A Few KIND IDEAS
Don't forget to share your act of kindness with us on Twitter @charliespurpose
using #charlottespurpose or #weekendofkindness !
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
KINDNESS BY CHILDREN
KINDNESS TO YOURSELF
- 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
- 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!