‘Summer of Kindness’ initiative for 2022 underway
SCHENECTADY, N.Y. » Sunmark Credit Union and the Sunmark Charitable Community Foundation announced today that they have again partnered with Beekman 1802 to celebrate the “Summer of Kindness” in their local communities.
The 2022 Summer of Kindness kicked off with the first Kindness Workshop on May 25 at Jefferson Elementary School. During the workshop, Sunmark employees shared and listened to students’ ideas on how they can find kindness for themselves, their community, and the planet every day. The students also made cards to share with someone special to spread even more kindness outside of the classroom.
“Sunmark Credit Union and the Sunmark Charitable Community Foundation are excited to work together with the team at Beekman 1802 for another year to bring the ‘Summer of Kindness’ to the communities we serve,” said Amber Cooleen, chief marketing officer at Sunmark Credit Union and president of the Sunmark Charitable Community Foundation. “Last year, we were able to complete eight Summer of Kindness projects, bringing the ideas of local children to life and extending kindness to so many.
“With the addition of Kindness Workshops in 2022, we are looking forward to completing even more kindness projects and continuing to cultivate kindness where we live.”
During the Summer of Kindness Workshops, children will learn what it means to be kind and how even the smallest act of kindness can leave a positive impact on the world. Beekman 1802 and The Sunmark Kindness Crew will facilitate a group discussion on the meaning of kindness and help children brainstorm how to spread kindness in their homes, communities, and school. Groups will complete a hands-on kindness project to benefit a local organization in their community.
Workshops are tailored to fit various age groups and schedules. For more information or questions, please contact Audrey Stone, Community Engagement Program Manager, at audrey.stone@sunmark.org.
A Kindness Crew — comprised of Sunmark Credit Union and Beekman 1802 employees, and Sunmark Charitable Community Foundation volunteers — will also select ideas to become Kindness Projects this summer. Children up to age 12 are invited to “deposit kindness” all summer by submitting their ideas on how they would spread kindness where they live. Kindness forms are available at any Sunmark
Credit Union location, or online at www.sunmark.org/ kindness.
Children can deposit their ideas into the Beekman 1802 goat banks located at any Sunmark branch, or via email at kindness@sunmark.org. The Kindness Crew will review all submissions and select ideas throughout the summer to become Kindness Projects.
“Beekman 1802 is so happy to continue to help model kindness with Sunmark Credit Union and young people throughout the Capital Region and beyond,” said Alan Edstrom, Head of Events for Beekman 1802. “By finding ways to find kindness for yourself, your community, and the planet every day, we all can create a neighborhood that can grow and bloom.”
For more information, call (518) 382-0605 or visit www.sunmark.org.