Kindness Campaign Information

This is to introduce you to the Kindness Coin. It's a different kind of currency. When you use it, you are dealing in kindness. Do not treat the coin lightly. When you use it, good things happen—maybe big, maybe small—but the important thing is that you have spread Christ's light and love in the world!

Here's how it works. When you accept this coin, you commit to do three kind acts:

  1. One for yourself
  2. One for the environment
  3. One for another

Once all three kind acts have been completed, give the Kindness Coin to the person that you did the kind act for and ask them to do three kind acts in the same way and pass it on—and on. Since a lot of learning comes from not only doing something but also from reflecting on it, we ask that everyone involved write down or draw their story. You might want to include how you felt as the giver or receiver of the kind act, describe the kind act, and what it meant to you. Bring the story into Sunday School or send it to New Hope's web site.

When you pass on the Kindness Coin, please pass on these instructions so the ripple effect of kindness will continue to people and places that are unpredictable!

CAN KINDNESS MAKE A DIFFERENCE—TO YOU, TO OTHERS, TO THE WORLD?
We encourage you to check it out for yourself! Jack Doueck wrote, “Feelings of love do not always create acts of kindness. But acts of kindness always create feelings of love.” Walt Whitman said, “I am larger, better than I thought. I did not know I held so much goodness.” How much goodness do you hold?

IDEAS FOR KIND ACTS TO TRIGGER YOUR OWN THINKING
As part of our Kindness Campaign, here are some suggestions of kind acts to jump-start your own thinking. Many more ideas provided by the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation on their web site: http://www.actsofkindness.org

FOR YOURSELF — An act that is good for your well-being.

  • Choose to eat healthier
  • Get more physical exercise
  • Make a list of things that you are grateful for about yourself
  • Spend a few moments talking to God or reciting a prayer
  • Instead of keeping something that hurts inside, talk to someone you trust
  • Try something you've never tried before like a new sport or different hobby
  • Forgive someone that you are mad at—it just might make you feel better

FOR THE ENVIRONMENT — Any act performed to nurture, protect or beautify the environment and any living creature that depends on it.

  • Put up a bird feeder close to a window—the birds have food and you have a view
  • Pick up litter (use gloves)
  • For short distances, walk instead of using the car
  • Conserve energy by turning off lights when you're the last person to leave a room
  • Choose to volunteer your time to walk a dog that lives in a shelter
  • Recycle plastic and glass bottles and most paper products. More specifics are available from http://www.howardcountymd.us/DPW/recycling.htm
  • Choose reusable containers and throw less into the trash

FOR ANOTHER — Giving of oneself to an individual or an organization without expecting something in return.

  • Send a thank-you card to a pastor, firefighter, librarian, custodian or someone in your community that might not be normally recognized
  • Write a letter to an American soldier in Iraq
  • Start a conversation with a classmate who seems lonely, or with a new student
  • Deliver or send something you made to someone who needs to be cheered up
  • Visit a sick person or someone that is not able to leave their house very often
  • Volunteer and give of your time to a cause that you feel is worthwhile
  • Find out what the needs of the church are and volunteer to help
  • If someone is being unkind to another, intervene and tell them to stop
  • Shovel your sidewalks, or a neighbor's
  • Clean your room or another part of your house without being asked
  • Tape yourself reading a story or singing a song and send it to your grandparents
  • Listen to people with eye contact, truly trying to understand what is being said
  • Hold back criticism and tolerate other people's weaknesses

HOW TO RECORD YOUR STORIES
The Kindness Campaign is collecting kindness stories about the acts of goodness that were done for you, or that you did. The stories can be told through words, drawings, photographs, a thank you note you received, or in other ways that inspire you. With your permission, stories will be added to a poster or highlighted on New Hope's web site.

Stories can be submitted a number of ways:

  1. Give it to your Sunday School teacher, or tell your teacher your story so he or she can write it down for you.
  2. Place in a specially designated box in the narthex.
  3. Mail to Marla Stahl at 6412 Warm Sunshine Path, Clarksville, MD 21029, or via email at

When telling your story, please include your general location and if it would be all right for us to recognize you or if you would you prefer to remain anonymous. Ideas for things to include in your story might be a description of the kind act, how you felt as the giver or receiver of the kind act, and what it meant to you. In what way was a difference made? What were the feelings involved? How does your experience show Christ's love? You can include photographs or drawings.

HOW TO VIEW STORIES
Marla will post your stories (with your permission, of course) to the blog http://NewHopeLC.blogspot.com. To view all the submitted stories, just click on the link.