What would the world be like if every person shared one simple act of kindness a day? It wouldn’t have to be extravagant or expensive, but instead a simple and pure compliment, offer to let someone go first in line, or gesture of holding a door open.

 

Former corporate CEO Beth Abernathy, who is spearheading a movement called Kind30, started to ponder that question after discussing a New York Times article on our country’s loneliness epidemic with Historic Brookhaven resident Diane Moffett. Beth already was buying her Publix checkout person a candy bar and had noticed the pleasure that one act gave the recipient.

 

She came up with the idea for a kindness movement called Kind30, where for 30 days people would be kind to one another at least once a day. Why 30 days? Because it takes that long to form a habit, and the hope is kindness will become a habit for all who participate.

 

As a first step, Beth rolled out the idea to her church, Peachtree Road United Methodist. They liked it so she started reaching out to friends at other churches. The movement began to grow from there.

 

Beth picked October for Kind30 because World Mental Health day falls on October 10 this year. “The impact of receiving an act of kindness on a person’s mental health is extraordinary,” she says.

 

Soon Beth had built a team. They created plans and sample materials for those wanting to participate in Kind30. The next step was to build a website where individuals and groups can join the movement and get ideas for daily acts of kindness.

 

Accessing the tools and joining the movement are free. “The only thing we are asking of people is that everyone join us during the month of October,” she says. “Our belief is that the more people who are participating at the same time, the more palpable the movement will be and felt in our community. It promotes the fact that we are all in this together.” She also encourages participants to use the Kind30 logo.

 

Kind30 is open to individuals, companies, schools, faith groups, tennis teams, scout troops, families -- anyone or any group from any walk of life is welcome. The movement is not limited to Atlanta.

 

Even before launching the website Kind30.org at the end of July, several churches and other organizations had committed to being part of the movement. Jackson Spalding, the national public relations firm doing Kind30’s social media campaign for free, is participating and promoting Kind30 to its blue-chip client list. Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton, which provided pro bono trademark assistance, is also rolling out the movement through the firm. Peachtree Road United Methodist, Northside United Methodist, Trinity Presbyterian, New Horizon Baptist, and St. Luke’s Presbyterian churches are all committed.

 

The timing for a kindness movement seems right, particularly with upcoming elections and divisiveness in the country, Beth notes. The inclusivity and purity of a kindness campaign could truly change lives for the better, she continues.

 

“Everyone from age three to 103 can extend a kindness each day during October,” she says, noting no one benefits more than the giver.

 

 SIDE BAR TO NON-PROFIT PIECE

HEAD = Kind30

Non-profit: Kind30

 

Mission: To inspire as many people as possible to share a small act of kindness for 30 days in October; to motivate individuals to put aside perceived differences and share kindness in the hope that those small acts will help to unite us all.

 

Contact: Email info@kind30.org.

 

How You Can Help: Join Kind30 and share a simple act of kindness each day in October. Encourage your family, workplace, Bible study, volunteer organization, tennis team, or any other group to join in. Visit kind30.org for plans and materials to help you implement the movement. Then, spread kindness every day for 30 days in October!

Involved neighbors: Julie Salisbury, Diane Moffett, Stacey Johnson, Rebecca Clements, Edith Jones, Anne Marino