Acts of Random Kindness Success
The goal of 1,000 acts was surpassed by Feb. 28, 2010.
The more-than-expected outcome of the 2010 Acts of Random Kindness campaign included surpassing the 1,000 goal by more than 400 acts; widespread television and radio broadcast coverage; and a mention in the July issue of Ladies Home Journal. Even beyond these amazing results, was the fun and excitement experienced in Elk River as the flood of random acts of kindness warmed the cold 28 days of February 2010. Initiator of the campaign, Elk River Mayor Stephanie Klinzing, predicted that there would be a “climate change” in the city as people reached out to friends, neighbors, family, and, especially, strangers. “We were not disappointed,” Mayor Klinzing said, “The surprises never stopped throughout the whole month and some acts of kindness changed lives.” As an example, she pointed to Spectrum High School’s kindness act of paying delinquent electrical bills for several Elk River residents with money donated by students.
“The student involvement was phenomenal.” Klinzing said. “We had two girls who each did 100 acts of random kindness and Vandenberge Junior High School students recorded 300 acts. I was really blessed when a huge stack of pink Valentine’s Day cards, made by students at St. Andrew’s Elementary School, were delivered to city hall. The cards expressed appreciation to the mayor and city council members for serving the city.”
At the closing event in the downtown city park, Mayor Klinzing declared the City of Elk River to be the “kindest city in Minnesota” and sent out a challenge to other cities to somehow prove that they are kinder than Elk River. Two cities, Belle Plaine and Anoka, indicated an interest by inviting Mayor Klinzing, Cindy Gibbs, campaign manager, and LaDonna Ahrens to meetings to describe the experience. However, neither city has run a campaign at this point so Elk River’s status, as Minnesota’s kindest city, stands.
Love Elk River’s board of directors has discussed running another campaign in 2011 but has not made a final decision. Cindy Gibbs is advocating for another campaign with a few changes to increase the challenge factor. “We could require that the officially counted acts be reports from only recipients of the acts instead of counting both recipients and people doing the acts which was the case in the 2010 campaign,” she said.
Input from residents of the city would be important to Love Elk River’s decision about running another campaign in 2011. Anyone having an opinion – either pro or con – is invited to leave a message below.
I found a quarter in the parking lot and gave it to a little boy that was walking in to the store for some candy.
I dropped off all of my change in to the donation box.
My sister needed a hair color today, so I went and bought one and then surprised her with it and put it in her hair for her. It was good time for us to be closer. I helped trim her bangs too.
My 10 year old daughter and her step sister made us breakfast and delivered it to my husband and me in bed one weekend morning. They did this because they heard of the acts of kindness campaign.
donated $10 for coffee at Dunn Bros. so that unemployed people can have a cup of coffee while using computers to look for a job on line.
gave someone our grocery card.
12 roses were brought to Guardian Angels Assisted Living to give to sick and lonely residents.
helped a stranger pack their car and helped a man find a way so he could join and help the Harvest Outreach.
I am helping a small person learn (the way around) high school.
we had 126 volunteers at Harvest Outreach Food Distribution in Elk River on Feb 18th.
I gave a check to Princeton Ice Arena for $6. I ended up needing to close our checking account, due to a stolen purse. I had to call everyone who had checks of mine they hadn’t cashed yet. Tell them my account was frozen and give them a new check from my newly opened account. Therefore, i was calling Princeton Ice Arena. They told me not to worry about sending them a new check. they said it sounded like I already had a big enough day. WOW! What a blessing! GOD bless Princeton Ice Arena!!! I was at the Elk River Hardees when they called me, hence the Elk River ties!!
I paid for the person behind me’s fare on the commuter rail.
We received a sponsor for Harvest Outreach on distribution day from a volunteer.
The woman directly ahead of me at the bank had a whole handfull of documents she was obviously going to work with when she got to the teller. She looked at me and saw that I only had 1 document in my hand and she offered to let me go ahead of her. That was so sweet. I was thinking….”oh my gosh, I will never get out of here today~!” THat is what kindness is all about. Thank you.
I thought this kindness kick was sort of stupid when i first heard about it. But thenm, when I smiled at this person who looked to be having a really bad day and asked how they were doing…their reaction made it so worthwhile. That little thing that I did felt so good when they smiled back and me and thanked me for smiling at them and asking about their day.
bought a culvers certificate for this family with lots of kids for the next time they eat there.
my husband was sick this morning and did not make it to church with me. On the way home I decided to go and buy him a chai tea from Starbucks. That is his favorite treat on the weekend and with him being sick I knew he would not go out to get it. He was so happy when I got home and he was still in bed and now he could have his favorite drink.
there were 3 young kids in walmart McDonalds. No parents. They only had enough change for 3 hamburgers. so I got them 3 fries and 3 pops and a $10 gift card and had the employee give it to them after I left. It felt good to give.
My girlfriend bought me lunch today. That was so sweet of her.
I picked up the paper and brought it in to the neighbors. They have difficulty getting out with all of the ice that is created following the snow.
the woman checking us out at Walmart just seemed to be so unhappy. So when I walked up and began to unpack, I looked her straight in the face and said “HI. used her name. And asked how her day was”. She was stunned. And the whole time I was checking out, she chatted with me and smiled as she did it.
Cleaned a very dirty and smelly microwave out for others. VMS
I asked a student to help ‘tutor’ another student during study time. He did and the other student really appreciated it. VMS
Worked together on a committee where everyone appreciated each other and thanked them. VMS
Received a box of candy from staff who knew we had had a tough day! VMS
A student I do not even know came up to me and asked how I was doing. He stops and says hello all the time now.
On Feb. 18th Malli Strong, Steffen Salfrank and Colton Bakken collected over $400 for Haiti Relief. Malli came up with a plan to have others donate change to help change Haiti. Her cousins agreed to help and they came to Harvest Outreach to inspire a giving spirit. Most of those who attend Harvest Outreach are in need themselves and they come to receive food to help meet their needs. In spite of their situation, they gave to help others. This one act of kindness started with three young kids, but it turned into hundreds of acts as each person donated and it will multiply even further when it reaches Haiti. The money received will be given to Hope Filled Hands to help bring Feed My Starving Children’s mobile packing unit to Elk River to package 100,000 meals on May 22nd at Elk River Ford’s Cornerstone Car Wash.
Someone delivered donuts to our office, they didn’t know about the random acts of kindness, so I thanked them for the random act of kindness and they asked if they could have a kindness card to keep it going.
Passing out another crock pot top..(I couldn’t read the tiny little writing, but the R Zerwas drew a little picture of a pot and attached one of her delightful crocheted pot tops!)
Called a local commnity person to remind them how much GOD loves them and so do I.
sent an email of appreciate and encouragement to a local business person who blesses single mothers in the area.
gave the gift of time by lending a listening ear, a hug and prayer for a stranger who lost a close friend to an unexpected death.
received gift of pure vanilla extra from a neighbor returning back from a visit to Mexico.
sorted through book shelf and donated barious books to local non-profit second hand book store.
Elk River City Hall received a very large platter of cookies from a local “fatih group” in appreciate\iom for all that we do.
bought smoothie drink for church visitor
bought lunch for pray elk river YMCA event attender who was unemployed.
leaned out closets and donated clothing to salvation army store.
Paid for a chiropractic treatment for a young woman who doesn’t have insurance coverage for chiropractic care.
On a very cold windy day a younger woman took my shopping cart to the cart coral. Much appreciated!
A couple from church purchased tickers to a fundraiser dinner to be passed on the someone else who could attend the meal. I was one of the receivers. When a family emergency come up for me, I passed the ticket so a friend.
$280.00 to CAER Food Shelf
$65.00 Cub gift card to Love Elk River “Feed the Needy”
Financial assistance to a family in need
Cup of coffee and hot chocolate bought by a friend on a very cold day!
volunteered time to serve at a reception time following a memorial service.
decided to reinstate “active volunteer status” in a local community service by being assigned ta family to love on, on a more regular basis.
set aside more time than usual in the day to call and encourage those “hurting” or struggling in today’s economy.
a dear friend saw that my infected eye was bothering me so she rallied various ones to pray for healing over this eye.
Bought hot chocolate and cuppacino for mayor stephanie for “kick off” of this event to keep her tummy good and warm on such a chilly day.