Lacombe’s Kindness Month proved a major hit with the community through the month of February, organizers say.
“It was an overwhelming success,” said Crystal Zens, executive director of the Lacombe FCSS.
Officially launching Feb. 1, the month also marked a fresh partnership between Lacombe FCSS and BGC Wolf Creek – Lacombe.
This year marked the second annual campaign, which involved dropping off Kindness Kits to any local businesses that would like to take part.
The kits were packed with kindness-themed messages, posters, balloons, streamers, buttons, and all sorts of things to decorate with and to also showcase businesses in line with the overall campaign, she explained.
Last year, about 20 businesses collected the kits.
This year, about 64 took part.
“Everybody did something special in their own way to showcase their unique products or services to the community. It was wonderful to be a part of - the community really took ownership of it, and that was the purpose from the beginning,” she said. “They all put their own sparkle on the campaign,” she said.
“It was so well-supported and embraced by everybody - a really good testimony to how kindness really is contagious,” she said. “I think it will also carry on into the rest of our year in this community.
“Quite a few businesses supported the campaign financially as well.”
Zens said FCSS staff also decided to partner with BGC Wolf Creek – Lacombe for the initiative.
BGC (formerly known as the Boys and Girls Club) set up operations in town this past fall.
FCSS sold shirts on behalf of the Club for Pink Shirt Day which was on Feb. 22. Proceeds from those sales will go to support the Club’s new programs in Lacombe.
“It was a good opportunity for us to help lift up (BGC Wolf Creek - Lacombe) and do some advocacy around their new programs in Lacombe,” she said.
Zens has pointed out that expanding the kindness campaign to a month-long affair is unique to Lacombe, and that other FCSS offices in the province have reached out for tips on launching a similar venture in their own communities.
A school from Ontario even reached out for assistance with launching a similar venture there, too.
“It was so fun to see that! Their students did kindness projects and pay-it-forward initiatives too. So really, we reached the other side of the country with it - I guess it was the magic of social media that brought us together!”
The idea for the Kindness Initiative was originally sparked last year as the community was generally emerging from the pandemic. The goal was to remind folks to be patient and kind to each other.
“That is what really spurred the idea,” she said, adding that emphasizing the campaign throughout an entire month also helps to bolster awareness about the many programs and services that are available via FCSS.
“I think it’s a great avenue to connect with the businesses and work in collaboration on something that will enrich our community,” she said.
Looking ahead, FCSS staff are also planning the second annual Easter Fill-A-Fridge event. Applications will be available starting March 13 on the FCSS website.
Also, the community tax program for low-income community members will also be starting up soon. There is no charge for that particular service, said Zens, adding that folks can check the website for further information about that as well.
“That program opens on March 6. It’s a very critical program across our province with the other FCSS offices, too.”
A bit further down the road will be the Volunteer Appreciation Awards and Dessert Night event in April.
”We really want to encourage people across the community to acknowledge special people in their agencies, organizations, or schools. The application is simple and fast, too.”
Visit www.lacombefcss.net for further information on any of these programs, or for applications for the Easter Fill a Fridge or the Community Tax Program.