What’s the nicest thing anyone has ever done for you?
When I transitioned back into writing for The Indianapolis Star last fall after many years as a copy editor, I was excited to have a beat that would allow me to share a little good news.
I spent the first 10 years of my journalism career covering hard news — police beat, school board, city hall, business, even a little sports. And I have great respect for my colleagues today who dig deep for stories about government malfeasance, child welfare, crime, education, health, etc.
But I believe there is a place in The Star and on indystar.com for stories that inspire people to make a difference in the lives of others. I believe we have the power — the responsibility even — to build a better community by connecting people with the causes and organizations that they think are doing good work.
What I couldn’t have known last fall was how many people would touch my life through this job. Your stories are sometimes tragic, sometimes joyful, but each of them is always hopeful.
Now, all of us in the Indianapolis area have a chance to spread the good word, to inspire and to be inspired, at Be Kind Indy, an event Aug. 20 at Central Library, 40 E. St. Clair St. Proceeds support Horizon House, a day shelter for the homeless in Indianapolis, but the benefits will reach beyond one organization.
The event opens at 6 p.m. with a reception in the Simon Reading Room, followed by a screening of “Kindness is Contagious,” a documentary narrated by best-selling author Catherine Ryan Hyde (“Pay It Forward”).
In it, the question “What is the nicest thing anyone ever did for you?” is posed to CEOs, athletes, pianists, artists, street performers, soup kitchen volunteeers, police officers and others from all walks of life.
A panel discussion including Terri Stacey of WIBC, Bruce Garrison of The Dwelling Place and myself will follow, and some copies of the book “Share This Journal,” written by Amy Gopel and Keryl Pesce, will be given away in a challenge of sorts to attendees.
The book is a journal just waiting to be filled with accounts of random acts of kindness, explained Mary Stickelmaier of Horizon House. It starts with one person who writes in his or her contact information, does an act of kindness for someone, records it in the book and leaves the book with that person.
The recipient does the same and so on until the journal is full, then it is returned to its original owner who gets to see how his or her one act of kindness has multiplied around the city.
“We thought the movie could be the cornerstone of a great event to encourage kindness and see what effect it could have in Indy,” Stickelmaier said. “At Horizon House, we witness many acts of kindness from our staff, our donors and our neighbors. It is always so inspiring when someone extends an act of kindness toward another in need, with no expectations in return.”
The first screening of “Kindness is Contagious in Indianapolis is to raise awareness of the issue of homelessness and how kindness and generosity make a difference to each of us, Stickelmaier said.
Stickelmaier shared an example of a donor who read about a man named Paul who had been living under a bridge for years. He suffered frostbite and had some of his toes amputated as a result. Eventually, the man found a place to live with help from Horizon House.
“The donor wanted to know what Paul wanted for a holiday gift. One of our case managers worked with Paul and developed a list that consisted of simple requests — a pumpkin pie, gift certificate to his favorite buffet restaurant, Walmart gift cards so he could pick out his own food instead of going to the food pantry and a monthly bus pass. She received such joy from getting these items for Paul, and he experienced joy in receiving these gifts,” Stickelmaier said.
“We want to recognize the kindnesses we’ve seen here at Horizon House from donors and neighbors and hope that people will do likewise and spread it within the community,” she said.
In “Share This Journal,” author Amy Gopel explained that sometimes when life is heavy, “the best thing you can do is something kind for someone else. The act of kindness is life’s magic eraser.”
“I want the world to know that they have the power to choose ... kindness in the face of adversity and that in doing so, we all have the ability to be something miraculous to someone else. This journal is an effort to create something that helps all of us to see that we are all connected.”
Stay tuned to indystar.com in the days leading up to the event to find out how you can share your favorite acts of kindness, using the hashtag #BeKindIndy.
Call Star reporter Maureen Gilmer at (317) 444-6879. Follow her on Twitter: @MaureenCGilmer.
Be Kind Indy
What: Reception, film screening and panel discussion.
When: 6 p.m. Aug 20.
Where: Central Library, 40 E. St. Clair St.
Cost: $20 (includes drawing for copies of book “Share This Journal”).
Information:www.horizonhouse.cc/bekindindy.