Passing Kindness On, One Act at a Time
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WHAT WE'VE BEEN UP TO - 2012
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Children at Keeling Elementary School were the recipients of "Christmas in January" on January 11. As she waited in line, one of the girls told a volunteer that she was going to choose a package for her brothers who didn't get anything for Christmas. Another young boy told a Keeling staff member that he gave a game he received to a friend who didn't have any. Another girl who was unable to stand still in line told a volunteer, "I'm so excited! This is the best day of my life!" It was nice to hear how the children were already demonstrating the kindness they spoke about during the kindness discussion.
We had many offers of help from the children at Pueblo Gardens Elementary School as soon as we arrived on January 27. The neediest children were chosen to attend our event from this school where 95% of the children qualify for free or reduced lunch. We're hoping the children were listening to the great kindness ideas that came from a student who later told one of our vounteers that she had been the victim of bullying at school. That same student was very excited to pick out a special book to give to her sister.
We joined the birthday celebration of the Children's Peace Garden at Manuel Herrera Park on February 4. "The Lion and The Mouse" was read while the children enjoyed watching TSKP volunteers act out the roles. Augie from Gabriel's Angels visited with the children, and face painting and chipping off pieces of an 11 lb. chocolate bar added to the fun day in this low-income, high risk neighborhood. The gifts the children received from us brightened up the day for several young children who had recently lost their father to cancer.
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| "Thank you for being so kind to us" was a comment from one of the children attending our kindness event on February 15 at Rio Vista Elementary School. It was a busy event at this low-income school, with 90 children attending our program. The buses waited a few extra minutes so we could finish the "free raffle" part of our program, which is always a fun ending for the children.
We partnered with Habitat for Humanity and gave toy packages, books, and dental items to the children moving into their new homes on February 29. A single mom of a young boy had tears in her eyes as she watched her son receive all the gifts we had for him, especially since the train set included in the package was something she had always wanted to get for him. The children of two other families were also recipients on this very exciting day.
The third grade students at Summit View Elementary School were the recipients of our Kindness Gift Giving Program on March 8. The children listened intently as "Gorp's Dream" was read to them, and were very engaged in the kindness discussion that followed. While waiting in line to get their gifts, many of the children commented, "This is the best day of my life," as well as, "Thank you for doing this for us." One student was so excited to get books that he asked if he could go to that table first!
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The students attending our program at Rivera Elementary School on March 23 included many with special needs. After the interactive discussion, TSKP volunteers voted on which student they felt had the best kindness idea, with the winner happily receiving a "Shyann's Kindness Superstar" award. Raffle winners of two scooters were fitted with brand new helmets by Jorge of Perimeter Bicycling.
The preschool children at Jacinto Head Start were full of smiles when we brought our program to their school on March 30. They enjoyed the stories, "We're Different, We're the Same" and "Should I Share My Ice Cream?" that were read to them by one of our volunteers. The parents were very grateful for the toys, books, and other items their children received.
Students at Laguna Elementary School’s Skills for Success Program attended our Kindness Gift Giving Program on April 11. The children listened intently as “Gorp’s Dream” was read to them, and each received a copy of “My Promise to Gorp” to sign and take home, promising to be nice to others. In addition to the toy packages and books, the children were very happy to receive dental items provided by the Delta Dental Foundation.
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