Kindness Commissioners support Wicomico Nursing Home Gazebo Rededication Ceremony (September 12, 2025)
Today, KindSBY was honored to join the Gazebo Rededication Ceremony at Wicomico Nursing Home. Together with Salisbury Elks Lodge #817, we helped provide the new screening for the gazebo deck.
It was truly touching to see residents outside enjoying fresh air, music, and visiting with loved ones and friends in their refreshed space. Moments like these remind us how small acts of kindness can create joy. 
A special thank you to all of the nursing home staff for the decorations, Chris Demone of PAC 14 and Stephanie Willey of WMDT 47ABC for helping spread the good news.
Kindness Commissioners support Pinehurst Elementary Teachers as they start the School Year (September 2, 2025)
Wicomico doesn’t run on Dunkin, but our teachers do! 
Megan Outten, Kindness Commissioner, made an early morning visit to Pinehurst Elementary to give our teachers and staff a little something extra to kickstart their first day back with students!
This was a collaborative effort to feed all 120 members of Pinehurst staff! Thank you Kind SBY for the inspiration, and all the other kindness commissioners and friends who chipped in!
Kindness Commissioners attend Wicomico County Public Schools Kickoff Event (August 28, 2025)
KindSBY was honored to join today’s Wicomico County Public Schools Kickoff Event as a proud Community Partner! To all the dedicated teachers, administrators, and essential staff—we wish you an amazing school year ahead. 
Thank you for the kindness, passion, and commitment you bring to our students every day. 
Kind-SBY supports new teachers in partnership with the Salisbury Chamber of Commerce (August 6, 2025)
THANK YOU to all the businesses and volunteers that made this year’s Welcome New Teachers Bag program a HUGE success! These contribution will bring a huge smile to our new teachers at Wicomico County Public Schools, Salisbury Christian School, The Salisbury School, Wicomico Day School, and St. Francis de Sales Catholic School Salisbury MD. The bags will be distributed to new public-school teachers during the New Teacher Summer Academy at James M. Bennett High School and to the private-school new teachers in Wicomico County later this month.
Kind SBY is proud to support our new Wicomico County teachers with a $100 contribution to the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce’s New Teacher Welcome Bags initiative. A small gesture to celebrate those who make a big impact from day one!
Kindness Commissioners supported National Night Outs in Wicomico County (August 5, 2025)
Kindness Commissioners support Pride Flag Raising in Wicomico County (June 1, 2025)
Today, Kind SBY proudly stood in support and celebration at the Pride Flag Raising Ceremony. As an organization rooted in kindness, we believe in creating a community where everyone feels seen, valued, and loved—exactly as they are. Kindness is more than a gesture—it’s a commitment to stand with others, to recognize their humanity, and to inspire a world where inclusivity and compassion lead the way.
To our LGBTQ+ friends, neighbors, and community members: you are worthy, you are welcome, and you are *wonderfully you*. 
Let’s keep choosing kindness. Let’s keep raising each other up.
Kindness Commissioner Brandon Bell reveals new community mural in partnership with the Baltimore Ravens (May 31, 2025)
What a moment. The recent mural unveiling with the Baltimore Ravens was one of the most unforgettable unveilings we’ve ever experienced. A full marching band, cheer squad, mascots, community leaders, friends, family—the energy was electric. After nearly a year of planning, back-and-forths, and collaboration, this mural came to life thanks to the combined effort of The Ravens, WALS, Crown Sports Center and some key partners. At the heart of the piece is a young person envisioning their limitless future—surrounded by birds that each represent a core value of growth, community, and impact:
Flamingo – Environmental Sustainability (inspired by Salisbury Zoo’s species)
Bald Eagle – Social Justice (a nod to local civic institutions
Seagull & Hawk – Education (honoring Salisbury University and UMES)
Robin – Hunger & Homelessness (tied to our network of local community gardens)
Raven – A symbol of strength, unity, and the unwavering spirit of the Ravens organization Together, these symbols form a vision of hope and possibility—reminding youth and viewers alike that they, too, can rise. This mural is more than a painting—it’s a reminder to every young person that they have the power to rise.
Kind-SBY distributes stuffed animals at Dove Pointe (May 16, 2025)
Kindness Commissioners had the pleasure of spreading joy at Dove Pointe this week! We delivered adorable stuffed 
animals to 170 day program clients and treated the amazing staff to delicious donuts. It was a sweet 
and heartwarming visit all around!
Kindness Commissioners volunteer at Meals on Wheels (April 30, 2025)
Kindness Commissioners and volunteers labeled over 540 crossword books for every Wicomico County senior who receives meals on wheels and 170 stuffed animals for Dove pointe day program clients. A huge thank you to the MAC Center & all of our donors who’ve made moments like these possible. Together, we’re spreading smiles, one act of kindness at a time.
Kindness Commissioners visit Wicomico Humane Society (April 15, 2025)
Kind SBY was thrilled to spread some joy to our furry friends during last week’s fundraiser for the Humane Society! We would love to keep the kindness going and need your help! Scan the QR code to view their current wishlist and donate an item to help animals in need. Every little bit makes a big difference!
Kind-SBY attended the Wicomico Teacher of the Year Event (April 10, 2025)
Our Kindness Commissioners Megan Outten and Martin Hutchison attended the Wicomico County Teacher of the Year Banquet tonight on behalf of Kind SBY, celebrating the folks who truly make a difference in our community.
These teachers remind us that building a stronger, more compassionate, and more just community starts in our classrooms. Congratulations to all the semi-finalists and awardees. You’re not just teaching – you’re changing lives. You are part of the solution, and Wicomico is better because of you. #BecauseLocalMatters
Kindness Commissioner Brandon Brooks generates community mural where kindness is highlighted (April 15, 2025)
Our Kindness Commissioners are doing phenomenal work! We Are Limitless asked community members to join their team to complete a mural at a local youth community center. #BeautyIsKind and involving the community to create that beauty is even more special.
Celebrez La Femme 2025 (March 31, 2025)
Secretary of Kindness, Heather Nefferdorf Brooks, had the honor of speaking at the Célébrez la Femme, Inc. Empowerment Summit at Salisbury University, today.
Our organizations joined forces to create a kindness unity pledge, united by a shared belief that kindness and empowerment strengthen both individuals and communities.
She led participants through a meaningful activity where attendees committed to performing intentional acts of kindness within the next week.
The experience created a moving display of unity, and was truly inspiring to witness as everyone embraced their commitment to spreading kindness.
After the pledge activity, Kindness Commissioners, Annette Johnson, Megan Outten and Sonya Whited facilitated a group exercise where participants wrote notes of kindness on decorative cards. These were collected, shuffled, and redistributed among guests at each table. As everyone shared what was written on their card, beautiful moments of joy, tears, and embraces filled the room.
A heartfelt thank you to, Executive Director, Ash Laughlin, of Célébrez la Femme for inviting us to embrace the power of kindness and inspire every woman in attendance.
Random Acts of Kindness Week 2025 (February 17, 2025)
More on Random Acts of Kindness Week 2025
You’d be surprised by the big smiles these little foam hearts give receivers. Kindness appears throughout this post. PAC 14 friends gifted #kindSBY extra M&M favors to use for RAK Week. We paired them with salad makings for #UnitedWayoftheLowerEasternShore’s Martin Hutchison’s Community of Joy Church parishioners’ to serve the Hands and Hearts Ending Homelessness – formerly CESP Saturday dinner. We left tiny hearts for all United Way Staff. Then, we traveled to the #CommunityFoundation and saw more smiles. It’s been a smiley day! Kindness need not be grandiose or expensive. This day proves it.
Random Acts of Kindness Week 2025
RAK Day, 2/17/25 is pushing the Kindness meter in City of Salisbury, Maryland and surrounding communities to new heights thanks to the donors to #kindSBY! Squishmallows were delivered to the Salisbury Police Dept. for officers to have a comforting offering to children during a call. Kindness bags were delivered to PJ’s Coffee and #IslandCreamery to share with their customers. Kindness is easy and changes everything. Try kindness and see how good it makes your heart feel.
Random Acts of Kindness Week 2025
This year, Kindness Commissioners delivered a special Random Acts of Kindness toy donation to Brooke’s Toy Closet at TidalHealth’s Giving House! Did you know that every child who visits TidalHealth—whether through the emergency department, for surgery, or as an admitted patient—receives a gift from Brooke’s Toy Closet? What an incredible way to bring comfort and joy to young patients! Brooke’s legacy lives on
Random Acts of Kindness Week 2025
This year, we blessed first responders at Salisbury Fire Stations 1, 2 and 16 with donuts on Random Acts of Kindness day. One of our favorite nonprofits, PAC14 went along for the ride, so we blessed them with donuts also!
2024 in review…
2024 has been a beautiful year of creating, recognizing an inspiring kindness in and around Salisbury, MD. Thank you to our donors for supporting our mission and making a positive difference. We hope you enjoy the year in review: https://fb.watch/wQjRS7sn12/
Music credits:
Music: Voyage
Musician: @iksonmusic
Music: Uplifting Children Music
Musician: REDproductions
Site: https://pixabay.com/…/-joyful-hope-carefree-uplifting…/
Music: Acoustic Guitar 1
Musician: music by audionautix.com
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode
Music: Glitter Blast
Musician: Kevin MacLeod
Site: https://filmmusic.io/song/4707-glitter-blast
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Music: Good time 01
Musician: Xuxiao
Kindness Club Grant Distribution
Secretary of Kindness, Heather Brooks and Former Secretary of Kindness, Grace Murdock distributed grants to Pemberton Elementary School, and Mardela Middle & High School on November 12th. Each school received $200 to support their kindness club initiatives. Thank you all of our Giving Day Donors who made these grants possible!
Maryland Folk Festival
kindSBY hosted a family fun station at the Maryland Folk Festival on September 21st and 22nd where guests could create kind and compassionate words using scrabble tiles, add “kind” words to our jumbo scrabble board, and get one of our Bee-Kind stickers. Hundreds came by to enjoy the station. It was an amazing day!
New Teacher Tote Bags
As a way of celebrating our new teachers, kindSBY donated $100 on August 6th to help support the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce with filling tote bags for each new teacher. (Featured: Secretary of Kindness, Heather Brooks and Chamber President, Bill Chambers)
National Night Out
On Tuesday, August 6th, Kindness Commissioners Valerie Morris, Laverne & Sam Henry hosted a table at National Night Out giving out kindness cards, stickers and engaging the community in a How do you spell kindness activity.
Spreading JOY in the community
Kindness Commissioners were out spreading joy at the Juneteenth & Pride Day Parades by handing out Heart stress balls filled with uplifting messages. We love connecting with our community and spreading positivity.
Pinehurst Elementary Bee-Kind Event
Pinehurst Elementary School hosted a Bee-Kind Event on May 8th at the Camden Community Garden. kindSBY Commissioners, Ricky Pollitt, Valerie Morris and Grace Murdock hosted a Kindness Tree Mural station where students helped paint a kindness tree, which will be displayed at Pinehurst Elementary School once complete.
Teacher of the year gifts
kindSBY believes in supporting our teachers! At the Teacher of the year banquet on April 11th, we distributed custom engraved tumblers to each winner. Teachers, thank you for all you do!
Dove Pointe Stuffed Animal Giveaway – April 2024
One of our favorite days of the year is when we visit Dove Pointe to spread kindness. This year, we distributed stuffed animals to the day program clients and buckets of candy to their amazing staff. The joy that comes from giving is like no other!!!
MAC Center & Dove Pointe Initiative Prep – April 2024
Each year kindSBY gives to MAC Seniors and Dove Pointe clients & staff. This year, we prepared 532 word find books for every senior that receive Meals on Wheels and 160 stuffed animals (bunnies, monkeys, and chicks) for Dove Pointe clients. Making a difference is one of our favorite things to do!
Random Acts of Kindness Week 2024 – Salisbury University
Salisbury University students LOVED participating in our kindness tree activity. We challenged students and staff to write down one act of kindness that they pledged to do at SU! Over 100 students participated in the activity, filling the tree. Kindness Commissioners, Sharon Washington and Heather Brooks, also distributed flowers, kindness bracelets, kindness stickers and heart candy wands. What we didn’t expect was the overwhelming amount of students who were thanking us for bringing a little sunshine into their day. The event illustrated how small gestures of kindness can make a BIG impact.
R.A.K. Week 2024 – Kindness in the Community
Kindness Commissioner, Megan Outten, was out in the community on February 15th sprinkling kindness at Together Cafe by handing out flowers and at Anne Street Village by delivering donuts to residents.
Kindness in 2023…
It’s been a busy year for kindSBY Commissioners! Here is a list of some of the activities we’ve been engaged in during 2023:
Community Baby Shower, Dove Pointe Stuffed Animal Delivery, MAC Senior Gift, Hands & Hearts ending homelessness shelter meal, Teacher of the year gift bags, New Teacher gift bag (monetary donation), Back to School backpack collection – kindness crayons donation, Library kindness event – sunflower craft, SBY Pride & Juneteenth parades – heart stressball giveaway, Riverfest Duck Races, National night out – kindness pencils & Bee kind sticker giveaway, MD Folk Festival Kindness Banner activity, World Kindness Day donation – 158 Kindness activity posters for K-2nd grade classrooms in Wicomico County Public Schools and filming Kindness Matters tip of the week segments at WMDT 47ABC. What an amazing year it’s been already…A big thank you goes out to our sponsors who’ve made all of this possible in 2023. We appreciate you! If you’d like to support kindSBY, sign up to be a sponsor today.
Random Acts of Kindness Week Activities
February 12-18, 2023
Throughout the week, Commissioners were busy creating kindness within our community. We distributed fresh cut flowers to local businesses and downtown visitors, art supplies to 2 – 3rd grade classes at East Salisbury Elementary School and donuts to the staff, returned grocery carts for shoppers at Acme grocery store and distributed 100 gifts to Salisbury University students, faculty and staff. It was a beautiful week!
Kindness Palooza – November 13, 2022
A huge thank you to each and every one of our amazing Sponsors! Kindness Palooza was a success because of your compassion and kindness!
Adopt-a-School Program 2022-2023
Save the date…
New Teacher Bag Donations
On June 29th, the Kindness Commission presented the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce with a donation of $150.00 towards New Teacher Gift Bags. Welcome to all of the new teachers coming on board for the Fall 2022 School year. We appreciate you!
Adopt-a-School Program
The Adopt-a-school program for the 2022 school year was a huge success. A total of 27 Wicomico County Public Schools were adopted by organizations, businesses, or individuals who blessed their schools with several acts of kindness throughout the school year. The feedback from our sponsors and schools was incredible. On July 6th, each of the Adopt-a-school sponsors were recognized by Wicomico County Executive, John Psota, and the County Council for their kind efforts. A huge thank you to all of our sponsors for sending a ripple of kindness through our schools.
During the month of May the Kindness Commission collected children’s books for our annual Celebrate Diversity Book Campaign. All donated books were packaged by our Kindness Commissioners and delivered to Wicomico County Public Schools throughout the month. The initiative was timed to coincide with May being Mental Health Month. The goal of the campaign was to provide an avenue for keeping our students’ minds engaged and healthy. We are appreciative of all of the donations we received during the campaign. Your support is why we can continue to be the 1st World Kindness USA City!
Senior Gift Bags Initiative
On March 20th, the Kindness Commission and community volunteers met at MAC Inc. to stuff 400 “Happy Bags” for seniors. The bags were delivered via Meals on Wheels throughout Wicomico County. Area businesses and citizens donated items to help #kindSBY bless some of the community’s senior population.
Adopt-a-School Program Launch
Our Adopt-a-school program kicks off in September 2021 to bless local educators and support staff as they continue to navigate a challenging school year. All the excited details are above. Please helps us spread the word about this awesome initiative!
Newton Community Center Opening
On June 18, 2021 a long term project was revealed with the ribbon cutting of the Copeland House. It is the City of Salisbury’s 2nd community center and will be known as the Newton Community Center . This center will serve children and adults with resources and programs. Pastor and Secretary of Community Gardens, Martin Hutchison sparked the city’s interest in the Copeland House two years ago by pointing out the value of the location near our Camden Community Garden. This is significant since the garden’s bounty will serve as food and educational opportunities for the community.
#kindSBY, thanks to our sponsors, is proud to have donated kitchen and art supplies to the center.
What an exciting addition to our city! Congratulations to all who contributed to this project!
#LivingkindSBY
The Kindness Rocks & Smiles Community Mural Project
On May 21st, 2021, #kindSBY launched a community art project to bring the community together. Participants were invited to choose their favorite colors, and then add their faces and messages to the faces and kindness rocks on the canvas. The purpose of the project was to bring communities together and to visually remind participants how they each make a difference in this world even through the simplest acts of kindness, and how ultimately we are all interconnected through out shared stories, emotions and intentions.
The project was initially started by Megan Murphy-Creator of the Kindness Rocks Project and John Schlimm-Creator of The Smile That Changed The World (is Yours).
#LivingkindSBY
February Senior Gift Bag Initiative
#kindSBY Random Acts of Kindness Week
The City of Salisbury & #kindSBY are celebrating R.A.K. Week from February 14 – 20, 2021
Here is a list of each days theme, join in the fun by spreading some kindness in our community this week!
#kindSBY is also promoting a special Shop Local for a Sweet Donation event from February 14 – 20, 2021.
Here are all the details:
#kindSBY World Kindness Week
#kindSBY is celebrating World Kindness Week from November 8 – 14, 2020
Here is a list of our upcoming events:
Sunday, November 8th – Dance for Kindness – Virtual
Register at www.danceforkindness.com to get involved. You’ll have the opportunity to learn the dance from home, participate in 9 fun challenges and dance with us virtually!
Sunday, November 8th, 1-3pm, Race to Kindness
Thirteen year old, Savanna Brooks and her Mom, Kindness Commissioner, Heather Brooks, will be collecting brown bag meals for the homeless outside the Downtown parking garage on the food truck pad. Each bag should include: a bottle of water, chicken salad or tuna salad kit, applesauce, granola bar, chips and a fruit cup and be decorated with a positive or kind message to bless the recipient. Contact Heather Brooks at kindsby@outlook.com with questions.
Monday, November 9th – Good to be KIND Day!
Spread kindness in everything you do…in your posts on social media, in every phone call and every face to face meeting….”Have a KIND day!” Post a photo or a video on social media and use the #kindSBY.
Tuesday, November 10th – Kind Texting Day
To boost mental health send a kind text. Here are some examples: 1. Send someone a cute animal pic 2. Send a friend a silly selfie 3. Video yourself singing or lip-syncing a song and send to a friend 4. Send a motivational quote 5. Text someone and tell them you are proud of them and why
Wednesday, November 11th – Veterans’ Day – Wear Red, White, and Blue Day
Honor veterans by sending a text to all the ones you know. Post pictures to honor vets on social media. Repost meaningful tributes on social media. Leave a Pay It Forward drink/meal at a local eatery or coffee shop earmarked for a vet or in honor of a vet. Donate to an armed forces cause, ie. Wounded Warriors.
Thursday, November 12th – Shop Local Small Business Day
Support your community by eating out or buying from small businesses. Leave an additional tip amount, if served. Leave a Pay It Forward drink or sandwich. Pay for the person in back of you. Let someone go ahead of you in line. Post a review for the establishment.
Friday, November 13th – Read A Book or Give a book day
Read a book: It is important to be kind to ourselves. Download a book on your device or read a hard copy book. Make a post on social media of what you’re reading. Modeling reading in front of children is a powerful positive influence. Give a book: Donate a book to the #kindSBY “Celebrate Diversity” campaign by November 7th by ordering from our Amazon Wish list: https://smile.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2932XLD504XK6…Kindness Commissioners will be delivering “Celebrate Diversity” book bundles to Wicomico County Public Schools on November 13th.
Saturday, November 14th – Wear your favorite non-profit t-shirt day
Post your picture on social media with your t-shirt and tell about the cause you support. Giving is a kindness that provides great satisfaction. Challenge others to support local causes as fuel for the heart.
During the COVID-19 crisis, our Kindness Commissioners are focusing on spreading kindness. Here are some of the ways our Commissioners are keeping busy…
Celebrate Diversity Kindness Initiative
Celebrate Diversity with a kind and lasting donation. Statistics show that many school libraries do not reflect their populations. #kindSBY wants to help remedy this. We have created an Amazon Wish List of books to help Celebrate Diversity in our schools and throughout our City’s little libraries.
This initiative will receive support through our kindSBY sponsorships and new donors can also help by purchasing books from our Wish List. Amazon will ship the books to our Kindness Commissioners, who will deliver them to schools and little libraries in Wicomico County. We hope you will join us in making a difference! Celebrate Diversity Amazon Wish list
Kindness Commissioner, Heather Brooks, and her daughter recently put together a BOX OF SUNSHINE, to encourage a local student. It was filled with the students favorite color: YELLOW and lots of things to brighten her day. Who do you know that could use a little box of sunshine?
The Kindness Commission has been every busy spreading kindness over the past 12 months. Congrats to the commission on celebrating 1 year of service. You are appreciated! Kindness is more important than ever… https://salisburyindependent.net/publicforum/kindness-is-perhaps-more-important-now-than-ever/
On behalf of #kindSBY, Kindness Commissioner, Heather Mahler, shopped for and delivered $200 in food donations, that was distributed at the Doverdale community on Sunday, July 12th. 🛍🛒
#kindSBY
#kindnessCommissionersAtWork
Our Salisbury Kindness Commissioners recently met to discuss how they can make a positive impact in our community. Topics of discussion were: a review of the First Responders campaign, community unity and a literacy project to celebrate diversity. #KindnessCommisionersAtWork
Kindness Commissioner, Stephanie Willey, and her family dropped off donations to Camp Hope, the new camp site for the homeless in the Salisbury area.
Kindness Commissioner, Sonya Whited, is busy creating kindness rocks to share in the community. She looks forward to sharing them in the community after the quarantine is over.
Kindness Commissioner, Susan Parker, has been creating face masks for postal carriers since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis. She hopes to bring a little sunshine to the Postal workers in our community that are on the front lines, everyday.
Kindness Commissioner, Chalarra Sessoms volunteered at Camp Hope, a new camp site for homeless individuals in the Salisbury area. When asked about the experience she shared: “What an impactful way of spending our morning at Camp Hope! I thoroughly enjoyed meeting new people, good conversation, laughs, and serving others.”
Camp Hope is currently in need of daily meals for their 26 homeless guests. You can sign up to donate meals at: https://mealtrain.com/nnn3zo . For Breakfasts they need items such as: juice, granola bars, pop tarts and fruit. (No hot breakfasts). They also need individually packed lunches and dinners. (No buffet style please). Due to the recent storm, they are no longer at the Lake Street location. Please call or text: 443-397-2149 if you have volunteered a meal, to get the location address for delivery.
Kindness Commissioner, Heather Brooks and her daughter Savanna Brooks, share ways to be kind while quarantined and how you can get involved in the #kindSBY First Responders campaign.
WMDT reporter Brooke Butler recently interviewed, Pastor Martin Hutchison, a Kindness Commissioner, about how the Camden Community Garden and community members are helping to prevent hunger in the community during COVID-19 crisis. You can read the full article & watch the WMDT interview, here.
Kindness Commissioner, Grace Foxwell Murdock, was interviewed by WBOC to discuss how the community can get involved in the #kindSBY and City of Salisbury First Responder Campaign. Read the entire article and watch the video, HERE.
Thank you to everyone who made our Kindness adventure possible! To see more kindness in our community, make sure to follow Kind SBY on Facebook and add the hashtag #kindSBY to all of your pictures and posts, next Monday on Random Acts of Kindness Day as you pay it forward. Together we can make a huge impact on our community!
Kindness Commissioner, Heather Brooks, created a slideshow to help give families ideas for spreading kindness while in quarantine. We’d love to share your family’s acts of kindness. Email your photos and stories to kindsby@outlook.com or hashtag #kindSBY on social media posts.
Grace Foxwell Murdock, our Secretary of Kindness and Commissioner, decided to spread a little love in her neighborhood by chalking her driveway.
kindsby.org 