Special KIND of day
Local bank urges residents to spread kindness, love on Feb. 17
DAVID STONE | OUR TOWN TEMPLE
Imagine a day full of smiles, thoughtful words and impromptu acts of kindness. That day is Feb. 17, and thanks to a Temple bank, it’s going to be a joyful occasion.
“United Acts of Kindness is a day for our community to come together to spread joy, hope and love to friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors,” said Paola Hutzler, branch manager of First United Bank in Temple.
“Kindness can be as simple as calling an old friend to see how they’re doing or paying for someone’s order in the drive-thru,” she said.
United Acts of Kindness is part of Random Acts of Kindness, an initiative started in Denver in the mid-1990s. The concept has spread across the world, and several businesses and organizations — First United Bank, for one — have become involved.
The local bank will celebrate with several projects.
“We have partnered with a couple of coffee shops this year,” Hutzler said. “The first 50 people that stop by 1914 Coffee House or Ignite Coffee on South Pea Ridge Road will be treated to a free cup of coffee on First United Bank, and they also will receive a kindness card reminding them to be kind to others and to pass it forward.”
“Our goal this year is to have 300 people doing kind acts for others on Feb. 17,” she said. “Personally, I think we can have a lot more than 300.”
“We also will be sharing acts of kindness at the bank,” she said. “We will be passing out special Hershey bars at the drive-thru and at the teller windows. The wrappers will have special messages promoting kindness on them.”
In addition, bank employees will be delivering coffee and bagels to Temple police officers and firefighters.
To encourage acts of kindness, First United Bank has a “pledge registration” on its website. To pledge, click: https://cloud.em.firstunitedbank.com/united-acts-of-kindness-2022/sign-up.
According to Hutzler, even the smallest acts of kindness are significant.
“It may seem like it doesn’t accomplish much, but just like the domino effect, one act of kindness can lead to more positive outcomes,” she said. “Don’t hold back from uplifting others with compliments and compassion on this day.”
“You never know what kind of day someone is having,” Hutzler said. “A small gesture can make a huge difference. This day could touch so many lives, and I hope to grow this day year after year in Temple.”
The First United website has a list of popular Kindness ideas, including:
Picking up trash in a park or neighbor’s yard.
Donate books to the library.
Tell your parents or other loved ones how much you appreciate them.
Say thank you to a janitor at your office, school or gym.
Drop off cat or dog food at Temple Animal Shelter.
Pay for someone’s meal anonymously at a restaurant.
Donate personal hygiene items to a local shelter.
Compliment a stranger.
Place a happy or positive sign in your front yard.
Leave an extra-big tip.
Pass out treats at a Bark Park.
Make a donation to a worthy cause.
Tell a policeman, fireman, doctor or nurse how much you appreciate them.
Thank your trash collectors for their hard work.
Spend money at a locally owned business.
Donate blood.
Write notes of gratitude to co-workers, friends and family.
Hutzler encourages those committing acts of kindness and love to snap a photo to share on the bank’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/fub.Temple/?mibextid=ZbWKwL
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