy peasy! 

Classroom items were sent to a few teachers and included items like:  glue gun and glue sticks, bean bag chair, markers, magnets, wall paper, highlighters, a bunch of great books, and pop-its!  One teacher sent a lovely thank you and this photo of her adorable classroom (Kindness Activist funds were used to purchase the teal beanbag, doesn’t it look like a cozy place to read???)

 

I hope to treat one more teacher with some needed supplies for their classroom.  If you have a wish list for your room, please comment with the grade you teach and the wish list link!

Kindness Activist funds used on 2022 classroom supplies (so far!):  $315.32

My partner David and I recently discovered a lovely coffee shop called Sweet Marlays in Daytona Beach, Florida.  The décor is warm and inviting, the coffee and food is delicious.  But even more important than those important factors was the diversity and welcomeness of the shop.  As soon as we walked in, I could feel that the space was INCLUSIVE. 

We saw a man seated in a comfy chair talking.  I thought he was talking to someone, but it turned out he was chatting to no one in particular.  He talked about what time the baseball game was going to be that evening and who was playing.  He talked about the news.  He laughed a lovely laugh, which he broke into often.  And he did all of this at a rather loud level, and all to the general space. 

As we ordered at the counter, I asked the barista who the man chatting was and if he came to the coffee shop often.  She smiled a very big smile, told us his name, and said, "Oh yes!  He is here every day.  Sometimes he leaves to go on walks, but he leaves his things here.  Those two people at that table are with him.  They stay all day.  And since tonight is Thursday, at 5:00 pm they will go next door for burger night!”. 

Her explanation of the customers was full of joy.  She was not judging them, they were her friends and a constant in her life.  And, as David and I drank our coffee, it became clear that the 3 daily visitors were friends of everyone who came in and out of the shop.  Everyone was happy to greet them, and some sat down next to them to chat.

I asked the barista if the guests were housed or not, and she explained that all 3 of them live in the same house.  I asked if the coffee shop gave them free coffee and food, and she explained that they have a “bottomless cup” policy, which is used by these three guests 😊, and that sometimes other diners pick up their tabs. 

As David and I sat, drinking, eating, and playing UNO, I listened to the chatter of the three.  It was so sweet.  Tom, with his distinctive laugh, seemingly randomly coming up with topics to talk about to no one in particular.  The woman, seated at another table, proclaiming that she needed a can of TUNA as she had decided to make Tuna Helper when she got home.  She was concerned about her lack of tuna though, after all (she explained to her housemate seated across from her), she had only ONE CAN and the recipe on the box called for TWO.  She fretted about the situation a while and came up with a plan – call another friend and check if he was going to Dollar Tree.  If he was, perhaps he could pick her up a can!  

That idea worked, but instead of putting her mind at ease, she continued chatting about the Tuna Helper dilemma.  A woman who came in for coffee sat down next to her, heard the tale, and supportively explained, “You know, you can make it with one can!  It will work!  You don’t have to have two cans!  That’s just a suggestion!”. 

Tuna Helper situation solved, the woman moved onto explaining to her housemate last night’s dinner – brown rice - and how to cook it.  She gave the recipe over and over and over, but instead of being annoying, the repetition felt comforting, perhaps like rice itself comforts. 

I couldn’t help but think I would love to spend more time with these people and be their friend.  They seemed like very kind, genuine people.  I decided that using Kindness Activist funds to support their coffee and food at the shop would be money well spent, so I bought a gift certificate for them.  Basically, I opened up a coffee tab 😊 .  The baristas will write on the back of the paper certificate how much is used and keep a running total.

I hope we get to visit that coffee shop again.  I would love to sit down and have a chat.

Kindness Activist funds used:  $100

 

If you have never been to our home, well, at times it is a bit of an overwhelming mess…

Some nice friends have said, “Susan, your house is not a MESS!  Your house is full of KINDNESS just waiting to happen!!”. 

But the donations from sweet neighbors can pile up sometimes, and our front porch can take on the look of a thrift shop.  That’s why it is never very surprising when people see me outside on our porch and assume a yard sale is taking place. 

This was the rush of donations before the 
2021 sale!  See, a LOT!

But no – the Kindness Yard Sale is once a year, so I always explain to confused would-be-shoppers that the sale is not NOW, I am just getting things organized for the upcoming sale.  I wish I knew how to explain that in multiple languages – that would come in handy!

One afternoon I explained the situation to one woman who came up hoping to shop.  She was disappointed and turned to go.  But then she came back and explained as best she could in English that she needed $2 for the bus.

I couldn’t let her shop through the piles of donations, but I could get her bus fare!  As I handed it to her, she told me thank you (both with words and with her big smile).

I hope to see her back September 17^th and 18^th for the 2022 Kindness Yard Sale!

Kindness Activist funds used:  $2

Last story for this report. 

Imagine making a fresh start.  Like, completely starting over.  Think of all of the things you would need – pillow, towels, silverware, shoes, soap…  And, you may want a bra.

If you don’t wear bras, you might not know that they are quite hard to fit, especially for large-busted people.  The bra must be supportive, comfortable, pretty, not hot…  It’s hard to find one bra that meets all of the qualifications!  And when you find one, it is usually expensive…  But, if you are starting over from scratch, a good bra is a necessity.

That is why, when I heard about the need for a bra for a woman getting a fresh start at life, I jumped to purchase two (for those not in the know, one bra is not enough – when it gets dirty and needs to be washed you have to have a back-up).

I had the bras delivered directly to where they were needed.  I hope that they fit.  I hope that they made the recipient smile.  I hope that having new bras eliminated one worry.

May we all be granted fresh starts when we need them.

Kindness Activist funds used:  $58.24

More stories about kindness soon. 

For now, go out there and keep those Kindness Ripples spreading!!  And when you DO, please tell me about it!  Send stories of kindness you do, see, or receive to:  KindnessActivist@Gmail.com .

And if you are a teacher in need of supplies, please share your Amazon wish list.  I would like to help one more classroom, and perhaps other readers will pitch in, too!

If you would like to help keep the Little Yellow Free Pantry filled, you can find current needs the following link.  The most needed items as of mid-August 2022 are:  peanut butter, canned fruit, jelly, single servings of snacks like chips, and cans of soup.  The items needed are included, but the brands are not specific, any brand works!  at:  https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/378MMHXOYF3LP?ref_=wl_share

And remember, the 2022 Kindness Yard Sale is coming up September 17 and 18!  Hope to see you there!  More information coming soon.