“Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness received. Thankfulness is the natural impulse to express that feeling. ”
—Henry Van Dyke
Dear SPARK Community -
As Thanksgiving approaches, we wanted to thank you for celebrating Kindness Week with us! So many took part in Kindness Week by shining the light on the good in our community. Evidence of kindness was everywhere!
There are images, videos, and even coloring pages included below to help keep the kindness going through the holidays, and beyond.
We wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving! We are grateful for you!
Yours in kindness,
~The SPARK Team
How did your family/organization participate in Kindness Week? Let us know how so we can keep highlighting the Kindness Week all year long!
Kindness Week is organized by SPARK team members who care about building kinder, more resilient communities! Interested in learning about the many different ways to engage with SPARK Kindness? Email [email protected].
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During Kindness Week, community members joined to connect and serve at the Big Leaf Rake and Open Door dinner! New friends were made, work was done and kindness was spread! Interested in hosting an Open Door Dinner with your friends or community group?Email: [email protected] and we’ll connect you with Open Door! Interested in doing a community clean-up with your family, neighbors or a business/ civic group? You can reach out to our friends at Keep Natick Beautiful HERE!
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Thank you to all of the wonderful people that we met during Kindness Week at the Natick Farmer's Market and Natick Rail Trail. Special thanks to Natick Amvets who allowed SPARK to "Pop Up" at their location!
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Thank you to all of the young people in Natick and beyond, who became "Kindness Detectives" by looking for the good and kind all around them. HERE and HERE (available in English, Spanish and Portuguese) are coloring sheets to keep it going! (Thank you to SPARK Board member Bethany Shaw for creating our Kindness Connects Us seal!)
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One of the highlights of Kindness Week were Kindness stories collected from community members! Nearly 200 people shared their insights and stories about kindness! Keep a lookout as we share more stories throughout the year!
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Students Spread Kindness and Give Back |
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Kindness was spotted in our elementary, middle, and high schools all week long!
For example, Natick Above the Influence put up Kindness posters around Natick High School, filmed random acts of kindness and incorporated them into morning announcements, hosted a table at lunch to give away kindness compliments and even planned mini flash mob to celebrate kindness!
Students all across Natick certainly spread and amplified Kindness this week!
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Natick Public Schools Students Give Back! |
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Check out the amazing concert (and special kindness mugs!) shared by Natick Public School students at Town Hall for Kindness Week! We are not surprised that some staff members were left in tears by this generous gesture! HERE is the NPS newsletter.
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From Natick Public School Newsletter: "Students from NHS Band visited Town Hall for a Kindness Week Coffee and Music Session. Thank you to the students who beautifully crafted the mugs that every staff member received and to our band students who played with such eloquence, and even had a few of our staff members in tears." |
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Thanks to our friends at the FIDO Natick Dog Park - especially Kim Condon and Kelly McPherson! They organized a service drive to benefit our furry friends, and they continue to inspire kindness all year long!
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This year's Natick Police Department "Fill the Cruiser" to benefit the Natick Service Council was a huge success. Thank you to all of the neighbors supporting neighbors!
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Thank you to the many businesses and nonprofit organizations for showcasing "Kindness Connects Us" coloring pages in their windows during Kindness Week! (Thank you to SPARK Board member Bethany Shaw for creating our Kindness Connects Us seal!) |
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Thank you to the Natick Free Little Art Gallery (FLAG) for supporting "Kindness Week" by displaying so many beautiful, kindness inspired treasures to enjoy and share! Thank you to the FLAG crew for making art that brings joy and spreads kindness!
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You can keep spreading #kindness by continuing to support our neighbors by donating all year long! A Place to Turn and Natick Service Council are looking for donations. And, y ou can leave nonperishable food and personal care items in the Little Free Food Pantry, located outside the Common Street Spiritual Center on Natick Common. Check HERE for a list of items most needed by our neighbors.
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Kindness through the Years |
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A partnership based in kindness! The Natick Historical Society and Bacon Free Library shared on social media acts of kindness from Natick history! They also invited people to come into the library to write/draw an act of kindness they remembered or wished to celebrate.
Thank you for reminding us that the value of kindness has been held in Natick for many, many years!
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Gratitude and Community Connection |
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This beautiful display was shared with us from Fisk United Methodist Church.
Community members were encouraged to take a card to honor or thank someone inside or outside the congregation. We are so inspired by your acts of reflection, gratitude, and connection to spread kindness. Thank you for spreading the light and love!
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Your gift today makes possible all of our free (virtual) + accessible programs and resources that promote resilience, emotional wellbeing, kindness, antiracism, inclusion and build a community of respect.
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Thank You to Our Kindness Week Sponsors! |
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Every time we do something that helps our community grow more kind, resilient and welcoming, we SPARK Kindness. Together as families, schools, organizations, coaches, artists, faith and community leaders, we can make sure that no one feels alone, bullied, unsupported or unconnected.
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SPARK Kindness is a community convener, educator, resource, and friend—and the biggest fan of our shared strengths. Join us in Natick and our growing network of communities.
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