Taking Actions Day 2014 - October 18
The first "Taking Actions Day" was on October 18, 2014. On that day, me and my friends, Belle, Alma and Nathania, hit the streets of Washington, DC, and did as many random acts of kindness as possible in 12 hours. We passed around our "Taking Action Day Card" to those we interacted with for them to pay it forward by passing on the card, along with a good deed to someone else.
On that day several metro stations were closed due to maintenance, so our planned agenda/route changed at the last minute. However, we still managed to go to all the places we intended to. |
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Agenda for Taking Actions Day 2014:
10:00 am – Drive to Rhode Island Metro Stop 10:16 am – Metro to Union Station Metro Stop 10:30 am – Union Station 12:00 pm – Metro to Dupont Circle Metro Stop 12:30 pm – Dupont Circle 02:30 pm – Metro to Smithsonian Metro Stop 03:00 pm – Walk the National Mall to the Lincoln Memorial 05:30 pm – Taxi to Gallery Place/Chinatown 06:00 pm – Gallery Place/Chinatown 07:50 pm – Metro to Columbia Heights Metro Stop 08:20 pm – Columbia Heights 09:00 pm – Drive to Silver Spring 10:00 pm – Silver Spring |
With a beautiful weather we started the "Taking Actions Day" on time. We did 36 different acts of kindness to more than 450 people. For the detailed list of all of the acts of kindness with specific times and locations click HERE. During the 12 hours of this event we interacted with almost 600 people. These are the acts of kindness we performed:
-Buy drinks for strangers (3)
-Clean a metro cart -Feed a homeless person (8) -Feed animals (4) -Give $ to a local artist (7) -Give $ to a random taxi driver (1) -Give $ to a stranger in need (2) -Give $ to an employee at a work place (3) -Give a balloon to a child (2) -Give a compliment to a stranger (1) -Give a generous tip to a taxi driver (1) -Give away metro cards (4) -Give directions to a stranger (7) -Give free hugs to strangers in about 60 minutes (52) -Give stickers to children (2) -Help a group to raise money by matching 5 donations -Help a group of friends with a scavenger hunt (5) -Help people to get off of a non-service metro cart (4) |
-Help someone with dropped items (2)
-Hold door open to strangers for about 45 minutes (308) -Lend metro card to a friend (1) -Let elderly people go first on the escalator (2) -Let someone ahead in metro line (1) -Make a donation to a friend’s family (1) -Make a donation to a random non-profit -Make donation to Penn State Thon to fight cancer -Make people smile and honk for love and equality (25) -Pay for someone’s groceries (1) -Pay for someone’s meals (4) -Pay for someone’s movie ticket (1) -Pay for someone’s parking meter (1) -Play diversity game with group of friends, T-shirt prize (4) -Recruit someone to do acts of kindness (1) -Recycle newspapers from a metro cart -Take a picture for someone else (6) -Talk to young people about “paying it forward” (7) |
Here are some of the pictures we took to document that awesome day:
Throughout the event we interacted with people from different paths of life, and we had a great time helping others. Many people were surprised as of why we were doing this, but they were inspired and motivated to pay it forward.
One of the several acts of kindness that we did during this event was making a donation to a random non-profit. By 6:00pm, we asked a stranger to pick a number between the nominated organizations (see list below), and #27 Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force was selected as the winner. The donation was submitted on 10/19/14 (receipt on right).
"Thank you again for your support for the work at PATF. Your support helps us meet the growing needs and reduced funding. I wish you good health and continued success." - Charles L. Christen, PATF
As part of our "Taking Actions Day," we encouraged our supporters to participate by doing something nice for someone else. we added $1 to our fundraising for every act of kindness shared on social media (using the hashtag: #TakingActionsDay) between 10/1 and 10/31. We doubled it and added $2 instead for each good deed shared on the actual Taking Actions Day 2014.
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By October 31, 2014, 42 supporters had shared 120 good deeds on social media, including 22 done only on Taking Actions Day (10/18/14), for a total of $142. We rounded it up to $150, and instead of one, we chose two winner organizations ($100 and $50).
On November 1, 2014, by 8:00pm, we randomly selected the 2 non-profits from the 43 nominated organizations, and #10 Divine Equine Rescue and Therapy Inc. and #35 Rayna's Caring Corner were selected as the recipients of the funds raised in October 2014. However, our friend Rayna, from Rayna's Caring Corner, decided to donate the money back and we selected a different organization, #20 Homeless Angels (receipts below)
On November 1, 2014, by 8:00pm, we randomly selected the 2 non-profits from the 43 nominated organizations, and #10 Divine Equine Rescue and Therapy Inc. and #35 Rayna's Caring Corner were selected as the recipients of the funds raised in October 2014. However, our friend Rayna, from Rayna's Caring Corner, decided to donate the money back and we selected a different organization, #20 Homeless Angels (receipts below)
We also encouraged our supporters on-line to pick 3 numbers between the 42 supporters who shared their good deeds on social media, and the chosen winners were: Dorothee Kinney, Natalie Wagoner and Rayna Jones. We sent them a gift of appreciation (Taking Actions goodies) for inspiring and motivating others to pay it forward.
Check out our Taking Actions Day 2014 Facebook Event.
Check out our Taking Actions Day 2014 Facebook Event.
Here is the list of all the organizations that were nominated during this event, and all the different act of kindness that were shared by our supporters on social media, in October 2014.
Nominated Organizations, Causes, Foundations and/or Charities
1. Human Beans Together by AJ
We are a Raleigh, NC, based collection of people interested in helping alleviate hunger, homelessness, and hopelessness by sharing our resources with those in need. 2. St. Baldrick's Foundation by Belleange H. We are a childhood cancer charity funding the most promising research to help find cures for kids with cancer. 3. Universal Kitchen by Leslie O. We provide dinner and toiletries to veterans, the homeless, and low-income people in the Washington, DC area. 4. Smithville Food Pantry by Julie T. We are a source of supplemental nutrition for the elderly, disabled and low income families in our area, and we act as a source of emergency food supplies as needed. 5. Thumbs Up For Lane Goodwin Childhood Cancer Foundation by Karen W-S We support childhood cancer research through funding and advocacy while empowering families battling childhood cancer by providing education, financial assistance and a volunteer network. 6. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital by Geiza K. We advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. 7. New York City Anti-Violence Project by Kevin W. We empower lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and HIV-affected communities and allies to end all forms of violence through organizing and education, and support survivors through counseling and advocacy. 8. Planned Parenthood by Jeanne M. We deliver vital reproductive health care, sex education, and information to millions of women, men, and young people worldwide. We have promoted a commonsense approach to women’s health and well-being, based on respect for each individual’s right to make informed, independent decisions about health, sex, and family planning. 9. Make-A-Wish by Dianna W. We grant the wish of a child diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition in the United States and its territories to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. We believe that a wish experience can be a game-changer. This one belief guides us. It inspires us to grant wishes that change the lives of the kids we serve. 10. Divine Equine Rescue and Therapy Inc. by Ann M. We are a volunteer-based organization dedicated to rescuing horse, ponies, donkeys, mules and dogs that are homeless or unwanted. 11. AID Atlanta by Luis A. We are the largest HIV/AIDS service organization in the Southeast. Our core purpose is to ignite and inspire transformations of hearts, minds, and bodies. 12. Lost-N-Found Youth by Luis A. We are a grassroots nonprofit working to end the cycle of homelessness among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth age 18-25. We operate a 24/7 hotline at 678-856-7825, a homeless youth drop-in center, a thrift & consignment shop, and a 6-bed housing facility in Atlanta. 13. Arbonne Charitable Foundation by Kisha S. We provide support for programs and opportunities that promote the development of confidence and self-esteem in teenage girls and boys. 14. Delaware Riverkeepers Network by Wendie G. We give voice, strength and protection to the communities and waterways of the Delaware River to ensure the rich and healthy future that can only exist with a clean and full flowing river system.Network. 15. R.A.A.! - Ready, Aim, Advocate! by Winona A. We educate and assist low-income families with becoming more pro-active and productive citizens that will implement improved life skills as well as public administration knowledge to advocate within their homes and their community. 16. Project Create by George B. We provide accessible arts education to promote positive development in children, youth and families experiencing poverty and homelessness. 17. Miriam’s Kitchen by George B. We advocate for permanent supportive housing as a long-term solution, while meeting short-term needs by providing healthy meals and high-quality social services to more than 3,500 chronically homeless individuals each year. 18. Sasha Bruce Youthwork by George B. We improve the lives of runaway, homeless, abused and neglected and at-risk youth and their families in the Washington area. 19. One Heart for Women and Children by Alex D. We educate, empower and mentor women and their families while transitioning through many facets of daily living and to assist with locating the many local resources available in the Central Florida community to meet their needs. 20. Homeless Angels by Brenda B-H We are a street based outreach in Lansing, MI with an affiliate outreach in Detroit, MI. We rebuild and restore faith in humanity through innovative ideas, programs and events with the main goal of involving the community in real change for people that are homeless or at risk of homelessness. 21. Human Rights Campaign by Ben M. We seek to improve the lives of LGBT Americans by advocating for equal rights and benefits in the workplace, ensuring families are treated equally under the law and increasing public support among all Americans through innovative advocacy, education and outreach programs. 22. Southside Riders Association by Natalie W. We are a centered group of motorcycle enthusiasts who have organized for the purpose of improving the image of the motorcyclist in our community. Our tools will be community involvement and our support of Local Children’s Charities. |
23. Veterans Partnering With Communities by Victoria J.
We provide a venue, resources, services, workshops, seminars, outreach programs, and strategic partnerships within our communities that efficiently, comprehensively, and effectively lead to the elimination of homelessness and unemployment of our Veterans. 24. Not On Our Watch America Foundation by Derrick B. We bring the facts of child sexual abuse into the light of day, where solutions can be found, creating an environment of safe, stable, nurturing relationships. 25. The Hunger Project by Jamar F. We empower people to end their own hunger and poverty on a sustainable basis through an integrated and affordable approach to people‐centered development. Our programs in Africa, South Asia and Latin America provide women and men living in poverty with the opportunity to lead healthy and productive lives, meet their own basic needs and build better futures for their children. 26. The Peace House by Marc H. We are a vehicle to transform individual lives and communities for those working for positive social change and a world free from oppression. We foster learning and activist excellence through the People’s Library and Research Center, which assists and/or facilitates various individual, community, and world betterment projects. 27. Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force by Robbie A. We are dedicated to supporting and empowering all individuals living with HIV/AIDS and preventing the spread of infection. 28. Last Hope K9 Rescue by Deb P. We rescue dogs from kill shelters and place them with a permanent home or find fosters willing to open their homes and hearts until we can find that right FURever home. 29. Help For Our Community by Henry H. We are a community of volunteers in our local surroundings. We service whomever we can all year long. During Thanksgiving and Christmas we cook pack and deliver meals to veterans, elderly, homeless and anyone in need of a meal. 30. Community Crisis Services, Inc. by Alma A. We serve individuals/families in crisis and need, seeking shelter placement, suicide prevention/intervention, social services, and more, in Maryland and nationwide. 31. The Modified Dolls by Amanda F. We are a non-profit organization that supports a different charity each month. Our goal is to demolish the negative stereotypes associated with being a modified woman by doing charity work. 32. Equality New Mexico by JT P. We work throughout our state to achieve LGBT equality by educating to change hearts and minds, advocating for those treated unfairly, empowering individuals and communities, and convening to achieve collective impact. 33. Helping Hands and Hearts of Michigan by Victoria G. We strive to enhance the quality of individuals, families and the community by providing available services, resources, food, clothing, shelter and education to promote solutions for the enrichment of all. 34. Macomb Homeless Coalition by Sharron R. We act as an advocate for the homeless and potentially homeless in Macomb County by collaborating efforts that promote and sustain self-sufficiency. 35. Rayna's Caring Corner by Lisa C. We put together care packages for families struggling to make ends meet. We are regular people who coupon to get great deals. In 2014 we donated 36 back packs full of supplies to children in need. This winter, we will be taking up clothing (coats, hats, gloves, etc.) to hand out in the community. This Christmas we are "adopting" a Rest home to ensure the elderly have a little something to put a smile on their face. This is all done by word of mouth. 36. Cystic Fibrosis Foundation by Timber H. We are an organization dedicated to attacking cystic fibrosis from every angle. Our focus is to support the development of new drugs to fight the disease, improve the quality of life for those with CF, and ultimately to find a cure. 37. Mercy for Animals by Timber H. We are dedicated to preventing cruelty to farmed animals and promoting compassionate food choices and policies. We work to create a society where all animals are treated with the compassion and respect they so rightfully deserve. We serve as a voice for animals through proactive consumer education initiatives, cruelty investigations, corporate outreach, and legal advocacy. 38. Prison Library Project by Timber H. We are printing and distributing a limited paperback edition of Buddhist Boot Camp to inmates in correctional facilities across the globe. 39. No Maybes for Babies by Amanda G. We are a non-profit program that helps WIC families in Worcester County, Massachusetts, with diapers, wipes, formula, baby food and clothing. 40. Bridge Of Peace Syria by Emma H. We are a humanitarian aid organization dedicated to provide financial support to help feed children, women and families in Syria. 41. USO (United Service Organizations) by Elaine We provide a touch of home through centers at airports and military bases, top quality entertainment and innovative programs and services. We provide support to forward-deployed troops and their families, wounded, ill and injured troops and their families and the families of the fallen. 42. Brother's Brother Foundation by John H. We promote international health and education through the efficient and effective distribution and provision of donated medical, educational, agricultural and other resources. 43. Street Warriors of Central Florida by Christine M-C. We are a group of Christian friends, who are led by the Holy Spirit to serve those in need. Currently we are focused on homeless in our area. |