A Big, BIG Thank You To VOLUNTEERS! (And a Big Reveal)

Oh.  My.  Goodness.

The kindness filled the room!!

We hosted a Kindness Activist Volunteer Thank You party this weekend and wow – I am speechless.

There was just SO.  MUCH.  LOVE! 

When you plan a party, you never know how many people will come.  I mean, if it is family you can pretty much count on people (unless, of course, the flu hits…), but when it is community members who have pitched in and volunteered for a cause…  How do you project numbers?

We sent out invites and asked for RSVPs.  I think lots of invites ended up in spam folders, so I tried to text or message people, too.   And still, I know that some of those who were invited never got the message (I know this because I ran into one of the people the night before the event and casually mentioned it.  They were like, “What party?”.  Oops.) 

So let me say this from the get-go – if you volunteered with Kindness Activist the past year and did not get an invite to the event, it is probably in your spam or promotions folder.  I am sorry.

I was afraid we might have booked an amazingly beautiful and big venue (The Cooperative Plaza Conference Center in Ballston) and would have only the party planning crew (me, Ixi, Kathleen, Betsy, and Heather), a few close friends, plus of course David (the husband for scale) who I had asked to take the night off of rehearsal show up for the big event.

But the people who turned out…  WE HAD FUN!  Like, seriously good fun!

Y’all – there were over 100 people there!

People of ALL ages.  Of all nationalities.  Of different faith beliefs.  Of different social economic statuses. 

We were a diverse group with one very important thing in common – we all believe in the power of kindness.  And you better believe we celebrated!

We had face painters!  Thank you to Gray, Dally, and Johanna – you did amazing work and the kids loved it.

VERY happy guest with face paint
(who also wore a light up tutu!)

We had a photo booth with old school printed strips of 3 photos – thank you Eugene you were so patient and sweet (and busy).

We had a craft table – people make their own kindness coasters to bring home and they turned out soooo cute!  Thank you Katherine, Emily, and Karen -  you went through a lot of modge podge and made people very happy.

Katherine assisting A in making a coaster

Just a few of the MANY beautiful coasters made!

We had amazing raffle prizes and very excited winners! 

Kids getting ready to reach into the bags and choose the raffle winners

We had kid art on every table and all around the room!

We had FOOD – oh we had lots of food!  Cake, petite fours, brownies, blondies, sandwiches, sliders, chips, nuts, veggies, fruit, cheese, crackers, bread…  And CANDY – boy did we go through a lot of candy.

The room as the first guests arrived

Food table and guests

It was just so amazing to see these people all together in one room.  The joy and happiness and KINDNESS that emanated filled my heart with happiness.

And so many kind things happened at the event itself – unplanned of course. 

For example, three volunteers won t-shirts for helping us for over 50 hours – Danyi, Ixi, and Teresa.  Instead of keeping the shirt, one of them gave it to a French exchange student who had come to the party with a volunteer because he is trying to do “all the American things” while he is here.  What a great example of American kindness.

Two of our VERY dedicated volunteers

And this is a fun one.  I was walking around right before I planned to do a little speech, and I noted that one of the volunteers who is a sign language interpreter had ended up at the same table as other volunteers who are Deaf.  “Kismet!” I thought as I walked up.  “You found one another!” I told them.  Nope – they had not realized the connection, that they all use ASL!!  The Deaf couple had planned to use a speech to text app, but because the interpreter was there and willing, she interpreted the speech.  Thank you Jennifer! 

Friends were made at the event.  Two or three people have contacted me since the party telling me about the fun person they met and will stay in contact with.

Not one but two new volunteers were involved with the event.  Both had independently reached out to me in the weeks leading up to the party explaining that they were government employees who had just lost their jobs in the huge cuts that are hitting our community so badly.  Both were at a very difficult time in their lives, but they had realized that volunteering, helping spread kindness, might make them feel better.  One explained that she wanted a volunteer opportunity where it would be ok if she broke down and cried in the middle of it.  Say no more – please come help us set up!  So nice to meet a new friend.

Kids were involved in the party and they were so proud.  We told the stories of some of the youth involvement and other children who were present have been inspired to start planning.  A friend reached out today saying her son is talking about hosting a lemonade stand (like 2 girls whose story we shared at the party).

These Kind Kids all held fundraisers for Kindness Activist

A kind neighbor, Mandy, designed the beautiful invitation (thank you Mandy!).  She offered to make a print of the invite, sans words, for the event.  It was going to be a raffle prize, but then it hit me:  our friend and volunteer from Ukraine, Nina.  The print was of sunflowers, which represent her homeland.  It was meant for her.  Nina’s daughter was sick and they were also very sad the day of the event, so they could not attend.  But I showed the guests the sunflower print, explained it would go to Nina’s family, and asked everyone to hold Ukraine in their hearts and pray for peace.

Beautiful framed sunflower print - artwork by Mandy Wylie

One thing I shared was the success of the 2024 Kindness Fundraising Sale.  We had kept the amount we raised a secret so that we could share it with the volunteers first.  Now that they know, we can share the details far and wide:

Around 110 amazing volunteers put in over 500 volunteer hours on the Fundraising Sale.

These volunteers were recognized as Fundraiser Rock Stars:

·      Julia – flew in all the way from Florida to volunteer

·      Danyi - worked herself to the bone

·      Kathleen – guarded the volunteer room the entire time so that we could leave valuables there without worrying

·      Jennifer, Ferdousi, Yousef, Emily, Andrew, Laurie, Leah, Suzy, Danyi and more - worked very late into the night packing everything up

·      Ixi and Mac – showed up all the time at a moment’s notice to help

·      Andrew – just moved to the area, showed up to help clean up but had no idea what he had gotten himself into and worked late into the night

·      Ludjmilla – who played bad cop to our good cop at the check-out counter.  She is an amazing negotiator.  She helped people understand the “pay what you wish” concept and that this was a fundraiser for a very worthy cause.

I explained that we were nervous about the 2024 event.  We had two years worth of donations (the 2023 sale was cancelled twice due to rain).  We moved to a new location – inside a local church instead of outside our home where the event has been for years.  At our house, we have drive-by and walk-by traffic galore.  At the church, we would be indoors…  And, we have traditionally held the sale for 4 days (we advertise it for 2, then inevitably continue the next weekend because there are still lots of items left).  But with the rental on the church, we would be strictly limited to the 2 days…

So, we were nervous about how much we could raise. 

But we needn’t have worried. 

Shhh - preparing to turn around for the BIG REVEAL!

The 2024 Kindness Fundraiser raised a total of $13,829.01!!!

$13,829.01 (the penny is not pictured :) )

Isn’t that unbelievable?  Just imagine the amount of kindness that can be spread with that.

The 2024 Kindness Activist Volunteer of the Year was also named at the party – Ixi.  She is so very supportive of the cause.  She is a board member, a pantry crew member, and has brought her whole family into the fold to help out. 

Volunteer of the Year

In case you haven’t guessed it from reading this story, the Kindness Activist Volunteer Party gave me hope.  It gave me joy, and energy, and lifted my spirits.  It reminded me of some of the amazing people I am so lucky to know.

And it reinforced my believe that we can make the world a kinder place, one small act of kindness at a time.

Interested in joining the team and volunteering with Kindness Activist?  We would love to have you!!  Just email KindnessActivist@gmail.com with your name, email address, and phone number to be added to our volunteer list.  Follow us on Facebook (Kindness Activist) to see calls for volunteers.

And if you have photos of the thank you event – please send them our way to KindnessActivist@gmail.com .

THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO ROLLS UP THEIR SLEEVES AND GETS INVOLVED.  You are appreciated. 

 

The Claw Game was a noisy hit

Volunteer of the Year

Welcome table

THANK YOU!

And a good time was had by all!

Kindness Activist Volunteer Series - TERESA

This is the first in a series of interviews with Kindness Activist volunteers.  Without volunteers, our work would not be possible.  We are so grateful for each and every person who gives of their time and talent so that kindness ripples can be spread!

First up – TERESA.

Teresa has helped with many, many Kindness Activist events.  She joins the annual “elf brigade” and wraps many, many beautiful gifts for the Santa Project.  She helps out at all of the fundraising sales (when she is in town, and she is always sad if a sale happens when she is off exploring the world).  She knits beautiful hats for Project Warmth.  And much more!  But today, we are going to talk with her about a very important volunteer role she holds at Kindness Activist – PANTRY CREW!  She and I took time out from sorting donations and sat down to have a conversation recently.

Teresa reminded me that in the beginning, she worked with another very kind woman, Julia, to sort and organize pantry donations.  “We did a purge of all of the expired foods.  Then we labeled the shelves and bins so that it was a little more orderly,” she explained.  “We marked on every single box on the shelves the expiration dates.”

Flashback for me to walking down to get food for the pantry after Teresa and Julia worked their magic.  It was so very organized – cans with small white, hand written labels of expiration dates (because it is often hard to read the labels stamped on the top/bottom).  This was back when we were just starting the Little Yellow Free Pantry, and we did not have many guests yet.  We had signs up saying things like, “Need food?  Free groceries!” with a location of where to come.  We had them translated into 4 or 5 languages and hung them around on our fence and at nearby bus stops.  It is funny to think about it now, but 3 ½ years ago when the pantry started, I was afraid it wouldn’t take off and we wouldn’t have enough guests.  The task of putting dates on cans is no longer needed since we go through donations so quickly.

When things got busier, the Pantry Crew was born and Teresa became a member.  I asked her what she liked about volunteering for Kindness Activist. “I like helping other people.  There are many people who are food insecure.  Having a place where they can come and select what they want is a wonderful thing for the community.  If I can help facilitate that, I will.”

Like many kind humans, Teresa volunteers at several places.  “I volunteer for Monday night distribution at two street corners near Arlington Mill.  The food comes from Food for Others.  Then I volunteer at the Clothesline for Arlington’s kids (a service that gives free good quality clothing to school age children).  I go into the shop and help clients select clothing. I also knit hats and scarves for Clothesline, and I have also brought some over for Kindness Activist’s Project Warmth and given some to Casa Mariflor (a local organization that assists mostly Latinx community members and immigrants).”

The truth is, not many Americans take the time to help out like Teresa does.  I asked her why she is willing to get involved so much with volunteering.  “I’ve done it for many, many years.  I was a Peace Corps volunteer in the ‘80s.  So, I’ve been volunteering when I can for years!  It’s a feel-good feeling for me.”

Ahhh, such a good point, and one people who have not volunteered may not have experienced.  Helping – volunteering - not only helps others, it also makes YOU feel good.  That a bonus that can’t be overlooked.

“Have you met any pantry guests?” I asked.  “There is the Lentil Man," she answered.  "And just last week a man came who was moving out.  He brought all of these packages of fancy beans and things from Whole Foods or Mom’s Organic Market.”

I posed a question that other Pantry Crew members and I have mulled over – what is your favorite thing to put in the pantry?

“Lately, the canned mango slices look really good,” was Teresa’s answer.  “I am a vegetarian, but I put in a wide variety, including proteins, so that people can choose.”

“I am thrilled that there are so many wonderful donors that keep the shelves full.  That allows the Crew to keep the Pantry full.  And I like the fact that there are birthday parties for the pantry.  I make a point of donating goods at that time.”

Handmade birthday card given to the Little Yellow Free Pantry from a neighbor

On a recent stop for Pantry Duty, Teresa found the bright yellow shelves completely bare.  “There was not a lick – not even one CAN,” she said.  “You think the vegetables won’t go, but they do eventually.  When I used to volunteer at AFAC (Arlington Food Assistance Center) I learned that canned corn is popular.”  So true – canned corn is the most popular veg at the Little Yellow Free Pantry, too.

“I love to volunteer with your activities because I love the concept of Kindness Activist.  You and David are such amazing people.  Helping in whatever way – you put out a call – if I am free, I’m coming because I want to spread kindness like you.  It’s a ripple!”

And with that, Teresa and I got into a “You’re amazing,” feud.  “You’re amazing!”  “No, YOU’RE amazing!!”

“Well, you allow me to be amazing.  Because of your activities.  I wouldn’t be as amazing if I didn’t have all of these different options available to me.”

Thank you, amazing Teresa.  Your support and gift of time help Kindness Activist thrive.  We appreciate you!

If you would like to volunteer with Kindness Activist, please get in touch.  Email us at:  KindnessActivist@Gmail.com .  We are often looking for volunteers for various projects (though the Pantry Crew is full at the moment 😊 ). 

And if you would like to help out by donating to the Little Yellow Free Pantry, the Amazon Wishlist can be found here:  Kindness Activist Pantry Wishlist .   If you are local to the DC Metro and would like to drop off pantry items (shelf stable, unopened, unexpired food and/or full sized unopened unexpired toiletries), please do not put them directly in the pantry.  Instead, leave them in the plastic donation bin on our front porch.  Email for the address if needed.