ALL In 4 Kindness

On behalf of the City of Massillon, we have started an initiative to take the message of kindness throughout our local schools, business community, local churches, and community residents in Massillon and Stark County to combat bullying and hopelessness in our schools. We have lost too many of our young people who have ended their own lives needlessly.   We all have a role to promote kindness in the community we live in.

A hashtag of #ALLin4Kindness is the centerpiece of the campaign. A Facebook group, All In 4 Kindness, has been created to encourage members to spread kindness on this page and share it! If you witness an act of kindness or have an act of kindness done for you, please share it here. Kindness is contagious, let’s spread it around. So please join and share your stories/photos/videos today!

In our schools, students that initiate acts of kindness will be given a “Kindness Buck” to be entered into a drawing to win individual prizes. Additionally every month a class in elementary, middle school and junior high will be selected that performed the most acts of kindness and they will receive a class prize.

The community can also participate by showing acts of kindness. Some ideas include purchasing the order behind you in a drive-thru, give a flower to someone or even offer a compliment.   It’s that easy. Kindness Bucks are available at the Mayor’s office with a monthly drawing for participants.

As part of our campaign, we are asking community businesses to donate certificates for food items, discounts, etc. from their establishments as incentives for student participation. All donors will be recognized on our Kindness Campaign page on our city website. Restaurants can also participate by creating a kindness appetizer, dinner, dessert or beverage.

We have asked our churches to participate by devoting a sermon or homily on the topic of kindness throughout the year.

We also have All in 4 Kindness signs that we wish to see decorating our downtown businesses. Community members can also purchase signs by contacting my office.

We hope you will join with us in helping spread kindness in our community and making a difference in the lives of our youth.   When we are #Allin4kindness, we can be the change we want to see in our community and beyond.

In a world where you can be anything...be kind.