California Town Declares "Random Acts Of Kindness" Week

Waterford, a small town of 8,100 people in Northern California, is celebrating "Random Acts of Kindness Week" this week. City officials decided are trying to remind residents of Waterford that a nice deed can turn a stranger into a friend, which is an important message in trying times like these.

Susan Herendeen, of the Desert News, reports:

There are no rules to follow: A motorist could give up a prime parking spot. A pedestrian could plug quarters into an empty parking meter. A farmer could offer free vegetables from his garden. An appreciative person could pen a thank-you note. Hugs count, too.

This is not the first year Waterford has held a Random Acts of Kindness Week. Pastor Glenn Stanford, along with the Waterford Ministerial Association, began campaigning for this week in April years ago but in recent years the awareness of the week had dissipated. With all the economic turmoil this year, Stanford and Waterford town officials were encouraged to bring the week back.

Read the whole story here.

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Comments

[burtmckinly]

I try to make every day random-act-of-kindness-day.

[Solaris123]

re. "A pedestrian could plug quarters into an empty parking meter."

Doesn't California persecute people for doing this?

[ywcachieve]

I have been doing ransom acts of kindness all my life. I was raised that way.

[gretchenart]

In San Francisco, there is a tradition of randomly paying for one or more bridge tolls for the cars behind you. Happened to me on the Bay Bridge as well as the Golden Gate. It is a nice surprise. I so far have always paid it forward and paid for the person behind me as well! A small thing that can brighten the day.

[LeBeau59741]

In memory of Herb Caen (if you don't know, google him- great reading), I pay the toll for the car behind me every single time I cross the GG bridge....granted, this is only 3 or 4 times a year, but it's something that always makes *my* day brighter.

[escribacat]

I remember that. Someone paid my toll once on the GG Bridge. Still remember it.

[forpeace]

WOW ............ that is so interesting!

We should have Random Acts of Kindness Week every where in US and in the world.

[davidwayneosedach]

Kudos to them for being the first! Let many others follow.

[AngieMom57]

Ok, and Texas and Mexico are having an issue with swine flow...hummm California sounds better, makes me want to listen to Joni Mitchell sing..."California, I'm coming home."

[gretchenart]

Ahem. Texas and Mexico and CALIFORNIA are all having an issue with swine flu, not flow.

[pkpty]

So "kind" of you to point this out , Gretchenart.

[Hopalongpoppyseed]

Oh Joni had beautiful pipes there.

[Neophile]

For the last several years I've tried to intentionally do someone a kindness every day as a form of self-therapy. It has help me get though the worst times in my struggle with clinical depression. I can't recommend it enough.

[dmw03]

Thank you.

[dmw03]

Thanks for the recommendation. Good luck with your struggle. I hope it less becomes less burdensome for you. You've come up with a wonderful recourse. Kindness is refreshing.