A Personal Story

Melissa Claus is a member of the Random Act of Kindness committee. This is her story.

As a member of the Random Act of Kindness committee, I was asked to write a ‘blog’.  I don’t mind admitting that this is a foreign word to me, but when it was explained that a blog is basically a story that will be published on the net, I agreed to write one!

Whenever I hear a story about a kind deed, I am reminded of when I was standing in the Hamburg Airport in Germany…

I was traveling alone and had been dropped off with my luggage, ticket and passport.  I was looking forward to going back to Canada after six weeks away. While I was at the desk, checking my luggage, I learned that it was 26 pounds overweight!  This was only a small problem, until I was told that I had to pay 100 Deutsche Mark (DM), or about $80.00 Canadian to bring it all on the plane with me.  The alternative was to leave some things behind!

I was not only alone, but had no cell phone to use to call anyone for help.  After scrounging through my purse, I only came up with 10 DM, had no credit card and realized I had better start pitching 26 pounds worth of treasured items and souvenirs.  How could I choose between all of the wonderful things that I purchased in Germany?

As I was opening my suitcase next to the garbage bin a kind man came to my rescue.  He offered me 100 DM that, he assured me, he did not need. Imagine that! A complete stranger overhearing my dilemma and giving me the money I needed, with no thought of repayment. He never did tell me his name, but I will never forget him.

A kind deed, whether large or small – no matter where you are, surrounds you with feelings of love and appreciation.

A Great Example

I saw this commercial yesterday and while I was watching it I thought for sure that it was for Random Act of Kindness Day. It turned out it wasn’t but I thought that this was the perfect depiction of the message we are trying to communicate.

Enjoy!

Success!

To hit off Random Act of Kindness Day we had a media launch downtown Brantford in Harmony Square. We caused quite the commotion, or more specifically, Captain Kindness caused a lot of commotion. He reached out to people on the street and in the square to share the good news about Random Act of Kindness Day and encouraged people to think of what they can do for others. His favourite expression was, “You can change your city by good, into good!” Members of the Freedom House also attended and started of RAK Day the right way by handing out free popcorn to any one who was passing by. Each bag of popcorn included a Random Act of Kindness card that people were to pass on when they did something nice for someone else, encouraging that person to do the same. Even Mayor Chris Friel showed up and enjoyed his own bag of popcorn while Captain Kindness asked his opinion on kindness and how it can change the city of Brantford for the better. If we all make an effort to be kind to those around us, and ask them to pass it on, we can change the city one by one.

Whenever/Wherever

Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for a kindness.  ~Seneca

People are everywhere, which means that we all have the opportunity to provide them with a random act of kindness. We have no excuse, every single day, to not help someone out. Even if your day consists of you traveling to and from work, at some point you will encounter someone and you could do something as simple as holding a door open for them, especially because not many people take that initiative anymore. It even seems as though store clerks are surprised when they are treated kindly and with respect. They work with the public all day long and if they are constantly being disrespected they are probably not having a good day. Let’s  be polite and use our manners, ask a clerk how they are doing, and be being patient and help them have a good day. These few decisions can make a big difference in someones day.

Spread the Word!

Random – Made, done, happening, or chosen without method or conscious decision

Act – Take action; do something

Kindness – The quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate

Those definitions, all together, give a very clear idea of what random acts of kindness really are. Our goal is to be a fantastic example of this to Brantford not only on November 4th but all year round. Random Acts of Kindness Day is just around the corner and we are getting very excited again! We should always be doing nice things for others and coming up with new ideas for other kind acts we can complete, but this is the time of year to celebrate it.

So… spread the word! RAK Day is almost here, let’s share the news loud and clear!

Did You Know?

That Random Act of Kindness Day is on Facebook & Twitter? Click on the logo’s below to join our social networks:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2nd Annual RAK Day is Ramping Up Again!

The committee is eagerly planning this year’s Random Act of Kindness Day and we’re excited to hear all the kind things that have been happening over the past year since our very first RAK Day launched. Look for more information soon!

Friday, November 4, 2011 is the day!!

 

Media Launch in Harmony Square – Great Success!

After a very well-attended Random Act of Kindness (RAK) Day Media Launch in Harmony Square on Friday, October 15, 2010, RAK Day Committee, Captain Kindness & Student Volunteers from Rogers TV pose with the Williams Fresh Cafe Cube.

The noon hour event included free popcorn for all who attended or passed by, information on RAK Day (November 12, 2010), media interviews and the entertainment of Captain Kindness engaging with the crowd, encouraging kind acts and hosting interviews with our guests.

A good time was had by all and the general reaction we received was how excited the community is for RAK Day, so much so that many claimed they were going to start their kind acts right away… not wanting to wait for November 12th!

To view more pictures, visit the RAK Facebook page: facebook.com/rakbrantford.

Kindness in the Community #1: The Wish Closet

After recognizing many reasons why children do not attend school (financial hardship at home being one), Attendance Counselor with the Grand Erie District School Board, Betty Finley decided to take action and formally opened the Wish Closet in September of 2007.

With the help of volunteers and many willing members of the community who donate gently experienced clothing, shoes, toys, linens, household items and books, the Wish Closet is able to provide for the needs of our community free of charge, lightening the burden life can have on some families.

The Wish Closet is open to the public on Mondays from 3:30pm to 5:00pm, Wednesdays from 9:30am to noon and 5pm to 7pm as well as Thursdays from 9:30am to noon, but donations can be dropped off Monday to Friday from 9:30am to 3:00pm at Major Ballachey School, located at 105 Rawdon Street in Brantford. If you are planning to make a large donantion (more than a few bags), please call ahead to arrage a drop off time 519-752-1643.

The Wish Closet is a Light a Smile program. To learn more about their programs or the Wish Closet specifically, please visit: www.lightasmile.com.

Random Act of Kindness Day is on Facebook!

Get involved! Read and help us share stories of random acts of kindness leading up to and following Random Act of Kindness Day on Facebook: click here.