What a wonderful anniversary to celebrate. In 5 years, BeKind as a group and as a community, have envisioned, instigated, supported, dissipated, collaborated and applauded many, many noteworthy projects.

The name BeKind, succinctly, is what BeKind strives for:  Kindness.  Kindness in all actions, thoughts and beliefs. 

Simple, Succinct, Doable. Kindness.

The Bee in BeKind is celebrated in nearly every culture around our planet.

Bees extol the virtues of sociability, diligence, cleanliness, wisdom and creativity, among others. WOW. What an appropriate choice of mascot for our group and community to emulate.

Be Like the BEE.

Our Bee now has a buddy: Turtle.

Again, WOW.

Like bees, turtles are revered by many cultures around the world. And rightly so. Turtles are celebrated for their resilience, perseverance, healing powers, wisdom and spirituality.

Together bees and turtles rule!

This turtle, Tilda, has chosen to carry with her the BeKind tale of 5 year’s accomplishments as instigated (with love) by Margaret Pederson and the BeKind group. On top of Tilda’s shell is the garden of Barsness Park that Margaret, Sharon Larson, many other BeKinders and community volunteers turned from a weed-choked patch of despair in to a truly wonderful photo-worthy work of art. Included are marigolds and tulips, symbolic of resilience and healing.

The marigold distribution project delivered bags- over 5000!- to every household in Pope County. The thimble represents all the sewing projects done in the past 5 years, from baby quilts to the marigold bags as mentioned. 

The “Read” button celebrates the several Reader’s Theater programs performed by BeKind members; for the magic of Maybe – A story about the endless potential in all of us – a wondrous book for all ages.

The Tree! Fifth graders planted several trees for MAS Day of Caring. What a great way to give to the planet.

The water bucket, YIKES! For all the many, many gallons of water carried to keep marigolds and trees alive.

Hearts. Hearts represent the candy-filled May Baskets delivered to businesses and homes during the street renovations.

Yarn. Who can forget yarn? Tilda sits on a huge purple yarn flower. Remember the county-wide finger knitting project? Yards and yards of finger knitting wrapped around the MAHS gym many times and on the outside of the Minnewaska Area Elementary School. Preschoolers to uber-geriatrics did finger knitting for the project.

Scattered around Tilda’s tale-telling shell are stars, hearts and flowers, each representing Random Acts of Kindness. Done by you and for you.

Kindness: simple, succinct, doable.

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We hope you’ll join us in celebrating as we “Keep Going Keep Growing Kindness.” Let’s make it our community norm!!