The Brandeis community came together to celebrate Brandeis’ ninth Annual Kindness Day this Thursday. Students, faculty and staff set up stations around campus that provided creative ways to recognize and uplift various members within the community.
“I thought the posters and activities were only going to acknowledge students and serve to uplift them and their friends,” said Jennifer Aguilera ’22, a first-year student who attended some of the Kindness Day events. “I was really encouraged to see that many of the kindness initiatives were directed at faculty and underappreciated members of our community.”
The Shapiro Campus Center was the base for the majority of the stations this year. The booths included “Send a Message Abroad,” “Make Your Own Dog Toy Donation” and giving away free reusable utensils. On the second floor of the SCC, the Dean of Students was giving away free t-shirts that say “I am the love that h8 can’t stop.”
Outside of the SCC, different campus services participated in Kindness Day. Free games in the Game Room, “Cocoa and Kindness” in Usdan, “Thank You” posters for the custodial staff members and a food pantry drive in the C-Store were available on campus as well.
Companions to Elders, a community service group within the Waltham Group, partnered with the Kindness Day committee to table in the SCC and write letters with positive affirmations to elderly residents at the Leland Home.
Kindness Day was started nine years ago by a member of the Brandeis faculty as a way of promoting small acts of kindness and boosting morale. The festivities have since been extended to the rest of the week. This year included activities such as residential quad-wide kindness initiatives, a multi-faith dinner this past Wednesday in Usdan, and on Friday, a “zen zone” will be available in the Peace Room for students to practice mindfulness and participate in a compassionate listening activity.
Free notepads, stickers and other swag were available at some of the events. Many of these gifts said short phrases that reflected the themes of the day, such as “Kindness…pass it on.” While handing out many of the free gifts, Kindness Day helpers gave wide smiles and said “Happy Kindness Day!”
