Kindness Grants highlight Giving Tuesday
The gift of giving and doing good deeds became a domino effect for many charities that were recipients of the Community Foundation’s Kindness Grants for Giving Tuesday.
The Community Foundation for Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta encouraged people to pay it forward for their Random Act of Kindness campaign by doing random acts of kindness for others in the community.
On Random Act of Kindness Day, people in the community took to social media to share their good deed and were entered into a draw to win one of 10 $500 Kindness Grants to go to a registered charity of their choice. On Giving Tuesday, winners from the campaign were announced following Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
One recipient who shared her good deed was ecstatic to find out she won, and put the funds toward helping youth in the community.
Gayle Bates, admin support clerk for Wood’s Homes, knows firsthand that one good deed does much more than we realize.
“It really does put a smile on your own heart when you do something good for someone, and you see their eyes light up,” said Bates.
Her good deed was simply offering a donut to a security guard that she sees outside daily patrolling the Melcor Centre. On that day in particular it was cold, windy and raining so she thought he would appreciate the sweet gesture.
Bates also works with the fundraising team and believes in the good work that Wood’s Homes does, and it’s why she wanted the donation to go there.
The fact she was able to help donate to Wood’s Homes makes her feel good, and to be acknowledged for her good deed makes her want to do more.
“Workers of underprivileged people do their job because it fulfils their heart. To be rewarded by being shown that they are appreciated for their work is pretty rewarding,” said Bates.
Some teens grow up in less-thanideal home situations and still don’t have the life skills needed even though they are close to being a legal adult.
Wood’s Homes has resources for teens who feel they have no place to go and don’t know where to turn.
Housing first programs, stabilization units, learning how to cook, budgeting and shopping are some of the services Wood’s Homes provides.
Rob Dowell, research and community knowledge co-ordinator for the Community Foundation, said the idea for the grants was to give back to charities as opposed to spending on yourself.
“Giving doesn’t need a reward to it but sometimes it’s good to always go the extra mile,” said Dowell.
Giving Tuesday has been ongoing for five years in conjunction with Random Act of Kindness Day.
Charleen Davidson, executive director for the Community Foundation, said one of the great things about the Kindness Grants is it allows some people who might not already be involved in philanthropy to have a piece of philanthropy.
“Not everyone is in a position to give back to the community with financial contribution but through these kindness grants it can allow some people an opportunity to support the charity of their choice with a grant.”
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