C.C.M.P. News

The Monterey County Herald ran an op/ed piece on July 4th suggesting “We sure could use ‘Love Your Neighbor Day‘”. We agreed – and told them so. It seems they thought their readers should know, so they ran our response today as “Let the caring begin“  (reprinted below). How will you care for others today?  Let us know! WE care! 

LET THE CARING BEGIN

     How wonderful that The Herald’s View on Monday identified a need to establish a regular reminder that there is enormous value in even the smallest act of kindness – those acts that create caring communities! Not so very long ago, right here in Monterey, just such a day was established.

“Dare to Care Day”, organized by Community of Caring Monterey Peninsula, challenges students in local “Community of Caring” schools to engage with their families and neighbors in random acts of caring. Over the years, The Herald has provided coverage of those activities!

When it was established, organizers agreed the event should tie to a day that already had name recognition. For marketing reasons, they declared Earth Day in April as the date for an annual celebration of “Dare to Care Day”. What better way to show we care than to care for our planet, right? True, but as suggested in The Herald’s View, caring for each other has enormous value, too.

Intentional acts of caring for others included activities like delivering flowers to a neighbor, helping someone cross a street, carrying groceries – even holding open a door. Small steps up from basic good manners and simple ways of respecting each other.

But what about other national days that (celebrate caring acts? “Pay It Forward Day” is in April, too.

Can’t wait until Spring to be the change you want to see in your world? “Make a Difference Day” in October, an event publicized by USA Today Weekend, has inspired award-winning local projects.

“World Kindness Day” is celebrated November 13th while “Universal Children’s Day” is celebrated November 20th, as proclaimed by the United Nations in 1954.

Rather celebrate for a week? “Random Acts of Kindness” suggests you do just that in February!

Ideas this big can’t be contained in a day, a week or even one part of the country. Check out “Pass It On” and discover a movement circling the globe!

All these celebrations offer opportunities and ideas for folks of all ages to put into practice the simple lessons learned in kindergarten. What better way for adults to be consistently better role models for the children in our communities!

But children are citizens of our communities now, not just in the future. By remembering to direct kindness at them, too, we are building assets that will be rewarded with the best possible return on investment: “Champions” who continue to build a legacy of caring.

Great ideas bear repeating and new habits take practice. Every day is full of opportunities to “Love Your Neighbor” in innumerable small ways.  The ideas of pancake breakfasts, block parties and holding hands with strangers on the beach should not be overlooked. And the elimination of talk radio and a positive focus in media are both extremely enticing! Since a journey starts with a single step, check out www.communityofcaringmp.org and take a moment to think about how you’ll care for others today – and every day.

Since it is The Herald’s View that there is a need to establish a day when we celebrate each other, perhaps you’ll partner in promoting this worthwhile movement by setting off a few fireworks of brotherhood. Let the celebrations begin!

By Kathi Speller, Executive Director

A week that started with Valentine’s Day, a day dedicated to the celebration of love…

What better way to kick off “Random Acts of Kindness Week”! Since “kindness” comes from “caring”, we at CCMP are huge fans of this kind of celebration. We know there are loads of acts of kindness and caring taking place every day, but just in case you need a reminder of how little effort it takes to make a difference, here’s some ideas: download our suggestions for Acts of Caring, by clicking on the Values tab on our website. Or visit these two awesome websites: http://www.randomactsofkindness.org/ or http://www.onemillionactsofkindness.com/

The next Monterey County presenter training event has been scheduled! The event will be held Saturday, March 6th 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. in the Board Room, Alumni & Visitor Center (Bldg. 97) at C.S.U.M.B., 100 Campus Center, Seaside, CA 93955. 

CHOICES focuses on academic self-discipline, time and money management and goal setting. Volunteers will deliver 3 CHOICES workshops per school year. A workshop consists of two 50-min class periods delivered on two consecutive days. A detailed plan and activities help the students understand each section. The plan is flexible so each volunteer presenter can add personality and experiences to the program. Presenters will receive a kit with a course guide, activity props, transparencies and handouts. Add your own spin to it and you’re ready to go!

Make a difference in the lives of teens as they transition into high school and consider how they will develop and pursue their educational and other future goals. To reserve your training space, please RSVP by March 3rd by contacting the CHOICES Monterey County Program Manager – Kathi Speller at 831.655.4755 or choices@communityofcaringmp.org

Special thanks to C.S.U.M.B. for hosting our Training Events! The 2010 program is made possible by CHOICES, Bank of America, Child Abuse Prevention Council of Monterey County and area Rotary Clubs.

The very first presentation to 8th graders in Monterey County was delivered this morning by Joanne Webster, Director, Human Resources, Community Hospital of Monterey Peninsula. Students were briefly introduced to the role of human resource professionals by Joanne, who explained that businesses have a vested interest in students pursuing their education since they are the future workforce.

CCMP thanks Joanne for her dedication to making a difference, both as a volunteer presenter AND as the person who brought the CHOICES program  to our attention! Thank you, Joanne — we would not be where we are without your focus and support!

Joanne Webster, #1 CHOICES presenter in Monterey County!focus and support!

San Benancio Middle School was the site of today’s launch. The 100+ students in the four history classes will all receive their “Key to Success” when the program concludes tomorrow.