I’m excited to celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Day by featuring recent donations to a variety of schools and nonprofits across the country.
On Thursday, February 13, my team and I presented a total of 10 Random Acts of Kindness checks to schools and community organizations in markets where new stores have just opened including Norwalk, Connecticut; Rockford, Illinois; Florence, Kentucky and Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio. Each organization received a check for $2,500.
“We pride ourselves in being a good community partner in all the neighborhoods we serve,” said Lindsay Ruszczyk, Director of Communications, Bob’s Discount Furniture. “Surprising local schools and nonprofits with Random Acts of Kindness checks is just one of the many ways that we support our local communities. Bob’s Discount Furniture also works with nonprofits to coordinate furniture donations and we run our Café Collections for a Cause campaign where we collect money in all of our 125+ Cafés across the country, match the total amount raised up to $75,000, and then present a check once a quarter to a non-profit organization.”
Norwalk, Connecticut
My first Random Act of Kindness check of the day was presented to Family & Children’s Agency (FCA)’s Director of Development Janina Serrao and Vice President & Chief Development Officer Andrea Vakos.
For more than 75 years, FCA has been helping individuals and families throughout Fairfield County and beyond to realize life’s possibilities. The agency increases the social and emotional well-being of clients by providing strength-based, solution-focused services for every stage of life.
“Thank you on behalf of Family & Children’s Agency in Norwalk for your Random Act of Kindness contribution, which will serve the children, families, adults, and seniors that we serve in the greater Norwalk community,” said Janina Serrao, Director of Development, Family & Children’s Agency.
My next $2,500 Random Act of Kindness check was presented to Scott Hurwitz, principal of Brien McMahon High School in Norwalk, CT.
Florence, Kentucky
I am really pumped for the opening of my Florence, Kentucky location since this is my first store in the Bluegrass State. And my very first RAK check in Kentucky was presented to Jessica Pass, Principal of Erpenbeck Elementary School and Jenn Neace, School Counselor.
My second-ever RAK check in Kentucky goes to John Clancy, Director of Corporate & Community Partnerships at Northern Kentucky Children’s Advocacy Center. The Northern Kentucky Children’s Advocacy Center provides a coordinated response to concerns of child abuse in a child-focused environment, offering prevention, evaluation and treatment to children and families.
Rockford, Illinois
From Kentucky to Rockford, Illinois, Bob’s Discount Furniture store manager James Colicino presented a $2,500 Random Act of Kindness check to Jenny Keffer, principal of Auburn High School.
My second RAK check in Rockford went to KFACT – Keeping Families and Communities Together. KFACT’s mission is Building Healthy Futures for Girls through Holistic Mentoring.
Dayton, Ohio
My first RAK in Dayton, Ohio was presented to Judy Spurlock, Human Resource Director for Dayton Public Schools. This $2,500 is going to Eastmont Elementary School.
The second RAK check in Dayton was presented to Deanna Murphy, executive director of Hannah’s Treasure Chest in Centerville, Ohio. Founded in 2001, Hannah’s Treasure Chest is a nonprofit organization which enriches the lives of children in need by providing care packages of clothes, shoes, books, safety equipment and hygiene items including diapers through a network of nearly 50 partner agencies in Butler, Greene, Montgomery and Warren counties.
Cincinnati, Ohio
In Cincinnati, I presented a Random Act of Kindness check to Ericka Simmoms, principal of Mariemont Elementary School.
“I wanted to send our Thanks and Appreciation to Bob’s Discount Furniture for your Kindness & Generosity! It truly was an honor to receive this generous donation,” said Simmons. “Thank you for supporting our school! We are grateful to have been selected for this gift!”
I also had the pleasure of presenting a $2,500 RAK check to Deanna Powell, the Director of Development for Bethany House Services in Cincinnati, Ohio. Bethany House Services empowers homeless and at-risk families with the solutions to achieve housing stability and long-term self-sufficiency.
