I was on Pinterest this past summer when I came across this link: 38-random-acts-of-birthday-kindess. I was thrilled by what she did for her birthday and was immediately inspired to do something similar for mine.
So this year I am attempting the same thing.
40 random acts of kindness for 40 years alive.
~actually they are intentional acts of kindness, but "random" works too - referring to the recipients maybe?
I am going to update this post with what we do as we go on December 7th . I left this blog link on the gift tags for anyone who is like me and would be curious about the rest of the day. Please feel free to leave questions or comments.
"Little children let us not love in word or talk, but in deed and truth" Ephesians 4:32
Kindness Acts:
1. We made Craig's co-workers at the Welch Village Ski Patrol some Texas Sheet Cake and Stew to keep warm outside.
3. I brought a couple of things in for Toys for Tots.
5. We left a treat for our mail carrier including some candy, hot hands, and cocoa.
AND WE'RE OFF....
our driver for the day...(because my husband pointed out that my license had expired and I cannot drive. Classic Gina move.)
7.We went to the ER and left the staff a couple of baskets of goodies and snacks and water. They were very nice. This was the first interaction we had with people so far on this project. It felt great.
8. Left some Puzzles, books, coloring books and crayons in the waiting room for kiddos who come to visit.
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| Some of the Kindness Crew!! |
9. We stopped at the YMCA and left a couple of cases of water for people to take. I made water labels for them. I think they turned out kind of cute. (later in the day while we were out doing more stops, one of my daughter's friends sent her a picture of our water bottle - apparently she went to the gym and had one- funny)
11.We gave a bouquet of flowers to a lady who was packing up her groceries. She told us she was 78 years old and asked me what she could give me. I told her nothing, I bought them for her to enjoy. She was very friendly and wished me a happy birthday. She was very sweet.
12. My daughter and I went into Caribou Coffee and bought drinks then we paid for the next car that drove through. As we waited for our drinks, we chatted with my daughter's friend who happened to be there. When we turned around, the young girl working there was so friendly and optimistic. She updated us saying she was so happy that the person who received the free coffee was that specific man. Apparently he is a very nice regular there and is always bubbly and friendly to the people at Caribou. We thought these Caribou employees were such sweeties.
13. We stopped at the Lewis House with bags full of new household items, school supplies, and toys, plus other items for the people staying there.
14. A gift basket for the Staff at the Lewis House as well. The Lady who met us was upbeat. The children we heard in the background sounded happy playing with whatever they were playing with.
15. We brought some canned goods over to the Hastings Family Service.
16. Went to the Post Office and dropped off a letter with a donation to Sanyu Babies' Home. This is an orphanage in Uganda where my daughter spent some time during her missionary trip. It was packed full of little ones and they are in great need of assistance. The police in the area would find kids in the streets alone and would drop them off here.
17. When we arrived inside the Post Office the clerk windows were closed, so we knocked on the employee door and gave the employees a candy basket.
18. We turned the corner and saw an adorable teen girl walking and I ran up to her with an iTunes gift card. She was also surprised and wished me a happy birthday.
19. My sister in law pointed out that there was a car with a door that wouldn't shut and had a basket of laundry in the front seat, so we left them a gas gift certificate for SA on their windshield.
20. We thought those girls at Caribou were so much fun, we returned and gave them a baggie of Candy. They were funny, and seemed very happy about the candy.
21. I went to Marcus Theater and bought 2 tickets for an evening show then asked the young girl working there if she would give them to a couple of her choosing.
22. We were on our way to the next stop when my daughter saw a very young teen hauling newspapers outside in this freezing weather. We decided to give this one a baggie of candy. What a doll. His eyes were lit up even though his face was entirely covered with a face mask. He thanked me a bunch and yelled happy birthday as I left.
23. We went to Augustana and left a bag full of large print crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, cards, etc.. for the people staying there.
24. We left Augustana Staff a basket of goodies - this lady was very kind and so appreciative, she said "what a wonderful idea, I will share that with others". She was very genuine.
25. We left a small surprise for a friend.
26. We left Treats at a church where my daughter leads "Overflow" worship for young adults.
27. We stopped to have lunch at Las Margaritas. When we pulled into the lot there were 3 cars parked in the back and they all had Christmas trees netted and on top of their cars like they all just bought them. It almost looked like they planned to park next to each other. We had some sparkly ornaments that said, "Joy", "Believe", and "Peace" and so we hung one on each tree and giggled as we ran inside.
28. After dinner we gave the waiter a nice tip.
29. My husband went inside with some cash and gave it to a young couple to pay for some of their dinner. They were touched.
30. After leaving Bumpa and Papa with the toddlers (they were getting a bit restless in the back seat), we went over to the Animal Ark, a no kill shelter, and left doggie treats and chew toys for pups.
31. We also left Animal Ark staff a baggie full of candy. They were so nice, they said "I can tell you right now, this is a first." They were very nice.
32. We drove to the Vets Home and we weren't sure where to go in the campus. We found our way around and left them a bag of items that was on their website needs list.
33. We also left a small baggie of candy for whoever was there at the Vets Home. While we were there we saw 2 large deer fairly close just munching on something in the snow. It looked like a Christmas card.
34. I left a roll of quarters at the local Laundromat. I snuck in there with my best 007 routine and left them discretely on a table away from the busy area. People were in there and I didn't want them to know what I was doing.
35. We stopped at the Salvation Army and dropped off clothing in the drop boxes
36. Walgreens was next. We gave the lady ringing the bell a baggie of goodies. She stopped ringing and chatted with us. She seemed so appreciative.
37. At the same place we put a baggie with popcorn and a dollar on the Red Box for someone to find and have a movie and treat on us.
38. We left a gift card on a car that had a lot of snow on it (probably has to park outside).
39. We left coins at another park for kiddos to find.
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| It was freezing out, we were running so fast the camera couldn't catch up. Ha. |
40. All day we smiled, chatted, and made eye contact with strangers. As an introvert, this is something I struggle with. It was very rewarding.
I am unable to pick a favorite encounter. This was such a blessing to me, to be able to go out into the community and interact cheerfully with others. Everyone was surprised and so appreciative. It is amazing what a little kindness can do in someone's everyday life. I am grateful for my willing family to come out in this bitter cold and help me. I highly recommend doing something like this. This was my favorite birthday.
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