Kindness

By Brandie Majeau

              We live in a world that often seems overwhelmed with selfishness and negativity. A small group of local youth has been working together to create a little bit of positivity and random acts of kindness, something our world needs all too much.  Kindness Counts is a program offered through the Thorhild County Family Center.  It is for ages 8 and up and works with the children in attendance to build personal and collective resiliency.  What does it mean to be resilient? Why is perspective-taking important? What is the importance of their relationship with their community? Their discussions are geared around answering these important questions as well as understanding the importance of gratitude, integrity, inclusiveness and communication skills.  Each session wraps up with a random act of kindness that is chosen by these wonderful kids that they then work together to carry out.

              In the summer of 2021, the program began, then known as Character Counts.   They do not have a set schedule, but generally they meet during school breaks, PD days and summer holidays. Previous activities have included creating fun “emergency kits” to give to volunteer firefighters and making cookie flowers to give to seniors that attended Thorhild Library’s spring tea last June.  They have also gifted cookie flowers to business owners as well as random people that cross their path.  If you come across a painted rock hidden in town, chances are that was their doing too.

              Recently, a Redwater RCMP officer was injured, so when the Kindness Counts Crew gathered on February 17, they packaged treats for the injured officer and his colleagues at the Redwater detachment.  They offer a heartfelt thank youto Thorhild County Peace Officer Nagys for delivering the goodies to Redwater for them.  And a special thanks to the Kindness Counts Crew and program for making the world a better place.