World Kindness Day transpires every year on Nov. 13, which is a day to remember the importance and impact that small acts of kindness can have. The Kean community celebrated with the help of Programming for Unique and Lively Student Experience, also known as P.U.L.S.E., as they held their Paint a Smile event.
Paint a Smile: World Kindness Day was from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Nancy Thompson Library Learning Commons (NTLC). Representatives from P.U.L.S.E. ran the event which included many activities for the students to participate in. They also had an informational table not only on World Kindness Day but also on the other programming that The Office of Student Government is hosting for the remainder of the semester.
P.U.L.S.E. is housed under the The Office of Student Government and is led by students who plan events and programs for their peers. They are dedicated to expanding the Kean community involvement through their diverse, academic and entertaining events.
As soon as students entered the door of the NTLC, the World Kindness Day tabling could be seen with friendly faces behind it. Students were invited to learn more about the purpose of World Kindness Day and the affect that one small act of kindness could have.
Students were encouraged to spin a wheel, and depending on what it landed on they were engaged in different activities. For example, some of the options were encouraging the student to text a friend a compliment to spread kindness, giving the student a thank you card to fill out and give to their loved ones and getting a Polaroid picture taken of them to make their day.
Another option on the wheel was for the students to give a social media shout out on their @keanstudentgov Instagram story. Those who landed on this option could tag a friend and share why they are thankful for them or to send them a positive message.
Students also had the option to write what kindness meant to them and post it on a bulletin board so that a passerby could learn about the various reasons to celebrate World Kindness Day. Some of the submissions included, "It means helping others whenever you can because you never know what someone is going through," and, "It means to me that everyone has the chance to be themselves freely and safely."
Celina Edwards, an assistant coordinator for P.U.L.S.E. Committee, spoke on how during today's day in age, it is especially important for people to know that they are loved and appreciated.
P.U.L.S.E. also gave out books titled, 100 Days of Kindness: Spreading Happiness, Joy and Love with 100 Acts of Kindness by Jacob Reimer. This is full of fun ideas to make peoples days a little brighter, whether it be through paying for another customer's coffee or letting someone into a lane when driving.
To learn more about P.U.L.S.E., be sure to check out the Student Organization of Kean University's Cougar Link page, which is where their events are posted.
