Monday, December 2, 2024
The local community service organization Howie’s Heart and Girl Scout Troop 1422 partnered to create a unique contribution to the community, The Little Box of Kindness which debuted at the Vida Coffee Shop on World Kindness Day, Nov. 13.
“I think right now people are just so divided in the world that I think just a simple smile or holding the door for someone could just make somebody’s life a little bit better right now,” said Melissa Gee, who brought children to the event.
The Little Box of Kindness is filled with key chains, stress balls, positivity stickers and cards, thank you cards, bubble wrap stress relief, chocolate, affirmation tokens, and two kinds of books: “A Little Spot of Kindness” and “Kind Ninja.”
“Things to remind you that you’re amazing, and that you can get through this, and it’s just stuff to make you happy,” said Leah Cujilan, one of the Girl Scouts who created the box.
A person can host the box at their home, work, or school. Anyone who passes it can put something in it, take something out, or both. Two young girls brought things to put in the box at its debut: one made bracelets and the other made a crochet bee.
“I feel good giving other people things,” said Peyton Koch, who put the bracelets in.
Anacarina Ramirez, one of the members of the family that owns Vida Coffee Shop, said their space is always available to host events or come together. She says they’ve only been there for four months, but they’ve gotten a very welcoming reception.
Jennifer Camacho, founder of Howie’s Heart, first saw Vida Coffee Shop when she came to meet the Girl Scouts to discuss ideas for collaboration.
“We don’t have a place like this really, to kind of sit and relax, work on a paper or just meet with friends,” Camacho said. “I really loved it. Once I got to know the family that runs the business, I loved it even more. They’re very friendly, and welcoming. And I just think they’re bringing a lot to our community, so I wanted to support them too.”
She came up with the idea for the Little Box of Kindness.
“We did other events when we first started Howie’s Heart with Little Free Libraries, where we donated books,” Camacho said. “After doing that I kind of got an idea about maybe doing a kindness box for our community.”
Then Howie’s teamed up with the Girl Scouts to create the box.
“It took us about a couple weeks to create the Little Box of Kindness, and we put a lot of hard work into it, painting and having fun,” Cujilan said.
Haleigh Kolmos, another Girl Scout who created the box, was inspired by the project to spread more kindness in her community.
“Kindness is so important because it shows how even though you could have a lot of bumps in the road, someone could always be there to help you,” Kolmos said. “To be nice to people is very considerate because you never know what people are going through.”
Sandy Corsetti, who brought a few young teens to the box for World Kindness Day, feels the need for kindness very personally.
“I have a child with special needs,” Corsetti said. “Unfortunately, I see how the not-so-good is affected to him, and how people are not kind to him and not understanding. So, for me, anything that allows other children and other people to learn to just be tolerant and maybe a little bit more understanding and empathetic, is a win-win for everybody.”
Anyone who’s interested in hosting a box can sign up at HowiesHeart.org.
