Thank You Delivery and Random Act of Kindness Week!

Although the superheroes have been laying low as far as the blog is concerned (sorry!), they have not been laying low as far as acts of kindness are concerned.  Not only have we been making sure to continue to spread kindness, we have been preparing to really hit it hard during Random Acts of Kindness Week.

Our most recent mission was the delivery of a Thank You card and treat to the good people at the Roxy Theater.  Each year they host a wildlife film festival.  This year we talked to them about hosting a separate preschool show allowing for viewing and timing that fits the early childhood needs.  They agreed, and let us visit their theater to watch a couple wildlife films.  This of course is a pretty big deal since it is one of two occasions we use videos at school.  (The other, of course, pajama day quiet time :).)  We wanted to thank the fine folks at the Roxy for hosting our film festival.  Considering there was a focus on beavers, we of course had to choose a thank you that celebrated this tree chewing animal.

The Superheroes went to work building their own beaver dams and lodges.  Using pretzels as the wood, peanut butter as the mud, and raisins as the beavers, the children constructed their own beaver homes.  The task itself was big, but the added requirement of not licking our fingers or eating our homes before they were complete was very hard work.  But we did it!  One child even worked extra hard making a picture of a beaver and writing thank you.  Before anyone knew it, we were off to walk the two blocks to the theater and deliver our thank you.

We of course were random with this act as we did not give the folks at the Roxy a heads up.  We just rang their bell and told them we had a delivery.  To their surprise, twenty plus children came in and said thank you.  They seemed rather surprised we had made the trip just to say thank you, but the smile on the two women's faces sure let us know our efforts did not go to waste!  It was a trip well worth the effort.

This week we will be celebrating Random Acts of Kindness Week.  The children decorated grocery bags for a neighborhood store as well as the local Good Food Store so that when people get groceries using paper bags, they can have the joy of seeing some really fine art work.  Each day this week at least one class will be out on a mission, and I believe Thursday every class will be spreading kindness.  By the end of the week we will have performed a minimum of a dozen acts of kindness!  Last Tuesday night, the mayor of Nevada, Missouri proclaimed it Random Act of Kindness Week in Nevada (to read about it, click here).  Tomorrow night the mayor of Missoula will proclaim it Superhero of Kindness Week.  All I can say is hopefully people rested their facial muscles because there is going to be a whole lot of smiling after all this spreading of kindness!  Happy Random Acts of Kindness Week!

(Just for those interested, here is what the proclamation will read Monday.)

WHEREAS, kindness is an attribute that grows within all people; and

WHEREAS, nurturing kindness within ourselves and modeling the importance of kindness to

others provides an opportunity to guide and inspire an entire community; and

WHEREAS, intentionally performing an act of kindness has the potential to not only lift

spirits and encourage others to follow, but has the power to change a person's day

or life; and

WHEREAS, by fostering acts of kindness within our community we are helping our citizens

develop a base of compassion and perspective within themselves and those

around them; and

WHEREAS, Missoula is now seen by the nation, and the world, as a center for bringing

kindness; inspiring citizens worldwide, young and old, to take a moment

and be a thoughtful, compassionate friend, neighbor, and fellow citizen;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, John Engen, Mayor of the City of Missoula, in the

State of Montana, do hereby proclaim the week of February 12 – 18^th, 2012

2012 Superhero of Kindness Week

in Missoula, Montana, and call upon the people of Missoula to perform acts of kindness, random or planned, upon each other, reminding our community the importance of showing compassion, generosity, consideration and understanding throughout this week, and the year.