(Photo Kelly Burneson/Kelly Burneson Photography)
WESTBOROUGH – Get ready to spread a little kindness.
Westborough Connects will sponsor the fifth Kindness Week Nov. 12-18.
According to Executive Director of Westborough Connects Kelley Petralia, the idea for the event began after a brainstorming session with other organizations about five years ago.
“We wanted to rally around core values,” she said. “We thought this could be something.”
Kindness Week has since become one of Connects’ signature events, said Petralia.
Program Manager Laura Cerniglia said Kindness Week was moved to November because Nov. 13 is World Kindness Day.
Kindness Week will kick off on Nov. 12. From 9 to 11 a.m., residents young and old can take part in community service opportunities, such as raking leaves and recycling. Those wishing to take part may sign up at tinyurl.com/mu3erhfs.
From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Westborough High School, a free drop-in event will include kindness stations, including a chance to paint and decorate kindness rocks, play “catch with a cop” and more.
In addition, there will be a drive to collect leftover Halloween candy. The goodies will be sorted and bagged for Soldiers Angels, which is a a charity that sends candy to troops stationed overseas.
Candy will also be donated to the Westborough Food Pantry and Project Just Because.
New this year, participants will have an opportunity to design blank greeting cards for Operation Gratitude, which is another organization that serves military personnel. The cards are sent to troops overseas so they may write a letter home.
Toward the end of the kickoff, three local drummers sponsored by the Westborough Cultural Council will perform.
Cerniglia said those missing the kickoff may perform community service all week long.
“All these events are free and open to the community,” she said.
Highlights include a screening of “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” at Westborough Public Library on Nov. 16; and the installation of a “Kindness Rock Garden” on Nov. 18 at 4 p.m. at the library.
Westborough Connects will soon launch its annual appeal to raise funds for its programs, including “pop ups” planned through the year.
“We need to celebrate kindness all year long,” said Petralia.
A complete schedule of events will be available on Westborough Connects’ website, www.westboroughconnects.org, and its Facebook page.
In addition to the Westborough Cultural Council, the programs for Kindness Week have been financially supported through contributions from New England Recovery Center, Realtor Stephanie Stuchlik, Cumulus Global, Central One Federal Credit Union, Pastoral Counseling Centers of MA, Pickering Funeral Home, Right at Home of Eastern Worcester County, The Highlands Gracious Living, as well as through a 2021 Reliant Foundation grant.
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