One thing that’s clear about Greenfield is that the folks who live in this small town and the surrounding region have big hearts. Many of us are familiar with the range of agencies created to offer a hand up to those in need. But I’m writing today to showcase a new initiative that has caught my eye for its ingenuity and timeliness — the August Month of Kindness.
The idea for this program came from Greenfield senior and retired educator Shirley Gilfether, who — like so many of us — was sick and tired of all the negativity in the world and decided to do something about it. Gilfether believes that promoting a month of kindness will help to raise people’s awareness of how we treat each other on a daily basis. Changing behavior and developing new habits takes time, but Gilfether hopes that, given a month, this community will embrace the foundational elements of this program as part of its daily culture.
The initiative has three components. First is supporting local service agencies in their endeavors to collect items needed to serve the community. Drop-off boxes are located at both Greenfield Cooperative Banks, Greenfield Savings Bank, People’s Bank, Freedom Credit Union, Franklin First Credit Union, Foster’s Market, and the Senior Center. When collecting items for donation, please remember that they must be all new items (except for towels and blankets for animal shelter which must be laundered), or appropriate paperback books or G or PG DVDs for the Franklin Recovery Center. Please, no used clothing.
The second component is random acts of kindness, those small gestures that all of us can do every day to make someone else’s day better. Can’t think of one? A few examples are giving a thank you card to someone who has helped you recently; befriending someone new at work; or bringing a homemade baked good to your local fire or police station (a sure winner!). Here’s another idea: choose one day this week to be your Just Gotta Smile Day. Then make a commitment to yourself to smile at every person you see that day and watch to see what happens next. People are just naturally caught up in their daily lives — but your uninitiated and completely unexpected smile as you pass them can change their day. Try it and see.
The third and final component is kindness cards. These are quarter sheet note cards that can be filled with a message of encouragement, inspiration, or humor. They are available at all Greenfield banks and credit unions. We hope to have them available at churches as well (please encourage your pastor to contact us for delivery.) Pick up as many cards as you want and print a message of encouragement and inspiration on each card. Out of ideas? Go online and search for kindness quotes, or inspirational phrases. Once you have read through some ideas from others, you are sure to develop your own list that would be uplifting for others. When you’ve completed your cards, keep them in your purse, pocket, car, backpack, desk, etc. and during your daily routine, when inspired, pass one along to another person – you will make their day! If you include the Kindness email address on the card recipients can learn more about the Month of Kindness. Want to greatly increase the reach and impact of your cards? Write “pass it on” somewhere on them.
The August Month of Kindness is also encouraging the packaging of Blessing Bags — zip lock or paper bags filled with useful items for someone in need. You can make these yourself. It’s a great family activity and a learning experience for children — or donate items so that they can be packaged by others. Suggested bag items might include toiletries, socks, washcloth, snacks, and a fast food gift card. Look for items from Dollar Tree and other discount stores as well as complimentary items you may have gotten when traveling.
Information on suggested donations, list of random acts of kindness, creating blessing bags, and creating and distributing kindness cards are available for download at WHAI.com or can be requested at greenfieldkindness@gmail.com.
We thank the Sheriff’s Department Print Shop, Greenfield banks and credit unions, Foster’s Market, the Senior Center, WHAI and the Recorder for their active support of this project. We also thank in advance members of the community for their interest and active participation in this program and look forward to spreading kindness throughout the region this month and beyond!
Elizabeth Lachlan is a resident of Greenfield.