A Few KIND IDEAS

Don't forget to share your act of kindness with us on Twitter @charliespurpose 
using #charlottespurpose or #weekendofkindness ! 

FREE ACTS OF KINDNESS

• Give an especially thoughtful compliment.
• Share an umbrella.
• Hold the door (or elevator).
• Leave uplifting messages in sidewalk chalk.
• List things you no longer need for free on Craigslist or Freecycle.
• Become an organ donor.
• Clip coupons to leave next to the matching items in the grocery store. 
• Pick up litter.
• Leave a kind note.
• Play FreeRice.com and feed the hungry. 
• Hide a kind message in a book at the library or book store.  
• Let someone go in front of you in line.
• 'Donate your birthday' to a charity on Facebook. 
• Donate blood.
  
  

KINDNESS TO PARENTS WHO HAVE LOST A CHILD

• Write a letter to a "loss-family".  Tell them that you are thinking of their baby, and will continue to think of their baby.  
• Make a dinner, snack or meal for the family.  (Bonus points if it is non-perishable or freezable so they can eat it whenever they are ready!) Consider including paper plates and plastic utensils so they don't even have to do dishes. 
• Go grocery shopping (or order groceries to be delivered) for a family who has lost a child.  Especially in the early days, it is so very difficult to leave the house.  A delivery of essentials like toilet paper, tissues, milk, eggs, cereal, pet food, etc. can make a huge difference.
• Donate to our GoFundMe page to raise money for a Cuddle Cot so parents of a stillborn have time to say goodbye.
• Make a care package for a loss-family that you can donate to the local labor and delivery unit.  Consider including a condolence letter, memorial items like a footprint mold kit, a small piece of memorial jewelry, a glass ornament that a hospital bracelet could be placed into, something to cuddle (like a teddy bear), and something special for the baby to wear.
• Donate to causes that provide memorial items for loss-parents free of charge.  Here are a few:
                      Molly Bears                                            The Cooper Project                                      
                      Held Your Whole Life                           Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep                   
                      Healing Embrace                                   Project B.E.A.R.
• Text, "How are you today?" or "I love you", or "I'm thinking about you today" every day for as long as you can.
• Mail a card on their baby's birthday each year.  
• Remember their baby in your holiday cards, mother's day messages, and  other correspondence.  
  
  

KINDNESS TO A FRIEND, COWORKER, OR FAMILY MEMBER

• Surprise them with a letter or postcard in the mail.
• Make a list of the things that you love about them.
• Share a book or piece of music that you think they'll like.  
• Send your boss an email about a coworker's hard work. 
• Send a care package.
• Plan a surprise meal, outing, or event.
• Surprise your coworker with a coffee.
  
  

KINDNESS TO YOUR COMMUNITY

• Pay off an overdue lunch bill at a local school. 
• Visit an elderly neighbor to talk, have a meal, or do a puzzle. 
• Write a thank you to your teacher, mail carrier, bus driver, coach, etc. 
• Join the Big Brother, Big Sister program and mentor a child. 
• Leave a pack of baby wipes at a changing station. 
• Bring donuts to firefighters, police, etc.
• Leave a letter for your mail carrier with a hand warmer on a chilly day.  
• Bring a cold drink to a garbage collector on a hot day.  
• Bring flowers to a nursing home.
• Shovel snow for a neighbor.
• Rake leaves or assist with yard work for a neighbor.
  ​

KINDNESS TO ANIMALS & THE EARTH

• Volunteer  at a shelter.
• Plant a tree.
• Pick up litter. 
• Donate pet food to a local animal shelter.
• Use reusable grocery bags.
• Walk, bike, or carpool when you can. 
• Organize a cleanup day at your favorite park.
• Adopt an endangered animal.
• Fill a bird feeder with native seed
• Donate blankets and towels to a local animal shelter.

KINDNESS TO STRANGERS

• Hold the door (or elevator).
• Hide a kind message or four leaf clover in a book at the library.
• Double your tip.
• Donate to a GoFundMe campaign for a worthy cause.  Charlotte's Purpose is raising money for a Cuddle Cot to donate to our local hospital so that families of stillborn babies may have a few more precious moments with their child.  To donate to our campaign, click here.
• Serve at and/or donate to a soup kitchen or homeless shelter.
• Leave a positive comment on a blog or posting that you appreciated/enjoyed.
• Say "Hello, have a wonderful day!"
• Donate your ponytail to Locks of Love. 
• Prepare bags to give to the homeless: warm gloves, warm hat, socks, toiletries, snacks, & information about local resources available
• Smile!
• Sign up to be an organ donor.  
• Donate to a clothing drive or thrift store. 
• Collect food for and/or work at a food bank.
• Talk to a manager about excellent service.
• Put something you don't need on Craigslist for free. 
• Consider donating your leftover Metro card to help those experiencing homelessness or living with limited means.  Mail Metro cards to:
                         Pathways to Housing DC
                              Attn: Development
                           101 Q Street NE, Suite G
                           Washington, DC 20002
  ​

KINDNESS TO CHILDREN

• Leave bubbles at a park or playground.
• Pay off an overdue lunch bill at a local school.
• Write a kind message on a napkin in their lunch. 
• Donate coloring books and crayons to a children's hospital
• Leave a kind note on a post it in their locker.
• Set aside a day to ‘Love bomb’ a child you know, a day when it’s all about them and they get some choice in your adventures! (idea by Frankie Brunker)

KINDNESS BY CHILDREN

• Write a thank you to your parents, grandparents, coach, teacher, etc. 
• Help with a chore. 
• Invite someone new to play or sit with you.
• Give a genuine compliment about a trait that you admire in someone.
• Talk about charity and encourage them to donate some belongings (outgrown clothes, toys, books) or to
• Set up a yard sale or lemonade stand to raise money for a good cause (ideas by Frankie Brunker and JT)
• Bake some cookies for a neighbour or friend (idea by Frankie Brunker)

KINDNESS TO YOURSELF 

• Take a tea break (or coffee break, or milkshake break...)!
• Try out some new Yoga poses (Try this page that has poses listed by benefit, including Yoga for Insomnia, Yoga for Calm, and Yoga for Stress).
• Drink more water.
• Go for a walk, hike, run, jog, swim, or paddle!
• Cuddle with a favorite pet.
• Set an attainable goal, then crush it!
• Try something new.  Painting? Rowing? Crocheting? Karate?  
• Start a gratitude journal & record one thing you are grateful for each day.
• Clear the clutter.  Choose a specific place in your home to organize, clean, and maybe even donate "junk" from.  
• Do something that will make you laugh.  Try reading cartoons or watching a favorite stand up artist.  Click here to find out why laughter is so good for you!