KINDNESS WEEK BEGINS WITH 350 PARTICIPANTS

It begins.

Today marks the official start of Random Acts of Kindness Week in the region.

Be ready for kindness to strike at any moment: nearly 350 businesses, churches, schools and organizations have signed up to participate in Cape Girardeau, Scott, Stoddard, Mississippi, Bollinger and Perry counties in Missouri and Alexander County in Illinois.

The full list of participants signed up as of Friday evening will be published Monday.

More than 15,000 Random Acts of Kindness stickers and 10,000 bookmarks have been distributed free of charge by the Southeast Missourian, sponsor of the week. Supplies are still available at 301 Broadway.

All participants, and others, are encouraged to call the Kindness Hotline at 334-8997 or *11 on Ameritech Cellular to share their stories of kindness that occur during the week. The hotline will be manned from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., beginning Monday.

The Missourian will also award Random Acts of Kindness books, buttons and bumper stickers to extraordinary kindness efforts.

Kindness week has spurred a domino effect, said Joni Adams, managing editor of the Southeast Missourian.

"We pushed the first domino and gave it a few nudges along the way, but the participants have done all the work coming up with the various projects," she said.

What's interesting is the reciprocal nature of kindness, she said.

"For example, the Sewing Ladies of Bethany Baptist Church will take baby quilts to Birthright. But Birthright is also handing out cookies and milk to everyone who walks through the door. Various businesses and groups are helping the schools, but students are also planning kindness activities for the businesses and communities. It's wonderful," said Adams.

Parents as Teachers in Cape Girardeau will combine Random Acts of Kindness with Mother's Day.

Parent educators will present baskets for single mothers who have very little support systems. "All moms work and try hard," said Susan Bartlett, parent educator. "Some are doing it with a little less support. We felt this would be a good way to give these mothers a shot in the arm."

As program staff were out in the community, simply talking to friends and acquaintances about the idea, individuals piped in with offers of free merchandise.

One staff member was telling her hairdresser about the project. She offered free haircuts. Another staff member took her daughter to a dentist appointment and mentioned the baskets. Toothbrushes and toothpaste were immediately donated.

Several businesses were also approached, and they, too, gave supplies readily for the baskets, said Bartlett. They hope to hand out between 20 and 30 baskets Wednesday.

On Tuesday, a team of Southeast Missouri Hospital employees will distribute flowering plants to about 60 homes near the hospital.

Administrator James W. Wente said, "The flowers are to let the families know Southeast values its association with them as neighbors and appreciates their patience as the hospital puts the finishing touches on its building program."

Southeast Hospice staff will deliver homemade cakes to area organizations such as fire and police departments and social service agencies that assist individuals in time of need.

Franklin School is displaying two large trees in the hallway for kindness week. Kindness nominations will earn students and teachers a dogwood blossom on the trees.

Each student has also made a tray favor for a local hospital, about 300 in all. Cooks, custodians and bus drivers will also be recognized during the week with thank-you notes and a flower.

The River Hills Garden Club will plant flowers at Franklin during the week.

Adams encouraged all those who receive a kindness or who commit a kind act to call the hotline this week.

NEWEST RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS PARTICIPANTS

Nearly 350 churches, organizations and schools have signed up for Random Acts of Kindness Week, which begins today in the region. Names of all participants will be published Monday. Here are the names of the newest groups to sign up:

Mrs. Goodwin's Second Grade Class at Orchard Elementary

Egyptian Pre-K in Tamms, Ill.

Balance Weight Control Program

River Hills Garden Club

Hardee's (West)

Transpeg

Cape Chip-A-Ways

Keith L. Monia Insurance and Realty

Prudential Insurance

St. Mark Lutheran Church

RSS Recycling

Cornerstone Church

St. John Religious Education Students in Leopold

Third through Sixth Grade Sunday School Classes at Grace United Methodist Church

My Daddy's Cheesecake

First Baptist Church in Delta

Kage Homemakers Club

Cape Girardeau County Chapter of AARP No. 4041

Downtown Neighborhood Association

Century 21 Ashland Realty

Jackson Post Office

Den 3 of Pack 8 Cub Scouts at Trinity Lutheran School

Greater Dimension Church of God in Christ

Jose's Beauty Salon

River Heritage Quilters Guild

A Wing Ladies of Missouri Veterans Home

Business Office at St. Francis Medical Center

Physician Resource Center at St. Francis Medical Center

Health Information Management at St. Francis Medical Center

Out Patient Registration at St. Francis Medical Center

Express Tire and Auto

Jim Wilson Co.

Bi-State Southern

Upper Room Sunday School Class at Grace United Methodist Church

Plasco Stripping Service

Second Grade Class at Delta R-5

AmeriCorps

Young Americans 4-H Club

Taylor Glass & Remodeling

The Toy Train at Southeast Missouri Hospital

Advantage Advertising Specialty Co.