The Kindness Blog

The kindness blog is a wonderful site that spotlights random acts of kindness.  If you are looking for a simple idea of how to be kind, please take a look at thekindnessblog.com 

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, so give thanks for what you have and loved ones. It's also a great day to do something nice for someone in need.  If you live in an area with a large homeless population, bring a few blankets and coats you don't use anymore (in good condition) and give them to a homeless person.  You can also bring some hot soup and a bottle of water.  Reach out and spread the warmth!

#KindnessExchange

Everyone knows the holidays are coming up, so take a second of your day to brighten someone else's!  Buy a homeless person a soup and a bottle of water, donate clothes, or just reach out and talk to someone who looks down.  Being kind is so easy to do!

You can follow Random Acts of Warmth on Twitter @RandActsOWarmth.  Follow us and learn what people are the world are doing to brighten the holidays for others!  You can also follow +Kindnessblog Smith to look at how they're spreading the joy!  

Happy holidays and don't forget to reach out and spread the warmth today and every day.

Local Spotlight: Glenna Orr

Volunteerism is very important and is an easy way to make a difference.  It's free - all it costs is time.  Glenna Orr is a wonderful woman I met when I was in middle school.  She taught at Carl Sandburg, but she was so much more than a teacher.   Every week she took a group of students to The Fairfax to volunteer: The Fairfax was a retirement community for elderly individuals of a variety of needs.  I was one of the children who went with her to volunteer.  The experience was really fun, but it was also very rewarding.  I am very thankful I met Glenna and got to be part of her volunteer efforts.  Volunteering at the retirement center really opened my heart to volunteering.

Glenna has dedicated her life to volunteering and encouraging others to do so.  She has written several children's books and partners with several organizations to foster volunteerism in communities.  The teacher in Glenna also adds an aspect to volunteerism that is very important, which is reading.  The children who visit the retirement homes read with the elderly and foster special relationships.

Glenna's organization is called The Kind Kids Organization.  Please check out her website, learn about her volunteerism initiative, and read her books.  Her books are very touching and fabulous reads for young children.  They talk about real issues and leave with you a sense of hope, sympathy, and joy all at the same time.

Glenna will be having a book signing on November 30th at Hooray For Books in Old Town Alexandria from 2-4pm.  It's a chance for you to get your books signed and meet an amazing woman.

http://www.thekindkids.org/

Submitting Stories

I have received several questions regarding what I am willing to post.  I am willing to post any story that restores faith in humanity and highlights selfless acts.  You can submit articles, youtube videos; or even pictures of yourself volunteering, helping the homeless, or taking your kids to a retirement home to volunteer.  I would love to post "follower spotlights" because I am hoping my blog inspires people to volunteer and step outside of the daily routine to help others.  

Here is a list of family friendly volunteer ideas;
1) Visit a retirement home and just spend time with the residents (this is particularly special during the holidays because it brings love and the holiday spirit to people who may not have family)
2) Volunteer at a soup kitchen - this is another fabulous holiday idea; however, lots of times they are at capacity for holiday volunteers, so this is something you can do anytime of the year
3) Take some old coats, clothes, shoes, blankets to a homeless shelter (or you can give them to a homeless person directly).  This is one of the best ways to donate because it is truly non-profit and those in need of your gently used items won't be charged for them.  
4) Grab some gloves and trash bags and take your family on a cleanup mission - find an area that has litter and pick up the trash.  This helps our environment which is imperative for building a brighter future!

Hero: Darnell Barton

I am sure by now everyone has heard of Darnell Barton, or at least seen the viral video that made him famous for his kindness.  Darnell Barton is a bus driver who, while driving and doing his job, noticed a woman standing on the outside of a guard rail on an overpass.  Darnell stepped off of his bus and went to her.  He helped the woman in distress back over the guard rail and sat on the side of the road and embraced her.  I don't know anyone who can watch the video and not cry because of the truly moving gesture Darnell made.  (link to video below)

How many of us notice anything on our way into work, or the grocery store, or even as we're walking?  I know I am incredibly guilty of "zoning" and being somewhat oblivious to my surroundings.  But Darnell wasn't.  Darnell was working, keeping his passengers safe, and he STILL noticed this poor woman who was seconds away from ending her life.  He didn't just continue on about his day either - - - he took the time to reach out and simply ask, "are you okay?".  Mr. Barton's kind nature saved a life with a simple gesture, and just a few kind words.  Darnell is an amazing example of a good and selfless person.  

I challenge everyone to take a really good look at their surroundings and not get immersed in your own problems, and try to brighten someone else's day.  It doesn't take make; a smile and a few kind words is all it takes.  Reach out and spread the warmth!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0GgI90c4O8

My "warm hero" spotlight: Ellen Degeneres

Ellen Degeneres is my "warm hero".  I can't count the number of youtube videos and episodes of her show that have left me in tears.  Ellen does so many amazing things for so many people in need, it is truly an inspiration.  In fact, her motto, "be kind to one another" is what gave me my idea for this blog.

Here are two of my favorite "warm hero" moments of Ellen.  I hope you enjoy!

1) Video of Sarah, a waitress receiving Ellen's kindness in return for buying lunch for furloughed government employees.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Oaq8UtiBbY 

2)  Ellen gives a mother in need a new car so she can go back to school!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qe5WuUicTbE


Ellen Degeneres is a fabulous reminder that anyone anywhere can brighten someone else's day.  It does not take money, a new car, or a new house; all it takes is subscribing to the idea of being kind every day.  Don't forget to reach out and spread the warmth!

Claudio Del Valle - Argentine "warm hero" spotlight

This story was brought to my attention by my friend Antonieta.  An Argentine man purchased a house at an auction as the previous owner looked on in horror.  The previous owner, Silvina Corso had lost her house due to some unscrupulous deal with the bank, and was on the streets with her two children.   She had no place to go and tears filled her eyes when Claudio Del Valle walked over and said, "stay calm, I bought the house for you."  Claudio is truly selfless and saved three individuals from being homeless.  

You can see the original story below:


http://www.socialphy.com/posts/news-politics/26170/Purchase-House-and-returns-it.html

*This story is very touching.  However, brightening the lives of people doesn't have to cost you money.  You can volunteer at retirement homes, homeless shelters, soup kitchens, or even animal shelters.  (our four-legged homeless need love and warmth too!)  Don't forget to reach out and spread the warmth!

Introduction to Random Acts of Warmth

I think we all have days where we question, "what is wrong with the world?"  or "where is the humanity"?  In the daily hustle we forget that the smallest, and most simple acts are often huge in impact.  Whether it's buying a homeless person lunch, volunteering your time, or simply giving a  helping hand to someone in need - these are all acts that take very little money, but are priceless acts for those helped.  

This blog is going to be dedicated to highlighting and sharing the little acts of warmth that people show others.  I'm hoping for my followers to get the feeling of, "faith in humanity restored" after reading my blog.  I think it's very easy to get caught up in your own drama and your own day-to-day hubbub: this site is dedicated to looking outside of ourselves and focusing on the good in the world.  It is my goal for it to be an inspirational tool and resource for those who are looking to do some good who are just uninspired with what they can do.  

Video of the day: Make the Homeless Smile Compilation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKz2DGcUbwE


This video has gone viral and I realize I am not the first to see it or share it, but each time I see it my eyes fill with tears.  These SIMPLE and brief interactions are heart warming.  If each of us vowed to do ONE act of warmth a month (or week) we could change the world!

Happy Friday, welcome to my blog!  Reach out and spread the warmth!