Category: Musings

There’s KINDNESS in Coffee

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There’s KINDNESS in CoffeeAs we all know mornings can be rough and a morning coffee is essential for some.  I am NOT a morning person, and therefore, require coffee to kick start my day.  I’m sure some of you can relate.

What began as an incredibly crazy morning – kids missed the bus (dare I say, again?), lunches weren’t made, and I had no time for breakfast, let alone a cup of coffee. After racing out the door and miraculously getting my kids to school on time, I had less than five minutes grab a quick cup of coffee on my way to work.

As I opened the door to Dunkin’ Donuts, my heart sank. The line was long.  I now had only 4 minutes to get my coffee.  I pondered leaving, but the smell of my awaiting “cup of sanity” begged me to stay.  I gave in, praying the line would move quickly.

With 2 minutes to go, I finally was next in line.  However, the woman in front of me was taking quite a while to decide what flavor she wanted in her coffee, and I was growing equally impatient and panic stricken that I would be late for work.

Just as I was about to suggest a flavor to speed things along, I heard her scream, “WHAT? WHO DID?” She then turned around pointing to me and others behind me asking, “Was it you? Was it you?” All of us shook our heads in bewilderment.

It was what followed that turned my morning, from a hectic and crazy mess, to a joy filled and happy one – coffee or no coffee. I heard the words,  “Well, then I’ll pay for her!” Yes, that wonderfully, indecisive woman had just offered to pay for my coffee, as the person in front of her had just done.  I thought, “Now this was getting fun!” I wanted in on this, so I offered to pay for the person behind me, he then offered to pay for the person behind him, and this continued until the end of the line.

My cup of coffee tasted wonderful that morning. It definitely hit the spot…right in my heart. I was in awe of the human spirit. One random act of kindness, by one stranger, set up a chain of pay if forward events, which affected five people on a dreary cold morning in Warren, New Jersey. Each one of us left that store smiling and feeling grateful for the one person who spread kindness, by his good deed, and his example.

See below for ideas on how you, too, can make someone’s day with your Random Acts of Kindness.

Random Acts of Kindness Ideas for Adults and Kids:

  • Send a friendly letter in the mail to someone who could use some cheer
  • Pay for a stranger’s coffee or groceries when at the store
  • Help a neighbor or elderly person bring in his/her mail or groceries
  • Let someone merge in front of you when on the road
  • Bring pizza or treats to your local EMT, police, or fire department
  • Put a quarter in a parking meter that is running out of time
  • Give someone a compliment
  • Donate old clothes or books to underprivileged schools

Choose Kind,
Christina Mancino
Assembly Leader

One Hero of a Year

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It has been an amazing and productive year for us at Wear the Cape and kidkind Foundation. In January 2016, we launched our Hero Assembly, a program designed to provide elementary students with tools and strategies needed to combat bullying.  In our first year alone, we booked OVER 31 assemblies throughout the state of New Jersey.  Presently, we have schools calling weekly to secure their date for 2017.

We have received FIVE STAR reviews from all schools that we have visited.  Mrs. Amy Johnson, sent us the following testimonial after watching our program:

“I had the privilege of participating in the Wear The Cape assembly in October 2016.  This hour-long interactive assembly showed the children how to handle bullying and uncomfortable situations through role playing, videos and discussion.  The student responses warmed my heart.  They all want to do good for themselves and others. Wear the Cape reminded them to STOP and THINK about how their reaction may help or hurt others.  Everyone left the assembly with tools to use if needed and feeling good about themselves.”

We thank Mrs. Johnson for her kind feedback and welcome all who have seen our assembly to let us know your thoughts.  For further information on our program, or to bring our assembly to your school, email leighann@wearthecapekids.com.

As promised, we donated an assembly to an underprivileged school in October. School #16 in Elizabeth, were most appreciative of our program and even contacted the local newspaper to share their excitement.  The Star Ledger also wrote an article on the importance and success of our Hero Assembly, which you can read here: http://www.nj.com/somerset/index.ssf/2016/10/warren_program.html

Our staff has been busy finalizing our new children’s book, Titled, It’s Good To Be King-d.  The book will available on our website, as well as on Amazon, in early 2017.  To keep with our mission of being Better Than That™ we will be donating 1000 books to kindergarten classrooms throughout the nation.

This past month we held our annual holiday fundraiser to benefit kidkind Foundation.  Cape Kids modeled our newest merchandise, the White Winter Hero Hat and 15 ounce Cup of Kindness Mug, both which can be purchased on our Shopify store.

 

 

 

 

 

Women came with donations for our troops overseas, gifts for children at the New Jersey Children’s Home Society in Trenton, New Jersey, and lots and lots of cookies for a traditional cookie swap.

As another year comes to an end. I want to take the time to thank you for your kindness, your generosity, and your support.  I wish you a happy and healthy 2017.

In Kindness,

Leigh Ann Errico

Meet our Cape Kid of the Month – Brielle Ricciardi

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Brielle Ricciardi - Cape Kid of the MonthThis month we are honored to feature Brielle Ricciardi as our Cape Kid for her incredible and selfless work with her school’s Storied Lives Program.

Brielle, a Mendham High School Senior, joined her school’s Storied Lives program last May, which partnered a high school student with a Senior at an assisted living home in Morristown. Brielle knew immediately that she wanted to be part of this special program, stating, “I had a feeling that I had to do this. “ She is so glad she did!

Brielle met with Mr. Halkes four times throughout the summer.  Her visits, which lasted between an hour and an hour and a half, were ones that she thoroughly enjoyed. Brielle was excited for her visits because she knew she would learn something from him, specifically, what she said is her biggest lesson learned from him, “Do something every day that makes you happy.”

Brielle has taken Mr. Halkes advice, but has added a twist.  She now looks to also make others happy, whether it be with her charitable work, school, with her family or friends.

Brielle aspires to be a role model to others.  She is now an advocate for seniors, asking all to, “not overlook the elderly.” She is part of Wear the Cape’s Junior Board, is featured in Wear the Cape’s video portion of our Hero Assemblies, and recently volunteered as a Cape Kid for kidkind Foundation’s annual holiday fundraiser.

Brielle plans to keep in touch with Mr. Halkes, a former educator, who states that his students were his children.  In the years to come, she plans to “spend my life living-“ another lesson from her forever friend, Mr. Halkes.