Random Acts of Kindness at CRT! CRT Excels at Mixing Soft, Hard Support

The nation kicked off its Random Acts of Kindness Week from February 14 to February 20 this year, an annual event. It's a celebration of all the ways we can become a positive influence in each other's lives. At CRT, we say welcome to the club: Every day at our locations brings a random act of kindness.

Random Acts of Kindness Foundation is a nonprofit headquartered in Denver, Colorado and works to highlight and promote the .joy of giving. Many people get the ‘pay it forward’ concept and this stems in part from that idea. There is much to be said about volunteering and helping the giver in terms of the altruistic benefits, including release of endorphins. But that’s just science. The simple fact is there is pure happiness that comes from being able to help others. 

Indeed, our wonderful volunteers  always say that they get much more from giving than receiving. Suffice it to say it’s not only a way to help others, but to feel gratitude and satisfaction on a personal level. The level and quality of our volunteers, donors and staff demonstrates that in spades. Also , at CRT we realize that while shelter, food,  structures and safety are paramount, it’s also a combination that needs to be sustained with the “soft” skills, seeing people on a daily basis, and knowing their likes and dislikes that allows us to really help people. There are random acts CRT provides, like surprise clean-ups after strong winds, or holding that special rhododendron at Landscaping with Love for someone “who it’s just perfect for.” Sometimes having a shoulder to cry on can get people through the next day.

You might call this targeted kindness, a mix of hard and soft skills, but it’s working. What can you do to engage? Simple things like paying it forward, buying an extra set of groceries. Or in these still-traumatic days, you can let someone in front of you at a pharmacy. Or check in with your neighbors to say hi, or if those in need have moved or otherwise relocated, bring them a gift to welcome them to the neighborhood. Elderly people who are still fairly able might like help with recycling day.

You can also join a one-day park, beach or trail cleanup. Groups would love to have you. Still no ideas? Try the Random Acts of Kindness Generator here:

https://www.allegacy.org/random-acts-kindness-generator/

So in the interests of civilization, I tried it. It told me to donate toys to a favorite charity. So despite the fact that it sounded like a Community Chest card from Monopoly, guess what I did this weekend? At CRT it is truly transformative to be in a group that focuses on positive change and engaging in altruism and respect.  This no doubt begets further kindness and empathy down the line. It’s an honor and privilege to see this in action every day…something impossible to quantify, but happening.

An act of kindness to you, or that you’ve provided, might provide a spark that will inspire volunteering and from there, who knows where it will lead? At CRT we are very proud to have people who volunteered eventually get hired: It’s inspirational to all involved.

But remember, it starts with a connection and a simple act of thoughtfulness.