Nearly 20 years ago, four young men took to downtown Victoria to give out free hugs.
Imagine the surprise of passersby as these complete strangers offered them a moment of compassion. No doubt many walked away with a pleasant warmth in their bellies because they’d been seen and acknowledged, whether they received a hug or not.
The men, who all met at UVic, called themselves the Kindness Crew, and together they embarked on two “Extreme Kindness” tours across Canada and the United States to inspire others to pay it forward with acts of selflessness.
In Canada, they volunteered in 29 cities over 110 days, doing things like free yardwork, helping in soup kitchens, visiting hospitals, and yes — giving out many hugs. The Crew even gave a presentation to the Victoria Foundation, which inspired a culture of kindness here that still resonates today.
In the lead up to our annual Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) event, I often think about the message the Crew left with us: the importance of social responsibility and infusing regular compassion into our everyday lives, our homes and workplaces, to combat feelings of anxiety, grief, and isolation.
It’s a message I’m pleased to spend a whole week celebrating this year.
Previously a one-day event, RAK Week will take place from Feb. 12 to 17. The awareness campaign was picked up in Canada by the Kitchener-Waterloo Community Foundation in 2008, and encourages everyone to offer an act of selflessness in the community, no matter how large or small.
For example, you could buy someone a coffee or leave a pleasant note on someone’s windshield. You can be creative to show you care!
Throughout the week, participants are encouraged to capture their kindness on social media with the hashtag #RAKweekYYJ. Together, I hope we can continue to spread a kindness revolution, just as the Crew set out to do.
Of course, Greater Victoria has always been a kind and caring community, especially in its charitable efforts. Because January is National Mentoring Month, I want to recognize the incredibly kind work of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Victoria, and the John Howard Society — just two of many valuable mentorship programs for young people and other vulnerable citizens.
Their compassion continues to open doors of confidence and opportunity for so many youths and people who are living rough.
This start of 2024 is an exciting time for the Foundation and the non-profit sector. Our Community Grants Program will be accepting applications for grant funding of up to $30,000 each, from Feb. 1 to March 7, for organizations whose work benefits community wellbeing within the capital region.
This year, applications for collaboration grants will have a separate timeline for intake, and you can expect more information on that this Spring.
In the coming weeks, we’re also planning to offer a public screening of the thought-provoking film UnCharitable, which advocates for funders to support the general operating needs of non-profits in ways that promote charitable innovation, growth and sustainability. It’s truly an inspiring documentary.
We plan for the screening to be followed by a live discussion with the film’s writer and widely known charitable activist Dan Pallotta, and Bruce McDonald, the CEO of Imagine Canada. We’ll soon have more updates on this event.
I’ll leave you now with a suggestion to invite more kindness into your heart.
Take a moment to recognize the immense benefits these simple actions foster in all of us. Think about how they bring individuals, loved ones, communities, even entire nations together as forces for positive change.
Then, please join us to celebrate RAK Week, where you can experience this kindness in action.
It might even change your life.
Sandra Richardson is CEO of the Victoria Foundation.
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