Random Acts of Kindness Club
Team Project - Guelph
Team: Saffron B, Shivaani M, AJ C
Roles: Executive Member
Reading Time - 6 minutes
“A small action can cause a chain reaction.”
Project Objective
Make a positive impact in the school and community through small actions that will inspire others to strive to do the same with affordable, simple, and easy activities.
Responsibilities
Working with 3 IB students, the executives planned effortless activities to ensure that positive change could be achieved in one lunch period. Encouraging their members to participate in brainstorm sessions. Also valuing the club coordinator's opinions, always keeping them in the loop and sharing the club progress biweekly. The executives made sure to follow the given budget and assigned tasks to each other to ensure effortless student participation, all while promoting their club.
Activities
Focusing on craft-based activities to effectively demonstrate personal and direct positivity.
The first club meeting consisted of an open discussion where new members interested in the club can suggest ideas for future opportunities. Some include:
Focusing on mental health and the influence of stress on students, the club hosted a small baking party where everyone gathered to prepare over 100 cupcakes to give to the Grade 12's during their Finals.
Most expressed their gratitude with smiles and thank you's, telling us that this was a deserved reward for their hard-work.
The club valued their surprises because who doesn't love receiving a free treat to eat in class? To increase school spirit, the members would gather to make popular treats that related to holidays and festivities like candy apples for Halloween Day.
Also posting sticky notes of things people have done for them randomly around the school, on people's lockers, desks, and doors as a reminder to pass on the kindness.
Raising Awareness
Stepping out of the school boundaries to tackle community issues and to help students recognize how easy it is to get involved.
Recognizing the effects of spousal loss on older adults, the club proposed to their retirement home to write personalized cards to those who may feel lonely on Valentine's Day.
The retirement home coordinator sent the club a list of residents affected by spousal loss and the club got to work, writing heart-felt messages and ensured no one was left out.
Fundraising through selling sweets for specific holidays such as candy corn for Halloween, candy canes for Christmas, and sugar cookies for Valentine's Day. The club used the money to support and donate to the club's organizations of interest such as ILGA and Gentle Barn.
Students particularly loved the option to write little notes with their candy purchase so that the person receiving could have a personal note and a treat to start their day.
With the money, the club sponsored a sheep named "Mango" who was rescued from animal cruelty. The Gentle Barn sent exclusive pictures of Mango every month and kept the club up-to-date of what she was up to in the barn. She mainly ate lots, rested, and galloped wherever she went, but it was enough to keep the club motivated to raise more money.
Mango was described to be a "kind and gentle" soul. She passed away in her late teens but the members are forever grateful be part of her life and support her until her last breath. Learn more here.
Mentorship
In preparation of early graduation, the executive members passed the club down to an eager group of students as they didn't want to to lose the club’s momentum. Becoming mentors to help the new executive members start a new year full of positive change. The founders of the club are proud to say that the club is still running in 2023 (running for 5 years) and the new generation continues to spread kindness, positivity, and compassion in the community.
