GA_021419

8 | February 14, 2019 | The glencoe anchor news
glencoeanchor.com
Family Service gears up for
Random Acts of Kindness Week
Ruby
The Geier-Box Family, of Glencoe
I’m Ruby, an 11-year-old teddy bear dog. My
favorite things are sleeping, cuddling and spending
time with my family. As you can see, I sit like a
human. If you see me walking at the beach or
around Glencoe please stop and say “Hi!”
HELP! We’re running out of pets to feature! To see your
pet as Pet of the Week, send information to megan@glencoeanchor.com
or 60 Revere Drive, Suite 888, Northbrook,
IL 60062.
WINNER:
Best Groomer in
Chicagoland
Pet of the Week
Sponsored by
Love Fur Dogs
The Best in Grooming 847-LUV-DOGS
www.LoveFurDogs.com • 69 Green Bay Rd. Glencoe, IL
Submitted by Family
Service of Glencoe
For the fourth year in
a row, Family Service
of Glencoe is proud to
present Random Acts of
Kindness Week. In partnership
with many local
businesses, organizations
and schools, RAK Week
represents an opportunity
for kindness to become
the primary focus of the
community, beginning on
Sunday, Feb. 17.
This year, the week will
look a little different than
in past — it will begin
with a Kindness Kick-Off
event at Takiff Center on
Feb. 17 and the days following
will be themed.
“Of course, we encourage
random acts of kindness
for everyone, all of
the time,” said Noe Janus,
FSG’s director of
development and communications.
“This year,
in addition to week-long
efforts, Family Service
will provide ideas for random
acts of kindness and
encourage activities that
recognize specific people
each day like kindness for
your family members on
Monday.”
The Kindness Kick-Off
event at Takiff Center, put
on by FSG, the Glencoe
Park District and Woman’s
Library Club will be
held from 1-4 p.m. Feb.
17 and is open to the public.
There will be several
activities, such as writing
notes or crafting other
types of goodwill messages
for our troops, making
tie-blankets for babies
in need, creating faux
flower bouquets for local
hospitals, and more.
There will also be opportunities
to drop off
item donations based
on lists provided by Selah
Freedom, PAWS and
New Trier Township Food
Pantry.
In addition, more than
half a dozen local nonprofit
organizations will
be in attendance to share
their mission and upcoming
opportunities.
Specific lists of items
needed by the benefiting
organizations is available
on the Family Service of
Glencoe and the Glencoe
Park District’s website
and Facebook pages.
The remainder of the
week, ending Feb. 23 is
fully-loaded with random
acts of kindness throughout
Glencoe.
“We are excited to,
once again, celebrate
kindness in Glencoe by
offering residents numerous
themed activities and
fun surprises,” said Lisa
Cardonick, FSG board
president.
Throughout the week,
many area businesses and
shops will be offering discounts,
donate back days
and giveaways. Additionally,
schools in District
35 will spread goodwill
by signing the Kindness
Pledge and having conversations
surrounding
what kindness is and the
many forms it can take
and Glencoe Junior High
Project will put post-its
with messages of kindness
around the school
and create posters about
kindness. Glencoe Junior
Kindergarten has planned
something each day to
help children learn to express,
recognize and learn
about kindness.
“Many thanks to our
shining stars,” Cardonick
said. “Our local businesses,
public library, and
District 35 — all of whom
jumped at the opportunity
to participate.”
“My favorite part of
Random Acts of Kindness
week is the generous and
enthusiastic support we
get,” said Susie Spitzer-
Cohn, FSG board member
and communications
committee chairperson.
“Another reminder of
what a lovely community
we live in.”
Everyone is encouraged
to take to social media and
post and share acts or expressions
of kindness they
display or witness and use
the hashtags #BeKindGlencoe
and #Glencoe150.
Additionally, heart stickers
will be available for
pick-up at locations such
as Village Hall’s front
desk, the Public Library
and Takiff for all to keep
on-hand and giveaway
to each other as they
recognize goodwill.
Be sure to check Family
Service of Glencoe’s
website (www.familyserviceofglencoe.org)
and
Facebook page (@FamilyServiceofGlencoe)
for
updates and additions to
the offerings, activities
and for kindness ideas
throughout RAK week.
valentine
From Page 3
different designs and
styles have emerged,
the concept to make
gift-giving thoughtful
from start to finish still remains.
In Stern’s opinion,
going that extra mile to
make a loved-one feel special
and cared for is more
important then ever.
“Gift-giving in modern
times can be truly impersonal.
Many simply send
a quick e-gift or e-card,
which isn’t the same as
putting thought and attention
into a gift,” Stern said.
“While it may not always
be the easiest path, there
is something to be said
for schlepping down to
the post office to deliver a
gift, and with ready-to-go
boxes, it makes the task of
sending a well-decorated
gift simple.”
Stern came up with
other clever ideas, like
replacing a regular cup of
Joe with Starbucks Coffee
on United Airlines flights,
giving the user a special
experience. Today, she applies
that same passion to
her role as the executive
director for the Chicago
Festival of Israeli Cinema.
“I want everyone who
comes to these festivals to
feel special and to make an
ordinary experience and
extraordinary one,” she
said. “ It all comes down to
putting thought and attention
into everything we do
for others. Providing great
customer service never
gets old; we all know how
bad it feels when customer
service is lacking, and how
wonderful it feels when it
is not. Providing that extra
touch, going that extra
mile and allowing someone
to walk away with
a positive experience is
priceless.”