Back To School Time - Kindness Fund Update

It is almost the end of summer, and you know what that means…

BACK TO SCHOOL TIME!

In 2022, my partner David and I went to WalMart and used Kindness Activist funds to buy school supplies for LOTS of families.  It was so fun! 

Well, we were at WalMart the other day, and saw several families, lists of required supplies in hand, scouring the school supply aisle. 

But guess what?  We didn’t approach any of them and ask if Kindness Activist could treat them with an act of kindness…

That probably sounds strange.  But here’s the thing:  offering acts of kindness to strangers can be really tricky.  There are so many factors to consider:

-         You don’t want to scare them (after all, you are someone they have never met approaching them with an offer that sounds too good to be true…)

-         Sometimes you do not share a common language, so how will you explain this situation

-         How do you choose who you will treat when there are multiple families shopping for supplies?

-         And, to us, most importantly – how can you offer to buy their school supplies without making them feel like you think they need your charity, that they are poor, that they are “lesser than”?

So honestly, it is a hard thing to do.  You have to be feeling quite brave, open, vulnerable, and willing to be told no (multiple times) to successfully navigate this one.  And this time we failed.  We just couldn’t get the right combination of courage, heart, and determination. 

It is a bit like double dutch jump roping!  If you have ever tried that before you know it is really tricky and timing is everything.  You have to stand outside the ropes as your friends twirl them.  One, two, three…  One, two, three…  You might try jumping in and get the pattern wrong.  You might get your feet tangled in the ropes.  But it’s ok.  You just get yourself together and make another attempt. 

So, we have not treated anyone to impromptu school supplies yet this year, but we DO have other Kindness Activist activities/expenditures to share!

A neighbor posted online about a young woman that she mentors through the AHC (Affordable Homes and Communities) College and Careers Readiness Program. The woman was preparing to go off to college – the first person in her family to accomplish this amazing feat.  Her mentor had set up an Amazon wish list with items that the teen’s program, the Virginia Tech Marine Cadet Program, required new students to have for their dorm room. 

Well, because of the generosity of Kindness Activist supporters, we were able to give the soon-to-be Cadet MANY things from her wish list!  We donated these things she needed:

-         2 spray-on bottles of sun screen

-         2 travel size sun screens

-         2 sun screen lip balms

-         2 USB C adapters

-         Benadryl

-         USB flash drive

-         Moleskin

-         Markers

-         And an umbrella 

For information on the AHC College Readiness Program and to find out how YOU can be a mentor, see this link:  AHC College Readiness Program

Kindness Activist funds spent - $99.55

Wish for the college bound student – OOHORAH!  You go girl!

I saw a mamma post on Facebook looking for the book “How To Talk So Little Kids Will Listen”.  She has 3 little boys (one is an infant), so really has her hands full.  That was an easy wish to grant.  I just hope she can find enough quiet time to sit down and read it!

Kindness Activist funds spent - $12.14

 

A teacher was hunting for Magnatiles of animals.  She has an autistic student who loves them and knew that they would be a great reward. 

I had never heard of Magnatiles until a child asked for some a couple of years ago in his letter to Santa.  Santa bought them, I saw them, and was an immediate fan.  Those things are great!  Educational, artistic, and FUN!  They are everything a toy should be (in my humble opinion).  Kindness Activist was happy to shop for and donate these!

Kindness Activist funds spent - $42.39

 

And finally for this update – a teacher posted that they would like bean bag chairs for their classroom.  They were not fussy, said any color would do.  They were posting in a group (Buy Nothing) where people give away used things. 

But here’s the deal: teachers in America are over worked and under paid.  They often use their own money to buy supplies for their classrooms, which is unfair in my opinion.  Do doctors have to buy the examination tables for their offices?  Do bankers have to buy the filing cabinets for their documents?  Do car sales people have to buy the chairs that their customers sit on? 

No.  Yet teachers are expected to outfit their own classrooms.  Heck, I have seen teachers ask for coffee makers for the breakroom (and Kindness Activist has kitted out a couple of school breakrooms…).  It just isn’t fair.

So, this teacher was basically asking for used bean bag chairs for his students to sit on.  I did some snooping on his Facebook profile and found his Amazon wish list for his classroom from last year.  It had a bean bag listed, but also had some really cool stools…

I reached out to him and confessed I had peeked at his profile.  I explained a bit about Kindness Activist and asked if he still wanted the stools this year.  He DID still want them, but seemed a bit embarrassed or shy about asking for them.  They were more expensive than the bean bag chair, he explained.

Sir, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.  You deserve the stools, all the stools.  And the set of posters you had on last year’s list to help make your classroom look amazing.  And a Starbucks gift card (just in case your teacher’s lounge coffee maker is broken…).

I love the colors!

Kindness Activist funds spent:  $144.15

Amount of money I wish we could spend on helping teachers have a great start to the school year:  $5,000,000

You can see the story of how we treated back-to-school shoppers at WalMart in 2022 here:  Back To School Kindness

Kind Kids - Jay and His HAIR!

Shining the light on a KIND KID today!

Meet Jay.  Jay and his family live in our community, and recently his mom Brandi posted some photos of a MAJOR KIND ACT that he did.

Before...

Jay shaved off his hair and donated it so that a child with cancer could get a wig!!

Isn’t that awesome??  I thought it was so cool that I wanted to make sure his story got told – so here it is!

Jay is 10 years old.  Every time I have ever seen him, he has had long hair.  I mean, I think long hair was kind of his thing.  So WHY would he decide to cut it all off and donate it???  I asked him that question, and the answer made sense.

He was inspired by his dad, who donated his hair a while back.  But to me, an adult making this bold, kind move and a kid going for it are 2 completely different things.  Both are kind, of course, but a kid doing it is SUPER KIND, right??

I asked Jay how long he had been growing his hair out.  He got a big grin and said, “5 years.  Half my life!!!”. 

You read that right.  Jay had been growing his hair for half his life, and he was kind enough to cut it all off so that another kid could get a nice wig.  He told me his hair was 12” – 13”, and before it was cut off the stylist put it in a bunch of little pony tails.  And then – buzzzzz – the ponies were cut off with a razor, and Jay left with a fuzzy buzz cut.

Look at all of that hair!

Jay and I talked about some of the reasons kids might need wigs, and how special it is to get one made of real hair.  “Why did you want to donate it?” I asked.  “Well, I felt bad for people who don’t get to have hair.  I just wanted to be kind, cuz I thought somebody might use it.  I didn’t need all that hair!  And my hair grows back, some people’s might not,” he said.  “And how did it feel after it was shaved off??” I asked as a logical follow-up.  “It feels way lighter!  And I’m less hot!” he said with a grin.

After!!!

And lest you think this was a “one and done”, Jay has a plan.  He is going to donate his hair every 2 years!  You read that right, his idea is, “2 years short, 2 years grow, donate,” and repeat.  Isn’t that awesome?

We chatted about being kind in general, and how fun that is.  I know Jay to be a super kind human and have been lucky enough to witness other kind stuff he has done. He told me that sometimes he actively thinks about being kind, and sometimes it “just happens”. 

In closing, Jay had some great words of advice: “If you read this story, then just try and be kind.”

If you are thinking of donating your hair, check out the organization Jay gave his to – Wigs for Kids.  You can find more about them here:  Wigs for Kids

 

And if you know of a kind human and want us to share their story, please let us know!  Send us an email at:  KindnessActivist@gmail.com .  We love to hear kind stuff!  And if you want to learn more about Kindness Activist, just look at our website:  Kindness Activist

 

P.S. - Jay is going to be rocking a "Kind is Cool" Kindness Activist shirt soon, and guess what?  It was designed by ANOTHER KIND KID, Dexter!  

 

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.

Just Be Kind

One thing about having a neon green sign on your front porch that reads “Just Be Kind” is that it marks your home as a safe space.  And that was never any more apparent than this evening.

I was sitting at the dining room table writing when the front door opened.  I assumed it was my partner David, but when I looked up it was a strange man entering our home.  He did not appear threatening, so I did not panic, but walked over to greet him.

He was obviously very upset.  “I need help,” he said.  “I locked my keys in my apartment”.

I jumped in, quickly trying to brainstorm how we could solve that big but not MAJOR problem.  “Oh, your keys?  That’s ok!  We will help get them out,” I naively told him.

But the keys weren’t the problem.

“No.  It is my daughter.  She was in a car accident.  They called me.  It was near Maryland.”

Ahhh – this was getting more complex and I was not understanding how we could really HELP in this situation.

“I locked my apartment key inside.  I need to drive to Maryland.  She is in the hospital.  But I do not have enough gas…” he sheepishly told me.  “My car is over there…” he gestured, trying to say, “I am not a scammer, this is real!” without having to say it.

Well, THIS was now a tangible problem with a solution I could sponsor – gas money from the Kindness Activist funds.  “It is ok!” I told him.  “We have money for your gas.”  I told him to go to his car and wait while I went to get the funds.

David had joined us by that point, so he and David chatted while I got some things together.  Cold blue Gatorade to drink on his ride – check.  Freshly baked snickerdoodle cookies thanks to an amazing donor – check.  And $50 for gas.

I gave him the snacks, then held out the money.  He was dumbfounded.  He just stared at it.

“No, too much…” he said.

“Sir, this is for you.  For gas.  If you don’t need it today, put in more gas tomorrow.”

And David reminded him that gas is expensive, so he should take it all.  He asked if he could leave his license with us (as “insurance” I guess, though the money was a gift and not a loan).  Of course we declined. 

He was visibly shaken and very thankful.  I asked if I could give him a hug, and he was happy to accept.  And while I hugged him, he began to cry.  Real tears.  He was a strong man, but the fear, the sadness, and the gratitude proved to too much and tears flowed. 

“I come because I know you help.  I know you help people.”

We got him some tissues, and I rubbed his back.  I was worried he might be too upset to drive and kept encouraging him to drive safely.  That’s when he told us, “The reason I cry…  You give me a hug.  And today is my BIRTHDAY.”

His birthday.

His daughter in an accident.

His keys locked inside.

His gas tank on empty.

Having to ask strangers to help.

His birthday.

I hugged him again and we told him happy birthday. 

I hope he drives safely.  I hope his daughter is ok.  I hope his birthday gets better.

And I am glad that he knew our home was a safe place to find help.

Kindness Activist funds spent:  $50

Kind Kids

Let’s talk about KIND KIDS.

 

You may have heard me say this before, but I repeat it because it is so true:  KIDS.  GET.  IT.

 

They do!  Kids understand being kind.  They like to be kind.  And if they are given opportunities to do so (and examples of how to do so) – they spread kindness like wild flower seeds.

 

So today I want to share the stories of 4 KIND KIDS that happened just this week.  These are 4 kids in my community.  I am sure if you look around your community (it won’t be too hard, I promise), you will find children near you demonstrating kindness to the world, too. 

 

First off, these cuties – S and H (brother and sister).  Their school was delayed for 2 hours on Friday because of a water main break.  Because of that their house and many in their neighborhood didn’t have any water.  Now, many kids would be delighted when they heard school was delayed.  I mean – that could be 2 extra hours in bed!  Or a trip to the park!  Or puzzles or Lego or coloring or Pokemon or watching a movie… 

 

But S and H had a kind idea of how to use those 2 hours.  Instead of PLAYING, they would spread kindness!  Their mom helped them put their plan into action by taking them to the local grocery store (because sometimes acts of kindness need a little assistance). 

 

Kind Kids in action!

  

You see, their idea was to get WATER for all of their neighbors! 

 

So, they stocked up on water then got busy delivering it house to house!  And to make it even MORE special, H chanted, “Kind is Cool!  Kind is Cool!” while they were out on deliveries. 

 

Isn’t that so fun?  And their act of kindness actually had an immediate kindness ripple.  The employee at the grocery store commented that they were sure buying a lot of water.  When they explained their mission, he went to the bakery in the store and brought them each back a COOKIE.  Thanks grocery guy!

Working hard to spread kindness

 

(P.S. – H and S do loooots of kind things.  Why, just the other day they came over to help Kindness Activist make lots of cool shaped crayons!)

 

The next kind kid being highlighted today is Ixel.  Ixel is a proud member of the Pantry Crew and does many very kind things. 

 

One thing Ixel is adamant about is making sure pantry guests have adequate supplies for when they are having their periods.  She knows how important that is both for health and dignity.  (I don’t think she knows how expensive tampons and pads are, and that people cannot use their EBT cards to purchase them, which is a whole other story that I shouldn’t get started on because I will get riled up about how unfair it all is…).

 

Anyway, since Ixel likes to put period supplies in the pantry, when we recently had a big donation of pads, I asked her if she would take on the job of putting them into baggies and she kindly agreed. 

 

Hard at work making sure pantry guests have period supplies

And then something perfect happened.  When Ixel and her mom were bringing the bags of pads back over to put in the storage area, they saw some guests at the pantry.  It was three women who stop by once a week and they were looking in the pantry.  I think that they clean the home across the street, and when they are finished cleaning, they put all of their supplies back in their car and walk over to the pantry to see if there is anything they need.  I have watched them before – they are very sweet and are careful to share with one another. 

 

When Ixel saw them, she asked if they needed any pads.  Of course they said YES!  So, Ixel explained the different kinds of pads she had just bagged up and gave them their options.  Not only did they get feminine hygiene products, they got CHOICES!  (And they got to have a conversation with Ixel’s mom about how expensive it is to buy pads in the store!)

 

I love that Ixel is so kind and so comfortable talking about periods.  Those women were lucky to be at the pantry at just the right time!!

P.S. - Ixel did all of that work on the day her school was cancelled!  

 

The last kind kid for today is June Bug.  If you have read other entries here you may remember her for hosting a Kindness Hot Cocoa stand a few months ago.  She decided she wanted to use some of the money she raised at the stand to buy toys for children in the hospital, and yesterday was DELIVERY DAY.

 

June Bug, her mamma Kasey, and I drove to Children’s National Hospital in Washington DC.  That’s where her mom used to work as a nurse, and she knows people who work there, so we knew those people would help the special toys find the perfect kids.  We were excited!

 

We got to meet some of Kasey’s friends and June Bug gave them the donations (she even gave the special teddy bear that is super duper soft that she loved).  She explained the “rules” that she had thought up:  the “lip sticks” (chap sticks) were to be split up out of the packaging and one given to each kid.  And that the VERY SPECIAL bigger toys were for kids whose parents weren’t at the hospital with them (because they would need toys more) and for kids who had to stay for overnight or a few days.  The staff listened carefully to her instructions and I am quite sure will follow them.

 

June Bug and all of the special toys she chose to donate to sick kids

What joy and kindness June Bug brings to the world.  She asks 5,000,000 questions a day (approximately) and has a very caring heart.  She and the other kids you just read about exemplify kindness.  We could all learn a thing or two from them.

 

Do you know a kind kid who would be willing to share their story with me?  Please send me an email telling me about them – KindnessActivist@gmail.com . 

 

Because the world needs more kindness.  And more stories of kindness.  We can make it a kinder place – just one small act of kindness at a time.

Bonus photo of Ixel doing ANOTHER kind thing - taking big jugs of cooking oil that were donated to the Little Yellow Free Pantry and pouring them into smaller jars.  That way more families get oil.  She is great at this job, too, and enjoys doing it.

P.S. - No June Bug, I don't know how that crane "got on top of that tall building".

P.P.S. - No June Bug, I am not sure why that person was mean.

P.P.P.S - Well June Bug, I think that is the Potomac River we are crossing.

P.P.P.P.S. - and on and on and on :) . 

WMATAing

This is a story about a little boy who loves METRO TRANSIT.

A creative mom.

An observant neighbor.

And a very, very kind man.

It starts with a creative mom named Becki who posted this in a local Facebook group: “In search of tall square skinny boxes.  My son is obsessed with Metro, so I had the genius idea to spray paint a box to look like the metro pillars (signs).  He wants to make more than one station, so if anyone has a box laying around, I’d love to have it!  Also, if you happen to have any other Metro swat laying around we’d take it.  All he talks about are trains and buses 😊.”  She also shared a photo of an iconic Washington DC metro sign she had made (which is brilliant if you ask me).

Brilliant replica of a Washington DC Metro Stop sign made out of a cardboard box

What followed were LOTS of comments on the post.  People who said they would look for boxes.  People who shared photos of boxes they were excited to donate.  People whose kids had old Metro things they would pass along.  A person in an amazing Metro themed costume.  And people who understood exactly where this mamma was coming from because their kids were metro obsessed, too.  Becki replied to one comment by sharing this about her son, “He pretends he’s driving a bus or train all day long.  He goes outside on his scooter to go “WMATAing,” (WMATA is the name of the Washington DC transit system – he has turned it into a verb!).

A neighbor shared this photo of her child (now a teen) when he was in
his "Metro" stage (photo shared with teen's permission)

A neighbor shared this hilarious costume of her dressed
as the Dupont Circle Metro sign!  The M even LIT UP!

What also followed was one neighbor, Heidi, seeing a WMATA employee “in the wild” standing outside our local post office, remembering the request for the kid who loves metro, and her being brave enough to reach out.

You see, acts of kindness sometimes require you to step outside your comfort zone.  Actually – they often do!  Walking up to a stranger and asking them for something (or even offering them something for that matter) takes GUTS.  And Heidi has guts.

She approached the Metro employee whose name turned out to be Rick.  She told Rick about the little boy in the neighborhood who loves Metro, and Rick said he would be happy to help by seeing what swag he could put together for the child.

What a kind man!! 

So today, only 6 days after Becki’s ask for boxes, Rick and Oliver met up in the Post Office parking lot.  Rick gave Oliver (who came dressed for the occasion in a WMATA safety vest) a bag of Metro gear.  He had also put together a second bag of goodies for another sweet kid in the community obsessed with Metro.

An imaginary Metro employee got to chat with a real Metro employee

I got to stop by and meet Rick and Oliver, too.  I talked with Oliver about all things Metro – his favorite stop, which bus he rides (the ART bus – to go the library!), which metro stop has the longest elevator, why the bus is so fun (you get to push the button to ask for your stop!, how to get to his grandma’s house on the silver line…  You know, the kind of stuff Metro lovers chat about.

And we got to thank Rick for his kindness.  He didn’t have to go out of his way and collect things to give to these kids.  He didn’t have to take time on a Sunday to meet with the little admirer.  But he did.  And his kindness speaks volumes about what a great human he is.

Heidi, who was brave enough to approach Rick
and ask a big favor

Kindness Activist gifted Rick a Kind is Cool t-shirt and a Target gift card to thank him.  He didn’t do what he did for the thanks, but we wanted him to know that his generosity and kindness was noted and respected.

WMATA on, Oliver.  I hope to see you on a train one day.

Kindness Activist funds spent: $50

Delight in hearing a child talk about Metro: immeasurable

Just Be Kind

I could never have imagined…

When I started my experiment of actively looking for kindness - noticing it, talking about it, writing about it – I could never have imagined what would happen. 

How this simple experiment could reach so many people, touch so many lives, and change my own life.

“Just Be Kind”.  That’s what the green neon sign that hangs on our front porch shines to passersby.  Just be kind.  It can be taken two ways really.  “Just be kind” – as in “come on – just please be KIND” – an imperative I guess.  Or it can mean “just be kind” – as in, “it’s simple – just be kind”.

But however you interpret it, this simple mission of spreading kindness, then being open and honest and discussing it, has changed my world.  It has given me a new outlook on life.  It’s introduced me to people that have become close friends.  It has given me a platform.  It has made me stronger.  It’s taught me to delegate, to share the load.  It has afforded me so many opportunities to talk to strangers.  It has taken over our home at times.  It has made me realize how interconnected humans are.  And it has given me so, so much joy.

You know, it's hard to narrow down all of your beliefs into a sentence or two – into a mission statement - but we are getting there.  And in the meantime, the activism continues.  There are more strangers to surprise with kindness.  More children to invite into the mission and more neighbors to get involved. 

We escaped to New York City for a couple of days to see a friend perform.  While we were there, a piece in the Washington Post that included Kindness Activist ran.  It was even in the Sunday print edition.  We got home at about 1:45 am Sunday night and I brought the paper in from our porch.  I took out the metro section and peeked at the article.  I was astonished to see my photo in the newspaper, yet again, this time surrounded by Amazon boxes full of donations that readers of the Post sent to fill the Little Yellow Free Pantry.  The article tells what happened after stories about several different organizations and situations ran, how readers responded and supported the causes.  Kindness Activist was just one of several stories mentioned, yet it was our photo that was chosen to be in print. 

Made me tear up.  Such an honor.  I wish my parents could see it.  Wish I could mail them a copy (or 2 or 5…).  I know they would be proud.

Thank YOU for being a part of it all.  For following Kindness Activist’s journey and supporting us.  None of the work that we do would be possible without COMMUNITY – people near and far – cheering us on and being advocates.  Thank you.  You are appreciated.

In Memory of Adriana - May Her Plants Always Be Green and Her Smile Be Remembered

Color.  Me.  Tired.

Tired - but peaceful.

I had a great weekend at the Kindness Plant Sale.  I was a bit worried going into it – the woman who founded the Kindness Plant Sales and did a ton of work for all previous sales died 2 months ago.  Her name was Adriana Jokisch Sagrera.  And she was a kind, kind soul who left this earth way too soon.

One day a couple of years ago, Adriana messaged me and said that she had an idea.  How about, she asked, if she hosted a KINDNESS PLANT SALE??  It would be her and some other plant lovers, and they would do all the work.  They would propagate plants, put them in pots, nurture them…  And they would donate all of the proceeds to Kindness Activist.  All I would need to do is let them use our yard for the event (because we are in a well trafficked area). 

Ummm, YES!  Who could say no to that offer? 

And how she explained it was exactly how it worked.  She and the other “plant whisperers” came to our home, set up LOTS of beautiful plants, and I just popped outside, sat and chatted in the sunshine all day, and enjoyed the events.  It was amazing!  Everyone loved the Kindness Plant Sales and they were very successful in fundraising for the cause.

Adriana in her happy place - with plants, friends, sunshine, and being KIND

And the plant sales weren’t all Adriana did to support the mission.  Oh no – she went all out.  She made specially shaped crayons for the Advent Countdown Calendar.  She donated jewelry to Kindness Auctions.  She volunteered her time.  She gave jewelry making supplies to a woman from Ukraine who was staying with us.  She gave art supplies to a child we were hosting.  She donated her beautiful photo prints to help raise money for Kindness Activist.  She donated many, many items to Kindness Yard Sales over the years.  She brokered a Kindness Loan for a friend of hers in need (which was paid off just as set forth in the agreement).  She sent messages of support and love.  She gave me plant advice.  She loaned me her WEDDING GOWN when I was collecting some for a community member to choose from, and Adriana's dress was the perfect one.  The bride LOVED IT and wore it with pride.  She laughed at my jokes.  She reached out and asked if she could make special letter signs for the Kindness Yard Sale out of cool materials.  Those signs have been used for several sales.  And in the most recent Kindness Auction, she donated a jewelry making session for the winner and some friends.  I was bidding on it against someone else who really wanted it.  Adriana sent me a message telling me that even if I didn’t win the bid, she would love to host me and some friends to come to her home and make necklaces. 

Mermaid crayons made by Adriana - she made loads of fun shapes

She said YES to Adriana's dress

Adriana's letter signs
(her former co-worker made the P L A N T signs for this event,
the ones Adriana made include the letters Y A R D)

I am so grateful that she gave us that experience.  Three friends and I were welcomed into her home last winter. She had laid out case after case of beads.  Beads of every size, shape, and color.  It was amazing!  She gave us advice on putting our pieces together, and had to physically help me a lot (I am not, it turns out, a professional necklace maker…). 

The students and the master (we will wear our necklaces to her upcoming memorial service)

And then, too soon, she was gone.

So, this Kindness Plant Sale was in her honor.  We had a small table with a beautiful floral arrangement on it for her.  A note explained to shoppers who she was, and let everyone know when the upcoming memorial service will be.  Her husband and young son came to the sale and talked with her friends.  They saw the pots that they had lovingly donated after her death – we marked them with her name so that people in the community would know which were hers.  And twice during the sale we did toasts to Adriana – to her memory, her friendship, and her kindness.

Oh, she would’ve been happy with the event.  The sun shone.  The plants were beautiful.  And shoppers were generous.

So generous, in fact, that $4048.76 was raised for Kindness Activist.  In just 2 days.  Isn’t that astounding?  Over $4000!! 

And the money for the cause is not the only high point of the event.  Equally important in my mind is the COMMUNITY that events like this builds.  Neighbors meeting neighbors.  Old friends seeing one another again.  Newly arrived Arlingtonians being welcomed into the city.  Sighting of famous Arlington celebrities (Gary and Marc!). 

Some highlights for me of the weekend:

-         A little friend walked around the corner into the sale space all by herself.  “Where’s your mom?” I asked.  “In the car, over there,” she pointed.  “Ahhh, it is Mother’s Day, are you here to shop for her??”.  Bingo – she was looking for a special gift for her mother.  It was so sweet!  After discussing all of the possibilities – indoor, outdoor, in a pot, to put in the ground, favorite colors… she chose some black eyed Susans to plant in the garden and a colorful glass heart.  “Oh, here, I have a donation,” she said as she handed me some money.  So sweet.

-         Our artist friend was here for the sale.  On Saturday she painted portraits of guests.  She was so proud of her work and that everyone liked it.  Then on Sunday, she met a young woman who is graduating from high school and heading to college.  “I am so happy!” I heard her tell the young woman.  “You are so good!  Susan – she will study politics and be an IMMIGRATION LAWYER!”, said my friend who recently received her green card and couldn’t be prouder.  “I am a real person now!” she proclaimed.

-         Two young pantry guests stopped to get some food as I stood nearby chatting with a friend.  I asked if they needed any other food and they said no thank you.  They rode off on their bikes, but a few minutes later came back.  They approached and quietly asked, “Ummm, can we get a flower or something?”.  “Oh, for Mother’s Day?” I clarified.  “Yes please…”.  So, 2 cuties looked around and found the perfect plants for their mothers.  I bet those moms were delighted.

-         I got to meet some neighbors who I had only communicated with online.  What a joy to see their faces and have real conversation.  As I was talking with a couple, a pantry regular approached.  Only, before he reached the pantry, he stopped at the corner.  He sat down all of his things (including a boom box, which I have never seen him with before), then SAT DOWN on the sidewalk.  He leaned against the wooden pole of our fence.  I said goodbye to the neighbors and went over to the man.  “Excuse me sir, are you hungry?  Would you like something?  Maybe some soup?” I asked.  He said that he was hungry so I went inside to make him a dinner.  Hot soup, applesauce, iced tea, and a chocolate bar.  I served it to him right there on the pavement and he ate it up.  May have been the first hot meal he has had in a while.

So, while my body is physically exhausted from the work, and my heart is tired from the sadness of the world losing a beautiful human being, my SOUL IS SATISFIED.  I know that the hours put into this event did honor Adriana.  I know if she had been here, she would have laughed and chatted and taught and celebrated the success. 

Thank you, neighbors, for supporting Kindness Activist.

Thank you, friends, for staying up late with me laughing and making floral arrangements the night before the sale.

Thank you, community members, for donating so many vases, plants, bulbs, and pots.  And for making cupcakes and brownies.

Thank you, lemonade stand volunteers, for serving bright pink lemonade and melty Reeses Peanut Butter Cups with a smile.  $101.26 of the total proceeds were from the lemonade stand.

Thank you, Plant Whisperers, for nurturing, growing, and delivering plant after plant after plant for the sale, and being at the event to assist shoppers.

 

Thank you, Adriana, for making the world a better place.  You are missed.