Be Kind to Your Mind...Be Kind to Others

Before you continue, please know that by entering and participating in this event you acknowledge that your photo may be taken and used by Kindness Grows Here for social media, newsletter, website, or other promotional purposes, without compensation. If you do not wish for your photo to be taken and used by Kindness Grows Here, please do not proceed past the welcome table. 

There are a number of activities in which you can participate! You can find all the details below.  If you have any questions, head back to the “Welcome Table” where a volunteer can get you answers. 

Activities going on throughout the day:

Be Kind to Your Mind Walk: This activity is outdoors and is the “Main Event.” You don’t want to miss it! Be sure to pick up a handout and pen at the Welcome Table before you begin. And then once you’ve completed the walk (and the handout) you can pick up your prize at the same table. Head outside and find the “yard sign” that says, “Start here.” Follow the directions on each sign and you’ll learn strategies for being kind to your mind. 

Chalk the Walk: Use the sidewalk chalk provided (outside) to spread some kind messages on the sidewalk. Click here if you’re in need of inspiration. We created a list that might help you decide what you want to draw/write. When drawing, be sure to avoid the areas that are blocked off. Thanks! 

Face Painting: We have some amazing volunteers who have offered their services to provide free face painting. Enjoy! 

Tikkun Olam: Kindness Grows Here believes that part of being kind is learning about different cultures/traditions, and celebrating them! One of our Board Members recently taught us about a beautiful Jewish Tradition, and we wanted to bring this tradition to this event. Tikkun olam is a Jewish concept defined by acts of kindness performed to perfect or repair the world. Tikkun olam implies that while the world is innately good, there is room for us to improve. Tikkun olam has become synonymous with the notion of social action and the pursuit of social justice. In Jewish teachings, tikkun olam is any activity that improves the world, bringing it closer to the harmonious state for which it was created. Every human being can be involved in tikkun olam—child or adult, student or entrepreneur. Tikkun olam simply means making the world a better place. We invite you to participate in an act of tikkun olam by decorating a welcome sign for children who attend “Camp Dreamcatcher.” Learn more about this very special camp at the “Tikkun Olam” table. 

Lollipop Tree: Kindness Grows Here is proud to offer events like this 100% free of charge to participants. But, we also appreciate donations from those who are able to contribute. At the “Lollipop Tree” table you can make donations (in cash or via CashApp or Venmo). Anyone who donates can choose a lollipop from the tree. And some lollipops (those with a color on the bottom of the stick) will allow you to choose a prize! Thank you in advance for your donation! 

Snacks: If you’re feeling hungry or thirsty, stop by and pick up a water and a snack.

Selfie Station: Have some fun taking photos with an awesome background! Share your photos on Social Media and show how you learned to be kind to your mind! (Reminder: By entering and participating in this event you acknowledge that your photo may be taken and used by Kindness Grows Here for social media, newsletter, website, or other promotional purposes). 

Scheduled Activities

Raffle: Purchase Raffle tickets for some amazing prizes! Winners will be drawn at the following times. Winners do not need to be present to win, but winners who are not present at the time of the drawing must be willing to pick up their prize in Columbia (address to be provided upon winning) within a week. 

1:30 – “Family Game Night” Basket (Everything you need for a fun night at home with your family!) 

2:30 – “Self Care” Basket (A number of feel good, delicious, cozy products to help you take care of YOU). 

Story Corner: Studies show that children who are bullied, and those who bully, are more likely to suffer from depression and other mental health challenges. We also know that children who learn to celebrate differences—their own and those of others’—are less likely to bully others. Each story will encourage children to better understand, embrace, and celebrate those who are different from them. If you’d like to explore other books that teach kids to celebrate differences, check out the book list we curated with some of our favorites.

12:15— Kind: A Book about Kindness—Let’s start the day by learning about what kindness is, and some simple ways you can be kind every day! 

12:30— The Invisible Boy—Brian never feels seen or noticed by his classmates. But one day a new student, Justin, helps him feel seen. See what a difference Justin’s kindness makes for Brian! 

1:00— My Shadow is Purple—A heartwarming and inspiring book about being true to yourself and moving beyond the gender binary. 

1:30— Are You a Cheeseburger?—Sometimes we expect people to turn out a certain way, and, sometimes they don’t. This charming story about Grub, the racoon and Seed, the seed teaches us how to love even when things go differently than we expect them to. 

2:00— The Family Book—This colorful book celebrates the love we feel for our families and all the different varieties they come in. Whether you have two moms or two dads, a big family or a small family, a clean family or a messy one, Todd Parr assures readers that no matter what kind of family you have, every family is special in its own unique way.

2:30— The Colors of Us—Through the eyes of a little girl who begins to see her familiar world in a new way, this book celebrates the differences and similarities that connect all people.

2:45— Kind: A Book about Kindness— We will end the day the same way we started: by learning about what kindness is, and some simple ways you can be kind every day! 

Thank you for joining us today! We hope you had fun! We would really appreciate it if you'd take a moment to complete this form and share your feedback.