I wanted to reshare this post to encourage all of us to do what we can to lift each other up. You can share your kind acts at kindness1billion.org and also be inspired by others.
Together we can restore our faith in each other, and model a higher calling for our children. Have you ever been on the receiving end of a kind gesture from a stranger? It brings a smile to your face and a warm feeling, doesn’t it?
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25 Small Ways to Pay It Forward
I have put together a list of 25 small acts of kindness to inspire us and to share with others because #KindnessMatters! I would love to include your ideas in a future update.
Small Ways to Pay It Forward: Write a note
Write a note or an email to someone’s supervisor when you have something positive to say. Take a minute and fill out a survey praising a store employee who is doing a good job. You can also post it on the company’s Facebook page or send a tweet. This could be more valuable than a tip to that employee!
Thank You Note
Along with your tip, write a thank you note to your server on the restaurant check.
Keep a pad of sticky notes in your car and leave an encouraging note for someone who crosses your path today. I recently saw a young mom trying to juggle groceries and small children. As she entered the store, I left an anonymous note on her windshield that said “You are doing a great job! I remember these challenging days. Keep the faith and don’t blink!”
Small Ways to Pay It Forward: Write sympathy cards
Write out a sympathy card not only with condolences but with a few personal memories of how the deceased person impacted your life. We lost my Dad several years ago and my Mom would read the cards and letters she got after he passed away. Even if some time has gone by, it is never too late to share a memory of a loved one with someone who is grieving.
Be a Coupon Fairy
Be a coupon fairy! Leave a coupon for someone else to find or give a fellow shopper your leftover store coupons. I like to leave diaper coupons on the shelf in the grocery store. Do you know how expensive diapers are these days?
Sharing is caring
Buy extra toiletries when you spot a great deal or a freebie along with items like granola bars and give them out when you see someone in need. Ask your dentist for free toothbrushes and toothpaste and save your hotel toiletry products. I use gallon-size baggies to store my care packs and keep them in my car.
Give away extra clothes
Keep extra umbrellas in your car and give them away when you see someone caught in an unexpected rainstorm. If you have extra hats, gloves, scarves, blankets, and coats, you can also give these away to someone in need or to someone who did not prepare for the weather. You can also help someone stay warm this winter by donating winter gear to One Warm Coat . Visit their website to find a local drop-off location.
Make someone’s day
Buy something for the person in the line behind you. If you have a small balance left on a gift card after your purchase, ask the cashier to apply it toward the next person’s bill.
Bring a treat to a neighbor or your co-workers. Double the batch of what you are cooking or baking and look for someone to share it with.
Learn CPR and donate blood
Learn CPR at www.redcross.org/take-a-class and you may end up saving a life! Find a local blood drive or go to your local blood bank and donate blood. The American Red Cross can help you to find a blood drive near you or help you to organize a blood drive.
Become an organ donor
Become an organ donor and give the gift of life. Go to organdonor.gov to find out more information. Did you know that 1 organ donor can save up to 8 lives?
Volunteer
Donate your time or money to a local charity. To match your interests and skills, find volunteer options at sites like Volunteermatch.org or the United Way.
Small Ways to Pay It Forward: Organize a charity drive
Organize a charity drive at your job. You can collect sports equipment, old eyeglasses, toys, canned food, musical instruments, old cell phones, office supplies, and unneeded electronics and find a charity or program that would love to have your items. Use the DonationTown website to find your charity of choice, charities that pick up items for free, acceptable items wanted by individual charities, and schedule a pick up right from their website. The charities will also provide an IRS tax-deduction receipt for your donations.
Buy and donate school supplies
Meet a need in a classroom through DonorsChoose.org. Public school teachers post classroom supply requests and you can give any amount to the project that inspires you.
Donate to your favorite charity
Donate some or all of your frequent flier miles to a favorite charity such as the Make-A-Wish® Foundation.
Small Ways to Pay It Forward: Donate your old eyeglasses
Drop off your old eyeglasses at LensCrafters for Project OneSight. They provide comprehensive eye exams, vision care, and customized prescription glasses to people in need throughout the world.
Send a care package to a service member
Send a care package to a service member. A site called AnySoldier.com can show you what to send, who to send it to, and how to send it.
Pay for a stranger’s gas
Make a trip to the pump a little less painful for your fellow driver and leave a few dollars paid for at the gas pump for the next driver.
Invite someone for a meal
Invite someone to your home for a meal. You can seek out a student from another county, a family new to your area, or a widow or recently divorced friend. Don’t assume everyone has a big happy family to be with, especially during the holidays.
Share a meal with someone in need by donating to your local food bank. Feeding America can help you find one in your area.
Share the bounty of your garden or fruit tree with neighbors or those in need. The website AmpleHarvest works to eliminate hunger and malnutrition and feeds over 40 million Americans from excess food in gardens and local food pantries.
Donate to animals in the shelter
Donate pet food, pet food coupons, leashes, ad pet supplies to your local pet shelter or rescue organization.
Help a neighbor
Bring out and take in trash cans for a neighbor.
Small Ways to Pay It Forward: Talk to elderly people
Offer to be a point of contact for an elderly neighbor. Offer your phone number to their children and be available to look in on your neighbor.
Start a new family tradition of giving
Start a family tradition of giving. Put together a piggy bank and have regular family meetings to discuss how to save more money toward your cause and take turns finding a recipient.
Don’t let the mean people win! Start a kindness ripple today and come back and share your #KindnessMatters story.
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