b kinder day
BY BEV JORDAN
Danny Mayson-Kinder hopes people will be kinder every day and hopes that more schools and kindergartens in the area will embrace the concept of b kinder day.
The aim of the day is to address what it means to be kind. People, schools and businesses are encouraged to buy a special b kinder card to write and to send to someone they care about.
The program was started at Arndell Anglican College in Oakville three years ago, by Danny through the flyhighbillie charity, founded in memory of her daughter Billie, a former Arndell Anglican student, who died in a tragic horse accident at Pitt Town at the age of 12.
Last year 52 schools and hundreds of businesses took part, sending over 30,000 b kinder cards around the world. While b kinder day is June 22 Danny said many schools were participating in b kinder day either the week before or in term 3 and sending their cards after the school holidays.
“Cards have been sent to teachers, sporting coaches, nursing homes, grandparents … it’s quite heart-warming to think that these children are writing these cards and really thinking about who they are sending it to and what they are going to say,” she said. “These cards impact a lot of people. Last year some schools sent their cards to a refugee camp and to nursing homes and this year students from one school are sending their cards to a cancer treatment centre.”
Students at Pitt Town Early Learning Centre (pictured) now called Papilio Early Learning will be participating again for the third year.
Kenthurst Public School is also on-board with b kinder day as is Londonderry Pony Club, Sydney Jump Club and several Windsor businesses including Bridge Café, Farmhouse Living and Farmer’s Daughter.
The greeting cards used for b kinder day feature a selection one of Billie’s artworks. All funds raised from the sale of cards go to the flyhighbillie charity which also produces interactive b kinder workbooks for primary schools. The books enable children and young people to work through the need for kindness, compassion and empathy in a bid to combat bullying, anxiety and suicide.
The workbooks use Billie’s own words and drawings to provide examples of kindness and have been designed with the help of teachers and psychologists.
All the money raised by the sale of the b kinder workbooks, greeting cards and the hope book are used to donate kindness resources and programs to schools.
“The workbooks empower and inspire children and help them realise that their actions do matter and they each have the power to make a difference through kindness,” said Danny.
To purchase cards and to find out more about b kinder day visit flyhighbillie.com or email [email protected]
