It’s amazing, really, to see a movement grow in real-time.
What started as a simple idea to respond to sadness with kindness became a day-long — and then a year-long — celebration. And when it got too big for Stephanie and me to wrangle on our own, we sent out a call for help. Hands raised high all over Melrose.
Twenty+ volunteers successfully guided our biggest and best November 20th in this, our eighth year. The generosity of time was unbelievable. Not only did our volunteers step up to the long list of behind-the-scenes tasks necessary to orchestrate the day, many of them responded to challenges with these wonderful words: “Do you know what we could do even better NEXT year?” 
Girl Scout Troop 77149 made chocolate treats for their friends at the Milano Center.
Many Thanks
So thank you, to our volunteers, but also to the many volunteers in our community, who raise their hands and get involved in ways that make sense for them. There certainly is no better place to call home than this little enclave, filled with so many who hear the call to help and answer it.
Kindness Day took more than just volunteers, though. We spent a little over $2,000 to make it happen. On this Giving Tuesday, when there are so many ways to give, we humbly ask you to consider a donation of any size to MelroseKind so that we can continue to grow and sustain the movement.
The Day’s Successes
If you haven’t looked at our Facebook page recently (which you can do WITHOUT a Facebook account), please take a moment to peruse the wonderful photos (and videos) that our volunteers collected during the day (and before … and after). Here are a few, but there are so many that capture the wonderful day. 
The MHS Post-Grads seized the day by delivering over 1,000 letters to educators, bouquets to nurses and gift cards to crossing guards and custodians.
St. John’s Prep students made beautiful music for our local senior centers (and then stayed to read letters from our Melrose Elementary School students). 
The MHS Kindness Club socialized with older adults at The Fitch.
Our Main Street mural never disappoints! 
The MVMMS mural was a fan favorite.
We’re Not Done Yet
Our Kindness Porch donations will pick up in January and we’ve got other kindness projects incubating for later in the year. Keep an eye on our social media (and through your email) to see what we’re up to next. In the meantime, check out out website for tales of locals warriors of kindness doing good. If you’d like to nominate someone as a Kindness Warrior, email maribeth@melrosekind.com .
