Community Comes Together for Kindness

December 15, 2016December 15, 2016 Leigh Ann ErricoLeave a comment

It was a magical evening in Warren, New Jersey, as Wear the Cape and the kidkind Foundation hosted its fourth annual holiday fundraiser. What Founder Leigh Ann Errico started as a Christmas cookie exchange in a small dorm room over 20 years ago with only a handful of friends has evolved into a spectacular night every year, with almost 100 women and children gathering to support and celebrate the works of Wear the Cape and the kidkind Foundation.

Some of the original attendees joined the event this evening, including Cynthia Caramico, who gave a passionate testimonial on Wear the Cape’s elementary school Hero Assembly. The program reached thousands of kids this year through over 30 performances since its launch less than a year ago. Guests got a taste of the interactive assembly by watching a highlight video featuring real kids who acted in the assembly to spread kindness and encouragement in the fight against bullying. All were inspired and agreed that the program’s focus on courage and kindness, delivered through relatable messages, is a must for all schools.

Over 20 young children, ranging in age from four to 16, volunteered to help at the event. These Cape Kids greeted guests with big smiles and huge hearts, as they collected toy donations for underprivileged children via New Jersey Children’s Shelter of Trenton, and much needed supplies for our troops overseas via Operation NJ Cares. YLP Parking of Kenilworth, New Jersey donated their valet fee, as a way to honor all veterans and “pay it forward.”

Coming together to toast to kindness and commemorate the achievements of the past year was a highlight of the evening. In addition to launching and performing Hero Assemblies, a number of which were donated, these accomplishments include being chosen to present at the NJASEC Convention at Rider University in Lawrenceville, NJ; developing Cape South, a branch of Wear the Cape assemblies in Florida; and the creation of its first children’s book, titled IT’S GOOD TO BE KINGD, which kidkind Foundation will be donating to underprivileged kindergarten classrooms and Wear the Cape will be selling starting at the beginning of 2017.

Adorable Cape Kids modeled Wear the Cape’s newest merchandise: the cozy, embroidered Wear the Cape Hero Hat – White Winter Edition and the Cup of Kindness Mug, which joined the long list of Better Than That™ items, such as lip balm, T-shirts, baseball caps, and even beach balls!

Madame Hollis provided guests with kindness fortune readings on the lower level of the event, while the talented Will Honicky, a high school student from Morris Plains, and Chris Waryn of Watchung entertained guests with their beautiful melodies on the piano.

It was an evening of sheer enjoyment. And when the night came to an end, guests left with dozens of cookies to share in their own homes for the holidays.

After 20 years, the cookie swap tradition continues – only now guests are exchanging more than cookies. They share kindness, generosity, goodwill, and hope for a brighter, kinder world, for their families and children around the world.

For more information on how to donate to the kidkind Foundation, bring a Hero Assembly to a school near you, or purchase IT’S GOOD TO BE KINGD for a child in your life or for kids in need, please email leighann@wearthecapekids.com.

Tonight, Everyday Heroes Banded Together for Kindness

November 18, 2015November 18, 2015 Leigh Ann ErricoLeave a comment

Tonight marked the third annual holiday event for Wear the Cape’s kidkind foundation, and it just might have been the best one yet. With over 90 women in attendance, 20 Cape Kids who volunteered their time, and many vendors who donated their services and specialties, the kidkind foundation raised over $9,500(estimate) to use for GOOD.

Thanks to generous donations, in 2016 Wear the Cape and the kidkind foundation will be bringing to elementary schools a fun and inspiring, hour-long assembly with a new, positive approach to preventing and stopping bullying, publishing a children’s book that beautifully illustrates that it’s better to be a hero than a bully, and putting money toward scholarships for deserving young men and woman who embody Wear the Cape’s mission.

As the near 100 guests arrived, they were greeted by young Cape Kids decked in red capes, who assisted them with their generous donations. They also came laden with much needed supplies for our troops overseas via Operation NJ Cares, toys for underprivileged children via NJ Children’s Shelter of Trenton, and delicious treats for a cookie swap. By sharing one tray of cookies each with all, women were able to bring home tins of “kindness cookies” to enjoy and be reminded of the good in the world throughout the holiday season.

Guests even gained an early start on holiday shopping. Cocoa Fete, Fabulously Frilly, Eileen McDonald, Silpada, Rosie Posie Botique, Pampered Chef and Petit Lily were among the vendors who donated a percentage of their profits back to the kidkind foundation. Wear The Cape also introduced its new merchandise – a comfy long-sleeve tee, a warm and fuzzy hat, love-inspiring lip moisturizer and a beautifully crafted Cape pin – complete with “hero tags” that coach kids on making the right choices and being “BETTER THAN THAT™”.

Additionally, several local business owners, including Ann Nappi, Sandrine Boegart, Ann Fournier, and Danielle Mazzurco donated to a for-goodness-sake raffle. Pink Buttercup donated a cake and the valet fee was donated by YLP Parking, as well.

But the fun didn’t stop there! Madame Clare entertained and inspired adults and children with positive fortunes of their heroic deeds in the future. Colleen Grunfest of Warren, a beloved, local teacher who is committed to building good character in kids, donned a costume to play the part.

A highlight of the evening was watching the video trailer for Wear the Cape’s soon-to-be-released assembly, which will be brought to schools in New Jersey and beyond beginning this January 2016. One awesome Cape Kid summed up the video by saying, “My favorite part of making this movie was showing that it really is cool to be kind.”

For more information on how you can preview the assembly and bring the interactive, multimedia presentation to your child’s school, please email Leigh Ann Errico at leighann@wearthecapekids.com.

What made the inaugural 5K race for kidkind a success?

May 6, 2014July 19, 2014 Leigh Ann ErricoLeave a comment

The inaugural 5K race for kidkind held this past Saturday was an all-around success, filled with big smiles and big hearts. When runners, volunteers and families arrived at the Warren, NJ Municipal fields, they were greeted by one of the first beautiful days of spring after a grueling New Jersey winter. It was the perfect setting as we joined together to raise money for kids in need while showing the kids we love the power of kindness and character.

The mud on the trails did not stop the 117 runners who came out to support the kidkind foundation, Teens Connecting with Teens and the Warren Recreation Commission’s Summer Camp Scholarship Fund. Thanks to the generosity of sponsors and participants, the event raised over $10,000, meeting our goal! We’d like to thank Gotta Dance for not only being the race for kidkind’s lead sponsor, but also for delivering one of the day’s highlights: dedicated dancers with inspiring routines.

Beyond monetary donations, a big predictor of good character is the giving of ourselves in support of our communities, as we all know. We were so fortunate to have about 50 heroic volunteers who were so generous with their efforts, committed to the success of the fundraiser. The Contender Cheer team was also so giving of their time and talents, posting up at the race’s finish line to encourage runners as they sweated to earn the last mile. This amazing group of young ladies has been supportive of Wear the Cape and the kidkind foundation since our launch last fall, and we are so grateful to them for their unrelenting championing of our mission.

As a whole, the event embodied what Wear the Cape is all about: bringing out the best in others, bringing to light the positive in our world, and bringing about a change in our society.

The outpouring of support from local businesses, volunteers, and the town of Warren was not just a means to an end, but an exercise of camaraderie that strengthened our community, reminding us all that we’re in this together and together we can make a BIG impact.

Recognizing Cape Kid Sami Saunders and highlighting the passion of Cape Kid Olivia Perlmutter, founder of Teens Connecting with Teens, has not only helped balance out all the negative news we hear involving our youth, but these young ladies’ stories have served to inspire others to also be courageous, to find ways to help those in need, and to be Better Than That—above bad choices that hurt themselves and others.

Lastly, little ones seeing these role models and the grown-ups they look up to elevating kindness and virtue as cool and worthy of respect helped spark change in kids’ perspectives and, it is our hope, the way they interact with the world.

Many commented that optimism and goodwill radiated throughout the day at the 5K race for kidkind and Family Festival – we agree, so MISSION ACCOMPLISHED…with the help of all of you!

Choose kind,
Leigh Ann