Random Act of Kindness Day

Together, let's celebrate kindness!

Random Act of Kindness Day 2011 is Friday, November 4th - be sure to mark your calendars!

Thanks to the over 75 Kindness Krews that participated this year!
Over 3,700 copies of the Waterloo Region Record
were distributedaround K-W and area!

We want to hear your stories!
Click HERE to share your random act of kindness stories!
Click HERE to read the 2010 stories!

Want to have "Kaptain Kindness" visit your school or group? Click HERE!

With our partners at the Waterloo Region Record, we hosted a "faces of kindness" photo contest! Click HERE to see the 2011 poster and the new "faces of kindness."

Did you know? 150,000 cards circulated around our community and @rakdaykw was one of the most tweeted about events on Twitter in Canada on November 12, 2010! Let's see how far kindness can spread in 2011!

Random acts of kindness are a wonderful way to touch the lives of others and make our world a better place.

In November of 2008, The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation (KWCF) embarked on a simple, yet extremely meaningful initiative called Random Act of Kindness Day.

With two thoughts in mind - to reinforce The KWCF's vision of building a better community and to encourage the 'pay it forward' philosophy - the day was an invitation for individuals, schools, community groups, service clubs, businesses, schools, healthcare institutions, and churches to join hearts and hands to celebrate the kind and friendly community in which we live.

Random Act of Kindness Day has been a tremendous success with folks from all different walks of life performing small, simple, kind deeds. People have even shared some of their stories and you will find some of those personal accounts below.

Random Act of Kindness Day has also caused a ripple effect! We're pleased to share that other communities have joined The KWCF and will be taking part in this special day as well. Community foundations from Cambridge & North Dumfries, Orillia and London participated in their first ever Random Act of Kindness Day last year. Along with the Guelph and Windsor community foundations, there are a number of community organizations across Ontario showing interest for 2010.

Random Act Of Kindness Day began with a group of dedicated volunteers called the Friends of the Foundation. Their support has made this special day a reality! Thanks to all of our Friends who truly are helping to make a lasting difference.

Here's how Random Act of Kindness Day® works:

The general pretense behind the day is to celebrate and perform kind acts. In the weeks leading up to Random Act of Kindness Day, citizens are invited to hand out printed cards (provided by The KWCF) that say "You've been touched by a RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS." Card holders are encouraged to hand over the card to someone else and perform a simple kind act for that person (e.g. buy them a coffee, hold open a door etc.)

Help Promote Random Act of Kindness Day®

NEW! We have a Random Act of Kindness Day website banner that you can put on your website - showing your support of this special day! Email bllewellyn@kwcf.cafor more information.

Download the 2011 Card HERE!

Download the 2011 Poster HERE!

Download messaging that can be used to promote Random Act of Kindness Day HERE! Use it in e-blasts, newsletters, on websites etc.!

Click HERE to see how your business can get involved!

101 Acts of Kindness

NEW! Click HERE to view 101 Random Acts of Kindness that won't cost you a thing!

Words from Around the Community

From a small act of kindness I received, was the catalyst for the idea and creation of Random Act of Kindness Day and in time that one small gesture has led to countless acts of kindness. How wonderful and amazing is that!!
Truly, a life changing moment for me with that one small act of kindness, when I was offered a paid parking stub to use on a warm sunny June day in 2008. This small gesture turned into a huge return on investment. To the gentleman who gave me his parking stub that day, thank you whoever you are. You are probably totally unaware of the huge impact or outcome that small gesture had on me and for our community. Whoever you are, I can assure you that I paid your act forward and continue to do so everyday. ~ Debb Ritchie, Chair, Friends of the Foundation

"On Random Act of Kindness Day you let your heart do the talking." ~ Connie Deckert

I joined the Random Act of Kindness Day movement in 2009 and my most valuable experience was to realize that my daughter, who was just turning five at the time, got involved. Without having a full understanding of this amazing initiative she collected all the lollipops from the sweets drawer and shared them with her friends at the dancing club. It was just heartwarming when I asked her the reason why she did this. She said, "Mommy, I just learn from you how to be kind."~ Marilena Benak

To me, the meaning of Random Act Of Kindness Day is a lifestyle change---not one involving diet and exercise though, but a lifestyle change when one rids themselves of "selfishness"...the more selfishness we can reduce-the MORE random acts of kindness we can experience. ~Maia Hamsic-Pidverbny

I became involved with Random Act of Kindness Day as I saw it as our Region's way of intentionally building a greater sense of community. 'Community' is not something that just occurs through happenstance. Instead, citizens all play a key role towards building welcoming, respectful and inclusive communities for all. For me, Random Act of Kindness Day is an intentional initiative that helps us to get the ball rolling in our communities by reminding others just how much our own interactions can make an impact and, as a result, build community.~ Ryan Connell

I am glad to see you are having a Random Act of Kindness Day. Although I feel this should be done every day. My husband and myself try and do this everyday. It's amazing how good it feels to help someone. Or have someone do it for you.The act we are concentrating on right now is letting people back out of their parking spots, have you noticed when you are trying to back out, cars will shoot behind you or people will walk behind your car! They have better vision than the people backing out and what are we teaching our children and grandchildren. Keep up the good work. ~ Dale V. Snow

What are you going to do to celebrate Random Act of Kindness Day?

Click HERE and tell us!

We are still looking for teams (Kindness Krews) of co-workers/friends/family to spread the gift of kindness on November 4th by handing out free copies of the Waterloo Region Record. On RAK Day watch for them on busy street corners, strip malls, breakfast establishments, office buildings etc.!

The Uptown Waterloo BIA office is handing out yummy cupcakes on Random Act of Kindness Day. 'It costs nothing to be kind to people!' Patti Brooks, Executive Director, Uptown Waterloo BIA

NEW! Join us at the official KICK OFF

for Random Act of Kindness Day!

When: November 4, 2011

Where: Conestoga Mall - Food Court

Time: 7 - 8 am (all are welcome)
We hope you will join us for the festivities and guest speakers will be on hand to help kick start this special day!

Links for Random Act of Kindness Day 2011 - Stay Tuned!

Check out this new Random Act of Kindness Day Video!

Check out the Random Act of Kindness Day video ad being seen around Kitchener-Waterloo! Special thanks to Intrigue Media for putting this ad together.