Children throughout the province are being encouraged to join the Kindness Patrol on May 28th 2017, a movement to spread kindness and goodwill throughout the community.
The initiative was spearheaded by Clinical Psychologists Dr. Carla Fry and Dr. Lisa Ferrari from Vancouver Psychology Centre and Real Parenting Lab, in an effort jump-start the younger generation’s belief in the power of a kind word or gesture.
“This really is kindness for kindness sake,” says Dr. Lisa Ferrari. “There is no other goal, we aren’t fundraising or doing anything like that. We just want to show kids that kindness is its own reward and that there is real value in being nice to others.”
The Dr.Fs, as they’re known, are hosting a Kindness Patrol at Stanley Park from 11am to 1pm on Sunday May 28th. Participants will be tying notes with positive messages to cut flowers and giving them out to unsuspecting passersby.
Space is limited and those who are unable to join are encouraged to launch their own Kindness Patrol, wherever they may live. The www.kindnesspatrol.org website includes a Kindness Note download that kids can print out and decorate. They can then give the notes away in their own neighbourhoods and communities, with or without flowers attached. The website also includes other suggestions for easy-to-execute kindness acts.
“We firmly believe that kindness is infectious. Our dream is to see this happening all over the city, the province, and even the country,” say Dr. Fry.
This is the third annual Kindness Patrol in Vancouver. Past years saw participants deliver baked cookies to first responders, visit seniors in a retirement home, and pick up litter at Ambleside beach.
“The joy we saw on the kids’ faces was remarkable. Seeing that even the smallest thing could put a smile on someone else’s face and potentially impact their whole day, that’s a pretty powerful lesson,” says Dr. Fry.
This event has been sponsored by a number of local businesses in past years, including David’s Tea, Iviva, Cobs Bread, and Kidsbooks.
For more information on the Kindness Patrol or to launch your own, visit: www.kindnesspatrol.org.
