Help someone unload his or her groceries. Take some soup to a sick friend. Shovel snow for your neighbor. Thank one of your professors. Volunteer to study with a student in your class who needs help. Call your Mom just to say, “Hi.”

These are just some of the acts of consideration that the West Virginia University community is encouraged to take part in during WVU’s eighth Random Acts of Kindness Week held Feb. 11-16.

The week is coordinated by the Center for Civic Engagement in conjunction with the United Way of Monongalia and Preston counties.

“Random Acts of Kindness Week provides a great opportunity to showcase the collegiality that exists on our campus every day,” said Dr. Kristi Wood-Turner, Director at the Center for Civic Engagement. “By practicing kindness ourselves and passing it on to others, we hope that it will create a ripple effect. The Center for Civic Engagement hopes that students, faculty, staff and community members take advantage of Random Acts of Kindness Week to reach out to those around us – just because it’s the right thing to do.”

Community members are encouraged to check out ideas for practicing kindness online at http://cce.wvu.edu/kindness. Also more resources for practicing RAK year-round can be found at http://www.randomactsofkindness.org/kindness-resources.

The WVU Student Recreation Center will offer activities all week long to celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Week:

  • Monday (Feb. 11) – Free chair massage 5-7 p.m.
  • Tuesday (Feb. 12) – WVU Gear Day giveaway
  • Wednesday (Feb. 13) – “Pay it Forward Day” gift card giveaway
  • Thursday (Feb. 14) – Valentine’s Day gift basket giveaway
  • Friday (Feb. 15) – “Surprise” giveaway day.

Anyone interested in volunteering can find information on volunteer opportunities in the area by visiting WVU’s iServe site at http://iserve.wvu.edu.

-WVU-

am/02/06/13

CONTACT: Alexis McMillen, Center for Civic Engagement
304-293-8344, Alexis.McMillen@mail.wvu.edu

Follow @WVUToday on Twitter