The local effort to celebrate kindness is in its 14th year in the Lloydminster area and new t-shirts have been designed by artist Brandi Hofer and the Art Academy.
“We kept the theme of the thumbprint and the rainbow for inclusivity, and we used the concept of the design since one line stands alone, but when you combine many lines, you create a bigger impact,” said Hofer.
Kindness Wins is modelled after Pink Shirt Day, which is observed nationwide on the last Wednesday in February, and organizers say it encourages everyone to stand up for kindness, inclusion, and respect. The t-shirts are on sale at the Lloyd Co-op grocery and gas bars across the region.
“As a locally owned and operated co-operative, our focus is on making a difference in our members’ lives,” shared Director of Marketing and Community Relations, Emelie Currie.
Since 2011, the fundraising aspect through the sale of T-shirts has added over $42,000 that goes towards anti-bullying programs, training, and initiatives via the work of Beyond Borders Circle of Change.
“The money that is raised goes towards grants which are distributed throughout the Lloydminster Public School and Lloydminster Catholic School Divisions,” said Riley Gilroyed with Beyond Borders Circle of Change.
Teachers and students work together to come up with ideas and strategies and then apply for funding to promote a Kindness Wins project in their school. Gilroyed said in the last six years there have been some 90 grants handed out.
One of the youth programs in the schools is the Kindness Is Power or KIP.
“We want to come together as community for when the new high schoolers come in that we show kids what kindness really is. Because the bullying that happens throughout high school is really hard to go through,” said Reece Miazaga, grade 11, Lloydminster Comprehensive, who is a senior who helps out with grade five and eight students.
Speaking on behalf of the young designers at the Art Academy, student Olivia Dawson from College Park shared on the inclusivity theme.
“One line is probably just me, but all of us together make the whole thumbprint.”
Beyond Borders Circle of Change is a non-profit coalition comprising Lloydminster Public and Catholic School Divisions, Alberta Health Services, Saskatchewan Health Authority, Lloydminster Community Youth Centre, and Lloydminster Sexual Assault Services.
“Kindness is important to us because we hold events to inspire youth how to be kind,” said Maheen Mangla, chair of the Lloydminster Youth Council.
