Kindness gets a big boost next month when Random Acts of Kindness Day expands to a full week-long celebration for 2024!
The new 鈥� or RAK Week 鈥� returns Feb. 12 to 17 with many favourite events and activities but with even more time to shine a light on their importance.
First brought to Canada in 2008 by the Kitchener-Waterloo Community Foundation, the Random Acts of Kindness movement encourages us to do something nice for someone and ask for nothing in return, except that they 鈥減ay it forward鈥� with an act of kindness of their own.
鈥淎 motto I try to live by is 鈥榳hen in doubt, do the kindest thing,鈥欌�� says Sandra Richardson, CEO of the Victoria Foundation, which has spearheaded the movement鈥檚 activities here in Greater Victoria since 2015.
鈥淣o act of kindness is wasted. When we approach people with empathy, patience and a willingness to listen and learn, our community can be a much more welcoming place. I encourage everyone to take part in an act of kindness, no matter how large or small,鈥� she said.
Need some inspiration? Something as simple as holding the door for someone or picking up trash at a park can make an impact, with a ripple effect that reaches far and wide. The lasting effects on our community can be profound.
Check out the Foundation鈥檚 list of and be sure to follow along on social media. And for those who receive kindness, share your photos and messages on social media, tagging the Victoria Foundation and using #RAKweekYYJ. They鈥檇 be delighted to share your posts!
While all ages can celebrate RAK Week, the Foundation and Black Press Media once again encourage younger residents to share their kindness messages through the annual colouring contest.
Kids aged 12 and younger are encouraged to colour the image found here and in your local Black Press Media newspaper, and to include a message of kindness, as all will be delivered to area care home residents. Submissions will be entered into a random prize draw for one of six local $50 gift cards, plus a $100 donation made in the child鈥檚 name to the registered charity of their choice.
Email scanned or photographed entries to info@victoriafoundation.bc.ca or mail or drop off physical copies to The Victoria Foundation office at , V8W 1E2. All entries must be received by noon on Feb. 14 to be included in the Friday, Feb. 16 prize draw.
Nature-Based Climate Action funding
Twelve local environmental organizations and two Nations have received funding to support nature-based solutions that address climate change.
Through the Nature-Based Climate Action Funding program, the Victoria Foundation to local initiatives working to protect, restore and manage terrestrial, freshwater and/or marine ecosystems in the region. The diverse selection of projects range from the Gorge Waterway Action Society鈥檚 Gorge Creek Salt Marsh Restoration Project to the Tsawout First Nation鈥檚 Native Tree Restoration Project.
鈥淲ith the growing impacts of climate change, we must protect this natural environment for ourselves and future generations, and we are grateful for the support of donors to help with this important work,鈥� said Sandra Richardson.
See the full list of projects .