The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation Inspires Many

A friend of mine used to do nice things for people and not tell the recipient or anyone else, like putting change in some parking meters for people.

My sister has always done random acts of kindness like these.

It's hard to do something nice for someone and not tell anyone if you're an egomaniac.

Two of my friends used to gather up all the shopping carts in the parking lot at Albertsons - just for kindness. Or sometimes they would pick up the litter.

The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation inspires people to practice kindness to others. Through the circulation of ideas and the development of materials and programs kindness coordinators incorporate kindness into thousands of people's lives. So do educators, students, community groups, service clubs, and others.

Established in 1995 as a 501 © 3 non-profit, the Foundation is a resource for those committed to spreading kindness.

Ten years later you can see bumper stickers reading "Commit A Random Act of Kindness Today."

The privately held and funded Foundation also links with various nations through a program within a program. This results in people from different cultures and all walks of life joining to spread the message of creating a powerful, synergistic action throughout the world.

"It only takes a moment to do something nice for someone," said a friend of mine.

A couple I once knew used to go to the soup kitchen every New Year's Day and sere meals all day.

My sister "adopted" a single-mom family one year and had a tree and toys delivered to them.

It doesn't take any money to do random acts of kindness, either, necessarily.

You can give your time and assistance in all kinds of areas depending on your talents and expertise.

Even if you don't have any talents or skills you can give of yourself, your time, your listening, giving people a ride maybe.

You can even create your own kindness site at actsofkindness.org.

Feb. 13-19 is Random Acts of Kindness Week.

You can even form your own Random club in your area.

Vicki, mother of two and a nurse, helps people who are elderly and helps children among others.