It's World Kindness Week! What Will You do to be Kind?

This week is World Kindness Week, Nov. 12-18, when people all over the globe look for ways to spread kindness. What will you do to be kind to someone during this special week?

Here are some suggestions:

• Do something simple today, like smiling at people you pass by, letting someone in on the roadway, contacting a friend going through a tough time to offer a cheery “hello”, or offering to pay the meal of the person behind you in the drive through lane. For even more kindness ideas, see the Good Neighbor Stories Be Kind: Kindness Ideas Page.
• Donate food for a holiday food drive, or support a local hunger program. Look for donation barrels for Second Harvest Food Bank at area stores and businesses, or consider donating a frozen turkey for Thanksgiving.  West Valley Community Services, 10104 Vista Dr., Cupertino, accepts donated food Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with extended hours until 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
• Perform some volunteer work this weekend. Beautiful Day has a service event in and around San Jose this Saturday, Nov. 17. You can find other volunteer events going on all week at One Brick Silicon Valley and HandsOn Bay Area.
• “Adopt” a local child in need for the holidays. Bill Wilson Center has extended its deadline to Monday, Nov. 19, for “adopting” children during the holidays with active cases in the Santa Clara County Department of Children and Family Services. Almost 400 children and teens have been matched to donors so far, but hundreds more are in need of generous people who are willing to brighten their holidays with gifts, clothing, and food. See the Adopt-a-Family Holiday Giving Page on the center’s website to find out how to become a donor.

For more ideas, see the Good Neighbor Stories website.