Random acts of kindness come in many forms and help create better community, world
Don Heinzman editorial — During these difficult and tense times, many people are out of work and need help. The City of Elk River has come up with a “kindness campaign” other communities might want to try.
Elk River Mayor Stephanie Klinzing is spurring good deeds through her campaign of 1,000 random acts of kindness during February.
This campaign revolving around Random Acts of Kindness Week was launched last week, and already it’s causing people to do big acts of kindness.
To keep track of the tally, residents can fill out cards available in high-traffic areas, fill them out and mail them in. Or they can go to the Elk River Star News Web site and click on 1,000 acts of kindness. They also can use the Love Elk River Web site to tell about their kindness
A radio station is dedicating a phone line for people to call in their acts of kindness.
The Elk River Star News is a partner in this campaign and intends to write stories based on some of the unusual acts of kindness.
Already, there are signs that people want to help in a big way.
For example, one woman hearing about the plight of another woman who needed help, offered to help her furnish her apartment by giving her a bedroom set, clothes and pots and pans.
At the Spectrum Charter School, students collected money and will use it to help someone pay down their utility bill.
Students from the same school intend to visit the Guardian Angels Care Center and help residents there.
Another woman reported how she stopped to help a woman whose car slid into a ditch.
The Elk River Rotary club members attended a fund-raising fish dinner to help save the local American Legion’s host headquarters.
Some suggested acts, for which nothing in return is asked, are: pay for someone’s meal and coffee, shovel a sidewalk, drop off a toy at a hospital, give a hug, visit someone in a nursing home, put away a shopping cart, carry groceries for someone.
There are those who say you don’t need a campaign to initiate acts of kindness that happen all the time. This campaign, however, puts the spotlight on a quantity which always captures people’s attention.
Elk River, the mayor says, is a kind community already, but she sees excitement building and some have told her the goal of 1,000 is too low.
She and Cindy Gibbs, who has joined her, encourage all groups in the city to join hearts and hands to create a better world. – DON HEINZMAN
