Giving Locally: Years From Now, You Won’t Regret Being Kind to Your Neighbor

Even during times of uncertainty and difficulties, like the place we find ourselves today with the Coronavirus, may we continually look for something good and positive to lift our spirits. We don’t have to look very far in Morgan County, thanks to Project Kindness.

On March 18, Project Kindness sent floral arrangements to 13 nurses who are working on the frontlines at area hospitals to care for patients during this global pandemic. In addition to being nurses, these women are also mothers to students in the Monroe-Gregg School District.

“We chose nurses because they are on the frontlines of this disaster. We’ve all seen media posts about the challenges our healthcare professionals face every day. They are working overtime to care for others during a time where so many of us are consumed with our own needs,” said Kelli Kizzee, Founder of Project Kindness. “It only felt right to acknowledge their sacrifices, courage, and talents.”

Kizzee, along with Project Kindness board members, recruited the help of Lisa Fairfield, a florist with LD Floral Design in Monrovia, to create and deliver the flowers to the nurses. Notes of encouragement and thanks were included with the arrangements. “The goal was simply to bring a smile to their faces,” she added. “Flowers seem like a silly thank you for what we are demanding them to do and be every day, and yet sometimes, it’s just those simple things that remind people they are appreciated.”

The Community Foundation of Morgan County (CFMC) is proud to support the efforts of Project Kindness. We believe one act of kindness can impact a person’s life long-term.

For more than 10 years, Kizzee and the Project Kindness team of Morgan County individuals and families have made crafts, written encouraging notes, sent Christmas care packages, collected food and clothing, and more to help and encourage many people.

The current health crisis hasn’t stopped Project Kindness from reaching out to others. “We continue to believe that staying home is the best thing we can do as a community. That being said, we are still finding creative ways to spread joy and bring a smile to others,” Kizzee said. “We recently participated in a movement called ‘a world of hearts’ where we cut out hearts and decorated our front windows to bring cheer to people who are grieving. We’ve also written colorful notes to senior citizens, placing the notes on their doorsteps and asking them if they need assistance.”

According to Kizzee, there are many things out of our control right now, but we can control how we react and what we do. Acts of giving, spreading kindness, and showing compassion are all things we can easily do. “Years from now, you’ll never look back on this time and regret being kind to your neighbor.  You will regret doing nothing,” she added.

Although times are challenging for everyone right now, we can all show kindness to someone else. Start spreading kindness in your community today and watch lives transform for the better. If you’re looking for an opportunity to give back, consider donating to Project Kindness through CFMC. Go online at www.cfmconline.org and give.