The #NationalDayOfKindness is technically on November 13th but why limit ourselves to that? Here are 10 ideas we came up with to execute that day - or even now.
Some of them are a little unconventional in that they may require you to step outside your comfort zone in order to "gather supplies". But there are so many personal and professional business reasons to take part in societal acts of doing good. Not just random spontaneous acts, but intentional ones. Reasons like:
Filling small-to-medium sized annoying (&damaging) potholes in your neighborhood or neighbor's driveways. DIY it or hire a local company to partner with in supplying the materials/executing the service.
Distribute and place more benches along viable paths or open spaces so that people can sit & take in the scenery, have more resting points during their exercise/walks, read a book etc. Connect with a local chain business to possibly supply the benches via donation, build them yourself, or support a local woodworker artisan that can handmake the benches. Cost roughly $300+ each (depending on make/model and how many you get/build etc.) You can also add a little personal touch by having a plaque placed on them with the name of your company, team, maker, and dedicated to the sitters to enjoy :)
Every Monday morning in the month of December, bring breakfast/treats to a different local Post Office to thank them for their hard work during the busiest season of the year. Connect with a prominent or local chain business to possibly supply the food (ones that have their HQ in the same state ideal) or support a local vendor to make the food items. Cost roughly $100+ (depending on vendor chosen, how many locations you want to reach, gas, etc.).
Arranging for bus drivers to receive a chair massage during their break at a layover dock station. Partner with a chain business or a local independent service provider. Cost will vary based on city, vendor, and timeframe/dates of booking.
"No Tricks, just Treats!". A possible event for Halloween time where you or your colleagues/friends/family can dress up in costume and leave a basket or bin full of healthy dog treats on all dog park benches or hand them out directly to all the dog owners that are there on site on a certain day. Cost will vary based on vendor, amount of bulk treats you decide to purchase, brand, gas, costumes etc. This is also a great opportunity to partner and amplify a local small business/independent vendor that handmakes the dog treats.
Pay it forward. This last idea was inspired by the handful of times I would drive on the Turnpike & had a car in front of mine pay for my toll cost. In the same spirit, here you would pay ahead for someone's full tank of gas for the day or offer to wash their car (if in a team of 3 or more). Partner with the gas station's manager to coordinate a day/time for the car washing aspect. Cost will vary on supplies needed for soap, gas price that day, number of cars you want to bless, how many hours you plan on limiting it to, etc.
- giving a platform to/amplifying local vendors & artisans
- helping more prominent brands/companies reach and contribute towards their Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives & goals (Encourages donations, investment, consumer buy-in etc. as well!)
- networking and garnering awareness to actionable needs by connecting communities & the people in them
Let's plant seeds and inspire others to orchestrate a domino effect of positivity. Feel free to use these ideas as future or long term templates to work from; for groups or for a solo adventure :)
DISCLAIMER: These vendors shown below are examples/suggestions only. There is NO guarantee they will oblige. Use them as a starting point for brainstorming other partnership options outside the box to secure materials by donation!
Clean up your neighborhood of vandalism/graffitti. DIY Instructions here. Cost for supplies/materials roughly between $50-$100 (higher depending on the area and number of communal items you want to get done).
Distributing multicolor blankets to the homeless people around the city during winter months, to bring both cheer & warmth. Cost for supplies/materials roughly $250+ (higher depending on the area and number of people you want to reach). This is also a great opportunity to partner with/amplify a local artisan or Etsy shop owner that is willing to handmake the blankets.
Distributing multicolor blankets to the homeless people around the city during winter months, to bring both cheer & warmth. Cost for supplies/materials roughly $250+ (higher depending on the area and number of people you want to reach). This is also a great opportunity to partner with/amplify a local artisan or Etsy shop owner that is willing to handmake the blankets.
Replacing any stand alone park equipment within smaller neighborhoods that have been rusted out, beat up, or are just falling apart. Cost roughly $500+ (depending on area, the item to replace, quality of replacement, and installation cost etc).
Setting up a table/booth/kiosk with signage offering FREE hugs, verbal encouragement, a listening ear, advice, or a prayer. Great for a team of 2 or 3 people per table and location. Partnership with a local business to host their space for use (like a wifi cafe or book lounge etc.) Cost roughly for materials $100+ (for table, artwork & crafts decor, etc.).
Filling small-to-medium sized annoying (&damaging) potholes in your neighborhood or neighbor's driveways. DIY it or hire a local company to partner with in supplying the materials/executing the service.
Distribute and place more benches along viable paths or open spaces so that people can sit & take in the scenery, have more resting points during their exercise/walks, read a book etc. Connect with a local chain business to possibly supply the benches via donation, build them yourself, or support a local woodworker artisan that can handmake the benches. Cost roughly $300+ each (depending on make/model and how many you get/build etc.) You can also add a little personal touch by having a plaque placed on them with the name of your company, team, maker, and dedicated to the sitters to enjoy :)
Every Monday morning in the month of December, bring breakfast/treats to a different local Post Office to thank them for their hard work during the busiest season of the year. Connect with a prominent or local chain business to possibly supply the food (ones that have their HQ in the same state ideal) or support a local vendor to make the food items. Cost roughly $100+ (depending on vendor chosen, how many locations you want to reach, gas, etc.).
Arranging for bus drivers to receive a chair massage during their break at a layover dock station. Partner with a chain business or a local independent service provider. Cost will vary based on city, vendor, and timeframe/dates of booking.
"No Tricks, just Treats!". A possible event for Halloween time where you or your colleagues/friends/family can dress up in costume and leave a basket or bin full of healthy dog treats on all dog park benches or hand them out directly to all the dog owners that are there on site on a certain day. Cost will vary based on vendor, amount of bulk treats you decide to purchase, brand, gas, costumes etc. This is also a great opportunity to partner and amplify a local small business/independent vendor that handmakes the dog treats.
Pay it forward. This last idea was inspired by the handful of times I would drive on the Turnpike & had a car in front of mine pay for my toll cost. In the same spirit, here you would pay ahead for someone's full tank of gas for the day or offer to wash their car (if in a team of 3 or more). Partner with the gas station's manager to coordinate a day/time for the car washing aspect. Cost will vary on supplies needed for soap, gas price that day, number of cars you want to bless, how many hours you plan on limiting it to, etc.
All of the above - priceless in delight and satisfaction. ~*