Acts of Kindness Light the Birthday Cake

Sisters overwhelmingly demonstrated that they know how to “Share the Love” when they responded to a recent post on A∆K CONNECT from Margaret Nieradka, ON Sigma, inviting them to help her mother, Margaret Taws, celebrate her one hundredth birthday with one hundred acts of kindness.

“Margaret Taws, of Sigma, ON, Canada, is a special lady, about to celebrate 100 years young,” Margaret wrote. “Her sisters wanted to have a party or organize a big event. Well, Margaret put the kibosh on any frivolous ideas and came up with her choice to “fit the bill” (as she likes to put it).” In keeping with the A∆K Ontario theme of “BEE KIND,” she asked that members of all chapters complete an act of kindness on or around her birthday on September 5 this year. This special request was meant to spread kindness to everyone: help a neighbor, visit a friend, share some food, pick up or deliver parcels for those who can’t. Just BEE KIND!

Margaret posted a link on A∆K Connect asking members to post a short description of their acts of kindness with a simple heading like “My Kindness for Marg” or “I Choose Kindness” and their province, nation, state and chapter. “ Marg,” she said, “is so pleased that her birthday wish aligns with Mollie Acosta’s request to ‘Share the Love!’ She is hoping for 100 Acts of Kindness to honor her century birthday.”

Although the birthday has passed, the acts of kindness for Marg continue to come in.

“My mother has had many life adventures,” Margaret said. “She and my father came home after they both had served in the Royal Canadian Navy during World War II to set up a suburban home, where she became a typical homemaker raising three children. Mom was determined to chase her dream of being an educator. After the three of us were in school, she and my father decided that she would begin teacher training. Our family joke is that she had to promise him that nothing would change. Of course, everything changed overnight, as we all had to work as a family to help the home run smoothly. Mom’s friends were shocked at this decision, and many thought that unless she was about to be a single parent, this path made no sense. Years later, many of those same women told her that they wished that they had followed in her footsteps. Mom enjoyed a successful teaching career and persisted at night school until she earned her bachelor’s degree. One of the proudest moments of our family life was watching Mom graduate from the University of Toronto.”

In the first few years of A∆K in Ontario, she was invited to join and quickly took on executive roles both at the chapter and provincial level. As I joined Ontario Sigma, she continued to play a supportive role in her retirement years, serving as a mentor and encouraging all her sisters to accept challenges and take on leadership roles. Mom was an early adopter of technology, using it in her school library media center, then in retirement as a way to stay in touch with the world around her. When we talked about her hundredth birthday wishes, she made it clear that she wanted nothing more than to encourage people in her sphere of influence to go forward, “BEE KIND” and “SHARE THE LOVE!” The idea of giving members a reason to interact with the International website was fascinating to her as a former librarian. She was intrigued with the idea of reaching so many people using the Internet and wants everyone to know that “they need to get going” when it comes to technology.

Every visit lately has been punctuated by delighted cheers and clapping when I read her the responses sent from our sisters across the regions. She wants everyone to know that she had not envisioned the scope of the effect that her birthday request would have, and that she is continually amazed at the creative altruism that characterizes our Alpha Delta Kappa sisters. She wants to thank everyone for making her birthday meaningful and important.

Contributing to this article were Margaret Nieradka, Sue Whelan of the KAPPAN staff, and the staff of CONNECT.

Birthday Wishes With Kindness

I donated gift cards to two schools in TN affected by flooding and to Alpha Delta Kappa’s Disaster Relief to aid sisters affected by recent storms and/or fires. Janet McDonald VA Omicron My act of kindness is to take homemade cookies to new neighbours and welcome them just as Marg welcomed me to Sigma many years ago. Phyllis Fletcher, ON Sigma Tonight, in honour of Margaret, I will be following all of the COVID safety protocols and serving our families at Ronald McDonald

House in Hamilton a delicious dinner once again. Happy 100th

Birthday Margaret! Mary Johnson, ON Psi, RMC NC I purchased 12 large laundry baskets and donated them to

Human Solutions to give to families living in their apartments. Cyndi Wood OR Alpha I am a twin, also celebrating my birthday on September 5. My act of kindness will be to spend time with my elderly aunt. Mary Hodge Manitoba Delta There were three police officers having lunch while I was picking up food. I bought three gift cards and delivered them to their table so they could enjoy another lunch there sometime. Minetta Smith TX Beta I took my 97 year old cousin out to lunch at a nice restaurant overlooking the St. Mary’s River. Marilyn ON Xi I will be volunteering at the local St. Jude Dream House campaign. Mollie Acosta, International President

To read all the full responses and to post your own act of kindness login to CONNECT, type in the number 100, press Enter and look for a Special 100th Birthday Wish.