Leap of Kindness Day Success
Thursday was a big day and an exciting time in the life of Leeds. Everyone in the City was busy with their kindness projects in honor of National Leap of Kindness Day. With 2024 being a leap year, an extra day lent some extra time to be kind so the Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce chose this campaign for January and February to encourage businesses and individuals to choose a kindness project. A list of area non-profit organizations was added to the chamber website along with some ideas for kindness acts and projects. Leeds Mayor David Miller declared Thursday, February 29, 2024 as Leap of Kindness Day in the City of Leeds and all who participated were encouraged to use the hashtag #LeapOfKindnessDayLeeds2024 on any social media posts to show the world that kindness can be a priority.
Leap of Kindness Day Success
Here are just a few who participated in this exciting project of kindness:
- Leeds Elementary School partnered with each class to do a drive for one of our local non-profits. Second Grade held a children's book drive for the Woman's Literary Club. Third Grade held a diapers and wipes drive for Ann's New Life Center – Leeds. Fourth grade conducted a food and hygienic items drive for Backpack Buddies. Fifth grade held a sensory bins drive for Leeds Jane Culbreth Library. Children were busy filling up the large bins that were placed in the school hallways of each grade and some of the classes also did classwork related to “promoting kindness.” On Thursday, the classes presented their filled bins to the respective non-profit organizations.
- The Leeds Jane Culbreth Library's Library Teen Advisory Board (TAB), who are also in the Leeds Middle School Junior Honor Society, toured Leeds Outreach this week and were given the opportunity to prepare and serve the community. The library is also collecting artwork for Leeds Outreach created by library patrons which will be placed at the bottom of the boxes to be revealed when the food is removed.
- Linda Miller, owner of L.A. Salon & Boutique, asked everyone to support small businesses in Leeds on Leap Day and offered 25% off of all merchandise and one free 15-minute tan that day. Miller also catered lunch to a group last week.
- Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors will volunteer their time to provide a duty-free lunchtime on March 6, 2024 for Leeds Elementary School teachers.
- Leeds Main Street – delivered a meal to Leeds Jane Culbreth Library staff members.
- LMS Principal, Mr. Bryd, provided lunch for their faculty and staff. It was appreciated by everyone.
- Leeds Senior Center collected needed supplies for Leeds Outreach and continued to cut up plastic bags and prepare them for a group that turns the bags into sleeping mats for the homeless.
- P&M Mechanical delivered a meal to Barnes & Barnes Law Firm.
- Stratford Real Estate delivered a meal to the City of Leeds Building Services.
- Trussville Rotary Daybreak Club collected trash bags, toilet paper, and detergent for Leeds Outreach.
- adr Business & Marketing Strategies is currently collecting eyeglasses for Leeds Lions Club and has partnered with the Chamber to provide a duty-free lunch for the teachers at Leeds Elementary School.
- The Grove School donated items to Leeds Fire & Rescue and delivered gift baskets for the team at Millennial Bank.
- Radius Physical Therapy delivered snacks to Moody Middle School and drinks to stock the break room for the teachers to show appreciation for all they do day in and day out for their students in the community!
Because this kindness campaign was so successful and a great way to match non-profit needs with those who are willing to meet those needs, plans are already underway for the Chamber to create another kindness campaign next year even though it will not be a leap year.
Check out our social media, especially our Facebook page to see all of the kindness projects that were highlighted and videos that were shared!