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October 2014 Spread Kindness – It’s Contagious! By Jody Morgan
Maria Haswell woke up one morning in February 2009 wanting to perform some random acts of kindness. Her online search found no area organizations that matched her vision. Encouraged by husband Mark, Maria gathered a small group of like-minded locals. Taking on a life of its own, the project grew, suggesting the need for a formal structure. In January 2010, the Haswells registered Spread Kindness as a 501 (c)(3) non-profit. They wanted their gestures to be community-based, but they soon found their local acts had a global reach. Kindness is contagious, spreading a spirit of generosity that gives back to the donor while reaching out to embrace countless strangers.
Serving Danville Chrysanthemums Set to Take Center Stage at the Gardens at Heather Farm By Jody Morgan
Aspiring to upstage the neighboring roses with a performance unlike any previously witnessed by the majority of area garden enthusiasts, chrysanthemums newly installed at the Gardens at Heather Farm (GHF) are getting set to open. Thanks to Walnut Creek resident Steve Dawkins’s generous gift of specimen plants, expertise, time and labor, visitors will see many of the thirteen classifications recognized by the National Chrysanthemum Society blooming side-by-side. Typically peaking toward the end of October, these dramatically distinctive mums often take up to 30 days to open completely from the time their buds begin to display color. Once fully costumed for starring roles, however, they keep their show running for weeks.
Steve Dawkins shows Brian Larsen how to disbud the new GHF mums to encourage a few spectacular flowers on each plant.
Mark and Maria Haswell with one of their Spread Kindness t-shirts available in a variety of colors. Photo courtesy of Spread Kindness.
During the first event Spread Kindness organized at San Ramon’s Central Park, volunteers distributed flowers and treats and performed additional small acts of kindness. A group of friends the Haswells nicknamed “Dream-Team” helped brainstorm a variety of ideas including paying for the person in line behind you for coffee, tipping well and leaving a compliment, and dropping off flowers with a thoughtful note at a neighbor’s house. These suggestions and several more are printed on the back of “Kindness Cards” which can be ordered in packs of eight. As you complete your act of kindness, you hand a card to the recipient. The front reads: “You’ve just experienced a random act of Kindness. Now it’s your turn to do something for someone else and pass this card along.” Requests for cards now number 50-100 a month. They come from across the globe: Canada, India, New Zealand, Australia, England, Tasmania, and Norway. In February 2010, Stephanie Klinzing, then Mayor of Elk River, Minnesota, asked for and received 1,000 cards for the city’s “1,000 Acts of Random Kindness Campaign.” Spread Kindness mails the first pack of eight cards free, but they request a modest contribution for additional cards. Mark notes: “We want people to understand the power of kindness – why it’s good and the positive effect it can have.”
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Dawkins began cultivating chrysanthemums 30 years ago when a friend, whose father was a grower, invited him to join their small independent local club. The members were looking for younger folks to carry on their work. For many years the club held an annual show at Orchard Nursery in Lafayette during the first week of November. As the final club member able to share his passion and extensive experience, Dawkins affirms: “I am committed to making this happen for
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San Ramon Valley High School Ski, Board, and Bike Swap ~ November 1st
The San Ramon Valley High School-Parent Teacher Student Association has been hosting a community-wide ski and snowboard swap for over 36 years, but this year the event will also include bikes. This year the event takes place on November 1st, from 10am to 6pm for one day only. Admission is $5, and children 5 and under free when acVolume V - Number 12 companied by an adult. 3000F Danville Blvd. #117, SRVHS Ski, Board, and Bike swap is Alamo, CA 94507 the largest swap in the East Bay with over (925) 405-6397 $1 million in inventory brought by local Fax (925) 406-0547 residents as well as from large retailers Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher offering goods at bargain prices. The San editor@ Ramon Valley High School cafeteria and yourmonthlypaper.com gym will be filled to the brim with new and used merchandise. Come join the The opinions expressed herein belong to the writers, and do not necessarily fun with a live broadcast from KKIQ, reflect that of Danville Today News. Danville Today News is not and enjoy yummy treats from local food responsible for the content of any of truck vendors. the advertising herein, nor does
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