Manayunk looks to encourage random acts of kindness with new project

They say a small act of kindness can go a long way. But just how far can it go? By “paying it forward” can you turn one small act into two, into three, into four until it spreads and multiplies?

With the launch of the #MNYKindess Project, Manayunk is on a mission to discover just how much kindness can grow.

“We originally came up with the idea while thinking of promotions and events we could do for Valentine’s day,” said Caitlin Maloney, the Marketing and Events Coordinator for the Manayunk Development Corporation. “The whole idea is to be kind, to pay it forward, and to share the kind things people are doing for others in the community.”

To get the project started, the Manayunk Development Corporation printed business-sized cards explaining the MNYKINDESS Project with instructions to pay it forward; pass on the card; and share your story, whether on Facebook, Instagram or the Manayunk.com website.

“So far we’ve passed out a little over 50 cards to business owners and friends in the area,” said Shannon Geddes, Public Relations and Events Coordinator at the MDC. “Everybody has been really receptive so far, posting about it on their Facebook pages or getting started themselves by doing their own small acts of kindness. Once it gets moving, the goal is to keep the cards recirculating.”

Just a few weeks into the launch, stories are already beginning to surface.

“A few weekends ago I placed MNYKINDNESS cards into 6 different sealed envelopes with some kind words of self-worth and placed them on dressing room mirrors at the Philadelphia Outlets in Limerick” shared Kim of Philadelphia.

Other stories have included buying cups of coffee or residents shoveling a neighbor’s sidewalk or PECO employees working outside in the cold.

“And we don’t need people to use money to participate in the project,” Maloney added. “Sure little things like buying a cup of coffee may have a small cost, but it’s amazing the difference you can make in a person’s day by maybe just carrying their groceries. We want the community to be excited about being kind and for the project to keep going throughout the year or for however long it can go.”

To view stories visit the #MNYKINDESS Project page or visit the manayunk.com Facebook page. For anyone interested in obtaining cards to start spreading the kindness, email info@manayunk.org.