Cape Kid of the Month Michael Mancino Shares Simple Ways You Can Spread Kindness Every Day!

January 31, 2019January 31, 2019 twhimsLeave a comment

Wear the Cape is proud to introduce its first Cape Kid of 2019! Michael Mancino is an everyday hero in the 6^thgrade at Warren Middle School in Warren, New Jersey. He is a valued member of the Watchung Hills Pop Warner football team, Warren youth travel basketball team, and the town’s winter and spring lacrosse teams.

Both on and off the field and court, Michael can be found helping others. This ongoing mission, along with his generous heart and determination to stand up for what is right, shows that Michael is committed to being BETTER THAN THAT™ – better than doing the wrong thing, even though it’s often the easier choice!

After a friend stood up for Michael when he was being teased in elementary school, he made the commitment to he himself be an Upstander – someone who sticks up for others when they are being bullied or mistreated. Michael realized at that moment that it only takes ONE person to make a difference. He shared, “The teasing made me feel anxious and belittled. However, when someone stood up for me, it made me feel valued. I wanted to be the person to do this for someone else…to make others feel worthwhile and befriended, like I did that day.”

In an effort to spread kindness throughout his former elementary school, Michael proposed starting a Kidkind Clubto his teacher and principal, before he graduated. The school officials were so impressed with the plan he presented that they put it on the agenda to seek implementation in 2019. He is aiming to bring a Kidkind Club to his middle school this spring, as well.

Michael also spreads kindness by giving his time. He has volunteered at Wear the Cape’s annual holiday fundraiser in December for the past four years. This summer, he joined The Lunchbox Movement to bring lunch to underprivileged children at Jerry Walker’s summer camp in Jersey City. During National Volunteer Month, in April, he provided support for The Bounce Factory of Warren’s Gentle Bounce Session, where he assisted children with special needs. Presently, he helps coach first and second graders in basketball!

Michael lives by a special mantra instilled by his father: “Good character and not reputation is what I value.”

Below are simple ways Michael suggests you can spread kindness every day:

Stand up for others. When you see someone not treating another person the way you would want to be treated, say something! It takes courage, but the more you do this, the easier it becomes.
Compliment others. A kind word can turn someone’s bad day into a happy one. Be the hero who saves someone from the doldrums, just by saying something nice!
Be a good friend: A good friend is consistent, trustworthy and kind. Be that to others, and you’re more likely to build meaningful, lasting friendships.
Be kind to yourself: Being kind to yourself puts you in a state of mind that helps you be kind to others. Love yourself for who you are. Do your best. Forgive yourself. Take care of your own needs. When you’re happy within, you can spread that sunshine.

Would you like to promote kindness in your school by starting a Kidkind Club? We’ve made it super simple for you to do. Access our “KIDKIND CLUB PROPOSAL TEMPLATE” by clicking here.

Lilly Cappiello – The girl who spreads kindness like confetti!

December 30, 2018December 27, 2018 twhimsLeave a comment

It is our pleasure to introduce to you Lilly Cappiello as our December Cape Kid of the Month. Lilly is a 5^th grader at Alexandria Middle School in Hunterdon County, New Jersey. She plays lacrosse and basketball for Hunterdon County and is often found staying late, after her games, to cheer on the kids playing the next game.

Like the flower, Lilly is known to brighten a person’s day. She likes to bring people together and advocates for those who are left out or need a helping hand. In school Lilly helped a girl who was being bullied by including her at her lunch table. She also reached out to another friends, to offer support and care, when she saw they were having a problem.

Lilly has a special bond with her beloved Aunt Ginny, who is developmentally disabled. This relationship developed a desire in Lilly to care for and spread extra kindness to those with special needs. For instance, when Lilly saw a man with special needs at church, she immediately turned to her mom and said, “I feel like he doesn’t have many people to say hello to him, so I am going to say hi to him each week.”

Like many middle school students, Lilly has been faced with being teased, due to her learning disability. It’s unfair and unkind, but Lilly chooses to combat these bullies with kindness. She has a BETTER THAN THAT™ message for all middle school kids. Please read this message to your children, and share with friends. It’s such an important message that our young children need. Please help us spread this message to all.

Dear Middle School friends,

Sometimes I’ve been teased at school and it hurts my feelings and makes me really sad. A strategy I use is pretending that there’s a shield around me, so the teasing doesn’t get to me. Sometimes I stand up for myself and say, “You can’t talk to me like that.” But that can be hard to do.

I always make sure I talk to my mom or another grown up, whom I trust. That helps me feel better.

If you see someone else being a bully, don’t follow him/her and if you can, find a way to get this person to stop (confront, tell an adult). We all need to think about our own words and how they can make the other person feel.

Your friend,

Lilly

Thank you, Lilly, for spreading kindness and helping those in need. You are an excellent example of showing that you can be kind every day, in small ways that have a great impact to all!

If you have a great kid that you would like to nominate for our Cape Kid of the Month award, please email leighann@wearthecapekids.com

Cape Kid of the Month – Michael Ricciardi: Volunteering from the Heart

November 29, 2018November 29, 2018 twhimsLeave a comment

It is a pleasure to introduce to you Michael Ricciardi as our Cape Kid of the Month for the month of November. Michael has grown up with many great role-models, including his parents and three older siblings. He watched his older sister and brothers volunteer and help others throughout his childhood. Observing the sense of pride and accomplishment that his siblings received from volunteering, gave Michael the desire to volunteer himself.

Like most 11th graders, Michael is very busy. Every summer, he travels between Virginia and Massachusetts for his summer travel team’s lacrosse tournaments. During the school year, in addition to his school studies at Mendham High School, in New Jersey, he plays on the varsity Lacrosse team. This is something he has done since his Freshman year. He also plays intramural basketball with his friends noting that, “It is competitive along with being a fun time.”

Michael admits that finding time to volunteer is difficult. However, he finds time in his off season schedule because he also knows the reward is great. “What motivates me as a volunteer is helping people and giving back my time while not seeking anything monetary in return. It makes me feel good and that I am accomplishing something good in the world,” he states.

For the past 4 years Michael has volunteered at Glen Ridge’s Rotary Turkey Drive, where he hauls heavy turkey donations to gathering trucks, where they then go to those in need. This was done, always with a smile, in rain, snow, and cold temperatures.

Taking his passion for lacrosse and turning it into a volunteer experience, Michael assists younger children at Kiddie LAX programs in his town. During the summer months, he volunteers at a children’s reading and writing camp. His director stated that Michael is, “kind, caring, and hard working.” He has also helped to prepare a reception for Confirmation candidates at St. Joseph’s Church, in Mendham, NJ.

Michael’s compassion and generosity have not gone unnoticed. He was chosen by his church administration to be on the SEARCH teen retreat team. His role was to provide a religious weekend for his peers, while making it fun. His biggest challenge was to suspend all cell phone use throughout the weekend. Although this was tough, it was beneficial. It allowed those teens in attendance to form new friendships without the use of technology.

Next June, Michael will be going on a mission trip to Kentucky to help the underprivileged in Appalachia. In this one week he will spend his time helping families better their living conditions, by assisting in rebuilding and restructuring their current homes.

Michael’s mother, Debra Ricciardi shared, “Michael is a very humble and kind young man. He is very caring and a good hearted person. He has a great sense of humor and fits well in any situation. He is confident and demonstrates maturity.”

Thank you Michael for showing others that it’s COOL TO BE KIND through serving others. You are a great rolemodel and we are grateful for what you give back to the world.

To nominate a Cape Kid, please contact Leighann@wearthecapekids.com.

In Kindness,
Leigh Ann Errico