Macaroni Kid publishers from across the country and Canada love to give back to their communities. One of the ways Macaroni Kid publishers do that each year is through an event we call MKAOK Day! MKAOK stands for Macaroni Kid Acts of Kindness.
This year, we're celebrating MKAOK for an entire week. Why? Because this year — this topsy-turvy 2020 — we can all use a little more kindness.
Whether big or small, acts of kindness are inspired ways to work together, do good, and spread joy.
In past years Macaroni Kid publishers have done everything from signing up as bone marrow donors to hosting community-wide fundraisers for diaper banks and pajama drives. We're excited about the projects they're planning for this year! In fact, many of them already have projects underway because they couldn't wait to get started!
We encourage you and your family to join us in spreading acts of kindness in your community Sept. 26 through Oct. 3 — and beyond! Your acts of kindness don't have to be grand gestures. In fact, simple gestures can often mean the most. Your intention is what matters!
We'd love to have you share your intentional acts of kindness with Macaroni Kid by using the hashtags #MKAOK in your social media posts.
Now let's all go forth and spread that JOY!
What participating in acts of kindness shows kids
Participating in our Macaroni Kid Acts of Kindness is the perfect teachable opportunity to show your kids how important it is -- and how good it feels -- to be kind to others in your community.
Kids who participate in acts of kindness:
1. Feel good
Doing something for others makes kids feel good and gives them a boost of self-esteem for helping their community.
2. Strengthen community roots
Kids can partner up with current friends or join a community organization where they can meet new friends while doing good in their community.
3. Experience a feeling of belonging
Children sometimes struggle with feelings of being alone. Getting involved in giving back is a chance to feel like they belong to the community in a way that is 100 percent positive.
4. Learn gratitude
Helping others will give you an opportunity to teach your child to be grateful for what they have.
5. See firsthand the effect of "paying it forward"
This is a great chance to teach kids about the ripple effect that comes with showing even small kindnesses and how their efforts make a difference in our world.
We hope you and your family will join us Sept. 26-Oct. 3 — and beyond! — in celebrating acts of kindness in your community!
Follow along on your local Macaroni Kid Facebook page and our National Macaroni Kid Facebook page for inspiration on how to give back to your community in both small and big ways!
And don't forget to use the hashtag #MKAOK on any social media posts about acts of kindness you witness or take part in!
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Macaroni Kid South Birmingham is a free weekly e-newsletter and website focused on fun family events and things to do with kids in the South Birmingham region. We gather together all kinds of local family events and activities each week, and add useful information about classes, family-focused businesses, book and product reviews, recipes, crafts, school and camp guides and more. We proudly serve families in downtown Birmingham, Mountain Brook, Homewood, Vestavia Hills, Hoover, Pelham, the Oak Mountain and 280 area, Helena and Alabaster.
