CHARLTON - According to research, “spreading kindness not only helps others feel better about themselves -- it can also boost the giver’s health and happiness.” February 17, the National Random Act of Kindness Day was celebrated by the Practical Nursing Class of 2021 at Bay Path Practical Nursing Academy by displaying their “RAKtivism” or being a “Random Acts of Kindness Activist.”  

Gretheline Bolandrina, MSN Ed, RN, CRRN Academy Director, is grateful for the PN Class of 2021 and their kind gestures. She strongly believes in kindness’s many health benefits such as lower blood pressure, pain reduction, happiness, and the ultimate helpers’ high. “Our student nurses are making the world a better place,” she said. “Any act of kindness, no matter how small changes the world, and any kindness given to others is also a gift to yourself.” 

“Sometime back, on a Thursday morning while driving on Route 31 in Spencer, The two cars in front of me got into a collision. I pulled over and made sure the police were called. The accident involved a middle-aged man and an older woman. I had the woman stay in her car and not move in case she had any injuries as she was affected more than the male was. The male was anxious and really worked up. I did what I could to reassure him that he needed to be calm. I waited until the police arrived. Fortunately, both collision survivors left with only minor bumps and bruises.” - Brianna Cloutier, SPN of Charlton 

  “When a neighbor’s dog, Juda (a German Shepherd) passed away (of old age), my 8-year-old daughter who had a small stuffed animal that looked like Juda gave the neighbor her stuffed animal in remembrance. It made Juda’s mom (who is in her 50s) so happy, she gave my daughter daisies with thanks. She makes me so proud.” 

                                                             Tianna Welcome

“On Christmas Eve I gave a homeless man in downtown Worcester (under a bridge) a variety box of homemade cookies. There were chocolate chips, snowballs, thumbprints, peanut butter balls, peanut butter cookies, and sugar cookies with frosting. Small acts of kindness warm the heart.” - Tianna Welcome, SPN of Oxford 

Brought flowers to cheer up and celebrate milestones for staff and faculty: “Floriography, the language of flowers, was developed as a form of communication at a time where it was not appropriate, polite or proper etiquette for an individual to fully express their emotions with another.”  

Brianna Laforest, SPN of Webster 

                                                       Elizabeth Larson

 ARC blood donor: “Blood donors report feeling a sense of great satisfaction after making their blood donation.” - Elizabeth Larson, SPN of Webster  

The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation lists kindness ideas organized by work, community, environment, animals, strangers, kids, seniors and more. For more information visit https://www.randomactsofkindness.org