Twin Valley students spread kindness rocks

BY FRANCINE FULTON

Peoplewho live in the Twin Valley area should be on the lookout for kindness rocks that were created by second-grade students at Twin Valley Elementary Center (TVEC). The rocks, which have been decorated with bright colors and inspirational messages, all include the hashtag #BeKindTV.

The rocks were painted during a Valentine’s Day party held at TVEC on Feb. 17 that was hosted by homeroom moms Kristin Inman and Lana Pellegrino. “I plan the parties with (Pellegrino) and I wanted this to be a kindness party, and I wanted to involve the community,” said Inman.

After receiving approval from the school principal and homeroom teacher, Inman set out on a mission to find rocks, including searching for them while wading in the cold waters of French Creek at Warwick County Park.

Eventually, she asked if any were available free of charge on the “Twin Valley Gift and Take” Facebook page. “I was on a budget. I used Facebook and went to Gift and Take and asked if anybody had any flat river rocks to donate,” Inman explained. “A woman from that group messaged me. She said that at her cabin there are hundreds of these rocks, and she grabbed some for me. They were flat and smooth; they were just perfect.”

The students decorated about 40 rocks using acrylic paint pens at the party, which also featured a lesson about kindness. “(We talked with the students about) what kindness means to them and (asked them) to give examples of what it meant to be kind,” said Inman, noting that prizes were awarded for winning answers.

“We showed them the rocks and told them that we want to spread kindness into the community.”

Those who find a rock are asked to post a photo of it on the “In Twin Valley” Facebook page, along with the hashtag. Then, they may keep the rock or place it at another location. “I placed (the rocks) at various local businesses, and I took pictures and posted clues,” Inman pointed out.

So far, the rocks have been found at a local day care center, a dentist’s office, a veterinarian’s office, a church, a car wash, several restaurants, the Village Library of Morgantown and the Elverson Post Office. “My whole goal was to get the kids involved in a community activity and to promote and highlight local businesses,” said Inman. “(It has been) a nice community project and (a way to) teach the kids that a little kindness can go a long way.”