‘Wave Of Positivity’ From Belleville Sisters Shows The Value Of Kindness

BELLEVILLE, NJ — A pair of siblings from Belleville continue their efforts to make their hometown a better place to live: a campaign that they call the “Wave of Positivity.”

The Wave of Positivity began during the 2020 pandemic when Sabrina and Selena Kossup wanted to find simple ways to lift spirits and spread kindness throughout town during such an uncertain time. All proceeds from the signs were used to purchase supplies for the police and fire departments during the pandemic, along with lunches for those working long hours on the front lines.

Since then, the Wave of Positivity has continued through ongoing random acts of kindness and seasonal community initiatives. Over the years, these efforts have included back-to-school giveaways, food drives, holiday donations, hospital deliveries and Memorial Day flag distributions.

The continued support from the Belleville community has inspired the sisters to keep the positivity going year after year, they said.

Selena graduated last year from Seton Hall University, and Sabrina is currently a rising senior at Paramus Catholic High School. Both sisters were born and raised in Belleville and continue to call the town home.

This spring season, Sabrina used money she earned from babysitting to purchase items and create Easter baskets that were donated to the Holy Family Rosarians, who were collecting and assembling baskets for local children and families that included plushies, stationery, candy and other cheerful surprises. The baskets were then delivered to Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville to help brighten the holiday for children spending the holiday in the hospital.

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The Wave of Positivity continued over the Memorial Day weekend when the sisters placed U.S. flags on lawns throughout the Rutan Estates area, including the Rutan, Crestwood, Bernice, Plenge, Carolyn and Dorothea neighborhoods. This year, the Kossups said they were amazed by how many residents came outside to say hello and thank them for the flags.

The sisters gave a special thank you to American Legion Post 105 for providing flags for the annual distribution.

“Each flag was previously placed on a fallen soldier’s grave before being respectfully replaced with a new one,” the Kossups said. “The American Legion then carefully collects and redistributes the flags throughout the community, allowing each one to continue carrying its own story and significance.”

Seeing how much these small gestures mean to people continues to bring the Kossup sisters happiness – and reminds them why they carry on the Wave of Positivity each year, they said.

“We are so happy to continue sharing positivity and kindness throughout our community,” the sisters shared.

• Related: Belleville Sisters Add To Their 5-Year Campaign Of Kindness With School Supply Drive

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