Susquehanna Valley United Way Kicks Off 4th Annual Kindness Campaign.
Spreading positivity with a focus on youth mental health and supporting nonprofits in the region.
Susquehanna Valley United Way (SVUW) is proud to announce the 4th Annual Kindness Campaign sponsored by Evangelical Community Hospital (evanhospital.com). Kindness Nominations opened on February 14th, 2023, and March 1st kicks off a month-long campaign of Kindness with activities, challenges, events, and volunteer opportunities.
The Kindness Campaign started as just a week-long event back in 2020 as part of United Way’s Youth Mental Health initiative to bring awareness to anti-bullying and youth mental health. Today, it is a year-long celebration of kindness throughout the schools and communities of Columbia, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, and Union Counties. This years’ themes are: Celebrating Differences, Be Kind to Yourself, Be Kind to Your Peers and Co-Workers, Be Kind to Your Community, and Be Kind throughout the Year.
“We are building really great partnerships and momentum through the Kindness Campaign with local nonprofit partners working with youth and families, such as Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit (csiu.org), CMSU Behavioral Health and Development Services (cmsu.org), SUMMIT Early Learning (summitearlylearning.org), and Greater Susquehanna Valley YMCA (gsvymca.org), just to name a few,” said Stacey Piecuch, Senior Director of Community Impact at SVUW. “Various departments from all three local Universities, Bloomsburg, Bucknell, and Susquehanna, are participating. Thirteen school districts from across all five counties are involved or celebrating the Kindness Campaign. Not to mention local libraries in all five counties are serving as resource hubs for community members who want free Be Kind. yard sign or stickers.” Contact your local library directly for hours of operation and any questions about pick-up you may have.
During March, community members are encouraged to follow @SusquehannaValleyUW on social media or visit svuw.org/bekind for weekly kindness challenges, activities, stories, events, and more. Some of the challenges include: starting a gratitude journal, offering help to a friend or family member in need, creating a Certificate of Appreciation for a teacher or mentor, or volunteering at a local nonprofit. Spread kindness by sharing how you get involved and the challenges you complete on social media with the hashtag #BeKind2023 and by tagging @SusquehannaValleyUW on social media.
The United Way and Evangelical Community Hospital are also asking for nominations of people in the community who have performed an act of kindness. Nominate someone deserving that is making a difference in our community, big or small. For example, this could be a person who helps run errands, serves as a mentor, volunteers, or has made an impact in your life or the life of someone you know. Weekly winners will be chosen throughout March and announced on Friday each week on radio station 94KX (94.1 WQKX). Prizes for the winners include gift cards to local small businesses and Be Kind. merchandise. Kindness Nominations are open now and can be submitted online at svuw.org/bekindnominations through March 14th, 2023. Be Kind. merchandise such as t-shirts, mugs, and totes are also available for purchase at svuw.org/bekind.
As part of the Kindness Campaign, the United Way will distribute copies of Bucket Filling from A to Z: The Key to Being Happy, by Carol McCloud and Caryn Butzke. This award-winning book uses the letters of the alphabet to help young and old see the many, simple ways that they can fill buckets and fill their own buckets in return. Kendra Aucker, CEO of Evangelical Hospital and campaign sponsor, will record a reading of this book that will be distributed to local schools, libraries, afterschool programs, and other organizations and used to share the message of kindness with children throughout the Susquehanna Valley region. In addition, United Way’s Elementary Toolkit, which can be found at svuw.org/bekind, has handouts and suggested activities related to the book theme.
More than 1 in 3 youth in the Susquehanna Valley feel sad or depressed most days according to recent P.A.Y.S. data. The United Way is dedicated to making an impact on youth mental health by encouraging members of the Susquehanna Valley communities to make intentional acts of kindness!
“The campaign will focus on Kindness by spreading positivity and giving back to the community,” said Adrienne Mael, President/CEO of Susquehanna Valley United Way. “Nonprofit organizations across the Susquehanna Valley will be featured in hopes of connecting people who are interested in volunteering to the organizations that could use their help.” Visit svuw.org/volunteer to see all the different ways to give back to our community.
According to Evangelical Community Hospital, being kind to others can even benefit your health. Acts of kindness can lower your blood pressure, increase serotonin production, and help you live a longer life. You can learn more at evanhospital.com/heart.
As the Kindness Campaign continues to grow, there are even more ways to “Be Kind” throughout year! On April 21st, 2023, United Way is hosting their annual Day of Action. This is a great time volunteer and give back to your local community. Visit svuw.org/dayofaction to sign-up today. May 16th, 2023 is Do Something Good for your Neighbor Day followed by Be Kind To Humankind Week starting on August 23rd, 2023, and be on the look out for our next Be Kind. Poster Contest that kicks off in early October. Deadline for submissions are due on World Kindness Day which is November 13th, 2023.
Follow @SusquehannaValleyUW or visit svuw.org for more to come on these opportunities!
Media Contact:
Danielle M. Velkoff
Senior Director of Marketing and Communications
e: marketing@svuw.org| t: (570) 360-5009
