Sometimes all that’s needed to spread joy across campus during the gloomy winter season are small acts of kindness.
Throughout the week of Feb. 12 to 16, Brock students are invited to take part in Random Acts of Kindness Week (RAK) to foster goodwill across campus and gain volunteer experience in the process.
The celebration of Random Acts of Kindness Week, also known as Kindness Week in Canada, seeks to empower collective mental well-being across the community to reduce stress and foster happiness and kindness. The initiative also supports the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation, which offers kindness resources such as activity ideas and kindness quotes for implementation in schools and workplaces.
Brock researchers such as Professor Sandra Bosacki from the Faculty of Education are keen on encouraging students to participate in RAK. According to Bosacki’s research, kind gestures have a ripple effect that contributes to fostering collective well-being and improved mood, especially during winter.
Students are encouraged to engage in the following events planned for Random Acts of Kindness Week, either as participants or volunteers.
Monday, Feb. 12: Kindness Challenge
To begin Random Acts of Kindness Week on a good footing, Student Life and Success will host a Dungeons and Dragons-inspired Kindness Challenge. Hosted at the Rankin Pavilion from 9 a.m to 5 p.m., students can drop in to challenge themselves and learn new ways of spreading kindness in their communities.
For this event, the Student Life and Success team is looking for volunteers to assist in the morning with their Roll for Kindness table and in the evening with the Kindness Rocks activity. To volunteer, fill out this form.
Tuesday, Feb. 13: Compliment Giveaway
In celebration of Random Acts of Kindness Day, the Student Life and Success team will set up a Compliment Giveaway. Students walking through the hallway in Mackenzie Chown Complex A Block will be able to receive a written compliment and take another one along to pass to other students and spread joy.
Taking place from 9 a.m to 5 p.m., the compliment table will need volunteers to facilitate the Compliment Giveaway. Those interested can sign up to volunteer with this form.
Wednesday, Feb. 14
In line with Valentine’s Day, two events will be hosted for Random Acts of Kindness Week to spread love and happiness at Brock.
First, the Student Life and Success Team will sit by the Computer Commons to offer students a chance to write kind phrases on sticky notes, which will then be displayed at the Student Life Involvement Commons in MCA204.
Students will also be able to get a free flower to keep or give to a loved one. A table will be set up at the Thistle Eye for students to receive their flower from 9 a.m to 4 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 15
To encourage individual self-care and kindness, free 10-minute meditation sessions will be offered throughout the day from 9 a.m to 5 p.m in MCA241. The Student Life and Success Team will also offer free coffee and tea at the Welcome Desk of the Rankin Family Pavilion from 10 a.m to 2 p.m.
Interested students are welcome to volunteer for either the mindfulness sessions or the drink and snack pass out.
Friday, Feb. 16
To wrap up a week filled with kindness, students will be able to partake in a kindness card station, which they can write for themselves or other loved ones. The card station will take place from 9 a.m to 4 p.m in the Thistle Complex in front of the BU4U Student Service Hub.
To close off Random Acts of Kindness Week, volunteer students will be needed to facilitate the card station. To volunteer, fill out this form.
As the winter semester settles into a time of stress and chaos, students are encouraged to engage in Random Acts of Kindness Week to spread and receive much-needed joy and fulfillment by fostering kindness.