Be the change you want to see

Do you ever make the mistake of looking at the comment on internet posts? If you don't usually do this, please do not start now. For some reason the internet has given people, normally kind, sweet people, permission to be mean and judgmental. For example, if there is a post regarding a car accident, people will immediately decide that the person was texting and driving. Or speeding, or eating or generally being dangerous. All of which the commentator would NEVER do. A post about a police officer doing something wrong garners more attention than the hundreds of good things they do every day. Another post from a few days ago, a couple arrested for the deplorable condition of their home, their child taken from them, for obvious reasons. Jump on the judgment bandwagon.

Now, we are not saying that people don't speed and cause accidents, no one texts and drives, police are always right and everyone should keep their children. What we are saying is that maybe it is time to stop hiding behind the internet being unkind. All the people who are in the situations above know they are there. Being unkind is never an answer, and it really makes the person making those comments look bad. Not smart, not intellectual, just mean.

If you feel the need to do something when you see these stories you can offer your sympathy, prayers or find a way to actually help. Maybe people are not always what they should be for one reason or another, but that should not change who you are. If you are kind, or want to be then be that kind person. Be the change you want to see, just as the saying goes.  

Random Acts of Kindness Week is February 8 - 15

February 8 through 15 is Random Acts of Kindness Week! Of course, SPPRAK likes to think every week is random acts of kindness week! So lets say just for this week we get intentional about our kindness acts. Lets go out of our way to make kindness happen. We will start out easy with a couple of free and easy suggestions:

Smile, that's right, smile. At everyone. Today. You might even add a hi how are you to the mix, but it is not required. Just a simple, friendly, sincere smile. You are doing it right now aren't you? Don't you feel better? Now, go spread that around! The world could use a smile or two from you!

Next, open a door for someone. “Let me get that”, you say. Young, old, male or female, your act of kindness will be a hit.

Ask someone how they are doing and actually listen to them. Not the hurried, that's good kind of listening but the kind and caring listen. You might be just the one to change their day!

Say thank you.

Say please

Hug a friend

Pet a dog

Lend a hand.

None of these cost much, money wise, at the same time they are powerful reminders of kindness. Not all worth can be tallied by money, kindness is like that. The importance is in the ability to effect those we don't even know.

Please come over to our Facebook page SPPRAK and share your stories of kindness with our followers! 

Welcome 2015

As We Mark Our 5th Year

As we mark our the 5^th Birthday of SPPRAK! It is hard to believe that we are where we are today. The lessons we have learned from all of you, our fellow SPPRAKers, are amazing. As we reflect on how we started, as a “fun” raiser for the local Light House Mission to collect personal items for the residence there, to our latest completed project (the Kindness Mural on Brown Ave in Terre Haute), we at SPPRAK realize how blessed we are to have embarked on the kindness journey with all of you! 

So, on our birthday we celebrate all of our friends and co harts in the kindness journey. We encourage each of you to continue performing random acts of kindness, and the not so random acts. As always, and especially today, SPPRAK is grateful for each of you and all that you have done! Here’s to many more years for SPPRAK’s mission of kindness!

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving. Just saying that word gives you a good feeling, doesn't it? This is the time of year when people show their generous side. We also are shown the needs of people. As long as there are people, there will be problems. The saying, "you never know what battle someone else is fighting", rings a little more personal around the holidays. The battle is not important; it is how we all fight the war that matters. Orange Friday just ended, a successful campaign to feed the hungry on the Friday prior to Black Friday. It is vital to take care of those organizations that help feed the hungry in each of our communities. But what about the people we interact with everyday? Two agencies; VNA and Hospice of the Wabash Valley and Signature HealthCARE, in Terre Haute have decided this Thanksgiving to take care of the people that can’t really do that for themselves. Let’s talk to Jody Pomfort and Hailee Lauritzen from VNA and Hospice of the Wabash Valley. These two, both social workers at the agency, took it upon themselves to collect food baskets for patients that they knew needed them. “People who are sick don’t necessarily know about community resources. They miss deadlines due to being ill and family members are preoccupied or unable to help,” stated Jody. Just because those available resources are out there does not mean that everyone knows about them. “When we have a chance to help our patients, or anyone really, we should take that opportunity, don’t judge, just give.” Both agreed that the staff at VNA and Hospice are very helpful in getting in touch with people and letting them know about these resources. While our community has great initiatives, taking care of patients by going that extra mile is something both enjoy and feel are important in healing and making people feel more secure. 

Marsia Lorick, HR Director and Sheryl Robinson, ADON at Signature HealthCARE, spearheaded collections for their employees that needed a little help this Thanksgiving. When asked why they decided to give to their employees who needed a little assistance, Sheryl stated that the people that they work with are considered family. That is what family does; they take care of each other. This is their second year of doing the Thanksgiving assistance program for their fellow employees and they both hope to carry it on.  In addition, during Christmas the pair adds a Christmas Angel Tree to the mix for their employee’s children. 

Both agencies are very active in the community. Signature HealthCARE is active with the Alzheimer’s Association as they host a Coffee and Caregiver group for unpaid caregivers. They also recently had a Thanksgiving dinner for residence and family. 

Marsia stated she believes, "It's not just important to get involved in your community, but the place you work is considered your community." Sheryl summed up the sentiments of each of these women very well. When she was asked what the experience was like, she stated that it might be for selfless reasons that they continue to do the program, the pair gain far more than they give. It is a pleasure to be able to help others. They plan to continue their efforts. 

Sheryl, Marsia, Jody and Hailee: SPPRAK® thanks each of you. All of you out there every day taking care of not only the needs of our community, but the needs of people close to you. You never know the good you have done, the ripple you have started and the lives that these gestures has changed. Well done ladies, well done! Happy Thanksgiving!

Be Kind Where You Live

“We want people to … not just be kind where you live, but love where you live,” 

We want to encourage people to take an active part in your community.

To learn more about SPPRAK go to spprak.com

How is your company kind hearted?

Here are a few stories about companies that have encouraged their employees to give back as part of their working culture. Our hope is that once you read these you will share the amazing stories of your company or those you know of who have made a difference in your community!

First up, VNA and Hospice of the Wabash Valley. This home care and hospice is based in Terre Haute Indiana and, as a not for profit itself, understands the importance of giving to others. One of the ways they give back is by their monthly Blue Jean Fridays. Employees get to wear jeans, but have to pay $5 to do so. This in turn goes to the charity/nonprofit chosen for donation that month. The original Blue Jean Friday was a fundraiser for Orange Friday, an event that SPPRAK President Robin Heng, helped create. From that beginning in November 2009 through today Blue Jean Friday has resulted in $23,890.24 raised for local charities and occasionally the money has gone to employees in need. Many times, employees will give much more than the $5 required donation, resulting in this being a successful and fun fundraiser for the employees. VNA and Hospice has also been a supporter of SPPRAK since the beginning, and was the drop off point when we collected donations for Harrisburg IL tornado victims. 

Next up is Regional Hospital, part of HCA group based in Nashville TN. HCA is a large corporation and their giving nature makes them even bigger! Terre Haute Regional Hospital is a supporter of SPPRAK, and their mission of kindness. Regional Hospital has adopted the SPPRAK pack program in their facility.  The employees have also donated to our efforts when we traveled to Moore OK and Harrisburg IL. The employees and our friends that work there have risen to the occasion many times, collecting money for Orange Friday, other charities and fellow employees in need.

And last for today, but certainly not least, is Indiana American Water. Apparently this company encourages their employees to give back to the community in which they live and work but letting them have a paid day of service. Now that is putting their money where your heart is! On September 30, they spent time cleaning up a much graffitied fence. Where there was once an eyesore, the employees made an example of helping a property owner reclaim what is his. It is nice to get paid to help out, but the real reward is making a difference paid or not. Check out the pictures and video on our website! Indiana American Water was also instrumental in bringing the SPPRAK pack to the Vigo County Schools. 

Now it is your turn! We want to tell your story, or better yet, have you tell your story! Is your company kind hearted? If yes, please share, if not, well now is a good time to start! No one said the president of the company has to start the trend, it can start with you! Share it, live it, because kindness matters!