We’re proud to support Pioneer Elementary School Kindness Day on Saturday, May 16, with these activities for your entire family to share and celebrate acts of kindness. Spreading kindness can have a positive impact on a person’s life and inspire others, especially our youth, to be kind to each other.
What is Kindness Day?
Pioneer Elementary School’s Kindness Day started in May 2018 to recognize the overwhelming kindness Samantha “Sammy” Yelenosky—a resident of Bolingbrook and then a student at Pioneer—received from her school and community after facing tremendous health challenges.
Sammy’s parents wanted to share their gratitude for all the kindness she received and express how simple acts of kindness were critical to their daughter’s recovery.
In May 2019, we joined with other local organizations and businesses to help expand the initiative to the entire Bolingbrook community. We’re excited to once again be part of the Kindness Day efforts in 2020!
Watch Sammy’s video below to learn about her inspiring story.
The Real Impact of Kindness
Other area families also benefit from your acts of kindness. Here are three of their stories:
The Ramirez Family
The Dunmore Family
The Bergacker Family
Share your Kindness Day Messages
As part of this year’s Kindness Day, please share words of kindness about someone you know, or thank another who was kind to you. Use your computer or smartphone to record a short video message of kindness and gratitude and submit it using the link below. We will post these submissions on the FPLD YouTube and social media pages.
Need inspiration? Watch our video from last year’s Kindness Day.
Kindness Day Virtual Events
Videos for Children
Mini Movin’ and Groovin’
Join Miss Kathy for some dancing and singing as we celebrate all things kindness! You will learn what it means to be kind to your family, friends and the people all around you who make each day special.
Young Author Workshop: “The Magical World of Authorship: How to Begin This Journey”
Many of us have a story to tell, but we don’t know how to share it or turn it into a published work. On Kindness Day, renowned author Jacqueline Camacho Ruiz will share some tips about the publishing process and hopefully inspire you along the way.
You will meet the winner of the Young Author Dreamer Contest, Sebastian Reyna, who won the opportunity to publish his book. Jacqueline will also introduce you to an author from her Today’s Young Latinas series. They will tell you how kindness from others has helped make their dream of becoming an author come true.
Missed the live presentation? Watch it on our YouTube channel!
Fun for the entire family
Kindness Day Bingo
Have you done a good deed for your neighbor or thanked your teacher? Test your kindness in our special-themed bingo game! Download our Kindness Day Bingo Card and complete acts of kindness for your family, friends and community today.
Kindness Day Crafts
Miss Randi guides you through kindness-themed craft activities in these two step-by-step articles.
One kind word can elevate someone’s mood and change their entire day. Get inspired to create your own messages of gratitude and goodwill as we use paper, markers and more to make cards and window displays.
Spread kindness! Learn more about The Kindness Rocks Project™ in our blog post and then paint your own rocks with positive and uplifting messages. These little stones can be shared or left somewhere for people to find and enjoy.
Five Ways to Spread Kindness
1. Write Kindness Letters
Letters are an excellent way to show your gratitude. In this blog post, Miss Melisa explains how to create a message of kindness for a family member, friend, first responder, nurse, doctor or anyone who’s touched your life. Discover ideas on how you can make someone’s day better with a handcrafted personal note!
2. Write to Children Staying at Lurie Children’s Hospital
Lurie Children’s Hospital was instrumental in Sammy’s (and many other kids’) recovery. Download and print this template (or create your own) and send it here where the staff will make sure those in need see your kind words.
When you complete your note, please scan (or take a picture) and email it to this address: CMNH@luriechildrens.org.
Send a note to Lurie Caregivers, too.
Lurie’s doctors, nurses and staff are working around the clock to keep our patients and families safe. Your encouraging words of thanks can go a long way to boost morale. Please consider sending a personal note here.
3. Support Local Organizations
Wondering how you can make a difference? Get involved! Many local organizations are looking for people like you to volunteer, and they will benefit from your selfless support and acts of Kindness. Here are just a few suggestions.
- Heart Haven Outreach (H20): Visit their website | Volunteer details
- Feed My Starving Children: Watch their video | Visit their website.
- Southwest Suburban Immigrant Project: Visit their website | Interview with SSIP Executive Director
4. Contribute to our Micro Pantry
Everyone in our community is invited to leave non-perishable food items, toiletries and more to help your neighbors in need. The Micro Pantry is located to the right of our main entrance.
5. Share on Social Media
Use these hashtags when sharing Kindness Day messages on social media: #KindnessDayBolingbrook #KindnessHeals.
Kindness Reads
Book Talks
Nothing is better than a thoughtful and inspiring book to foster empathy and kindness. Check out these two suggestions from our Fountaindale staff.
Kindness Collection
Explore our kindness-themed physical and digital resource display. We’ve curated a list of great titles and turned them into a carousel that you can view from the comfort of your living room. If you see something you like in the display, click the cover art. We’ll link you directly to the eBook so you can check it out. For any physical items, you’ll have to place a hold and pick it up from our drive-thru once we call to say it’s ready.
Looking for more books to read focused on kindness and compassion? Browse our full lists using the links below.
Other sponsors
Many other Bolingbrook-area people are part of this year’s Kindness Day. In this video, they share why they wanted to be a part of the festivities.
You can watch other videos from this year’s sponsors on the Pioneer Elementary School Kindness Day YouTube Channel.