#KindFlash
#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.
Volunteers Needed For Clothes Drive
It is that time of year again. Liz Wu and others of #KindFlash, a group of Cincinnati area volunteers doing acts of kindness, are organizing their annual clothes drive and they need help. During last year’s #Kindflash clothes drive, they collected 3,700+ warm clothing items and distributed them across 51 Greater Cincinnati neighborhoods. This year, they plan to exceed those numbers – but will need help!
They are seeking volunteers to pick up donation items (hats, gloves, scarves, socks) from a designated local venue on Jan 18 or 19, pack them in a ziplock bag with the provided postcards, and distribute them in an assigned neighborhood anytime from Jan 20-22. Volunteers are also asked to photograph the process, share photos, and spread the word. It is a small, quick task, but has a HUGE impact!
If you are interested in volunteering, please sign up ASAP at this link.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email kindlfash@gmail.com or call 513-580-8289.
KindFlash Is Spreading Cincinnati Kindness
Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward,
safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you. ~ Princess Diana
Cincinnati, it seems, is a growing hotbed for something truly beautiful. People are gathering to find opportunities to help others, just because they can. These people are part of a movement that is called #KindFlash and their impact is becoming increasingly far reaching.
The group that has grown to more than 1200 volunteers just held its one year anniversary clothing drive. With more than 30 drop off venues, they collected 2666 hats, gloves, scarves and socks (plus 1118 other items such as ear warmers, coats, snacks, etc) for a grand total of 3,784 donations distributed to people in need throughout 51 Greater Cincinnati neighborhoods.
The whole idea is to spread kindness, without any expectations for return (except of course, the warm feeling inside of knowing that you have made a difference in someone else’s life). Volunteers folded donations into clear ziploc bags with a note attached letting people know the items are free, and those bags are placed on park benches or sidewalks, tied to phone poles, or other places of high traffic. Many volunteers have said that no sooner were they walking away, they noticed those bags disappearing.
That Drive is just one act they are doing. Each month they come up with a different idea for impacting a different neighborhood and/or group of people – or non-human animals. Most of the time, they are events where volunteers have an opportunity to get to know the organization and individuals involved. This month they are collecting kitty litter and cat food for Ohio Alleycat Rescue. In March, they will be visiting, getting to know and helping to fundraise for The Cincinnati Dragons, a youth wheelchair basketball team.
#KindFlash, originally known as Random Acts of Kindness, began about a year ago after Liz Wu had seen similar ideas in other cities on the internet. In a February snow storm, as she was huddled by her heater Liz got to thinking about the people who didn’t have a heater to curl up next to. She saw a
photo with a news article of people collecting items for the homeless, and decided to strong arm her friends into helping.
There was a post on Facebook, and the next thing Liz new, the Cincinnati movement had begun. Almost overnight it mushroomed with dozens joining in on their event. They organized drop off location and began putting word out that they were collected warm clothing. Donations began pouring in. Within ten days, more than 100 volunteers were involved and pulled together over 2000 items to distribute to more than 35 neighborhoods.
“We want to demonstrate how easy it is to make a difference in your community, and see that it doesn’t take much time or resources. People can do most things on their own,” Liz told me. “With #KindFlash, it is neat to see how a lot of times there is some relationship building between volunteers and an organization we help, or recipients of that organization.”
Everyone of all ages is welcome to join. If you would like to get involved, they have a Facebook group here.
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