Missoula 5K Mission

We had so much fun this morning handing out flowers at the Missoula 5K.  We saw lots of smiles, learned how to detect who the runners were (thank goodness for running numbers), and even saw Santa cross the finish line.  In true form we heard the direction of 'stand to the side and give each runner only one flower' as 'blockade and make sure no runner goes flowerless'.  We will update the blog with the whole story, from getting the ok to flower making to handing them out, later this weekend.  But for now, here is a very sweet picture from our adventure.

 

Making Friends

On the last day of school, the Superheroes of Kindness took to the street for their last mission of the

school year.  As usual, this mission started a couple days earlier as the children worked very hard to create the most beautiful cards one has seen.  Throughout the school year, there were a couple of places that the children hit regularly.  One room began to frequent Flor Haven, the site of our second mission ever.  This is an assisted living facility a few blocks from the school.  You may remember this classroom replenishing supplies for Flor Haven during Random Acts of Kindness week.

Another class had began monthly visits to Clark Fork Riverside Manor, a senior community.  This place is located down the river trail and over the bridge, perfect for morning walks.  During these visits the children drew with the residents, made flowers, and performed the classic story, "The Bear Snores On".  During these visits the children and the residents would socialize while they worked, and each visit ended with high fives or hugs (and of course lots of smiles!)

Neither group of children wanted their friends to feel stranded over the summer.  So each group made a card, one of gigantic proportions, to deliver to their friends.  On the outside were beautiful pictures of flowers and rainbows.  Inside, the children each wrote a note (or shall I say dictated a note for a teacher to write) about what they liked about the regular visits.  It was very sweet to hear the children's words.  

Then, in true last day style, both groups of children caped up in the hall to hit the streets together.  Somewhere around 36 children partnered up and gathered in their line.  Starting on the streets, we walked to Flor Haven.  Now, these drop offs were a little bit of a surprise.  We did not call ahead.  Hoping we did not scare anyone as they saw us approach their door, we wanted to just have a quick drop off, with a thank you, and let our friends feel surprised.  After all, we usually have to call and announce our plans ahead of time.  So, we got to Flor Haven and said, "Surprise!"  Upon handing them the card we told them we were headed to summer and wanted to say thanks for being our friends and that we would love to visit again in the fall.  Now, we wouldn't stay true to ourselves if we didn't leave in song, so we did an impromptu, but full of gusto, rendition of "My Home's in Montana".  As quick as we arrived, we disappeared down the street on to our next target.

The children did not let anything stop them.  They braved rain, walked the river trail, crossed the bridge over the roaring Clark Fork River, down some stairs, and finally arrived at their destination.  I ran in first so as not to totally startle them as not only were kids coming unexpectedly, but twice as many as usual!  The heads up was given just in the knick of time.  In came all of the children with the card that was as big, if not bigger, than some of them.  We thanked Rose, who was the person who helped coordinate these visits, and presented her with our card.  This time we brought out the song we sing at closing circle each day, "Love Grows".   When we left, Rose had a smile on her face and promised to share the card with our friends.  And of course she said we could come back in the fall!

As the children made the trek back to school, it was not without some fun and shenanigans.  We celebrated another great year of sharing kindness superhero style by running through our favorite tunnel.  Not once, but twice!  This is one of our very favorite things to do, and always has passer-byers smiling as well.  The Superheroes of Kindness then made it back to the school playground where they took off their capes to play. 

Although the school year is over, the Superheroes won't be resting all the way until fall.  They have a few tricks up their sleeves and will be popping up a couple times during the summer months.  First up will be handing out flowers to finisher of the Missoula 5K, part of the Missoula Marathon weekend.  (Information will be posted on this blog tomorrow for those of you readers who will be in Missoula July 7th and want to join our kindness based mischief.)  In the meantime, enjoy your June and keep bringing smiles to others' faces!

Bake sales, paper hearts, pink trucks, oh my! The Cottey Mission

First, I must apologize for the lack of superhero updates the last couple of months. The Superheroes have definitely been out and about, and in fact have even made regular visits (and friends) with residents at Clark Fork Manor. We are finally ready to get back on track reporting our kindness-based shenanigans!

The mission I write about today is one that was quite special to me and is one I know will keep my bucket full for a long time. It was the much anticipated and highly awaited Cottey mission. For this act of kindness, I gave my Missoula Superheroes big hugs and then crossed a few state borders to join our friends, the Superhereos of Kindness stationed in Nevada, Missouri, for a mission on their turf. Superheroes of all ages started helping a couple days in advance of the actual mission. Friends of the heroes at Missoula Community School baked away to hold a bake sale to help fund the cost of my plane ticket to join our Nevada heroes. I have never seen anything like this bake sale! The most beautiful (and delicious) pies I have ever seen! Lemon bars that still make my mouth water. It was decadent, to say the least. And the support, my goodness, I still don’t know what to say about the support. I left knowing my friends at home not only helped me make my travels, but also wanted this to happen as much as I did.












 The following day, the morning came in which I was going to meet our fellow Superheroes of Kindness that I have come to love but have never met. After giving my family a gentle kiss on the forehead while they slept, I stepped out my door, donned my cape, and took to the skies. (Ok, really, I hopped a plane, but as I sat by the window on my flight I envisioned myself flying in the sky, cape flapping in the wind and I’ve decided to stick with that vision.) When my feet finally touched ground again and my cape settled, it was time to meet the person not only in charge of planning the superheroes missions but also in charge of keeping the heart of the heroes pure, Phil Bures. Let’s just say it was like two little kids in a tree house, recounting their favorite superhero moments and truly believing they, too, had superpowers. Before I began to get to know the town of Nevada, I checked into my hotel, which I have to thank the optimist club of Nevada for sponsoring!

I arrived two days before the actual mission so that I could soak up the atmosphere of the town. After all, the superheroes program exists in part to model that no one is too small to make a difference in their community. I needed to get acquainted with the town in order to see the impact they make with each mission. My fabulous hosts led me on a tour of Nevada and I was able to sit down in the evening and chat with some of the folks who have helped get the superheroes up and running as well as helped make some of the details of this mission possible. It was a unique moment where I got to hear why the superheroes were important to each and every person there. They all had some similarities, but some different aspects that hit them as well. It was fascinating seeing how both our groups have the same heart, but can hit different people and communities in different ways.

Then the day arrived to put on our capes and hit this town like never before. I have to admit it was a bit weird putting on a cape and not being the person running the show or the person in charge of the children. But I was excited to get the opportunity to let go; get caught up with the overwhelmingly happy feeling that these trips bring without having to pay attention to the details. I had kind of met the children and their teachers before as we had Skyped for the Missoula heroes’ first birthday. It didn’t take long for the children to inform me I came from Montana or to return high fives. I knew instantly that friends surrounded me. In fact, two of these friends stayed by my side every time we walked, seeking me out and of course making me smile. The mission started with meeting the pink fire truck from KC Chapter of the Guardians of the Ribbon. This truck has the important mission to raise awareness for cancer and all who are affected by it. The truck was brought in special for this mission. The children were focused on the fact the fireman was wearing pink but I was focused on the number of adults (not just at this moment but throughout the mission) who were touched by the opportunity to sign the bus in honor of someone they knew who had battled cancer. It was deeply impacting to see how clear it was that this group knew exactly what their town needed.

Soon after we all loaded up on the school bus (which was great excitement in and of itself), and the procession started. Now, this was way cool! The bus and fire truck were escorted by police officers, in the front and the back. At first some children were confused as to what was going on. But as we explained the police have their sirens on so we can go through red lights, everyone has to stop for us, and people will wave to us, the children became very excited. One even said, “That means we’re famous!” I do have to admit, I was feeling pretty awesome because of it.

When we got to Cottey College, it was time to get serious (you know, in the preschool children wearing capes and bringing kindness way) and start putting smiles on the faces of all those we encountered. For this mission, each person received one of the Nevada heroes’ signature hearts along with a daisy. Seniors would receive a yellow graduation duck. We first hit the maintenance, cleaning, and facilities staff. They talked up the children, who of course answered the call, before heading off for more. We headed over to the dining hall where we handed out our treasures to the cooks and dining staff. The children sat down for a sack lunch provided by the school to fuel up before things got really amped up. The superheroes were spread out so there were a couple at each table. As students entered, their minds most likely on the final they just took or the one they are studying for, they met the pleasant surprise of young children in capes. After getting their food, the students of Cottey sat with the students of St. Mary’s and had a chance to talk about anything and everything, except their finals of course. I saw students giggling, engaging the younger students, and showing girls how to put daisies in their hair. There was practically a barricade at the entrance as leaders of kindness wanted to make sure to miss no one. One of my favorites was an older gentleman coming in. The students asked if he was a senior, to which he replied no, he was too old to go to this school. I had to withhold laughter as I thought, “plus, this is a girl’s college.”

 After we had definitely made our mark in the dining hall (as noted by the many, many daisy petals on the ground), we headed off. Our next stop was a sit down at the board table to meet with the college president. Here, she thanked the children for all they do. I have no idea if any child realized how big it was, but I had to hold back tears. These children have made enough of an impact that they had a sit down thank you from the college president. There was nothing about this mission that was small, but it was this moment that I felt overtaken by the magnitude of its impact. Shortly after, we headed back to the school. As we walked back in with my new best friends, the children began asking if I was staying with them. I had to break the bad news that no, I could not. I had to head back to Montana soon. After they threw out a few reasons why I should stay, I finally offered to send a postcard of a grizzly bear when I got back. I told them there was one condition; they sent me a postcard back. And here, folks, is my last memory. One child responded, “Sure! After we send a postcard to the bank.” This was followed by a discussion as to whether or not banks accept postcards. I truly felt right at home. (The decision was I guess we will have to wait and see.)

 As I flew back to Missoula, a large smile never left my face. All in all, I do believe I left a part of my heart in that town, or that they gave me part of theirs. Or better yet, both. I know now more than ever why the superheroes are so important, and felt first hand what it feels like to have a single mission change your life for the better. I would like to give a sincere thank you to all who helped make this mission happen, and thank Phil for pulling out all the stops for this epic mission.  It makes my heart happy to have Phil and the Nevada heroes as part of our superhero family.

 This is a unique mission in that you can get different viewpoints (ahhh, perspective). If you would like to read this mission from the perspective of the Missouri heroes, click here.


If you would like to feel like you were on this mission, and definitely put a smile on your face that won't leave, check out the news video covering the Cottey mission or more pictures from the Nevada Daily Mail.

Random Acts of Kindness Week

Smiles and warm hearts were definitely in abundance here in Missoula during Random Acts of Kindness Week.  Each school day at least one group performed a mission.  The superheroes embraced the opportunity to spread kindness through different means, bearing gifts at times and just doing for at others. More than a dozen missions were completed!

The week started with the Mayor of Missoula, John Engen, reading a proclamation during the city council meeting proclaiming the week Superhero of Kindness Week in the city of Missoula.  As he read, it was interesting watching a few heads turn up, smiles come on the faces of people sitting, and even a few "Hmmm"'.  Of course there were three superheroes present, two current students and one alumni.  Each child had a handful of flowers, giving one to each city council member and thanking them for their service. They also left a card.  Mission complete, the young heroes went home to get a good night's rest before more superhero shenanigans the days following.

The Silly Dragonfly group took it upon themselves to help out our wonderful school custodian.  At the end of each day, they doned their capes and emptied the garbage cans throughout the school.  It was wonderful watching the proud smiles on the children, seeing them take turns so everyone plays a role each day, and even trying to be quiet so they do not disturb others while doing their hard work.  They received a beautiful thank you card.  They also planned another mission in which they baked treats.  Well, maybe not baked as the treat was a no bake cookie.  But they made a ball of delicious chocolatey/oatmealy goodness and took it over to the senior citizen center.  This day they were able to take flowers donated by Bitterroot Floral as well.  They gave our friends the flowers and treats, and sang a couple of school songs, of course including Love Grows.

The Dancing Elephant group made treat bags to take with them on their bus ride to gymnastics.  We use the city bus system frequently, and the drivers have become friends.  Children took turns handing out a bag to each driver along the way.  The drivers smiled big.  During another adventure, the children took flowers donated by Bitterroot Floral to local businesses and establishments.  They were even recognized on the street.  I have to admit, it was a special smile that graced my face the next day when I picked up a morning cup of coffee finding a flower on my favorite coffee joint's counter with a note from the superheroes.

The Caring Ospreys and the Wacky Wolves revisited Flor Haven, a local assisted living home we have visited before.  They had sent a note out asking for a few supplies needed by our friends.  They loaded up a wagon and walked the supplies over the few blocks.  With them, they brought heart shape cookies for a cookie party.  The residents shared cookies with the children, both enjoying them thoroughly!  A beautiful encounter occurred while the children got ready to depart.  The children do try their best, but need some assistance putting on some of their outdoor gear.  One child was trying to put her gloves on, finding it difficult.  She approached one of the residents and asked for help.  The women helped this child, working to slowly, carefully and deliberately control her shaking hands to show kindness to this little girl who had spent the morning showing kindness herself.  The memory of it still brings tears to the teacher's eyes as she shares this priceless moment.  On their walk, the children were spotted by a person in her car who recognized them as the Superheroes of Kindness.  She stopped her car, ran out, and thanked our heroes for all they do!  She even gave each of them a sticker.

For another adventure, the Ospreys and Wolves took to the neighborhood streets.  Throughout the year we have worked to build a relationship with our neighbors, bringing them sunflowers we grew and asking for help with our food drive.  It just so happened that the school celebrated our hundredth day of school during RAK week, so in preparation for this mission they cut out 100 hearts.  Trust me, this was a fun but very lofty feat!  On the day of delivery, they took their 100 hearts along with flowers donated by Bitterroot Floral and went door to door.  But this was the kind of door to door that people hope for.  The children left a heart and sometimes a flower on doorsteps.  I can tell you we are making some good friends with some of these neighbors.  The next day, one man came by the school to bring a couple of flowers for the heroes, wanting to say thank you and show them some kindness.  We also received a nice card from one of our neighbors, letting us know the flower brought a grin to her face and that she was going to take it upon herself to pay it forward.  (Hmmm, we might have to see if any of these neighbors want to join an actual mission.  Now that would be fantastic!)

The week before RAK week, children throughout the school decorated brown grocery bags from a neighborhood grocery store as well as the Good Food Store.  The idea was that we could share a smile by brightening up a day.  And what better way to brighten a day than to brighten grocery bags.   The bags were going to be given out during RAK week.  On Monday, the Girraffe Family and the Rockin' Raccoons walked down to Orange Street Food Farm with two goals.  First, get ingredients to bake a surprise for a mission.  Second, have the ingredients bagged in one of our beautifully decorated bags.  Well, all I can say was mission accomplished.  The next day we used our ingredients to make little pizzas.  The children spread sauce onto pita bread, they took turns shredding cheese on top, and the delicious concoctions were baked in a handy toaster oven.  Each child stood tall as a cape was placed on them, and they happily made the couple block walk to the Food Farm.  We wanted to thank the Food Farm for all they do for our school.  Of course, they let us decorate the bags to distribute during Random Acts of Kindness Week.  But they also are always so friendly to us when we randomly show up with large groups of children wishing to purchase some groceries for a project.  And I have to be honest, we do that a lot.  During our last trip, the bakery lady came out and gave us all a cookie - all 17 of us.  We took the pizzas straight back to the bakery, and boy were they surprised and very excited to see we were not only thanking them, but bringing them lunch!  We also brought a card to thank all of the employees for helping our children embrace being part of our community.

Our last mission of the week was a fun one. When someone asked what we were planning, we replied that we were hopping on a bus, each child with a flower in hand from the bundle donated by Bitterroot, and we were going to see what happens.  And we were serious.  We had a few ideas of who we wanted to hit, and knew there was City Hall, the police station, the bus transfer center, and the Courthouse at the bus stop, so we were going to see where the mood struck.  We of course gave a flower to the driver as well as fellow passengers.  Getting off the bus, we decided it felt right to walk into the courthouse and give flowers to the people at the Motor Vehicle Devision.  Yep, the DMV.  The children handed flowers to the employees as well as the the couple of patrons.  I can tell you, having sat there waiting to renew my insurance and plates on a few occasions, I have never seen so many smiles in that room before!  Definitely worth the adventure.  We were able to add a bonus adventure as we waited for our bus home - we wiped down a couple of the bus stop benches.  Boy howdy, did they need it, too!  On our walks we received several honks, some from parents at the school who saw us and some by people we don't know but who either just liked the capes or knew who we were.

During Random Acts of Kindness week our school held an all school potluck.  During this potluck, families were able to make pieces of a chain that would be linked together.  On each piece, families wrote words of kindness; things to remind us about being kind or things we can do to be kind.  Then everyone sat in a circle together to link the chain together.  The kindness chain is hanging in our school right now, an ever present reminder of the importance of showing compassion to others.  Our hope is this chain will continue to grow throughout this year and years to come.

Overall, it was quite the successful week!  It is impossible to capture the feelings that week brought up in many people, and absolutely impossible to capture the emotions and feelings it brought out in me!  There truly is not better feeling than the one that fills your heart and your soul when you see young children modeling the importance of kindness to their community, when you see adults eager to model the importance of continuing to take time to value kindness not just within their selves but within their community, and better yet when you see them supporting and encouraging each other.  Thanks for a great Random Acts of Kindness Week, friends!

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.   

It's Our Birthday!

It is very hard to believe, but yes, it has been one whole year since the Superheroes of Kindness first took flight!  It was a snowy December day that the capes of kindness first found themselves wrapped gently around kind-hearted children, and slowly made the trek to the Food Bank delivering 377 pounds of food collected by these preschool heroes.  It seemed only fitting to celebrate by delivering food collected again this year to our neighbor, Missoula's Food Bank.  But I tell you, this was no ordinary food drive.  In fact, it was not just a Superhero of Kindness food drive.  This was a 'let's all come together and help out our community' food drive.  What a proud moment for these little bodies that hold such giant hearts and leave such deeply impacted footprints.

This food drive started like most other child-run food drives - coloring!  Yes, while the four year olds went off to their last gymnastics lesson, the three year olds and kindergarteners decorated four very large pieces of paper to be used as box covers.  The next day, food started coming in.  One morning, some of the children walked down to the neighborhood grocery store with a goal of each child choosing one item to bring back for their box.  Of course, after selecting many healthy food items, we had to throw in a cake and frosting "for if they need something yummy" (one of the children told me that.)  Last Friday, one group wrote a note to the school's neighbors, explaining what we were doing and asking for them to leave food out to be collected and added to our donation.  The children had so much fun taking turns putting our letter into mailboxes (something that until that moment we hadn't realized they do not do that often.)  Monday morning, the same children took off with a wagon, collecting five brown grocery bags full of food!  This was extra special as we were able to include a Missoula Community School alumni family in our drive!  And I tell you, when the wagon was getting heavy a couple of those three year olds really showed their strength and gave some good all out pushes on the back of the wagon.  Another group sorted the food, knowing this is something the food bank volunteers and employees have to do and hoping to spare them of the work (and getting a good sorting and comparing activity out of it.)  When all was said and done, we filled five wagons full of food to be donated.

This year we decided to do something a little bit different with our delivery.  On Monday, two groups took apples that were left over from last week's pizza day and turned them into a delicious treat to give to the Food Bank employees and volunteers.  The children used plastic knives and butter knives to cut the apples.  ("This is cool!" one exclaimed, of course not frequently able to use a knife at this age.)  Pretty soon, with the help of a dash of this and a sprinkle of that, those left over apples turned into Apple Crisp.  This yummy treat was warmed in the oven this morning and dished out for our neighbor heros to enjoy.

The sight of the whole school walking our donation down the couple blocks brought me to tears, twice.  (Ok, maybe three times.)  I could not help but remember last year.  One classroom delivered the food, 19 children.  The original band of Superheroes was seven of those students.  One class, seven capes, seven capes sewed with love from one fabulous mom, Terry.  Fast forward one year.  The same walk is made.  This time the entire school is involved, approximately 50 children.  Each one of them doning a cape of kindness, and of course a big smile.  Plus, this is the second all school mission in a little over a month!  To be honest, I am tearing up for a fourth time right now just thinking about it.  We knew this drive was a success even if we did not beat last year's weight.  Although I will say, as the number hit 377, and then kept crawling up all the way to 493, I thought I was going to pop out of my skin.  When we got back to school and a fellow teacher pointed out our box of glass items (jams and such) did not get weighed and we realized we had hit 500, well, let's just say I could have run down the street hugging anyone I saw.  Unbelievable!  Not to mention watching 50 children grabbing food from five wagons, putting them into one big bin, and doing so with manners and no pushing or shoving, I was speechless.  These children really are Superheroes of Kindness all the way to their cores.

When this idea first started taking shape, this crazy idea that we could take children out in capes and show kindness with the hopes of shining a light on all that is good in these little beings,  we knew it would be something that would become part of our school's traditions.  We knew it had a pure heart that would be able to tap into the goodness and compassion in those we came in contact with.  I guess we just had no clue how many people we would be coming into contact with!  We truly had no idea that we would have friends spanning the globe.  And now, to have friends working with us all the way in Missouri, teaming up to show what happens when you let kindness and compassion play the role of front runner, well, I just cannot explain how warm all of this makes my heart or how overly optimistic it makes me of our future.  Of these children's futures.

Friends, if you feel like celebrating with us, here is how you can.  Go out today with a goal of making someone smile.  Tap into that seed of kindness in someone else, and let them experience what that feels like.  Thank you so very much for a great first year - we hope to see you back here next year when we celebrate birthday number 2!  (Really, we hope to see you back here many times before then, as well!)

As a little something special, we have made a video photo album of some highlights from our first year, both picture highlights and letters/comments received highlights.  We hope you enjoy it!

Your friends,
The Superheroes of Kindness

(If you cannot get the video to go to full screen, and want the full effect, click here.)

Kindness Abounds

It is a very happy day for the Superheroes of Kindness.  Yesterday, the newest band of superheroes received their capes.  Today, they go on their first mission.  And what a fine first mission it will be - thanking the kind woman who donated them fabric for capes!

Their superhero base in Nevada, Missouri, this preschool class has taken on the call to spread kindness and compassion thanks to the heart found at the Nevada Community Center, the desire and hard work of the Center's Supervisor, Phil Bures, to see what it is really like to take a bunch of young caped kind-doers out into the community to not only spread kindness but make a difference, and the interest of one teacher, Mrs. Megan, to let her class hit the streets with smiles.  You can them out here.    Having had a sneak peak at some of their plans, all I can say is watch out!

We are very excited to have this cohort of kind kids join us in making a positive difference, one act of kindness at a time.  Welcome aboard, our kind-hearted friends!

"Remember there's no such thing as a small act of kindness.  Every act creates a ripple with no logical end."  (Scott Adams)