MELROSE — November 20 marks Melrose’s eighth annual Kindness Day, a day set aside to celebrate everyday kindness and compassion in our city. Expressions of kindness will occur throughout the day. All Melrosians are invited to join in the fun.
The origin of Kindness Day dates back to 2015, when a small group of middle schoolers took to heart the suggestion by the television show “South Park” that November 20 was a good day to kick redheaded classmates. Rather than finger pointing and protesting, Melrose Kindness Day became an initiative to take back the day in the way that seems to work best: with kindness.
A big part of the Kindness Day excitement is set in motion by our Melrose Public Schools. Local preschool students fill the walls of City Hall with handmade posters celebrating kindness. More than one thousand elementary school students write letters of gratitude to be delivered to our older residents. Middle School students prepare heartfelt cards for the patients and staff at Melrose Wakefield Hospital. At Melrose High, students write thoughtful letters of thanks to impactful educators.
Crossing guards, custodians, and nurses are all recognized in special ways. Food Pantries and city departments are treated with extra care. Parent Teach Organizations celebrate educators with sweet treats and other surprises. The Melrose High band plays in front of Central Administration at the start of the school day and several senior living communities are serenaded by Saint John’s Prep’s string ensemble.
On November 20, stop by the Kindness Mural that adorns the side of Main Street’s YMCA. Thanks to a grant from the Melrose Messina Fund, several local artists, organized by Follow Your Art’s Kris Rodolico, will create an “interactive” mural. The mural is one that you can stand in and become a part of, while celebrating your own personal expression of kindness. Kindness Murals will also adorn the lobbies of most of our schools. Artistic MHS students – and Melrose Public Schools art teachers – have each created their own interpretation of the Kindness Day celebration.
Many MelroseKind volunteers have worked behind the scenes to coordinate the activities that occur on Kindness Day. Thanks to them, and to the MelroseKind Kindness Porch volunteers who collect donations all year long, we are proud to be a city that is learning – every day – the incredible power of kindness to change our world.
MelroseKind is actively seeking kindness warriors to accept Kindness Day “missions” to spread joy in Melrose on November 20. Kindness Missions are small and easy ways to recognize the kindness in each other. In years’ past, missions have included celebrating our firefighters and police officers, recognizing the goodness of the library and the post office, and offering special thanks to the many Melrosians who go above and beyond to do good. If you are interested in accepting one of our special missions in kindness, please email maribeth@melrosekind.com.
Let the kindness continue!