In honour of Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017, Kindale Developmental Association is launching 150 Random Acts of Canadian Kindness.
The event will invite residents of the North Okanagan and Shuswap to demonstrate and celebrate the inherent Canadian value of kindness to others.
Stories of Random Acts of Kindness will be shared through social media. Small prizes will be awarded through a random draw from among the stories that are submitted.
“The year 2017 is going to be an inspiring one that brings people together,” said Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage. “Thanks to the project 150 Random Acts of Canadian Kindness, our collective generosity will be at the heart of the celebrations in the North Okanagan-Shuswap area. This is a real source of inspiration for all Canadians!”
B Elliott, Kindales’s executive director, said the organization is thrilled to celebrate kindness, inclusion and community, the fundamental cores of Kindale.
“It’s our goal to help make the hopes, wishes and dreams come true for people with diverse abilities,” said Elliott.
“Kindale was founded in 1959 based on compassion, vision and knowing that all people have incredible strengths and abilities.”
Cindy Masters, Kindale’s development officer, said: “Excitement is building with this incredible opportunity to commemorate and recognize the anniversary of Confederation by paying it forward with 150 Random Acts of Canadian Kindness throughout our communities. All random acts, whether big or small, will be celebrated using traditional and social media and we are encouraging everyone to get involved in the year-long party.”
Kindale’s Teresa Durning-Harker believes highlighting Canadian kindness through public action will encourage many acts of kindness over the course of the project year and beyond.
“Canada 150th RAK will demonstrate and celebrate the best attributes of being Canadian that have developed through our 150 years of history,” said Durning-Harker.
Kindale’s project will highlight the needs in its communities and engage everyone in doing their part to make life just a little bit easier for others.
“This project reminds us that we pride ourselves, as Canadians, in being a kind and caring people – so let’s show it.” Dave Wallace, of Askew’s Foods.
(“Although Kindale Developmental Association is relatively new to Salmon Arm, they have already made a big impact by developing connections within the community and fostering inclusion of people with diverse abilities. Kindale events are well organized, fun and welcoming for the whole community, as I’m sure this year-long RAK project will be,” said Gord Erickson of Village West Developments in Salmon Arm.
“I expect that many people in Salmon Arm will embrace the goal of RAK and participate enthusiastically.”)
The project is funded in part by the Government of Canada.
For more information about 150 Random Acts of Canadian Kindness, starting in January 2017, please contact Masters or find the project on Facebook (Canada 150th Random Acts of Kindness – RAK), Instagram (canada150thrak) and Twitter (Canada150thRAK).