A Small Act of Kindness

Recently I was blessed to be a part of “The Great Kindness Challenge” at Gordon Russell Middle School.  This program addresses the problem of bullying and offers a better solution…respect.   Each day of the “Kindness Challenge” community members were offered the opportunity to give small “token” awards for the student’s participation in this challenge….

It was an interesting fact that most all of the 6^th graders embraced the challenge and filled out and completed their challenge forms, not quite so many of the 7^th graders and then even less of the 8^th graders….which led me to thinking – do we get less kind as we grow older?   That is just not acceptable!

So as the Daffodils start to poke their sunny little heads to the sky and the weather (we hope) gives us a few rays of sunshine we challenge you to the following because we all want to be as kind as a 6^th grader and Gordon Russel Middle School had lots of them!!

Your list:  Smile at 25 People, Slip a Nice note in your Friends Backpack (or purse or pocket), Compliment 5 People, Pick up 10 Pieces of Trash in a Public Area, Tell a Joke and Make Someone Laugh,  Be Kind to Yourself and have a Healthy Snack,  Draw a Picture and Give it to Someone, Hug a Friend, Entertain Someone with a Happy Dance, Say “Good Morning” to 15 People….this list is short  - the students had a list of 50 Challenges!!   So the challenge of the week is be kinder than a 6^th grader!

Final Challenge – Tomorrow is our “Drive For Your School”, from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.  Anyone can come and drive (must be at least 18 years of age) a brand new Ford around the block, fill out a form with a few questions and  Centennial Football, Sam Barlow Senior All Night Party, or Lewis & Clark Montessori School will receive $20 from Ford Motor Company . (You choose which school organization).   Seriously, there is no pressure!!!   It is a kindness that if all of us pull together we can provide up to $6,000 for our schools.

Read all of Bess's articles in the Gresham Outlook weekly.  Or to suggest a story contact Bess at 503-665-0102 or Bess@GreshamFord.com.