2010 KINDNESS WEEK WARMS UP OTTAWA
Friday, February 12, 2010, Ottawa – Downtown Ottawa felt much warmer this morning as the third annual Kindness Week was launched. Mayor Larry O’Brien joined Kindness Week Chair Rabbi Reuven Bulka at Rideau Centre to officially kick off the week. Kindness Crew volunteers then spread throughout the downtown core and gave out free Tim Hortons coffee, free newspapers, Kindness Cards and other goodies.
“I believe a big difference can be made in our community if we all take a moment to make a conscious effort to be more kind,” said Rabbi Reuven Bulka, Chair of Ottawa Kindness Week. “From simple steps like sharing a smile with a stranger to bigger ideas like becoming a regular volunteer at a seniors’ residence — we can change the spirit of this community if we all choose to be kind.”
In its third year, Kindness Week will feature the Kindness Crew bus tour with groups rolling around the city performing acts of kindness, a business suit drive – Suited for Success – collecting professional attire to help new Canadians and immigrants searching for meaningful employment, an e-card design competition for students, an open challenge to find the kindest restaurant or pub and so much more.
Kindness Week is made possible thanks to a committee of volunteers from government, non-profit, corporate, education, and restaurant and hospitality sectors, and facilitated by United Way Ottawa. The committee and Kindness Week are chaired by Rabbi Reuven Bulka of Congregation Machzikei Hadas, who created this initiative to make Ottawa a kinder place.
More information about activities and events can be found online at www.kindottawa.ca. 2010 Kindness Week wraps up on Friday, February 19 at Rideau Centre when the Kindness Crew will help transform the Centre into “Kindness Central.”
For more information, please contact:
Kate Headley, United Way Ottawa
Phone: 613-683-3823 or Cell: 613-294-8128
E-mail: kheadley@unitedwayottawa.ca