Random Acts of Kindness Day is celebrated every year on February 17 to encourage acts of kindness among individuals, groups, or organizations.

The organization the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation created the holiday in Denver, Colorado in 1995 to “make the world a better place” and “make kindness a part of our everyday lives.”

Freshman communication disorders and sciences student Sylvia Kendera says kindness is a lifestyle and not just a single action.

“This is because all the random acts of kindness, though they seem small, all add up in the end to the point that the love and care expressed through them cannot be contained in a single act,” Kendera said. “When extending an act of kindness, such as holding the door for someone, you make that person feel appreciated. At the same time, you feel joy for being able to make this person smile. Then, the people watching this act of kindness take place also feel a greater sense of happiness knowing that good people exist in the world and may be inspired to share the kindness in their own lives. In this way, through multiple small acts, kindness keeps growing and growing until it becomes something to live by.”

Kendera says the basis of a kind act is to care for other people.

“This can be expressed through large projects and group efforts, such as the ESL lessons given at Amigos and Friends at the EIU Newman Center or through simple acts that can be easily integrated into daily life, such as waving ‘hi’ to people passing by, offering to open the door for someone who’s hands are full, or sitting next to someone at a dining hall who seems lonely and starting a conversation with them,” Kendera said. “In all these situations care for other people is being expressed and thus kindness is being shared.”

Ashlyn Dahler, a junior audio and recording technology major, says random acts of kindness are great.

“I love random acts of kindness,” Dahler said. “I like when they happen, and I think they’re nice. I never think to do them, but I feel like I should.”

Dahler says there are little things a person can do or say to be kind to others.

“Go out of your way for the little things, holding open the door is a nice one,” Dahler said. “Compliments, love compliments. Those are so good, and they brighten up my day. I feel like they brighten up other people’s day and you always think them, but you never say them.”

Chandler Smith, a junior broadcast journalism student, says random acts of kindness from others can be little gestures or big gestures.

“I think just saying please and thank you for starters, opening a door, just basic things,” Smith said. “It could also be just surprise things to help. Like there was one student whenever I started out at Lake Land that helped me with gas getting back and forth. At the church, I told her I don’t really need the gas, I just want to come up to church.”

Kendera says the size of the kind act is unimportant.

“It does not matter how great a deed is, but how much love and care are behind it,” Kendera said. “It’s important to remember that making a difference starts one person’s world at a time.”

Heather Vosburgh can be reached  at 581-2812 or at hmvosburgh@eiu.edu.