United Way St. Croix Valley (UWSCV) invites all community members to join in celebrating its second annual Acts of Kindness Week this Nov. 14-18. Help spread joy, build empathy, and boost confidence by performing acts of kindness throughout the week.

“Acts of kindness are at the heart of our mission to uplift people and unite the St. Croix Valley communities,” said UWSCV Community Impact Director Alyson Sauter. “Kindness builds connection, and connection builds community. Acts of Kindness week is an opportunity to highlight the significant and positive impact that acts of kindness, small and large, can have on our friends, families, neighbors, and colleagues.”

From helping a neighbor rake their leaves to letting someone merge in front of you in a traffic jam, United Way encourages every community member to perform one act of kindness each day. To help inspire others, participants are encouraged to share their acts of kindness on social media using the hashtag #ActsOfKindnessWI.

To celebrate Acts of Kindness Week 2022, UWSCV is partnering with We Support Recovery to create and distribute nearly 100 “Calming Kits” to school districts throughout Polk and Burnett counties. These kits are filled with relaxing activities and encouraging messages to help young people who may be having a tough day or going through a difficult time.

“The positive response from school partners who received calming kits last year was incredible,” said Sauter. “We are grateful for the opportunity to continue to support the mental and emotional well-being of students throughout the St. Croix Valley region.”

But the Acts of Kindness don’t stop there! UWSCV’s Success By 6 Director, Betsy Byker, is encouraging young children’s parents, teachers, and caretakers to get involved by practicing acts of kindness with their children.

“Children learn to be kind watching and listening to the caring adults around them,” said Byker. “Parents are their child’s first and most important teacher.”

Participants can print a coloring sheet that includes age-appropriate kindness activities for the week. Coloring sheets are available at local libraries and www.unitedwaystcroix. org/united-way-acts-of-kindness. Parents and guardians can submit a picture of their child’s completed artwork to Sauter to enter into a random prize drawing. Pictures must be sent by 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 18. Community members can find more ideas for spreading kindness by visiting United Way’s Acts of Kindness webpage. Suggestions range from smiling at a stranger to returning shopping carts to the corral to donating to a local nonprofit.

“Donating to a cause you care about is another way to show kindness to your community,” said Lisa Murphy, United Way St. Croix Valley Executive Director. “When you make a gift to an organization you care about, you’re making an impact for a number of people, strengthening your community, and spreading kindness all year long.”

To learn more about United Way’s Acts of Kindness Week or find ideas on how to spread kindness throughout the St. Croix Valley, visit unitedwaystcroix.org/unitedway-acts-kindness-week. If you would like information on how your business or organization can get involved, contact Sauter at [email protected] Also, be sure to follow United Way St. Croix Valley on Facebook or Instagram to see participants’ photos and get ideas for your own acts of kindness!

Submitted by United Way St. Croix Valley