Sharon, Tenn.–When Sharon second grade teacher Danielle VanCleave heard about Blankets of Hope on Froggy 104, she immediately started searching for how to bring the program to her students during Kindness Week. Since the blankets are provided by the program, participants must apply and be approved. She got the word that her request was approved but the blankets arrived too late for the Kindness Week observance last week but just in time to give a different twist to the week of Valentine’s.
The students will be finishing letters and tying them to the blankets today. VanCleave and a few students and parents will deliver the blankets on Valentine’s Day.
Blankets of Hope was founded in 2016 by brothers Mike and Nick Fiorito. Based in New York, the effort has a goal this year of distributing 20,000 blankets and handwritten notes this year. They provide the name of a shelter where the blankets can be distributed. VanCleave and a few parents and students will deliver the blankets to Jackson on Friday, Feb. 14.
The Great Kindness Challenge is a grassroots movement observed in more than 110 countries. The event is usually a week long and encourages schools and communities “to make the world a kinder and more compassionate place for all.” The Great Kindness Challenge is now in more than 24,000 schools including those in Weakley County. Most Weakley Schools observed the week beginning Jan. 27.
Schools dress in themed attire such as pajamas to emphasize “dreaming of kindness” or camouflage to remind students “not to hide their kindness.” They are given flyers with acts of kindness suggested. Photo opportunities encourage promoting kindness through social media.
Weakley County Schools photo.