Kindness Challenge
What is Kindness?
There are many wonderful quotations about kindness.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe:
“Kindness is the golden chain by which society is bound together.”
Japanese Proverb:
“One kind word can warm three winter months.”
William Penn:
“I expect to pass through life but once. If therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow-being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again.”
The Great Sock Challenge
Each year I select an item that I collect from January through November. My goal is always 200 of that item. I’ve collected children’s books, adult books, scarfs, gloves, and hats.
THIS YEAR ITS SOCKS:
Warm, sports socks for men, women, and children. 200 OF THEM! I will gift them to the homeless of Las Vegas during the Thanksgiving Holiday.
When I give a presentation, I ask that each participant bring one item. My audiences have been soooooo generous, as last year I collected well beyond my goal.
This year with The Great Sock Challenge, I would like to invite YOU to participate in this “intentional act of kindness.” Just think, if you send me one pair of socks, two feet will walk in warmth and comfort.
If you would like to be a giver and deliver an “intentional act of kindness,” this is your opportunity. This is your time to not defer or neglect. This is a way you can help, as everyone loves a cheerful giver.
Send one pair of men’s, women’s, or children’s warm socks in a mailing pouch to:
Kathie Harrington
3230 E. Flamingo #8
PMB 105
Las Vegas, NV 89121
I will make sure that your contribution to The Great Sock Challenge is given in your name to another human being in need.
Your heart will be warmed as well as a pair of feet.
A Little Bag of Hope and Caring
Hope and caring don’t always come in big packages. Hope can be captured in small, yet significant moments, and caring can be gifted in zip-lock bags.
A Little Bag of Hope and Caring is a challenge to each of you in your own town or city. It’s so simple but stuffed with hope and caring in the form of food. Here’s how it works.
- 1 quart zip-lock bag
- 1 small bottle of water
- 1 nutritional bar
- 1 piece of fruit or a fruit cup
- 3-5 pieces of candy
Make up five or six bags and keep them handy. Always carry one or two in the car with you so that you can pass it along to someone who really needs it. There are many people on our city street corners who are holding signs, or sitting at bus stops, or waiting for day work. The little bag isn’t going to sustain them through more than a small meal, but it does much more than that. A bag of food that was deliberately assembled for them says, someone cares.
I have not given a Little Bag of Hope and Caring away but what the recipitant was gracious, thankful, and smiling. I believe many times over that it is I who am the one being “gifted.”
I challenge you to feel the joy that comes
from little things in life, especially when they are passed along to others.
What awesome ideas. I am going to make up some bags tomorrow.
I will also challenge our group to bring one pair of socks to a meeting in the month of March:)
I heard a neat saying in a movie this week about kindness…
Kindness is LOVE with boots on!
Good job Kathie!!!
I find you very interesting and a very thoughtful person. Im so glad that you will be my sons speech therapist and look forward in helping out with your ” sock” and food baggie kindness ideas…. Jane Lasky…. i just love to hear nice things people are doing to help other people!
Howdy from Texas! I love the following quote, “Catch on fire with love and enthusiasm, and people will come from miles…just to watch you burn”! That’s how I feel about the Kindness Challenge, and I hope I can fuel the fire from Texas through my children’s books. To everyone who has joined in the challenge already, thank you for being a guiding light. Burn, Baby, Burn!!!!
Kathie,
I love your blog! And what you’re doing in the spirit of giving is awesome. As part of our Children’s Ministry at Good Samaritan, we collected over 200 new shoes for the Soles to Souls ministry with Green Valley Christian. (They nearly reached their goal of 1600 pairs of shoes). I would love to get our kids involved with collecting socks for your drive. We are doing a project for Mexico Mission for July. We will plan to do the Kindness Challenge in August/Sept.!
Jil Gertz
Kathie,
So far, the Sunday School has contributed 73 pairs of socks for boys; 77 pairs for girls. They are still collecting until mid-November. Let me know when we can touch base for pick up.
Jil
Hope that everyone is reading my Blog Updates titled “Kindness Challenge Update.” Jill and her Sunday School class contributed 157 pair of mens, womens, childrens socks! Awesome job!