Kindness begets more kindness, at least for a day
The Kitchener-Waterloo Community Foundation came up with the idea for Random Act of Kindness Day back in 2008 to help “bring communities together by engaging citizens in small acts of kindness and generosity.” On Friday Nov. 1 (the official Random Act of Kindness Day), several student groups at the University of Guelph took up that mantle on behalf of students.
Groups from Student Life, Student Volunteer Connections, The Central Student Association and the Multi-Faith Resource Team each hosted small events in the University Centre from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in an effort to encourage kindness by offering small kindnesses themselves.
Peer helpers from Student Life, the primary organizers of the day’s events, set up a table offering hot chocolate, apple cider and flowers to passers-by.
“I think we had 280 flowers to start off with and they went within a few hours,” said Mark Ryder, a peer helper with Student Life.
But the purpose of “paying-it-forward” was not lost on these lucky beneficiaries.
“A few people who were picking up flowers said, ‘I’m going to hand this to all my staff members,’” said Jackie Vykoukal, also a peer helper from Student Life.
Some students made grander gestures for the occasion – with karma compensating them accordingly. On Student Life’s Random Act of Kindness Day Facebook page, Jileen Swan wrote:
“I gave my umbrella to a lady standing in the rain at a crosswalk this morning [and] someone paid for my tea at Tim Hortons.”
Most acts of day were not so elaborate; but that wasn’t really the point.
“Kindness can be anything, large or small…[It] doesn’t have to cost money,” said Pauline Curtis, the co-chair of Guelph Community Foundation.
What is more, in the thick of midterm season, events like these can take on added significance for some.
“In a university atmosphere, a lot of people are going through a lot of stress and just a simple act of kindness will bring a smile to their face,” said Vykoukal.
Deceptively simple acts were the rule of the day for groups putting on events in the University Centre. Student Volunteer Connections were giving out free hugs. The Multi-Faith Resource Team set up a “Peace Booth,” where strangers were invited to take fun photos with other strangers. The group also constructed a “Peace Tree,” from which students could pluck feel-good messages.
Passers-by who enjoyed any one of these activities were offered a Random Act of Kindness Day “card” which encouraged the receiver to, “Please return the favour and perform another random act of kindness to a fellow citizen.”
“It’s been amazing,” said Vykoukal, summing up the day. “People have been so happy.”