KIND Blog & News

Throughout the past week, we’ve received tons of touching stories about how people in our community carried out the KINDING Mission. And boy were they in good company! Celebrity moms Tiffani Thiessen and Elisabeth Rohm also pledged to Do the KIND Thing by helping a parent in need.

Thanks to all of the KINDAHOLICS who did one small act of kindness this KIND Tuesday, KIND will be partnering with Baby Buggy to deliver diapers and other essential goods to parents living in shelters. Because of your kindness, we will be able to brighten the future for babies in need!

Here are a few of our favorite stories (who’s sharers will be receiving a KIND Cube!) showing how KINDAHOLICS are making the world a bit KINDER.

“I am an Ambassador of moms meet and I run my own moms group, I have 10 moms in my group right now. None of us are wealthy or able to afford baby sitters very often for nights out on town or just alone time with our husbands or for ourselves. Most of us are working moms and are very busy and very stressed out!! We always put our children and husband’s first. I have been saving money for several months now so I could do something special for the mom’s, well when I saw this kinding mission I felt inspired and thought what better time to show my mom’s group how special and deserving they really are. So, I got with a lady that owns a nail salon here where we live and worked out a special deal to rent out her salon last saturday night and give all my moms a mani and pedi, I also bought several bottles of wine for them to share together while having there special night. I also kept all of there kids free of charge for them to all go to the salon. When they finished there mani’s and pedi’s they then returned to my house where I had hot yummy pizzas waiting on them that there kids and I had prepared from scratch, Which served two purpose’s…1. It gave the kids a fun activity to do as well as letting them to do something special for there mom’s. 2. It provided the mom’s a nice hot meal to eat. My mom’s group had so much fun saturday and they have not stopped thinking me for it and I know that they needed it!! I even had a few of the mom’s break down and cry because they were so touched and because it was something that they really needed but could not afford, I can’t begin to tell you how good it made me feel, doing something for someone else…That is the ultimate gift!! Thank you so much for inspiring me to do something for somebody else!!”
- Amanda H

“My brother in law is in the air force and my sister is left at home with her two boys a lot of the time. She had the chance to take a trip to Hawaii with her husband so I volunteered to watch my nephews for 2 weeks. They had a great vacation together and I loved helping them out.”

- Clarissa K.

“I met a family in January who lost everything in a fire, including their precious child. The mother is raising 4 other children and just recently she called me to say that her husband left her. Her children were home from school because it was a school free day. She said that one of her sons asked her if he could have a grilled cheese sandwich, but she realized she had neither cheese nor bread, and she said she had to go into her bedroom and cry. I contacted my church’s food pantry and since the mother doesn’t have transportation to be able to get to the food pantry, I picked up many food and grocery items and drove them to her home. Since I am disabled myself, it means so much that I can still use my capabilities to help others. She hugged me and we both shared a moment as 2 moms who know what it’s like to go through times that challenge the heart. She called me her “friend” ~ best gift she could share with me!”

- Dee J.

“We went to the womens shelter and delivered 12 boxes of diapers. While we were there a new mom was in tears because she had a baby that was 5 days old and she had nothing except a car seat that she got from the hospital. We told her to meat us back at the shelter in an hour and we returned with a crib, clothes, bath necesseties and just about everything we thought she could use. When she met us she just burst into tears. We were so glad we were able to help her. It was like we were meant to be there at the same time.”

- Tammy M.

“I have group on mommy friends that I met during birthing class. Our kids have “known” each other since before they were born. We get together on weekly play dates and it has been great to watch our kids grow up with their “village” of friends that truly care about all of them. One of our mommies is due with her second any day now and has had some complcations. It has been a rough pregnancy, especially chasing after an 18 month old. So, our village of mommies has pitched in to watch her daughter while she goes to doctor appointments, brought goodies and treats over when we know she was down, and set up house cleaning for her for after the baby is here and she won’t have the time with 2 babies. We know she would have done the same for us and we are excited for the next round of little babies to join our village.”

-Rebecca

“For my kind act, I collected samples of makeups, perfumes, lotions, soaps, and other beauty products and put them all into a great bathroom bag (picked up on clearance at Target), and for less than 2 hours of my time, and $8 I brought a bag full of beauty/healthcare products to a family in my school-district with a mom and two teenage daughters who are currently homeless. I am hoping it will help all three of them to feel like they are a little more “put-together” and help to brighten their spirits during an extremely challenging time.”

-Amy M.

This February, the kindness of our community resulted in a moving event that touched the lives of hundreds of wounded, recovering veterans.

Because enough people expressed their gratitude to someone who serves, we were able to partner up with the incredible team at Operation Gratitude and work together to put on a heartfelt and fun Mardi Gras Party that served up tasty foods and treats such as gumbo, crawfish and cake to troops at varying stages of recovery.  Everyone was invited to have a bite to eat, grab an Operation Gratitude care package and read through the notes of thanks and gratitude that so many KINDAHOLICS like YOU provided.

We learned many inspiring stories during the day’s festivities – one man spoke of his injury which took place last July when his vehicle was severely hit.  He was covered in 80 pieces of shrapnel in his torso and legs and suffered 3^rd degree burns on his hands, face, and body after he pulled his fellow troop out of the burning vehicle.  This courageous soldier is now looking forward to continuing his education, joining the ROTC program and getting involved with Wildlife Management.

This man, among many others, was beyond grateful for what we were able to do to give back and we want to thank YOU for making this happen.  Without you, your heartfelt words of kindness, and Operation Gratitude, none of this would have been possible!

To learn more about the KIND work that Operation Gratitude continues to do for our soldiers and veterans, please visit www.OPGratitude.com.

Sometimes, it can be difficult to thank people who work behind the scenes to make our lives safer and all around better. But this month, KINDAHOLICS across the country showed us just how easy expressing gratitude can be! Thousands of KINDAHOLICS expressed their gratitude to someone who serves (be it a member of the military, a firefighter or a helpful friend) and in turn, KIND is partnering with Operation Gratitude to deliver care packages to hundreds of hospitalized, recovering veterans.

We are so thankful for the collective kindness of our community that has enabled us to unlock this Big KIND Act. Read below to see some great stories from KINDAHOLICS about how they carried out their KINDING Mission. To show our thanks, we will be sending KIND Cubes to each of the story sharers below! Thank you to the entire KINDAHOLIC community for making another Big KIND Act become a reality.

My cousin Danny is a firefighter in North Carolina, and I live all the way in Chicago and don’t get to see him a lot during the years, Being and living in Chicago and living in the city I constantly hear fire sirens going off to the rescue and think of him every time I hear them and send him good thoughts and the fact that he is putting his life on the line for others. Today I sent him a message letting him know how proud and grateful I am for him. Thanks KIND for giving us these Missions and the chance to be extra KIND! Newcomer and proud member of the KIND movement!!!!!
-Mr. Beckman

I am very grateful to my brother Joe, a Navy verteran, who has always looked out for me; I’ve called him and thanked him for his support and love.
-Pauline F.

I met a Veteran, John, who had served in the Persian Gulf War one day while I was visiting my local library. He asked me for change so we started talking… He was telling me that he was homeless, staying in a shelter and how difficult it was for him to navigate the Dept of Social Services. I ended up treating him to dinner as well as giving him a ride back to his shelter. I also met up with John a few days later and accompanied him to the Dept of Social Services and assisted him with completing the applications he needed so he could obtain assistance. I also assisted him with applying for Social Security Benefits as well as with the Red Tape associated with The VA. John is now on his way to “Feeling human” (his words) again. I am still in touch with John as he was able to obtain a free cell-phone through a program. He is now able to rent a room in a safe neighborhood, afford groceries & necessities. I am so thankful that I was able to help John as he gave up so much to defend & protect my freedom. It was the least I could do. I also made a very good friend!
-Debbie B.

This month, we received hundreds of amazing stories describing how you carried out January’s KINDING Mission, proving that our KINDAHOLIC community has really raised the bar for 2012! Every single person who did something nice for someone who has helped them take a big step has enable us to unlock the Big KIND Act.  Thanks to you, we will be delivering 5,000 pairs of shoes to adults and children in need.

Below are some of our favorite stories about how our KINDAHOLICS carried out their KINDING Mission.  As a thank you for sharing your stories, we will be giving a KIND Cube to each of the following KINDAHOLICS.  Thank you to everyone for accepting the mission, sharing your story, and for helping us make the world a bit kinder!

I asked my husband for my Christmas present to be a budget to redecorate my mother in laws bedroom. I completely redecorated her room, which she has been wanting to do for years but hasn’t had the time or money to do it. We surprised her with the project and she was completely shocked and happy. We took down old wall paper and repainted her room and bought new bedding and made curtains and brought in new shelving units and a ottoman for the end of her bed for extra storage. She does so much with helping us with our new kids that I felt we needing to do something really special for her.

-Megan

I prepared “goodie” bags for the ladies at the church I attend and put them under the Christmas tree at church. Each bag had a thank you note, a small silk bag with items such as a purse size tissue pack, lip balm, notepad, individual snacks, etc. It gave me great pleasure and joy to surprise these dear ladies and thank them for the kindness they have shown me.

- Mary M.

My husband had a very hard day at work yesterday and I knew about what time he would be home. He was home about midnight… so when he walked in the door his dinner was hot and I had a hot cup of tea ready for him. Usually I do can not stay up that late let alone have anything ready for him, but I wanted to be kind!

- Heather

Though I’m a middle child and VERY independent, my parents worry about me constantly since I live alone and 450 miles away from them. Since I’m currently unemployed and had the spare time, I made a surprise Christmas visit this year to thank them for their unfailing support. Rather than suggest I move back in with them, they have sacrificed their own funds to make sure my bills are covered so I can remain living in an area I have come to love. I couldn’t ask for a better example and I strive daily to live the values they taught me: that love is a more precious commodity than material possessions.

- Laura

My BFF has been going through some rough times with her family. I sent her a box of household items to make things a little easier. I just want things to be easier for her. I check on her daily. She has been there for me ANY time of day with love and acceptance. She is the most loving and kind (no pun intended) person I know.

- Jenn P.

Our favorite thing about the holidays is that everyone seems to be excited about giving, and as you can imagine, KINDAHOLICS took this spirit of generosity to the next level! Because thousands of KINDAHOLICS donated their time or an item (such as used books, canned goods, or old backpacks) to local shelters or food banks, we will be partnering with Publix and the Chapman Partnership to deliver toys to hundreds of homeless children.

 
Thank you to our entire community for enabling us to brighten the holidays for homeless children.  Each and every KINDING Mission has made this Big KIND Act possible, and we’d like to thank the following KINDAHOLICS with a KIND Cube in appreciation of the extraordinary kindness that they have shared:

Every year we work on a haunted house in a tent in our front yard for Halloween.  This year, I spent the entire year making new props and such for the “house.”  When the time came to install the props, we also made the admission fee a non-perishable food item for the local food bank.  I figured it was beggars nite and we should do a little begging of our own.  We collected in 4 hours over 82 pounds of food for the food bank.  What’s more, the kids had a great time in the “Hunger Haunt.”  The amount surprised me and the food bank was more than happy to get the food, even a small amount such as ours received great thanks.

- Lisa R.

My son Kevin, age 14, surprised me by declaring that instead of presents for Christmas this year, he only wanted to spend time together as a family, baking, playing games, etc.  He said since we wouldn’t be spending money on gifts for us we could buy gifts for some children from the Angel Tree who otherwise would not have any gifts.  We not only did that, but we also organized a neighborhood food drive (actually our third one since June ’10) to support our local food pantry.  We collected over 600 pounds of food! Although we, as are many others, are struggling ourselves financially, it felt so good to help those in need from our community.

-Connie J.

I just started working after almost 2 years of unemployment.  Before I started, I went through all of my clothes and got rid of anything that I hadn’t worn in a long time or that no longer fit.  I had two 33 gallon garbage cans full of clothing.  All of it was donated to a battered women’s shelter.  Everyone feels better when they feel like they look good and I wanted to help some ladies find their “pretty” so that they would smile and feel good about themselves.

-Mary P.

After moving this summer, and finally going through many boxes, we found we had a few boxes of unopened toys nobody was ever going to use.  We realized with Christmas coming and that donating 3 boxes full of brand new toys could not come at a better time than Christmas! Luckily Toys for Tots made that incredibly easy, as they don’t even ask that presents be wrapped.  It’s great to know my famil could do this as part of this month’s KINDingAct!

- Erin

Where I live, there’s many soup kitchens and shelters around to help many local, struggling citizens… My mother had found and amazingly supporting food bank near us called Love Kitchen.  They were humble and understanding… so I am prooud to say that a year later with much hard work and a new hobby of clipping coupins we donated not 1, not 10, but 120 cans of various fruits and vegetables.  My family and the local food bank could never have been more grateful.

- Gina P.

This month, instead of issuing a specific KINDING Mission, the KIND Team challenged our community to brighten a stranger’s day with a Do It Yourself KINDING.  Boy, were we pleasantly surprised!  Not only did we surpass our threshold of participation by almost to 900% (!), we received hundreds of stories of how KINDAHOLICS went about completing the KINDING Mission.  

As always it is hard to choose our favorite KINDING Stories, but the following taught us new and creative ways to brighten a stranger’s day.  We’d like to thank these story sharers with a KIND Cube, and we will be celebrating the kindness of our entire community by delivering Thanksgiving Meals to the elderly of Los Angeles.  Thank you to all KINDAHOLICS for making another Big KIND Act happen!

My neighbor recently took in her four grandchildren to raise. Their ages are 15,12,6,and 4… So first she needed beds. I made some calls and found a set of bunk beds free of charge. And then the calls and donations kept coming. Kindness spreads when you show a little yourself! It just takes one sometimes to get it started and you may be that one. Never underestimate what you can do in someones life. Because you very well could be the key to someones tomarrow. You can make a difference if you try!
- Shannon K.  

A nice elderly man holding a bouquet of flowers was approaching the checkout line at the grocery store at the same time I was. My 2-year-old was very ready to leave the store, and he waved me in front of him so that I could get on my way more expediently. I had a lot of thinsg to purchase and felt so grateful that he’d been so generous. I told the girl at the register to ring up his flowers on my bill as a thank you. He was quite befuddled when it was his turn to check-out and she told him I’d paid. He walked by me as I was unloading my groceries from my cart into my car and explained that he buys flowers to place on his wife’s grave on the first of every month. Now I know that there is nothing more beautiful than an old man holding flowers.
- Meghan C.

[I] Surprised [my] elderly neighbor with some fresh coffee and breakfast from his favorite doughnut place. [It's] Hard for him to walk or leave the house anymore. I picked up a dozen for him and [a] tall coffee this morning and he was surprised. He said it was 6 months ago the last time he had anything from Benny’s and misses going there for his moring joe and doughnut.
-Christopher S.

This KIND Tuesday, in the spirit of Breast Cancer Awareness Month , KIND asked members of our community to write a thoughtful note to a woman who has impacted their lives.  Since we soared past our threshold of participation, KIND will be partnering with National Breast Cancer Foundation to donate comfort kits to women undergoing breast cancer treatment. 

We are thankful to our tens of thousands of community members for accepting the KINDING Mission and enabling us to donate cancer comfort kits, but also for sharing tons of individualized stories.  As a token of our appreciation, we will be KINDING 6 of our community members with KIND Cubes, for sharing super touching KINDING Stories that warmed our hearts.  These inspiring stories capture how to take a simple action and transform it into a gesture that can brighten another’s day, week and even year:

I have a really good friend that I don’t tell enough how much she means to me…we tend to go day to day taking for granted how much we need and mean to each other. I sent her a card expressing my feelings. She called me to say thank you and told me that it brought tears to her eyes and made her day.

- Patti S.

I sent a homemade cake to my mom with a note. The note said that she was my best friend because she has always supported me. She has been there for me at the best and worst times and has always done everything to help me.

- Clarissa

My mother suffered from depression and due to that my older sister raised me. I let my sister know all the time how much she means to me, but I recently gave her a special thank you for all she has done.

- Jeanette

Thank you to all of our KINDAHOLICS, for making this past KIND Tuesday another success! We appreciate your support and hope that the women who receive cancer comfort kits will too.

This month, we saw another tremendous amount of kindness emanating from our community, and this time around, your KIND Acts are the reason why we are able to build sustainable vegetable gardens in schools across the country! Because so many of you gave a completed book, newspaper or magazine to someone who would enjoy reading it, we will be able to educate and empower children to make healthy and informed choices.  We are thrilled to plant multiple gardens, and to deliver these learning experiences to children nationwide.

As a token of our gratitude for all of the touching stories that you have shared, we would like to give KIND Cubes to our favorite 10 KINDING Story Sharers.   It was incredibly difficult to select our top KINDING Stories, as each story shared and each book, magazine or newspaper passed along managed to warm our hearts in its own way.   Below are the winners of this month’s KINDING Story competition, and we already cannot wait to see how you KIND your neighbors, friends and strangers next month!

We look forward to celebrating our community’s kindness in the coming weeks and months by building gardens that will blossom and grow as our community of KINDAHOLICS continues to do the same.

We give our reading materials to our local rest home for the residents to enjoy. My mom reads to the residents several times a year. She was a grade school librarian and now works for the local newspaper. She is the reason I recycle books, mags, and papers as well by passing them on.          - Sheri D.

My story is simple. I love to read and I purchase books new all the time. When I am finished with them now, I donate them to our library. We just recently had four branches close because of the state of the economy, so I know that getting new books will not be likely to happen. I will gladly give the books I have purchased to the Public Library anytime.                                                                      – Charlotte D.

I subscribe to many cooking magazines. Instead of cutting out recipes, I scan and print them. Then I pass the magazines along to my foodie friends and suggest they do the same thing. That way the magazines stay intact so all can enjoy them.                                                                                                                 –  Joyce E.

Like many other parents, I am taking a child to enroll in his first semester of college. I know a lot of other parents who are having the same anxieties and I shared an article about the situation and coping that I found in the New York Times and shared it with five of them! It felt good when I did it and better when they told me that it was useful.                                                                                                                                    – Larry

Recently, while on vacation, I read a book called The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters. A woman who was next to me at the pool commented that she loved Sarah Waters but hadn’t read that book, so I passed it on as soon as I was finished. She was thrilled!