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Kindness Fair, September 16, 2000
Throughout the day there were over 1,000 people who attended Abbotsford's first kindness fair. The fair began as a forum, to welcome home the Cycling Team, however, amazing things happen when creative minds get together! One idea lead to another and another and before you knew it we were having a fair.
The fair was held at a local park in Abbotsford and we couldn't have asked for a nicer day. Our fair didn't have rides or a midway but we had entertainment, crafts, vendors displaying their goods, and a concession. The Girl Guides, Abbotsford Foundation, Optimist Club and the Abbotsford Police joined us for the day and helped with various crafts and activities. We had Dinotown characters, the Abbotsford Fiddlers and other musicians providing entertainment on Abbotsford's new portable stage.
Many of our crafts and activities focused on kindness, some examples...
"Kind Remind" Bracelets: Children could make there own or choose from the hundreds already made.
Kindness Wall Hanging: Children were given squares of material and asked to write a statement or colour a picture of what kindness means to them. (Quotes to follow) This wall hanging will be shared amongst schools to encourage students to design their own hanging.
Kizzie & Kuddles the Kindness Clowns: While the real Kizzie & Kuddles were Out mingling with the crowd, we had prints of the clowns for children to colour.
Some of the wonderful ripples that happened leading up to and on Fair Day.
John Smith, Chairman of the School Board, District #34, got behind us 100%. He had our materials photocopied to have on hand at the Principal's Conference in the beginning of September. He continues promoting us whenever and wherever he can. Mr. Smith has told our group, "Stay enthusiastic, you're just what our schools need and you are in line with our directive".
Susan Antak Principal of Dormick Park Elementary, heard about our Fair and promoted it by having Kindness Week at her school. She encouraged the children to come to the Fair, and included information on the Fair in the school newsletter.
Kuman Dhillion, a senior at Mouat Secondary, wrote a poem about kindness and asked if she could read it at the Fair. Of course, we were thrilled to have her do this.
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Kindness
The Canadian Oxford dictionary defines kindness as the state or quality of being kind. The word kindness is more than a dictionary definition, kindness is an act of one. This is my definition of kindness...
The warmth of the sun on one's face when the cold December wind blows is the kindness of mother nature.
The touch of a mother that reaches the deepest spaces in a child's soul is kindness.
The smile that greeted the broken soul who lives in darkness is kindness.
Lighting the candle for a lost man is kindness.
Guiding a child home to love and the comfort of crimson flames is kindness.
Giving your soul to family, hope and life is kindness that reaches all those you touch.
Kindness heals and guides. Kindness is pure and aids not one but all.
Kindness, what's your definition?
Kumal Dhillion |
While the musicians were playing some upbeat songs, many people got up to dance. It was such a wonderful sight to behold! Cheryl, a member of Kindness is Cool, noticed a couple watching the action from their wheelchairs. She approached them and asked if one of them would like to dance. The lady said she would love to! She got out of her wheelchair and with Cheryl's assistance they danced for two songs. After the dance was over, with tears in her eyes, the lady said, "You made my month, I haven't danced like that in years!"
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