Monday, May 11, 2009

Drops of Kindness

I haven't seen anyone else blog about this, so I'm taking it on.

In celebration/commemoration of the organization of the Relief Society, the Brighton Ward had a family day where we ran around the community sharing
"Drops of Kindness".
I believe it was the Brainchild of The ever-so-fabulous (and often-so-humble) Wesley Casper and Polly Mallory. Here's how it went:

Calling all families: Meet at the church at 9:00.
(Be sure to bring your rakes, shovels, gloves and smiles.) Get fueled-up with a yummy pancake breakfast.










Get your assignment. (Calls were made earlier to find out where help was needed.) Assignments were based on the need of the "dropee" and the ages and number of people in the family.
Go-Go-Go. Be kind!!!

J-man and I were asked in advance to be the photographers, to follow everybody around and photograph what was going on. I got to use Wesley's really fancy camera. (The pix posted are from my not-so-fancy one tho.)

Care kits were assembled for the children at the shelter. There was some sort of project for everyone to work on, outside, inside, with other people, solo. Just to show that anyone, everyone can drop kindness around them. I think of the Primary song: I want to be kind to everyone, for that is right, you see. So I say to myself, remember this, "kindness begins with me."
Pam and Kent Aeschliman are heading down to Pinckney to spread their kindness.




Potted flowers were dropped off at random locations.



Wes also gave us a boat-load of change to spend. Woo-Hoo!!! Taco Bell here we come!!! Oops, not a good idea.
BUT:
Pre-paying in the vending machines in the hospital waiting room, coins in the laundramat, pre-pay the car wash. (Ya know, the quarter car washes require 7 quarters now!!!) I wanted to buy some instant winner lotto tickets, but J-man shot that idea down.

Challenger Elementary:
There were families with kids. Parents worked, kids worked. This job was to shovel pea gravel onto the playground. Much had spilled off into the parking lot. Good thing there were lots of folks, 'cause that's a lots-a pea gravel.

Opera House: They got a scrubbing, sweeping, spit shine thru and thru. I think they must have been singing as they worked, 'cause they sure did look happy.

Gleaner's Food Bank:

Sorting bags, packing eggs. They were very thankful for the help. Another group from a local church were there also. Nice to have brotherhood in "kindness".



A house on the lake: The homeowner wasn't there, so work got started and carried on. The neighbors came out to see what was going on and expressed their delight.
A house on Spencer Road:
This homeowner was out with her gloves on. She was thrilled to have help. She wasn't looking for a free ride, just a bunch of happy families to help get the job done. There was a lot of work to do, and do, they did. They took a moment to do a little rockin' after their rakin' O-style. Bags were donated by the City of Brighton. It was made known in the community that kindness was being dropped on Livingston County.





A new friend found: This sweet lady is a 2 time cancer survivor. Hmmmm, how did Wesley know to have Theresa Rowe go to her house to help? (Theresa is a 2 time survivor too.)
By noon we stopped for lunch, and hoped everyone else had a great time too.

Now, go be kind today.

4 comments:

Tearz said...

Wow- what inspiration and I love the "Drops of kindness" theme. I gotta do that more!

Jean Smith said...

hi dana! bummer...i had to work on the "drops of kindness" day, but you summed it up perfectly for me...who needs to be there when i have you?!?!?

by the way, thanks again for the cake yesterday...it was super cute and MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM...yummy.....

The Prices said...

What a great idea! Our ward doesn't really do anything like that...maybe I should suggest it?!

Angie Cheney said...

I was so bummed to miss, but I had a baby shower to attend. Looks like a whole lot of good was done though! Awesome!