Donate to a charity. Volunteer in the community. Pay someone a compliment.

The staff at West Virginia Universitys Center for Civic Engagement (CCE) hopes kind acts like these will inspire a wave of goodwill across campus this week.

For the third straight year, WVU is partnering with the United Way of Monongalia and Preston Counties to celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Week Feb. 12-18.

During this special week, special events will take place that highlight the generosity of our University and the students, faculty and staff who make it so unique,said Brett White, who is coordinating this years events at the University.

As part of the UniversitysSpotlight on Kindnesscampaign, WVU Web Services developed a special Web site (http://www.wvu.edu/kindness/) with a schedule of activities andkindideas.

Students and employees who have been the recipient of a kind act are encouraged to report it to the United Way by calling 304-296-7525 or submitting it online at http://www.actsofkindness.teamunitedway.org/. The Dominion Post will track the results through a dailykind-o-meter.

The idea is to encourage everyone in the University community to make kindness an everyday part of lifeto do good deeds without expecting anything in return,White said.

WVU s RAK Week activities kicked off Monday with free cookies and hot cocoa from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Mountainlair. Volunteers from the CCE and Student Government Association (SGA) handed out the items, donated by WVU Dining Services, in the commons area.

On Wednesday, the CCE and SGA will be holding a pet food drive from 7-7:30 p.m. in the lobby of the Creative Arts Center prior to theCatsproduction. Donations will be given to a local animal shelter.

WVU will continue its kind ways Thursday with another cookie and cocoa event from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in theLair, and the CCE plans to distribute RAK cards, reminding everyone to do generous acts, Friday on the Evansdale Campus.

Kindness will also be contagious during the Mountaineer Parents Clubs annual Winter Weekend festivities. Look for the RAK table, hosted by CCE volunteers, at the clubs pizza party from 2-3:30 p.m. Saturday in the Shell Building. Families who drop by will receive free basketball stickers, courtesy of The Dominion Post, and parents and students will have the opportunity to share their RAK stories on special cards.

In addition, the Student Recreation Center will offer students and members free chair massages from 5-8 p.m. Monday, a Valentines Day gift basket drawing on Wednesday and random giveaways (MondayiPods; Tuesdaywater bottles and T-shirts; Wednesdaydinner and movie gift cards; Thursdaygift cards for Panera Bread, Starbucks and Sheetz; Friday WVU gear; Saturdaymiscellaneous giveaways;

SundayKroger gift cards).

Sunday will be WVU Free Day at the Student Recreation Center for University employees. Faculty and staff will be able to access the 177,000-square-foot facility at no charge and take advantage of the centers fitness equipment, pools, elevated jogging track and more.

Other ways WVU is celebrating kindness include a United Way project calledSuitcases for Kids.

Students, faculty and staff can donate their unused luggage to this worthwhile cause,White said.All collected items will be donated to local foster care homes to be used by children.

Suitcases can be dropped off at the CCE in 109 White Hall, One Waterfront Place (second floor Human Resources lobby) or the Student Organization Services wing in theLair.

Meanwhile, departments at WVU Hospitals will also be getting into the spirit of the week with candy and RAK cards at the hospital parking booth, grab-bag gifts at the Rosenbaum Family House, an employee tea at Patient Financial Services, a food drive organized by Human Resources and Employee Health, a Hospital Administration collection for the Ronald McDonald House and much more.

And the United Ways caped crusader of caring, Captain Kindness, will pay kids a visit at the Child Development Center at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, said Stephanie Bock, director of community relations. For a complete schedule of WVUH RAK events, go to:http://www.health.wvu.edu/

Student Health Services Employee Appreciation Week coincides with RAK Week. Activities include aGet Fit DayTuesday, when employees are encouraged to wear their workout clothes, bring healthy snacks and participate in a staff lunch; a departmental lunch recognizing theEmployee of the Yearon Wednesday; chair massages and staff lunch on Thursday; and Hawaiian luau and ice cream social on Friday.

Year-round RAK activities include SGA sUnsung Hero Awardprogram, honoring exceptional students and employees. Nomination forms are available in the Student Organization Services Office or online at:http://www.wvu.edu/kindness/nominate.html

Nominations will be reviewed and voted on by the student Board of Governors. Winners are honored at a BOG meeting and their biographies posted to the MIX (Mountaineer Information Xpress), SGA Web site ( http://www.wvu.edu/%7Esga/ ) and in theLair.

Good-deed doers may also be recognized with eCards ( http://ecards.scripts.wvu.edu/ ) featuring images taken by WVU Photographic Services. These were developed by Web Services as a simple way for students, employees and alumni to saythank youto family, friends and co-workers.