Cincinnati kindness
#Kindflash in Cincinnati Collecting Clothes
Since 2015, local volunteers have developed a January tradition – that of collecting and distributing warm clothing items (hats, gloves, scarves and socks) across dozens of Greater Cincinnati neighborhoods. This year, the group #Kindflash enters its fifth year of distributing thousands of items across 60+ Greater Cincinnati neighborhoods. Collection will take place at dozens of local businesses and other venues through Jan 17, and then volunteers will bag and distribute the packages throughout the city over the weekend of Jan 18-20. Last year, they distributed 6,870 items 
throughout 60 Greater Cincinnati neighborhoods.
They have also initiated something new: year-round partnerships with select small businesses that will, in addition to participating in the drives, also host #Kindcash “pay it forward” gift certificates. These cards allow patrons to purchase an item or a service for a future customer as a random act of kindness. The cards are then displayed at the counter for anyone to redeem.
What started as a Facebook group for a few friends to share inspirational stories and community needs has blossomed into a group with 1800 members, who perform a monthly community outreach project called #Kindflash (like a flash mob of kind acts).
Their first large-scale event was in February 2015, when within 10 days, more than 100 volunteers gathered and distributed 2000+ warm clothing items (hats, gloves, scarves, socks, etc.) throughout 35 Greater Cincinnati neighborhoods. The momentum from this was so great, that volunteers have continued to perform a community outreach #Kindflash project every month, and the citywide clothes drive has become an annual event. The monthly events change constantly in theme and neighborhoods served, and are grassroots, non-denominational, non-political, family-friendly, all ages, and open to everyone. They are designed to be simple, replicable, and require little or no money in order to participate.
Liz Wu, organizer of the event and the group, welcomes everyone, of any age or background, to get involved. “There are so many ways to spread kindness. It can be as quick as a smile, as easy as passing on an item that you no longer use, and as simple as spending quality time with someone and listening to their story. We welcome anyone and everyone to join us!.”
For more information, visit: #Kindflash on Facebook.
You can also email: kindflash@gmail.com or call: 513-580-8289.
Cincinnati Youth Collaborative Reminds Us To Appreciate Volunteers
This is National Volunteer Week, seven days of celebrating the good will of millions across the country who have given of their time, their hearts, and their resources to enhance lives and causes that are meaningful to them.
Locally, large and small nonprofit organizations working to improve neighborhoods, strengthen families, save non-human animals, and lift people up could quite simply not do their very important work without the generosity of others. More than 8000 people give of their time to the FreeStore FoodBank alone. And that is just one of hundreds of causes in our Greater Cincinnati area.
Tonight I am told the staff and board members of nonprofit Cincinnati Youth Collaborative, that has empowered more than 160,000 vulnerable children and young adults since its founding through the mentorship of positive adult role models, will be very busy. They will be calling EVERY active CYC volunteer and thanking each one for his/her time and effort.
Wow, that is a lot of phone calls!
They will be reaching out to people like Harry Blanton, a CYC mentor for 18 years. His first mentee was Patrick, who at nine years old had an incarcerated father and a mother struggling with addiction. Thanks to Blanton’s influence in his life, Patrick 
attended St. Xavier High School, then Xavier University, and is now a financial counselor pursuing a master’s degree in organizational leadership. He and Harry are still close, and even recently attended CYC’s Trivia Night for Brighter Futures together, playing on the same team. “It is a joy to have Patrick in my life and I can’t imagine it without him,” said Harry.
The feeling is shared by Patrick. “I am an example that even though the cards are stacked against you, you can succeed if you have the right people on your side,” he attested. “CYC provided that person to me: Harry Blanton.”
Success stories like theirs is not uncommon at CYC. Just last fall, former mentee Lamont got married with his mentor Tim Clarke by his side – as none other than his best man. Matched when Lamont was just 13, the resulting relationship was so important to Lamont that instead of wedding favors, he gave a gift to CYC in honor of every wedding guest.
The gesture’s weight was not lost on Tim. “When I saw on the place setting the little card, I was unable to give the regular 
speech I had prepared,” he said. “I just had to thank him. For him to want a gift to give to CYC for this to happen to someone else—I got emotional. It was a great day.”
Volunteers are everywhere
These are such beautiful stories. And with those two, there are thousands more too of people all around us, and even ourselves, who are making a positive difference.
The dictionary definition of a volunteer is: a person who voluntarily offers himself or herself a service or undertaking. This means that to be a volunteer doesn’t necessarily mean you are going through a social service agency. It is as simple as an act of kindness to a stranger on the street or an extended hand or ear to a friend or loved one who needs someone to be there.
Today, let’s celebrate those wonderful gifts. But also, let’s commit to finding ways of giving those gifts every day.
