Submitted by Ada Alden who is a grateful grandmother

My granddaughter, Abigail Mahony participated in the Annual Kindest Kansas Citian Contest in April. Students are asked to write about someone they have observed being kind. Abigail won the competition at her school. She read her essay during an all school ceremony during which time the students heard why and who Abigail had observed being kind to her brother, our grandson. Each year Synergy Services celebrates the power of kindness to create safer and stronger families and communities by recognizing community leaders alongside individuals nominated by students from throughout the metro area.

Abigail wrote this essay and was selected as the Sunset Ridge Kindest Kansas Citian award winner. She read her essay in front of all the students while standing next to beaming Pete.

To me, Pete is my Kindest Kansas Citian because he helps my brother Jack every week. He …
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More than half of American teenagers and young adults are volunteers. We might think people of all ages volunteer their time because they want to support a cause they care about. However, teens and young adults volunteer regularly if and where their friends do, according to the Chronicle of Philanthropy.

DoSomething.org mobilizes young people to get involved in social change.  One of their studies revealed the most common form of support by volunteers was assistance with fundraising. If you combine social networking skills with teens who are passionate about a cause, you might find a surprising amount of funds being raised.

Interesting findings:
• Young people who reported sending out frequent text messages were 13 percent more likely to have volunteered.
• Students in private high schools were 25 percent more likely to volunteer than those in public schools.

What Increases Volunteerism
*Offer a chance to socialize. A top …
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A shiny penny is said to bring good luck. But have you ever considered using that one shiny penny to bring joy to someone?

When I was young, my brothers and I would gather up our pennies and rub them on the living room carpet until they glowed. Then we would stash them away to buy some penny candy. Those were the days!

Today I still save my shiny pennies until there is a nice stack. I discovered a fountain at the Mall of America where kids need only a penny to make a wish. After scattering pennies on the ledge, where they are sure be found, it’s fun to sit back and watch what happens.

One day a little guy came along, and I heard his Mom explain how to make a wish. She wouldn’t budge on him having to close his eyes or it wouldn’t come true. Next …
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Welcome back birds and flowers – and frequent smiles! On the day spring arrives, our sense of wonder expands.

Add a bit more spring to your step today. Stop to say hello to someone you don’t know. Scatter a bit of kindness wherever you go.

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