Lloydminster & District Co-op is hoping residents will spread some kindness in the community this month as they celebrate their 10th anniversary of Kindness Wins.
Co-op launched their annual campaign which promotes being kind to one another as well as compassion and acceptance on February 3.
“Community support is one of the principals Lloydminster Co-op is founded on. For us to be able to support youth and local citizens through this campaign, plus help present a really important message in our community, it means the world to us,” says Kristine Knourek, Lloydminster Co-op Marketing and Communications Manager.
Co-op gas bars and the Co-op Food Store have been stocked with Kindness Wins t-shirts, hoodies, toques and baby bibs. Two dollars from each hoodie sold and $1 from each t-shirt, toque and bib will go towards the Beyond Borders Circle of Change Kindness Wins grants and supports their school Red Cross teams. BBCOC Chairperson Melissa Plamondon says the grants are given to local schools to fund initiatives focused on conducting acts of kindness during February.
“It’s a great support for us. We’re so happy to have such a solid partnership with them because it’s through their support we are able to do some of the good things that we continue to do.”
“We know that the best antidote to bullying is kindness. We want to promote that as much as we can because kids have the opportunity to grow up great in our city and they know adults believe in them and their abilities to effect positive change,” she added.
Since 2011, the campaign has raised nearly $30,000 through merchandise sales. The campaign is modelled after Pink Shirt Day which falls on February 26. Pink Shirt Day encourages people to wear pink in solidarity with those who stand up against bullying. The campaign was tweaked to focus on a positive and inclusive message.