Kindness Activist Funds - Stories of How Some Have Been Spent (July 2025)

It’s been a while since I have shared an update about how Kindness Activist funds have been used, so today’s the day!  Ready? 

Here are just a few of the ways that money has been spent to spread kindness lately:

GARDENS!

Here at Kindness Activist, we love gardens!  Flowers, veggies, fruit trees, you name it - gardens are great!  Given that love, it was an easy decision to support 2 Arlington based gardens with kindness funds.

First – the Walter Reed Annex Community Garden.  This amazing resource is managed by a lovely neighbor, Ljudmilla.  She is a very kind and wise woman who runs this huge community endeavor.   And when I say “community”, this work DEFINES community!  Volunteers come to the garden every Saturday between 8:30 am – 11:30 am to weed, plant, dig, harvest…  Those amazing volunteers do everything GARDEN (including sweat).  This incredible resource then donates what is grown to help feed the community!  And we are not talking small donations here either.  They donate thousands of pounds of healthy, fresh produce to the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC), to local elementary school food pantries, and even the Little Yellow Free Pantry is lucky enough to get veggies sometimes, too!   So, when we read that the garden was going to put up a SEED LIBRARY, well, it was a no-brainer that Kindness Activist should help out with some packets of seeds. 

Adorable new seed library!

If you or your organization would like to get involved and help garden, please email:  gardenwalterreed@gmail.com .  After all, what could be more fun (and meaningful) than getting some dirt under your fingernails and helping feed neighbors at the same time??

 

Ljudmilla in her happy place - the garden

Kindness Activist funds spent on seed packets for the garden's new library:  $117.68 

The next garden kindness funds were used to support this season is the Thomas Jefferson Community Garden, located at a middle school in South Arlington, VA.  This is another amazing local resource that not only donates produce to the community, but also teaches local children about organic food and gardening.

I learned they could use some support when I saw this message on a Facebook group that I belong to: “ISO 50’ garden hose and watering wand attachment.  I help manage the Thomas Jefferson Middle school garden and we are in need of a couple hoses that are in decent condition. If you have one you no longer need, please let me know. Thanks!”.

Thomas Jefferson Garden

Well, a garden as important and active as TJ needs good equipment.  I reached out to the person who posted asking for hoses and a wind and asked for recommendations of which ones they would prefer.  I am pleased to say that the volunteer gardeners at TJ now have 2 new hoses and 2 lovely watering wands to help cultivate their crops!

Kindness Activist funds spent:  $149.14

 

 The metro DC area has been VERY HOT this spring and summer.  This can be uncomfortable for everyone of course, but it can cause more than discomfort for people without housing.  Extreme heat can be very dangerous.  Several guests of the Little Yellow Free Pantry do not have housing, so are outside in the extreme temperatures.  Two guests were still sporting long pants in the 100 degree heat, but were hoping for some shorts to help cool off. 

 

We found some good shorts online that are comfortable, cool, and fast drying.  And as luck would have it, they came in a pack of 3.  So, not only did the 2 pantry guests get new clothes for summer, so did another person experiencing homelessness that was in desperate need of shorts.  This small expenditure will hopefully help 3 people have a better summer.

 

Kindness Activist funds spent:  $21.21

 

 

Ok, ok, ok, I did it – I clicked on a Facebook ad!  But in my defense, I couldn’t help it!  They showed it to me so many times, and, well, it looked so cool that I simply HAD to click!

 

And that “click” is how we ended up having “You Are Awesome” pop up on our sidewalk when it rained. 

 

Shhh - and now we wait for the rain...

You see, Rainworks is a product that you spray on a dry concrete surface (using a stencil), then when it rains, your “secret message” shows up!  Oh, it is fun!  I am hoping to find someone with a Cricut who can make us more plastic stencils that say things like “Kind Is Cool” and “Kind Kids Rock”.  That way, when the skies are gray and the raindrops fall, at least the sidewalks will be cheery!

You are AWESOME!

P.S. – have a Cricut and some time to create?  Email us at kindnessactivist@gmail.com!  We would appreciate some stencils for creating rainy day messages!

 

Kindness Activist funds spent:  $26.66

 

When a neighbor was looking for snacks for the teacher’s lounge of a local elementary school, Kindness Activist was quick to jump in.  I mean, if TEACHERS don’t deserve snacks, then who does??  Plus, it was teacher appreciation week!

 

The neighbor told me, “We have a project of revamping the teacher’s lounge. Sadly, the staff lounge is not at all a place for them to relax and take a break. They deserve the world”.

 

I agree - teachers deserve the world!  They work so, so hard to ensure that their students are safe, engaged in the classroom, and thriving.  Teachers deserve snacks!!

 

Teacher SNAAAACKS

This was an easy wish to grant.  As I told the neighbor, I wish we could grant MASSAGES for all of the school staff, but snacks will have to do.

 

And snacks in the Teacher's Lounge - ready for educators to come munch on

Kindness Activist funds spent:  $76.91

 

And last (but not least) for this accounting report – random food deliveries 😊 .  My partner David and I love to grocery shop (in fact, we went to a grocery store on our very first date, and we have been shopping together for over 37 now).  So, often when we go to the store, we spring a special grocery delivery on a neighbor (usually people we have never met).  It works like this:

 

We do 2 shops – one for us, and one for a random person.  We separate the items in our cart – “ours” and “theirs”.  Then we take all of “their” items out of the cart and take a photo of David holding everything.  It is quite funny (and tricky to find a way for him to hold it all without dropping it).

 

Then I post in a local Facebook group:  “It’s (insert day of week) night and you know what that means…  Kindness Activist would like to deliver (insert meal – breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks… here).”

 

Then we list everything included in the offer. 

 

The post continues: “Person chosen must be available via Facebook messenger to arrange delivery to take place before (insert time). Preference given to someone who has not received a meal delivery from Kindness Activist before. Person chosen must come out to our car (in front of where you live) to pick up when we pull up.   Not necessarily giving to the first person who responds.”

 

I post, we wait a bit for responses, then choose someone who we have never treated before!  We bring the groceries to their home and get to meet them, which is always fun!  We really like doing these deliveries and the recipients are always very grateful.

 

Here are a few we have done recently:

 

 

Red, White, and Blue edition for 4th of July

 

Breakfast edition

 

Snack edition

Breakfast again

Green edition for St. Patrick's Day

Average cost of each surprise grocery delivery: $35

 

Thanks for following along in the Kindness Activist journey.  We believe that spreading kindness makes the world a better place, and we appreciate the love, encouragement, and support we receive from the community. 

 

Together, we can make the world kinder.  One little act of kindness at a time.

Kindness Around the World

Kindness Activist began as a simple blog in December 2015 as a way to share stories of kindness with the few people who found their way to the site.  But in the 8 ½ years since this project began, it has grown much more than I could have ever imagined and afforded me opportunities to share stories of kindness with people literally around the entire world.  

You see, this simple act of talking openly about kindness has caught on!  And it has opened doors for me with major media outlets.  But some of my favorite Kindness Activist “bookings” are talks with real people.  Talks with troops of Girl Scouts, helping them brainstorm on what their kindness project should be about.  Talks with groups of high school students.  And recently, a virtual talk to university students around the world.

Heram is a beautiful young woman from Afghanistan.  She and her family stayed with us in our basement apartment as they were getting their lives together and starting over after fleeing Kabul during the war.  Heram is now in university and was part of a program which required her to organize an event as the final project.  She reached out and asked if I could give a Kindness Activist talk, and of course I said yes!  I was honored to be invited to speak. 

The talk was early Mother’s Day morning, and there were technical glitches with the video platform, so turn-out was low.  But as so often happens in life, just the right people were present!  You see, as part of the talk, I offered to sponsor some Kindness Activism.  I said that if anyone would like to host a Kindness Activist project, I would give them $100 to fund it.  The only stipulation was that they had to agree to write a story about the project afterwards and share photos or drawings so that I could post about it here on the blog and account for how the money had been used.  And three people contacted me shortly after the talk and expressed interest in joining in the activism.  One sent me this email:

“Dear Ms. Susan,

I hope this email finds you well. This is Sitara. I want to express my sincere appreciation for the activism you have demonstrated. Your efforts have truly inspired me, and I hope to follow in your footsteps to make a positive impact in my own community.

Currently, I am in Kyrgyzstan, and I am deeply committed to helping children in need in my country (Afghanistan). I would greatly appreciate your guidance and support as I embark on this journey.

My goal is to bring smiles to the faces of as many children as possible, and I am eager to contribute in any way that I can. I would be honored if you could provide me with any advice or resources that could help me achieve my goals.

Once I have helped the children in my community, I would be more than happy to share their stories and photos with you.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon.”

See???  This movement is spreading around the world!!  Here was a young Afghan woman, now living in Kyrgyzstan, reaching out wanting to do a Kindness Activist project!!

I replied, and her next message said this:

“I hope this email finds you well. I apologize for the delayed response, as I was occupied with my final exams. Firstly, I wanted to express my admiration for your idea of having genuine conversations with children. It truly resonated with me, and I have actually put it into action.

Recently, I initiated a hybrid project for high school girls in Afghanistan. Unfortunately, due to current circumstances, they are unable to attend regular schools. However, I discovered that engaging in small conversations, actively listening to them, and understanding their perspectives creates a profoundly positive experience for both parties involved.

While I am currently not in Afghanistan, I am fortunate to have my sister who consistently supports me in implementing projects back home. With the potential funding you may provide, I plan to channel it towards assisting children under the age of 15 who are working on the streets. These children have never had the opportunity or resources to indulge in simple pleasures such as toys and candies.

Thank you for considering my proposal, and I eagerly look forward to discussing it further with you.”

Of course, I said yes to this amazing proposal and we set about getting funds to her.  Only, how does one get money to Kyrgyzstan??  Turns out, you do it via Western Union!  I decided that a project of this scope needed more than the proposed $100, so I doubled it and Sitara picked it up at a bank in Kyrgyzstan and set about spreading kindness!!

And, just as she had promised, when she had completed her project, she wrote to me and sent photos (which are beautiful).  Here is the report she sent of her amazing act of kindness in Afghanistan:

Bringing Smiles and Joy: Kindness Activism Program in Balkh, Afghanistan

“On May 28th 2023, Mazar staged an exceptional Kindness Activism Program – meant to make poor street children happy and spread joy amongst those in need at Balkh province in Afghanistan. With a budget worth approximately $200, diligent volunteers put together various entertaining toys coupled with delicious goodies enough for about 30 worthy recipients aged between 4 and 13 years old. This report provides a comprehensive narrative around this impactful event showcasing its effects on beneficiaries' grateful expressions especially among its main stakeholders: vulnerable street children within the locality. 

The Kindness Activism Program rose from committed volunteers who shared an intense yearning to bring forth transformation within underprivileged children's lives. The communal initiative kicked off early in the morning, at a central location, with volunteers organizing various assortments of exciting toys – from dolls, cars, puzzles to sports equipment coupled with pleasantly flavored snacks that truly delighted their young beneficiaries.  The team ventured out on a journey through the city streets seeking deserving kids living in tough conditions or those often witnessed on city streets. 

It was an eye-opening experience for both beneficiaries and volunteers since they met numerous youngsters who endured hardship beyond their age but still sustained remarkable resilience and optimism. Indeed, this Kindness Activism Program had profound effects; it touched almost every recipient's heart as they expressed an open flow of gratitude while sharing inspiring stories with all those involved. For instance, eight-year-old Ali cherished his first-ever toy gift profoundly and pledged always to take good care of it! Such affirmations highlight the power of kindness and how it can transform people's lives even when faced with adverse challenges.

The Kindness Activism program in Balkh province, Afghanistan, was a resounding success, leaving a small but lasting impact on the lives of a group of street and poor children in Mazar Sharif. The distribution of toys and snacks brought smiles, a sense of belonging, self-worth, and hope. The heartwarming gratitudes from Ali, Omar, and Sajjad showcased the transformative power of kindness. The program highlights the importance of collective action and partnerships. The program's success calls for continued efforts to bring joy, hope, and empowerment to underprivileged youth, creating a world where everyone has equal opportunities to thrive.”

Isn’t it so perfect??  This project touched so many lives!  It brought joy to children whose lives have been filled with war and uncertainty.  And it allowed a group of volunteers to come together with a common goal to spread kindness.  This act of kindness stretched across 3 countries:  funding from the United States of America, project management from Kyrgyzstan, and execution by volunteers in Afghanistan!

If you haven’t believed me before when I said over and over that talking openly about kindness starts kindness ripples, perhaps this story will convince you!

Two other attendees of the virtual talk on Mother’s Day will also have projects funded by Kindness Activist.  One woman, an American, would like to buy books to distribute to children in UGANDA, where she is currently living.  I am looking for someone who has an in to a website where we can get a good deal on BOOKS and make the funding for her project go further.  If you know of a good discount online book ordering site, please email me at kindnessactivist@gmail.com .  The other upcoming project is yet to be determined but will be run by two brilliant children in Virginia.  I am guessing as soon as school is out for the year they will put their heads together and decide what they would like to do.

Sitara, THANK YOU for sharing your story of Kindness Activism.  It was an honor to fund your grand idea.  I am so thankful that there are young people like you in the world.  You give me hope that somehow, someway, this world will become a kinder place.

Kindness Activist funds used:  $200

A Boy and His Bike

Now don’t get me wrong, I LOVE used things!  Used furniture.  Used cars.  I mean heck – the outfit I have on right now is almost entirely USED CLOTHING!

But I do believe that there are some things in life that it is nice to experience NEW.  And one of those things is a shiny new bicycle.

That’s why when I saw a social worker from a local school post in a Facebook group recently that she was she hunting for a used bike for a student who had outgrown his, I knew Kindness Activist money needed to jump in!  If the boy needed a bike, the boy deserved a NEW BIKE!

I contacted the social worker and we worked out a plan.  She asked the boy’s mom for bike details (size and favorite colors) and also asked an extra question – favorite snack (cuz if you are going to ride a shiny new bike, you are going to get hungry!).

I know nothing about bikes, so I reached out to Bayley, a neighbor who (in my mind) is a bike expert.  He and his wife bike all the time.  They can often be seen with their sweet little daughter in a big cart, biking along.  Bayley even hauls furniture and other bulky items by bike!  He rocks.

I found a bicycle online that I thought looked good and ran it by Bayley, who approved.  He reminded me that any kid with a bike also needs:  a lock, a pump with a gauge, and a helmet.  And Bayley offered to come over and work with the boy, Jaden, to put the bike together when it arrived (and teach him how to do it)!!  I was so excited!  (I also realized that any super cool kid with a bike also needs lights to put on the spokes of the wheels!!)  So, I ordered everything, plus some vitamins that Jaden’s mom said he takes.

BIKE DAY finally arrived!!!  I had wrapped the other gifts, but the bike box was too big to wrap (plus, he knew he was getting that part!).  Jaden brought 2 of his buddies and his mom with him and we had a fun time!!  There was the big “unboxing” of the bike, unwrapping of the gifts, then a little craft project until Bayley arrived.  Then the 2 bike guys went to town! 

It was so sweet seeing Bayley on the porch, showing Jaden where to put screws, letting him screw it all together, grease the bits that needed greasing, etc.  At one point, Jaden came over to the table where his friends and mom were working on a project for me and whispered to his mother, “Mom, when the bike is all finished, can I RIDE IT HOME???”.  He was so excited!!  His mom said that sadly, no, the roads were too busy and he wasn’t experienced on the bike yet, so riding home wouldn’t be possible.

A proud Jaden and Mom

Well, leave it to Bayley…  He offered to RIDE HOME WITH JADEN!  Turns out they live close to one another.  So once the bike was ready and all of the other gifts had been packed in the car, the two bikers pedaled off.  It was a great afternoon, and I think Jaden will spend many summer hours riding that shiny new bike.

 

Off they go!!

Kindness Activist funds used:  $386.38

A Facebook friend reached out recently and explained that she was trying to help another woman escape an abusive relationship.  Abuse has skyrocketed since Covid – these long periods of being in enclosed spaces together, many people losing their jobs, and money being tight has been hard on many couples.  So, relationships that were abusive before are even worse now, and this woman really needed help. 

These situations are not something you can “fund raise” for in public, either.  Abused partners often need to sneak away very quietly and quickly, so as not to be traced and re-abused.  It is horrible.

I was glad that my friend knew Kindness Activist was a safe place to reach out to, and happily donated $300 to the complete the fund that was needed to get the person to safety.

I do not know the woman who needed assistance, but I know other people in abusive relationships.  It is such a tangled, complex web - it must feel impossible to leave sometimes.  But if you are in an unsafe situation, there are resources to help.  If you need help, please visit https://www.thehotline.org/ (from a public computer, not your own, to protect your browsing history) or call them at 1-800-799-7233 (1-800-787-3224 for TTY users). 

Kindness Activist funds used:  $300