This beautiful story was written by our latest Kindness Contest winner, a 14 year old from Ohio:)

Have you ever wished to be able to help others in a big way? Most of the time without realizing it, we take what we have for granted. What if every person just did one random act of kindness a day? Think of what an impact it would make. Making things for a shelter or donating items is a great thing you can do to help others. I got the chance to receive $100 from Kindspring.org to complete an act of kindness to help others.



When upon entering the Kindness Contest, my idea was to help a woman’s shelter. I thought it would be cool to make little gift baskets for the people at the shelter. My idea came to be just by remembering how joyful gift baskets are, and how those at a shelter would probably love some. When I entered the contest, I never thought I could win it. When they sent an email informing me of my opportunity, I was shocked; I thought it was a mistake. I knew after that email that I had a lot to do in a little time.

The planning part for the baskets was perhaps the hardest thing to do. I had to figure out when and where I should hold the assembling of the gift baskets and what I would call them. I had to decide what to buy with the $100 and how to tell people about the event. I ended up deciding to call my project, Smile Baskets, because hopefully each basket would make a person smile. I ended up scheduling Smile Baskets in my church gym. I made flyers and distributed them in my neighborhood. Though it was hard, it was also fun planning for it.



Then a few days before Smile Baskets, I went shopping for the items to go in the baskets. I picked up plastic shoe box size containers for the kids. On my way to check out, I found cute little bags I could use as baskets instead. For the women, I purchased plastic wicker baskets. I thought they would enjoy being able to use them again in the future. For the women’s baskets, I got them some beauty products and food treats. For the kids, I got some toys. It was a really fun shopping trip.

Before I knew it, the actual day of making the gift baskets came. I had the gym set up with tables for donations, baked goods, baskets and places to fill and decorate baskets. I was so surprised when my neighbor showed up with a trunk full of donations and baked goods. That was the start of people bringing donations.

A little later, a lady from the church showed up with tons of donations. She had once owned a gift basket shop and decided to donate all she had left from the business. There were so many baskets, donations and things to decorate them. She was nice and helped put a few baskets together. They looked very professional and festive. The next day, my mom and I dropped off all the baskets at the shelter. The women in charge of the shelter were really impressed and so thankful for them. It was great knowing I had helped someone out.



For me, winning that $100 is something I will never forget. I never thought I would be able to make over 60 Smile Baskets. No matter what, we can all do something, big or small, to help others. The world would be different if everyone did something kind each day. Remember, what might be small to you might just make someone’s day.