Debbie Laskey's Blog: Tips to Celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Day

Did you know that there's a day that celebrates kindness? Random Acts of Kindness Day celebrates and encourages random acts of kindness and the pay it forward mentality.

According to ThereIsADayForThat.com, "The day is meant to cultivate feelings of kindness toward others and brighten up their day. Every act is significant, no matter how big or small. Random Act of Kindness Day was first established in 1995 by the nonprofit Random Acts of Kindness Foundation. It first originated in Denver, Colorado and in 2004, spread to New Zealand. The idea and celebration continued to spread and is officially celebrated on February 17th in the United States."

Here are some brands that stand out for their dedication to kindness and improving communities both near and far:

TOM'S SHOES

According to the company's website, "Since the beginning of TOMS, you and our Impact Partners have had a positive impact on over 105,000,000 lives — and we're far from finished. In 2006, TOMS founder Blake Mycoskie pioneered the One for One model — giving away one pair of shoes for every pair sold, supporting larger health, education, and community development programs through strategic partnerships. Today we give 33 percent of profits for grassroots good. When you wear TOMS, you Wear Good."

KINDNESS TIP: If your brand is a product, can you implement a buy one item-donate one item initiative?

BOMBAS SOCKS

According to the company's website, "When our customers make a purchase, they spark a donation, helping to keep our Giving Partner Organizations stocked up with plenty of socks, underwear, and t-shirts to distribute to those who need them. As of May 30, 2024, we're at 143,193,087 products donated and 123,255,184 products distributed. These totals will be updated annually. Milestone numbers featured in marketing materials may lag behind the current number as they were produced at a moment in time."

KINDNESS TIP: Can your brand partner with other organizations to distribute donated products?

DAWN

According to the company's website, "We go above and beyond what is required to share helpful information about the Dawn products that deliver the effective and sustainable clean you expect for your home and family. Here's everything you need to know about our soap ingredients, what they do, and how they reflect our commitment to you, your family, and our community...Tough on grease and oil, gentle enough for wildlife: For nearly 50 years, Dawn has worked with wildlife rescue experts to protect and care for aquatic wildlife. Our iconic ducklings have become a symbol of our effectiveness as the better grease getter and our dedication to creating a cleaner world for birds and marine mammals alike."

Since 1978, Dawn has worked with bird and marine mammal experts through countless efforts. Here is a recap of the brand's impact:

* 200+ rescue missions using Dawn

* 50,000+ bottles donated

* 150,000+ birds and marine mammals cleaned

KINDNESS TIP: Can your brand partner with environmentally-conscious organizations to support wildlife conservation, climate change awareness, and/or recycling?

DOVE

The brand has an impressive mission: "Redefining beauty, and keeping women and girls confident, one initiative at a time." Dove launched a self-esteem project in 2024: a resolution for women to let go of unrealistic beauty standards and define beauty on one's own terms.

Dove has also launched other inspiring initiatives:

(1) Dove invited fans to help end race-based hair discrimination.

(2) In partnership with the Rimba Collective, Dove is protecting and restoring 123,000 acres of rainforest, peatlands, and mangroves in Southeast Asia over the next five years – an area eight times the size of Manhattan.

(3) "At Dove Men+Care, we’re proud to have zero manufacturing waste going to landfill. Cardboard boxes transporting raw materials, for example, are sold to recycling companies to ensure they’re reused. As part of our commitment to help minimize waste and make all our plastic packaging reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025, the bottles of our body, face and hair washes are recyclable and made with 100 percent recycled plastic in North America and Europe (where technically possible). This means less greenhouse gases are being produced, which of course is better for the environment. Dove Men+Care does not test on animals and is PETA Approved."

KINDNESS TIP: Can your brand re-imagine a concept (e.g., the vision of beauty) so that it better equips teenagers as they enter adulthood and helps them gain self-confidence?

KRISPY KREME DOUGHNUTS

Since 1955, the company has offered fundraising kits for organizations to sell boxes of doughnuts; Krispy Kreme would then split the proceeds with the organizations to raise funds for various causes. In 2014, Krispy Kreme released a $1,685 doughnut as part of fundraising efforts for The Children's Trust. It was covered with 24-karat gold and decorated with edible diamonds. The inside was made from Dom Pérignon champagne jelly.

KINDNESS TIP: Can your brand partner with nonprofit organizations to help with their fundraising initiatives?

NAOT

According to Reader's Digest, "Naot has long been a favorite for ethically minded shoppers, and that's thanks to what the company calls its "shoes of peace." The Naot factory is located in a small farming community in the northernmost part of Israel, where it's been handcrafting shoes since 1942. It employs people of every faith and ethnicity, and every pair of shoes is handmade through the joint craft of Israelis and Palestinians. As a socially active company, Naot donates thousands of pairs of shoes to battered women and homeless shelters throughout the United States and around the world every year. Shoes are handcrafted through sustainable methods; shoes feature vegetable-tanned leather and a cork footbed to minimize the environmental impact; and boxes are made of recycled materials."

According to the company's website, "Design your own Naot to Donate! Download our template to design your own Naot sandal, get creative! Post your design on social media using #NaotGivesBack (on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/naot.northamerica/) and we will donate a pair of shoes in your name!"

KINDNESS TIP: Can your brand donate products?

SASHKA CO. BRACELETS

According to the company's website, "Sashka Co. glass beaded bracelets are handcrafted with positive vibes by artisans in the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal. Each bracelet is carefully handmade bead by bead. Skill, passion, and some of the world's finest glass and sterling silver beads go into each one. Every Sashka Co. Bracelet comes with a lifetime guarantee and a perfect fit promise.

Sashka Co. partners with several organizations in Nepal that train and employ hundreds of artisans in rural communities. Our partners are focused on gender equality and empowering women. The women at the co-ops earn a living wage that exceeds the local minimum wage. Sashka Co. was founded in 2013 with an amazing team of seventeen artisans. Thanks to the support of Sashka Co. Bracelets customers, we now provide sustainable jobs to 450+ artisans in Nepal.

KINDNESS TIP: Can your brand make a difference in a part of the world where inequality exists?

If you're in charge of marketing initiatives for a brand, what can your organization do today for your employees or the community? And if you find yourself at Starbucks or your favorite coffee house, why not surprise the next customer and pay for their drink?

Debbie Laskey's Blog

Monday, February 17, 2025

Tips to Celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Day