Join us in spreading kindness November 14th - 18th, 2022
We could all use a little more kindness! Join us for United Way Acts of Kindness Week and brighten someone’s day, week, or even year by doing something kind.
United Way of 1000 Lakes’ hope is that residents and businesses will perform at least one act of kindness each day and inspire others to do the same through social media using the hashtag #MNACTSOFKINDNESS. Acts of kindness can be as simple as a 30-second compliment or as complex as a list of acts to accomplish over the week. Whatever it is, your act of kindness is sure to bring a smile to someone’s face that just may have needed it.
Maya Angelou once said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel,” so join the 5-day Acts of Kindness Challenge today!
- Register for the Minnesota Acts of Kindness Challenge.
- Perform at least one act of kindness each day.
- Share your photos, stories, and videos on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and/or Twitter.
- Tag United Way of 1000 Lakes and use the #MNACTSOFKINDNESS, #LIVEUNITEDMN, and #UWAY1000LAKES hashtags.
- Nominate a friend (or five!) to participate and keep the kindness going!
- Bonus: show your support by wearing your Live United shirt. Get one free with a $25 donation
5-Day Kindness Challenge
The 5-Day Kindness Challenge is a week to step out of your routine and start thinking of kind acts to do for others each day of the celebratory week. Share and post your stories, photos, videos, and ideas on social media to inspire others to do the same.
Fill out and submit the form on this page to help United Way reach 1000 Acts of Kindness. Each day, from November 14th – 18th, we’ll receive emails, each featuring ideas, and tools for spreading kindness.
25 Ideas for Spreading Kindness
1. Give a stranger a compliment.
2. Share your favorite recipe with a friend.
3. Offer to pet sit for a friend or neighbor.
4. Send anonymous flowers to a friend or family member.
5. Grab coffee for a co-worker on your way to work.
6. Donate clothing, linens, or household items.
7. Write a 5-star review for your server or customer service worker.
8. Sponsor a family for the holiday season.
9. Pick up trash in your neighborhood.
10. Leave your server or barista a generous tip.
11. Offer to pick up groceries for a neighbor.
12. Write a positive note and leave it on someone’s car window.
13. Donate blood.
14. Volunteer or donate to a nonprofit organization in your community.
15. Leave a note of appreciation to your mail carrier at your mailbox.
16. Donate a book to a local Little Free Library.
17. Bring a baked treat to your office or your child’s school.
18 Smile and say “hello” to strangers you pass.
19. Write inspirational messages on your sidewalk with chalk.
20. Buy lunch for the person who is serving you at the restaurant.
21. Read to children during story time at school or at the library.
22. Let someone go ahead of you in line.
23. Hide kindness rocks around your favorite park or walking trail.
24. Send a random thank-you note to someone you admire.
25. Return stray shopping carts to the corral.
Minnesota United Acts of Kindness was inspired by the work of 40 Minnesota United Ways and several partners in the community in November 2018. During this week, United Way’s across the state invite everyone – volunteers, donors, community members and children – to intentionally exemplify kindness with the goal of helping to unify the community and to kick-start ongoing acts of kindness.
In the News:
Coming soon
Downloads:
Kindness Cards Kit: Help others feel connected to the community and brightening their day with a handwritten note of encouragement. United Way can help distribute these kindness cards after they are written. Please call us at 999-7570 or email info@uwlakes.org to arrange a pickup or drop-off. Aging Adults | Children & Youth
Volunteer: Put your care for your community into action and set up a volunteer project at your workplace, student group, or family. Browse Bonfire, a community-wide volunteer platform, for ideas, and get in touch with United Way at info@uwlakes.org or 218-999-7570 for planning support.
Kindness Cards: Request Random Act of Kindness cards from United Way to distribute as you perform acts of kindness throughout the week.
Acts of Kindness Grants
United Way’s Kindness Grants program aims to promote kindness by funding small-scale, community-level projects. Local organizations, as well as individuals, may apply for up to $500 of funding to support volunteer and outreach projects.