THANKSGIVING KINDNESS

How can you make a difference this Thanksgiving?
Read below to find out!

THANKSGIVING IN A BAG KITS

This is a wonderful act of service for families!

This year, our Kindness Club teamed up with a local barbershop to help provide a Thanksgiving meal to 78 local KC families. Our club collected non-perishable items including green beans, canned corn, cranberry sauce, mac n cheese, stuffing, gravy packets, mashed potatoes and cookies while our partners provided the turkeys. We also included fall centerpieces, placemats, fall banners, napkin rings and more!

HOST A

BLANKET DRIVE

Cold weather can be life-threatening for homeless individuals, especially in locations where temperatures can fluctuate drastically.

When you’re living without adequate shelter, staying warm becomes a matter of survival. Blanket drives offer an immediate solution to these urgent needs by providing warmth and protection. Consider planning a blanket drive today!

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HELP BIRDS PREP FOR WINTER

Helping birds prepare for winter is crucial as it ensures their survival and well being during the harsh cold months. By providing food, water, shelter, and following these steps, you create a safe haven for our feathered friends, which can lead to a more vibrant and diverse bird population in your area.

Additionally, supporting birds during winter can help mitigate the impact of climate change and promote conservation efforts.

PRACTICE GRATITUDE DAILY

Studies show that practicing gratitude daily can improve your mental health, enhance your emotional resilience, better your relationships, improve your physical health and increase happiness!

You can incorporate gratitude into your life in multiple ways including but not limited to:

gratitude journaling, expressing gratitude, mindfulness practices, and much more!

"Joy is the simplest form of gratitude."

- Karl Barth

TIE BLANKETS FOR ANIMAL SHELTERS

Making tie blankets animal shelters is a meaningful way to support animals in need.

These blankets provide comfort and are easy to make, requiring minimal materials and time, making this a perfect volunteer project for all ages!

In addition, consider donating old (or new) towels, sheets and blankets for various purposes including comfort, bedding and cleaning spills!

ORGANIZE A BEACH OR COMMUNITY CLEANUP

Organizing a beach or park cleanup event is an excellent way to bring the community together, promote environmental stewardship, and improve local green spaces.

Whether you’re an individual, family, a community group, or a business looking to give back, a well-planned beach or park cleanup can have a lasting positive impact!

PLANT TULIPS IN THE FALL FOR SPRING

POLLINATORS

Planting tulips in the fall provides a critical period for their bulbs to establish roots before winter. This process is essential for the subsequent blooming of tulips in the spring, which is a vital time for pollinators. Tulips are not only beautiful but also attract a variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, which are crucial for the reproduction of many flowering plants.

THANK YOU TREATS FOR MAIL CARRIERS

Consider gifting your mail carrier a sweet
treat or other appreciation gift.

Between physical demands, weather conditions, high work loads and more...

...treating your mail carrier to a small gift is an easy way to show your appreciation for their service, especially during holidays, special occasions, and upcoming winter months.

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HOST A WINTER COAT DRIVE

For low-income families and the homeless, winter presents a whole additional set of challenges. Winter coat drives help combat the cold weather and make a huge difference, particularly since proper winter-ready apparel can be expensive. Whether you’re supporting senior citizens, children and families, or the homeless, ho sting a winter coat drive is a powerful way to make a significant impact in your community.

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TREATS FOR VETERANS HOMES AND MORE

Consider gifting a sweet treat to your local veteran's home, assisted living facility, group homes, post office, church staff and more...
just before Thanksgiving!

These little gestures foster community, connection and gratitude, and it is a wonderful example to set for our littles who can easily participate in these acts of kindness!

VOLUNTEER AT A SOUP KITCHEN

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to give back to your community by volunteering at a local soup kitchen.

Soup kitchens rely on volunteers to help prepare and serve meals, and the holidays are a busy time for them. There are many ways to get involved, from chopping vegetables and preparing salads to packaging meals and serving food. It's important to be mindful of health and safety regulations, dress codes, and age restrictions when signing up to volunteer. You can start by searching for a nearby soup kitchen or food bank and checking their website for available volunteer shifts.

STRAW VS HAY

FOR ANIMALS

Cold weather is on the way!

As temperatures drop, it’s important to make sure our outdoor animals stay warm, safe, and healthy!

Use STRAW not hay for bedding!

Straw is the best choice for outdoor shelters because it: repels moisture to help keep pets warmer, fluffs up & insulates well, is usually less expensive.

Whether you’re preparing a cozy spot for strays passing through, barn cats, working dogs, or other outdoor companions, STRAW is the way to go!

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GRATITUDE BOOKS FOR CHILDREN'S HOSPITALS

Giving gratitude coloring books to children's hospitals is a thoughtful gesture that can have several positive impacts including joy and comfort, emotional healing, mindfulness and resilience, representation and inspiration, and community support.

Coloring books with an emphasis on gratitude specifically can support children's well-being and mental health during difficult times.

HELP SQUIRRELS

PREP FOR WINTER

Leaving out extra nuts for squirrels in November is a strategic move to help them prepare for the winter months when food is scarce. Many squirrels engage in a behavior known as caching, where they bury nuts to ensure they have a steady food supply during the cold weather. This behavior is essential for their survival, as they need to consume a significant number of calories to maintain their body heat and energy levels. By caching nuts, squirrels build up their pantry for the long, cold months ahead, ensuring they have the energy they need to sustain them through winter.

LEAVE LEAF

PILES ALONE

Every autumn, millions of gardeners and homeowners rake, bag, and dispose of fallen leaves, treating them like trash to be hauled away.

But here’s the truth: those leaves are not waste at all – they’re one of the most valuable natural resources your garden could ever ask for.

By leaving leaves on your soil instead of bagging them up, you’re not only saving time and effort but also creating healthier soil, reducing waste, supporting biodiversity and wildlife, while protecting the environment.

BLESSINGS MIX FOR FRIENDS & FAMILY

Gifting a blessings mix to friends and family is a delightful way to share the joy of snacking with loved ones. It's a nostalgic treat that brings back memories of gatherings and shared moments. Chex Mix's versatility allows for customization, making it a perfect gift for those who appreciate variety and the ability to create their own unique flavor combinations.

Whether it's a simple mix or a gourmet version, Chex Mix is a thoughtful gift that can be enjoyed by all, and is easy for little hands to help assemble. This is a perfect act of family kindness!

HOST A CANNED FOOD DRIVE

Many people struggle with food insecurity, making food drives an essential way to support those in need. Canned food drives are particularly popular due to the non-perishable nature of canned goods, making them easy to store and distribute. Canned food drives play a crucial role in combating hunger and supporting vulnerable populations. Get started ton planning today and experience the rewarding feeling of giving back through a canned food drive!

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BELL RINGING

One of our favorite yearly traditions...

Volunteering to ring a bell at a Salvation Army Red Kettle is a meaningful way to contribute to a cause that helps those in need. Funds raised during bell ringing support programs right there in your community including but not limited to: housing, food assistance, and much more!

GRATITUDE TREATS FOR LOVED ONES

It's always a good time to remind those you love, that you love them! Never miss an opportunity to express your gratitude to the special people in your life!

The act of expressing gratitude through thank you cards goes beyond the immediate recipient. It also affects the sender’s mindset. By actively seeking out reasons to be grateful and writing them down, individuals cultivate a positive outlook on life, fostering a sense of contentment and happiness.

HOST A SOCK, HAT

& MITTEN DRIVE

Hosting a sock, hat & mitten drive is a meaningful way to support those experiencing homelessness and poverty. Socks are often the least-donated clothing items but are the most in-demand for those without permanent housing. Hats, while not as commonly donated, can also be a valuable item for those who are homeless. By collecting socks, mittens & hats, you can help provide much-needed care and raise awareness about the health issues that often accompany homelessness.

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PUMPKINS

FOR WILDLIFE

Every year, millions of pumpkins are thrown away after Halloween or Thanksgiving contributing to the staggering amount of food waste that ends up in landfills. Not only does this waste valuable nutrients, but it also produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. By disposing of our pumpkins in a sustainable way, we can reduce waste, support local wildlife and promote a healthier environment.