`MR RANDOM KINDNESS'

Southeast Missouri Hospital employees are never quite sure how Scott Givens will arrive. About once a month this wellness specialist with the hospital's wellness center in Jackson dons a costume and visits the hospital with treats, hugs and pats on the back.

He has visited as a leprechaun, a giant heart, a caveman, and even an angel, complete with a halo and wings.

One co-worker described Givens as a random act of kindness, each and every day. He's always upbeat and enthusiastic about every task. He always has a smile for everyone he meets, always.

"He's the only person I know that always has fun on the job, no matter how busy he is," said Pearla Murphy, who works at the wellness center. "We've told each other that Scott has too much fun to be getting paid."

His positive attitude has a way of lifting everyone else up around him, said Murphy.

"If you give him a challenge, he says, `sounds like fun. Let's do it,'" she said. "He can be totally overwhelmed with programs, but he'll stop for anyone and answer their questions, and then he'll go on with a smile on his face."

Givens, 24, marked his year anniversary at the wellness center in February. He's a Cape Girardeau native and graduate of Southeast Missouri State University.

He said his parents always supported him. He enjoys passing that same kind of encouragement onto others.

"I was always patted on the shoulder," he said. "My parents always kept me going. When someone pats me on the back, it perks me up and I work a little better. I know if I go along and give others pats on the back or a hug or make them smile, it will make their day a little better, too."

Last Valentine's Day, one youngster in the pediatric ward told the nurses he wanted to see a walking valentine. Well, who should arrive later that day? Givens in a giant heart costume. It made the child's day.

Debbie Leoni, coordinator of outreach and wellness, said Givens is always upbeat and positive, which she calls exceptionally rare. "I don't ever have to wonder what kind of mood he'll be in when he arrives for work in the morning. He's always positive and he's genuine."

Hospital staff members look forward to his visits, said Leoni. "You never know what he's going to do or how he's going to dress. But when you see him, you're never surprised it's him," she said with a laugh.

Givens doesn't find it hard to be upbeat every day. It's a habit, he said.

"It makes me feel good to see other people smile or laugh a little bit during the day. Maybe that's my purpose in life," he said.

He was recently engaged, and Givens said his fiancee is just like him. "She's always upbeat."