As February approaches, we want to encourage you to join us for 28 Days of Kindness. Each day we will feature a specific act of kindness on our facebook page. But who says acts of kindness should only be for February? We have compiled a list of 60 acts of kindness you can do not only in February, but throughout the year. It only takes one small act of kindness to make a big difference in the lives of others!
60 Acts of Kindness to do throughout the year
Let someone go ahead of you in the line at the grocery store
Eat lunch with someone new
Offer up your seat - On the bus or subway train, in a crowded meeting or classroom
Compliment someone or multiple people
Donate gently worn clothes to charity or to friends in need
Become a Sweet Dreams bed sponsor – www.bchfamily.org/bedsponsor
Let someone merge, turn, or get in front of you while driving
Call someone just to say “I love you” or “I appreciate you”
Donate your old books to friends or charity
Leave a good review for a business or charity
Create an appreciation day for a friend
Help provide meals all year long by becoming a Baptist Children's Homes Food Angel – click here
Pick up trash in your neighborhood, a local park or along the street
Send a letter (not a text, not an email) to a friend
Leave a bouquet at the hospital or nursing home — the nurses will know who needs it the most.
Shower the pediatric wing of a hospital with $1 coloring books and $2 boxes of new crayons.
Put sticky notes with positive messages (e.g., "You look gorgeous!") on a restroom mirror.
Help provide 700,000 meals through Baptist Children's Homes Food Roundup – www.bchfoodroundup.org
Send a thank-you note to the brave officers at your local police station. (Given how we carry on about parking tickets, it's important to acknowledge the daily risks taken by the men and women on the force.)
Arrange to pay anonymously for a soldier's breakfast when you see him or her dining alone.
Donate your old professional clothes to an organization that helps women jump-start their careers — and up their confidence.
Offer your mail carrier a glass of iced tea or a $5 Starbucks gift card.
Sing an employee's praises to a manager or on a comment card — a little recognition goes a long way.
Share your favorite thing about Baptist Children’s Homes with someone new.
Share happy memories. Stick an old photo in the mail to a friend and write a note about the day it was taken on the back.
Send an ooey-gooey dessert over to another table at a restaurant.
Send somebody an e-card, just because. The funnier, the better.
Forgive someone. Repeat as necessary.
Ask others — sincerely — what you can do to help.
Donate old furniture or home décor items to Fancy Finds – www.fancyfinds.org
Collect spare change from your home or car and donate to a worthy cause
Bring your coworkers a special treat
Put your phone away and be fully present
Make two lunches and give one away
Hold the elevator or door for someone.
Write notes of encouragement to BCH’s houseparents and staff. Find a location nearest you - www.bchfamily.org/serve
Make sure everyone in a group conversation feels included.
Leave your server a BIG tip.
Out of the blue, send flowers to a friend.
Offer a homeless person your leftovers.
Give someone your undivided attention.
Adopt a cottage by providing for birthdays and other needs throughout the year at one of BCH’s 21 locations across the state. Find a location nearest you at www.bchfamily.org/serve
Pay for the person behind you in line.
Add food shelf donations to your shopping list.
Leave a thank you for the trash collector.
Give a valentine to a stranger or widow.
Become a volunteer in your community.
Volunteer at one of BCH’s many Friends of Children workdays – www.bchfamily.org/foc
Speak to a stranger
Make a meal for a family in need.
Encourage your pastor or church staff.
Give someone a hug who needs it
Read a book to a child or at an after school program
Help share the BCH ministry by inviting a speaker to come to your church or civic group – www.bchfamily.org/speaker
Thank your local firefighters, police officers and military personnel
Use social media to genuinely compliment three people
Share God’s goodness in your life
Encourage someone today
Share Charity & Children with a neighbor or register to receive it yourself – www.bchfamily.org/charityandchildren
Leave treats on your neighbor’s doorstep