By Dylan Whitely, Senior Reporter
Northwestern students, faculty and staff celebrated kindness day Nov. 18.
On Kindness Day, different classes and organizations at Northwestern had an emphasis on doing kind things for other people. Businesses and groups around Alva participated as well. Acts of kindness took place all over northwest Oklahoma, including the two other Northwestern campus locations in Enid and Woodward.
More than 50 service projects took place around the three campus locations, which is about 20 more acts than what took place last year. Some were simple little acts to brighten someone else’s day. Others were larger projects and events that affected more than just one person.
Valarie Case, assistant director of university relations, served as the coordinator for Kindness Day. This was the university’s second year participating in the holiday.
“Hopefully it gets people thinking more about how it made them feel to be kind that day, and think that we should be doing this more than just this one day,” Case said.
Students might have seen colorful rocks with a positive message on them that Delta Zeta sorority members made and put around campus.
Some members of the Student Government Association put together a snack basket for the IT department. Members of the IT department returned the favor when they gifted SGA a plant.
Northwestern freshman Kayli Stewart made a batch of cookies and gave them to staff members.
“I wanted to show them that we cared and how thankful we are that they are a part of our lives,” Stewart said. “It felt good that something small like that made a huge difference to them.”
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes took donuts to first responders, nursing home residents and workers, healthcare workers and other places around town.
FCA president Jillian Bouse said it was a good way to give attention to those who might not always get it.
“I think it’s a great opportunity to reach people in the community that often don’t get the recognition and thanks for what they do,” Bouse said. “They were surprised and very appreciative of it.”
Northwestern junior Jadyn Budig was involved with multiple different acts of kindness. One project was “Operation Gratitude,” where students and staff members could write letters to military members and first responders.
Another project was “Heroes in Scrubs,” which the Medical Sciences Club hosted in the Science Building. The project taught elementary students about the medical field.
Budig said she wanted to do something she saw a need for and was passionate about. She said she is happy about how the projects turned out.
“Starting a positive chain reaction through these projects made me feel accomplished,” Budig said. “There is so much we can do simply by taking the time to help people.”
Students in the Baptist Collegiate Ministries participated in Operation Christmas Child, where boxes were filled with hygiene products, school supplies and clothes and sent overseas to people in need.
The BCM put together 64 boxes to send out. Saydy Graybill, who participated in filling the boxes, has been doing it for years.
“After making the boxes, I always feel joyful to have the opportunity to make a child’s Christmas,” Graybill said.
Although many people made food or bought items for others, Case said being kind is something simple that doesn’t have to involve buying anything.
“Being kind to others does not cost a dime,” Case said. “I think the world right now needs a little more kindness in it.”