SIGN UP TO TAKE PART IN RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS WEEK

Agnes Bendel was the first to call and sign up for Random Acts of Kindness.

She called to report that the wives of residents at the Missouri Veterans Home will thank the staff by bringing homemade goodies for all three shifts, just like last year. Sign-up sheets are already in place, Bendel reported.

The Veteran's Home isn't alone. Many organizations and individuals have begun planning for this year's Random Acts of Kindness.

The fourth annual week to promote kindness starts on Mother's Day, May 9. It is coordinated by the Southeast Missourian.

"It's time to sign up," said Joni Adams, managing editor of the newspaper.

To make participating as easy as possible, the newspaper is giving away stickers, bookmarks, and signs. All are free.

This year, 25,000 stickers and 25,000 bookmarks, all with a bright yellow smiling logo, are available free to those participating. Schools, classrooms, Sunday school groups and businesses may request as many stickers as they need. Small quantities can be mailed.

Already, thousands of stickers and hundreds of bookmarks have been requested. The goal is to give away all the supplies before the week begins.

Entire cities, schools, churches and businesses may sign up. Also small groups, clubs, classes, families and individuals may sign up.

By signing up, participants pledge to do a kind act during the week.

Registration is easy. You can call the newspaper office at (573) 335-6611. Ask for Adams or Peggy Scott. Or you can fax, mail or drop off the registration form found in today's newspaper.

During the weeks leading up to May 9, names of participants will be published on the front page of the newspaper.

In addition, the newspaper will write dozens of feature stories about kind people and kind acts during the week. The newspaper is looking for suggestions of kind people or kind acts to be featured.

During Random Acts of Kindness Week, a hotline will operate at the newspaper for callers to report kindnesses.