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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. 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
Serving Alamo and Diablo Rotary Club of Alamo Names Stan Hitomi 2014 Alamo Citizen of the Year
At the 32nd Annual Alamo Music and Wine Festival the Rotary Club of Alamo named Stan Hitomi, principal of Alamo Elementary School, as the 2014 Alamo Citizen of the Year. In addition to being recognized by the Rotary Club of Alamo, Stan also received certificates of appreciation from representatives of Senator Mark DeSaulnier, Assemblymember Joan Buchanan, and Contra Costa County Supervisor Candace Andersen.
Stan Hitomi with teachers from Alamo School
“This is the 30th year that the Rotary Club of Alamo has presented this award,” said Bill Randall, Club president. The Rotary Cub of Alamo selects the Citizen of the Year based on service, integrity, and citizenship. It should be a person who has demonstrated a unique commitment to the Alamo community Spread Kindness launches their mission at Central Park, San Ramon. Photo courtesy of Spread Kindness.
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.” At the Dublin St. Patrick’s Day Parade each year, Spread Kindness hands out 500 Kindness Cards along with candies and other treats. Their signature offer of “Free Hugs” caught the attention of Barbara Roudebush, marching
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Chrysanthemums Set to Take Center Stage at the Gardens at Heather Farm
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By Jody Morgan
Aspiring to upstage the Steve Dawkins is committed to replicating this neighboring roses with a chrysanthemum display in his own garden for the community performance unlike any pre- to enjoy at GHF. (Photo courtesy of Steve Dawkins) viously 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 Volume XIV - Number 10 and labor, visitors will see many of the 3000F Danville Blvd. #117, Alamo, CA 94507 thirteen classifications recognized by Telephone (925) 405-NEWS, 405-6397 the National Chrysanthemum Society Fax (925) 406-0547 blooming side-by-side. Typically peakAlisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher ing toward the end of October, these Editor@yourmonthlypaper.com dramatically distinctive mums often Sharon Burke ~ Writer take up to 30 days to open completely The opinions expressed herein belong to the writers, and do from the time their buds begin to dis- not necessarily reflect that of Alamo Today. Alamo Today
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